bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of arsenic resistant plant‐growth promoting indigenous soil bacteria isolated from Center‐East regions of India
Authors: Pandey Neha , Keshavkant S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA total of 45 morphologically distinct arsenic (As)‐resistant bacterial strains were isolated from the soils of different regions of Chhattisgarh, India. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these isolates varied widely in the range of 100‐500 mM for arsenate [As(V)] and 15‐30 mM for arsenite [As(III)]. Out of forty‐five, three isolates viz; ARP3, ARRP3, and ADT5 also revealed plant growth‐promoting properties, including phosphate solubilization and production of siderophores, indoleacetic acid, ammonia, and exopolysaccharide. Besides all these, the strains not only exhibited significant growth in the presence of As(V)/As(III) but also displayed higher efficiency (87%‐94%) of As removal from the growth medium followed by intracellular accumulation (17‐19 mg As/g). Hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopic (HG‐AAS) analysis revealed the intracellular accumulation of As, and the structural changes that took place in these isolates were further confirmed by microscopic studies. The 16 S rRNA and phylogenetic analyses unveiled that the isolates ARP3, ARRP3, and ADT5 belonged to genera Pseudomonas, Exiguobaterium, and Microbacterium, respectively. The conducted study suggested that such beneficial bacterial strains could be conveniently exploited at a commercial level for enhancing plant growth in As‐contaminated agricultural fields, thereby improved productivity and enhanced bioremediation of soil having alarming strength of As.
Evaluating ice‐rafted debris as a proxy for glacier calving in Upernavik Isfjord, NW Greenland
Authors: Vermassen Flor , Wangner David J. , Dyke Laurence M. , Schmidt Sabine , Cordua Amalie E. , Kjær Kurt H. , Haubner Konstanze , Andresen Camilla S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRecords of ice‐rafted debris (IRD) in sediments are commonly used as a proxy for iceberg production and to reconstruct past changes of glacier stability. However, the interpretation of IRD is complex as multiple processes modulate its variability. This study investigates the relationship between IRD variability and glaciological change by measuring IRD records from Upernavik Fjord and comparing these to frontal positions of Upernavik Isstrøm during the past century. Results show that the spatial variability of IRD deposition throughout the fjord is high, indicating that randomness inherent to IRD distorts the calving signal. However, we investigate whether IRD records can be combined to improve the reconstruction, as previously suggested, and show the importance of core site selection and number of cores on this approach. The outer‐fjord core compares relatively well to the observed front positions and this is reflected in the composite record: increased IRD deposition in 1937–1946, 1968–1980, and 1996–1999 occurred during periods of faster retreat. Comparison with climatic records shows that the calving episodes in the late ‘30 s/early ‘40 s and late ‘90 s are related to warm ocean and air temperatures, whereas intensified retreat and calving during the ‘70 s reflects partly an internal glacier response to the fjord geometry.
Submandibular gland flap for reconstruction after parotidectomy
Authors: Liang Kevin Y. , Breen Matthew S. , Tracy Jeremiah C. , Vaezi Alec E. 
Published: May 2019

