bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silica‐free sealing glass for sodium‐beta alumina battery
Authors: Manthina Venkata , Song Gyuho , Singh Prabhakar , Mahapatra Manoj K. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA CaO‐Bi2O3‐Al2O3‐B2O3 glass system was studied as a sealant for sodium‐sulfur battery. The thermal properties such as thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition, and softening temperature were determined by dilatometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Selected glasses, based on the thermal properties, were bonded with α‐alumina substrate followed by aging in air at 400°C for 100 hours and in sodium vapor at 350°C for 100 hours. The interfacial compatibility and resistance to sodium vapor corrosion of the bonded and aged samples were evaluated by structural and microstructural analysis using X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). Helium leakage test was performed at room temperature to examine the sealing ability of the select glass. It is found that Bi2O3 increases the thermal expansion coefficient, decreases the glass transition and softening temperature, shows excellent interfacial compatibility and thermal cycling resistance, improves sealing ability, and degrades sodium corrosion resistance.
Influence of PbO content on the dielectric failure of Nb‐doped {100}‐oriented lead zirconate titanate films
Authors: Zhu Wanlin , Borman Trent , DeCesaris Kory , Truong Bo , Lieu Michelle M. , Ko Song Won , Mardilovich Peter , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA series of niobium‐doped, {100} textured, “gradient free,” lead zirconate titanate (PNZT) films with different PbO contents were fabricated by the chemical solution deposition method. The films’ PbO content was controlled by changing the average PbO content in the solution from 114.7 to 117 at.%. During the dielectric breakdown process of 1.5 μm thick PNZT films with Pt top and bottom electrodes, two phenomena were observed: cracking and thermal breakdown of the piezoelectric film. At 150°C, with an applied 400 kV/cm electric field, the crack density of PNZT films induced by electromechanical failure increased from 0.060/μm to 0.090/μm as the solution's PbO content increased from 114.7% to 117%. In addition, the films showed higher crack densities and more frequent thermal breakdown events when the electric field was oriented downward (from top to bottom electrode) compared with an upward oriented electric field (from bottom to top electrode). The films with higher PbO content had a lower breakdown strength. Also, all films showed lower breakdown strength when measured in the field down direction. The Schottky barrier height (SBH) decreased from 0.82 ± 0.06 to 0.68 ± 0.04 eV in the field up direction measurement as the PbO content increased. The SBH value did not show significant change in the field down direction measurement. This suggests that the asymmetry in the film/electrode interfaces is a function of the PbO content in the original solution.
Structural studies on Ca3Al4MgO10 (C3A2M)—A ternary phase in the system CaO–Al2O3–MgO
Authors: Kahlenberg Volker , Albrecht Richard , Schmidmair Daniela , Krüger Hannes , Krüger Biljana , Tribus Martina , Pauluhn Anuschka 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn a sequence of temperature‐dependent solid‐state reactions in the system CaO–Al2O3–MgO the formation of the ternary phase Ca3Al4MgO10 or C3A2M has been studied. Whereas the compound could not be prepared at 1200°C, a yield of 85 wt.‐% of Ca3Al4MgO10 was obtained at 1320°C (incongruent melting point: 1330°C). Powder diffraction data compare well with results of previous investigations from the 1960s. Single crystals of Ca3Al4MgO10 could be retrieved from the sinter‐pellets. Basic crystallographic data are as follows: orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbcm, a = 5.14073(8), b = 16.7576(2), c = 10.70977(16) Å, V = 922.61(2) Å3, Z = 4. Using synchrotron diffraction data it was possible to solve the crystal structure. Least‐squares refinements resulted in a residual of R(|F|) = 0.021 for 1000 independent observed reflections with I > 2σ(I) and 97 parameters. The structure contains [TO4]‐tetrahedra (T=Al,Mg) forming a three‐dimensional (3‐D) framework whose topological characteristics have been determined. Al‐Mg distributions on the different T‐sites have been studied. The calcium cations are located in voids of the network. More than 50 years after its first observation our investigation clarifies the crystal structure of a compound belonging to a system that is of relevance for several fields of materials science.
