bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of the biaxial orientation on the mechanical and optical properties and shrinkage of polyamide 6‐66–montmorillonite–nanosilica nanocomposite films
Authors: Liu Xiaochao , Liu Yuejun , Yang Jian , Wang Wenzhi , Lai Dengwang , Mao Long , Zheng Wei , Yang Jun , Chen Xi 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTPolyamide 6–66 (PA6‐66)–montmorillonite (MMT)–nanosilica (NS) nanocomposite films were fabricated through a cast film process and then biaxially stretched on a laboratory stretcher. Uniaxial or biaxial stretching induced the elongated conformation of MMT and NS. The b axis of the α crystals and the amorphous phase were revealed to align along the machine direction (MD) after stretching, with the uniaxial orientation playing a more significant role. Furthermore, the crystallinity of PA6‐66 stretching increased with the stretching ratio. Uniaxial stretching gave rise to a significantly enhanced tensile strength along the MD, whereas it slightly decreased the mechanical properties along the transverse direction (TD). In contrast, the films subjected to biaxial stretching exhibited more balanced mechanical properties. Uniaxial and biaxial stretching led to decreased transmittance and increased haze in the PA6‐66–MMT–NS films; this could have been due to the elongated nanostructure of the two nanofillers, which inhibited the transmission and facilitated the scattering of visible light. The thermal shrinkage of the films increased with increasing stretching ratio, and the biaxially oriented films presented nearly equal shrinkage in the MD and TD. The addition of nanofillers decreased the shrinkage attributed to the mobility inhibition of the polymer chains during heating. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47504.
Effect of the nanoparticles in the stability of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/resorcinol/formaldehyde gel systems for water shut‐off/conformance control applications
Authors: Pérez‐Robles Saray , Cortés Farid B. , Franco Camilo A. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTThe main objective of this work is to evaluate the inclusion of nanoparticles to partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/resorcinol/formaldehyde gel systems to improve the stability under static and dynamic conditions. Oxide nanoparticles (<100 mg·L−1) of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and Cr2O3 were employed and characterized by their physicochemical properties. Gels were prepared and subsequently placed at 70 °C for evaluating the nanoparticles influence in gel strength through rheological properties and syneresis measurements. Al2O3 nanoparticles showed the highest potential for the reduction of the syneresis phenomena, followed by MgO and Cr2O3. The SiO2 nanoparticles lead to a higher degradation of the gel. As the zeta potential increases, the syneresis of the gel system decreases. The nanoparticles did not significantly affect the storage modulus, describing similar gel strength than the original gel. Also, displacement tests showed an incremental of 64% of oil recovery regarding the system in the absence of Al2O3 nanoparticles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47568.
Development and characterization of genomic SSR markers for Tamarix chinensis (Tamaricaceae)
Authors: Zhang Ruhua , Wen Qiang , Xu Li‐an 
Published: January 2019

Premise of the StudyWe developed a set of microsatellite markers to study the population genetic structure, mating system, and interspecific hybridization of Tamarix chinensis (Tamaricaceae), an alkali‐ and salt‐tolerant shrub endemic to China, Korea, and Japan.Methods and ResultsUsing Illumina sequencing, we developed 10 polymorphic and 11 monomorphic microsatellite primers. High levels of polymorphism were detected in four T. chinensis populations. Allele numbers ranged from two to 11, and the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.182 to 0.846 and from 0.165 to 0.794, respectively. The polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.201 to 0.803. Cross‐species amplification showed two to 15 alleles per locus in 24 individuals from one natural population of the congener T. ramosissima, and the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.042 to 0.864 and from 0.041 to 0.892, respectively.ConclusionsThese markers should be useful for exploring the population genetic structure, mating system, and gene flow of T. chinensis.
