bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controlled Electrospray Generation of Nonspherical Alginate Microparticles
Authors: Jeyhani Morteza , Mak Sze Yi , Sammut Stephen , Shum Ho Cheung , Hwang Dae Kun , Tsai Scott S. H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractElectrospraying is a technique used to generate microparticles in a high throughput manner. For biomedical applications, a biocompatible electrosprayed material is often desirable. Using polymers, such as alginate hydrogels, makes it possible to create biocompatible and biodegradable microparticles that can be used for cell encapsulation, to be employed as drug carriers, and for use in 3D cell culturing. Evidence in the literature suggests that the morphology of the biocompatible microparticles is relevant in controlling the dynamics of the microparticles in drug delivery and 3D cell culturing applications. Yet, most electrospray‐based techniques only form spherical microparticles, and there is currently no widely adopted technique for producing nonspherical microparticles at a high throughput. Here, we demonstrate the generation of nonspherical biocompatible alginate microparticles by electrospraying, and control the shape of the microparticles by varying experimental parameters such as chemical concentration and the distance between the electrospray tip and the particle‐solidification bath. Importantly, we show that these changes to the experimental setup enable the synthesis of different shaped particles, and the systematic change in parameters, such as chemical concentration, result in monotonic changes to the particle aspect ratio. We expect that these results will find utility in many biomedical applications that require biocompatible microparticles of specific shapes.
Effects of temperature, soil substrate, and microbial community on carbon mineralization across three climatically contrasting forest sites
Authors: Tang Zuoxin , Sun Xiaolu , Luo Zhongkui , He Nianpeng , Sun Osbert Jianxin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHow biotic and abiotic factors influence soil carbon (C) mineralization rate (RS) has recently emerged as one of the focal interests in ecological studies. To determine the relative effects of temperature, soil substrate and microbial community on Rs, we conducted a laboratory experiment involving reciprocal microbial inoculations of three zonal forest soils, and measured RS over a 61‐day period at three temperatures (5, 15, and 25°C). Results show that both Rs and the cumulative emission of C (Rcum), normalized to per unit soil organic C (SOC), were significantly affected by incubation temperature, soil substrate, microbial inoculum treatment, and their interactions (p < .05). Overall, the incubation temperature had the strongest effect on the RS; at given temperatures, soil substrate, microbial inoculum treatment, and their interaction all significantly affected both Rs (p < .001) and Rcum (p ≤ .01), but the effect of soil substrate was much stronger than others. There was no consistent pattern of thermal adaptation in microbial decomposition of SOC in the reciprocal inoculations. Moreover, when different sources of microbial inocula were introduced to the same soil substrate, the microbial community structure converged with incubation without altering the overall soil enzyme activities; when different types of soil substrate were inoculated with the same sources of microbial inocula, both the microbial community structure and soil enzyme activities diverged. Overall, temperature plays a predominant role in affecting Rs and Rcum, while soil substrate determines the mineralizable SOC under given conditions. The role of microbial community in driving SOC mineralization is weaker than that of climate and soil substrate, because soil microbial community is both affected, and adapts to, climatic factors and soil matrix.
