bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Transient Elastography Needed for Noninvasive Assessment of High-Risk Varices? The REAL Experience
Authors: Calvaruso Vincenza , Cacciola Irene , Licata Anna , Madonia Salvatore , Benigno Rosa , Petta Salvatore , Bronte Fabrizio , Conte Elisabetta , Malizia Giuseppe , Bertino Gaetano , Distefano Marco , Montineri Arturo , Digiacomo Antonio , Alaimo Giuseppe , Cacopardo Bruno , Davì Antonio , Guarneri Luigi , Scalisi Ignazio , Colletti Pietro , Cartabellotta Fabio , Portelli Vincenzo , Prestileo Tullio , Averna Alfonso , Iacobello Carmelo , Mondello Lorenzo , Scifo Gaetano , Russello Maurizio , Squadrito Giovanni , Raimondo Giovanni , Cammà Calogero , Craxì Antonio , Di Marco Vito ,   on behalf of RESIST-HCV (Rete Sicilia Selezione Terapia–HCV)
Published: May 2019

INTRODUCTION:
The Baveno VI consensus guidelines and an expanded algorithm suggest that transient elastography (TE) and platelet (PLT) count can be used to identify patients with cirrhosis who can avoid esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The primary aims of this study were to assess the ability of a simple algorithm, which uses only laboratory parameters, to predict medium/large esophageal varices (EV) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and cirrhosis from the Rete Sicilia Selezione Terapia–HCV (RESIST-HCV) cohort and to compare the performance of the algorithm with Baveno VI and Expanded Baveno VI criteria. The secondary aim was to assess the role of TE in ruling out large EV.

METHODS:
In total, 1,381 patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis who had EGD and TE within 1 year of starting treatment with direct-acting antivirals were evaluated. Using multivariate logistic analysis, laboratory variables were selected to determine which were independently associated with medium/large EV to create the RESIST-HCV criteria. These criteria were tested in a training cohort with patients from a single center (Palermo) and validated with patients from the 21 other centers of the RESIST-HCV program (validation cohort).

RESULTS:
In the entire cohort, medium/large EV were identified in 5 of 216 patients (2.3%) using the Baveno VI criteria and 13 of 497 patients (2.6%) using the Expanded Baveno VI criteria. PLT count and albumin level were independently associated with medium/large EV. The best cut-off values were a PLT count greater than 120 × 109 cells/μL and serum albumin level greater than 3.6 g/dL; negative predictive values (NPVs) were 97.2% and 94.7%, respectively. In the training cohort of 326 patients, 119 (36.5%) met the RESIST-HCV criteria and the NPV was 99.2%. Among 1,055 patients in the validation cohort, 315 (30%) met the RESIST-HCV criteria and the NPV was 98.1%. Adding TE to the RESIST-HCV criteria reduced the avoided EGDs for approximately 25% of patients and the NPV was 98.2%.

DISCUSSION:
The “easy-to-use” RESIST-HCV algorithm avoids EGD for high-risk EV screening for more than 30% of patients and has the same performance criteria as TE. Using these criteria simplifies the diagnosis of portal hypertension.
Home Biofeedback for the Treatment of Dyssynergic Defecation: Does It Improve Quality of Life and Is It Cost-Effective?
Authors: Rao Satish S.C. , Go Jorge T. , Valestin Jessica , Schneider John 
Published: May 2019

OBJECTIVES:
Biofeedback therapy, whether administered at home or in office settings, is effective for dyssynergic defecation (DD). Whether home biofeedback improves quality of life (QOL) and is cost-effective when compared with office biofeedback is unknown.

METHODS:
QOL was assessed in 8 domains (SF-36) at baseline and after treatment (3 months), alongside economic evaluation during a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing home and office biofeedback in patients with DD (Rome III). Costs related to both biofeedback programs were estimated from the hospital financial records, study questionnaires, and electronic medical records. A conversion algorithm (Brazier) was used to calculate the patient's quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from SF-36 responses. Cost-effectiveness was expressed as incremental costs per QALY between the treatment arms.

