bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reactive Extrusion Strategies to Fabricate Magnetite–Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Mechanical and Magnetic Hyperthermia Properties
Authors: Situ Shu F. , Cao Jingshan , Chen Chuhang , Abenojar Eric C. , Maia João M. , Samia Anna Cristina S. 
Published: September 2016

Biofouling is a major problem in water filtration units, which leads to premature system failure. Conventional treatment methods involving the use of chemicals or high‐pressure hydraulics exert mechanical strain on filter materials, leading to shortened service lifetimes. In this study, a novel magnetic polymer nanocomposite is fabricated using a blend of high density/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) fillers. The resulting magnetite–polyethylene nanocomposite (MPE‐NC) is mechanically robust and can be externally actuated with an alternating magnetic field to generate localized heating that is effective in eradicating bacterial biofilms. The MNPs are functionalized with silane‐based coupling agents and crosslinked onto the polyethylene backbone via a reactive extrusion approach, which results in a twofold enhancement in mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the magnetic hyperthermia performance of the MPE‐NC is improved eightfold by replacing undoped magnetite nanospheres with zinc‐doped magnetite nanocube fillers, and the magnetic hyperthermia treatment approach is shown to be 12 times more effective in destroying bacterial biofilms compared to a direct heat‐treatment method. During hyperthermia treatment, the mechanical integrity of the MPE‐NC is preserved, thereby validating the potential of the MPE‐NC as a new filter material with high efficiency in biofilm removal and extended durability.image
Prevalence of obesity in Malta
Authors: Cuschieri S. , Vassallo J. , Calleja N. , Camilleri R. , Borg A. , Bonnici G. , Zhang Y. , Pace N. , Mamo J. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBackgroundObesity is a global epidemic with the Mediterranean island of Malta being no exception. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Malta as one of the European countries with the highest obesity prevalence.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted (2014–2016) under the auspices of the University of Malta. The prevalence of overweight‐obesity in Malta was calculated and then age stratified for comparisons with previous studies.ResultsThe study identified 69.75% (95% CI: 68.32–71.18) of the Maltese population to be either overweight or obese. The men overweight/obese prevalence (76.28% 95% CI: 74.41–78.14) was statistically higher than that for women (63.06% 95% CI: 60.92–65.20) (p = 0.0001). Age stratification revealed that both genders had the highest overweight prevalence rates between 55 and 64 years (Men = 23.25% 95% CI: 20.43–26.33; Women = 24.68% 95% CI: 21.44–28.22). Men obesity prevalence rates were highest in the 35 to 44 years group (22.52% 95% CI: 19.65–25.68) while for women it was highest in the 55 to 64 years group (28.90%, 95% CI: 25.44–30.63).ConclusionOver a 35‐year period, an overall decrease in the normal and overweight BMI categories occurred with an increase in the prevalence of obesity. An exception was observed in the women, where the prevalence of normal BMI increased over this time period. Also, it appears that while the total population obesity prevalence increased (for 2016), a percentage of the women have shifted from an obese to an overweight status.
Testing the School‐to‐Prison Pipeline
Authors: Owens Emily G. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe School‐to‐Prison Pipeline is a social phenomenon where students become formally involved with the criminal justice system as a result of school policies that use law enforcement, rather than discipline, to address behavioral problems. A potentially important part of the School‐to‐Prison Pipeline is the use of sworn School Resource Officers (SROs), but there is little research on the causal effect of hiring these officers on school crime or arrests. Using credibly exogenous variation in the use of SROs generated by federal hiring grants specifically to place law enforcement in schools, I find evidence that law enforcement agencies learn about more crimes in schools upon receipt of a grant, and are more likely to make arrests for those crimes. This primarily affects children under the age of 15. However, I also find evidence that SROs increase school safety, and help law enforcement agencies make arrests for drug crimes occurring on and off school grounds.
