bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced cell trapping throughput using DC‐biased AC electric field in a dielectrophoresis‐based fluidic device with densely packed silica beads
Authors: Lewpiriyawong Nuttawut , Xu Guolin , Yang Chun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper presents the use of DC‐biased AC electric field for enhancing cell trapping throughput in an insulator‐based dielectrophoretic (iDEP) fluidic device with densely packed silica beads. Cell suspension is carried through the iDEP device by a pressure‐driven flow. Under an applied DC‐biased AC electric field, DEP trapping force is produced as a result of non‐uniform electric field induced by the gap of electrically insulating silica beads packed between two mesh electrodes that allow both fluid and cells to pass through. While the AC component is mainly to control the magnitude of DEP trapping force, the DC component generates local electroosmotic (EO) flow in the cavity between the beads and the EO flow can be set to move along or against the main pressure‐driven flow. Our experimental and simulation results show that desirable trapping is achieved when the EO flow direction is along (not against) the main flow direction. Using our proposed DC‐biased AC field, the device can enhance the trapping throughput (in terms of the flowrate of cell suspension) up to five times while yielding almost the same cell capture rates as compared to the pure AC field case. Additionally, the device was demonstrated to selectively trap dead yeast cells from a mixture of flowing live and dead yeast cells.
Properties of global‐ and local‐ancestry adjustments in genetic association tests in admixed populations
Authors: Martin Eden R. , Tunc Ilker , Liu Zhi , Slifer Susan H. , Beecham Ashley H. , Beecham Gary W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPopulation substructure can lead to confounding in tests for genetic association, and failure to adjust properly can result in spurious findings. Here we address this issue of confounding by considering the impact of global ancestry (average ancestry across the genome) and local ancestry (ancestry at a specific chromosomal location) on regression parameters and relative power in ancestry‐adjusted and ‐unadjusted models. We examine theoretical expectations under different scenarios for population substructure; applying different regression models, verifying and generalizing using simulations, and exploring the findings in real‐world admixed populations. We show that admixture does not lead to confounding when the trait locus is tested directly in a single admixed population. However, if there is more complex population structure or a marker locus in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the trait locus is tested, both global and local ancestry can be confounders. Additionally, we show the genotype parameters of adjusted and unadjusted models all provide tests for LD between the marker and trait locus, but in different contexts. The local ancestry adjusted model tests for LD in the ancestral populations, while tests using the unadjusted and the global ancestry adjusted models depend on LD in the admixed population(s), which may be enriched due to different ancestral allele frequencies. Practically, this implies that global‐ancestry adjustment should be used for screening, but local‐ancestry adjustment may better inform fine mapping and provide better effect estimates at trait loci.
Paleogeotemperature and maturity evolutionary history of the source rocks in the Ordos Basin
Authors: Yu Qiang , Ren Zhanli , Li Rongxi , Wang Baojiang , Qin Xiaoli , Tao Ni 
Published: December 2017

Tectonothermal evolution has an important control on maturity and hydrocarbon‐generation of source rocks. On the basis of analysis of the present‐day geothermal gradient, rock thermophysical parameters and heat flow, the thickness contour and vitrinite reflectance can be identified, and the distribution of thermal anomaly was discussed. The paleogeotemperature and paleogeothermal gradients are calculated after the recovery of the erosional thickness. With the theory of the recovering of the superposed and modified sedimentary basin, the evolutionary history since the end of Triassic, the end of Jurassic, the Late Early Cretaceous is presented for two sets of source rocks recovered in various perspectives of plans, cross‐sections, important wells, and typical areas. The impact of tectonothermal evolution on the maturity and hydrocarbon‐generation history of the source rocks is discussed. The paleogeothermal gradient (4.0 °C/100 m on average) is higher than the present one (2.9 °C/100 m on average). With the slightly continuous increase since the Late Paleozoic, the paleogeotemperature of the Ordos Basin reached its maximum in Late Early Cretaceous and decreased continuously from then on. The paleogeotemperature and maturity of the source rocks continuously increased before Late Early Cretaceous. The tectonothermal event during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous controlled the source rocks with the high temperature and maturity in the Wuqi‐Qingyang‐Fuxian. The temperature decreased, and the maturity hardly changed after the Late Cretaceous. The source rocks of the Shanxi Formation reached maturity, high maturity and over‐maturity at the Late Triassic, the Late Jurassic, and the Early Cretaceous, respectively. The source rocks of the Yanchang Formation reached low maturity and maturity sequentially all in the Early Cretaceous.
