bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dielectric properties of colon polyps, cancer, and normal mucosa: Ex vivo measurements from 0.5 to 20 GHz
Authors: Guardiola Marta , Buitrago Santiago , Fernández‐Esparrach Glòria , O'Callaghan Joan M. , Romeu Jordi , Cuatrecasas Miriam , Córdova Henry , González Ballester Miguel Ángel , Camara Oscar 
Published: May 2018

PurposeColorectal cancer is highly preventable by detecting and removing polyps, which are the precursors. Currently, the most accurate test is colonoscopy, but still misses 22% of polyps due to visualization limitations. In this paper, we preliminary assess the potential of microwave imaging and dielectric properties (e.g., complex permittivity) as a complementary method for detecting polyps and cancer tissue in the colon. The dielectric properties of biological tissues have been used in a wide variety of applications, including safety assessment of wireless technologies and design of medical diagnostic or therapeutic techniques (microwave imaging, hyperthermia, and ablation). The main purpose of this work is to measure the complex permittivity of different types of colon polyps, cancer, and normal mucosa in ex vivo human samples to study if the dielectric properties are appropriate for classification purposes.MethodsThe complex permittivity of freshly excised healthy colon tissue, cancer, and histological samples of different types of polyps from 23 patients was characterized using an open‐ended coaxial probe between 0.5 and 20 GHz. The obtained measurements were classified into five tissue groups before applying a data reduction step with a frequency dispersive single‐pole Debye model. The classification was finally compared with pathological analysis of tissue samples, which is the gold standard.ResultsThe complex permittivity progressively increases as the tissue degenerates from normal to cancer. When comparing to the gold‐standard histological tissue analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method is the following: 100% and 95% for cancer diagnosis; 91% and 62% for adenomas with high‐grade dysplasia; 100% and 61% for adenomas with low‐grade dysplasia; and 100% and 74% for hyperplastic polyps, respectively. In addition, complex permittivity measurements were independent of the lesion shape and size, which is also an interesting property comparing to current colonoscopy techniques.ConclusionsThe contrast in complex permittivities between normal and abnormal colon tissues presented here for the first time demonstrate the potential of these measurements for tissue classification. It also opens the door to the development of a microwave endoscopic device to complement the outcomes of colonoscopy with functional tissue information.
Daily associations between objective sleep and consumption of highly palatable food in free‐living conditions
Authors: Chan W. S. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryObjectivesPrior studies have shown that individuals with shorter sleep duration and later sleep timing consume more highly palatable food (HPF). It is unclear if this relationship exists at the within‐individual level, e.g. if sleeping less or later on one night is associated with greater HPF consumption in the following day in naturalistic environments. This study examined the daily associations between naturalistic sleep and HPF consumption.MethodsData were obtained from 78 healthy young adults (age = 20.38 [SD = 2.40] years). Participants carried a wrist actigraph and completed daily diaries tracking food consumption and covariates for seven consecutive days. Data were analysed using mixed models.ResultsIndividuals with later bedtime were less likely to consume HPF at breakfast in the following day (odds ratio, OR [between] = 0.55 [0.44, 0.70], p < 0.001). This association was also significant at the within‐individual level (OR (within) = 0.85 [0.74, 0.97], p = 0.016) – sleeping later on one night was associated with 15% decrease in the odds of consuming HPF at breakfast in the following day. Individual with later wake time had greater likelihood of consuming HPF at dinner (OR = 1.34 [1.03, 1.75], p = 0.027).ConclusionsSleep schedules characterized by later bedtimes and later wake times were associated with lower HPF consumption earlier in the following day but greater HPF consumption later in the day. This pattern of energy intake might mediate the association between sleep and the risk of obesity.
