bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial ultrafiltration membrane with silver nanoparticle impregnation by interfacial polymerization for ballast water
Authors: Zhu Jianhua , Lua Aik Chong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInterfacial polymerization technology was employed to immobilize silver (Ag) nanoparticles on the surface of commercial polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to develop antibacterial and antifouling ultrafiltration membrane. Ag nanoparticles were prepared from the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by sodium borohydride in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the stabilizer. The encapsulated Ag nanoparticles in the PEI solution were embedded into the PEI membrane when trimesoyl chloride solution was used to crosslink the PEI solution with the PES membrane, forming Ag‐polyamide (PA) networks through the interfacial polymerization reaction. Experimental results showed that the membrane prepared with 50 mmol/L of AgNO3 and 20 mmol/L of PEI had the optimized antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli. Bacterial concentration and species were also investigated. Exiguobacterium aestuarii and Staphylococcus aureus which are gram‐positive bacteria, needed significantly more time for the Ag‐PA/PES membrane to kill the bacteria completely when compared to E.coli and Vibrio coralliilyticus which are gram‐negative bacteria. This study showed that Ag nanoparticles impregnated in membrane surfaces were 100% effective in killing various types of marine bacteria and bacteria in the seawater collected off Sentosa Island in Singapore. These membranes exhibit excellent antibacterial and antifouling properties which can be used to kill bacteria in ballast water and seawater.
Realizing fast photoinduced recovery with polyfluorene‐block‐poly(vinylphenyl oxadiazole) block copolymers as electret in photonic transistor memory devices
Authors: Ercan Ender , Lin Yan‐Cheng , Chen Chun‐Kai , Fang Yi‐Kai , Yang Wei‐Chen , Yang Yun‐Fang , Chen Wen‐Chang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPhotonic field‐effect transistor (FET) memory devices offer unique advantages owing to their solution processability, low cost production, and their lightweight and structural flexibility. Despite the plethora of research demonstrated the photon based programming process, limited reports are available for photoinduced recovery mechanism in such devices. To investigate the influence of polymer electret design on photonic memory performance, poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO)–block–poly (vinylphenyl oxadiazole) (POXD) conjugated block copolymers were employed to a photonic FET memory with n‐type semiconducting channel. The studied device exhibited bistable ON/OFF current states after electrical programming and photoinduced recovery (erasing) processes. The device operating mechanism was elaborated by comparing the device performance with respective electrets of PFO‐b‐POXD and PFO‐b‐polystyrene (PS) and PFO homopolymer. We found that PFO‐b‐POXD can efficiently generate photoexciton under UV illumination to neutralize the trapped hole, and assuage the hole trapping propensity of PFO segment, simultaneously. By optimizing the POXD content in the block copolymer, a decent memory ratio (ION/IOFF) of ~105 was achieved after 104 s, indicating its superior long‐term stability and data discernibility. This research shows the judicious strategy to design polymer electret for photonic memory, and it opens up the possibility of developing photonic memory, human perception and futuristic communication systems using simple, convenient and reliable optoelectronic technique.
Preparation of hydrophilic poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane by in‐situ grafting of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone via a reactive vapor induced phase separation procedure
Authors: Wang Rongrong , Duan Yidan , Xiong Xiaopeng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIncreasing hydrophilicity of hydrophobic membrane is one of the strategies to improve its antifouling performance. Herein we report a procedure of reactive‐vapor induced phase separation to prepare an N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane to improve its hydrophilicity. PVDF solution containing NVP monomer was cast in ammonia water vapor atmosphere to prepare the modified membrane. During the process, PVDF was dehydrofluorinated by the reactive vapor of ammonia water to generate double bond of FC═CH, and then NVP was grafted. The degree of grafting modification and the microstructure evolution of the membrane were studied by adjusting the amount of NVP addition. A possible mechanism of membrane formation from crystallization gelling to non‐crystallization gelling has been proposed to understand the morphology change from nodular sphere to bi‐continuous microstructure with fibril matrix. It has been found that rising the degree of modification has changed the polymorph of PVDF from β to α crystalline phase, as well as turned the hydrophobic PVDF membrane into hydrophilic. Moreover, the modified membrane displayed obvious reduction in bovine serum albumin adsorption, suggesting improvement in anti‐fouling performance. Therefore, our work provides an easy strategy to prepare hydrophilic PVDF membrane, which may have promising potential applications.
Perceptions of BELONG as a supportive e‐platform used by women with gynecologic cancers
Authors: Ahmed Saima , Gotlieb Walter H. , Erez Guy , Loiselle Carmen G. 
Published: August 2021

