bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine Modulation of IL-27 in Macrophages
Authors: Roewe Julian , Higer Maximilian , Riehl Dennis R. , Gericke Adrian , Radsak Markus P. , Bosmann Markus 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Heterodimeric IL-27 (p28/EBV-induced gene 3) is an important member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family. IL-27 is predominantly synthesized by mononuclear phagocytes and exerts immunoregulatory functional activities on lymphocytic and nonlymphocytic cells during infection, autoimmunity or neoplasms. There is a great body of evidence on the bidirectional interplay between the autonomic nervous system and immune responses during inflammatory disorders, but so far IL-27 has not been defined as a part of these multifaceted neuroendocrine networks. In this study, we describe the role of catecholamines (as mediators of the sympathetic nervous system) related to IL-27 production in primary mouse macrophages. Noradrenaline and adrenaline dose-dependently suppressed the release of IL-27p28 in LPS/TLR4-activated macrophages, which was independent of α1 adrenoceptors. Instead, β2 adrenoceptor activation was responsible for mediating gene silencing of IL-27p28 and EBV-induced gene 3. The β2 adrenoceptor agonists formoterol and salbutamol mediated suppression of IL-27p28 production, when triggered by zymosan/TLR2, LPS/TLR4, or R848/TLR7/8 activation, but selectively spared the polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid/TLR3 pathway. Mechanistically, β2 adrenergic signaling reinforced an autocrine feedback loop of macrophage-derived IL-10 and this synergized with inhibition of the JNK pathway for limiting IL-27p28. The JNK inhibitors SP600125 and AEG3482 strongly decreased intracellular IL-27p28 in F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages. In endotoxic shock of C57BL/6J mice, pharmacologic activation of β2 adrenoceptors improved the severity of shock, including hypothermia and decreased circulating IL-27p28. Conversely, IL-27p28 was 2.7-fold increased by removal of the catecholamine-producing adrenal glands prior to endotoxic shock. These data suggest a novel role of the sympathetic neuroendocrine system for the modulation of IL-27–dependent acute inflammation.
Nonthermal Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Molybdenum Carbide Thin Film Catalysts
Authors: Campbell G. , Nelson K. , Heitzman C. L. , Brezinsky K. , Saveliev A. 
Published: August 2017

Optimization of the nonthermal plasma-assisted method of synthesizing molybdenum carbide thin films on molybdenum particle substrates was initiated using a previously existing experimental setup. The yield of the apparatus used has increased by 20% as the result of redesign. The molybdenum carbide produced through nonthermal plasma has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is tentatively observed by using the TEM that an ethylene concentration of 3% gives the best molybdenum carbide surface layer. The quality of the product is unclear, indicating that further characterization is necessary. This novel method of catalyst production has been tested in very preliminary experiments with a water-gas shift reactor and the CO2 conversion was 0.5%, suggesting, again, that further optimization is necessary.
Intercalation of Poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) into carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chan V. , Sun K. , Yarin A. , Megaridis C.M. 
Published: August 2017

The primary goal of this work is to fill 200 nm average diameter CVD Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) - a carbonizable polymer - with the diffusion process reported by Bazilevsky et al. and to control the thickness and structure of the PAN inside the CNTs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used as a tool to monitor the morphology of polymer filled nanotubes. TEM images of CNTs that were filled using five different PAN concentrations of the PAN/DMF solution - 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 wt% - demonstrated that the intercalation process is independent of the initial PAN concentration in solution. Furthermore, a DMF rinse process was used to remove polymer that was clinging to the outer walls of the CNTs, allowing clearer visual of the PAN structure in the interior of the CNTs. Finally, TEM images of filled CNTs taken through a carbonization process demonstrated that the CNT samples were able to survive the high temperature, with some damage to the CNT walls.
Binding Analysis of a Novel Peptide to Plasmodium falciparum Knob-Associated Histidine Rich Protein (KAHRP)
Authors: Preston J. , Zeng L. , Takoudis C. G. , Li X. , Chishti A. 
Published: August 2017

