bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production Method that Leads to TiO2 Nanofibrous Structure Usable in Food Packaging
Authors: Kovář Radovan 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Burned inorganic nanofibers most often occur in the nature in two forms: rutile and anatase. Today, the production of rutile is about to end, while anatase provides more application possibilities. The resulting fiber structure is determined by calcination. It is necessary to find the optimal temperature as well as time, during which the fibers must withstand temperature load. For such method of calcination, it is necessary to create a special design of continuous furnace. Anatase has application in food packaging. Packages containing anatase are used for: food safety, improved packaging for spoilage reduction, sensors for detection of pathogens and spoilage, disinfectants and antimicrobial surfaces.
Evaluation of in vivo angiogenetic effects of copper doped bioactive glass scaffolds in the AV loop model
Authors: Bührer Gregor , Rottensteiner Ulrike , Hoppe Alexander , Detsch Rainer , Dafinova Diana , Fey Tobias , Greil Peter , Weis Christian , Beier Justus P. , Boccacini Aldo R. , Horch Raymund E. , Arkudas Andreas 
Published: December 2016

Abstracteffects of 3D scaffolds made from 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) doped with 1 wt. % copper ions in the arteriovenous loop model of the rat.Materials and Methods: An arteriovenous loop was built in the groin of 10 rats and inserted in 1% copper doped 45S5 BG scaffolds and fibrin. The scaffold and the AV loop were inserted in Teflon isolation chambers and explanted 3 weeks after implantation. Afterwards the scaffolds were analyzed by Micro-CT and histology regarding vascularization. Results were compared to plain 45S5 BG-based scaffolds from a previous study.Results: Micro-CT and histological evaluation showed consistent vascularization of the constructs. A tendency towards an increased vascularization in the copper doped BG group compared to plain BG constructs could be observed. However, therewas no significant difference in statistical analysis between both groups.Conclusions: This study shows results that support an increased angiogenetic effect of 1% copper doped 45S5 BG compared to regular 45S5 BG scaffolds in the rat arteriovenous loop model although these tendencies are not backed by statistical evidence. Maybe higher copper doses could lead to a statistically significant angiogenetic effect.
The complete mitochondrial genomes of two weevils, Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and E. brandti: conserved genome arrangement in Curculionidae and deficiency of tRNA-Ile gene
Authors: Liu Zhen-Kai , Gao Peng , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel , Wen Jun-Bao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe weevils Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are two of the most important pests of the tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, which is found throughout China. In this study, the complete mitogenomes of the two weevils have been sequenced using Illumina HiSeqTM 2000. The mitogenomes of E. chinensis and E. brandti are 15,628bp and 15,597bp long with A+T contents of 77.7% and 76.6%, respectively. Both species have typical circular mitochondrial genomes that encode 36 genes. Except the deficiency of tRNA-Ile, the gene composition and order of E. chinensis and E. brandti are identical to the inferred ancestral gene arrangement of insects. In both mitochondrial genomes, the start codons for COI and ND1 are AAT and TTG, respectively. A5bp motif (TACTA) is detected in intergenic region between the tRNA-Ser (UCN) and ND1 genes. The ATP8/ATP6 and ND4L/ND4 gene pairs appear to overlap four or seven nucleotides (ATAA/ATGATAA) in different reading frames. The complete sequences of AT-rich region have two regions including tandem repeats. The study identifies useful genetic markers for studying the population genetics, molecular identification and phylogeographics of Eucryptorrhynchus weevils. The features of the mitochondrial genomes are expected to be valuable in
Relationship between plasma and salivary melatonin and cortisol investigated by LC-MS/MS
Authors: van Faassen Martijn , Bischoff Rainer , Kema Ido P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground:Disturbance of the circadian rhythm has been associated with disease states, such as metabolic disorders, depression and cancer. Quantification of the circadian markers such as melatonin and cortisol critically depend on reliable and reproducible analytical methods. Previously, melatonin and cortisol were primarily analyzed separately, mainly using immunoassays.Methods:Here we describe the validation and application of a high-throughput liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the combined analysis of melatonin and cortisol in plasma and saliva. The LC-MS/MS method was validated according to international validation guidelines. We used this method to analyze total plasma, free plasma (as obtained by equilibrium dialysis) and saliva melatonin and cortisol in healthy adults.Results:Validation results for plasma and saliva melatonin and cortisol were well within the international validation criteria. We observed no difference between saliva collected by passive drooling or Salivette. Moreover, we noted a significant difference in saliva vs. free plasma melatonin. We observed on average 36% (95% CI: 4%–60%) higher salivary melatonin levels in comparison to free plasma melatonin, suggestive of local production of melatonin in the salivary glands.Conclusions:The novel outcome of this study is probably due to the high precision of our LC-MS/MS assay. These outcomes illustrate the added value of accurate and sensitive mass spectrometry based methods for the quantification of neuroendocrine biomarkers.