The Jurassic basin prototypes and episodic sedimentary characteristics of the Hongshan Sag in the eastern segment of the Northern Qaidam Basin, NW China
Authors: Feng Huaiwei , Xu Shumei , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Sanzhong , Wang Jinduo , Somerville Ian 
Published: December 2017

The Hongshan Sag, located in the eastern segment of the northern Qaidam block, has undergone complicated tectonic evolution, which results in the controversy on the Jurassic basin prototype. Based on field geological investigation, interpretation of seismic stratigraphy, restoration of balanced cross‐section, recognition of stratigraphic contact relationship, observation of lithofacies features, and exploration of basin filling characteristics in the Hongshan Sag, the paper analyses the basin prototype, establishes a sequence stratigraphic framework, and explores episodic sedimentary features. The Hongshan Sag was a small‐scale faulted basin pulled apart by NE‐oriented extensional stress along the margin of the Qaidam Block during the Early Jurassic. During the Middle Jurassic, along with protracted rifting, the Hongshan Sag evolved into a relatively large‐scale faulted basin controlled by NE‐oriented extensional stress. The faulted basin evolved into a compressional sag during the Late Jurassic. The Jurassic strata are subdivided into 2 first‐order sequences, 3 second‐order sequences, and 5 third‐order sequences. Every third‐order sequence corresponds to an episode. The deposits of Episode I(SIII1) mainly contain coarse‐grained clasts of alluvial fan and braided river, which is locally distributed in the eastern sub‐sag. The deposits of Episode II(SIII2) mainly encompass coarse‐grained clasts of shallow water braided delta, which is distributed in discrete eastern and western sub‐sags. During the period of Episode III(SIII3), the isolated eastern and western sub‐sags connect to a whole sag, whose sediments are composed of coarse‐grained clasts of fan delta in steep slope of basin. Deposits of Episode IV(SIII4) comprises fine‐grained clasts, which are distributed throughout the basin. The deposits of compressional Episode V(SIII5) mainly consist of red fine‐grained clasts, but suffer from obvious erosion on the margin of the basin.
ProMoIJ: A new tool for automatic three‐dimensional analysis of microglial process motility
Authors: Paris Iñaki , Savage Julie C. , Escobar Laura , Abiega Oihane , Gagnon Steven , Hui Chin‐Wai , Tremblay Marie‐Ève , Sierra Amanda , Valero Jorge 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMicroglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, continuously survey the brain to detect alterations and maintain tissue homeostasis. The motility of microglial processes is indicative of their surveying capacity in normal and pathological conditions. The gold standard technique to study motility involves the use of two‐photon microscopy to obtain time‐lapse images from brain slices or the cortex of living animals. This technique generates four dimensionally‐coded images which are analyzed manually using time‐consuming, non‐standardized protocols. Microglial process motility analysis is frequently performed using Z‐stack projections with the consequent loss of three‐dimensional (3D) information. To overcome these limitations, we developed ProMoIJ, a pack of ImageJ macros that perform automatic motility analysis of cellular processes in 3D. The main core of ProMoIJ is formed by two macros that assist the selection of processes, automatically reconstruct their 3D skeleton, and analyze their motility (process and tip velocity). Our results show that ProMoIJ presents several key advantages compared with conventional manual analysis: (1) reduces the time required for analysis, (2) is less sensitive to experimenter bias, and (3) is more robust to varying numbers of processes analyzed. In addition, we used ProMoIJ to demonstrate that commonly performed 2D analysis underestimates microglial process motility, to reveal that only cells adjacent to a laser injured area extend their processes toward the lesion site, and to demonstrate that systemic inflammation reduces microglial process motility. ProMoIJ is a novel, open‐source, freely‐available tool which standardizes and accelerates the time‐consuming labor of 3D analysis of microglial process motility.