Main‐chain alternating fullerene and dye oligomers for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Stephen Meera , Dowland Simon , Gregori Alberto , Ramanitra Hasina H , Santos Silva Hugo , Combe Craig MS , Bégué Didier , Dagron‐Lartigau Christine , Morse Graham E , Genevičius Kristijonas , Arlauskas Kestutis , Juška Gytis , Distler Andreas , Hiorns Roger C 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis work demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to prepare alternating oligomers, containing both dyes and fullerenes in repeating structures, that act as electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction devices. A sterically controlled azomethine ylide cycloaddition polymerization is employed with either C60 or phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and the dye diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP). The former results in low molecular weights of around 5600 g mol−1, whereas the latter, PCBM, enables the formation of more soluble chains with higher molecular weights of ca 11 200 g mol−1. Remarkably, cyclic voltammetry shows that the incorporation of PCBM into the main‐chain raises the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital by ca 380 meV due to the in‐chain bis‐additions. The observation of the complete quenching of DPP fluorescence by the fullerene moiety, combined with computer modelling studies, indicates both electron and energy transfers between intra‐chain moieties. Proof‐of‐concept devices show low efficiencies most likely due to as‐yet‐unoptimized preparation and structures, but hint at the possibilities of these novel bi‐functionalized, in‐chain fullerenes due to their high Voc of 0.89 V with an example low‐bandgap polymer, KP115, and reasonable charge mobilities of ca 1 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1, making this new class of materials of strong interest for applications. Furthermore, their good thermal stability to above 300 °C and their stabilization of photovoltaic devices against thermal degradation confirm that this new pathway to a wide range of dye/fullerene structures is extremely promising. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A facile and controllable synthesis of dual‐crosslinked elastomers based on linear bifunctional polydimethylsiloxane oligomers
Authors: You Yang , Huang Weiyan , Zhang Anqiang , Lin Yaling 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTDual‐crosslinked supramolecular elastomers with the hybrid network consisting of hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds combine the reversibility of hydrogen bond and mechanical properties of covalent crosslinking network. In this article, isocyanate mixture is used as curing agent to prepare dual‐crosslinked elastomer based on bifunctional polydimethylsiloxane under mild condition. This method can effectively build up a hybrid network with the designed structure. A series of elastomers with same hydrogen bond density and variable covalent crosslinking degree are obtained. Swelling measurements and 1H‐NMR spectra confirm the feasibility and controllability of curing method, the increasing of bifunctional isocyanate give rise to higher covalent crosslinking degree, improving the solvent resistance. The studies on viscoelastic property show that the introduction of an irreversible covalent crosslinking network stabilize the hybrid network, restrain the chain movement. The mechanical and self‐healing property studies reveal that the covalent crosslink significantly reinforce the whole network, while the reparable strength seems to mainly depend on the hydrogen bond density. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 3760–3768
Particulate emissions from the combustion of birch, beech, and spruce logs cause different cytotoxic responses in A549 cells
Authors: Kasurinen Stefanie , Jalava Pasi I. , Happo Mikko S. , Sippula Olli , Uski Oskari , Koponen Hanna , Orasche Jürgen , Zimmermann Ralf , Jokiniemi Jorma , Hirvonen Maija‐Riitta 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTAccording to the World Health Organization particulate emissions from the combustion of solid fuels caused more than 110,000 premature deaths worldwide in 2010. Log wood combustion is the most prevalent form of residential biomass heating in developed countries, but it is unknown how the type of wood logs used in furnaces influences the chemical composition of the particulate emissions and their toxicological potential. We burned logs of birch, beech and spruce, which are used commonly as firewood in Central and Northern Europe in a modern masonry heater, and compared them to the particulate emissions from an automated pellet boiler fired with softwood pellets. We determined the chemical composition (elements, ions, and carbonaceous compounds) of the particulate emissions with a diameter of less than 1 µm and tested their cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, inflammatory potential, and ability to induce oxidative stress in a human lung epithelial cell line. The chemical composition of the samples differed significantly, especially with regard to the carbonaceous and metal contents. Also the toxic effects in our tested endpoints varied considerably between each of the three log wood combustion samples, as well as between the log wood combustion samples and the pellet combustion sample. The difference in the toxicological potential of the samples in the various endpoints indicates the involvement of different pathways of toxicity depending on the chemical composition. All three emission samples from the log wood combustions were considerably more toxic in all endpoints than the emissions from the pellet combustion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1487–1499, 2017.