Lipid Degradation During Salt‐Fermented Antarctic Krill Paste Processing and Their Relationship With Lipase and Phospholipase Activities
Authors: Liu Yanjun , Tian Yingying , Cong Peixu , Chen Qinsheng , Li Hongyan , Fan Yan , Xu Jie , Wang Jingfeng , Wang Yuming , Xue Changhu 
Published: December 2017

In this study, lipid degradation during the processing of salt‐fermented Antarctic krill paste is studied by evaluating changes in physicochemical parameters, lipid content, and fatty acid composition, phospholipase (phospholipase A1 [PLA1], phospholipase A2 [PLA2], phospholipase C [PLC], and phospholipase D [PLD]) and lipase activities. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are an important source of free fatty acids (FFAs) in Antarctic krill paste, causing an increase in FFA content in the early stage of processing, while phospholipids are intensely hydrolyzed during the mid‐late stages. Lipase activities remains constant, while PLA2 and PLD activities increases during all stages of processing. The relative activities of PLA2 and PLC highly correlates with a decline in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and an increase in lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). A high correlation is also observed between relative PLD activity and increased phosphatidic acid (PA). These results suggest that lipase, PLA2, and PLD contribute to the degradation of lipids during the processing of salt‐fermented Antarctic krill paste.Practical Applications: Due to their abundance of Antarctic krill, fermentation technology can be applied to transform them into a popular condiment. The present study aimes to investigate changes in lipid composition throughout krill salt‐fermentation, and to evaluate their potential effects on fermented krill product. Knowledge of lipase activities during processing is essential to improve the quality of the end products and to further elucidate the complicated mechanisms of lipid degradation.The study of lipid degradation during processing and storage of krill products is of great concern in order to obtain products of high quality and health. Lipid degradation during the processing of salt‐fermented Antarctic krill paste is studied by evaluating changes in physicochemical parameters, lipid content, and fatty acid composition, phospholipase and lipase activities and the study provides information that Lipase, PLA2, and PLD contribute to the degradation of lipids during the processing of salt‐fermented Antarctic krill paste.
Rapid Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity of Lettuce by an E‐Tongue Based on Flow Injection Coulometry
Authors: Kongwong Pratsanee , Morozova Ksenia , Ferrentino Giovanna , Poonlarp Pichaya , Scampicchio Matteo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis work proposes the use of an electronic tongue based on flow injection coulometry for the rapid determination of the antioxidant capacity of fresh lettuce. The e‐tongue consisted of a series of 16 porous carbon electrodes, each poised at a fixed potential from +100 to +850 mV. Each injection leaded to a characteristic hydrodynamic voltammogram, whose profile reflects the composition of antioxidants. The correlation between the peak area recorded by each sensor and the 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) assay was maximum ín the range of potentials between +400 and 750 mV (R2>0.97). Accordingly, the charge measured provided a direct and simple index of the antioxidant capacity. The practical utility of such index was initially demonstrated by determining the best extraction conditions. This consisted in freeze‐drying of lettuce followed by methanolic extraction. Later, the e‐tongue was used to evaluate the effect of storage (one week at 5 °C) on lettuce. The e‐tongue revealed that lettuce lost up to 25 % of their initial antioxidant activity during storage. However, when lettuce samples were pre‐treated with fast cooling or vacuum cooling, the decrease of the antioxidant index was limited to 14 and 15 %. Overall, the e‐tongue is a rapid, simple and sensitive method for the determination of the antioxidant capacity of fresh lettuce samples. Indirectly, these findings suggest also that lettuce may serve as potential dietary sources of natural phenolic antioxidants.
A Biosensor for Genetic Modified Soybean DNA Determination via Adsorption of Anthraquinone‐2‐sulphonic Acid in Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Jamaluddin Raja Zaidatul Akhmar Raja , Heng Lee Yook , Tan Ling Ling , Chong Kwok Feng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAn electrochemical DNA biosensor for DNA determination of genetically modified (GM) soybean (CaMV 35S target genes) was developed utilizing a new detection concept based on the adsoption of anthraquinone‐2‐sulphonic acid (AQMS) on the reduced graphene oxide nano‐particles (rGO) during DNA hybridization events. The aminated DNA probe for CaMV 35S was immobilized onto poly(n‐butyl acrylate) film modified with succinimide functional groups [poly(nBA‐NAS)] via peptide covalent bond. Nanosheets of rGO were entrapped in the poly(nBA‐NAS) film to form a conducting [poly(nBA‐NAS)‐rGO] film of the DNA biosensor. Besides facilitating the electron transfer reactions, the rGO also functioned as an adsorbent for AQMS. The sensing mechanism of the proposed DNA biosensor involved measuring the oxidation current of the AQMS adsorbed on the electrode surface at −0.50 V using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) before and after a DNA hybridization event. Under optimum conditions, the DNA biosensor demonstrated a linear proportionality between AQMS oxidation signal and logarithm cDNA concentration from 1.0×10−15 M to 1.0×10−8 M target DNA with a detection limit of 6.3×10−16 M. The electrochemical DNA biosensor possessed good selectivity and a shelf life of about 40 days with relative standard deviation of reproducibility obtained in the range of 3.7–4.6% (n=5). Evaluation of the DNA biosensor using GM soybean DNA extracts showed excellent recovery percentages of 97.2–104.0.