Key points

The unmet needs of women with gynecologic cancers (GCs) can be readily addressed using high quality e‐platforms

This pilot study documents women with GC perceptions of BELONG (https://belong.life/)—a cancer navigation and support Application (or App) connecting patients diagnosed with various types of cancers

Women (N = 25), with GCs (stages I to IV), used the App for 8 weeks and completed the user Mobile Application Rating Scale

Ratings of BELONG in domains of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information were high, with Ask an Oncologist, Ovarian Cancer Community, Clinical Trials, Treatment Information, and Support Resources representing the most frequently accessed topics

As e‐platforms are developed at a rapid pace, users' input and evaluation of platform quality and utility should be prioritized
Effects of hydropeaking on the behaviour, fine‐scale movements and habitat selection of an Iberian cyprinid fish
Authors: Rato Ana Sofia , Alexandre Carlos Manuel , de Almeida Pedro Raposo , Costa José Lino , Quintella Bernardo Ruivo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHydropeaking is widely known for changing the quantity and quality of the available habitat downstream of hydroelectric facilities, thus affecting all stages of fish life cycles. Hydropeaking impacts on salmonids are widely studied, but knowledge of its effects on cyprinids, which are dominant in Mediterranean areas, is scarce. In this study, 11 Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei, Steindachner 1864) were tagged with radio transmitters equipped with ElectroMyoGram (EMG) sensors, aiming: to (a) assess the behaviour, fine‐scale movements and habitat selection of the target species in response to periods of artificial and abrupt flow variations (i.e., hydropeaking); and (b) identify, which environmental variables and, in particular, flow components can influence the species behaviour. Results from the six barbel that provided analysable data indicate that fish were more active during the day and in periods of ecological flow. Moreover, during hydropeaking, especially during the increase in flow magnitude, fish activity decreased with the tagged fish showing a refuge‐seeking behaviour. This information can be used to minimize the changes caused in the aquatic habitat and fish communities occurring downstream of hydroelectric dams.
Facile Preparation of Cu2S/Cu Mesh For High‐performance Solar Water Evaporation
Authors: Gu Yanran , Li Xin , Li Xuejian , Yao Zhongping , Lu Songtao , Wu Xiaohong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSolar vapor generation has attracted tremendous attention as one of the most efficient ways of utilizing solar energy. Compared with bulk heating, interfacial solar steam generation efficiency is high, and the heat loss to the surrounding environment is minimal, which is an eco‐friendly and energy‐efficient way of harvesting solar energy for desalination and wastewater treatment. So it is highly desirable to develop low‐cost and high‐efficiency solar absorbers for practical applications of interfacial solar steam generation. In this work, Cu2S/Cu mesh was prepared by depositing Cu2S nanoparticles on copper mesh by one‐step hydrothermal method, which was used as photothermal conversion material for solar interfacial evaporation. This material owns a high solar absorptivity of 84.01 % within the wavelength range of 0.25–2.5 μm. Under one sun illumination, the evaporation rate is 1.55 kg m−2 h−1 and the solar thermal conversion efficiency reaches 96.9 %. The cycle stability tests showed that the evaporation rate decreased firstly and then was balanced at 1.34 kg m−2 h−1 in 10 cycles. Furthermore, this material can maintain a stable performance of interfacial solar steam generation during desalination of seawater and purification of dye wastewater containing Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange, respectively. This work provides a low‐cost, simple, and efficient preparation method for synthesizing an efficient Cu2S/Cu mesh solar steam evaporation material.
Suppression of bisphenol A‐induced oxidative stress by taurine promotes neuroprotection and restores altered neurobehavioral response in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Pradhan Lilesh Kumar , Sahoo Pradyumna Kumar , Aparna Sai , Sargam Meghana , Biswal Amit Kumar , Polai Omkar , Chauhan Nishant Ranjan , Das Saroj Kumar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA) has been documented as a mediator for a number of health effects, including inflammation, oxidative stress, carcinogenicity, and mood dysfunction. The literature on the role of BPA in inducing altered neurobehavioral response and brain morphology and plausible neuroprotective role of taurine against BPA induced oxidative stress mediated neurotoxicity is limited. Therefore, the present experimental paradigm was set for 21 days to expound the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following waterborne exposure. Neurobehavioral studies were conducted by light–dark preference test (LDPT) and novel tank diving test (NTDT). To validate that the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced neurotoxicity is associated with the modulation of the antioxidant defense system, we have conducted biochemical studies in zebrafish brain. Changes in brain morphology leading