Comparative Study of the Physicochemical Properties of FAME from Seed Oils of Some Native Species of Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Coutinho Diogenes José Gusmão , Barbosa Mariana Oliveira , de Souza Renata Janaína Carvalho , da Silva Adervando Sebastião , da Silva Suzene Izídio , de Oliveira Antonio Fernando Morais 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe rapid decline in fossil fuel reserves in the world, rising oil prices, and growing concerns about the increase in pollutant gas emissions from this type of energy, have led to the exploration of new energy sources for the production of alternative fuels. The use of vegetable oils as a low‐cost raw material for biodiesel production is an effective way to reduce biodiesel costs. This paper reports on the production and biodiesel properties of the seed oils of six native species belonging to different families of plants from the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil. The results are compared with those obtained from traditional crops such as soybean and olive. The relative oil content of the seeds ranged from 31.5 to 67.4 %, while the biodiesel yield from these oils ranged from 93.2 to 97.6 wt%. The fatty acid composition is mainly constituted of oleic acid in three species (Cissampelos andromorpha, Rauwolfia grandiflora, and Tabernaemontana flavicans), eicosenoic acid in two species (Serjania caracasana and Serjania salzmanniana) and palmitic acid in Protium heptaphyllum. The physicochemical parameters of oil (density, viscosity, % FFA, and % of linolenic acid) and biodiesel (density, viscosity, acid number, copper strip corrosion, flash point, sulfur content, sulfated ash, water, oxidative stability, free and total glycerin) were in agreement with ASTM 6751 and EN 14214 standards. The fatty acid composition, biodiesel yield, oil, and biodiesel properties of the six native species studied demonstrate the high potential for producing alternative fuel in conventional diesel engines.
Nebulized C1-Esterase Inhibitor does not Reduce Pulmonary Complement Activation in Rats with Severe Streptococcus Pneumoniae Pneumonia
Authors: de Beer Friso , Lagrand Wim , Glas Gerie J. , Beurskens Charlotte J. P. , van Mierlo Gerard , Wouters Diana , Zeerleder Sacha , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , Juffermans Nicole P. , Horn Janneke , Schultz Marcus J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractComplement activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pneumonia. We hypothesized that inhibition of the complement system in the lungs by repeated treatment with nebulized plasma-derived human C1-esterase inhibitor reduces pulmonary complement activation and subsequently attenuates lung injury and lung inflammation. This was investigated in a rat model of severeStreptococcus pneumoniaepneumonia. Rats were intra–tracheally challenged withS. pneumoniaeto induce pneumonia. Nebulized C1-esterase inhibitor or saline (control animals) was repeatedly administered to rats, 30 min before induction of pneumonia and every 6 h thereafter. Rats were sacrificed 20 or 40 h after inoculation with bacteria. Brochoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were obtained for measuring levels of complement activation (C4b/c), lung injury and inflammation. Induction of pneumonia was associated with pulmonary complement activation (C4b/c at 20 h 1.24 % [0.56–2.59] and at 40 h 2.08 % [0.98–5.12], compared to 0.50 % [0.07–0.59] and 0.03 % [0.03–0.03] in the healthy control animals). The functional fraction of C1-INH was detectable in BALF, but no effect was found on pulmonary complement activation (C4b/c at 20 h 0.73 % [0.16–1.93] and at 40 h 2.38 % [0.54–4.19]). Twenty hours after inoculation, nebulized C1-esterase inhibitor treatment reduced total histology score, but this effect was no longer seen at 40 h. Nebulized C1-esterase inhibitor did not affect other markers of lung injury or lung inflammation. In this negative experimental animal study, severeS. pneumoniaepneumonia in rats is associated with pulmonary complement activation. Repeated treatment with nebulized C1-esterase inhibitor, although successfully delivered to the lungs, does not affect pulmonary complement activation, lung inflammation or lung injury.