Knob-associated histidine rich protein (KAHRP) is secreted by Plasmodium falciparum in infected red blood cells. This protein is required for the production of surface protrusions called knobs, which have been shown to be crucial for the adherence of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (Pf-IRBC) to the endothelia of small blood vessels. KP-AP, a 10-amino acid (AA) peptide (FITRANDTSK), binds specifically with KAHRP in preliminary studies. KP-AP is expected to disrupt knob formation and prohibit adherence of Pf-IRBC to blood vessels and greatly reduce the pathogenicity of the parasite. This paper describes an investigation into the binding interaction between biotinylated KP-AP (Biotin-AP) and a segment of KAHRP. ELISA and the real-time bio-interaction optical sensor, BIAcore are the methods of detection. The specific binding was confirmed with ELISA and the KD value was estimated to be 1.2 μM. Binding was not detected with BIAcore, most likely due to the reduced flexibility of Biotin-AP while immobilized on the sensor chip.
Study on Stabilizing Cubic HfO2 Doped Y2O3 using Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Gu P. , Walkosz W. , Yang G. , Klie R.F. 
Published: August 2017

Traditionally, the most common gate insulator used in transistors is Silicon Dioxide or SiO2; however, as transistors are made smaller and smaller a breaking point has been reached such that SiO2 no longer acts as an insulator. For this reason, in order to continue improving transistor density, a material or a combination of materials must replace or be added to SiO2 as a gate insulator. HfO2seems to be a promising candidate due to its higher dielectric constant compared to Si2 and large band gap. Furthermore, by doping this HfO2 with Yttrium Oxide or Y2O3, the structural transformation from the monoclinic to the cubic phase is possible, consequently maintaining a higher dielectric constant. Several different samples of HfO2 with varying concentrations of Y2O3 were studied using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) in order to analyze the structure alterations at various temperatures.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Hafnium Oxide on Silicon and Polymer Fibers at Temperatures below 100o C
Authors: Kragh K. C. , Kueltzo A. , Singh M. , Tao Q. , Jursich G. , Takoudis C. G. 
Published: August 2017

Atomic layer deposition of hafnium oxide from tetrakis (diethylamino) hafnium (TDEAH) and water vapor was employed to create thin films on silicon with reactor temperatures as low as 30o C. Spectral ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to probe the thickness and composition of these films. Deposition at the same temperature of 30o C was carried out on poly-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a template to examine the possibility of fabricating hafnium oxide nanotubes. Energy dispersive X-ray scans and scanning electron microscope images revealed significant hafnia coverage on the fibers, suggesting that hafnium oxide nanotubes can be formed by means of polymer vaporization after deposition.
Chronic Electrophysiological and Behavioral Response in Rats due to Cerebral Ischemic Stroke in the Motor Cortex
Authors: Midgett M. A. , Rousche P. J. 
Published: August 2017

This work is the beginning of a study investigating dynamic changes of electrophysiological and correlative behavioral response in rats before, during and after stroke in the motor cortex. The animals need training sessions to regularly perform the behavioral tests. The standard deviation of total paw touches in the cylinder test (n=4) and the time required to eat a single strand of pasta (n=3) decreased by a factor of 1.7 and 3.6 respectively after 5 days of training. Behaviorally, post-stroke, average cylinder touches decreased by a factor of 5.6, and pasta adjustments increased by a factor of 3.6 suggesting impairments due to stroke. The pre-stroke mean neural firing rate was 94 spikes per second (spk/s), this increased to 146 spk/s during the 20 minute stroke induction, and was only 4 spk/s 20 min post-stroke. The firing rate has increased to near pre-stroke levels in the 2nd and 3rd days following stroke.
Methods in Characterizing the SrTiO3/GaAs Interface
Authors: Cooper T. , Qiao Q. , Klie R.F. 
Published: August 2017

Characterizing the interface that occurs between a thin-film deposition of SrTiO3 on a GaAs substrate is of significant interest in order to determine the electrical capabilities that may be possible with this type of system. Imaging the interface by using transmission electron microscopy as well as determining important chemical and electrical information by using Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) are critical in determining if the system is actually appropriate for the desired applications. In addition to these experimental calculations, however, it may be useful to determine theoretical calculations in order to confirm and interpret the results. In particular, these may be determined for EELS by using a simulation program called FEFF9, which employs use of full multiple scattering calculations in order to produce these theoretical results.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Zirconium Oxide for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: James C. , Xu R. , Jursich G. , Takoudis C.G. 
Published: August 2017

