bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Importance of Surface Functionalities for Antibacterial Properties of Carbon Spheres
Authors: Adolfsson Karin H. , Golda‐Cepa Monika , Erdal Nejla B. , Duch Joanna , Kotarba Andrzej , Hakkarainen Minna 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCarbon spheres (CS) are interesting materials for antibacterial applications. Herein, CS are produced by a green process utilizing microwave‐assisted hydrothermal treatment of cellulose. The CS are then postmodified in acidic and basic solutions to evaluate the influence of different functionalities on antibacterial properties. CS contain OH/COOH, CC, and CO functionalities, while O‐CS produced by acid treatment of CS have additional COOH, and NH/NH2 groups, resulting in carbon spheres with negatively and positively charged groups in dispersion. Treatment with base (Na‐CS) removes low molecular weight species with oxygen and results in carbon spheres with the highest C/O ratio. CS, O‐CS, and Na‐CS have nonporous morphology and are in micro/nanometer sizes, although, smaller sized spheres, hollow spheres, and fragments are also attained in the case of O‐CS. O‐CS show antibacterial activity toward both Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The minimum inhibitory concentration is 200 and 400 µg mL−1 for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively, and is achieved only after 3 h of incubation. Neither CS nor Na‐CS exhibit antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity is suggested to originate from electrostatic interactions between O‐CS and the bacteria.
Influence of inner vapor transfer property of a freeze dryer on the design space of drying process
Authors: Nakagawa Kyuya , Tamiya Shinri 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA freeze dryer with a radiative heating device was constructed and the inner vapor transfer property was regulated by separating the drying chamber and the condenser with an orifice. A mathematical model was used to obtain the contour diagrams of the selected parameters (e.g., product temperature and total drying period) during drying as a function of the heating condition and chamber pressure. Furthermore, the inner vapor transfer coefficients of the freeze dryer were used to draw the operation lines on the diagrams. The combinations of contour diagrams and operation lines clearly depict the design spaces. It was confirmed that the inner vapor transfer property substantially affected the acceptable operation range, and it was revealed that this coefficient is key to quantify the performance of a freeze dryer. This coefficient could also be used to predict the occurrence of choked flow during a freeze‐drying run.
Sedentary behavior and metabolic syndrome in physically active adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003‐2006
Authors: Kim Heontae , Kang Minsoo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe detrimental associations of sedentary behavior (SB) with metabolic syndrome have been shown to be independent of moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Therefore, researchers, in addition to promoting MVPA, are calling attention to the need to reduce SB. However, there has been limited research on the association of SB with metabolic syndrome among those who already meet the PA guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between objectively measured SB and metabolic syndrome among those who meet the PA guideline.MethodsA total of 1613 adults (>17 years) who met the PA guideline of 150 minutes/week of MVPA from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in the analysis. For analytical purposes, four sub‐groups of SB were created based on quartiles of SB minutes. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the ATP III guidelines.ResultsWhen controlling for covariates, participants in the fourth quartile of SB time (≥539 minutes/day) were more likely to report metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.47, 6.80) compared to those in the first quartile of SB time (≤380 minutes/day). Also, participants in the third quartile of SB time (454‐539 minutes/day) were more likely to report metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.25, 3.56) compared to those in the first quartile of SB time.ConclusionThis finding suggests that, even in those who meet the PA guidelines, detrimental associations with metabolic syndrome are observed with increasing SB time.
A Highly Sensitive Two‐Photon Ratiometric Probe for Rapid Detection of the hNQO1 Enzyme in Colon Cancer Tissue
Authors: Cho Myoung Ki , Juvekar Vinayak , Lim Chang Su , Noh Choong‐Kyun , Shin Sung Jae , Kim Hwan Myung 
Published: February 2019

AbstracthNQO1 is an intracellular flavoenzyme that protects cells from oxidative stress, redox cycling, and neoplastic lesions that convert endogenous and exogenous quinones to hydroquinone. Since hNQO1 is overexpressed in several human tumor cells, we carried out sensitive and rapid quantitative analyses of hNQO1 in live cells and human colon tissue in detail by utilizing an hNQO1 enzyme selective two‐photon fluorescent probe (SHC‐E). The probe consists of trimethyl‐locked quinone linked to 6‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐20‐yl)‐2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)naphthalene (BTDAN) via a para‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol spacer, which focuses on the trigger group for its easy lactonization after hNQO1‐catalyzed NADH reduction. By changing the N‐methyl amide group on the self‐cleavable linker to an ester, we achieved high sensitivity and fast response of the probe toward hNQO1. Furthermore, live‐cell imaging with SHC‐E enabled its use in hNQO1 activity studies in HT‐29 cells and hNQO1‐negative cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231 and CCD18Co), whereas deep‐tissue two‐photon imaging of hNQO1 eliminated the need for tissue homogenization. The results show that the SHC‐E ratiometric fluorescence‐based two‐photon sensor is capable of utilizing near‐infrared light as the excitation source for selective detection of the cancer biomarker hNQO1 in vivo, and that it could become a tool for early colon cancer diagnosis where a notable increase in hNQO1 activity is found.