Body Art and the Perioperative Process
Authors: Dunn Debra 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBody modification, also known as body art, has been a common cultural practice for thousands of years and includes body piercings, transdermal and subdermal implants, tattoos, scarification, body stretching and sculpting, dental grills, and nail art. Perioperative nurses must learn more about body art to provide nonjudgmental, nonprejudicial care and to ensure patient safety when they prepare patients for surgery. A welcoming environment engages patients and fosters communication so that patients are more likely to share hidden body art. It is also necessary for the preoperative nurse to communicate with the perioperative team about patients’ body art to avoid airway complications, tissue trauma, pressure ulcers, burns, postoperative surgical site infections, or distorted fluoroscopy or magnetic resonance images. Identifying patients' body art in advance allows the perioperative team to be better prepared to deliver safe care.
Totally Endoscopic Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: McCarthy James R. , Guy T. Sloane 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMitral valve dysfunction can seriously impair patients’ lives and may require valve repair or replacement. Surgery can be performed using techniques including sternotomy; right thoracotomy with or without robot assistance; and the totally endoscopic robotic technique, which requires percutaneous techniques, femoral cannulation, and endovascular aortic cross‐clamping. The totally endoscopic robotic technique has been facilitated by minimally invasive surgical techniques, the evolution of endoscopic techniques, and the development of surgical robots. These advances have enhanced the view of the surgical field and provide better exposure for the repair or replacement of the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus. This article describes the totally endoscopic robotic approach to mitral valve surgery as performed at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Assessing the Risk of Hospital-AcquiredClostridium DifficileInfection With Proton Pump Inhibitor Use: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Arriola Vanessa , Tischendorf Jessica , Musuuza Jackson , Barker Anna , Rozelle Jeffrey W. , Safdar Nasia 
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUNDClostridium difficileis the principal infectious cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and accounts for 12% of hospital-acquired infections. Recent literature has shown an increased risk ofC. difficileinfection (CDI) with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use.OBJECTIVETo conduct a systematic assessment of the risk of hospital-acquired CDI following exposure to PPI.METHODSWe searched multiple databases for studies examining the relationship between PPI and hospital-acquired CDI. Pooled odds ratios were generated and assessment for heterogeneity performed.RESULTSWe found 23 observational studies involving 186,033 cases that met eligibility criteria. Across studies, 10,307 cases of hospital-acquired CDI were reported. Significant heterogeneity was present; therefore, a random effects model was used. The pooled odds ratio was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.52–2.14), favoring higher risk of CDI with PPI use. Significant heterogeneity was present, likely due to differences in assessment of exposure, study population, and definition of CDI.DISCUSSIONThis meta-analysis suggests PPIs significantly increase the risk of hospital-acquired CDI. Given the significant health and economic burden of CDI and the risks of PPI, optimization of PPI use should be included in a multifaceted approach to CDI prevention.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2016;1408–1417
Growth and breakdown of wave packets in a high-speed boundary layer
Authors: Shiplyuk Aleksandr N. 
Published: October 2016

The recent study of Laurence et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 797, 2016, pp. 471–503) develops a new Schlieren-based technique for investigating instabilities and transition in hypersonic boundary layers. This method enables pioneering measurements in a reflected-shock wind tunnel of the characteristics of the second mode of instability on a slender cone, within very short time scales (approximately 1 ms). The visualization technique was shown to resolve the structural evolution of individual wave packets. It was revealed that the disturbance strength concentrates near the wall for high-enthalpy conditions.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ADAPTED YAM MINISETT TECHNIQUE IN NIGERIA – PLANTING DATE AND GENDER OF THE FARMER
Authors: MORSE STEPHEN , McNAMARA NORA 
Published: September 2016

SUMMARYThis paper describes the results of 3 year's data from farmers using the Adaptive Yam Minisett Technique (AYMT) to produce seed yams in Nigeria. A total of 30 sites were established each year between 2013 and 2015 in the Idah area (Kogi State) of Nigeria and 58 plots in the Amoke area (Benue State) in 2015. Each site had yam setts (80 to 100 g) untreated and treated with a pesticide ‘dip’ prior to planting and farmers (male and female) were free to select the variety and manage the sites as they wished. In line with previous research, the results suggest that treatment does increase the weight of tubers produced by a sett but not necessarily the number of tubers. Varietal differences were also observed. For the first time, the results suggest that the time of planting does have a significant impact on seed tuber weight, with later planting leading to small tubers. Also, the gender of the farmer had an impact on some of the agronomic variables, with male owners of the site generally producing more and larger tubers per sett planted and sprouted than female owners. Various mechanisms for the latter are discussed in the paper.