Objectives/HypothesisDescription of a novel use of a submandibular gland (SMG) flap pedicled on the facial vessels to restore facial volume after parotidectomy, and comparison of clinical outcomes with alternative modes of reconstruction.Study DesignRetrospective chart review.MethodsThe surgical technique for a SMG flap is described. Retrospective chart review of cases of parotidectomy at a single tertiary medical center was conducted (n = 43). Cases were grouped in three cohorts of consecutive patients depending on reconstruction technique: SMG flap (n = 13), sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) flap (n = 15), and no flap (n = 15). Cohort characteristics and complication rates are reported.ResultsThe SMG flap was more often used for a malignant pathology (92%) and in conjunction with a neck dissection (100%), compared to the SCM flap (47% and 15%) or no flap (0% and 0%), respectively. The mean House‐Brackmann score in the immediate postoperative period in the SMG‐flap group was slightly elevated compared to the other groups: 1.6 (standard deviation [SD] ± 0.5) versus 1.1 (SD ± 0.3) and 1.0 (SD ± 0.0). Otherwise, the complication rate was similar across groups.ConclusionsThe SMG flap is a safe and effective option for volume restoration after parotidectomy. It provides durable volume that will not atrophy and is already exposed in the field of dissection for patients undergoing concurrent level I neck dissection.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 130:E155–E162, 2020
Synthesis and Properties of UCST‐Type Thermo‐ and Light‐Responsive Homopolypeptides with Azobenzene Spacers and Imidazolium Pendants
Authors: Zhao Liang , Zhang Lin , Zheng Zelai , Ling Ying , Tang Haoyu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHomopolypeptide bearing azobenzene and triethylene glycol spacers, and 1‐butylimidazolium pendants, namely P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImX) (X = Cl, I, BF4) are prepared by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and subsequent ion‐exchange reaction. Both 1H NMR and FTIR confirm the polymer structures and reveal a high grafting efficiency (97%). P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImI) shows reversible upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type thermoresponsive property in ethanol while P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImI/BF4) shows a UCST in ethanol/water solvent mixtures. P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImI) shows UCST‐type phase transitions in ethanol or ethanol/water solvent mixtures. After UV irradiation, the UCST‐type cloud point temperature (Tcp) remains constant in ethanol. However, it decreases after UV irradiation and increases after visible light irradiation in ethanol/water solvent mixtures due to the trans–cis isomerization of azobenzene moieties. P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImCl/I) shows NaI‐induced UCST in water. The Tcp of the P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImCl/I) aqueous solution is highly related to the polymer/salt concentration and nature of counteranions. P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImCl) also shows reversible light‐responsive properties in NaI aqueous solutions. Higher NaI concentration is needed to induce a UCST for P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImCl) after UV irradiation. Moreover, ciprofloxacin‐loaded hydrogel containing P(Azo‐OEG3‐ImCl) shows more efficient drug release while the UV irradiation leads to slightly low drug release.
Laser welding of copper‐niobium microcomposite wires for pulsed power applications
Authors: Višniakov N. , Mikalauskas G. , Černašėjus O. , Škamat J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe laser welding of copper‐niobium microcomposite wires was investigated. It was determined that the joint structure does not have welding defects, while microscopic examination of the joint cross‐section showed that the microstructure of the autogenous weld consists mainly of a copper‐based solid solution strengthened by niobium‐rich precipitations. The weld obtained with use of filler material consists of two distinct zones, which are formed due to melting of filler wire and microcomposite wire. This structure of the joint provides an insignificant increase in electrical resistance and sufficient ultimate strength and plasticity of the joint. The tensile strength of the sample welded without filler material reaches 335 MPa, but such welded joints are very brittle due to very low ductility. However, an autogenous laser welding joint has about 1.6 times better ductility, and the tensile strength of the joint depends on the applied filler material and is equal to the tensile strength of this material.
Influence of carbon nanotubes and dispersions of SiC on the physical and mechanical properties of pure copper and copper‐nickel alloy
Authors: El‐Khatib S. , Shash A. Y. , El‐Habak A. , Elsayed A. H. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of copper‐nickel alloy (at 50 wt.%–50 wt.%) and pure copper, mixed with various types of reinforcement materials such as carbon nanotubes (0.5 wt.%–2 wt.%) as nanoparticles, silicon carbide (1 wt.%–4 wt.%) as microparticles. The acquired composite specimens characteristics were estimated such as microstructure, density, electrical and thermal conductivity, hardness, and compression stress properties to determine the suitable reinforcement percentage that has the best physical and mechanical properties with different main matrix material whether copper‐nickel mechanical alloying or pure copper powder. The micron‐sized silicon carbide and nanosized carbon nanotubes were added to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the composite. The electrical and thermal conductivity of pure copper alloy enhanced compared with the copper‐nickel alloy matrix material. The hardness and compression yield stress of both pure copper and copper‐nickel composites have enhancement values and for copper‐nickel base composites hardness and compression yield stress have enhanced with the most positive enhancement values to examined an optimum percentage of reinforcing material.
