bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Marine Sediments from Niger Delta on the Growth of Microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Uba Bright Obidinma 
Published: March 2019

Aims: To determine effects of aromatic hydrocarbons and marine sediments from Niger Delta on the growth of microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Study Design: Fifteen treatments and the control were designed in triplicates in which long cells containing 25 mL of the algae-toxicant dilutions were supplemented with 0.0 mg /L, 1.0 mg /L, 1.8 mg /L, 3.2 mg /L, 5.6 mg /L, and 18.0 mg /L of xylene, anthracene and pyrene each; three sediments and potassium dichromate incubated for 3 days at 20 ± 2°C. The fifteen treatments and control (K2Cr2O7) designated as C0, C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 were used to determine their median effective concentration (ErC50) on the growth of microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria between February, 2018 and July, 2018.
Methodology: A laboratory scale study was carried on the sediment samples from the three studied areas using physiochemical analysis and marine microalga toxicity test.
Results: The findings revealed that the three sampling sites contain higher quantities of aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other physio-chemical parameters in the sediment samples than water samples. The K2Cr2O7had the highest ErC50 value of 08.07 ± 0.03 mg /L with CV and r2 values of 68.61% and 0.99 while pyrene in Nembe sediment had the least ErC50 value of 04.63 ± 0.01 mg /L with CV and r2 values of 78.27% and 0.98 with very strong significant positive linear relationship between algal number and sample concentrations (P = .05).
Conclusion: Thus, the toxicity results (> 1 mg /L <EC50 ≤ 10 mg /L) in this study are in line with other toxicity values for this type of toxicants, and are therefore considered to be scientifically relevant in ecotoxicological risk assessment of Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Coal and Biomass Pyrolysis and Gasification – A Review
Authors: Tiedeu William Ngaha , Sylvia Adipah 
Published: March 2019

In order to advance the research on using new techniques to produce clean and affordable energy, many gasification experiments have been conducted on different feedstocks and the results have been analyzed. Two promising feedstocks which in the future could help to meet the energy demand are coal and biomass. In this paper, we have collected deep insightful information about the processes of coal and biomass gasification and then compared them. The information contained in this paper cover coal and biomass properties, the devolatization process and the reactions occurring during char gasification. The contrast analysis which has been conducted showed for instance that biomass’ higher atomic ratio (H/C, O/C) was the cause of its lower heating value in comparison to coal; carbon conversion values for biomass was significantly higher compared to coal, and during the gasification process, coal feedstock released significantly higher pollutant gases (like H2S) than biomass. In the end, we also presented some innovative technologies that are now developed in the gasification field and which have proven to be highly efficient.
Activation of p38 MAPK Signaling‐Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Unfolded Protein Response by Nanopolystyrene Particles
Authors: Qu Man , Liu Yaqi , Xu Kangni , Wang Dayong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNanopolystyrene particles have been widely used in many fields. However, the molecular responses of organisms to nanopolystyrene particles at predicted environmentally relevant concentrations are still largely unclear. Caenorhabditis elegans is employed herein to investigate the molecular response of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling to nanoplastic particles (1 µg L−1) and the underlying molecular mechanism. In wild‐type nematodes, prolonged exposure (from L1‐larvae to adult day 3) to nanopolystyrene particles increases the expression of pmk‐1 encoding a p38 MAPK. Mutation of pmk‐1 induces a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, suggesting that the p38 MAPK signaling mediates a protective response to nanopolystyrene particles. PMK‐1 functions in the intestine to act upstream of two transcriptional factors (ATF‐7 and SKN‐1), which can further act upstream of XBP‐1, a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (ER UPR), to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene particles. PMK‐1, ATF‐7, SKN‐1, and XBP‐1 are all required for the induction of intestinal ER UPR in nematodes exposed to nanopolystyrene particles. Therefore, the intestinal p38 MAPK signaling may mediate a protective response to nanopolystyrene particles by activating XBP‐1‐mediated ER UPR. The results herein highlight the importance of molecular response in the intestine of organisms to nanopolystyrene particles.