Morphological diversity of microstructures occurring in selected recent bivalve shells and their ecological implications
Authors: Brom Krzysztof Roman , Szopa Krzysztof 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Environmental adaptation of molluscs during evolution has led to form biomineral exoskeleton – shell. The main compound of their shells is calcium carbonate, which is represented by calcite and/or aragonite. The mineral part, together with the biopolymer matrix, forms many types of microstructures, which are differ in texture. Different types of internal shell microstructures are characteristic for some bivalve groups. Studied bivalve species (freshwater species – duck mussel (Anodonta anatina Linnaeus, 1758) and marine species – common cockle (Cerastoderma edule Linnaeus, 1758), lyrate Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix lyrata Sowerby II, 1851) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758)) from different locations and environmental conditions, show that the internal shell microstructure with the shell morphology and thickness have critical impact to the ability to survive in changing environment and also to the probability of surviving predator attack. Moreover, more detailed studies on molluscan structures might be responsible for create mechanically resistant nanomaterials.
Is Higher Education Economically Unsustainable? An Exploration of Factors that Undermine Sustainability Assessments of Higher Education
Authors: Maragakis Antonios , van den Dobbelsteen Andy , Maragakis Alexandros 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
As students continue to review the sustainability of higher education institutions, there is a growing need to understand the economic returns of degrees as a function of a sustainable institution. This paper reviews a range of international research to summarize the economic drivers of higher education attainment. Although the cost inputs to higher education are fairly well understood, the economic return of a degree is not. Students misperception of economic returns coupled with a dynamic definition of employability create the framework for unsustainable debt loads for graduates. This paper proposes three metrics that can be used to assess the economic sustainability of students graduating higher education that can be used to supplement the broader definition of sustainability within higher education.
Delving Into Key Dimensions of ESD Through Analyses of a Middle School Science Textbook
Authors: Sahin Elvan 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Uncertainties and debates regarding the term of sustainable development are still going on, and similarly, the notion of education for sustainable development (ESD) is open to debate. There has been an attempt to make the concept of ESD evident, which is quite challenging. Palmer (1998) stated the appropriateness of ESD within environmental education and presented ESD as a new trend for teaching and learning about the environment. In line with these interpretation, Sauvé (2002) pointed out that ESD seems to emerge as a current issue within environmental education. Contrary to these claims, some researchers do not interpret ESD as an evolution within environmental education. According to Sterling (2001), ESD can be recognized as sustainable education in which there is a movement toward the renewal of education systems and institutions ‘doing better things’ and ‘seeing things differently’. Apart from those qualitatively different interpretations of ESD, in 1998 the Council for Environmental Education published a strategy report (CEE, 1998) which is particularly significant for teachers. This report specified seven key dimensions regarding ESD, namely: interdependence; citizenship and stewardship; needs and rights of future generations; diversity; quality of life, equity and justice; sustainable change; and uncertainty and precaution in action. This study could provide an analysis of Turkish middle school science textbooks with respect to these key dimensions on ESD. Current evidences showed that these textbooks do not refer to the dimensions of sustainable development sufficiently.