RESULTS:
One hundred patients (96 female patients, 50 in each treatment arm) with DD participated. Six of the 8 QOL domains improved (P < 0.05) in office biofeedback, whereas 4 of the 8 domains improved (P < 0.05) in home biofeedback; home biofeedback was noninferior to office biofeedback. The median cost per patient was significantly lower (P < 0.01) for home biofeedback ($1,112.39; interquartile range (IQR), $826–$1,430) than for office biofeedback ($1,943; IQR, $1,622–$2,369), resulting in a cost difference of $830.11 The median QALY gained during the trial was 0.03 for office biofeedback and 0.07 for home biofeedback (P = NS). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $20,752.75 in favor of home biofeedback.

Discussion:
Biofeedback therapy significantly improves QOL in patients with DD regardless of home or office setting. Home biofeedback is a cost-effective treatment option for DD compared with office biofeedback, and it offers the potential of treating many more patients in the community.
Morphological Distribution of Galaxies in Some Nearby Clusters
Authors: Rasheed Mariwan A. , Mohammad Khalid K. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
We study the morphological distribution of galaxies in some nearby clusters, using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey – Data Release 9 (SDSS-DR9). The segregation between early-type galaxies and late-type ones is investigated in g – r / u – g color space, using the color cut u – r = 2.22. The results are compared with those obtained using a color cut that changes with magnitude. They are found to be consistent, particularly for late-type galaxies. The results obtained by the fixed color-cut criterion are also found to be consistent with those obtained by the inverse concentration index parameter, especially for early-type galaxies. Comparable results are obtained for the stacked sample, whose morphologies, given by the fixed color-cut criterion are compared with the visual morphologies provided by the Galaxy Zoo project. A good degree of consistency is seen, which becomes more evident for late-type galaxies.
A high C-reactive protein/procalcitonin ratio predicts Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Authors: Neeser Olivia L. , Vukajlovic Tanja , Felder Laetitia , Haubitz Sebastian , Hammerer-Lercher Angelika , Ottiger Cornelia , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp , Fux Christoph A. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Discriminating Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and viral etiologies of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is challenging but has important implications regarding empiric antibiotic therapy. We investigated patient parameters upon hospital admission to predict MP infection.

Methods
All patients hospitalized in a tertiary care hospital between 2013 and 2017 for CAP with a confirmed etiology were analyzed using logistic regression analyses and area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves (AUC) for associations between demographic, clinical and laboratory features and the causative pathogen.

Results
We analyzed 568 patients with CAP, including 47 (8%) with MP; 152 (27%) with SP and 369 (65%) with influenza or other viruses. Comparing MP and SP by multivariate logistic regression analysis, younger age (odds ration [OR] 0.56 per 10 years, 95% CI 0.42–0.73), a lower neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR 0.9, 0.82–0.99) and an elevated C-reactive protein/procalcitonin (CRP/PCT) ratio (OR 15.04 [5.23–43.26] for a 400 mg/μg cut-off) independently predicted MP. With a ROC curve AUC of 0.91 (0.80 for the >400 mg/μg cutoff), the CRP/PCT ratio was the strongest predictor of MP vs. SP. The discriminatory value resulted from significantly lower PCT values (p < 0.001) for MP, while CRP was high in both groups (p = 0.057). Comparing MP and viral infections showed similar results with again the CRP/PCT ratio providing the best information (AUC 0.83; OR 5.55 for the >400 mg/μg cutoff, 2.26–13.64).