Attenuated levels of ghrelin in synovial fluid is related to the disease severity of ankle post‐traumatic osteoarthritis
Authors: Zou Yu‐Cong , Li Hai‐Hong , Yang Guang‐Gang , Yin Hai‐Dong , Cai Dao‐Zhang , Liu Gang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPost‐traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of ankle joints results in pain and reduced joint function. Ghrelin, a 28‐amino‐acid polypeptide, has been previously identified as the first cognate natural ligand that binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. In the present study, ghrelin has been validated to exert cartilage‐protective and anti‐inflammatory effects. The current study was aimed at investigating the potential role of the levels of serum and synovial fluid (SF) ghrelin on the severity of disease in patients suffering from ankle PTOA. Ninety‐seven patients with ankle osteoarthritis who received an arthroscopical examination and debridement or replacement of the ankle joint were included in the study cohort. Meanwhile, 95 healthy individuals (whose age and sex were matched) who received periodic body checkups were enrolled as healthy controls. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze the ghrelin levels in serum and SF. SF was also probed for cartilage degradation enzyme matrix metalloproteinases‐3 (MMP‐3) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), which is a known pro‐inflammatory cytokine. The clinical evaluation was carried out using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle‐hindfoot rating scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). The radiographic severity was evaluated using the modified Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grading system. We scored for the modified Mankin's score to depict histopathological changes due to cartilage lesions. The diagnostic relevance of the ghrelin concentrations in the prediction of the radiographic grading (in comparison with MMP‐3 and TNF‐α) was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The serum abundance of ghrelin was not significantly altered between ankle PTOA patients and healthy controls. SF ghrelin was negatively correlated with radiographic progression determined by modified ankle K–L grades. In addition SF ghrelin concentrations were negatively related to VAS scores, and positively associated with AOFAS ankle‐hindfoot rating. Moreover, SF ghrelin was inversely proportional to the expressions of MMP‐3 and TNF‐α. ROC analysis curve demonstrated that ghrelin serves as a favorable marker for the diagnosis of radiographic severity by modified ankle K‐L grade. The ghrelin concentration in SF is negatively proportional to disease progression in patients suffering from ankle PTOA. Local administration of ghrelin may function as a decent adjuvant therapy to delay the progress of ankle PTOA. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):463–470, 2019
Determination of bisphenol A in red wine using a double vortex–ultrasound‐assisted microextraction assay: Role of the interfacial properties
Authors: Cinelli Giuseppe , Cuomo Francesca , Ambrosone Luigi , Venditti Francesco , Lopez Francesco 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound broadly used in medical devices as well as in packaging of food and drinks. Recently, BPA toxicity has become of concern to environmental public health. Red wine that is susceptible to BPA contamination is an alcoholic beverage made from yeast fermentation of grapes in the presence of grape skins so as to extract phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to validate an efficient, low cost, and time‐saving method for BPA determination in red‐wine beverage. To this end, a rapid and simple microextraction method is here proposed consisting in liquid–liquid separation assisted by a vortex–ultrasound–vortex procedure combined with gas chromatographic analysis (GC‐Fid or GC‐IT/MS). By means of a comparative study between real red‐wine matrix and synthetic hydroalcoholic solutions, different parameters related to the microextraction steps were investigated. The minimal amount of extraction solvent for a given volume of sample was calculated for both the systems. It was demonstrated that for red‐wine matrix, the extent of phase separation is strongly affected by some wine constituents and that separation can be tuned by varying the amount of the extraction solvent. This double vortex–ultrasound‐assisted method achieved high recovery of BPA and enrichment factor compared with other microextraction methods.
Chronic ventricular lead perforation: Expect the unexpected
Authors: Sidhu Baldeep S. , Rajani Ronak , Rinaldi Christopher A. 
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical MessageA high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose a chronic right ventricular lead perforation. They should be suspected in patients who develop breathlessness and have a sudden change in pacing parameters. Contrast‐enhanced CT provides high diagnostic accuracy. They can often be extracted percutaneously and rarely require surgical intervention.