Easy, Scalable, Robust, Micropatterned Silk Fibroin Cell Substrates
Authors: Xu Meng , Pradhan Sayantan , Agostinacchio Francesca , Pal Ramendra K. , Greco Gabriele , Mazzolai Barbara , Pugno Nicola M. , Motta Antonella , Yadavalli Vamsi K. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThin polymeric films are being explored for biomedical uses such as drug delivery, biofiltration, biosensors, and tissue regeneration. Of specific interest is the formation of mechanically flexible sheets, which can be formed with controllable thickness for sealing wounds, or as biomimetic cellular constructs. Flexible substrates with precise micro‐ and nanopatterns can function as supports for cell growth with conformal contact at the biointerface. To date, approaches to form free‐standing, thin sheets are limited in the ability to present patterned architectures and micro/nanotextured surfaces. Other materials have a lack of degradability, precluding their application as cellular scaffolds. An approach is suggested using biocompatible and biodegradable films fabricated from silk fibroin. This work presents the fabrication and characterization of flexible, micropatterned, and biodegradable 2D fibroin sheets for cell adhesion and proliferation. A facile and scalable technique using photolithography is shown to fabricate optically transparent, strong, and flexible fibroin substrates with tunable and precise micropatterns over large areas. By controlling the surface architectures, the control of cell adhesion and spreading can be observed. Additionally, the base material is fully degradable via proteolysis. Through mechanical control and directing the adherent cells, it is possible to explore interactions of cells and the microscale geometric topography.
Multiplexed, Sequential Secretion Analysis of the Same Single Cells Reveals Distinct Effector Response Dynamics Dependent on the Initial Basal State
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Lu Yao , Zhang Kerou , Xiao Yang , Lu Jun , Fan Rong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe effector response of immune cells dictated by an array of secreted proteins is a highly dynamic process, requiring sequential measurement of all relevant proteins from single cells. Herein, a microchip‐based, 10‐plexed, sequential secretion assay on the same single cells and at the scale of ≈5000 single cells measured simultaneously over 4 time points are shown. It is applied to investigating the time course of single human macrophage response to toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and reveals four distinct activation modes for different proteins in single cells. Protein secretion dynamics classifies the cells into two major activation states dependent on the basal state of each cell. Single‐cell RNA sequencing performed on the same samples at the matched time points further demonstrates the existence of two major activation states at the transcriptional level, which are enriched for translation versus inflammatory programs, respectively. These results show a cell‐intrinsic heterogeneous response in a phenotypically homogeneous cell population. This work demonstrates the longitudinal tracking of protein secretion signature in thousands of single cells at multiple time points, providing dynamic information to better understand how individual immune cells react to pathogenic challenges over time and how they together constitute a population response.
Photophysical and photodynamic properties of Pyronin Y in micellar media at different temperatures
Authors: Beşer Burcu Meryem , Arik Mustafa , Onganer Yavuz 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this study, photophysics and photodynamical properties of Pyronin Y (PyY) in different liquid media were investigated. Interactions of PyY, which is a positively charged pigment compound pertaining to the xanthene derivatives with surfactants possessing distinct charges, were determined by using the molecular absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. It was observed that band intensities of absorption and fluorescence spectra belonging to PyY increase in proportion to the water when compared to three micelle systems, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X‐100 (TX‐100). This suggests that interactions in micelle systems are different from those in deionized water, and solvation and surface interactions modify. It is determined that the strongest interaction occurs between PyY dye and SDS, anionic surfactant, and this interaction arises from the electrostatic forces. Calculated photophysical parameters indicated that the microenvironment of PyY in SDS micelle is different to that of other systems. In temperature studies, it was reported that increasing the temperature of the samples increased non‐radiative transitions. Steady‐state fluorescence anisotropy values were calculated by using fluorescence intensities of PyY compound in pre‐micellar, micellar and post‐micellar systems. Once the PyY fluorescence probe is added to the surfactant containing solutions below the critical micelle concentrations, the measured anisotropy values were found to be low because the probe remains in the deionized water phase. When the surfactant concentration of the medium becomes closer to the critical micelle concentrations, the steady‐state anisotropy value prominently increases. This is because of the restrictions on the rotational diffusion of the probe in micellar solution. It is observed that positively charged PyY shows a higher affinity to the negatively charged SDS compared with the positively charged CTAB and neutral TX‐100 surfactants. This can be explained by Coulombic interactions.
