bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High contrast imaging of dental fluorosis in the short wavelength infrared
Authors: Kashirtsev Filipp , Tressel John , Simon Jacob C. , Fried Daniel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDental fluorosis is an increasing problem due to over exposure to fluoride from the environment. Fluorosis causes hypomineralization of the enamel during tooth development and mild fluorosis is visible as faint white lines on the tooth surface while the most severe fluorosis can result in pitted surfaces. It is difficult to quantify the severity of mild to moderate fluorosis and assessments are limited to subjective visual examinations. Dental fluorosis appears with very high contrast at short wavelength infrared (SWIR) wavelengths beyond 1400 nm and we hypothesize that these wavelengths may be better suited for detecting mild fluorosis and for estimating the severity on tooth surfaces. In this study, the contrast of fluorosis of varying severity on extracted human permanent teeth was measured at SWIR wavelengths ranging from 1300 to 2150 nm using an extended range of InGaAs camera and broadband light sources. The contrast was also measured in the visible range and with quantitative light‐induced fluorescence (QLF) for comparison. The depth of hypomineralization and the integrated reflectivity were also measured with cross‐polarization optical coherence tomography. The contrast of hypomineralization is significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 1460 and 1950 nm wavelengths than for the visible, fluorescence or other SWIR wavelengths from 1300 to 2150 nm. The highest correlation of the contrast with the depth of hypomineralization measured with cross‐polarization‐optical coherence tomography (CP‐OCT) was at 1950 nm. This SWIR in vitro imaging study exploring wavelengths beyond 1400 nm has shown that hypomineralization on tooth surfaces can be viewed with extremely high contrast at SWIR wavelengths from 1460 to 2000 nm and that SWIR imaging has great potential for monitoring hypomineralization on tooth surfaces. New clinical methods are needed for the measurement of fluorosis that are valid, reliable, and feasible for surveillance at the community level. In addition, methods are needed for the quantitative assessment of fluorosis in vivo.
Assessment of encrustation and physicochemical properties of poly(lactide‐glycolide) ‐ Papaverine hydrochloride coating on ureteral double‐J stents after long‐term flow of artificial urine
Authors: Antonowicz Magdalena , Szewczenko Janusz , Kajzer Anita , Kajzer Wojciech , Jaworska Joanna , Jelonek Katarzyna , Karpeta‐Jarząbek Paulina , Bryniarski Piotr , Krzywiecki Maciej , Grządziel Lucyna , Swinarew Andrzej S. , Nakonieczny Damian S. , Kasperczyk Janusz 
Published: July 2021

AbstractImplantation of ureteral stents is associated with inconvenience for the patient, which is related to the natural ability of the ureter to contract. The most frequently used solution is the systemic administration of a diastolic drug, which has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle cells and decreases inconvenience. Current interdisciplinary research aimed at reducing the complications after the implantation of ureteral stents used in the treatment of upper urinary tracts with regard to infection, initiation of encrustation, and fragmentation of stents, and patient pain has not been resolved. This study presents the results of research regarding the impact of a biodegradable coating with the active substance on the physical and chemical properties of ureteral stents used in the treatment of the upper urinary tract. The surface of polyurethane double‐J stents was coated with poly(lactide‐glycolide) (PLGA) 85/15 loaded with papaverine hydrochloride (PAP) with diastolic properties. The coating for ureteral stents has been designed for short‐term implantation. The effect of the coating on the process of encrustation and PAP release by the dynamic in vitro model with artificial urine (AU) up to 30 days was evaluated. The influence of AU on the physical and chemical properties of ureteral stents was determined. As part of the study, surface structure and topography researches; chemical composition analyses using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and wetting; and surface roughness studies of both PUR stents and coated stents were carried out. The proposed biodegradable PLGA+PAP coating is characterized by controlled drug release, while optimal physicochemical properties does not increase the encrustation process.