Investigations of geometrical structure and morphology of samples made of hard machinable materials after wire electrical discharge machining and vibro‐abrasive finishing
Authors: Gołąbczak M. , Maksim P. , Jacquet P. , Gołąbczak A. , Woźniak K. , Nouveau C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this article the results concerned influence of processing conditions of the wire electrical discharge machining and vibro‐abrasive machining on the surface layer and morphology of samples made of hard machinable materials used in aircraft industry like: Titanium 5553 β, Inconel 617, Hastelloy X and Magnesium AZ31 have been presented. For this purpose the cubic and cylindrical samples made of hard machinable alloys have been prepared using optimal electric parameters of wire‐cut electrical discharge machining and finally they have been polished using circular vibratory finishing technology and different ceramic shaped stones.
Aminocyanopyridines as anti‐lung cancer agents by inhibiting the STAT3 pathway
Authors: Xu Lingyuan , Qiu Sensen , Yang Lehe , Xu Haitang , Liu Xu , Fan Shiqian , Cui Ri , Fu Weitao , Zhao Chengguang , Shen Liqun , Wang Liangxing , Huang Xiaoying 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLung cancer is a leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Cyanopyridines and aminocyanopyridines with carbon‐nitrogen bonds have been proved to exert significant anticancer, antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory effects. In this study, we showed that aminocyanopyridine 3o and 3k displaying potent antitumor activity via inhibiting the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. They blocked the constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and regulated the transcription of STAT3 target genes encoding apoptosis factors. Most importantly, 3o also inhibited interleukin‐6‐induced STAT3 activation and nuclear localization. Furthermore, 3o significantly inhibited the tumor growth of H460‐derived xenografts. Taken together, these findings suggest that 3o and 3k are promising therapeutic drug candidates for lung cancer by inhibiting persistent STAT3 signaling.
Personal psychological resources mediate parent–child relationship and mental health among left‐behind children
Authors: Mordeno Imelu G. , Gallemit I Marie Joy S. , Lantud Sittie Shayuri B. , Hall Brian J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDiscrepant findings on the impact of parental migration on left‐behind children's (LBC) psychological health have been noted in the literature. While several studies have shown the negative effects of parental migration, burgeoning research has demonstrated contradictory findings. The present study aimed to clarify this issue by examining the association between family resources and mental health as mediated by personal psychological resources (PPRs). A sample comprised of 466 LBC (aged 11–17 years) answered a set of questionnaires assessing parent–child relationship, PPRs, and mental health symptoms. The results showed that PPRs, particularly emotional resources, significantly mediated the link between family resources and mental health. This suggests that LBC who have rich family resources (i.e., close parent–child relationship) have lower mental health problems due to higher emotional resources (i.e., satisfaction in life). Conversely, those who reported having poor family resources experienced a lower level of PPRs (i.e., emotional well‐being), which in turn, increased their risk of having psychological distress. The “caravanning” of resources from family to personal resources is vital in protecting LBC's mental health.
Noninvasive assessment of fetal central nervous system insult: Potential application to prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Goetzl Laura , Darbinian Nune , Merabova Nana 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe have developed novel methods for isolating fetal central nervous system (CNS)‐derived extracellular vesicles (FCEs) from maternal plasma as a non‐invasive platform for testing aspects of fetal neurodevelopment in early pregnancy. We investigate the hypothesis that levels of defined sets of functional proteins in FCEs can be used to detect abnormalities in fetal neuronal and glial proliferation, differentiation, and survival.MethodMaternal plasma was obtained between 10 and 19 weeks from women with current heavy EtOH exposure and matched controls. FCE levels of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, synaptopodin, and neurogranin were quantified normalized to the exosome marker CD81. Quantitative RT‐PCR was performed with specific primers for miR‐9.ResultsFCE cargo protein levels of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, synaptopodin, and neurogranin were all significantly reduced in pregnancies exposed to current heavy EtOH use (P < .001 for all). Both synaptophysin and neurogranin appeared to be particularly discriminatory with no overlap between exposed and control subjects. Up to tenfold inhibition (90%) in MicroRNA‐9 was observed in FCEs from EtOH exposed fetuses compared with controls.ConclusionOur results suggest that FCEs purified from maternal plasma may be a powerful tool to assess abnormal proliferation and differentiation of CNS stem cells as early as the late first trimester.What's already known about this topic?