Response of the Endangered red panda Ailurus fulgens fulgens to anthropogenic disturbances, and its distribution in Phrumsengla National Park, Bhutan
Authors: Dendup Pema , Cheng Ellen , Lham Choki , Tenzin Ugyen 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAcross much of Asia protected areas have a dual objective of conserving biodiversity and supporting rural and indigenous livelihoods. For the red panda Ailurus fulgens and other sensitive species of concern, even limited anthropogenic disturbance may influence their use of protected areas. We quantified the prevalence of timber collection and livestock grazing, and their impacts on red panda habitat use, in Phrumsengla National Park, Bhutan. Red pandas used sites with at least 20% bamboo cover, as evidenced by presence of their faecal pellets. They avoided sites disturbed by livestock, regardless of bamboo availability. Timber collection itself was not an important predictor of red panda presence but bamboo may be harvested opportunistically from sites where timber is collected. Conservation efforts for the red panda should not rely on protected areas alone but should explicitly consider and mitigate impacts of anthropogenic disturbances in protected areas.
The IUCN Wild Pig Challenge 2015
Authors: Linkie Matthew , Ng Jasline , Lim Zhi Qi , Lubis Muhammad I. , Rademaker Mark , Meijaard Erik 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAsian mammal species are facing unprecedented pressures from hunting and habitat conversion. Efforts to mitigate these threats often focus on charismatic large-bodied species, while many other species or even guilds receive less attention, particularly Asian wild pigs. To address this we developed a rapid questionnaire survey and administered it to relevant experts to identify the presence, population trends and conservation needs of Asia's 11 threatened wild pig species. The results highlighted geographical differences within species (e.g. the near collapse of bearded pig populations in Peninsular Malaysia yet their widespread presence on Borneo), and knowledge gaps for many endemic species of the Philippines, notably the Critically Endangered Visayan warty pig Sus cebifrons. To support field-based conservation projects, we identified 66 medium-to-large zoos in Asia, Europe and the USA that house Asian wild pigs and have applicable conservation funding schemes. Our rapid survey method, which yielded 170 wild pig records from across Asia, proved effective in filling many of the existing knowledge gaps, and may be widely applicable in assessing the status and needs of other non-flagship threatened species.
Impeccability and perfect virtue
Authors: HENDERSON LUKE 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWhatever else a theory of impeccability assumes about the moral life of heavenly agents, it seems to imply something about the type of actions possible for such agents, along with the quality of their moral characters. Regarding these characters, there are many that have argued impeccable and heavenly agents must also be perfectly virtuous agents. Michael Slote has recently argued, however, that perfect virtue is impossible. Assuming Slote's argument is successful, a theory of impeccability that relies on the possibility of perfect virtue would be greatly harmed, even to the point of incoherence. My intent here is to defend the coherence of the doctrine of impeccability, at least as it applies to the moral life of heavenly agents.
Ulysses Is Not the Hero of Troilus and Cressida
Authors: Spiekerman Tim 
Published: September 2016

AbstractShakespeare's Troilus and Cressida is a notoriously bleak and problematic play: a dark comedy, a witty tragedy, an X-rated romance. A love story set during the Trojan War, the play appears to treat both love and war with utter cynicism. Ulysses drives the plot, craftily luring a despondent Achilles back onto the battlefield, and exposing Troilus to the betrayal of his beloved Cressida. A world-class manipulator and debunker of love and honor, Ulysses casts a shadow over this sour play, though he seems curiously unaffected by his skeptical outlook. A few critics have argued that Ulysses is the hero of Troilus and Cressida, a clear-sighted philosopher who may well speak for Shakespeare himself. I will argue against that view. I will also suggest that Troilus, if not the hero of this play, is perhaps its only sympathetic character.