Identification of upstream culture conditions and harvest time parameters that affect host cell protein clearance
Authors: Wilson Louisa J. , Lewis Will , Kucia‐Tran Richard , Bracewell Daniel G. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDuring early stage bioprocess development, characterizing interactions between unit operations is a key challenge. Such interactions include the release of host cell enzymes early in the process causing losses in product quality downstream.Using a CHO‐expressed IgG1 system, the impact of cell culture duration was investigated using a 50 L bioreactor and performing scale‐down protein A purification. While antibody titer doubled during the last week of culture, the post‐protein A host cell protein (HCP) levels increased from 243 to 740 ppm. Effects of pH and temperature were then explored using fed‐batch ambr250 bioreactors, and parameters enabling higher titers were linked to a decrease in post‐protein A product purity. These trade‐offs between titer and product quality were visualized using a window of operation.The downstream space was explored further by exposing shake flask material to shear representative of disc stack centrifugation, prior to purification, and by adding polishing chromatography. While product quality decreased with progressing cultivation, cells became more shear resistant. Polishing chromatography resulted in product fragmentation which increased fourfold from Day 10 to 24, adding constraint to achieving both efficient HCP clearance as well as high monomer purities.These examples highlight the importance of adopting integrated approaches to upstream and downstream development strategies to enable whole process optimization.
Predictive factors of early recurrence after R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A single institution experience in China
Authors: Hu Hai‐Jie , Jin Yan‐Wen , Shrestha Anuj , Ma Wen‐Jie , Wang Jun‐Ke , Liu Fei , Zhu Ya‐Yun , Zhou Rong‐Xing , Regmi Parbatraj , Cheng Nan‐Sheng , Li Fu‐Yu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPrediction of early postoperative recurrence is of great significance for follow‐up treatment. However, there are few studies available that focus on high‐risk factors of early postoperative recurrence or even the definition the exact time of early recurrence for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, we aimed to examine the optimal cut‐off value for defining the early in patients with R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and to investigate prognostic factors associated with early recurrence. Two hundred and fifty‐eight patients with R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2000 and 2015 were included. The minimum P value approach was used to define the optimal cut‐off of early recurrence. The prognostic factors associated with early recurrence were investigated. The optimal cut‐off value for dividing patients into early and non‐early recurrence groups after R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 12 months. Sixty‐two patients were recorded as early recurrence, and the remaining 196 patients were labeled as non‐early recurrence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.756, 95% CI 1.409‐5.393; P = 0.003), poor differentiation (OR = 1.653; 95% CI 1.040‐2.632; P = 0.034), increased postoperative CA 19‐9 levels (OR = 1.965, 95% CI 1.282‐3.013; P = 0.002), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio > 3.41 (OR = 5.125, 95% CI 2.419‐10.857; P < 0.001) and age > 60 years (OR = 2.018, 95% CI 1.032‐3.947; P = 0.040) were independent determinants of early and non‐early recurrence. Poor differentiation (HR = 2.609, 95% CI 1.600‐4.252; P < 0.001), Bismuth classification type III/IV (HR = 2.510, 95% CI 1.298‐4.852; P = 0.006) and perineural invasion (HR=2.380, 95% CI 1.271‐4.457; P = 0.007) were independent factors of overall survival in the subgroup of patients who developed early recurrence. The optimal cut‐off value for dividing early recurrence after R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 12 months. Tumor differentiation, Bismuth classification, and perineural invasion were independent factors of overall survival in the subgroup of patients with early recurrence. Patients with risk factors should be monitored closely after curative surgery.