Exosomes/extracellular vesicles (ECVs) are emerging as exciting novel biomarkers in neurologic disease (Alzheimers)
What does this study add?

Evidence that Fetal CNS ECVs can be isolated from maternal blood
The origin of the ECVs appears to be the fetal brain and not the placenta
Findings with ECVs correlates with fetal exposure to alcohol.
Potential for first trimester prenatal diagnosis of fetal neurologic disease
Is DEET a dangerous neurotoxicant?
Authors: Swale Daniel R , Bloomquist Jeffrey R 
Published: May 2019

AbstractControversies surrounding the safety of N,N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide (DEET) when used as an insect repellent are centered around conflicting findings in the scientific literature and inaccurate reporting in the public media. Lethal cases of DEET poisoning are few, and usually due to deliberate or other overdoses that ignore product label instructions. Deleterious effects of DEET typically involve skin reactions and even when encephalopathies, such as seizures, occur they often abate without sequelae. Recent mode‐of‐action studies prove it has little direct effect on acetylcholinesterase, and have identified G protein‐coupled receptors as a site of action deserving of further investigation. Studies with pregnant women found that DEET had no effect on the developing fetus from proper use and its continued deployment as a repellent is endorsed by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, with specific recommendations of how it should be used on children. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Complementary approach for accurate determination of carbon isotopic compositions in γ‐hydroxybutyric acid using gas chromatography/combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Dong‐Hun , Kim Hyojeong , Yun Hee Young , Park Meejung , Choe Sanggil , In Sanghwan , Kim Eunmi , Han Eunyoung , Shin Kyung‐Hoon 
Published: May 2019