Conclusions
In patients hospitalized with CAP, a high admission CRP/PCT ratio predicts M. pneumoniae infection and may improve empiric management.
Algorithmic Information Disclosure by Regulators and Competition Authorities
Authors: Di Porto Fabiana , Maggiolino Mariateresa 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Also in the digital age, markets work properly as long as consumers are well informed. What is peculiar of the digital age is that consumers have become very fragile, also because firms can extensively manipulate the information that they produce and distribute to markets. Antitrust authorities may find their way to prosecute business manipulative conduct, as some rulings suggest. However, the enforcement of antitrust law is subject to precise circumstances and requires cumbersome proceedings, especially when dominant firms are involved. Therefore, a simpler and more widespread intervention is needed. Although over the years traditional disclosure regulation has showed its limits, today algorithmic analysis gives room to more effective forms of disclosure regulation. Therefore, the paper maintains that both regulators and antitrust authorities can use these new forms of disclosure regulation to perform better their functions. Thanks to algorithmic analysis, (a) regulators can provide consumers with targeted co-regulated disclosures; (b) while competition authorities, using their advocacy powers, can provide trustworthy rankings and reviews about firms’ ability to comply with antitrust and consumer protection laws.
Use of deep eutectic solvents as catalyst: A mini-review
Authors: Ünlü Ayşe Ezgi , Arıkaya Azime , Takaç Serpil 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) exhibit numerous advantages over conventional ones used in several chemical and biochemical processes. Besides addressing most of the principles of green chemistry, DESs can also act as catalyst depending on their nature. The use of DESs as acid catalyst has several advantages such as utilization at stoichiometric amount, non-toxicity, possibility of the recovery, similar or higher catalytic effect than the acid itself alone, the recyclability and reusability without a significant loss of activity. In this mini-review, the state- of-the-art in the use of DESs as catalyst is presented. The DESs, which show Lewis type acidity, Brønsted type acidity and other types of catalytic influence in various types of reactions including esterification, organic synthesis, glycolysis and depolymerisation are presented and their roles in the reactions are discussed.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of pyrrolidinone derivatives using 1,1’-butylenebis(3-sulfo-3H-imidazol-1-ium) chloride in ethylene glycol
Authors: Khaligh Nader Ghaffari , Mihankhah Taraneh , Johan Mohd Rafie , Titinchi Salam J.J. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The energy efficiency of the microwave-assisted synthesis of pyrrolidinones was demonstrated using catalytic loading of 1,1’-butylene-bis(3-sulfo-3H-imidazol-1-ium) chloride as a sulfonic acid functionalized ionic liquid in ethylene glycol as green solvent. The effect of electron donating and electron withdrawing groups on aniline derivatives was studied under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. Furthermore, the cation effect of ionic liquids containing sulfonic groups on the catalytic efficiency for the synthesis of ethyl-1-phenyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyr-role-3-carboxylate was investigated under conventional heat. The experimental results exhibited that there is a relationship between catalytic efficiency and the number of sulfonic groups and imidazolium moieties linked by carbon spacer.
Green and eco-friendly synthesis of Co3O4 and Ag-Co3O4: Characterization and photo-catalytic activity
Authors: Saeed Muhammad , Akram Nadia , Atta-ul-Haq  , Naqvi Syed Ali Raza , Usman Muhammad , Abbas Muhammad Amir , Adeel Muhammad , Nisar Asif 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this study, Co3O4and Ag-Co3O4were synthesized by a novel and green method using leaves extract ofHelianthus annuusfrom cobalt nitrate and silver nitrate. The synthesized particles were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, thermal gravimetric analyses, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analyses and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The photo catalytic activities of synthesized Co3O4and Ag-Co3O4were appraised by degrading methyl orange dye and after 120 minutes of reaction a degradation of 53 and 87% was achieved using 100 mg/L (50 mL) solution of methyl orange and 0.1 g Co3O4and Ag-Co3O4as catalyst respectively. This green synthesis of Ag-Co3O4proves to be an eco-benign, environmental benign, simple and effective approach for degradation of dyes in aqueous medium.
Adsorption optimized of the coal-based material and application for cyanide wastewater treatment