Pd‐Pt/modified GO as an efficient and selective heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds to amino aromatic compounds by the hydrogen source
Authors: Salahshournia Hossein , Ghiaci Mehran 
Published: February 2019

In this work, different nitroaromatic compounds were successfully reduced to their corresponding aromatic amines with excellent conversion and selectivity in methanol at 50 °C by using Pd‐Pt nanoparticles immobilized on the modified grapheme oxide (m‐GO) and hydrogen as the reducing source. The catalytic efficiency of Pd and Pd‐Pt loading on the modified GO was investigated for the reduction of various nitroaromatic compounds, and the Pd‐Pt/m‐GO system demonstrated the highest conversion and selectivity. The catalyst was characterized by different techniques including FT‐IR, Raman, UV–Vis, XRD, BET, XPS, FESEM, EDS, and TEM. The metal nanoparticles with the size of less than 10 nm were uniformly distributed on the m‐GO. The catalyst could be reused at least five times without losing activity, showing the stability of the catalyst structure. Finally, the efficiency of the prepared catalyst was compared with Pd‐Pt/AC, and Pd‐Pt/GO catalysts.
Self‐alignment and calibration of a MEMS IMU: Improving observability and estimability by rotary motions of IMU
Authors: Du Shuang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe stationary self‐alignment and calibration (SSAC) for a low‐cost MEMS IMU is quite challenging due to the poor observability of an inertial system under static condition and the significant sensor errors of MEMS inertial sensors. This research proposes to employ IMU rotations to improve the system observability and estimability regarding the SSAC of a low‐cost MEMS IMU. IMU rotations about the X, Y, and Z axes are employed in this paper. The analytic estimation algorithm for each error state is derived and the observability of the system with IMU rotation is analyzed. As the observability analysis will not provide clues about how well an error state can be estimated, the estimability analysis is also conducted based on the eigenvalues and eigenvectors from the covariance matrix in the Kalman filter. Tests are conducted with a tri‐axial turntable to verify the improvements on system observability and estimability brought by IMU rotations. Of both theoretical analysis and results indicated with proper IMU rotations, only azimuth error still remains unobservable, and the IMU rotation also significantly improves the estimability of all error states, including the unobservable azimuth.
Unusual case of human herpesvirus 8‐positive large B‐cell lymphoma associated with Castleman disease
Authors: Sukswai Narittee , Lyapichev Kirill , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Khoury Joseph D. 
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical MessageAn overlap between human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) ‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and HHV8‐positive germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder has been proposed. We present a unique Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated case in which features of both conditions were present.
Radiographic manifestations of abnormal bone and mineral metabolism in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Morales Lappot Joan , Kazory Amir 
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical MessageChronic kidney disease‐mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) refers to a broader clinical syndrome that develops as a systemic disorder due to CKD, manifested by abnormalities in bone and mineral metabolism and/or extraskeletal calcification. In addition to serum biomarkers, imaging is a main tool in assessing extraskeletal calcification in CKD patients.
Ionic Liquids and Salts from Ibuprofen as Promising Innovative Formulations of an Old Drug
Authors: Santos Miguel M. , Raposo Luís R. , Carrera Gonçalo V. S. M. , Costa Alexandra , Dionísio Madalena , Baptista Pedro V. , Fernandes Alexandra R. , Branco Luís C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHerein we report the synthesis of novel ionic liquids (ILs) and organic salts by combining ibuprofen as anion with ammonium, imidazolium, or pyridinium cations. The methodology consists of an acid–base reaction of neutral ibuprofen with cation hydroxides, which were previously prepared by anion exchange from the corresponding halide salts with Amberlyst A‐26(OH). In comparison with the parent drug, these organic salts display higher solubility in water and biological fluids and a smaller degree of polymorphism, which in some cases was completely eliminated. With the exception of [C16Pyr][Ibu] and [N1,1,2,2OH1][Ibu], the prepared salts did not affect the viability of normal human dermal fibroblasts or ovarian carcinoma (A2780) cells. Therefore, these ibuprofen‐based ionic liquids may be very promising lead candidates for the development of effective formulations of this drug.