Rationaleγ‐Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a naturally endogenous neurotransmitter that is popular as a recreational drug due to its sedative, hypnotic, and euphoric effects. GHB derived from endogenous production or exogenous ingestion has been effectively discriminated by carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C values) through gas chromatography/combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C‐IRMS). However, an unintended uncertainty of isotopic signatures caused by a wide range of GHB quantities remains unsolved when using only single‐isotope corrections of the di‐TMS derivative.MethodsThe δ13C values of the original GHB standard were first determined by elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). The δ13C values of silylated GHB in concentrations from 10 to 500 ppm were determined by GC/C‐IRMS. With respect to the silylated reaction products, the correction of δ13C values for the introduced carbons was calculated from a stoichiometric mass balance equation.ResultsThe results showed a significant quantity‐dependent trend in δ13C values of introduced carbon (δ13Cdi‐TMS values) with increased GHB standard concentrations (r2 = 0.70, p <0.05). We applied a logarithmic equation to determine isotopic data in low‐GHB urine specimens from five healthy female volunteers. The δ13CGHB values in urine samples corrected with quantity‐dependent δ13Cdi‐TMS values were different by an average of 2.7‰ from those corrected with single δ13Cdi‐TMS values (p <0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the overall residual amount‐dependent isotope fractionation should be mathematically corrected by the logarithmic function and this may improve the reliability of isotopic analysis to evaluate the origin of GHB before applying the approach to routine toxicological and forensic studies.
Secure delegation of group exponentiations: Efficient and fully verifiable schemes with two servers†
Authors: Moritz Stephan , Uzunkol Osmanbey 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRecent interactions between cloud service providers and mobile resource‐constrained devices have increased the interest on the delegation of expensive computations to powerful external server providers. At the same time, security and verifiability of the delegated computation are challenging though highly demanded requirements for various application scenarios. Many security solutions using advanced cryptographic technologies require a large number of highly expensive group exponentiations (GEs). In this paper, we address the problems regarding secure and verifiable delegation of GEs. We first analyze two delegation schemes for GEs both introduced recently in Cluster Computing by Fu et al with the claim that they both provide full verifiability. Particularly, we show that the first scheme is only verifiable with a probability at most 2/3, and the second scheme is totally unverifiable. Then, we propose a secure, efficient and fully verifiable delegation scheme InvDel for a GE using two servers, where one of which is malicious. With InvDel the delegator does not require computations of any group inversions (GIs) while providing full verifiability. Then, we extend InvDel to SimInvDel which is the first, efficient and secure delegation scheme for n‐simultaneous GEs achieving full verifiability for n > 1. Secondly, we give implementation results of InvDel and SimInvDel using an Android application together with a comprehensive efficiency analysis of computation and communication with the previous schemes. For instance, when the required CPU costs for a single GE are compared with a 4092‐bit modulus, InvDel is more than 220‐times (resp. more than two times) more efficient than the local computation (resp. using a previous fully verifiable scheme proposed in the literature). Finally, we also utilize InvDel and SimInvDel to speed‐up the verification of Schnorr's signature and Cramer‐Shoup encryption schemes.
Doubly fed induction generator‐based variable‐speed wind turbine: Proposal of a simplified model under a faulty grid with short‐duration faults
Authors: Rolán Alejandro , Pedra Joaquín 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study is to provide a simplified model of a variable‐speed wind turbine (VSWT) with the technology of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), which operates under faulty grid conditions. A simplified model is proposed, which consists of a set of electrical and mechanical equations that can be easily modeled as simplistic electrical circuits. It makes it an excellent tool to achieve fault ride‐through capability of grid‐connected VSWT with DFIGs. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical grid faults, which cause symmetrical and unsymmetrical voltage sags, have been applied to the system in order to validate the model. The proposed simplified model has been compared with the traditional full‐order model under multiple sags (different durations and depths), and the results reveal that both models present similar accuracy. As the idea is to reduce the computational time required to simulate the machine behavior under faulty grid conditions, the proposed model becomes suitable for that purpose. The analytical study has been validated by simulations carried out with MATLAB.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with infundibulum cystic artery first technique: A record-based case series
Authors: Nawar Momen A. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT

Background and aim:
Even though laparoscopic cholecystectomy LC became the gold standard for the treatment of gallstones, bile duct injuries, (BDI), are still more frequent than that recorded in the open cholecystectomy OC era. The aim of the study is to describe the experience with this modified technique through a retrospective case series.

Materials and methods:
This record-based study was carried out at Dawadmi General Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from hospital records from January 2008 to September 2017. It included all the patients undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) performed by the author using a modified infundibulum first technique with cystic artery identification. The number of eligible records was 502.

Results:
The majority of patients were women (81.7%), having symptomatic cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis (83.7%). The median operative time was 43.1 minutes. Nine (1.79%) patients experienced intra-operative incidents, the most common being iatrogenic gall bladder perforation (4 patients). None of the patients had bile duct injury (BDI), while 3 required conversion to open cholecystectomy (OC). Overall, 8 (1.59%) patients had early post-operative complications. The overall morbidity rate was 2.99% (95% CI: 1.75–4.77).

Conclusion and recommendations:
The modified LC approach based on identification of the cystic artery is associated with lower rates of intra- and post-operative complications, with low conversion rate. A multi-center randomized clinical trial is recommended to provide more evidence of the utility of this technique.

Highlights:
One British Thing: Jodhpurs
Authors: Mayer Tara 
Published: May 2019

AbstractJodhpurs, despite their Indian name and provenance, are a quintessentially “British thing” in that they exemplify the material and cultural exchanges between Britain and its Indian colony in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The trousers, originally associated with elite Indian sportsmen and royalty, have become an iconic staple of British equestrian culture, cavalry uniforms, and fashionable leisurewear. This particular example of sartorial borrowing illustrates the complicated cultural proximity of empire within metropolitan Britain.