bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ Activation of Thick‐film Disposable Copper Electrodes for Sensitive Detection of Malachite Green Using Electrochemical Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering (EC‐SERS)
Authors: Martín‐Yerga Daniel , Pérez‐Junquera Alejandro , Hernández‐Santos David , Fanjul‐Bolado Pablo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this work, disposable thick‐film copper electrodes were used for the detection of malachite green by Electrochemical Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC‐SERS). In situ real‐time SERS detection of malachite green was performed during the activation of copper electrodes by voltammetry. This time‐resolved method allowed to find dynamically the optimal potential where the detection sensitivity is increased. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the generation of new fresh copper nanoparticles are responsible to produce the SERS enhancement. A fast decrease of the SERS signal was observed when the potential was shifted from the optimal potential, which could be due to surface changes on the copper electrode. This fact demonstrates the importance of recording the SERS signal in situ and dynamically to obtain the most sensitive method. The combination of in situ time‐resolved EC‐SERS with disposable, cost‐effective screen‐printed electrodes leads to a very appropriate method for the sensitive and fast detection of malachite green.
Preparation of Gold Modified Nickel Wire Electrodes for Electroanalysis via a Galvanic Replacement Reaction
Authors: Umeya Yuki , Kobayashi Yusuke , Kawashimo Toshiyuki , Ahn Sunyhik , Chang Gang , Oyama Munetaka 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGold modified nickel (Ni) electrodes were prepared via a simple galvanic replacement reaction between chloroauric acid (AuCl4−) and Ni base materials. Au nano‐ or micro‐structures were deposited on the Ni surface by immersing Ni disk/wire electrode in an aqueous solution of AuCl4−. The concentration of AuCl4− and the immersion time were systematically varied, and the surfaces of Ni wire were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, electrochemical responses of ferrocyanide, uric acid and glucose were observed with Au modified Ni wire electrodes prepared at lower concentrations of AuCl4− (below 1.0×10−4 M) after fixing some conditions. Consequently, reversible electrochemical responses of ferrocyanide could be observed even for Ni wire treated with 1.0×10−6 M AuCl4−, though no deposition was observed in the SEM measurements. Also, control of electrocatalytic activity was possible below 1.0×10−4 M AuCl4− for uric acid and glucose. Judging from the tunable electrocatalytic performance, simplicity of preparation, and the cost of electrode materials, we believe that Au modified Ni electrodes holds promise for applications in electroanalysis. On the other hand, in our preliminary trials, the properties of deposited Au nano‐ or micro‐particles were found to be sensitive to several factors. Further work is needed to achieve quantitative Au deposition over individual electrodes.
Suitable simple and fast methods for selective isolation of phospholipids as a tool for their analysis
Authors: Pimentel Lígia , Fontes Ana Luiza , Salsinha Sofia , Machado Manuela , Correia Inês , Gomes Ana Maria , Pintado Manuela , Rodríguez‐Alcalá Luís Miguel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLipids are gaining relevance over the last 20 years, as our knowledge about their role has changed from merely energy/structural molecules to compounds also involved in several biological processes. This led to the creation in 2003 of a new emerging research field: lipidomics. In particular the phospholipids have pharmacological/food applications, participate in cell signalling/homeostatic pathways while their analysis faces some challenges. Their fractionation/purification is, in fact, especially difficult, as they are amphiphilic compounds. Moreover, it usually involves SPE or TLC procedures requiring specific materials hampering their suitableness for routine analysis. Finally, they can interfere with the ionization of other molecules during mass spectrometry analysis. Thus, simple high‐throughput reliable methods to selectively isolate these compounds based on the difference between chemical characteristics of lipids would represent valuable tools for their study besides that of other compounds. The current review work aims to describe the state‐of‐the‐art related to the extraction of phospholipids using liquid‐liquid methods for their targeted isolation. The technological and biological importance of these compounds and ion suppression phenomena are also reviewed. Methods by precipitation with acetone or isolation using methanol seem to be suitable for selective isolation of phospholipids in both biological and food samples.
Seagrasses of Piauí, Brazil: A floristic treatment
Authors: da Silva Noelia Pereira , Costa Francimeire do Nascimento , Silva Maria Francilene Souza , Mayo Simon Joseph , de Andrade Ivanilza Moreira 
Published: March 2018

Marine angiosperms are submerged marine plants with a wide global distribution, occurring in temperate and tropical areas where they form meadows that harbour algae and marine fauna that are important for the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. This study is a floristic survey of the seagrasses occurring in the coastal region of the State of Piauí, Brazil. Five species were recorded for two genera in two families; for the Cymodoceaceae: Halodule wrightii Asch., Halodule beaudettei (Hartog) Hartog and Halodule emarginata Hartog; and for the Hydrocharitaceae: Halophila decipiens Ostenf. and Halophila baillonis Asch. ex Dickie. Species descriptions, an identification key, and information on geographic distributions and habitats of the five taxa are presented. All species are native but only Halodule emarginata is endemic to Brazil, and is reported here as a new record for Piauí, extending its range northwest from the coast of the neighbouring state of Ceará.
