bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Open‐mouth spherical g‐C3N4/Fe‐2, 5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid hybrid photocatalyst for dye degradation and bacterial inactivation
Authors: Vidyasagar Devthade , Kulkarni Aditi , Ghugal Sachin G , Umare Suresh S 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPhoto‐remediation of water is seen as an economical and sustainable solution to undertake the rampant pollution by dyes and bacterial pathogens. Despite significant advances made in semiconductor mediated photocatalysis, the search for cheap, efficient, eco‐friendly and robust photocatalyst has underachieved.RESULTSThis paper reports the use of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) supported open‐mouth spherical iron (III) based metal‐organic framework (MOF) hybrid photocatalyst for rapid degradation of acidic dyes and bacterial pathogens. Open‐mouth Fe‐2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid (Fe‐TDA) MOF was prepared by microwave‐heating and coupled with g‐C3N4 using methanol as solvent. Compared with the parent g‐C3N4 and Fe‐TDA, the resultant g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA(x) hybrids have shown nearly 4‐fold increase in acid violet 7 (AV7) dye degradation and Escherichia coli bacterial growth inhibition. The improvement in photo‐response of g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA(x) hybrids is ascribed to the exceptional specific surface area of the open‐mouth MOF structure, rapid diffusion, transport of charged species and improved dissociation of photo‐excitons. The present work may offer new directions for the synthesis of g‐C3N4/MOF hybrid photocatalysts for visible light‐driven applications.CONCLUSIONA new open‐mouth nanospherical g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA2wt% photocatalyst developed by microwave heating, produced a high specific surface area of 114 m2 g−1, and improved rate kinetics of AV 7 dye photodegradation and E. coli inactivation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Targeting wild‐type and drug‐resistant mycobacteria in infected macrophages using drug‐coated nanoparticles
Authors: Cotta Karishma B , Padwal Priyanka , Agarwal Subhanshi , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip , Mehra Sarika 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTuberculosis therapeutics is facing a crisis because of the emergence of new multi and total drug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Increasing intra‐bacterial as well as intra‐macrophage drug concentrations through nanoparticles is a promising approach to target resistant bacteria.RESULTSTo target both wild‐type (WT) and resistant Mycobacterium smegmatis (NORr), positively‐charged norfloxacin‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles (NOR@IONP) were synthesized. While these particles are taken up identically in both WT and NORr, drug uptake was up to 4‐fold higher in cells treated with NOR@IONP compared with the corresponding free drug. This increased intracellular drug accumulation also translated to an enhanced rate of bacterial killing, as is observed in the kill kinetics study. The coated nanoparticles also proved to be effective in reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NOR towards Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain. Further, the effectiveness of NOR@IONP was also studied against differentiated THP1 cells infected with WT or NORr M. smegmatis. Intracellular bacterial clearance studies indicated that the NOR concentration required to kill intracellular WT or drug‐resistant bacteria is 2‐fold lower when treated with NOR@IONP.CONCLUSIONThis antibiotic‐coated nanoparticle formulation is a novel antimicrobial agent with the potential to target both WT and resistant strains of mycobacteria present intracellularly. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An improved contrast equalization technique for contrast enhancement in scanning electron microscopy images
Authors: Al‐Ameen Zohair 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an intensive beam of electrons is utilized to generate high‐quality images that can be used across scientific disciplines including biology and medicine. However, the images produced by different SEM devices are often degraded by a low‐contrast effect as a result of various existing limitations. Hence, an improved contrast equalization technique is proposed in this article to ameliorate the contrast of SEM images and provide better visual quality results. The proposed technique consists of two major phases; the first includes a two‐step regularization process used to regularize the intensities of the input image, while the second includes a two‐step mapping process used to further improve the contrast and to remap image intensities to their natural dynamic range. The proposed technique is tested with many real‐degraded and synthetic‐degraded SEM images, and its results are compared with six well‐known contrast enhancement techniques. Accordingly, the comparison results are evaluated using four advanced image quality assessment metrics. Intensive experiments and comparisons exhibited the favorability of the proposed technique, in that it provided visually pleasing results with no visible flaws and outperformed the comparison techniques in terms of perceived quality and scored accuracy.