Optimization of UHMWPE/graphene nanocomposite preparation by single‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalytic system via RSM
Authors: Shafiee Mojtaba , Akbari Ali 
Published: May 2018

In this study, the preparation of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene/graphene nanocomposite was carried out using single‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalyst, and the operational conditions were optimized via response surface methodology. For this purpose, the effect of 3 parameters, monomer pressure, temperature, and molar ratio of [Al] respect to [Ti] on the catalyst productivity and molecular weight of the synthesized nanocomposite polymer, was investigated using the Box‐Behnken experimental design at 3 levels. Monomer pressure, temperature, and molar ratio of [Al] respect to [Ti] were considered as independent variables and catalyst productivity and molecular weight as dependent variables. The highest catalyst productivity and molecular weight were equal to 923 (grPE/mmolTi.h) and 2.04 (million gr/mol), respectively, which were obtained under optimal reaction conditions: temperature of 60°C, pressure of 8 bar, and molar ratio of 185. Finally, in order to investigate the morphology and nanoparticle dispersion in polymer matrix, scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction were used. The results indicate the homogenous dispersion of graphene nanoparticles in polymer matrix.
Preparation and characterization of PVDF‐based blend membranes as polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells: Study of factor affecting the proton conductivity behavior
Authors: Ahmadian‐Alam Leila , Mahdavi Hossein 
Published: May 2018

There is a huge demand especially for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers to provide high performance solid polymer electrolytes for use as an electrolyte in energy supply systems. In this regard, the blending approach was used to prepare PVDF‐based proton exchange membranes and focused on the study of factor affecting their proton conductivity behavior. Thus, a series of copolymers consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐l‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) as sulfonated segments were synthesized and blended with PVDF matrix in order to create proton transport sites in PVDF matrix. It was found that addition of PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PAN‐co‐PAMPS copolymers resulted in a significant increase in porosity, which favored the water uptake and proton transport at ambient temperature. Furthermore, crystallinity degree of the PVDF‐based blend membranes was increased by addition of the related copolymers, which is mainly attributed to formation of hydrogen bonding interaction between PVDF matrix and the synthesized copolymers, and led to a slight decrease in proton conductivity behavior of blend membranes. From impedance data, the proton conductivity of the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes increases to 10 and 8.4 mS cm−1 by adding only 50% of the related copolymer (at 25°C), respectively. Also, the blend membranes containing 30% sulfonated copolymers showed a power density as high as 34.30 and 30.10 mW cm−2 at peak current density of 140 and 79.45 mA cm−2 for the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes, respectively. A reduction in the tensile strength was observed by the addition of amphiphilic copolymer, whereas the elongation at break of all blend membranes was raised.
Preschool teachers and classroom aides: Same context, similar perceptions of children's behaviors?
Authors: Major Sofia O. , Seabra‐Santos Maria J. , Gaspar Maria F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study explored the correspondence and differences between school staff perceptions of preschool children's social skills and behavior problems. One hundred preschoolers were assessed by 14 pairs of teachers and classroom aides with the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales – 2nd Edition (PKBS‐2 Portuguese version). Indexes of agreement and disagreement were calculated. Risk levels and item analyses of PKBS‐2 scores according to both informants' ratings were compared. A higher level of agreement was obtained for social skills scores than for behavior problems (mean correlation of .62). No statistically significant differences between informants were obtained for the risk levels, and item analyses revealed a similar pattern of behaviors that were most and least rated by both informants. Results indicate that the classroom aides' perspective on preschool assessment represents a reliable input, which justifies that they network with teachers in addressing preschoolers' social‐emotional and behavioral challenges.