“The upward spiral staircase of caring”: A hermeneutic phenomenology study of the caring competency of Filipino nurses grounded in competency‐based education
Authors: Paragas Emmanuel Dayao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundDespite an enormous amount of research supporting the necessity for a caring perspective in nursing education, the literature reflects a dearth of information on efforts to uphold the internalization of the value of caring throughout the nursing curricula.AimTo explore the lived experiences of the nurses in relation to their caring competency grounded in competency‐based education (CBE) pedagogy.MethodsThis study is a Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology. The professional nurses (n = 10) were selected using purposive sampling from a tertiary private hospital in Manila, Philippines, between February and March 2016. The data were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interview and observation. The analysis and interpretation were guided by Van Manen's six‐step method of phenomenology, and the criteria of qualitative scientific rigor were followed.Results and DiscussionThe results revealed five themes: (1) caring as outcome‐oriented; (2) caring as transformative moment by moment; (3) caring as selfless commitment; (4) caring as valuing the worth of human life; and (5) caring as an achievement of a transcendent level of self‐fulfillment. Further, the caring competency of nurses was symbolically represented by an upward spiral staircase which could be considered as a metaphor for growth.ConclusionThe CBE was found to be effective in developing the caring competency of nurses, wherein it goes through a complex transformation process as they face different kinds of situations and experiences. The caring competent nurse can provide a holistic approach in providing care to various types of patients.
Adsorbent Regeneration by Non‐thermal Plasma for Elimination of Odorous Compounds from Indoor Air
Authors: Holzer Frank , Kopinke Frank-Dieter , Roland Ulf 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe non‐thermal plasma (NTP) technique was shown to be a method to improve indoor air quality. In particular in kitchens, odorous emissions can be removed by NTP. A combined concept of adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and plasma regeneration of the adsorber was tested in adsorption‐regeneration‐adsorption cycles. As reference VOCs, 2‐methylthiophene, 2‐methylpyrazine, 2‐acetylthiazole, nonanal, and trans‐2‐nonenal were selected in humid air streams. These odorous compounds are emitted during cooking and frying processes. The adsorption‐regeneration concept was also tested during a simulated frying process with garlic in rape oil. A hydrophobic zeolite was chosen as adsorber material and placed directly into the discharge zone of a plasma reactor.
Intraspecific and interspecific trait variability in tadpole meta‐communities from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest
Authors: Xavier Jordani Mainara , Mouquet Nicolas , Casatti Lilian , Menin Marcelo , de Cerqueira Rossa‐Feres Denise , Albert Cécile Hélène 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

A better understanding of species coexistence and community dynamics may benefit from more insights on trait variability at the individual and species levels.

Tadpole assemblages offer an excellent system to understand the relative influence of intraspecific and interspecific variability on community assembly, due to their high phenotypic plasticity, and the strong influence that environmental variables have on their spatial distribution and individual performance.

Here, we quantified the intraspecific and interspecific components of tadpoles’ trait variability in order to investigate their relative role in shaping tadpole communities.

We selected eight functional traits related to microhabitat use, foraging strategies, and swimming ability. We measured these traits on 678 individuals from 22 species captured in 43 ponds in the Atlantic Forest. We used single‐ and multitrait analyses to decompose trait variability. To explore the action of external and internal filtering on community assembly, we used a variance decomposition approach that compares phenotypic variability at the individual, population, community and regional levels.

On average, 33% of trait variability was due to within‐species variation. This decomposition varied widely among traits. We found only a reduced effect of external filtering (low variation in the height of the ventral fin within ponds in comparison to the total variation), whereas the internal filtering was stronger than expected. Traits related to the use of different microhabitats through the water column were generally less variable than traits related to swimming ability to escape of predators, with tail traits being highly variable within species.