Impacts of compacting methods on the delivery of erythromycin and vancomycin from calcium polyphosphate hydrogel matrices
Authors: Chehreghanianzabi Yasaman , Auner Gregory , Shi Tong , Dietz Paula , Bou‐akl Therese , Markel David C. , Ren Weiping 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDesigning hydrogels for controlled drug delivery remains a big challenge. We developed a calcium polyphosphate hydrogel (CPP) as matrix for delivery of vancomycin (VCM) and erythromycin (EM) by unique ionic binding and physical wrapping. In this continuing study, we investigated if gel discs prepared by mechanical compaction (at 3000 psi pressure, C‐discs) is superior to that of discs prepared by regular manual compaction (M‐discs) for the release of VCM and EM (10 wt.%). Data demonstrated a significant reduction of burst release of VCM and EM in C‐discs (1.8% and 5%, respectively) as compared to that from M‐discs within 72 hr (55% and 60%, respectively, p < 0.05). In addition, C‐discs significantly extended the VCM release (1500 hr) and EM (800 hr) as compared to M‐discs (160 and 96 hr, respectively, p < 0.05). The VCM released from C‐discs retained its bactericidal activity much longer (1500 hr) than that from M‐discs (700 hr, p < 0.05). Raman Spectroscopy indicated an ionic bond of both VCM and EM with fully hydrated polyphosphate chains of CPP hydrogel matrix for both M‐discs and C‐discs. Micro CT showed that C‐discs had much denser microstructures and less number/depth of microcracks as a result of high pressure. We propose that CPP hydrogel represents an excellent tool for the controllable and sustained delivery of VCM and EM. Extensive experiments are currently underway to evaluate the potential impacts of the modification of compaction techniques, other antibiotics, gel concentrations on the drug release, degradation behavior and infection control both in vitro and in vivo.
ARGOS: An adaptive refinement goal‐oriented solver for the linearized Poisson–Boltzmann equation
Authors: Nakov Svetoslav , Sobakinskaya Ekaterina , Renger Thomas , Kraus Johannes 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAn adaptive finite element solver for the numerical calculation of the electrostatic coupling between molecules in a solvent environment is developed and tested. At the heart of the solver is a goal‐oriented a posteriori error estimate for the electrostatic coupling, derived and implemented in the present work, that gives rise to an orders of magnitude improved precision and a shorter computational time as compared to standard finite difference solvers. The accuracy of the new solver ARGOS is evaluated by numerical experiments on a series of problems with analytically known solutions. In addition, the solver is used to calculate electrostatic couplings between two chromophores, linked to polyproline helices of different lengths and between the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the ACE2 receptor. All the calculations are repeated by using the well‐known finite difference solvers MEAD and APBS, revealing the advantages of the present finite element solver.
Effect of imidazole‐doped nanocrystalline cellulose on the characterization of Nafion films of fuel cells
Authors: An Vu Nang , Phong Le Pham Nam , Van Nhi Nguyen , Van Tran Thi Thanh , Nhan Ha Thuc Chi , Van Hieu Le 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, we have fabricated a polymeric material (CNC/Im) consisting of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) synthesized from Vietnamese rice husk biomass and imidazole (Im) dopant. Next, we propose a new approach to fabricate Nafion/CNC/imidazole (NCI) composite materials by mixing the CNC/imidazole hybrid into Nafion matrix using a very simple solution method, and then investigating the influence of CNC/Im on the properties of NCI membranes.RESULTSElectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the proton conductivity of the CNC/Im membrane depends on the linked molar ratio of Im to glucose units (denoted by the n index), and this value is higher than that of pure CNC by a factor of 6. Differential thermal analysis (DSC) showed that the value of the n index is around 1:17 with all the content ratios between CNC and Im. Next, we synthesized composite materials based on CNC/Im and Nafion 117 (NCI) and investigated the influence of CNC/Im on the properties of NCI membranes. The results demonstrated that proton conductivity of the NCI membranes changes according to the content of Nafion 117, and reaches the highest value of 6.19 × 10−4 S m–1 with an Nafion 117/(CNC/Im) ratio of 2:1. It was observed that the CNC fiber bundles were surrounded by a polymer layer and no phase separation occurs in the scanning electron micrographs of NCI materials.