Spatially dynamic recurrent information flow across long‐range dorsal motor network encodes selective motor goals
Authors: Yoo Peter E. , Hagan Maureen A. , John Sam E. , Opie Nicholas L. , Ordidge Roger J. , O'Brien Terence J. , Oxley Thomas J. , Moffat Bradford A. , Wong Yan T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPerforming voluntary movements involves many regions of the brain, but it is unknown how they work together to plan and execute specific movements. We recorded high‐resolution ultra‐high‐field blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent signal during a cued ankle‐dorsiflexion task. The spatiotemporal dynamics and the patterns of task‐relevant information flow across the dorsal motor network were investigated. We show that task‐relevant information appears and decays earlier in the higher order areas of the dorsal motor network then in the primary motor cortex. Furthermore, the results show that task‐relevant information is encoded in general initially, and then selective goals are subsequently encoded in specifics subregions across the network. Importantly, the patterns of recurrent information flow across the network vary across different subregions depending on the goal. Recurrent information flow was observed across all higher order areas of the dorsal motor network in the subregions encoding for the current goal. In contrast, only the top–down information flow from the supplementary motor cortex to the frontoparietal regions, with weakened recurrent information flow between the frontoparietal regions and bottom–up information flow from the frontoparietal regions to the supplementary cortex were observed in the subregions encoding for the opposing goal. We conclude that selective motor goal encoding and execution rely on goal‐dependent differences in subregional recurrent information flow patterns across the long‐range dorsal motor network areas that exhibit graded functional specialization.
Cortical activation patterns to spatially presented pure tone stimuli with different intensities measured by functional near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Bauernfeind Günther , Wriessnegger Selina C. , Haumann Sabine , Lenarz Thomas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFunctional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging technique for the assessment of functional activity of the cerebral cortex. Recently fNIRS was also envisaged as a novel neuroimaging approach for measuring the auditory cortex activity in the field of in auditory diagnostics. This study aimed to investigate differences in brain activity related to spatially presented sounds with different intensities in 10 subjects by means of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We found pronounced cortical activation patterns in the temporal and frontal regions of both hemispheres. In contrast to these activation patterns, we found deactivation patterns in central and parietal regions of both hemispheres. Furthermore our results showed an influence of spatial presentation and intensity of the presented sounds on brain activity in related regions of interest. These findings are in line with previous fMRI studies which also reported systematic changes of activation in temporal and frontal areas with increasing sound intensity. Although clear evidence for contralaterality effects and hemispheric asymmetries were absent in the group data, these effects were partially visible on the single subject level. Concluding, fNIRS is sensitive enough to capture differences in brain responses during the spatial presentation of sounds with different intensities in several cortical regions. Our results may serve as a valuable contribution for further basic research and the future use of fNIRS in the area of central auditory diagnostics.
Arsenic and other water‐quality issues affecting groundwater, Indus alluvial plain, Pakistan
Authors: Naseem Sadaf , McArthur John M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGroundwater beneath the alluvial plain of the Indus River, Pakistan, is reported to be widely polluted by arsenic (As) and to adversely affect human health. In 79 groundwaters reported here from the lower Indus River plain in southern Sindh Province, concentrations of As exceeded the WHO guideline value for drinking water of 10 μg/L in 38%, with 22% exceeding 50 μg/L, Pakistan's guideline value. The As pollution is caused by microbially‐mediated reductive dissolution of sedimentary iron oxyhydroxides in anoxic groundwaters; oxic groundwaters contain <10 μg/L of As. In the upper Indus River plain, in Punjab Province, localized As pollution of groundwater occurs by alkali desorption as a consequence of ion exchange in groundwater, possibly supplemented by the use for irrigation of groundwater that has suffered ion exchange in the aquifer and so has values >0 for residual sodium carbonate. In the field area in southern Sindh, concentrations of Mn in groundwater exceed 0.4 mg/L in 11% of groundwaters, with a maximum of 0.7 mg/L, as a result of reduction of sedimentary manganese oxides. Other trace elements pose little or no threat to human health. Salinities in groundwaters range from fresh to saline (electrical conductivity up to 6 mS/cm). High salinities result from local inputs of waste water from unsewered sanitation but mainly from evaporation/evapotranspiration of canal water and groundwater used for irrigation. The process does not concentrate As in the groundwater owing to sorption of As to soils. Ion exchange exerts a control on concentrations of Na, Ca, and B but not directly on As. High values of Cl/Br mass ratios (most ≫288, the marine value) reflect the pervasive influence on groundwater of sewage‐contaminated water from irrigation canals through seepage loss and deep percolation of irrigation water, with additional, well‐specific, contributions from unsewered sanitation.