to neurobehavioral variations following co‐supplementation of BPA and taurine were evaluated by Hoechst staining and cresyl violet staining (CVS) in periventricular gray zone (PGZ) of zebrafish brain. Our findings show that taurine co‐supplementation significantly improved the BPA‐induced altered scototaxis and explorative behavior of zebrafish. Further, BPA‐induced augmented oxidative stress was considerably ameliorated by taurine co‐supplementation. Subsequently, our observation also points toward the neuroprotective role of taurine against BPA‐induced neuronal pyknosis and chromatin condensation in PGZ of zebrafish brain. In a nutshell, the findings of the current study show the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced oxidative stress‐mediated neurotoxicity. Elucidation of the underlying signaling mechanism of taurine‐mediated neuroprotection would provide novel strategies for the prevention/treatment of BPA‐persuaded serious neurological consequences.
β‐Endosulfan‐mediated induction of pro‐fibrotic markers in renal (HK‐2) cells in vitro: A new insight in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology
Authors: Ghosh Rishila , Siddarth Manushi , Kare Pawan Kumar , Banerjee Basu Dev , Kalra Om Prakash , Tripathi Ashok Kumar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractChronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), manifested clinically as tubulo interstitial fibrosis, has emerged as the second major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Indian subcontinent and various agrochemicals have been implicated in its occurance. Among the agrochemicals organochlorine pesticides particularly endosulfan is well known for its toxicity and recent residue analysis have shown its presence in the blood samples of general population. In this present study, we have investigated the consequences of endosulfan exposure at a concentration (0.01 μM) equivalent to their highest reported presence in human blood sample of some CKDu patients, to human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK‐2) cell line with regard to ROS generation and expression of profibrotic and epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) markers in order to find out endosulfan's ability to induce profibrotic changes in renal cell. We demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular ROS generation and increased expression of TGF‐β1 when cells were incubated with β‐endosulfan (0.01 μM) indicating occurrence of oxidative stress and fibrotic process. Again, decreased expression of epithelial marker E‐cadherin and increase in the expression of mesenchymal marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) suggest possible onset of EMT process. Pre‐treatment with 5 mM concentration of anti‐oxidant N‐acetyl cysteine partially attenuated the above process. In conclusion, these findings suggest possible involvement of β‐endosulfan in the development of CKDu through oxidative stress and profibrotic signaling.
Sentinel behavior in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
Authors: Huels Florian D. , Stoeger Angela S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe social and cooperative behavior of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), specifically their sentinel behavior, has been intensively studied in free‐ranging populations. This study focuses on whether guarding in captive meerkats exhibits a pattern similar to that described for wild groups. Sentinel behavior in captivity has been somewhat neglected because predation is usually not a critical factor. Nonetheless, observations in captivity might reveal whether individual or group experience influences this specific behavior pattern. We observed three captive meerkat groups (in outdoor as well as indoor enclosures) and analyzed the duration of guarding sequences, the number of established guards, the guard posture, and the individual guard positions. We also conducted playback experiments to investigate the reaction of the sentinel and the group to bird calls (songbird vs. predatory bird species). The results demonstrated that captive groups behave much the same as wild groups. Certain individuals performed the guard job more often than other group members. Accordingly, the “super sentinels” observed in the wild also exist in captive groups. Playbacks showed that the sentinels reacted more strongly to the calls of predatory bird species, indicating that captive meerkats are able to categorize bird calls. We also documented major differences in behavioral responses to the calls of specific predatory bird species. Our observations underline that sentinel behavior is probably a combination of an innate, imprinted pattern that is further affected by the experience. Future studies might further investigate this influence of experience, beyond innate behavior, on the group‐specific sentinel behavior pattern in captive meerkats.
Probing neutrino magnetic moment at the Jinping neutrino experiment
Authors: Yue Baobiao , Liao Jiajun , Ling Jiajie 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Neutrino magnetic moment (νMM) is an important property of massive neutrinos. The recent anomalous excess at few keV electronic recoils observed by the XENON1T collaboration might indicate a ∼ 2.2 × 10−11μB effective neutrino magnetic moment ($$ {\mu}_{\nu}^{\mathrm{eff}} $$