In Silico Prediction and Validation of Novel RNA Binding Proteins and Residues in the Human Proteome
Authors: Chowdhury Shomeek , Zhang Jian , Kurgan Lukasz 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDeciphering a complete landscape of protein–RNA interactions in the human proteome remains an elusive challenge. We computationally elucidate RNA binding proteins (RBPs) using an approach that complements previous efforts. We employ two modern complementary sequence‐based methods that provide accurate predictions from the structured and the intrinsically disordered sequences, even in the absence of sequence similarity to the known RBPs. We generate and analyze putative RNA binding residues on the whole proteome scale. Using a conservative setting that ensures low, 5% false positive rate, we identify 1511 putative RBPs that include 281 known RBPs and 166 RBPs that were previously predicted. We empirically demonstrate that these overlaps are statistically significant. We also validate the putative RBPs based on two major hallmarks of their RNA binding residues: high levels of evolutionary conservation and enrichment in charged amino acids. Moreover, we show that the novel RBPs are significantly under‐annotated functionally which coincides with the fact that they were not yet found to interact with RNAs. We provide two examples of our novel putative RBPs for which there is recent evidence of their interactions with RNAs. The dataset of novel putative RBPs and RNA binding residues for the future hypothesis generation is provided in the Supporting Information.
Terbium‐Doped Layered Yttrium Hydroxide Nanocone: Controlled Synthesis, Structure Variations, Phase Conversion to Oxide/Oxysulfate Nanocone and Their Luminescence Properties
Authors: Xiao Yan , Zhong Yishun , Liu Xiaohe , Zhang Ning , Liang Shuquan , Ma Renzhi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIt is demonstrated herein that a series of terbium ions (Tb3+)‐doped layered yttrium hydroxide (LYH:Tb) nanocones (NCs) intercalating dodecyl sulfate (C12H25SO4, DS) anions can be successfully synthesized in large quantities through a facile hydrothermal strategy. The DS anions in the interlayer gallery of LYH:Tb NCs can be readily modified with various anions (such as NO3
−, Cl−, and CH3COO−) through a convenient anion‐exchange procedure. The luminescent properties of LYH:Tb NCs are sensitively influenced by the dopant concentration and the interlayer anions. In particular, the original DS−‐intercalated form and the anion‐exchanged product can be topotactically converted into oxysulfates and oxides with original conical features through a calcination process at 750 °C for 2 h, respectively. Compared with Y2O3:Tb NCs, Y2O2SO4:Tb NCs exhibit efficient luminescent properties due to the stronger deformation of the crystal field. More interestingly, the conical structures also exhibit superior luminescent properties over the lamellar objects, originating from the extreme curvature and perturbation of crystal field, which are promising candidates for potential applications in optical and display devices.
Bottom‐Up Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots With High Performance Photo‐ and Electroluminescence
Authors: Kim Hong Hee , Lee Yeon Ju , Park Chanho , Yu Seunggun , Won Sung Ok , Seo Won‐Seon , Park Cheolmin , Choi Won Kook 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAlthough carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are of great interest because of cost effectiveness and environmental compatibility with the facile tunability of their optical properties, poor photo‐ and electroluminescence (EL) of CQDs limits further implementation. Here, a novel bottom‐up synthetic route for fabricating highly crystalline CQDs suitable for high‐brightness blue light‐emitting diodes is demonstrated. The two‐step solution process is based on time‐controlled thermal carbonization of citric acid, followed by ligand exchange of the CQDs with oleylamine (OA) in solution. Carbonization allows for the nucleation and growth of crystalline CQDs, while OA treatment disperses the CQDs and stabilizes the solution, giving rise to CQDs with low structural defects and uniform sizes. The systematic study reveals the origin of the light emission of OA‐treated CQDs by photoluminescence (PL) analysis, which yields a high quantum efficiency of ≈30%. The photoluminescence‐optimized OA‐treated CQDs exhibit excellent blue EL performance with a low turn‐on voltage of ≈4 V and high brightness of 308 cd m−2; a negligible voltage‐dependent color shift when they are employed to an inverted light‐emitting diode.