Integrating Participatory Data Acquisition and Modelling of Irrigation Strategies to Enhance Water Productivity in a Small‐Scale Irrigation Scheme in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Habtu Solomon , Erkossa Teklu , Froebrich Jochen , Tquabo Filmon , Fissehaye Degol , Kidanemariam Tesfay , Xueliang Cai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractApplication of participatory modelling to water‐saving strategies in smallholder farming is rare. Farmer‐preferred and efficient strategies were identified through participatory modelling. The farmers' basin irrigation and scheduling (I), farmers' scheduling with furrow strategy (II), farmers' scheduling with alternate furrow strategy (III) and scheduling at 55% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) (IV) were evaluated for maize (Zea mais) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) using the FAO AquaCrop model. The results showed that I resulted in over‐irrigation for maize and under‐irrigation for barley, while IV resulted in maximum yield (8.6 t ha‐1 for maize and 2 t ha‐1 for barley) with maximum (1.8 kg m‐3) and minimum (0.8 kg m‐3) water productivity of maize under IV and I, respectively. A shift from I to IV (most preferred strategy by farmers) can save 8440 mm of water, which can possibly bring back 18.5 ha of land into irrigation. It is essential to interact with farmers on a basis of mutual comprehension to increase their trust and to lay a base for discussion, awareness raising and decision making. The transdisciplinary approach, Community of Practice (CoP) and Learning Practice Alliance (LPA) were appropriate platforms for participation. The increased crop yield and water productivity may contribute to ecological and economical sustainability and social equity. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of multiplex methylated‐specific PCR with capillary electrophoresis to explore prognostic value of TSGs hypermethylation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Yuan , Wei Ling , Sun Ai‐min , Li Bo , Sun Cheng‐jun , Liang Wei‐bo , Liu Qiu‐ying , Yu Xiao‐qin , He Jing‐yang , Qin Yang 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that severely threatens human health. To date, early detection for HCC patients is particularly significant due to their poor survival rates even after liver resection.MethodsTherefore, an efficient and sensitive detection method for monitoring liver cancer, multiplex methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) coupled with capillary electrophoresis, is developed.ResultsSimulations demonstrated that the methylation status of RASSF1A, p16, SFRP1, and ELF could be detected even when DNA equaled or exceeded 12.5 ng simultaneously. Also, its accuracy for methylation detection outweighed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (87.5%) and agarose electrophoresis (84.3%), reaching 92.1%. Subsequently, we implemented multiplex MSP with capillary electrophoresis to investigate methylation status of the four tumor suppressor genes in tissue specimens and explore the prognostic value for HCC patients. As the data suggested, multivariate cox regression analysis revealed that the recurrence‐free survival of 46 patients was greatly associated with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and p16 methylation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that the predictive range of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) combined with p16 hypermethylation was more sensitive than that of either PVTT or p16 hypermethylation alone with regard to disease recurrence in patients with HCC, which could be testified as a valuable biomarker in Clinical application.ConclusionMultiplex MSP coupled with capillary electrophoresis has an excellent prospect of clinical application for monitoring early liver cancer and screening valuable biomarkers for prognosis of HCC patients.
Cover Image, Volume 93, Issue 4
Authors: Zeng Zhi‐wei , Tian Si‐rong , Liu Yun‐guo , Tan Xiao‐fei , Zeng Guang‐ming , Jiang Lu‐hua , Yin Zhi‐hong , Liu Ni , Liu Shao‐bo , Li Jiang 
Published: March 2018

The cover image, by Zhi‐wei Zeng et al., is based on the Research Article Comparative study of rice husk biochars for aqueous antibiotics removal, DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5464.