Plasmon‐Assisted Photothermal Catalysis of Low‐Pressure CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Pd/ZnO Catalyst
Authors: Wu Dengdeng , Deng Kaixi , Hu Bing , Lu Qingye , Liu Guoliang , Hong Xinlin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn this work, we report a novel strategy to promote the industrial methanol production from CO2 hydrogenation at low pressure (12 bar) over a Pd/ZnO catalyst via introducing light irradiation into a modified continuous‐flow fixed‐bed reactor. The methanol yield was significantly enhanced by a photothermal synergistic effect and visible light was confirmed as the major contributor (>90 %) due to the localized surface plasmon resonance of Pd.
Recent Progress in Protecting Lithium Anodes for Li‐O2 Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xin , Xie Zhaojun , Zhou Zhen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractLi−O2 batteries with extremely high theoretical energy density have garnered great attention over the last decade. To realize practical applications, numerous efforts have been made to solve the critical problems. Li anodes, as one of the most important part of Li−O2 batteries, play a vital role in improving the cycle life of batteries. The unresolved issues related to lithium dendrites and contaminant (O2 and H2O) crossover from cathodes to anodes dramatically influence the battery performance. In this review, we analyze the challenging issues of Li anodes in Li−O2 batteries and summarize the strategies to achieve high performance of Li−O2 batteries and the recent progress in this field. The prospective development of highly stable Li anodes is also discussed.
Structured Porous Millireactors for Liquid‐Liquid Chemical Reactions
Authors: Potdar Aditi , Thomassen Leen C. J. , Kuhn Simon 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMilli‐scale reactors with an integrated microstructure offer a promising scale‐up approach for conventional microreactors. This study applies 3D‐printed structured porous millireactors to industrially relevant liquid‐liquid reactions. The underlying transport mechanisms are identified by quantifying interfacial heat and mass transfer. The structured reactors perform limited in Taylor flow compared to a packed‐bed reactor due to limited interfacial mass transfer. However, in stratified flow, their productivity increases significantly at a fraction of the pressure drop of a packed bed.
Factors influencing prostate cancer treatment decisions for African American and white men
Authors: Gordon Brittaney‐Belle E. , Basak Ramsankar , Carpenter William R. , Usinger Deborah , Godley Paul A. , Chen Ronald C. 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundProstate cancer racial disparities in mortality outcomes are the largest in all of oncology, and less aggressive treatment received by African American (AA) patients versus white patients is likely a contributing factor. However, the reasons underlying the differences in treatment are unclear.MethodsThis study examined a prospective, population‐based cohort of 1170 men with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic prostate cancer enrolled from 2011 to 2013 before treatment throughout North Carolina. By phone survey, each participant was asked to rate the aggressiveness of his cancer, and his response was compared to the actual diagnosis based on a medical record review. Participants were also asked to rate the importance of 10 factors for their treatment decision‐making process.ResultsAmong AA and white patients with low‐risk cancer (according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines), 78% to 80% perceived their cancers to be “not very aggressive.” However, among high‐risk patients, 54% of AA patients considered their cancers to be “not very aggressive,” whereas 24% of white patients did (P < .001). Although both AA and white patients indicated that a cure was a very important decision‐making factor, AAs were significantly more likely to consider cost, treatment time, and recovery time as very important. In a multivariable analysis, perceived cancer aggressiveness and cure as the most important factor were significantly associated with receiving any aggressive treatment and were associated with surgery (vs radiation). After adjustments for these factors and sociodemographic factors, race was not significantly associated with the treatment received.ConclusionsRacial differences in perceived cancer aggressiveness and factors important in treatment decision making provide novel insights into reasons for the known racial disparities in prostate cancer as well as potential targets for interventions to reduce these disparities.