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are an intriguing renewable energy source. Most SOFCs operate at high temperatures, around 1000 °C. One of the problems with them operating at lower temperatures is that it increases the resistance in the electrolyte layer. The focus of this project is to increase the efficiency of the electrolyte layer at the lower temperatures by decreasing the thickness of the electrolyte layer, in order to decrease the ionic resistance. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to deposit zirconium oxide, which is one of the promising components of electrolytes in small length scale fuel cells; the zirconium precursor was Tris(dimethylamino)cyclopentadienylZirconium (ZyALD) and the oxidant was 0.1 % O3 in O2. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to measure the thickness of the samples was. This paper also describes how ALD was used to vary the thickness from 32 Å to 135 Å. Our results showed that there was a constant growth rate of 0.87 ± 0.04 Å/cycle, which can be used to control the film thickness. The error was calculated by taking the standard deviation of the growth rates for a varied number of cycles that were run.
Characterization of Thermoelectric Ca3Co4O9 Microstructure Using Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Paulauskas T , Klie R.F. 
Published: August 2017

Ca3Co4O9 (CCO), a misfit layered structure exhibiting large Seebeck coefficient at temperatures up to 1000 K has attracted increasing attention as a novel high-temperature thermoelectric material. In this work, we investigate bulk CCO as well as thin CCO films grown on SrTiO3 (001) and Al2O3 (0001) using pulsed laser deposition. Resulting crystal structure and quality of the samples is examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in order to correlate with thermoelectric properties. HRTEM images show incommensurate stacks of CdI2-type CoO2 layers alternating with rock-salt-type Ca2CoO3 layers along the c-axis. A natural buffer layer about 10 nm thick was found present between CCO and SrTi3 substrate accompanied by higher density of stacking faults. The CCO grown on Al2O3 exhibited numerous misoriented grains, crystal defects and presence of CaxCoO2 phase.
Characterization of Anatase Phase on Calcinated Titanium-V Alloy
Authors: Hamilton M.D. , Butt A. , Patel S. , Sukotjo C. , Takoudis C.G. 
Published: August 2017

Surface modification of titanium implants has been a large focus of recent research. Thermal oxidation is a technique used to diffuse oxygen into the surface of a material to form an oxide layer. By varying the temperature of thermal oxidation, the crystal structure of the TiO2 layer can be changed from anatase to rutile in the range 300 to 600 °C. The crystal structure of anatase has been shown to resemble hydroxyapatite, a mineral that is involved in bone growth. FTIR, an Ellipsometer, and a Geoniometer are used to analyse the anatase concentrations created at 24, 300, 375, and 450 °C. It was found that hydrophilicity increases on rough samples as oxidation temperature increases. Also, a peak shift from anatase to rutile is seen as annealing temperatures increase in the range of 300 to 600 °C. Greater relative anatase formation is seen at 300 and 375 °C. The shift to rutile begins to occur at 450 °C and continues to 600 °C.
Analysis of Ferromagnetic-Multiferroic Interfaces in Epitaxial Multilayers of LSMO and BFO
Authors: Knapp P. , Abiade J. 
Published: August 2017

Bilayers were fabricated from ferromagnetic LSMO (Lanthanum Strontium Manganate Oxide, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3) and ferroelectric BFO (Bismuth Ferrite, BiFeO3) using pulsed laser deposition in the presence of O2 on LaAlO3and SrTiO3 substrates. The layer thickness and the layer order were varied among 16 samples. The bilayers were analyzed using TEM, XRD, XRR, and XPS to determine the stoichiometry, interlayer diffusion, roughness, and other structural features. TEM imaging showed that portions of the bilayers were highly crystalline. However, XRD analysis demonstrated that the majority of films were amorphous, with some polycrystalline and nanocrystalline samples. XRR data indicated a high roughness but did not yield good thickness values. Finally, XPS confirmed that material stoichiometry was preserved. It appears that the deposition process still needs optimization. This research will serve as the basis for future experiments on the magnetic properties of LSMO/BFO bilayers.
Atomic layer deposition of zirconium oxide on copper patterned silicon substrate
Authors: Parulekar J. , Selvaraj S. , Takoudis C.G. 
Published: August 2017