Envisioning Complexity: Towards a New Conceptualization of Educational Research for Sustainability
Authors: Pipere Anita 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis paper aims to present some conceptual insights into the research paradigm of complexity that deals with such problems like sustainability, education, and, more specifically – sustainability education. The transdisciplinary perspective and cognitive approaches of a hermeneutical cycle and semantic waves used in argumentation assist in grasping the essence of complexity and the main principles of complex dynamic systems. The comparison of simple, complicated and complex systems in a field of sustainability education provides an example of using complexity thinking with social systems. Then the complexity in an epistemological context, as the research paradigm, could be used for dealing with the challenging problems of sustainability, education and sustainability education from the point of view of post-normal science. The concept of transdisciplinarity has been developed as a research framework starting from the general approaches to its application for sustainability, education and sustainability education. The specific types of collaboration in educational research for sustainability and the modes of knowledge produced by transdisciplinary research in this field will be described, ending with reflections and suggestions for further analysis.
Preparation and swelling properties of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) composite hydrogels
Authors: Cheng Wei-Min , Hu Xiang-Ming , Zhao Yan-Yun , Wu Ming-Yue , Hu Zun-Xiang , Yu Xing-Teng 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
In order to study the effect of composite clays on the mechanical properties, water absorption and salt tolerance of a hydrogel, a poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/bentonite/kaolin composite hydrogel was prepared. Acrylic acid and acrylamide have been used as water absorbent monomers. N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide was used as a crosslinking agent while potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The water preserving capability, repeated water absorption, salt resistance and the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel are analyzed and discussed. The results show that a small quantity of bentonite can increase the storage modulus of the composite hydrogel, whereas the excess clay had an unfavorable effect on the mechanical strength of the composite hydrogel. Both bentonite and kaolin significantly improved the water preserving capability, repeated water absorption and salt resistance of the composite hydrogel. Optimum values for the amounts of bentonite and kaolin were found to be 10% and 5%, respectively.
Nontrivial Solutions of Higher-Order Nonlinear Singular Fractional Differential Equations with Fractional Multi-point Boundary Conditions
Authors: Xie Shengli , Xie Yiming 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
This paper deals with the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions of fractional multi-point boundary value problems for higher-order nonlinear singular fractional differential equations with sign-changing nonlinear term. The main tool used in the proof is topological degree theory. Some examples are given to illustrate our main results.
Effect of the structure on biological and photocatalytic activity of transparent titania thin-film coatings
Authors: Wojcieszak Damian , Mazur Michał , Kaczmarek Danuta , Poniedziałek Agata , Domanowski Piotr , Szponar Bogumiła , Czajkowska Aleksandra , Gamian Andrzej 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
In this work, the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film microstructure on photocatalytic and biological activity was described. The films were prepared by low-pressure and high-energy magnetron sputtering processes. The structural investigations performed by X-ray diffraction revealed that the films from both the processes were nanocrystalline. It was found that TiO2 prepared by low-pressure process had the anatase structure with crystallites in size of 20 nm, while the film deposited in high-energy process had the rutile form with crystallites in size of 5 nm. The analysis of surface topography with the aid of optical profiler showed that all prepared films were homogenous and their roughness was lower than 1 nm. The wettability studies revealed hydrophilic nature of both films. The values of water contact angle obtained for anatase and rutile films were equal to 40° and 49°, respectively. Both types of the thin films were photocatalitycally active, but rutile exhibited higher decomposition rate as compared to anatase. During the photocatalytic reaction in the presence of TiO2-rutile film after 12 hours of UV-Vis irradiation 30 % of phenol was decomposed, whereas in case of TiO2-anatase it was only 10 %. Moreover, the influence of as-deposited coatings on the growth of selected microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans) was examined. It was found that the structural properties of TiO2 had an effect on biological activity of these films.