Numerical Study on the Combined Heat and Mass Recovery Adsorption Cooling Cycle
Authors: Duong Xuan Quang , Cao Ngoc Vi , Hong Sang Woo , Ahn Sang Hyeok , Chung Jae Dong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA numerical simulation of the performance of a fin‐tube‐type adsorption bed with silica gel/water working pairs was conducted. Three models of the heat recovery cycle, the mass recovery cycle, and a combined heat and mass recovery cycle were closely examined. The main goals were to determine 1) the conditions under which these advanced cycles were most effective and 2) the optimum recovery time. Mass recovery enhanced both the coefficient of performance (COP) and specific cooling power (SCP) by up to 24 and 37.5 %, respectively, at 60 °C, and the enhancements of the COP and SCP were 5.0 and 16.0 %, respectively, at 90 °C. Heat recovery increased the COP by 12.56 %, but reduced the SCP by 10.84 % at 60 °C, whereas, at 90 °C, the COP increased by 11.83 % and SCP decreased by 5.96 %. The mass recovery is more influential at a low heating temperature than that at a high heating temperature. Therefore, in the combined heat and mass recovery cycles, the main contribution to the enhancement of the COP comes from mass recovery at lower water temperature. However, at a high heating temperature, the COP increases mainly due to heat recovery.
MicroRNA‐transcription factor interactions and their combined effect on target gene expression in colon cancer cases
Authors: Mullany Lila E. , Herrick Jennifer S. , Wolff Roger K. , Stevens John R. , Samowitz Wade , Slattery Martha L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTranscription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression: TFs by influencing messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription and miRNAs by influencing mRNA translation and transcript degradation. Additionally, miRNAs and TFs alter each other's expression, making it difficult to ascertain the effect either one has on target gene (TG) expression. In this investigation, we use a two‐way interaction model with the TF and miRNA as independent variables to investigate whether miRNAs and TFs work together to influence TG expression levels in colon cancer subjects. We used known TF binding sites and validated miRNA targets to determine potential miRNA‐TF‐TG interactions, restricting interactions to those with a TF previously associated with altered risk of colorectal cancer death. We analyzed interactions using normal colonic mucosa expression as well as differential expression, which is measured as colonic carcinoma expression minus normal colonic mucosa expression. We analyzed 3518 miRNA‐TF‐TG triplets using normal mucosa expression and 617 triplets using differential expression. Normal colonic RNA‐Seq data were available for 168 individuals; of these, 159 also had carcinoma RNA‐Seq data. Thirteen unique miRNA‐TF‐TG interactions, comprising six miRNAs, four TFs, and 11 TGs, were statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons in normal colonic mucosa, and 14 unique miRNA‐TF‐TG interactions, comprising two miRNAs, two TFs, and 13 TGs, were found for carcinoma‐normal differential expression. Our results show that TG expression is influenced by both miRNAs as well as TFs, and the influence of one regulator impacts the effect of the other on the shared TG expression.
Is CCS still relevant?
Authors: Hughes Gordon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDoes the commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage still make sense in the power generating sector when fuels, other than coal can be used? For countries where coal predominates is it worthwhile adopting what is still an expensive technology? Have governments, particularly those in the developed nations, been too reticent to say that overall, the economics don't stack up and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is just too expensive?These are some of the areas explored in a study, “The Bottomless Pit: The Economics of Carbon Capture and Storage”. In this interview, the report's author Gordon Hughes, Professor of Economics at the University of Edinburgh, tells GHGS&T about his findings. The report is published by the Global Warming Policy Foundation.
Melanoma patterns of care in Ontario: A call for a strategic alignment of multidisciplinary care
Authors: Look Hong Nicole J. , Cheng Stephanie Y. , Baxter Nancy N. , Wright Frances C. 