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was performed on copper patterned silicon substrates using zirconium precursor and ethanol as both an oxygen source and reducing agent. Ethanol targeted copper oxide formed on the copper surface, reverting it back to metallic copper. Selective ALD (SALD) of metal oxides on silicon surfaces over copper surfaces has been demonstrated up to 2-3 nm, though the process seems to lose its selectivity afterwards. We strive to maintain selectivity to thicker films by stepping away from conventional ALD processes utilizing oxidants. From previous studies with HfO2 and TiO2 SALD, we speculate that the oxidation of copper to copper oxide spoils selectivity. In this present study, we carried out oxidant-free ALD by using ethanol as a co-reactant solely on the silicon portion of these substrates. This process will occur in-situ every 20-30 ALD cycles for ALD of ZrO2. As expected, reduced ALD growth rate was observed with ethanol compared to that of water or ozone, with a growth rate of about 0.04 nm/cycle on the silicon portion of the substrate.
Triclosan Resistance in Francisella tularensis: A Site-Directed Mutagenesis Study of the FabI Enzyme
Authors: Silas N. , Demissie R. , Fung L.W.M. 
Published: August 2017

An NADH-dependent enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase, FabI, catalyzes the final step of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis, reducing the double bond of trans-2-enoyl-ACP to a single bond forming acyl-ACP. Given its importance in bacterial fatty acid synthesis, FabI has become a recognized drug target. Triclosan, a diphenyl ether, targets the FabI, inhibits its activity, and stops bacterial growth. However, as a consequence of triclosan's popularity, and thus its overuse, bacterial resistance to triclosan has been reported. The mutation G93V in Escherichia coli (E. coli) FabI allows E. coli to resist the action of triclosan. We have identified the equivalent residue of G93 in Francisella tularensis FabI (ftFabI) as A92, and prepared a mutant A92V. E. coli cells, transformed with a plasmid containing the ftFabI-A92V gene, were grown, and the gene was overexpressed. From two growths (6 G of cells), 62 mG of protein, with a histidine tag, at a purity of 85% were obtained. Enzymatic activity was assayed by monitoring the absorbance of NADH at 340 nm. In the presence of triclosan, the wild-type protein was almost completely inhibited after NADH was converted to NAD$^+$ in the enzymatic reaction; however the A92V mutant exhibited similar activity with and without triclosan, demonstrating that triclosan resistance may also develop in Francisella tularensis.
Baseline Assessment of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Assay Performance: A Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) Interlaboratory Comparison Study
Authors: Wise Stephen A , Phinney Karen W , Tai Susan S-C , Camara Johanna E , Myers Gary L , Durazo-Arvizu Ramon , Tian Lu , Hoofnagle Andrew N , Bachmann Lorin M , Young Ian S , Pettit Juanita , Caldwell Grahame , Liu Andrew , Brooks Stephen P J , Sarafin Kurtis , Thamm Michael , Mensink Gert B M , Busch Markus , Rabenberg Martina , Cashman Kevin D , Kiely Mairead , Kinsella Michael , Galvin Karen , Zhang Joy Y , Oh Kyungwon , Lee Sun-Wha , Jung Chae L , Cox Lorna , Goldberg Gail , Guberg Kate , Prentice Ann , Carter Graham D , Jones Julia , Brannon Patsy M , Lucas Robyn M , Crump Peter M , Cavalier Etienne , Merkel Joyce , Betz Joseph M , Sempos Christopher T 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) coordinated an interlaboratory study to assess the comparability of measurements of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in human serum, which is the primary marker of vitamin D status. A set of 50 individual donor samples were analyzed by 15 different laboratoriesrepresenting national nutrition surveys, assay manufacturers, and clinical and/or research laboratories to provide results for total 25(OH)D using both immunoassays (IAs) and LC tandem MS (MS/MS). The resultswere evaluated relative to bias compared with the target values assigned based on a combination of measurements at Ghent University (Belgium) and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology using reference measurement procedures for the determination of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3. CV and mean bias for each laboratory and assay platform were assessed and compared with previously established VDSP performance criteria, namely CV ≤ 10% and mean bias ≤ 5%. Nearly all LC-MS/MS results achieved VDSP criteria, whereas only 50% of IAs met the criterion for a ≤10% CV and only three of eight IAs achieved the ≤5% bias. These results establish a benchmark for the evaluation of 25(OH)D assay performance and standardization activities in the future.
Coalbed Methane Recovery By Injection of Hot Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Lau Hon Chung , Zhao Chaobin , Lau Samuel W. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
A new method of coalbed methane (CBM) recovery is proposed wherein hot carbon dioxide at or near supercritical condition is injected into a CBM reservoir to take advantage of enhanced desorption of methane at elevated temperatures and the preferential adsorption of CO2 on coal surfaces compared to methane. The feasibility of this concept was studied by reservoir simulations using one quarter of an inverted five spot pattern using CO2 and CH4 adsorption isotherms published in the literature. The study compared CBM recovery by pressure depletion, CO2 injection and injection of CO2 that is 10°C hotter than the reservoir temperature. Results show that hot CO2 injection can significantly increase the production rate and recovery factor over and above that achievable by reservoir heating or CO2 injection alone. This new method holds promise for enhanced CBM recovery and also CO2 sequestration, especially for high-rank coals where swelling of coal by CO2 injection is minimized. Preliminary considerations suggest that this method can be economic over a range of CO2 and natural gas price if the CO2 comes from natural sources and the CBM field is located near an existing CO2 pipeline. Alternatively, if the source of CO2 is industrial, this method can be profitable if the cost of CO2 capture is offset by the trading price of CO2 and if the CBM project is located near the CO2 source.