Synthesis of SiC nanowhiskers from graphite and silica by microwave heating
Authors: Kahar S.M. , Voon C.H. , Lee C.C. , Hashim U. , Md Arshad M.K. , Lim B.Y. , Gopinath S.C.B. , Rahman W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSilicon carbide (SiC) is an important ceramics for engineering and industrial applications due to its advantage to withstand in high temperatures. In this article, a demonstration of SiC nanowhiskers synthesis by using microwave heating has been shown. The mixtures of raw materials in the form of pellets were heated, using a laboratory microwave furnace, to 1400 °C for 40 minutes at a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The characterization process proved that the mixture of graphite and silica in the ratio of 1:3 is an ideal composition for synthesizing single phase β-SiC nanowhiskers. Vapor-solid mechanism was suggested to explain the formation of SiC nanowhiskers by the proposed microwave heating.
Spectroscopic investigations of polycrystalline InxSb20−xAg10Se70 (0 ⩽ × ⩽ 15) multicomponent chalcogenides
Authors: Sharma Rita , Sharma Shaveta , Kumar Praveen , Chander Ravi , Thangaraj R. , Mian M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The composition dependence of physical properties of chalcogenides has recently been studied for their phase change properties and energy conversion. In the present work, we report the structure, composition, optical and Raman spectroscopy results for bulk polycrystalline InxSb20−xAg10Se70 (0 ⩽ × ⩽ 15) samples. The phase quantification and composition have been studied by using XRD and EDX techniques. The alloy composition up to 5 at.% of indium resulted in crystallization of AgSbSe2, while further increase in In content favored the formation of another chalcopyrite AgInSe2 phase yielding the solid solutions for this alloy system. A decrease in band gap up to x = 5 followed by its increase with an increase in indium concentration has been observed. The variations in shape and position of characteristic Raman bands has been used for understanding the structural modifications of the network with the variation in indium content.
Characterization of deep-level defects in GaNAs/GaAs heterostructures grown by APMOVPE
Authors: Gelczuk Łukasz , Dąbrowska-Szata Maria , Ściana Beata , Pucicki Damian , Radziewicz Damian , Kopalko Krzysztof , Tłaczała Marek 
Published: December 2016

AbstractConventional deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and high-resolution Laplace DLTS techniques were used to study electrical properties of deep-level defects in dilute GaNAs epitaxial layers grown by atmospheric-pressure metalorganic vapourphase epitaxy (APMOVPE) on the GaAs substrate. Three samples with nitrogen concentrations of 1.2 %, 1.6 % and 2.7 % were investigated. In DLTS and LDLTS spectra of the samples, four predominant electron traps were observed. On the basis of the obtained electrical parameters and previously published results, one of the traps was associated with N-related complex defects, while the other traps with common GaAs-like native defects and impurities, called EL6, EL3 and EL2.
Improved antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel with nano-formulation in breast cancer
Authors: Ding Shuang , Zhang Haijun 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBreast cancer has been brought to the forefront of scientific research because of its increasing incidence as well as the growing demands to prolong the life span of patients and improve their quality of life. Paclitaxel (PTX), a small-molecule cytotoxic agent, is one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs against a variety of solid tumors, including breast cancer. Taxol®, a commercial preparation of PTX, has been widely used for the treatment of breast cancer since its approval for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1994. However, further development is limited by its poor aqueous solubility and by P-gp substrate and complex synthesis caused by excipient (Cremophor EL) used. Thus, there exist an urgent need to design and develop new-generation formulations of PTX, especially nano-formulations, to maximize the therapeutic effects and minimize the side effects. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the treatment of breast cancer with different formulations of PTX.
