bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability and magnetically induced heating behavior of lipid-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Allam Ayat A , Sadat Md Ehsan , Potter Sarah J , Mast David B , Mohamed Dina F , Habib Fawzia S , Pauletti Giovanni M 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticles that are currently explored for various biomedical applications exhibit a high propensity to minimize total surface energy through aggregation. This study introduces a unique, thermoresponsive nanocomposite design demonstrating substantial colloidal stability of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (SPIONs) due to a surface-immobilized lipid layer. Lipid coating was accomplished in different buffer systems, pH 7.4, using an equimolar mixture of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and l-α-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG). Particle size and zeta potential were measured by dynamic laser light scattering. Heating behavior within an alternating magnetic field was compared between the commercial MFG-1000 magnetic field generator at 7 mT (1 MHz) and an experimental, laboratory-made magnetic hyperthermia system at 16.6 mT (13.7 MHz). The results revealed that product quality of lipid-coated SPIONs was significantly dependent on the colloidal stability of uncoated SPIONs during the coating process. Greatest stability was achieved at 0.02 mg/mL in citrate buffer (mean diameter = 80.0 ± 1.7 nm; zeta potential = -47.1 ± 2.6 mV). Surface immobilization of an equimolar DPPC/DPPG layer effectively reduced the impact of buffer components on particle aggregation. Most stable suspensions of lipid-coated nanoparticles were obtained at 0.02 mg/mL in citrate buffer (mean diameter = 179.3 ± 13.9 nm; zeta potential = -19.1 ± 2.3 mV). The configuration of the magnetic field generator significantly affected the heating properties of fabricated SPIONs. Heating rates of uncoated nanoparticles were substantially dependent on buffer composition but less influenced by particle concentration. In contrast, thermal behavior of lipid-coated nanoparticles within an alternating magnetic field was less influenced by suspension vehicle but dramatically more sensitive to particle concentration. These results underline the advantages of lipid-coated SPIONs on colloidal stability without compromising magnetically induced hyperthermia properties. Since phospholipids are biocompatible, these unique lipid-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles offer exciting opportunities as thermoresponsive drug delivery carriers for targeted, stimulus-induced therapeutic interventions.

PACS

7550Mw; 7575Cd; 8185Qr
Structure deformation of indium oxide from nanoparticles into nanostructured polycrystalline films by in situ thermal radiation treatment
Authors: Chong Su Kong , Azizan Siti Nur Azieani , Chan Kee Wah , Nguyen Hong-Quan , Chiu Wee Siong , Aspanut Zarina , Dee Chang Fu , Rahman Saadah Abdul 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A microstructure deformation of indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles by an in situ thermal radiation treatment in nitrous oxide plasma was investigated. The In2O3 nanoparticles were completely transformed into nanostructured In2O3 films upon 10 min of treatment time. The treated In2O3 nanoparticle sample showed improvement in crystallinity while maintaining a large surface area of nanostructure morphology. The direct transition optical absorption at higher photon energy and the electrical conductivity of the In2O3 nanoparticles were significantly enhanced by the treatment.
Low-temperature precipitation synthesis of flower-like ZnO with lignin amine and its optical properties
Authors: Miao Ting-Ting , Sun Dong-Xiao , Guo Yuan-Ru , Li Chuan , Ma Yan-Li , Fang Gui-Zhen , Pan Qing-Jiang 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A facile precipitation method has been developed to synthesize ZnO with [bis(2-aminoethyl)amino]methyl lignin (lignin amine) that is chemically modified from low-cost pulp industrial lignin. The obtained ZnO crystallites have been characterized to exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and their sizes have been determined at ca. 24 nm (mean value). These ZnO nanocrystallites are of high purity and well crystallized. Our present synthetic approach apparently exempts the commonly used calcining purification procedure. It is found that the morphology of ZnO and its specific surface area are capable of being tuned by varying the added lignin amine amount. Using the optimal 10 mL lignin amine, the synthesized ZnO exhibits flower-like morphology with proper specific surface area. Additionally, photoluminescence property of the obtainable ZnO displays two emissive bands at 383 nm (sharp) and in the range of 480 to 600 nm (broad) at room temperature. Their intensities were revealed to depend on the added lignin amine amount as well as on the molar ratio of Zn2+/OH-. The present investigation demonstrates that our method is simple, eco-friendly, and cost-effective for the synthesis of small-size ZnO materials.