Glucocorticoids decrease the numbers and activation of mast cells by inducing the transactivation receptors of AGEs
Authors: Santoro Tassia , Azevedo Carolina T , e Silva Patrícia M R , Martins Marco A , Carvalho Vinicius F 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potent anti-allergic compounds that function, at least in part, by inhibiting signaling pathways in mast cells. We hypothesized that the GC-induced mastocytopenia and suppression of mast cell activation are mediated by the advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/receptors of AGEs (RAGEs) signaling axis. We evaluated the role of AGEs in GC-mediated mastocytopenia and impaired mast cell degranulation in male Wistar rats and Swiss–Webster mice subcutaneously injected with dexamethasone or prednisolone (0.1 mg/kg) once a day for 21 consecutive days. The animals were treated with either the AGE inhibitor aminoguanidine (250 mg/kg), the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 (1 mg/kg) or the galectin-3 antagonist GSC-100 (1 mg/kg) daily for 18 days, starting 3 days following GC treatment. Aminoguanidine inhibited GC-induced mast cell apoptosis and restored mast cell numbers in the pleural cavity of GC-treated rats. Aminoguanidine also reversed the GC-induced reduction in histamine release triggered by allergens or compound 48/80 in vitro. GC treatment induced RAGE and galectin expression in mast cells, and blocking these agents by FPS-ZM1 or GSC-100 significantly reversed mast cell numbers in the peritoneal cavity and mesenteric tissue of GC-treated mice. In addition, the combination of GC and AGE-induced mast cell apoptosis in vitro was inhibited by both FPS-ZM1 and GSC-100. We concluded that the GC-induced mastocytopenia and suppression of mast cell stimulation are associated with the gene transactivation of RAGE and galectin-3.
Glucocorticoids decrease the number and activation of mast cells by upregulating receptors of AGEs, a mechanism dissociated from their immunosuppressive and metabolic effects.
Radiotherapy for parotid IgG4‐related disease
Authors: Roos Daniel E. , Dreosti Marcus V. , James Craig L. , Hissaria Pravin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe describe the use of radiotherapy for parotid IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD), initially misdiagnosed as Kimura's disease, with sustained good partial response in a 37‐year‐old male. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of radiation for extra‐orbital IgG4‐RD, albeit inadvertently.
Momentary giant T‐waves hint the genesis of the electrocardiographic T‐wave in human
Authors: Yasumasu Tomiya 
Published: September 2018

AbstractT‐wave morphology changes are linked to dispersion of ventricular repolarization. I encountered an 80‐year‐old man on hemodialysis manifesting momentary giant T‐waves and QT prolongation on the 12‐lead electrocardiogram, soon after initiating mechanical ventilation because of hypercapnic respiratory failure. A computed tomography of the brain showed no acute cerebrovascular accidents. An echocardiogram showed no left ventricular asynergy. Mechanisms that may be responsible for this phenomenon are discussed. Interpreting the giant T‐waves with the concept of the three bipolar limb lead vectors, the Einthoven's triangle leads to recognize origin of the electrocardiographic T‐wave.
“I Wouldn't Ever Want It”: A Qualitative Evaluation of Patient and Caregiver Perceptions Toward Enteral Tube Feeding in Hip Fracture Inpatients
Authors: King Patricia C. , Barrimore Sally E. , Pulle Ranjeev C. , Bell Jack J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundOne in 2 hip fracture inpatients are malnourished on admission to hospital, with many experiencing nutrition decline during their length of stay. Despite this, enteral tube feeding (ETF) is rarely used in this population. As patient/caregiver viewpoints regarding the utility of ETF remain unclear, this study explored the perceptions of hip fracture inpatients and caregivers toward ETF use to assist recovery.MethodsAn inductive qualitative research project was conducted within a tertiary hospital orthogeriatric ward. Individual semistructured interviews were undertaken with 13 purposively sampled, postsurgery hip fracture inpatients and 7 caregivers. Interviews were transcribed, hard‐copy coded, and thematically analyzed.ResultsThe majority of inpatient participants did not wish to be tube fed. A novel, complex interrelationship of the following 3 main themes emerged: knowledge and understanding, perceived consequences and necessity of tube, contributed toward potential ETF acceptance and refusal. Theme interrelationship was indicated by subthemes (nutrition importance, attitude, and ability to cope) and driven by the following 3 key categories: value of nutrition, quality of life, and personal perception.ConclusionA number of factors impacted the likelihood of tube acceptance. This highlights the importance of food as a medicine, treatment intent, and shared decision making when considering ETF in acute hip fracture inpatients.