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that the prepared NCI composites will be potential materials for eco‐friendly fuel cell operating in low humidity conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Heavy metals bioremediation and water softening using ureolytic strains Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Raoultella planticola
Authors: Eltarahony Marwa , Kamal Ayman , Zaki Sahar , Abd‐El‐Haleem Desouky 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe recalcitrant nature of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) to degradation represents a real risk to living creatures and their surrounding ecosystems. Therefore, this study employed ureolytic fungal strain Metschnikowia pulcherrima (29A) and bacterial strain Raoultella planticola (VIP) in their removal using the promising CaCO3 bioprecipitation technique, for the first time.RESULTSOut of 50 isolates, strains 29A and VIP were selected based on their highest ureolytic activity, followed by minimum inhibitory concentration assay using 350 ppm of Pb2+ and Hg2+. Throughout 7 days of incubation at 30 °C and 150 rpm with 108 CFU mL−1 inoculum, the maximum urease activity was 884 and 639 U mL−1 for 29A and VIP at 24 and 30 h of incubation, respectively. Complete removal of Pb2+ was achieved at 42 h (29A) and 90 h (VIP), while Hg2+ was totally removed at 60 h (29A) and 102 h (VIP). Remarkable removal of Ca2+ (>95%) was achieved by the end of the experiments, which would address the hardness problem in water treatment processes. Further, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the remediated precipitates. EDX profiles showed characteristic peaks of C, O and Ca besides Pb and Hg. SEM illustrated the presence of microbial imprints and calcinated cells in the remediated bioliths. However, XRD confirmed transformation of soluble metals to insoluble forms entrapped in calcite or vaterite lattice.CONCLUSIONSSuch a bioremediation approach ensures the detoxification and sequestration of heavy metals in stable and durable matrices, hindering their leaching from carbonate complex trap to the environment. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Barriers to family history knowledge and family communication among LGBTQ+ individuals in the context of hereditary cancer risk assessment
Authors: Rolf Bradley A. , Schneider Jennifer L. , Amendola Laura M. , Davis James V. , Mittendorf Kathleen F. , Schmidt Mark A. , Jarvik Gail P. , Wilfond Benjamin S. , Goddard Katrina A. B. , Ezzell Hunter Jessica 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOpenness about identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+) may cause strain on relationships between family members, which could lead to limited knowledge of cancer family history and reduced communication with family members. As a result, members of the LGBTQ+ community may have more difficulty accessing genetic counseling services for inherited cancer risk. We applied a mixed‐methods approach to explore potential barriers to knowledge of cancer family history and family communication among participants of the Cancer Health Assessments Reaching Many (CHARM) study who self‐identified as LGBTQ+. We assessed perceptions of family functioning and communication of genetic test results to family members using survey tools and supplemented these data with 20 in‐depth interviews to further assess participant perspectives and experiences. LGBTQ+ participants were more likely to report unhealthy family functioning on the survey tool, and some interviewees endorsed that openness about their LGBTQ+ identity led to strained family relationships and reduced communication about their family history of cancer. Overall, this study identified barriers that may be faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community which could limit their ability to access genetic counseling services for inherited cancer risk.
