bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gram Positive Cocci Associated Urinary Tract Infections, their Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns
Authors: Afolabi Obe Oluwadamilare , Mutiu Wasiu Bamidele , Odulate Ibrahim Oladipupo , Akingbola Adewunmi 
Published: May 2024

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the third most common type of infection in humans globally. Gram-positive bacteria are said to be responsible for ten percent of urinary tract (UTI) infections. The study's goal was to profile gram-positive cocci-associated UTIs and their antibiogram, as they were observed at LASUTH.
Methods: This was a retrospective assessment of the Medical Microbiology Laboratory records of the LASUTH to review the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility patterns of gram-positive urinary bacterial isolates between April 2020 and March 2021. The bacteria were isolated and identified from routine urine samples using standard bacteriological methods and the API. In vitro antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) was routinely performed by the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test and susceptibility breakpoints were determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
Results: 2,253 urine samples were processed in the medical microbiology laboratory over the one year and 662 (29.4%) samples yielded Positive cultures. Of the 662 isolates, 494 (74.6%) were gram-negative bacteria. 164 (24.8%) were gram-positive cocci while 4 (0.6%) were gram positive rod. Among the gram-positive cocci’s isolated Enterococcus faecalis had the highest frequency 58 (35.4%). Aminoglycosides (Gentamycin and Amikacin) and Linezolid antibiotics were found to be the most effective drugs against gram-positive cocci bacteria except Enterococcus spp. For empirical treatment of Enterococcus spp in our facility Fosfomycin and Tigecycline are the best options, while for Streptococcus agalactiae associated UTI, Amikacin, Cefuroxime, Linezolid, and levofloxacin can be used for empirical treatment.
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of gram-positive cocci associated UTI in this study was 7.3% (164/2253). The emergence of drug resistance in these pathogens to commonly used antibiotics is a thing of concern. Therefore, efficient antimicrobial stewardship programmes must be in place.
Tactical Aircraft Aerodynamic Integration
Authors: Hamstra Jeffrey W. , McCallum Brent N. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn overview of tactical aircraft inlet and nozzle aerodynamic integration is provided, tracing from the mid‐1970s designs, characterized by the F‐15 and F‐16, to the most current designs, characterized by the F‐22 and F‐35. Emphasis is placed on how evolving systems engineering requirements such as survivability and affordability, coupled with new technologies and development techniques, have driven changes in the form and function of inlet and nozzle systems.
Thigh muscle strength, functional capacity, and self‐reported function in patients at high risk of knee osteoarthritis compared with controls
Authors: Thorlund Jonas Bloch , Aagaard Per , Roos Ewa M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveReduced muscle strength is suggested as a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Meniscectomy patients have an increased risk of developing knee OA. The aim of this study was to identify reductions in different aspects of muscle strength as well as objectively measured and self‐reported lower extremity function in middle‐aged patients who had undergone a meniscectomy compared with controls.MethodsThirty‐one patients who had undergone surgery in 2006 and 2007 (mean ± SD age 46 ± 6 years, mean ± SD body mass index [BMI] 26 ± 4 kg/m2, and mean ± SD postsurgery 21 ± 6 months) and 31 population‐based controls (mean ± SD age 46 ± 6 years and mean ± SD BMI 26 ± 4 kg/m2) were examined for maximal muscle strength and rapid force capacity, distance achieved during the one‐leg hop test, and the maximum number of knee bends performed in 30 seconds. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used to determine self‐reported outcomes.ResultsNo differences were detected in any muscle strength variables between the operated and nonoperated leg (mean ± SD quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction of 2.80 ± 0.10 for the operated leg and 2.88 ± 0.10 for the nonoperated leg), between patients and controls (mean ± SD torque of 2.70 ± 0.09 Nm × kg‐1 for the controls; P = 0.26 for main effect leg), or in objectively measured function (P ≥ 0.27). Patients reported 10–26 points worse KOOS scores in all 5 subscales (P < 0.001).ConclusionThigh muscle strength is not impaired in middle‐aged adults 2 years after resection of a degenerative tear. Our findings indicate that factors other than muscle strength are responsible for the perceived functional limitations and suggest that training to improve strength alone may not be sufficient to improve self‐reported function in patients at high risk of knee OA.