Dietary salmon milt extracts attenuate hepatosteatosis and liver dysfunction in diet‐induced fatty liver model
Authors: Sakurai Toshihiro , Hayasaka Takahiro , Sekiguchi Hirotaka , Satoh Hiroshi , Chen Zhen , Chiba Hitoshi , Hui Shu‐Ping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDDietary nucleotides have several reported beneficial effects. Here, we report on a proteomic analysis of the effect of dietary nucleotides‐rich salmon milt extract (SME) on the liver in a diet‐induced fatty liver model.RESULTSYoung male normal ddY mice were fed a normal chow diet, high carbohydrate diet (HCD), HCD containing 1% SME, or HCD containing 10% SME for 5 days following by a 2‐day fast. Increased serum alanine transferase and aspartate transferase activities were observed in the HCD group and were significantly attenuated in the SME groups (P < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis was observed in all the HCD groups. Hepatic expression of Tnfα was significantly suppressed in the 10% SME group (P < 0.05). Comprehensive proteomic analysis of the liver in the SME groups revealed an increase in the levels of major proteins involved in mitochondrial bioenergetics, including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma co‐activator 1 alpha, mitochondrial thioredoxin, cardiolipin synthase, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I.CONCLUSIONDietary SME improved liver function in the diet‐induced fatty liver model. Activation of mitochondrial biogenetic function might be involved in this process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Modeling of the angular distribution of the emitted molecular flux from a cylindrical nozzle in a free molecular flow
Authors: Kim Do‐hun , Lee Myung‐sun , Moon Jeong‐il , Pahk Heui‐jae 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the linear source of a thermal evaporation system, the thickness of the deposited molecules depends on the angular distribution of the emitted molecular flux from the nozzle. According to Knudsen in 1907, for a cylindrical nozzle, the angular distribution of the emitted molecular flux can be expressed in the form of cosn(θ). The actual angular distribution, however, does not precisely match the form of cosn(θ) by Knudsen. Therefore, various theoretical methods have been studied in an effort to express the angular distribution of the emitted molecular flux mathematically. Using these conventional methods can allow one to determine the accurate angular distribution of the emitted molecular flux, but the same calculation should be repeated whenever the shape of the nozzle changes, as the angular distribution acquired by these methods is not an “analytical solution” but a “numerical solution.” In this paper, an analytical model of the accurate angular distribution determined via an approximation method is proposed to make the nozzle array optimization processes of linear sources faster and more accurate for a cylindrical nozzle. The model is verified through a comparison involving the direct simulation Monte Carlo method and an experiment with a point evaporation source.
Enantiomers separation by capillary electrochromatography using polysaccharide‐based stationary phases
Authors: D’ Orazio Giovanni , Asensio‐Ramos María , Fanali Chiara 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe separation of chiral compounds is an interesting and important topic of research because these compounds are involved in some biological processes, fundamentally in human health. Among the various application fields where enantiomers are remarkable, drug analysis has to be considered. Most of the drugs contain enantiomers and very often one of the two isomers could be pharmacologically more active or even dangerous. Therefore, the separation of these compounds is very important. Among the different analytical techniques usually employed, capillary electrochromatography has demonstrated great capability in enantiomers resolution. The great potential of this electromigration technique stands mainly in its high efficiency due to the use of an electrosmotic flow (flat flow profile) and on the high selectivity because of the use of a stationary phase. Chiral separation can be obtained utilizing several chiral stationary phases including a polysaccharide derivative. The aim of this review paper is to summarize the main features of capillary electrochromatography and polysaccharide derivatives of chiral stationary phase. It also report examples of practical applications utilizing this approach.