μ
ν
eff

) from solar neutrinos. Therefore, it is essential to carry out the νMM searches at a different experiment to confirm or exclude such a hypothesis. We study the feasibility of doing νMM measurement with 4 kton fiducial mass at Jinping neutrino experiment (Jinping) using electron recoil data from both natural and artificial neutrino sources. The sensitivity of $$ {\mu}_{\nu}^{\mathrm{eff}} $$

μ
ν
eff

can reach < 1.2 × 10−11μB at 90% C.L. with 10-year data taking of solar neutrinos. Besides the abundance of the intrinsic low energy background 14C and 85Kr in the liquid scintillator, we find the sensitivity to νMM is highly correlated with the systematic uncertainties of pp and 85Kr. Reducing systematic uncertainties (pp and 85Kr) and the intrinsic background (14C and 85Kr) can help to improve sensitivities below these levels and reach the region of astrophysical interest. With a 3 mega-Curie (MCi) artificial neutrino source 51Cr installed at Jinping neutrino detector for 55 days, it could give us a sensitivity to the electron neutrino magnetic moment ($$ {\mu}_{\nu_e} $$

μ

ν
e

) with < 1.1 × 10−11μB at 90% C.L. . With the combination of those two measurements, the flavor structure of the neutrino magnetic moment can be also probed at Jinping.
Search for low-mass leptoquarks using the llqq final states in Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions
Authors: Xia Li-Gang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
After a review over past experiments and theoretical requirements from low-energy flavour physics, we argue that the possibility of low-mass leptoquarks (LQ) cannot be fully excluded due to the assumptions made in the measurements. Therefore we propose to search for the pair production of low-mass leptoquarks in Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions with the least model dependence (assuming a small coupling constant ≲ 0.1). There are a couple of advantages: 1) high photon flux provides high production rate for low mass LQs; 2) the background contamination is much lower than that in p-p collisions. The analysis strategy permits a leptoquark to decay to all possible lepton-plus-quark modes. Taking the scalar LQ, S3, with an electric charge $$ \left|q\right|=\frac{4}{3}e $$

q

=

4
3

e
, as example, the mass point of 100 GeV can be excluded at the 95% confidence level using a dataset of 4 pb−1 Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 5.02 TeV and the performance of the ATLAS detector in Run 2. The proposed method also applies to searching for high-mass LQs in p-p collisions as long as the LQ pair production mechanism dominates.
Neuroserpin: structure, function, physiology and pathology
Authors: D’Acunto Emanuela , Fra Annamaria , Visentin Cristina , Manno Mauro , Ricagno Stefano , Galliciotti Giovanna , Miranda Elena 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNeuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor identified in a search for proteins implicated in neuronal axon growth and synapse formation. Since its discovery over 30 years ago, it has been the focus of active research. Many efforts have concentrated in elucidating its neuroprotective role in brain ischemic lesions, the structural bases of neuroserpin conformational change and the effects of neuroserpin polymers that underlie the neurodegenerative disease FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies), but the investigation of the physiological roles of neuroserpin has increased over the last years. In this review, we present an updated and critical revision of the current literature dealing with neuroserpin, covering all aspects of research including the expression and physiological roles of neuroserpin, both inside and outside the nervous system; its inhibitory and non-inhibitory mechanisms of action; the molecular structure of the monomeric and polymeric conformations of neuroserpin, including a detailed description of the polymerisation mechanism; and the involvement of neuroserpin in human disease, with particular emphasis on FENIB. Finally, we briefly discuss the identification by genome-wide screening of novel neuroserpin variants and their possible pathogenicity.
Einflussfaktoren bei der Wahl der Androgendeprivationstherapie für Patienten mit hormonsensitiven Prostatakarzinom
Authors: Lehmann J. , Kluike C. W. , Haider A. , Haider K. S , Baumann S. , Flesch M. , Gedamke M. , Kägebein D. 
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die Androgendeprivationstherapie (ADT) mit einem GnRH-Agonisten (Gonadotropin-releasing-Hormon) oder -Antagonisten stellt einen zentralen Bestandteil der Behandlung des Prostatakarzinoms (PCa) dar. Über die Faktoren, welche die Wahl der ADT beeinflussen, ist bis jetzt wenig bekannt.