PAPR reduction of OFDM using invasive weed optimization-based optimal peak reduction tone set selection
Authors: Hung Ho-Lung , Cheng Chung-Hsen , Huang Yung-Fa 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Tone reservation (TR) is one of the attractive techniques to reduce peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system. As conventional TR technique requires exhaustive searching over all the combinations of the given peak reduction tone (PRT) sets, it results in computational complexity that increases exponentially with the number of the subcarriers. In this paper, we aim to obtain a desirable PAPR reduction with low computational complexity. Since the process of searching the optimal PRT set can be categorized as combinatorial optimization with some variables and constraints, we propose a novel scheme, which is based on a nonlinear optimization approach named as invasive weed optimization method, to search the optimal combination of PRT set with low complexity. To validate the analytical results, extensive simulations have been conducted, showing that the proposed schemes can achieve significant reduction in computational complexity while keeping good PAPR reduction. As results of simulations, the proposed scheme shows almost the same PAPR reduction performance as compared with the genetic algorithm-based TR method which has been known to have the best performance and obtains near-optimal PRT sets.
An embedded multichannel telemetry unit for bone strain monitoring
Authors: Moiz Fahad , Kumar Sharika , Leon-Salas Walter D , Johnson Mark 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
An embedded telemetry unit for bone strain monitoring is presented. The telemetry unit is designed using commercially available components to lower design time and manufacturing costs. The unit can read up to eight strain gauges and measures 2.4 cm × 1.3 cm × 0.7 cm. The unit is powered from a small Li-polymer battery that can be recharged wirelessly through tissue, making it suitable for implanted applications. The average current consumption of the telemetry unit is 1.9 mA while transmitting at a rate of 75 kps and at a sampling rate of 20 Hz. The telemetry unit also features a power-down mode to minimize its power consumption when it is not in use. The telemetry unit operates in the 915-MHz ISM radio band. The unit was tested in an ex vivo setting with an ulna bone from a mouse and in a simulated in vivo setting with a phantom tissue. Bone strain data collected ex vivo shows that the telemetry unit can measure strain with an accuracy comparable to a more expensive benchtop data acquisition system.
Clinical, laboratory and molecular signs of immunodeficiency in patients with partial oculo-cutaneous albinism
Authors: Dotta Laura , Parolini Silvia , Prandini Alberto , Tabellini Giovanna , Antolini Maddalena , Kingsmore Stephen F , Badolato Raffaele 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Hypopigmentation disorders that are associated with immunodeficiency feature both partial albinism of hair, skin and eyes together with leukocyte defects. These disorders include Chediak Higashi (CHS), Griscelli (GS), Hermansky-Pudlak (HPS) and MAPBP-interacting protein deficiency syndromes. These are heterogeneous autosomal recessive conditions in which the causal genes encode proteins with specific roles in the biogenesis, function and trafficking of secretory lysosomes. In certain specialized cells, these organelles serve as a storage compartment. Impaired secretion of specific effector proteins from that intracellular compartment affects biological activities. In particular, these intracellular granules are essential constituents of melanocytes, platelets, granulocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Thus, abnormalities affect pigmentation, primary hemostasis, blood cell counts and lymphocyte cytotoxic activity against microbial pathogens. Among eight genetically distinct types of HPS, only type 2 is characterized by immunodeficiency. Recently, a new subtype, HPS9, was defined in patients presenting with immunodeficiency and oculocutaneous albinism, associated with mutations in the pallidin-encoding gene, PLDN.