Vegetative filter strips—Effect of vegetation type and shape of strip on run‐off and sediment trapping
Authors: Pan Daili , Gao Xiaodong , Wang Juan , Yang Min , Wu Pute , Huang Jun , Dyck Miles , Zhao Xining 
Published: September 2018

AbstractVegetative filter strips (VFSs) are a common type of off‐site method used to enhance the sustainability of catchment systems by promoting desirable soil and landscape functions. The transport of water run‐off and sediment to downstream reaches can be restricted by VFSs in the flow path. The adoption of VFSs is increasing because they have been demonstrated to be effective for trapping run‐off and sediment. Thus, an optimized design procedure for developing VFSs is required. To further understand the roles of both vegetation type and geometric size in the design of VFSs, global sensitivity analysis (GSA) within the Vegetative Filter Strip Modeling System was conducted using a traditional elementary effect test and a novel density‐based method called PAWN. The analysis involved both a uniform and a concentrated flow scenario. The GSA outcomes indicated that the inputs related to vegetation type were vital for the VFS design, especially in terms of the run‐off reduction function of the VFS, irrespective of the scenario that was used. The vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity was the main input responsible for the influence of vegetation type. The inputs related to vegetation type had limited influences on the sediment trapping performance of the VFS, which was shown to be mainly controlled by the length of the VFS. The role of vegetation type in the design of VFSs must be fully considered, especially in cases in which VFSs are established primarily for flood control or run‐off reduction purposes.
Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information's scholarly journal publishing: A case study
Authors: Rhee Hea Lim 
Published: September 2018

Key points

The relationship between the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice (JISTaP) enables both to benefit from the other.
KISTI is able to test new systems with its own journal, JISTaP.

JISTaP benefits from both financial and technical support of its parent, although this can restrict its ability to make changes and use alternative technologies.
One man's trash is another man's treasure—the effect of bacteria on phytoplankton–zooplankton interactions in chemostat systems
Authors: Raatz M. , Schälicke S. , Sieber M. , Wacker A. , Gaedke U. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractChemostat experiments are employed to study predator–prey and other trophic interactions, frequently using phytoplankton–zooplankton systems. These experiments often use population dynamics as fingerprints of ecological and evolutionary processes, assuming that the contributions of all major actors to these dynamics are known. However, bacteria are often neglected although they are frequently present. We argue that even without external carbon input bacteria may affect the experimental outcomes depending on experimental conditions and the physiological traits of bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. Using a static carbon flux model and a dynamic simulation model, we predict the minimum and maximum impact of bacteria on phytoplankton–zooplankton population dynamics. Under bacteria‐suppressing conditions, we find that the effect of bacteria is indeed negligible and their omission justified. Under bacteria‐favoring conditions, however, bacteria may strongly affect average biomasses of phytoplankton and zooplankton. The population dynamics may become highly complex, which may result in wrong interpretations when inferring processes (e.g., trait changes) from population dynamic patterns without considering bacteria. We provide suggestions to reduce the bacterial impact experimentally. Besides optimizing experimental conditions (e.g., the dilution rate) the appropriate choice of the zooplankton predator is decisive. Counterintuitively, bacteria have a larger impact if the predator is not bacterivorous as high bacterial biomasses and complex population dynamics arise via competition for nutrients with the phytoplankton. Only at least partial bacterivory minimizes the impact of bacteria. Our results help to improve the design of chemostat experiments and their interpretation, and advance the study of ecological and evolutionary processes in aquatic food webs.
Modification of Solventless‐Synthesized Benzoxazine Resin by Phthalonitrile Group: An Effective Approach for Enhancing Thermal Stability of Polybenzoxazines
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Yin Ren , Yu Xinye , Zhang Kan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlthough the solventless method for synthesizing benzoxazine resins has the advantage of low cost, the impurities involved in the products such as oligomers and original phenols significantly weaken the properties of polybenzoxazines. Herein, the commercialized BA‐a (benzoxazine derived from bisphenol‐A, aniline, and formaldehyde) resin obtained from a solventless method is modified by phthalonitrile through the reaction between phenol groups and 4‐nitrophtahlonitrile. The structures of obtained resins have been confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). In addition, the ring‐opening polymerization behavior of each resin has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and in situ FTIR. Furthermore, the thermal properties of the cross‐linked thermosets were measured by thermomechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The phthalonitrile‐functionalized benzoxazine resin shows a low polymerization temperature with the maximum of exothermic peak centered at 218.7 °C, and its corresponding polybenzoxazine exhibits excellent thermal stability, with a high Td5 value (346 °C) and high char yield (42.78%).