The use of light's criteria in hospitalized children with a pleural effusion of unknown etiology
Authors: McGraw Matthew D. , Robison Kyle , Kupfer Oren , Brinton John T. , Stillwell Paul C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectivePleural effusions are common in pediatrics. When the etiology of a pleural effusion remains unknown, adult literature recommends the use of Light's criteria to differentiate a transudate from an exudate. Pediatricians may rely on adult literature for the diagnostic management of pleural effusions as Light's criteria has not been validated in children. The purpose of this study was to review the use of Light's criteria in hospitalized children with a pleural effusion of unknown etiology.MethodsRetrospective review was performed on children hospitalized with a pleural effusion requiring chest tube placement or thoracentesis between January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017 at Children's Hospital Colorado. Charts were reviewed for primary team, use of Light's criteria, pleural effusion diagnosis, and 30‐day recurrence of repeat intervention or fluid analysis.ResultsSixty‐eight patients were hospitalized with a pleural effusion of unknown etiology requiring intervention. Only 16 pleural effusions (24%) were classified using Light's criteria. In those patients for whom Light's criteria was used, a diagnosis or change in management occurred in 10 of 16 patients (63%). Pleural effusions were most common on the cardiology service (26/68). Use of Light's criteria was most frequent on the oncology service (7/8). Thirty‐day need for repeat intervention was lower in those with Light's criteria (13%) compared to those without (27%).ConclusionsLight's criteria were utilized infrequently in hospitalized children with a pleural effusion of unknown etiology at a single institution. There was considerable practice variation among provider teams. When utilized, Light's criteria assisted in making a diagnosis or changing management in many patients, and may lead to a reduction in 30‐day recurrence requiring repeat intervention.
Target site mutations and cytochrome P450s confer resistance to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and mesosulfuron‐methyl in Alopecurus aequalis
Authors: Zhao Ning , Yan Yanyan , Ge Lu'an , Zhu Baolin , Liu Weitang , Wang Jinxin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDShortawn foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis Sobol.) is a competitive grass weed infesting winter wheat‐ and canola‐growing fields in China. In May 2016, a suspected A. aequalis resistant population AHTC‐06 that survived fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and mesosulfuron‐methyl applied at their field‐recommended rates was collected from a wheat field in Jinji County, Anhui Province, China. This study aimed to determine the resistance profile of this AHTC‐06 population to ACCase‐ and ALS‐inhibitors, and to investigate its mechanisms of resistance to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and mesosulfuron‐methyl.RESULTSTwo mutations, a common Ile‐2041‐Asn (ACCase gene) and a very rare Pro‐197‐Tyr (ALS1 gene), were both identified in resistant individual plants. The homozygous subpopulation AHTC‐06F1 for the two mutations was generated, and it showed broad‐spectrum resistance to APPs, DENs, and ALS‐inhibiting herbicides of all five chemical families tested, with resistance index (RI) values that ranged from 2.2 to 36.5. In vitro ALS activity assays showed the ALS from the resistant population was insensitive to all the tested ALS inhibitors, with RI values ranging from 3.10 to 22.51. Pre‐treatment with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and malathion significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the weed's resistance to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and mesosulfuron‐methyl, respectively. Two P450 genes, c21190_g1 and c43350_g3, were constitutively overexpressed and mesosulfuron‐methyl‐induced upregulated in resistant plants, for which c43350_g3 was also fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl‐induced upregulated.CONCLUSIONThis study confirms the first case of a grass weed featuring broad‐spectrum resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides due to a Pro‐197‐Tyr mutation in the ALS gene. Fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and mesosulfuron‐methyl resistances in AHTC‐06 plants were conferred by target site mutations and P450s‐based metabolism. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An investigation of the effects of curcumin on iron overload, hepcidin level, and liver function in β‐thalassemia major patients: A double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mohammadi Elahe , Tamaddoni Ahmad , Qujeq Durdi , Nasseri Esmat , Zayeri Farid , Zand Hamid , Gholami Mahdi , Mir Seyed Mostafa 
Published: May 2018

This study investigated the effects of curcumin, the active polyphenol in turmeric, on iron overload, hepcidin level, and liver function in β‐thalassemia major patients. This double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 β‐thalassemia major patients. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive either 500 mg curcumin capsules (total: 1,000 mg) twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Dietary intakes and biochemical variables including hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, total iron binding capacity, nontransferrin bound iron (NTBI), ferritin, hepcidin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed at the beginning and end of the trial. Curcumin significantly reduced serum levels of NTBI (2.83 ± 1.08 compared with 2.22 ± 0.97 μmol/L, p = .001), ALT (42.86 ± 11.15 compared with 40.60 ± 9.89 U/L, p = .018), and AST (49.45 ± 12.39 compared with 46.30 ± 10.85 U/L, p = .002) at the end of the study. Based on analysis of covariance, a significant decrease was also observed in levels of NTBI (2.22 ± 0.97 vs. 2.55 ± 0.94 μmol/L, p = .026), ALT (40.60 ± 9.89 vs. 45.01 ± 10.42 U/L, p = .004), and AST (46.30 ± 10.85 vs. 50.99 ± 9.36 U/L, p = .009) in curcumin group in comparison with placebo group. There were no significant changes in hepcidin and other variables in any of the 2 groups. Curcumin administration alleviated iron burden and liver dysfunction by reducing NTBI, ALT, and AST levels in patients with β‐thalassemia major.