Hypopigmentation together with recurrent childhood bacterial or viral infections suggests syndromic albinism. T and NK cell cytotoxicity are generally impaired in patients with these disorders. Specific clinical and biochemical phenotypes can allow differential diagnoses among these disorders before molecular testing. Ocular symptoms, including nystagmus, that are usually evident at birth, are common in patients with HPS2 or CHS. Albinism with short stature is unique to MAPBP-interacting protein (MAPBPIP) deficiency, while hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) mainly suggests a diagnosis of CHS or GS type 2 (GS2). Neurological disease is a long-term complication of CHS, but is uncommon in other syndromic albinism. Chronic neutropenia is a feature of HPS2 and MAPBPIP-deficiency syndrome, whereas it is usually transient in CHS and GS2. In every patient, an accurate diagnosis is required for prompt and appropriate treatment, particularly in patients who develop HLH or in whom bone marrow transplant is required. This review describes the molecular and pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases, focusing on clinical and biochemical aspects that allow early differential diagnosis.
The phylogeny of the Orthoptera (Insecta) as deduced from mitogenomic gene sequences
Authors: Zhang Hong-Li , Huang Yuan , Lin Li-Liang , Wang Xiao-Yang , Zheng Zhe-Min 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe phylogeny of the Orthoptera was analyzed based on 6 datasets from 47 orthopteran mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). The phylogenetic signals in the mitogenomes were rigorously examined under analytical regimens of maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), along with how gene types and different partitioning schemes influenced the phylogenetic reconstruction within the Orthoptera. The monophyly of the Orthoptera and its two suborders (Caelifera and Ensifera) was consistently recovered in the analyses based on most of the datasets we selected, regardless of the optimality criteria.ResultsWhen the seven NADH dehydrogenase subunits were concatenated into a single alignment (NADH) and were analyzed; a near-identical topology to the traditional morphological analysis was recovered, especially for BI_NADH. In both the concatenated cytochrome oxidase (COX) subunits and COX + cytochrome b (Cyt b) datasets, the small extent of sequence divergence seemed to be helpful for resolving relationships among major Orthoptera lineages (between suborders or among superfamilies). The conserved and variable domains of ribosomal (r)RNAs performed poorly when respectively analyzed but provided signals at some taxonomic levels.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the best phylogenetic inferences can be made when moderately divergent nucleotide data from mitogenomes are analyzed, and that the NADH dataset was suited for studying orthopteran phylogenetic relationships at different taxonomic levels, which may have been due to the larger amount of DNA sequence data and the larger number of phylogenetically informative sites.
A novel antifungal protein of Bacillus subtilis B25
Authors: Tan Zhiqiong , Lin Baoying , Zhang Rongyi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Bacillus subtilis B25 was isolated from banana rhizosphere soil. It has been confirmed for B25 to have stronger antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense, Additionally B25 has good inhibitory to plant pathogens, including Corynespora cassiicola, Alternaria solani, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The antagonistic substance can be extracted from cell-free culture broth supernatants by 70% (w/v) (NH4)2 SO4 saturation. Clear blank band was observed between the protein and a pathogen. The examination of antagonistic mechanism under light microscope showed that the antifungal protein of B25 appeared to inhibit pathogens by leading to mycelium and spores tumescence, distortion, abnormality. The isolation procedure comprised ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex Fast Flow and gel filtration chromatography on SephadexG-100. The purified antifungal fraction showed a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The active fraction was identified by NanoLC-ESI-MS/MS The amino acid sequences of 17 peptides segments were obtained. The analysis of the protein suggested that it was a hypothetical protein (gi154685475), with a relative molecular mass of 38708.67 Da and isoelectric point (pI) of 5.63.
Termination-of-resuscitation rule for emergency department physicians treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: an observational cohort study
Authors: Goto Yoshikazu , Maeda Tetsuo , Goto Yumiko Nakatsu 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines recommend emergency medical services (EMS) personnel consider prehospital termination-of-resuscitation (TOR) rules for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) following basic life support and/or advanced life support efforts in the field. However, the rate of implementation of international TOR rules is still low. Here, we aimed to develop and validate a new TOR rule for emergency department physicians to replace the international TOR rules for EMS personnel in the field. This rule aims to guide physicians in deciding whether to withhold further resuscitation attempts or terminate on-going resuscitation immediately after patient arrival.