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Fabrication of WO2.72/UiO‐66 nanocomposites and effects of WO2.72 ratio on photocatalytic performance: judgement of the optimal content and mechanism study
Authors: Zhang Qingsong , Yang Jinghua , Xu Min , Chen Jinxi , Lou Yongbing , Zhou Jiancheng , Cheng Lin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDRecently, hybrid nanocomposites based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and inorganic nanomaterials have been actively investigated as a potential technology for solving the environmental pollution problems. However, to our knowledge, there have been no composites of WO2.72 and MOFs reported until now. In this study, highly dispersed WO2.72 nanorods were first grown in situ upon UiO‐66 through a hydrothermal process.RESULTSThe optimal content of the WO2.72 (30 wt%) could be intuitively judged by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The degradation efficiency of methyl orange (MO) in photocatalysis with 30 wt% WO2.72 loading exhibited better photocatalytic activity than bare UiO‐66, WO2.72 and other WO2.72 loadings. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity over hybrid WO2.72/UiO‐66 can be ascribed to the difference of conduction band between WO2.72 and UiO‐66, which could cause the photoelectron inject to the WO2.72 from UiO‐66, and the lone pair electrons of –OH and –COOH groups of the UiO‐66, which not only repel excited electrons but also attract photogenerated holes.CONCLUSIONSThe enhanced separation of photoexcited carriers between WO2.72 and UiO‐66 led to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic reaction mechanism for MO treatment was also studied. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An optimal blend of single autodisplayed cellulases for cellulose saccharification – a proof of concept
Authors: Obeng Eugene Marfo , Ongkudon Clarence M , Budiman Cahyo , Maas Ruth , Jose Joachim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGOUNDTo date, it has been challenging to determine the optimal proportions of the individual cellulases in crude extracts and multienzyme systems to promote enzyme synergism. The application of single surface‐display of enzymes may obviate such challenges. This article presents a proof of concept of the optimal mixing of single surface‐displayed cellulases for cellulose hydrolysis using Simplex lattice mixture design.RESULTSThe recently discovered maximized autotransporter‐mediated expression system was used to express the three cellulases. The biochemical screening analysis revealed that the enzymes have a broad range of functional pH (4–9) and temperature (30–100 °C) characteristics. The evaluated optima were pH 6 and 60 °C. Through the statistical design of experiment, a blend ratio of 1: 1.6: 1.4 of endoglucanase: exoglucanase: β‐glucosidase was identified as the ‘sweet spot’ for optimum sugar yield. The application of this blend generated about 0.354 mg mL‐1and 0.446 mg mL‐1of sugars from filter paper (Ø 6 mm, ∼2.5 mg) and 2.5% pretreated EFB, respectively, within 12 h. Supplementing the enzyme blend with CaCl2and Tween 20 improved the sugar yield.CONCLUSIONThis research has revealed an interesting concept of efficiently addressing cellulase synergism. The overall outcome of this research is promising for the derivation of value from lignocellulose. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergistic effects of components in deep eutectic solvents relieve toxicity and improve the performance of steroid biotransformation catalyzed by Arthrobacter simplex
Authors: Mao Shuhong , Li Kang , Hou Yali , Liu Yanna , Ji Shaoxian , Qin Huimin , Lu Fuping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe discovery of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has introduced a new class of promising green solvents to overcome many drawbacks associated with organic solvents. In this study, the synergistic effects of the components in the form of DESs on bacterial viability, membrane integrity, and retention of metabolic activity as well as the efficiency of Δ1,2‐dehydrogeneration of cortisone acetate (CA) using whole cells of Arthrobacter simplex were investigated.RESULTSThe agar disc diffusion method, viability assays and the retention of sugar metabolic activity were used to investigate their toxicity to A. simplex. The results indicated that colinium salts were more toxic than the corresponding hydrogen bond donor (HBDs), but their deleterious effect could be weakened by incorporating them into DESs. Moreover, the best catalytic performance was found in the ChCl:U(DES)‐containing system when Δ1,2‐dehydrogeneration using A. simplex was carried out in three different systems followed by the addition of DES, their components and their mixtures, respectively. In addition, metabolites with significantly changed concentration were identified by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and principal component analysis, which revealed five compounds that may be used as potential indicators to discriminate the effects of different concentrations of DESs on A. simplex.CONCLUSIONThe cholinium salts used in this study were toxic to A. simplex to some extent, while synergistic effects were observed after DES formation. The efficient biotransformation in DESs especially in the ChCl:U(DES)‐containing system potentially offers a promising strategy for the production of many different steroids. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonographic appearance of endometrial osseous metaplasia
Authors: Chotaliya Ankit B. , Saifi Shenaz G. A. , Achuthan Gayathri 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOsseous metaplasia of the endometrium is a rare condition characterized by the presence of mature or immature bone in the endometrium. Most cases present with secondary infertility following an abortion or chronic endometritis. Some patients are asymptomatic, while others have menstrual abnormalities such as menorrhagia or oligomenorrhea. Removal of the bony fragments helps in spontaneous conception. We hereby present two cases of osseous metaplasia of the endometrium with radiological and pathological correlation.