Towards a sustainable fabrication of cryomagnets: Melting‐driving approaches for recycling failed REBa2Cu3Ox bulks
Authors: Liang Kun , Huang Simin , Qian Jun , Xiang Hui , Liu Yan , Yao Xin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRecycling failed REBa2Cu3Ox (RE123 or REBCO, RE: rare earth elements) bulks is a matter of significant importance in the manufacture of superconducting cryomagnets for practical applications. However, bulks with high solid fraction and high Tp (peritectic temperature) are difficult to recycle. In order to solve this problem, we first gave a comprehensive classification of failed bulks based on their macrostructures, determined by the volume ratio between poly‐crystalline grains (PCG) and solidified liquid phase (SLP) of the bulks, which is positively correlated with the difficulty level of melting the bulks. Furthermore, particularly for hard‐to‐melt samples, we developed a novel melting‐driving recycling process, in which an additional step, high‐temperature remelting plus quenching, was employed before a normal regrowing step. As a result, we succeeded in recycling the failed SmBCO bulks featuring high Tp and structures of fully‐grown PCG, which demonstrated comparable superconducting performance to ones prepared by normal top‐seeded melt‐growth. This study opens a new direction of recycling all kinds of failed RE123 bulks and other ceramic materials, making their industrial applications more sustainable and economic.
Influence of glass composition on photoluminescence from Ge2+ or Ag nano‐cluster in germanate glasses for white light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Zhao Jingyuan , Yang Zhengwen , Yu Chengye , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGermanium glass has attracted much interest because of its potential application as the optical waveguides and communication devices. In this work, germanium glass was prepared, exhibiting the blue luminescence at the 410 nm from the Ge2+. The influence of SiO2 addition in the germanate glass on the 410 nm luminescence of the Ge2+ was observed. The SiO2 addition promoted the formation of Ge2+, which is because the Si4+ ions can deprive the O2− ions from the Ge4+ ion caused by the lower optical basicity of Si4+ ions than Ge4+ ion. The germanium glasses containing the Ag nano‐clusters were prepared using ion‐exchange method. The influence of SiO2 concentration on the size of Ag nano‐clusters was observed, which stabilize the size distribution and lead to the miniaturization of Ag nano‐clusters. The Ag nano‐clusters size dependence of their photoluminescence was observed in germanate glasses, and the tunable photoluminescence of Ag nano‐clusters was obtained by controlling the size of Ag nano‐clusters. It is noticed that the Ag nano‐clusters formed in the germanate glass showed the white light emission characteristic excited at the blue chip, exhibiting the practical application as the blue converted white light‐emitting diodes.
Bradykinin‐mediated Ca2+ signalling regulates cell growth and mobility in human cardiac c‐Kit+ progenitor cells
Authors: Li Gang , Che Hui , Wu Wei‐Yin , Jie Ling‐Jun , Xiao Guo‐Sheng , Wang Yan , Li Gui‐Rong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOur recent study showed that bradykinin increases cell cycling progression and migration of human cardiac c‐Kit+ progenitor cells by activating pAkt and pERK1/2 signals. This study investigated whether bradykinin‐mediated Ca2+ signalling participates in regulating cellular functions in cultured human cardiac c‐Kit+ progenitor cells using laser scanning confocal microscopy and biochemical approaches. It was found that bradykinin increased cytosolic free Ca2+ () by triggering a transient Ca2+ release from ER IP3Rs followed by sustained Ca2+ influx through store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channel. Blockade of B2 receptor with HOE140 or IP3Rs with araguspongin B or silencing IP3R3 with siRNA abolished both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx. It is interesting to note that the bradykinin‐induced cell cycle progression and migration were not observed in cells with siRNA‐silenced IP3R3 or the SOCE component TRPC1, Orai1 or STIM1. Also the bradykinin‐induced increase in pAkt and pERK1/2 as well as cyclin D1 was reduced in these cells. These results demonstrate for the first time that bradykinin‐mediated increase in free via ER‐IP3R3 Ca2+ release followed by Ca2+ influx through SOCE channel plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and migration via activating pAkt, pERK1/2 and cyclin D1 in human cardiac c‐Kit+ progenitor cells.