Our study highlights the importance of incorporating both intraspecific and interspecific, trait differences and of focusing on a diversity of traits related to both stabilizing niche and fitness differences in order to better understand how trait variation relates to species coexistence.
Exploring the cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a partial hospitalization sample
Authors: Reilly Erin E. , Brown Tiffany A. , Gray Emily K. , Kaye Walter H. , Menzel Jessie E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveLiterature providing clinical characterizations of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has proposed the occurrence of three functions for food refusal: fear of negative consequences, lack of hunger, or sensory sensitivity. Recent studies have suggested that these functions may be used to subtype patients presenting with ARFID; however, other work suggests that these categories are not mutually exclusive and instead represent neurobiological dimensions that can cooccur. The current study explored the potential cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes in patients with ARFID presenting to a partial hospitalization program.MethodTwo raters conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with ARFID presenting to treatment from June 2014 to May 2018 (N = 59).ResultsRegarding cooccurrence of symptoms consistent with behavioural phenotypes, raters showed excellent agreement, and over 50% of the sample endorsed symptoms consistent with more than one phenotype. The sensory sensitivity phenotype was most common in the sample and frequently cooccurred with both other phenotypes.DiscussionResults suggest that multiple functions for food avoidance may be present within one individual. Future work should aim to further characterize individuals presenting with singular versus multiple phenotype characteristics.
Problem‐solving therapy reduces subjective burden levels in caregivers of family members with mild cognitive impairment or early‐stage dementia: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Garand Linda , Morse Jennifer Q. , ChiaRebecca Lichun , Barnes Jennifer , Dadebo Victoria , Lopez Oscar L. , Dew Mary Amanda 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesInterventions addressing burden have limited impact among long‐term family caregivers. We examined whether problem‐solving therapy (PST) would reduce burden levels of caregivers of individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early‐stage dementia (AD).MethodsCaregivers (N = 73) randomly received PST or nutritional training (NT). Burden measures were assessed over 1‐year post‐intervention.ResultsRelative to NT, caregivers receiving PST endorsed improved perceived burden levels over time, regardless of the type of caregiver. Distress over the care recipient's dementia‐related behaviors remained low over time among MCI caregivers receiving PST, while these burden levels among MCI caregivers receiving NT rose over time. AD caregivers receiving PST endorsed reductions in these burden levels over time, while AD caregivers in the NT group endorsed higher burden levels over time.ConclusionPST, taught early in the caregiving trajectory, improves subjective burden levels among caregivers of family members with relatively mild cognitive deficits.
Intratumor genetic heterogeneity in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Authors: Zandberg Dan P. , Tallon Luke J. , Nagaraj Sushma , Sadzewicz Lisa K. , Zhang Yuji , Strome Maxwell B. , Zhao Xuechu E. , Vavikolanu Kranthi , Zhang Xiaoyu , Papadimitriou John C. , Hubbard Fleesie A. , Bentzen Søren M. , Strome Scott E. , Fraser Claire M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to evaluate intratumor heterogeneity in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OCC) and specifically determine the effect of physical separation and histologic differentiation within the same tumor.MethodsWe performed whole exome sequencing on five biopsy sites—two from well‐differentiated, two from poorly differentiated regions, and one from normal parenchyma—from five primary OCC specimens.ResultsWe found high levels of intratumor heterogeneity and, in four primary tumors, identified only 0 to 2 identical mutations in all subsites. We found that the heterogeneity inversely correlated with physical separation and that pairs of well‐differentiated samples were more similar to each other than analogous poorly differentiated specimens. Only TP53 mutations, but not other purported “driver mutations” in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, were found in multiple biopsy sites.ConclusionThese data highlight the challenges to characterization of the mutational landscape of OCC with single site biopsy and have implications for personalized medicine.