Authors: Su Ting , Song Yonghui , Lan Xinzhe , Gao Wenwen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCustom design of JMP software was used to optimize the iodine number of coal-based electrode materials. Taking the additive ratio (A), heating rate (B) and final pyrolysis temperature (C) into account and the significance sequence was C>B>A. Set the additive ratio as 0.2, the heating rate as 5°C/min and the final temperature as 900°C, the iodine number was improved to 403.14 mg·g-1, and the compressive strength was 2.01 MPa. Surface morphology of the coal-based electrode materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The functional group species were explored by Fourier infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). Then applied the voltage of 4 V, coal-based adsorption materials were set as cathodes and anodes in a 3-dimensional electrode system with the commercial activated carbon as a particle electrode. After 5 h treatment for cyanide wastewater, the removal rate of most ions was achieved to 72% or more. It was the collaborative effect in the combined action of electro-adsorption and electrodeposition.
Aloe vera leaf extract mediated green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and assessment of their In vitro antimicrobial activity against spoilage fungi and pathogenic bacteria strains
Authors: Fardsadegh Borna , Jafarizadeh-Malmiri Hoda 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSelenium as an essential trace element for the health of the humans was used to hydrothermally synthesis of selenium nanoparticle (Se NPs) usingAloe veraleaf extract (ALE). Effects of synthesis parameters namely; amount of ALE (1–5 ml) and amount of Na2SeO3solution (10–30 ml), on the particle size and colour intensity of the solution containing Se NPs were studied using response surface methodology. FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, DLS analyzer and TEM were used to determine the specifications of the ALE and synthesized Se NPs. Obtained results indicated that the ALE contained several bioactive compounds, which they had hydroxyl and amide І groups in their structures and these two functional groups had key roles in the reduction of the selenium ions to form Se NPs and stabilizing of them. Furthermore, spherical fabricated Se NPs using obtained optimum synthesis parameters, 4.92 mL of ALE and 13.03 mL of Na2SeO3solution, had colour intensity, mean particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index values of 3.0% a.u., 50 nm, -18 mV and 0.344, respectively according to the DLS analysis. The synthesized Se NPs had also high antibacterial and antifungal activities against 4 selected pathogenic bacteria and spoilage fungi strains.
Waste phenolic resin derived activated carbon by microwave-assisted KOH activation and application to dye wastewater treatment
Authors: Hu Wenhai , Cheng Song , Xia Hongying , Zhang Libo , Jiang Xin , Zhang Qi , Chen Quan 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The waste phenolic resin was utilized as the raw material to prepare activated carbon (AC) used KOH as the activating agent via microwave heating. The phenolic resin was carbonized at 500°C and then performed with a KOH/Char ratio of 4 and microwave power of 700 W for a duration of 15 min. The physic-chemical characteristics of the AC were characterized by N2 adsorption instrument, FTIR, SEM and TEM. The BET surface area and pore volume of AC were found to be 4269 m2/g and 2.396 ml/g, respectively. The activation process to generate such a phenomenally high surface area of the AC has little reported in open literatures and could pave way for preparation adsorbents that are far superior to the currently marketed adsorbents. The methylene blue (MB) was used as the model to assess its suitability to dye wastewater treatment. Towards this, the MB adsorption isotherms were conducted at three different temperatures and tested with different adsorption isotherm models. The adsorption isotherms could be modeled using Langmuir isotherm. While the kinetics could be used the pseudo-second order kinetics to describe. Thermodynamic results demonstrated that the adsorption process was a spontaneous, as well as an endothermic.
Direct ethanol production from cellulose by consortium of Trichoderma reesei and Candida molischiana
Authors: Bu Yingjie , Alkotaini Bassam , Salunke Bipinchandra K. , Deshmukh Aarti R. , Saha Pathikrit , Kim Beom Soo 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Industrial cellulosic ethanol production is a challenge due to the high cost of cellulases for hydrolysis when lignocellulosic materials are used as feedstock. In this study, direct ethanol production from cellulose was performed by consortium of Trichoderma reesei and Candida molischiana. Cellulose was hydrolyzed by a fully enzymatic saccharification process using Trichoderma reesei cellulases. The produced reducing sugar was further utilized by Candida molischiana for ethanol production. Because the optimal temperature for the cellulase system is approximately 50°C, the effect of temperature rise from 30°C to 50°C on cellulose hydrolysis was investigated. The results showed that the temperature rise from 30°C to 50°C after 36 h of cultivation was the best for reducing sugar and glucose production. Under these conditions, the maximum concentrations of reducing sugar and glucose produced by T. reesei were 8.0 g/L and 4.6 g/L at 60 h, respectively. The maximum production of ethanol by C. molischiana was 3.0 g/L after 120 h.
Agricultural waste biomass-assisted nanostructures: Synthesis and application