Methods
We analyzed data prospectively collected in a nationwide Utstein-style Japanese database between 2005 and 2009, from 495,607 adult patients with OHCA. Patients were divided into development (n = 390,577) and validation (n = 105,030) groups. The main outcome measures were specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the newly developed TOR rule.

Results
We developed a new TOR rule that includes 3 criteria based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis for predicting a 1-month death after OHCA: no prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 25.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24.7–26.9), unshockable initial rhythm (adjusted OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.54–3.01), and unwitnessed by bystanders (adjusted OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 2.09–2.28). The specificity, PPV, and area under the ROC curve for this new TOR rule for predicting 1-month death in the validation group were 0.903 (95% CI, 0.894–0.911), 0.993 (95% CI, 0.992–0.993), and 0.874 (95% CI, 0.872–0.876), respectively.

Conclusions
We developed and validated a new TOR rule for emergency department physicians consisting of 3 prehospital variables (no prehospital ROSC, unshockable initial rhythm, and unwitnessed by bystanders) that is a >99% predictor of very poor outcome. However, the implementation of this new rule in other countries or EMS systems requires further validation studies.
Chasing maximal performance: a cautionary tale from the celebrated jumping frogs of Calaveras County
Authors: Astley H. C. , Abbott E. M. , Azizi E. , Marsh R. L. , Roberts T. J. 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARY
Maximal performance is an essential metric for understanding many aspects of an organism's biology, but it can be difficult to determine because a measured maximum may reflect only a peak level of effort, not a physiological limit. We used a unique opportunity provided by a frog jumping contest to evaluate the validity of existing laboratory estimates of maximum jumping performance in bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). We recorded video of 3124 bullfrog jumps over the course of the 4-day contest at the Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee, and determined jump distance from these images and a calibration of the jump arena. Frogs were divided into two groups: ‘rental’ frogs collected by fair organizers and jumped by the general public, and frogs collected and jumped by experienced, ‘professional’ teams. A total of 58% of recorded jumps surpassed the maximum jump distance in the literature (1.295 m), and the longest jump was 2.2 m. Compared with rental frogs, professionally jumped frogs jumped farther, and the distribution of jump distances for this group was skewed towards long jumps. Calculated muscular work, historical records and the skewed distribution of jump distances all suggest that the longest jumps represent the true performance limit for this species. Using resampling, we estimated the probability of observing a given jump distance for various sample sizes, showing that large sample sizes are required to detect rare maximal jumps. These results show the importance of sample size, animal motivation and physiological conditions for accurate maximal performance estimates.
Damage Analysis of Service Exposed Reformer Tubes in Petrochemical Industries
Authors: Raj A. , Goswami B. , Kumar S.B. , Krishna G. , Roy N. , Ray A.K. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAccelerated creep or stress rupture data is used for remaining life assessment for life management studies of elevated temperature components, e.g. for reformer tubes where packed nickel catalysts are used for synthesis of hydrogen, ammonia etc. This research has become a regular task because of large range of time for failure (3 to 15 years) compared to designed life (11.4 years or 100,000 hours) and huge loss associated to damage, production and safety hazards. Utilization of appropriate inspection during plant shut down has been strategic short term life assessment. Tests have been typically done by high temperature mechanical properties, microstructure analysis and accelerated creep. Inspection of micro-cracks, hot spot formation, carburization/metal dusting for inner wall and oxidation, tube diameter increment for outer wall inspection have been traditional symptoms of expiry of tubes after service exposure. Aim of this review has been to study damage analysis of reformer tube in response to so wide time frame for failures and accidents involved, even after stipulation of designed time schedules.