Published: December 2017

Background and ObjectivesVariability in melanoma management has prompted concerns about equitable and timely treatment. We investigated patterns of melanoma diagnosis and treatment using population‐level data.MethodsPatients with invasive cutaneous melanoma were identified retrospectively from the Ontario Cancer Registry (2003‐2012) and deterministically linked with administrative databases to identify incidence, disease characteristics, geographic origin, and multimodal treatment within a year of diagnosis. Melanoma treatment was categorized as inadequate or adequate based on multidisciplinary clinical algorithms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model factors associated with treatment adequacy.ResultsFrom 2003 to 2012, 22 918 patients with invasive melanoma were identified with annual age/sex standardized incidence rates of 11.7‐14.3/100 000 for females and 13.4‐15.9/100 000 for males. Melanoma occurred at median age of 62 and primarily on extremities (43.9%). Within 1 year after diagnosis, 86.7% of patients received surgery as primary therapy. A total of 2312 (10.6%) patients received inadequate or no treatment after diagnosis. Receiving adequate treatment was associated with consultation with dermatology (OR 1.92, CI 1.71‐2.14), plastic surgery (OR 4.80, CI 4.32‐5.34), or general surgery (OR 2.15, CI 1.94‐2.38).ConclusionsSignificant variation exists in melanoma management and nearly one in nine patients is inadequately treated. Referral to sub‐specialized providers is critical for ensuring appropriate care.
Rapid characterization of the absorbed chemical constituents of Tangzhiqing formula following oral administration using UHPLC–Q‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Lei , Wu Ming‐Jiang , Chen Xin‐Ze , Zhang Hong‐Min , Ding Li‐Qin , Tian Fu‐Ying , Fu Xiao‐Meng , Qiu Feng , Zhang De‐Qin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTangzhiqing formula, a Chinese herbal formula, is used for the treatment of type II diabetes and prediabetes. Although its effectiveness has been certified by clinical use, its absorbed chemical constituents are not comprehensively represented. Thence, in order to reveal potential bioactive components and metabolism of Tangzhiqing formula, an ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was developed. A total of 86 absorbed components, including 38 prototype compounds and 48 metabolites, were identified in rat plasma, urine, and feces after oral administration of Tangzhiqing formula. This was the first systematic study on the chemical constituents and metabolic profiling of Tangzhiqing formula. The results indicated that alkaloids and flavonoids were main absorbed components, and glucuronidation and sulfation were the major metabolites. Moreover we concluded that alkaloids and flavonoids first underwent demethylation and hydrolysis reactions before biotransformed to phase II metabolites. This study provided valuable data for safety estimation of Tangzhiqing formula, which will be advantageous for clinical application.
A combination of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and surface plasmon resonance sensing of gold nanoparticles for the determination of ziram pesticide
Authors: Hashemi Fatemeh , Rastegarzadeh Saadat , Pourreza Nahid 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe have developed a reliable, fast, and highly sensitive analytical method utilizing dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and gold nanoparticles probes for ziram (zinc bis(dimethyldithiocarbamate)) determination. The method is based on the in situ formation of gold nanoparticles in carbon tetrachloride as an organic phase. It was found that the trace levels of ziram influenced the formation of gold nanoparticles, leading to absorbance change of a sedimented phase. The results of the colorimetric ziram determination were in the concentration range of 0.12–2.52 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.06 ng/mL. The formation of the stable and dispersed gold nanoparticles in the organic phase provides a good precision for dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method, resulting in the relative standard deviation of 3.8 and 1.2% for 0.56 and 1.58 ng/mL of ziram, respectively. This method has been successfully used for the ziram determination in samples of well and river water, soil, potato, carrot, wheat, and paddy soil.