Multi‐channel helical‐antenna inner‐volume RF coils for ultra‐high field MR scanners
Authors: Athalye Pranav S. , Ilić Milan M. , van de Moortele Pierre‐Francois , Kiruluta Andrew J. M. , Notaroš Branislav M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRF coil design for human ultra‐high field (7 T and higher) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an area of intense development, to overcome difficult challenges such as RF excitation spatial heterogeneity and low RF transfer efficiency into the spin system. This article proposes a novel category of multi‐channel RF volume coil structures at both 7 T and 10.5 T based on a subject‐loaded multifilar helical‐antenna RF coil that aims at addressing these problems. In some prior applications of helix antennas as MR RF coils at 7 T, the imaged sample was positioned outside the helix. Here, we introduce a radically different approach, with the inner volume of a helix antenna being utilized to image a sample. The new coil uniquely combines traveling‐wave behavior through the overall antenna wire structure and near‐field RF interaction between the conducting elements and the imaged tissues. It thus benefits from the congruence of far‐ and near‐field regimes. Design and analysis of the novel inner‐volume coils are performed by numerical simulations using multiple computational electromagnetics techniques. The fabricated coil prototypes are tested, validated, and evaluated experimentally in 7‐T and 10.5‐T MR human wide bore (90‐cm) MR scanners. Phantom data at 7 T show good consistency between numerical simulations and experimental results. Simulated B1+ transmit efficiencies, in T/√W, are comparable to those of some of the conventional and state‐of‐the‐art RF coil designs at 7 T. Experimental results at 10.5 T show the scalability of the helix coil design.
Gaussian sliding window for robust processing laser speckle contrast images
Authors: Postnikov Eugene B. , Tsoy Maria O. , Timoshina Polina A. , Postnov Dmitry E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is one of the most applicable tools in microcirculation studies. While the basic idea, as well as experimental setup for this method, are fairly simple, there is still the room for advancing of data processing algorithms. Specifically, the conventional realizations of LASCA method may limit the spatial and/or temporal resolution and thus fail in the detection of very small contrast objects since they based on the fixed‐size rectangular sliding window function. We suggest an alternative data processing algorithm based on the usage of the Gaussian sliding filter for a sequential determination of both spatial and temporal parts of the speckle contrast. The suggested replacement of conventional box filter leads to the monotonic damping of high‐frequency spectral components that results in a better elimination of ringing and aliasing effects in the spatio‐temporal speckle contrast outputs. Additionally, we show that such sliding filtration increases robustness with respect to the processing of a sequence of nonstabilised images. We support this consideration with representative examples of processing both surrogate and real experimental data.
Surgical resection of medulloblastoma: How much is sufficient and necessary? A systematic review of literature
Authors: Katiyar Varidh , Sharma Ravi , Tandon Vivek , Garg Kanwaljeet , Kale Shashank S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe risk stratification after surgery for patients with medulloblastoma has been based on three variables, ie, age, metastasis, and residual tumor following surgery for a long time. Out of these, there is lack of consensus regarding the impact of extent of resection (EOR) on survival.AimIn this study, we aim to systematically review the impact of EOR on the prognosis and long‐term outcomes of medulloblastoma.Methods and resultsThe authors performed a systematic review of prospective studies published in PubMed that evaluated the role of EOR on long‐term outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). The data of the identified studies were systematically analyzed. Ten prospective studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria were identified. Five studies found no significant difference in either OS or PFS with EOR. On the other hand three studies found a clear association with higher OS and PFS with gross total resection (GTR). One study found PFS to be correlated with <1.5 cm2 residual but not with >90% resection. Another study noted that EOR is important for PFS but not for OS. There was significant heterogeneity in the assessment criteria and classification of EOR across the studies.ConclusionsThere is a need to update and standardize the criteria to classify EOR according to current understanding of the disease, including its molecular subtypes. Prospective studies evaluating the impact of EOR in relation with molecular subtyping will help in deciding the future management algorithms for medulloblastoma.
Rituals and preoccupations associated with bulimia nervosa in adolescents: Does motivation to change matter?