Intervention of curcumin on oral pharmacokinetics of daclatasvir in rat: A possible risk for long‐term use
Authors: Dogra Ashish , Bhatt Shipra , Magotra Asmita , Sharma Anjna , Kotwal Pankul , Gour Abhishek , Wazir Priya , Singh Gurdarshan , Nandi Utpal 
Published: May 2018

Curcumin, a natural diarylheptanoid, is extensively used as a food additive or dietary supplement on the regular basis. It is known to have potential to encumber the drug transporters and hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes that lead to pharmacokinetic interactions with drug or food. Daclatasvir is a new orally acting drug for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C Virus infections. This is a substrate of P‐glycoprotein and CYP3A4 that are involved in the major pharmacokinetic interaction. Hence, the studies' aim is to assess for any possible pharmacokinetic interactions. Pharmacokinetic studies of daclatasvir in presence or absence of curcumin were carried out in Wistar rats following oral administration. Parallelly, the oral pharmacokinetics of daclatasvir was also determined in the presence of ketoconazole or quinidine. Studies revealed that plasma level of daclatasvir was not altered significantly during concomitant single dose administration of curcumin, whereas significantly decreased upon pretreatment for 7 days with curcumin at high dose level. Ketoconazole and quinidine markedly increase daclatasvir exposure following concomitant administration with daclatasvir. It can be concluded that dose adjustment is unlikely to be required for intermittent use of curcumin at low dose but cautious for chronic and concomitant use of curcumin at a high dose.
Content of highly unsaturated fatty acids in fish from rivers of contrasting temperature
Authors: Sushchik N.N. , Zuev I.V. , Kalachova G.S. , Ageev A.V. , Gladyshev M.I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractContents of highly unsaturated long‐chain fatty acids of omega‐3 family (HUFA); eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n‐3); and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3) are the principal indicators of the nutritive quality of fish for humans. Effects of environmental factors, first of all water temperature, on EPA and DHA contents in fish tissue are not currently completely understood. To reveal the putative effect of water temperature, fatty acid composition and contents were studied for 6 fish species, inhabiting the cold waters of the Yenisei River (Siberia, Russia) downstream of a dam (hypolimnetic release from reservoir) and its adjacent warm water tributaries (the Mana River and the Kacha River). It was hypothesized that (a) fish species from the cold river would have higher HUFA contents than fish from the warm rivers and (b) temperature would be negatively correlated with HUFA content in fish species. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, distinct species‐specific fatty acid profiles were observed, whereas contents of the essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in fish species from the cold Yenisei River were in general similar to that from warm tributaries. Thus, in contrast to the first hypothesis, phylogenetic factors overweighed the effect of water temperature and food (benthic invertebrate) composition, on fatty acid composition and HUFA content in fish. For the second hypothesis, for the 2 species inhabiting both cold and warm rivers, only one had higher EPA and DHA content at lower temperatures. Consequently, the response of EPA and DHA content in fish tissue to temperature variations may be species‐specific.