Determination of Intimate Composition of Theranostic Polyplexes Based on (Co)Polymers of Poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride)
Authors: Haladjova Emi , Mountrichas Grigoris , Pispas Stergios , Rangelov Stanislav 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNovel hybrid nanoparticulate systems that exhibit potential to combine therapeutic, diagnostic, and sensing modalities in a single nanoparticle are investigated. They are composed of a homopolymer of poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride) (or its copolymer with poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]), DNA, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Using the approach of classic dynamic and static light scattering, parameters such as molar mass, particle size, geometry and density, and intimate composition are determined, trying to establish what the theranostic polyplexes really carry. According to the analysis, the polyplex particles are composed of up to 154 DNA molecules and 1612 (co)polymer molecules at amino‐to‐phosphate groups ratio (N/P) of 0.5 and 1 DNA and up to 252 (co)polymer molecules at higher N/P ratios. The particle morphology is consistent with “hairy surface on a compact sphere” with density that is lower than the density of the familiar copolymer micelles. The introduction of AuNPs does not influence the density and structure of the carriers, which could be related to the low number fraction of polyplex particles carrying AuNPs. Additional data from transmission electron microscopy, electrophoretic light scattering, and analytical ultracentrifugation validate the morphology, structure, and molar mass of the theranostic nanoassemblies and confirm the conclusions derived from light scattering.
Sequential Bulk Anionic Polymerization of α‐Methylstyrene and Isoprene to Form Diblock and Triblock Copolymers
Authors: Li Yifan , Knauss Daniel M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstractα‐Methylstyrene (AMS) is determined to polymerize anionically by initiation with sec‐bultyllithium under bulk conditions with control of molecular weight depending on reaction time. Furthermore, the reactivity between AMS and isoprene in a mixture at a high AMS concentration (90% v/v) indicates a strong inclination for almost sole isoprene polymerization (>97%). The microstructure of the polyisoprene is determined to be predominately 1,4‐polyisoprene in the bulk AMS polymerization. These results afford a sequential process for the formation of diblock and triblock copolymers whereby the anionic initiation of AMS in the bulk produces a living poly(α‐methylstyrene) (PAMS) that upon addition of isoprene results in a living PAMS‐b‐polyisoprene (PAMS‐b‐PI). Triblock copolymer can be prepared by adding N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine to increase the crossover reaction to reinitiate AMS from the living diblock and form PAMS‐b‐PI‐b‐PAMS. Gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis are used to characterize the products.
Temperature‐Responsive Electrophoretic Deposition of Sulfone‐Containing Nonionic Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Kimizu Ken , Takasu Akinori 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRecently, it has been found that nonionic aliphatic and aromatic poly(ester sulfone)s show anode selective electrophoretic behavior, and it is shown that the electrophoresis is induced by a partial charge separation of the protic solvent at the dispersion interface. In this paper, the first example of temperature‐responsive electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is reported. Electrophoresis of a nonionic sulfone‐containing poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] is performed above the lower critical solution temperature. The poly(NIPAM) is prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer radical copolymerization of NIPAM with a sulfone‐containing methacrylate. After EPD, adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on the deposited surfaces is also demonstrated, aiming at the subsequent temperature‐sensitive detachment.
One‐Pot Two‐Step (First ROP, Then SET‐LRP) Synthesis of Polycaprolactone‐Polyacrylate Star Block Copolymers
Authors: Trindade Suelen G. , Bortolotto Tanize , Ciolino Andrés E. , Schmidt Vanessa , Giacomelli Cristiano 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA one‐pot, two‐step method is applied to the controlled synthesis of polyacrylate‐b‐(polycaprolactone)2 three‐arm AB2‐type star block polymers. First, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone is carried out in toluene using either stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)2) or diphenyl phosphate (DPP) as catalyst, and a multifunctional initiator featuring one bromoester and two alcohol groups. Then, single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) of methyl acrylate and isobornyl acrylate is conducted in the same reaction vessel after sequential addition of its typical reactants, apart from the (PCL)2‐Br macroinitiator generated in the first step, in either toluene/toluene + phenol or toluene/dimethyl sulfoxide solvent systems. DPP (the ROP catalyst) from the first step is found to take part in an acid–base reaction with tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (the SET‐LRP N‐ligand) in the second part, but stoichiometry could be adjusted to avoid interference and keep the controlled nature of the polymerizations. Interestingly, the electrochemically active Sn(Oct)2 ROP catalyst does not interfere with the SET‐LRP process. Well‐defined poly(methyl acrylate)‐b‐(polycaprolactone)2 and poly(isobornyl acrylate)‐b‐(polycaprolactone)2 are thus synthesized through a simple and cost‐effective experimental procedure. The technique also applies to the synthesis of linear block copolymers.