The Prospects of Carrying and Releasing Drugs Via Biodegradable Magnesium Foam
Authors: Aghion Eli , Yered Tal , Perez Yifat , Gueta Yael 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPowder metallurgy technology was used to produce magnesium foams in order to evaluate their ability to perform as a solid biodegradable platform for drug delivery. The amount and delivery time of the released drug (gentamicin) was controlled by the level of space‐holding particles (spacer) that was mixed with the magnesium powder prior to the sintering process. Metallurgical examination of the magnesium foams was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Microtomography CT analysis was used to evaluate the structural characteristics of the magnesium foams and their internal interconnected porosity configuration. The corrosion behavior of the magnesium foams was evaluated by immersion test in a simulated physiological environment (PBS solution). The absorption of gentamicin was obtained by immersing magnesium foams in concentrated gentamicin solutions within a vacuum chamber, followed by water evaporation. The detection of gentamicin in PBS solution was carried out using a Fluorescence Polarimetry analyzer. The results show that the release profile of gentamicin from magnesium foam with 10 and 25% spacer in PBS solution was in accord with common dissolution kinetics of an active ingredient from polymeric drug delivery systems.
Conjugated Polymers: High‐Resolution Scanning Near‐Field Optical Lithography of Conjugated Polymers (Adv. Funct. Mater. 17/2010)
Authors: Credgington Daniel , Fenwick Oliver , Charas Ana , Morgado Jorge , Suhling Klaus , Cacialli Franco 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe fabrication of high‐resolution nanostructures in both poly(p‐phenylene vinylene), PPV, and a crosslinkable derivative of poly(9,9′‐dioctylfluorene), F8, using scanning near‐field optical lithography, is reported. The ability to draw complex, reproducible structures with 65000 pixels and lateral resolution below 60 nm (< λ/5) is demonstrated over areas up to 20 μm × 20 μm. Patterning on length‐scales of this order is desirable for realizing applications both in organic nanoelectronics and nanophotonics. The technique is based on the site‐selective insolubilization of a precursor polymer under exposure to the confined optical field present at the tip of an apertured near‐field optical fiber probe. In the case of PPV, a leaving‐group reaction is utilized to achieve insolubilization, whereas the polyfluorene is insolubilized using a photoacid initiator to create a crosslinked network in situ. For PPV, resolubilization of the features is observed at high exposure energies. This is not seen for the crosslinked F8 derivative, r‐F8Ox, allowing us to pattern structures up to 200 nm in height.
Beyond Intercalation‐Based Li‐Ion Batteries: The State of the Art and Challenges of Electrode Materials Reacting Through Conversion Reactions (Adv. Mater. 35/2010)
Authors: Cabana Jordi , Monconduit Laure , Larcher Dominique , Palacín M. Rosa 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDespite the imminent commercial introduction of Li‐ion batteries in electric drive vehicles and their proposed use as enablers of smart grids based on renewable energy technologies, an intensive quest for new electrode materials that bring about improvements in energy density, cycle life, cost, and safety is still underway. This Progress Report highlights the recent developments and the future prospects of the use of phases that react through conversion reactions as both positive and negative electrode materials in Li‐ion batteries. By moving beyond classical intercalation reactions, a variety of low cost compounds with gravimetric specific capacities that are two‐to‐five times larger than those attained with currently used materials, such as graphite and LiCoO2, can be achieved. Nonetheless, several factors currently handicap the applicability of electrode materials entailing conversion reactions. These factors, together with the scientific breakthroughs that are necessary to fully assess the practicality of this concept, are reviewed in this report.