Carbon Nano‐Onions: A Review of Recent Progress in Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Plonska‐Brzezinska Marta E. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis article presents a short review of the knowledge concerning multi‐layered fullerenes, also known as onion‐like carbons or carbon nano‐onions. In this article, the most important literature in this area is reviewed in a condensed way that presents these nanostructures, their unusual physical and chemical properties and their potential uses. This article focuses mainly on biomedical applications and areas where the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of these materials are applied. Currently, this field of research seems promising, and interest in this area is growing.
Extracellular‐Vesicle Isolation from Different Biological Fluids by Size‐Exclusion Chromatography
Authors: Monguió‐Tortajada Marta , Morón‐Font Miriam , Gámez‐Valero Ana , Carreras‐Planella Laura , Borràs Francesc E. , Franquesa Marcella 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis unit describes how to isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different biological fluids using size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and how to prepare your starting sample and the EV product for downstream applications. EVs are membrane nanovesicles with specific content that reflects the phenotype and functions of the cell of origin, including protected proteins, lipids, metabolites, and nucleic acids. EVs are thus an excellent resource for noninvasive biomarker discovery in a number of pathological situations and are a promising nanotherapeutic tool to overcome the disadvantages associated with cellular therapy. However, there are still no standardized methods to isolate pure EV preparations, as many approaches do not guarantee proper EV purification, free of contaminating non‐EV molecules. Currently, SEC is one of the most promising approaches to purify EVs from any biological fluid, as it avoids co‐isolation of contaminants and is user friendly and scalable. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Two‐Dimensional Halide Perovskites in Solar Cells: 2D or not 2D?
Authors: Ortiz‐Cervantes Carmen , Carmona‐Monroy Paulina , Solis‐Ibarra Diego 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTwo‐dimensional (2D) halide perovskites have recently emerged as a more stable and more versatile family of materials than three‐dimensional (3D) perovskite solar cell absorbers. Although solar cells made with 2D perovskites have yet to improve their power conversion efficiencies to compete with 3D perovskite solar cells, their immense diversity offers great opportunities and avenues for research that will likely close the gap between these two. Further, 2D perovskites can have various roles within a solar cell, either as the primary light absorber, as a capping layer, passivating layer, or within a mixed 2D/3D perovskite solar cell absorber. In this Minireview, we will review the history of 2D perovskites in solar cells, the relevant properties of such materials, the different roles that they can play in a solar cell, as well as current trends and challenges.
Detection of Minimal Residual Disease in B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using an Eight‐Color Tube with Dried Antibody Reagents
Authors: Bouriche Lakhdar , Bernot Denis , Nivaggioni Vanessa , Arnoux Isabelle , Loosveld Marie 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundFlow cytometry is a powerful tool for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) of B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL) patients. However, the staining process and the choice of antibodies rely on laboratory expertise and may be source of variability or technical errors. Recently, Beckman Coulter commercialized a ready to use tube with dried format reagents for BCP‐ALL MRD detection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of this tube and to compare it to a conventional (liquid format reagents) method.MethodsThirty‐one samples from B ALL patients were analyzed: 19 bone marrow (BM) aspirations, 10 peripheral blood (PB) samples and 2 cerebrospinal fluids at different stages of the follow‐up. In addition, we tested 5 bone marrow samples mixed into non‐pathological (control) bone marrow. The dried format tube included seven antibodies: CD45Kro, CD58FITC, CD34ECD, CD10PC5.5, CD19PC7, CD38AA700, CD20AA750, with possibility of additional antibodies for blast markers identified at diagnosis. For comparison, a liquid format tube was prepared, and considered as the reference.ResultsThis tube was validated for daily routine laboratory, with satisfying qualitative (MRD + or MRD−) and quantitative (MRD percentages) correlation with the reference tube.ConclusionWith this single dried format tube, we showed interesting results for BCP‐ALL MRD detection in the aim of standardization and reliable interlaboratory results. It allows accurate MRD detection including low levels (10–4), and offers possibility to increase performance (supplementary antibody) within a preestablished effective antibody panel for BCP‐ALL MRD. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Standards with cybersecurity controls for smart grid—A systematic analysis
Authors: Leszczyna Rafał 
Published: January 2019

SummaryIn recent years, numerous standards related to the cybersecurity of smart grids have been published, which led to the challenge for operators in obtaining indications that match their specific objectives and contexts. Although several studies approached this problem by providing more or less comprehensive surveys and overviews of smart grid cybersecurity standards, none of them was dedicated to the actual and important subject of cybersecurity controls. This paper aims at filling this gap. A systematic literature analysis was conducted which resulted in the identification of 19 broadly recognised standards that specify cybersecurity controls applicable to the smart grid infrastructure. The publications are described in respect to the controls they define and referred to evaluation criteria. In result, this paper constitutes a guideline on standardised cybersecurity controls for smart grids, where (criteria‐based) indications help to select standards for a particular smart grid area or specific goals. The method of the research as well as the standards' selection and evaluation criteria are presented.