Epidemiological characteristics and incubation period of SARS‐CoV‐2 during the 2020–2021 winter pandemic wave in North China: An observational study
Authors: Liu Tiantian , Chen Zijian , Xu Jin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAs the emergence of new variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 persists across the world, it is of importance to understand the distributional behavior of the incubation period of the variants for both medical research and public health policy‐making. We collected the published individual‐level data of 941 patients of the 2020–2021 winter pandemic wave in Hebei province, North China. We computed some epidemiological characteristics of the wave and estimated the distribution of the incubation period. We further assessed the covariate effects of sex, age, and living with a case with respect to the incubation period by a model. The infection‐fatality rate was only 0.1%. The estimated median incubation period was at least 22 days, significantly extended from the estimates (ranging from 4 to 8.5 days) of the previous wave in mainland China and those ever reported elsewhere around the world. The proportion of asymptomatic patients was 90.6%. No significant covariate effect was found. The distribution of incubation period of the new variants showed a clear extension from their early generations.
Fabrication and characterization of Pickering emulsions stabilized by desalted duck egg white nanogels and sodium alginate
Authors: Chen Ze , Cui Bing , Guo Xiaohan , Zhou Bin , Wang Shishuai , Pei Yaqiong , Li Bin , Liang Hongshan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe waste of salted egg white resources has always been a serious problem in the food industry. In this current study, we report on a kind of Pickering emulsion system, which was stabilized by duck egg white nanogels (DEWNs) and sodium alginate (SA), followed by which this system was crosslinked by calcium carbonate (CaCO3) via controlling the gluconolactone (GDL) concentrations, aiming to open up a promising route for making full use of these protein resources.RESULTSThe droplet size of the emulsion exhibited a reduction with an increase in SA concentrations, indicating that higher negative charges and steric hindrance was useful for a stable emulsion system. Meanwhile, the result of rheology measurement showed that storage modulus (G′) values were higher than loss modulus (G″) values of the samples at higher GDL concentration, revealing the formation of elastic gel‐like networks in the system, which was fabricated by SA and Ca2+ released by the CaCO3 particles. The gel‐like network structure in the continuous phase improved both the freeze–thaw and thermal stability of the obtained Pickering emulsion system. Encouragingly, the Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs, φ = 0.75) stabilized by DEWN/SA3‐GDL3 were prepared, which could be stored at 4 °C for at least 30 days without oiling‐off and creaming.CONCLUSIONThese findings not only develop a green ultra‐stable Pickering emulsion system but also extend the potential commercial applications of duck egg white proteins in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Packaging with hydrogen gas modified atmosphere can extend chicken egg storage
Authors: Wang Yueqiao , Wang Junjie , Kuang Yong , Shen Wenbiao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough hydrogen gas (H2) has been widely used in industry and gradually used in medicine, it is less applied to agriculture, especially in modified atmosphere packing (MAP).RESULTSDuring chicken egg storage, H2 MAP not only slowed down or delayed the reduction in antioxidant capacities, but also alleviated the deterioration of egg quality. The extent of micro‐cracks in the eggshell was also negatively influenced by H2, which might result in eggs being less vulnerable to microbes. The earlier results demonstrated that the H2 MAP‐extended shelf life of chicken eggs might be caused by the responses of eggshell and re‐establishment of redox homeostasis. According to the data collected from different provinces of China, cost‐economics analysis further suggested that the increase in the extra cost caused by H2 was trivial compared with the original price of eggs.CONCLUSIONTogether, H2 MAP can prolong the shelf life of chicken eggs with the prospect of wider application. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of treatment time on a PEO‐coated AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Yao , Duan Xiangyu , Zhao Yanwei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPlasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were formed in a phosphate–silicate‐based electrolyte containing K2ZrF6 on an AZ31 Mg alloy. The physical and chemical properties of the coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the thickness of the PEO coatings increased linearly with increased treatment times. Additionally, the micropores on the coating surfaces increased in size, but decreased in porosity with increased PEO treatment time. The XRD results showed that the coatings were mainly composed of MgO, MgF2, MgSiO3, and ZrO2, and the electrochemical tests revealed that the corrosion resistance of the coatings increased with increased treatment time. Besides, the EIS results correlated well with the potentiodynamic polarization test results.