HighTgand Thermo‐Oxidatively Stable Thermosetting Polyimides Derived from a Carborane‐Containing Diamine
Authors: Wu Yuane , Chen Gong , Feng Chen , Yang Jiping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTo provide high‐temperature polyimide matrix resins, novel carborane‐containing thermosetting polyimides are presented. First, the low‐viscosity carborane‐containing imide oligomers are synthesized using newly designed 1‐(3‐amino‐4‐tolyl)‐2‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐o‐carborane and aromatic dianhydride as monomers, 4‐phenylethynyl phthalic anhydride as the end‐capping reagent. Followed by thermal curing, the resulting polyimides show highTg(≥500 °C) and above 92.1% char yield at 800 °C both in nitrogen and air atmosphere due to the incorporation of the bulky carborane cages. Aging studies, performed at 400 and 500 °C for 5 h in air on a carborane‐containing polyimide and a carborane‐free polyimide, show that the polyimide with carborane groups possesses excellent thermo‐oxidative stability. Moreover, the novel polyimides exhibit constant and relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion values over a wide range of temperature, indicative of a remarkable dimensional stability. Thus, this study clearly demonstrates the viability of the incorporation of carborane cages to access polyimide thermosets with ultrahighTgand thermo‐oxidative stability.
A Simple, Small‐Bandgap Porphyrin‐Based Conjugated Polymer for Application in Organic Electronics
Authors: Yang Fan , Li Cheng , Wei Yuanzhi , Yan Nanfu , Wang Xiaohui , Liu Feng , You Shengyong , Wang Jizheng , Ma Wei , Li Weiwei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA simple, small‐bandgap porphyrin‐based conjugated polymer with ethylnyl linkers is prepared for application in organic electronics. Beneficial from quinoid resonance form, the polymer showed near‐infrared absorption up to 1000 nm and strong photoluminescence emission with a quantum yield of 0.2%. The polymer can be successfully applied to several electronic devices, such as organic field‐effect transistors with ambipolar charge transport, organic solar cells with a high external quantum efficiency of 0.58 at 970 nm, and organic photodetectors with high responsibility and detectivity.
Lactobacillus acidophilus Alleviated Salmonella‐Induced Goblet Cells Loss and Colitis by Notch Pathway
Authors: Wu Haiqin , Ye Lulu , Lu Xiaoxi , Xie Shuang , Yang Qian , Yu Qinghua 
Published: September 2018

ScopeThe intestinal mucosal barrier, including the mucus layer, protects against invasion of enteropathogens, thereby inhibiting infection. In this study, the protective effect of Lactobacillus on the intestinal barrier against Salmonella infection is investigated. The underlying mechanism of its effect, specifically on the regulation of goblet cells through the Notch pathway, is also elucidated.Methods and resultsHere, the protective effect of Lactobacillus on alleviating changes in the intestinal barrier caused by Salmonella infection is explored. It has been found that Salmonella typhimurium colonizes the colon and damages colonic mucosa. However, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 alleviates the colitis caused by Salmonella infection. Moreover, S. typhimurium infection causes colonic crypt hyperplasia with increased PCNA+ cells, while L. acidophilus administration resolves these pathological changes. In addition, it has been further demonstrated that Salmonella results in severe colitis associated with goblet cells, and Lactobacillus improves colitis similarly associated with goblet cells. Salmonella infection induces goblet cell loss and reduces MUC2 expression by increasing Dll1, Dll4, and HES1 expression, while L. acidophilus reverses epithelial damage by balancing the Notch pathway.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that colitis improvement is controlled by Lactobacillus ATCC 4356 by regulation of the Notch pathway; this finding will be useful for prevention against animal S. typhimurium infection.