Authors: Gorrell Sasha , Kinasz Kathryn , Hail Lisa , Bruett Lindsey , Forsberg Sarah , Lock James , Le Grange Daniel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of two treatments for adolescent bulimia nervosa (BN), family‐based treatment (FBT‐BN), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐A), on both attitudinal and behavioural outcomes at end‐of‐treatment. These associations were examined specifically relative to motivation for change in obsessive–compulsive (OC) features of eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Adolescents (N = 110) were randomly assigned to FBT‐BN or CBT‐A and completed assessments of eating pathology and OC‐ED behaviour. Across both treatments, greater motivation for change in OC‐ED behaviour was associated with improved attitudinal features of ED at end‐of‐treatment. Motivation for change did not demonstrate a direct or interaction effect on BN behavioural outcomes. Results suggest that adolescents with BN who are more motivated to change OC‐ED behaviours at the start of treatment, FBT‐BN or CBT‐A, are more likely to demonstrate improvements in cognitions, but not behaviours associated with EDs, at treatment conclusion.
Predictive power of Markovian models: Evidence from US recession forecasting
Authors: Tian Ruilin , Shen Gang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis paper provides extensions to the application of Markovian models in predicting US recessions. The proposed Markovian models, including the hidden Markov and Markov models, incorporate the temporal autocorrelation of binary recession indicators in a traditional but natural way. Considering interest rates and spreads, stock prices, monetary aggregates, and output as the candidate predictors, we examine the out‐of‐sample performance of the Markovian models in predicting the recessions 1–12 months ahead, through rolling window experiments as well as experiments based on the fixed full training set. Our study shows that the Markovian models are superior to the probit models in detecting a recession and capturing the recession duration. But sometimes the rolling window method may affect the models' prediction reliability as it could incorporate the economy's unsystematic adjustments and erratic shocks into the forecast. In addition, the interest rate spreads and output are the most efficient predictor variables in explaining business cycles.
Exploring relevance, public perceptions, and business models for establishment of private well water quality monitoring service
Authors: Thomson Kalen K. , Rahman Arifur , Cooper Tom J. , Sarkar Atanu 
Published: February 2019

SummaryExisting public policies mostly focus on public water systems, leaving aside the quality issues regarding private wells in small and rural locations. Establishment of affordable and accessible water quality monitoring services may ensure acceptable levels of all the parameters.This paper aims to explore (a) health risk because of chemical contaminants of private wells, (b) population perspective on well water quality and monitoring, and (c) to create a business model of a centralized water quality monitoring service. The results show potential problems with toxic levels of arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium. About 5% of the province's population is at risk for potential exposure to contaminated private well water. The survey reinforces that the successful implementation of water testing laboratories for private wells is a shared responsibility between well owners and the government organizations, and almost three‐fourths respondents were willing to share the cost up to certain limit. A business model including financial projections for a centralized water testing laboratory is presented. Drinking of unmonitored private well water is putting population health at risk. Either strong regulation with mandatory water testing or voluntary water testing with adequate government subsidy can ensure sustainable function of a centralized water testing laboratory.
Assessment of Field Water Budget Components for Increasing Water Productivity Under Drip Irrigation in Arid and Semi‐Arid Areas, Syria
Authors: Abou Zakhem Boulos , Al Ain Farid , Hafez Rania 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWater shortage and global water demand in arid and semi‐arid countries are continuously increasing, and therefore the agricultural sector is under critical pressure. Sustainable water management is a crucial issue and needs detailed investigation. Lysimeter measurement and nuclear techniques have been used to improve water management, saving water by reducing loss components which are not used by the plants and thus enhance water productivity (WP). Two experimental sites were selected at Nashabieh and Serghaya in the Damascus Basin (Syria). Monitoring of soil water content, evaporation and deep percolation measurements were carried out. The results showed that the measured deep percolation in a maize field (Nashabieh) formed 20% of the applied drip irrigation. On average, volumetric water content increased with depth from 30 to 37% in the apple orchard field under drip irrigation (Serghaya). Water component distribution reveals that 10–20% of water can be saved and used to enhance WP. The computed WP of maize crop was 1.4 kg m−3. Thus the surface drip irrigation method increases WP significantly. Consequently, the application of this irrigation method at the farm scale is highly recommended. Finally, these results may help to develop better agricultural water management strategies, increase agriculture productivity, and consequently improve WP. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A note on informal economy and ICT
Authors: Rangaswamy Nimmi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis note offers a perspective on the informal markets as an assortment of human players and networks contributing to a socio‐business culture of economic survival. The note also offers a few thoughts on specific segments of the informal workforce in India based on ethnographic evidence and a sociological assessment. The author begins with an appraisal of the socio‐economic phenomenon of informality including an anthropological framing of the “informal.” An important focus is the IT‐based businesses and the variety of players ranging from middle‐range businesses to floating or freelancing actors. The note ends with a spotlight on the internet fuelled gig economy where ICTs move beyond being a product or a service and take over as the business platform ushering a new era of informal or gig economy.