Signalling mechanisms that regulate metabolic profile and autophagy of acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Pereira Olga , Teixeira Alexandra , Sampaio‐Marques Belém , Castro Isabel , Girão Henrique , Ludovico Paula 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAcute myeloid leukaemia (AML) comprises a heterogeneous group of hematologic neoplasms characterized by diverse combinations of genetic, phenotypic and clinical features representing a major challenge for the development of targeted therapies. Metabolic reprogramming, mainly driven by deregulation of the nutrient‐sensing pathways as AMPK, mTOR and PI3K/AKT, has been associated with cancer cells, including AML cells, survival and proliferation. Nevertheless, the role of these metabolic adaptations on the AML pathogenesis is still controversial. In this work, the metabolic status and the respective metabolic networks operating in different AML cells (NB‐4, HL‐60 and KG‐1) and their impact on autophagy and survival was characterized. Data show that whereas KG‐1 cells exhibited preferential mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation metabolism with constitutive co‐activation of AMPK and mTORC1 associated with increased autophagy, NB‐4 and HL‐60 cells displayed a dependent glycolytic profile mainly associated with AKT/mTORC1 activation and low autophagy flux. Inhibition of AKT is disclosed as a promising therapeutical target in some scenarios while inhibition of AMPK and mTORC1 has no major impact on KG‐1 cells’ survival. The results highlight an exclusive metabolic profile for each tested AML cells and its impact on determination of the anti‐leukaemia efficacy and on personalized combinatory therapy with conventional and targeted agents.
From fever to immunity: A new role for IGFBP‐6?
Authors: Liso Arcangelo , Capitanio Nazzareno , Gerli Roberto , Conese Massimo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFever is a fundamental response to infection and a hallmark of inflammatory disease, which has been conserved and shaped through millions of years of natural selection. Although fever is able to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, the very nature of all the molecular thermosensors, the timing and the detailed mechanisms translating a physical trigger into a fundamental biological response are incompletely understood. Here we discuss the consequence of hyperthermic stress in dendritic cells (DCs), and how the sole physical input is sensed as an alert stimulus triggering a complex transition in a very narrow temporal window. Importantly, we review recent findings demonstrating the significant and specific changes discovered in gene expression and in the metabolic phenotype associated with hyperthermia in DCs. Furthermore, we discuss the results that support a model based on a thermally induced autocrine signalling, which rewires and sets a metabolism checkpoint linked to immune activation of dendritic cells. Importantly, in this context, we highlight the novel regulatory functions discovered for IGFBP‐6 protein: induction of chemotaxis; capacity to increase oxidative burst and degranulation of neutrophils, ability to induce metabolic changes in DCs. Finally, we discuss the role of IGFBP‐6 in autoimmune disease and how novel mechanistic insights could lead to exploit thermal stress‐related mechanisms in the context of cancer therapy.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides restore adverse structural remodelling and cardiac contractile dysfunction induced by overexpression of microRNA‐1
Authors: Zhang Rong , Xu Yi , Niu Huifang , Tao Ting , Ban Tao , Zheng Linyao , Ai Jing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMicroRNA‐1 (miR‐1) stands out as the most prominent microRNA (miRNA) in regulating cardiac function and has been perceived as a new potential therapeutic target. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are major active constituents of the traditional Chinese medicine based on L. barbarum. The purpose of this study was to exploit the cardioprotective effect and molecular mechanism of LBPs underlying heart failure. We found that LBPs significantly reduced the expression of myocardial miR‐1. LBPs improved the abnormal ECG and indexes of cardiac functions in P‐V loop detection in transgenic (Tg) mice with miR‐1 overexpression. LBPs recovered morphological changes in sarcomeric assembly, intercalated disc and gap junction. LBPs reversed the reductions of CaM and cMLCK, the proteins targeted by miR‐1. Similar trends were also obtained in their downstream effectors including the phosphorylation of MLC2v and both total level and phosphorylation of CaMKII and cMyBP‐C. Collectively, LBPs restored adverse structural remodelling and improved cardiac contractile dysfunction induced by overexpression of miR‐1. One of the plausible mechanisms was that LBPs down‐regulated miR‐1 expression and consequently reversed miR‐1‐induced repression of target proteins relevant to myocardial contractibility. LBPs could serve as a new, at least a very useful adjunctive, candidate for prevention and therapy of heart failure.