Simultaneous heat integration and the synthesis of biogas processes from animal waste
Authors: Drobež Rozalija , Novak Pintarič Zorka , Pahor Bojan , Kravanja Zdravko 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe objective of this work was to perform simultaneous heat integration and the synthesis of biogas process based on the mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model. A synthesis model recently developed by Drobež et al. [R. Drobež, Z. Novak Pintarič, B. Pahor, Z. Kravanja. Chem. Biochem. Eng. Q, 2009; 23, 445–459] has been upgraded for simultaneous heat integration. An industrial case study was solved in order to describe the mathematical model and to illustrate the heat‐integrated MINLP synthesis approach. The optimal solution indicates that during the synthesis of biogas process and when selecting the best auxiliary facilities significant benefit can be obtained if the selected process and auxiliary facilities are heat integrated. In this way almost the complete consumption of hot utility and 1/3 of cold utility can be saved, and thus most of the electricity and heat produced in the cogeneration system from biogas can be sold as surplus to the distribution networks. The proposed optimal synthesis of heat‐integrated biogas process may improve a company's economic performance and significantly reduce its environmental impact by converting environmentally harmful organic and animal wastes into valuable products. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) monomer ratio, molecular weight and hollow fibre membrane scaffold morphology
Authors: Ellis Marianne J. , Chaudhuri Julian B. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe morphological characteristics of hollow fibre membrane scaffolds are fundamental to their use for cell culture in regenerative medicine applications. This paper evaluates the morphologies of hollow fibre membrane scaffolds fabricated from six commercial poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) polymers with lactide : glycolide (PLA : PGA) molar ratios of 45:55, 50:50, 65:35, 75:25, 85:15 and 100:0. For polymers 65:35 to 100:0 (weight‐averaged molecular weight, Mw = 109–124 kDa), viscosity and effective porosity were inversely proportional to PLA content; surface roughness was proportional to PLA content and no conclusive trend was seen with outer skin thickness or mean pore size. 50:50 (Mw = 74 kDa) did not fit these trends while 45:55 (Mw = 12 kDa) was too inviscid to form a membrane. Effective porosity was also seen to be proportional to the polydispersity index (PDI). Further studies are required to investigate how the polymer properties at the molecular scale, i.e. transesterification and tacticity affect the membrane characteristics. The Mw, PLA : PGA ratio and PDI are key factors which can be selected to obtain the desired PLGA membrane morphology. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A protocol for stocking hatchery reared freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera margaritifera
Authors: Bolland J. D. , Bracken L. J. , Martin R. , Lucas M. C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFreshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritiferaL.) populations are under serious threat of extinction throughout their geographical range and only a few remnant populations are recruiting to adulthood. Consequently,M. margaritiferais classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.Several institutions across many countries have set up Ark sites at hatcheries to culture and rear youngM. margaritiferafrom population remnants, with the intention of stocking these juveniles into rivers. The release location must fulfill the habitat requirements for the full life‐cycle of the species, so they can contribute to the next generation and thus the long‐term recovery of the species. However, little research or advice exists about how to decide if river environments are suitable for stocking.A protocol is presented for determining whether aM. margaritiferapopulation will benefit from stocking hatchery reared juveniles and how to identify suitable areas. Stocking locations are considered from catchment scale to microscale using water quality (reach), macrohabitat (site) and microhabitat, including physicochemical properties of the substratum (spots).A case study of the River Esk in north‐east England, is incorporated to exemplify the myriad of considerations surrounding attempts to conserveM. margaritifera, and describes how implementation of the protocol can structure and assist stocking programmes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 1,5‐Diaryl‐1,2,4‐triazole Derivatives as Selective Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibitors
Authors: Jiang Bo , Zeng Yi , Li Meng‐Jie , Xu Jin‐Yi , Zhang Yong‐Na , Wang Qiu‐Juan , Sun Ni‐Yue , Lu Tao , Wu Xiao‐Ming 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA series of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. The results of the preliminary biological assays in vivo showed that eight compounds 5b, 6b, 6c, 7c, 8b, 8d, 9c, and 9d have potent anti‐inflammatory activity (P < 0.01), while compounds 6b, 6c, and 9c exhibit marked potency. Compound 6c was then selected for further investigation. In the COX inhibition assay in vitro, compound 6c was identified as a potent and selective inhibitor of COX‐2 (COX‐2 IC50 = 0.37 µM; SI = 0.018), being equipotent to celecoxib (COX‐2 IC50 = 0.26 µM; SI = 0.015). In a rat carrageenan‐induced paw edema assay, 6c exhibited moderate anti‐inflammatory activity (35% inhibition of inflammation) at 2 h after administration of 15 mg/kg as an oral dose. A docking study also revealed that compound 6c binds in the active site of COX‐2 in a similar mode to that of the known selective COX‐2 inhibitor SC‐558.