Introduction
Coalbed methane, also known as coal seam gas, is a significant source of natural gas worldwide, with sizable reserves in the United States, Australia, Russia, Canada and China. In 2015, CBM production in the US was 1.27 Tcf (35.97 Bcm), accounting for 3.9% of all US natural gas production (EIA, 2017). Commercial production of CBM occurs in ten US basins with major production coming from the San Juan, Black Warrior and the Central Appalachian. In 2015, CBM production in Australia was 270 Bcf (7.65 Bcm) accounting for 18% of Australia's total natural gas production (Australian Government, 2016).
Safety and Multi-employer Worksites in High-risk Industries: An Overview
Authors: Nygren Magnus , Jakobsson Mats , Andersson Eira , Johansson Bo 
Published: August 2017

This paper focuses on safety on multi-employer worksites in high-risk industries. Relevant industries are those that utilize flexible labour arrangements and specialization, such as construction, mining and petroleum production, and that traditionally have been high-risk due to hazards in the physical work environment and the occurrence of unsafe work processes and practices. These industries also share common characteristics in matters of overall work environments, multi-employer worksites (including subcontracting chains), as well as tasks performed by contractors, making it relevant to explore and clarify the situation regarding the safety of the affected groups. A comprehensive review is performed of 43 peer-reviewed research articles published up until early 2015, with a main focus on international studies covering safety issues on multi-employer worksites in construction and industrial work settings such as mining, petroleum production and manufacturing.
The results show that previous research has focused on a number of key issues that may be divided into three broad categories: 1- contract work characteristics; 2- structural/organizational factors and conditions; 3- cultural conditions. Much of the focus is on structure and organization, for example, how multi-employer arrangements can lead to breakdowns in communication and overall disorganization effects in relation to safety. There is, however, a need for further studies on the nature of these structural and organizational factors and conditions, such as focused studies on the consequences of power asymmetry for the ability of contractors to adhere to safety laws and regulations. Furthermore, we argue that the development towards blurred organizational boundaries in these networks due to extensive outsourcing and long-term contracts may be a worthwhile avenue for future research into safety on multi-employer worksites.