Modeling the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sevoflurane using compartment models in children and adults
Authors: Cortínez Luis Ignacio , Anderson Brian J. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundSevoflurane pharmacokinetics have been traditionally described using physiological models, while pharmacodynamics employed the use of minimal alveolar concentration.AimsThe integrated pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic relationship of sevoflurane in both adults and children was reviewed using compartment models. We wished to delineate age‐related changes in both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.MethodsThe bispectral index and sevoflurane endtidal concentration were continuously measured in 50 patients, aged 3‐71 years, scheduled for minor surgery. During maintenance of anesthesia and after stable bispectral index values of 60‐65 were obtained, the inspired concentration of sevoflurane was increased to 5 vol % for 5 minutes or until BIS 40 and then decreased. Data were analyzed using mammillary compartments with nonlinear mixed effects population modeling. The covariate effects of age and size were investigated.ResultsA three‐compartment PK model adequately described sevoflurane pharmacokinetics. Size standardization using allometry explained clearance and volume changes with age. The equilibration half‐time (1.48 minutes) increased with age, but could be predicted using allometry in those under 40 years. The effect site concentration eliciting half the maximum response at age 40 years was 1.3% (95%CI 1.22, 1.42) decreased with age from 1.6% at 3 years to 1.1% at 70 years.ConclusionPharmacokinetic compartment models offer an alternative method to describe inhalation anesthetic drug disposition and effects.
Clinical and echocardiographic risk factors for extubation failure in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Schroeder Lukas , Reutter Heiko , Gembruch Ullrich , Berg Christoph , Mueller Andreas , Kipfmueller Florian 
Published: August 2018

SummaryIntroductionInfants after surgical correction of congenital diaphragmatic hernia are at high risk for extubation failure, but little is known about contributing factors. Therefore, our study aimed to analyze clinical and echocardiographic parameters.Materials and MethodsData of 34 infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated at our department (July 2013‐December 2015) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were: presence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and echocardiography performed within 48 hours before the first, and, in case of reintubation, the final extubation attempt. Infants were allocated to group A (extubation failure) and group B (extubation successful).ResultsExtubation failure occurred in 12/34 infants (35%). Infants in group A had a higher proportion of intrathoracic liver herniation (P = 0.001, OR 17 [2.8/104.5]) and lower rates of the lung‐to‐head ratio (P = 0.042, 95% CI [−0.4/20]), even as higher rates of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = 0.001, 95% CI [2.7/80.9]). The oxygenation index and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio differed significantly between both groups (both P = 0.000; 95% CI [−11/−4.1] and [79/215], respectively). The mean airway pressure and fraction of inspired oxygen prior to extubation was significantly higher in group A (P = 0.008; 95% CI [−3.9/−1.4]; P = 0.000; 95% CI [−0.6/−0.2], respectively). In addition, the respiratory severity score was higher in group A (P = 0.000; 95% CI [−7.3/−2.6]). In group A, administration of sildenafil and the vasoactive inotropic score were significantly higher (P = 0.037; OR 9 [0.9/88.6] and P = 0.013; 95% CI [−14/−1.8], respectively). More infants in group A had need for a surgical patch repair of the diaphragm (P = 0.017; OR 7.2 [1.3/41.1]) and showed higher rates of relevant pleural effusions prior the extubation (P = 0.021; OR 6 [1.2/29.5]). The total duration of the ventilation and the length of hospital stay were longer in group A (P = 0.004; 95% CI [−915/−190] and P = 0.000; 95% CI [−110/−39], respectively). The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was more frequent in group A (P = 0.012; OR 12 [1.3/114]), the time to peak velocity in the main pulmonary artery was significantly lower in group A (P = 0.024; 95% CI [2/25.6]), and these infants suffered more often from cardiac dysfunction (P = 0.007; OR 10 [1.6/63.1]).ConclusionOur results demonstrate that extubation failure in infants with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is associated with several clinical and echocardiographic risk factors.