Effect of graphite and silicon carbide fillers on mechanical properties of PA6 polymer composites
Authors: Sathees Kumar Sekaran , Kanagaraj Ganesan 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
In this paper, the combined effect of different weight percentages of silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite (Gr) reinforcement on the mechanical properties of polyamide (PA6) composite is studied. Test specimens of pure PA6, 85 wt% PA6+10 wt% SiC+5 wt% Gr and 85 wt% PA6+5 wt% SiC+10 wt% Gr are prepared using an injection molding machine. The tensile, impact, hardness, morphology and thermal properties of the injection molded composites were investigated. The obtained results showed that mechanical properties, such as tensile and impact strength and modulus of the PA6 composites, were significantly higher than the pure PA6, and hybridization with silicon carbide and graphite further enhanced the performance properties, as well as the thermal resistance of the composites. The tensile fracture morphology and the characterization of PA6 polymer composites were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic methods. SEM observation of the fracture surfaces showed the fine dispersion of SiC and Gr for strong interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix. The individual and combined reinforcing effects of silicon carbide and graphite on the mechanical properties of PA6 hybrid composites were compared and interpreted in this study. Improved mechanical properties were observed by the addition of small amount of SiC and Gr concurrently reinforced with the pure PA6. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis showed that the heat resistance of the composites tended to increase with increasing silicon carbide and graphite content simultaneously.
Glückseligkeit an der Schwelle zur Aufklärung
Authors: Arend Stefanie 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) is a key text to Enlightenment, not the least because of its discussion of the concept of eudaimonia or felicity. A discourse on felicity originates in antiquity and continues into Enlightenment. Hobbes rearranges this discourse, in as much as he questions the antique and Christian lines of tradition and plays these systems of knowledge off against one another. The following article demonstrates how Hobbes deals with central presuppositions and concepts in the antique and Christian traditions and reveals which rhetorics and polemics he employs to contest a Western ethics of felicity. What becomes evident is that Hobbes’s language-critical approach and anthropological assumptions assume a salient role in this criticism. At the same time, this analysis argues that it is precisely Hobbes’s chosen rhetorical strategies, such as praeteritio or brevitas, that, in the end, do not fully dismantle the antique- Christian concept of eudaimonia.
Essayismus als Fiktionalisierung von unsicheres Wissen prozessierender Reflexion
Authors: Gittel Benjamin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn contrast to the tendency in recent research to understand essayism as a »mode« or »attitude of thinking«, or as collective term for texts similar to essays, this article proposes to conceptualize essayism as the insertion of a special kind of reflective passages, which process uncertain knowledge, into fictional works of literature. The article discusses several aspects of the fictionalization of such reflections, namely aspects of the theory of fiction and linguistic pragmatics as well as hermeneutical aspects. For various reasons, which depend on the attribution of the reflective passages to a heterodiegetic narrator or characters, the fictionalization of reflection leads the reflective passages to oscillate between an assertive (i.e. fact-stating) reference to reality and a meaning internal to the work of literature.
Strategien des realistischen Universalismus: Raabe, Storm, Stifter
Authors: Köppe Tilmann 
Published: December 2016

Abstract Programmatic accounts of realism specify the tasks of authors of fiction in terms of the production conditions of a work, its structural features, or its effects on readers. Concerning the conditions of production the poet is supposed to observe the life surrounding him or her and note its law-like regularities. What is presented in the work is then supposed to match these regularities, thus resulting in particular structural features. Finally, readers should be able to read those regularities from the work. I call this program ›realistic universalism‹ (›realistischer Universalismus‹). The programmatic accounts do not specify how reading the regularities from the fiction is supposed to work, however. This is why I examine three prominent realistic texts according to how they implement this program of realistic universalism. Raabe’s Die Chronik der Sperlingsgasse contains explicit versions of said regularities, while Storm’s Immensee exemplifies them. The most subtle version of realistic universalism is to be found in Stifter’s Der Hochwald. This text asks its readers to employ a mode of reading which expresses the norms to be learned from the text.