Fractionation enhances acute oligodendrocyte progenitor cell radiation sensitivity and leads to long term depletion
Authors: Begolly Sage , Olschowka John A. , Love Tanzy , Williams Jacqueline P. , O'Banion M. Kerry 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIonizing radiation (IR) is commonly used to treat central nervous system (CNS) cancers and metastases. While IR promotes remission, frequent side effects including impaired cognition and white matter loss occur following treatment. Fractionation is used to minimize these CNS late side effects, as it reduces IR effects in differentiated normal tissue, but not rapidly proliferating normal or tumor tissue. However, side effects occur even with the use of fractionated paradigms. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are a proliferative population within the CNS affected by radiation. We hypothesized that fractionated radiation would lead to OPC loss, which could contribute to the delayed white matter loss seen after radiation exposure. We found that fractionated IR induced a greater early loss of OPCs than an equivalent single dose exposure. Furthermore, OPC recovery was impaired following fractionated IR. Finally, reduced OPC differentiation and mature oligodendrocyte numbers occurred in single dose and fractionated IR paradigms. This work demonstrates that fractionation does not spare normal brain tissue and, importantly, highlights the sensitivity of OPCs to fractionated IR, suggesting that fractionated schedules may promote white matter dysfunction, a point that should be considered in radiotherapy.
Investigating multiple human performance measures in teleoperation task: A translation task in a tele‐sandblasting maintenance system
Authors: Jientrakul Ranon , Yuangyai Chumpol , Cheng Chen‐Yang , Chotiprayanakul Pholchai , Limnararat Sunpasit 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn sandblasting tasks for complex steel structure maintenance, teleoperation is required to keep humans away from occupational risk and hazard. On the other hand, teleoperation typically degrades system‐human performances, resulting in poor product quality and must be designed such that the performances remain as high as possible. However, designing the teleoperation system regarding to a single performance measure may lead to an improper design. In this article, we propose two novel loss‐function‐based human‐performance measures to incorporate with a widely used performance measure, movement time, to thoroughly represent performance: unfinished surface and damaged surface. We aim to investigate the effects of two main design parameters, viewing distance and path width. The results show that only path width is significant for overall performances. Furthermore, the effect of gender is significant such that men outperform women in cleaning the surface. Finally, the optimal setting conditions are suggested to achieve their optimal performances.
Advanced treatment of biotreated coking wastewater with peroxymonosulfate oxidation catalyzed by granular activated carbon
Authors: Song Xiulan , Liu Meiqin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAfter biological treatment, coking wastewater contains high concentrations of toxic organic contaminants and thus requires further treatment.RESULTSAdvanced treatment of biotreated coking wastewater (BTCW) with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation catalyzed by granular activated carbon (GAC) at ambient temperature (25 °C) was comprehensively investigated. The GAC/PMS system exhibited higher efficiency for total organic carbon (TOC) removal from BTCW than did the PMS‐only and GAC‐only systems. Up to 75.7% of TOC was removed over a 5 h period with 2 g L‐1 of KHSO5 and 10 g L‐1 of GAC at an initial pH of approximately 5. The TOC removal efficiency increased with PMS concentration and GAC dosage; however, the superfluous PMS was not conducive to organic degradation. The PMS decomposition followed a first‐order kinetics behavior. The GAC/PMS system's capacity for TOC removal gradually weakened with increase in the number of times the GAC was reused. Almost half of the removal rate was retained after four uses of GAC. The excitation–emission matrix fluorescence demonstrated that humic‐acid‐like substances are effectively adsorbed and preferentially decomposed in wastewater.CONCLUSIONThe study suggests that it is feasible for advanced treatment of BTCW with PMS oxidation catalyzed by GAC, achieving high efficiency for TOC removal. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Electrochemical promotion of carbon supported Pt, Rh and Pd catalysts for H2 oxidation in aqueous alkaline media