Relative Age Effects in Women’s Ice Hockey: Contributions of Body Size and Maturity Status
Authors: Geithner Christina A. , Molenaar Claire E. , Henriksson Tommy , Fjellman-Wiklund Anncristine , Gilenstam Kajsa 
Published: August 2018

Research on relative age effects (RAEs) in women’s ice hockey is lacking data on participant characteristics, particularly body size and maturity status. The purposes of our study were to investigate RAEs in women’s ice hockey players from two countries, and to determine whether RAE patterns could be explained by chronological age, body size, and maturity status. Participants were 54 Swedish elite and 63 Canadian university players. Birthdates were coded by quartiles (Q1–Q4). Weight and height were obtained, and body mass index and chronological age were calculated for each player. Players recalled age at menarche, and maturity status was classified as early, average, or late relative to population-specific means. Chi-square (χ2), odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and effect sizes (Cohen’s w) were calculated using population data across quartiles and for pairwise comparisons between quartiles. Descriptive statistics and MANOVAs were run by quartile and by country. Significant RAEs were found for Canadian players across quartiles (p < .05), along with a Q2 phenomenon (Q2: Q3, Q2: Q4, p < .05). Swedish players were overrepresented in Q3 (Q3: Q4, p < .05). Q4 was significantly underrepresented in both countries (p < .05). The oldest, earliest maturing, and shortest players in both countries were clustered in Q2, whereas the next oldest and latest maturing Swedish players were found in Q3. Age, physical factors, and interactions may contribute to overrepresentations in Q2 and Q3. These findings do not suggest the same bias for greater relative age and maturity found in male ice hockey.
Does Racial Bias Affect NCI-Funded PIs' Willingness to Mentor Prospective Graduate Students?
Authors: Robinson Jeffrey D. , Dieckmann Nathan , Withers Elizabeth , Hassouneh Dena , Thomas Charles R. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Audit studies suggest that racial discrimination disadvantages black individuals in educational/professional advancement. We hypothesized that prospective black male doctoral students would experience greater disparity in responses when seeking access to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded principal investigators (PI) compared with prospective white males. Primary aim was to explore response and acceptance rates for black versus white men seeking cancer research mentorship. Identical e-mails were sent to 1,028 randomly selected PIs affiliated with 65 NCI-designated cancer centers from “Lamar Washington” (black; n = 515) or “Brad Anderson” (white; n = 513). Primary outcomes: (i) responses within one week; and (ii) type of response. We used logistic regression to examine effects of condition (black/white) on primary outcomes. Approximately 48.3% and 50.0% of the sample responded to “Lamar” and “Brad,” respectively. For responders, 40.9% and 43.7% and “agreed” to meet with Lamar and Brad, respectively. This design did not detect bias by PIs against black prospective male students. Cancer Res; 78(17); 4809–11. ©2018 AACR.