High cortisol and cortisone levels are associated with breast milk dioxin concentrations in Vietnamese women
Authors: Kido Teruhiko , Dao Tung Van , Ho Manh Dung , Duc Dang Nhu , Pham Ngoc Thien , Okamoto Rie , Pham Tai The , Maruzeni Shoko , Nishijo Muneko , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Honma Seijiro , Le Son Ke , Nguyen Hung Ngoc 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveDioxin (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins+polychlorinated dibenzofurans) is one of the most toxic chemical substances known. Although it is suspected to cause endocrine disruption, very few epidemiological studies have been carried out on its effects on human steroid hormones. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association of dioxin exposure with steroid hormone levels in the saliva and serum of Vietnamese women.Study designTwo areas, namely Phu Cat (hot spot) and Kim Bang (nonexposed area), were selected for the study. The study subjects consisted of 51 and 58 women respectively. Saliva, blood, and breast milk samples were collected from the subjects in both the areas.MethodsCortisol, cortisone, DHEA, androstenedione, estrone, and estradiol levels in serum and saliva were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry; dioxin concentrations in breast milk were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.ResultsDioxin concentrations in the breast milk of women from the dioxin hot spot were three to four times higher than those in the breast milk of women from the nonexposed area. Good correlations were found between the levels of six steroid hormones in saliva and those in serum respectively. Salivary and serum cortisol and cortisone levels in women from the dioxin hot spot were significantly higher than those in women from the nonexposed area (P<0.001) and those in all the subjects were positively associated with dioxin concentrations in Vietnamese women (P<0.01).ConclusionThese results suggest that dioxin influences steroidogenesis in humans. Saliva samples can be used for hormone analysis and are therefore excellent specimens in epidemiological studies.
Developing Monolithically Integrated CdTe Devices Deposited by AP-MOCVD
Authors: Rugen-Hankey S.L. , Barrioz V. , Clayton A. J. , Kartopu G. , Irvine S.J.C. , White C. , Rutterford G. , Foster-Turner G. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThin film deposition process and integrated scribing technologies are key to forming large area Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) modules. In this paper, baseline Cd1-xZnxS/CdTe solar cells were deposited by atmospheric-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (AP-MOCVD) onto commercially available ITO coated boro-aluminosilicate glass substrates. Thermally evaporated gold contacts were compared with a screen printed stack of carbon/silver back contacts in order to move towards large area modules. P2 laser scribing parameters have been reported along with a comparison of mechanical and laser scribing process for the scribe lines, using a UV Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm and 532 nm fiber laser.
Observation of Sodium Diffusion in CIGS Solar Cells with Mo/TCO/Mo Hybrid Back Contacts
Authors: Kamikawa Yukiko , Komaki Hironori , Furue Shigenori , Yamada Akimasa , Ishizuka Shogo , Matsubara Koji , Shibata Hajime , Niki Shigeru 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTCIGS solar cells were fabricated on a hybrid back contact comprised of a TCO layer (ZnO:Ga (GZO)) and Mo layers. It was discovered that an additional Mo layer introduced underneath the TCO layer promotes sodium diffusion through the TCO back contact into the upper CIGS absorber layer. Improvement in VOC and JSC values relative to those of sodium-free solar cells was achieved with the Mo/GZO/Mo hybrid back contact as a result of the enhanced sodium diffusion.
Modification of the Optical and Electrical Properties CdS Films by Annealing in Neutral and Reducing Atmospheres
Authors: Pantoja Enriquez J. , Pérez Hernandez G. , Mathew X. , Ibáñez Duharte G. , Moreira J. , Reyes Nava J. A. , Barrionuevo J. J. , Hernandez L. A. , Castillo R. , Sebastian P. J. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTCadmium sulfide (CdS) films were deposited onto glass substrates by chemical bath deposition (CBD) from a bath containing cadmium acetate, ammonium acetate, thiourea, and ammonium hydroxide. The CdS thin films were annealed in argon (neutral atmosphere) or hydrogen (reducing atmosphere) for 1 h at various temperatures (300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 °C). The changes in optical and electrical properties of annealed treated CdS thin films were analyzed. The results showed that, the band-gap and resistivity depend on the post-deposition annealing atmosphere and temperatures. Thus, it was found that these properties of the films, were found to be affected by various processes with opposite effects, some beneficial and others unfavorable. The energy gap and resistivity for different annealing atmospheres was seen to oscillate by thermal annealing. Recrystallization, oxidation, surface passivation, sublimation and materials evaporation were found the main factors of the heat-treatment process responsible for this oscillating behavior. Annealing over 400 °C was seen to degrade the optical and electrical properties of the film.