Zur Anwendung der logarithmischen Normalverteilung in der Materialprüfung
Authors: Schäper Michael 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDie Anwendung der logarithmischen Normalverteilung LNV in der Materialprüfung ist sinnvoll bei niedrigem Werteniveau und bei hoher Standardabweichung, wie es z. B. bei Baustoffprüfungen von Mauerwerk im Bestand häufig gegeben ist. Durchzuführen ist dabei in der Regel der Toleranzgrenzennachweis, der von der Stichprobe zum charakteristischen Wert der geprüften Baustoffeigenschaft führt.Anwendungsnormen und ‐richtlinien führen diesen Nachweis auf Basis der LNV falsch durch, wobei sich gegenüber dem geforderten Vertrauensniveau von 75 % zu günstige charakteristische Werte ergeben. Nicht berücksichtigt wird, dass die Mengen der Merkmale sowie die der Losmittelwerte der Merkmale unterschiedliche Schiefen in der Verteilung aufweisen. Der Fehler wird in Beispielen dargelegt. Es wird eine pragmatische Zwischenlösung für die Benutzung der LNV bis zum Vorliegen der fälligen überarbeitung der Normen angegeben.Application of the logarithmic normal distribution in material testing — Misleading norm statements resulting in faulty analyses. The application of the logarithmic normal distribution (LND) in material testing is useful in cases of large variation coefficients. The general task is, to gain from a sample an information of the characteristic value of the tested material property. For that in ge neral the one‐sided lower tolerance limit is calculated.German application standards and norms regulate this calculation for the use of the LND not in a correct way — the resulting characteristic values for the regular demanded confidence level of 75 % are too favourable. These calculations do not respect the different distributions with different obliquity of the tested attributes in the sample on one hand and of the mean values of all samples on the other one. This mistake in using the LND is shown in examples. A pragmatic intermediate solution is given, up to the necessary revision in the norms.
Chemiluminescent Reactions of Major Importance for the Upper Atmosphere
Authors: Harteck Paul , Reeves Robert R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA huge reservoir of oxygen atoms (and to a minor extent nitrogen atoms) is present in the upper atmosphere, extending upward from about 100 kilometers. This abundance of atoms would be sufficient for substantial illumination of the night sky if appropriate reactions could be found. In the pressure region of 1 millimeter to an atmosphere, the 2‐body collision reactions yielding light play a minor role. At pressures substantially below one millimeter, these reactions become dominant and may be the answer for this problem. A series of reactions, including nitrogen and sulfur compounds, the resulting light emission, and related problems are discussed.
Improved seeding of chondrocytes into polyglycolic acid scaffolds using semi‐static and alginate loading methods
Authors: Shahin Kifah , Doran Pauline M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCell seeding and attachment in three‐dimensional scaffolds is a key step in tissue engineering with implications for cell differentiation and tissue development. In this work, two new seeding methods were investigated using human chondrocytes and polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibrous mesh scaffolds. A simple semi‐static seeding method using culture plates and tissue flasks was developed as an easy‐to‐perform modification of static seeding. An alginate‐loading method was also studied, using alginate hydrogel as an adjuvant for entrapping cells within PGA scaffolds. Both the semi‐static and PGA–alginate methods produced more homogeneous cell distributions than conventional static and dynamic seeding. Using 20 × 106 cells, whereas the seeding efficiency for static seeding was only 52%, all other techniques produced seeding efficiencies of ≥ 90%. With 40 × 106 cells, the efficiency of semi‐static seeding declined to 74% while the dynamic and PGA–alginate methods retained their ability to accommodate high cell numbers. The seeded scaffolds were cultured in recirculation bioreactors to determine the effect of seeding method on cartilage production. Statically seeded scaffolds did not survive the 5‐week cultivation period. Deposition of extracellular matrix in scaffolds seeded using the semi‐static and PGA–alginate methods was more uniform compared with scaffolds seeded using the dynamic method. The new semi‐static and PGA–alginate seeding methods developed in this work are recommended for tissue engineering because they provide substantial benefits compared with static seeding in terms of seeding efficiency, cell distribution, and cartilage deposition while remaining simple and easy to execute. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Design and characterization of a new bioreactor for continuous ultra‐slow uniaxial distraction of a three‐dimensional scaffold‐free stem cell culture