Ziele der Arbeit
Faktoren, welche die Wahl der ADT bei Patienten mit hormonsensitivem PCa beeinflussen, werden identifiziert. Vom Urologen zur Identifizierung von Begleiterkrankungen genutzte Informationsquellen sowie deren Prävalenzen werden bestimmt.

Methoden
Die zweiarmige, prospektive, nicht-interventionelle Studie „ProComD“ wurde von Sept. 2014 bis Juni 2019 an 80 Studienzentren in Deutschland durchgeführt. Patienten mit hormonnaivem PCa und Notwendigkeit einer ADT wurden nach erfolgter Therapieentscheidung in die Studie eingeschlossen. Fragen bezüglich Informationsquelle und Therapieentscheidung wurden vom Arzt direkt im elektronischen Datenerfassungssystem (eCRF) beantwortet.

Ergebnisse
Es wurden Daten von 413 Patienten ausgewertet (Degarelix n = 268; GnRH-Agonisten n = 145). Ausschlaggebend für die Therapieentscheidung waren für beide Behandlungsgruppen u. a. die Faktoren Komorbiditäten (bei 42 % aller Patienten), Compliance (64 %) und Alter (81 %).
Die häufigste konsultierte Informationsquelle bzgl. vorhandener Komorbiditäten ist die Anamnese durch den behandelnden Urologen selbst (68,5 % in beiden Gruppen). Bei Patienten mit kardiovaskulären Vorerkrankungen wurde zusätzlich der Arztbrief (45,8 % Degarelix vs. 38,9 % GnRH-Agonisten) oder der Anamnese-Fragebogen (38,9 % Degarelix vs. 20 % GnRH-Agonisten) herangezogen.

Schlussfolgerungen
Komorbiditäten zählen neben dem Alter und der Compliance zu den wichtigen Faktoren, die die Wahl der ADT beeinflussen.
Bounded $$H^\infty $$-calculus for a degenerate elliptic boundary value problem
Authors: Krietenstein Thorben , Schrohe Elmar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOn a manifoldXwith boundary and bounded geometry we consider a strongly elliptic second order operatorAtogether with a degenerate boundary operatorTof the form$$T=\varphi _0\gamma _0 + \varphi _1\gamma _1$$T=φ0γ0+φ1γ1. Here$$\gamma _0$$γ0and$$\gamma _1$$γ1denote the evaluation of a function and its exterior normal derivative, respectively, at the boundary. We assume that$$\varphi _0, \varphi _1\ge 0$$φ0,φ1≥0, and$$\varphi _0+\varphi _1\ge c$$φ0+φ1≥c, for some$$c>0$$c>0, where either$$\varphi _0,\varphi _1\in C^{\infty }_b(\partial X)$$φ0,φ1∈Cb∞(∂X)or$$\varphi _0=1 $$φ0=1and$$\varphi _1=\varphi ^2$$φ1=φ2for some$$\varphi \in C^{2+\tau }(\partial X)$$φ∈C2+τ(∂X),$$\tau >0$$τ>0. We also assume that the highest order coefficients ofAbelong to$$C^\tau (X)$$Cτ(X)and the lower order coefficients are in$$L_\infty (X)$$L∞(X). We show that the$$L_p(X)$$Lp(X)-realization ofAwith respect to the boundary operatorThas a bounded$$H^\infty $$H∞-calculus. We then obtain the unique solvability of the associated boundary value problem in adapted spaces. As an application, we show the short time existence of solutions to the porous medium equation.