Fixed points of anti‐attracting maps and eigenforms on fractals
Authors: Peirone Roberto 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAn important problem in analysis on fractals is the existence of a self‐similar energy on finitely ramified fractals. The self‐similar energies are constructed in terms of eigenforms, that is, eigenvectors of a special nonlinear operator. Previous results by C. Sabot and V. Metz give conditions for the existence of an eigenform. In this paper, I prove this type of result in a different way. The proof given in this paper is based on a general fixed‐point theorem for anti‐attracting maps on a convex set.
The association between sarcopenia susceptibility and polymorphisms of FTO, ACVR2B, and IRS1 in Tibetans
Authors: Zhang Xianpeng , Ye Liping , Li Xin , Chen Ying , Jiang Yaqiong , Li Wenhui , Wen Youfeng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundHypoxia within the plateau has a negative effect on skeletal muscle and may play a role in the development of sarcopenia in humans. Tibetans having lived in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau for thousands of years, are a high‐risk group for sarcopenia; however, they have a distinctive suite of genetic traits that enable them to tolerate environmental hypoxia and are genetically significantly different from Han Chinese and other lowland populations. Sarcopenia has been consistently found to be associated with single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, but few studies have investigated the role of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in a range of muscle phenotypes and sarcopenia in Tibetan peoples.MethodsOur study aimed to investigate the skeletal muscle mass and fat mass of 160 Tibetans (80 men and 80 women) from Lhasa (altitude of 3600 meters) and analyze the association between the polymorphisms of fat mass and obesity protein (FTO) rs9939609, FTO rs9936385, activin type IIB receptor (ACVR2B) rs2276541, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) 2943656 and sarcopenia.ResultFTO rs9939609 and rs9936385 polymorphisms were associated with lower limb skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia for Tibetan women, and TT homozygotes had a higher risk for sarcopenia. But ACVR2B rs2276541 and IRS1 2943656 polymorphisms were unassociated with sarcopenia in Tibetan.ConclusionIn Tibetans, FTO rs9939609 and rs9936385 polymorphisms were associated with sarcopenia, and ACVR2B rs2276541 and IRS1 2943656 polymorphisms were unassociated with sarcopenia.
Variants in linkage status at D5S818 detected by multiple STR kits comparison and Sanger sequencing
Authors: Shao Chengchen , Yao Yining , Pan Xinwei , Wu Mengde , Zhang Beilei , Xu Hongmei , Xie Jianhui , Sun Kuan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundD5S818 discrepancies have been reported in forensic parental testing due to null alleles. However, more cases may be ignored since proportional null alleles were missed without detection of heredity discrepancy between parents and offspring.ResultsIn this study, null allele 12 at D5S818 was detected by the PowerPlex® 21 System with a higher occurrence rate on the basis of review on 2824 samples from the 1282 routine cases in Chinese Han population. Sequencing results revealed novel variant of guanine (G) into adenine (A) in the 7th [AGAT] repeats in the core repeat region accompanied by rs1187948322 in the samples with null allele 12.ConclusionsForensic STR typing may benefit from this discovery: (1) primer design of CE profiling system could be improved for sensitive population and (2) polymorphic information could be enriched for the accuracy and precision of NGS genotyping system. Peak area of D5S818 was also analyzed through different commercial STR kits. It is suggested that more attention should be paid on observed homozygosity with reduced peak area, especially for the samples from Chinese Han population.
A compact three‐dimensional fourth‐order scheme for elasticity using the first‐order formulation
Authors: Gordon Rachel , Turkel Eli , Gordon Dan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe develop a compact fourth‐order scheme for the three‐dimensional elastic wave equation in frequency space, using the first‐order velocity‐stress formulation. The scheme is implemented numerically for homogeneous media on a staggered grid, and both the acoustic and elastic cases are considered. We use a one‐directional point source of impact, for which Pilant developed a closed solution. Numerical results for the acoustic and the elastic cases compare favorably with the analytic solutions and show a very significant improvement over the second‐order scheme.