Authors: Weiss S. , Henle P. , Roth W. , Bock R. , Boeuf S. , Richter W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA computer controlled dynamic bioreactor for continuous ultra‐slow uniaxial distraction of a scaffold‐free three‐dimensional (3D) mesenchymal stem cell pellet culture was designed to investigate the influence of stepless tensile strain on behavior of distinct primary cells like osteoblasts, chondroblasts, or stem cells without the influence of an artificial culture matrix. The main advantages of this device include the following capabilities: (1) Application of uniaxial ultra‐slow stepless distraction within a range of 0.5–250 μm/h and real‐time control of the distraction distance with high accuracy (mean error −3.4%); (2) tension strain can be applied on a 3D cell culture within a standard CO2‐incubator without use of an artificial culture matrix; (3) possibility of histological investigation without loss of distraction; (4) feasibility of molecular analysis on RNA and protein level. This is the first report on a distraction device capable of applying continuous tensile strain to a scaffold‐free 3D cell culture within physiological ranges of motion comparable to distraction ostegenesis in vivo. We expect the newly designed microdistraction device to increase our understanding on the regulatory mechanisms of mechanical strains on the metabolism of stem cells. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Mediated Activation of Tetravalent Silicon Compounds: A Critical Evaluation
Authors: Fuchter Matthew J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn overview of the recent bibliography concerning the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐mediated activation of tetravalent silicon compounds is presented. Diverse reactions are discussed, such as the NHC‐mediated addition of silyl pronucleophiles to a variety of electrophiles, NHC‐promoted organic and inorganic polymerisation and the reduction of CO2 by hydrosilanes as facilitated by NHCs. The review concludes with a discussion of the current knowledge regarding the role of Lewis acid–base NHC–Si interactions in the mechanistic course of these reactions.
Reversible Photoswitching of Rotaxane Character and Interplay of Thermodynamic Stability and Kinetic Lability in a Self‐Assembling Ring–Axle Molecular System
Authors: Baroncini Massimo , Silvi Serena , Venturi Margherita , Credi Alberto 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe have designed, synthesized, and investigated a self‐assembling system that can be reversibly interconverted between thermodynamically stable (pseudorotaxane) and kinetically inert (rotaxane) forms by light irradiation. The system is composed of a dibenzo[24]crown‐8 ring and an axle comprised of a dibenzylammonium recognition site and two azobenzene end groups. The isomeric form of the azobenzene units of the axle has a little influence on the stability constants of the respective pseudorotaxanes but greatly affects the threading–dethreading rate constants. In fact, equilibration of the ring and the axle in its EE isomeric form occurs within seconds in acetonitrile at room temperature, whereas the ZZ axle threads–dethreads the ring at least four orders of magnitude slower. Moreover, we show that a change in the stability of the complex, achieved by deprotonating the dibenzylammonium recognition site on the axle, affects its kinetic behavior. We compare the results of these experiments with those observed upon dethreading the (pseudo)rotaxane by using a competitive guest for the ring, an approach which does not inherently destabilize the ring–axle interaction. This study outlines a general strategy for the reversible photochemical control of motion kinetics in threaded and interlocked compounds and constitutes a starting point for the construction of multicomponent structures that can behave as photochemically driven nanomachines.
ChemInform Abstract: An Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Substituted 2‐Aminothiophenes via Three‐Component Gewald Reaction Catalyzed by L‐Proline.
Authors: Wang Tao , Huang Xian‐Gui , Liu Jia , Li Bo , Wu Jin‐Jin , Chen Kai‐Xian , Zhu Wei‐Liang , Xu Xiao‐Yong , Zeng Bu‐Bing 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA simple procedure is developed for the synthetically important scaffolds.