Authors: Zamani Asghar , Marjani Ahmad Poursattar , Mousavi Zahra 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMetal oxide nanoporous materials and nanoparticles have main potential uses in several different fields such as nanoelectronics, biomedical science, renewable solar energy, drug-gene delivery, thermal insulation, and so on. On the other hand, it is vital for scientists to understand that agricultural waste biomass-assisted synthesis is less costly, environmentally friendly and renewable strategy, and therefore, agricultural wastes are ideal renewable resources for production of nanostructures as a substitute for toxic chemicals. This present review includes significant recent improvements concerning the synthesis of agricultural waste biomass-assisted metal oxide nanostructures and their application. The goal is to provide a vision for the use of non-extracted agricultural waste, especially lignocellulosic biomass an inexpensive, green, differentiated resource and policy for the synthesis of valuable nanoporous materials and nanoparticles.
Biodiesel production from rubber seed oil using calcium oxide derived from eggshell as catalyst – optimization and modeling studies
Authors: Bharadwaj A.V.S.L. Sai , Singh Madhu , Niju S. , Begum K.M. Meera Sheriffa , Anantharaman N. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn the present study, Calcium oxide (CaO) obtained from eggshells has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from highly viscous non-edible rubber seed oil (RSO). Characterization of synthesized catalyst was done with the help of scanning electron microscope equipped with Energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the process parameters and1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy analysis was performed to find the conversion of RSO to biodiesel. A conversion of 99.7% of RSO to biodiesel was obtained at 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 4 (wt%) of catalyst, and 3 hour reaction time with a quadratic regression model of R2of value 0.9566 was obtained. The composition of prepared biodiesel is estimated with the help of Gas Chromatogram-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was also trained to predict biodiesel conversion and the value of R2obtained was 0.9976. It was observed that predicted conversion values from ANN were better when compared to prediction using RSM.
Assessment of aqueous extract of Gypsophila aretioides for inhibitory effects on calcium carbonate formation
Authors: Hajizadeh Azam , Lotfabad Tayebe Bagheri , Bahmaei Manochehr 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe aqueous extract ofGypsophila aretioidesroots as a “green” or eco-friendly inhibitor of carbonate calcium formation was investigated. The presence of chelating factors such as polyphenol compounds and foaming agents in the plant extract was assessed. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) demonstrated the ability ofG. aretioidesextract for dissolution of the carbonate calcium precipitates. Moreover, conductivity measurements revealed that theG. aretioidesextract could efficiently retard sedimentation of carbonate calcium from a brine solution of calcium ions exposed to carbonate ions by adding Na2CO3to the system solution. In addition, chronoamperometry was performed for a period of 3 h by polarizing the steel electrode to -0.9 V (vs. SCE) at 40°C. The presence ofG. aretioidesextract at a concentration of 10% (w/v) in chronoamperometry prevented the precipitation of CaCO3on the steel electrode surface. This was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses which showed an absence of precipitates and lack of calcium ions on the steel electrode after 3 h chronoamperometry, respectively. However, further studies are required in order to amend the characteristics ofG. aretioidesextract to render it more applicable as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, anti-scale agent for a wide range of industrial applications.
Aegle marmelos phytochemical stabilized synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles and their role against agriculture and food pathogen
Authors: Fowsiya J. , Asharani I.V. , Mohapatra Simron , Eshapula Akhila , Mohi Pragya , Thakar Nishant , Monad Supriyo , Madhumitha G. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Nature and nanotechnology have not yet achieved a lucid correlation in the field of science but together they have exhibited immense potential towards the advancement and modification in future science and technology. Due to the unique properties of nanomaterials like nanoparticles gained considerable importance. Among all the nanoparticles, zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) are greatly utilized in sensors, catalysis, bioscience, etc. Antimicrobial activity by ZnO NPs had more attention by the implementation of nanotechnology for the preparation of ZnO NPs. At present, antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs using Aegle marmelos (A. marmelos) leaves extract was done. The ZnO NPs subjected to UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TEM analysis. The presence of phenolic group in extract has the capacity to form ZnO NPs and act as stabilizing agent. Every 5 min interval ZnO NPs was formed which recorded by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The SEM analysis displayed a fine spherical ZnO NPs and EDAX report showed that the existence of zinc and oxygen in the ratio of 30.51% and 69.49%. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs has high percentage inhibition against A. niger at 1000 ppm. Till now, no research carryout on A. marmelos mediated ZnO NPs and applications towards antimicrobial activity.