Mechanisms underlying isoliquiritigenin‐induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via ROS‐mediated MAPK/STAT3/NF‐κB pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Jia‐Ru , Luo Ying‐Hua , Piao Xian‐Ji , Zhang Yi , Feng Yu‐Chao , Li Jin‐Qian , Xu Wan‐Ting , Zhang Yu , Zhang Tong , Wang Shi‐Nong , Xue Hui , Wang Wen‐Zhong , Cao Long‐Kui , Jin Cheng‐Hao 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIsoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural flavonoid isolated from plant licorice, has various pharmacological properties, including anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antiviral effects. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways of ISL in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ISL on the apoptosis of human HCC cells with a focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results showed that ISL exhibited cytotoxic effects on two human liver cancer cells in a dose‐dependent manner. ISL significantly induced mitochondrial‐related apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, which was accompanied by ROS accumulation in HepG2 cells. However, pretreatment with an ROS scavenger, N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC), inhibited ISL‐induced apoptosis. In addition, ISL increased the phosphorylation levels of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), p38 kinase and inhibitor of NF‐κB (IκB), and decreased the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), these effects were blocked by NAC and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate that ISL induced HepG2 cell apoptosis via ROS‐mediated MAPK, STAT3, and NF‐κB signaling pathways. Therefore, ISL may be a potential treatment for human HCC, as well as other cancer types.
Partitioning global change: Assessing the relative importance of changes in climate and land cover for changes in avian distribution
Authors: Clement Matthew J. , Nichols James D. , Collazo Jaime A. , Terando Adam J. , Hines James E. , Williams Steven G. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the relative impact of climate change and land cover change on changes in avian distribution has implications for the future course of avian distributions and appropriate management strategies. Due to the dynamic nature of climate change, our goal was to investigate the processes that shape species distributions, rather than the current distributional patterns. To this end, we analyzed changes in the distribution of Eastern Wood Pewees (Contopus virens) and Red‐eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) from 1997 to 2012 using Breeding Bird Survey data and dynamic correlated‐detection occupancy models. We estimated the local colonization and extinction rates of these species in relation to changes in climate (hours of extreme temperature) and changes in land cover (amount of nesting habitat). We fit six nested models to partition the deviance explained by spatial and temporal components of land cover and climate. We isolated the temporal components of environmental variables because this is the essence of global change. For both species, model fit was significantly improved when we modeled vital rates as a function of spatial variation in climate and land cover. Model fit improved only marginally when we added temporal variation in climate and land cover to the model. Temporal variation in climate explained more deviance than temporal variation in land cover, although both combined only explained 20% (Eastern Wood Pewee) and 6% (Red‐eyed Vireo) of temporal variation in vital rates. Our results showing a significant correlation between initial occupancy and environmental covariates are consistent with biological expectation and previous studies. The weak correlation between vital rates and temporal changes in covariates indicated that we have yet to identify the most relevant components of global change influencing the distributions of these species and, more importantly, that spatially significant covariates are not necessarily driving temporal shifts in avian distributions.