Authors: Athanasiou Michail , Hasa Bjorn , Vakros John , Sygellou Labrini , Katsaounis Alexandros 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effect of electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) for the case of H2 oxidation reaction over commercial M (M=Pt, Rh, Pd)/Vulcan XC72 (ETEK) electrodes immersed in alkaline media was explored in this study. Various reactant mixtures (H2 and O2) fed simultaneously through a glass frit to the anodic electrode which was immersed in the electrolyte. Both positive and negative currents were applied between anode and cathode while all the reactants were followed by mass spectrometry.RESULTSIn the case of Pt electrode, it was found that application of small positive currents resulted in a reversible enhancement of both oxygen and hydrogen consumption rate, higher than the expected Faradaic one (I/2F). Pd and Rh electrodes exhibited lower catalytic activity at ambient temperature while positive current applications induced an acceleration of the catalytic reaction. Interestingly, modification of the catalytic activity of Pd and Rh electrodes was found to be irreversible even under negative current applications.CONCLUSIONCommercially available, carbon supported metal (Pt, Rh, Pd) catalysts, can be electrochemically promoted during hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline media. The rate enhancement could be explained by modification of the work function of the catalytic surface (thus the strength of the reactant's adsorption bond) during potential or current application as well as modification of the catalyst surface composition. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Insects as human food; from farm to fork
Authors: Bessa Leah Wilson , Pieterse Elsje , Sigge Gunnar , Hoffman Louw Christiaan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOver the course of the last few years, the consumption of insects, known as entomophagy, has sparked increasing interest amongst scientists and environmentalists as a potential solution to the inevitable global food security and sustainability issues humans will be facing in the coming years. Despite the fact that insects have been an integral part of over 2 billion people's diet worldwide, the concept of eating insects is still new to Western culture. As a result, there are many unknowns regarding insects as a food source, and this has led to a number of studies and investigations being done in recent years to create more knowledge and awareness around this new concept in the food industry. This review discusses some of the key topics and new developments published over recent years, such as the nutritional benefits, food safety concerns, functional properties, potential product concepts and the current ideas and attitudes towards insects as a food source in Western culture. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
In situ derivatization and hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction to determine sulfonamides in water using UHPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Yang Lihua , Shi Yang , Li Jinjin , Luan Tiangang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA sensitive method for determining sulfonamides in water was developed and validated through in situ derivatization and hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction with ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The target sulfonamides were sulfadiazine, sulfacetamide, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfachloropyridazine, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfisoxazole. Following in situ derivatization with fluorescamine, three‐phase hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction with an S 6/2 polypropylene hollow‐fiber membrane was applied automatically using a multipurpose autosampler. Experimental parameters including derivatization time, choice of organic phase, pH of donor and acceptor phase, stirring rate, extraction temperature and time were optimized. Under optimized conditions, the target sulfonamides achieved excellent linearity with correlation coefficients of 0.9924–0.9994 within the concentration range of 0.05–5 μg/L. The limits of detection of the eight sulfonamides were 3.1–11.2 ng/L, and the limits of quantification were 10.3–37.3 ng/L. Enrichment factors of 0.1 and 5 μg/L sulfonamides spiked in lake water were 14–60, and recoveries were 56–113% with relative standard derivations of 3–19%. Applied with the developed method, sulfamerazine and sulfamethoxazole were measurable in both influent and effluent water of the three sewage treatment plants in Guangzhou, China. The developed method was sensitive and provided an alternative method for simultaneously enriching and quantifying multiple sulfonamides in environmental water.
Factors Affecting the Quality of Breast Quasistatic Ultrasound Elastograms
Authors: Zou Hongsheng , Xue Yan , Ou Yang , Li Sheng , Zhao Yuehuan , Shao Limei , Li Yunling 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo explore factors affecting the quality of quasistatic ultrasound elastograms of the breast and to evaluate their accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant breast lesions.MethodsA total of 663 patients with 702 breast lesions were recruited. All patients received both conventional ultrasonography and quasistatic elastography. Patients' breast lesions were divided into A and B groups according to satisfactory and unsatisfactory elastographic examinations. Group A included 590 satisfactory elastograms, whereas Group B included 112 unsatisfactory elastograms. Various factors—maximum depth of the lesion, maximum transverse diameter of the lesion, thickness of the adipose layer, thickness of the glandular layer, thickness of the breast, distance between the nipple and lesion, age, body mass index, and menopausal status—were analyzed and compared between the groups to gauge their effects on the quality of the elastograms.ResultsSignificantly deeper lesions, higher maximum transverse lesion diameters, thicker adipose layers, thicker glandular layers, and thicker breasts were identified in group B patients compared to group A patients (P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the maximum depth of the lesion, thickness of the adipose layer, and thickness of the breast were independent factors in the quality of elastograms. The area under the curve for the maximum depth of the lesion was 0.986 with the optimal cutoff threshold of 2.5 cm.ConclusionsQuasistatic elastography can be a supplementary approach to conventional ultrasonography in helping improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast lesions. The depth and size of breast lesions are correlated with the quality of elastograms.
Comparison of Different‐Gauge Needles for Fine‐Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Zhang Lili , Liu Yujiang , Tan Xiaoqu , Liu Xi , Zhang Hong , Qian Linxue 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo compare the adequacy of 23‐, 25‐, and 27‐gauge needles in the fine‐needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules to develop guidelines for the collection of better specimens for cytologic diagnosis.MethodsThis randomized prospective study included 156 consecutively enrolled patients with 156 nodules. Each nodule was aspirated with a needle of each size. The obtained specimens were analyzed independently by 2 cytopathologists, and adequacy rates were calculated.ResultsIn our investigation, there were no statistically significant differences among the adequacy rates achieved with 23‐, 25‐, and 27‐gauge needles (88.5%, 90.4%, and 89.7%, respectively; P > .05). The adequacy rates achieved with all 3 needle sizes in hyperechoic nodules were higher than those in hypoechoic samples (P < .05). Finally, no differences in adequacy for the different needle sizes were observed according to nodule size (P > .05).ConclusionsWe conclude that fine‐needle aspiration biopsy with a 27‐gauge needle can aspirate an adequate specimen for cytopathologic diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The likelihood that inadequate materials will be obtained from hypoechoic nodules is higher than that for hyperechoic nodules.
Ultrasound‐Enhanced Drug Delivery for Treatment of Onychomycosis
Authors: Kline‐Schoder Alina , Le Zung , Zderic Vesna 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to determine the effectiveness of using ultrasound (US) to increase the permeability of the nail, with the goal of improving outcomes in the treatment of onychomycosis.MethodsPorcine nails were used because of their similarity to human nails. A hydrophilic blue dye was used as a drug‐mimicking compound. Two sets of experiments were performed: luminosity experiments to assess the dye levels inside the nail after US and sham treatments and diffusion cell experiments for determination of changes in nail permeability due to US application. In both sets of experiments, planar US transducers were used to sonicate the nails at frequencies of 400, 600, and 800 kHz and 1 MHz, an intensity of 1 W/cm2, and a duration of 5 min in a continuous mode. Modeling studies were also performed to assess the safety of US application to the human toe for later clinical studies.ResultsIn the luminosity experiments, application of US at frequencies of 600 and 800 kHz led to statistically significant results (P < .05), with an increase in dye delivery into the nail of up to 95% compared to control values. The diffusion cell results found statistical significance (P < .05) at all applied frequencies, with up to a 70% increase in the nail permeability compared to the control. Safety modeling studies found a maximal temperature increase of 4.4 °C in the bone.ConclusionsOur proposed US method may offer an alternative for improved treatment of onychomycosis. The current maximal temperature increase was found to be at the safety limit, and so pulsing and other alternatives will be investigated to minimize this temperature increase.