ALBERT

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Karen Gu, Lawrence Mok, Mark M.W. Chong〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The expression of any gene must be precisely controlled for appropriate function. This expression can be controlled at various levels. This includes epigenetic regulation through DNA methylation or histone modifications. At the posttranscriptional level, regulation can be via alternative splicing or controlling messenger RNA (mRNA) stability. RNA cleavage is one way to control mRNA stability. For example, microRNA (miRNA)-induced mRNA cleavage has long been recognised in plants. RNA cleavage also appears to be widespread in other kingdoms of life, and it is now clear that mRNA cleavage plays critical functions in animals. Although miRNA-induced mRNA cleavage can occur in animals, it is not a widespread mechanism. Instead, mRNA cleavage can be induced by a range of other mechanisms, including by endogenous short inhibitory RNAs (endo-siRNAs), as well as the Ribonuclease III (RNase III) enzymes Drosha and Dicer. In addition, RNA cleavage induced by endo-siRNAs and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) is important for genome defence against transposons. Moreover, several RNase has been identified as important antiviral mediators. In this review, we will discuss these various RNA endonucleolytic cleavage mechanisms utilised by animals to regulate the expression of genes and as a defence against retrotransposons and viral infection.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Seungyeon Lee, Minsung Kim, Jessica S. Mendoza, Ian M. McDonough〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A potential new clinical disorder is arising due to the addiction to cellphones called nomophobia—or feelings of discomfort or anxiety experienced by individuals when they are unable to use their mobile phones or utilize the conveniences these devices provide. However, before being able to officially classify this disorder as clinically relevant, more research needs to be conducted to determine how nomophobia relates to existing disorders. In a sample of 397 undergraduate students, the present study examined the relationship between the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the Obsessiveness Content Scale (OBS) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (the MMPI-2). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test whether the OBS Content Scale would be related to a one-factor NMP-Q solution (Fig. 1) or a four-factor NMP-Q solution (Fig. 2). Convergent and divergent validity were also investigated. The four-factor model was a better fit than the one-factor model as indicated by most fit indices. The findings showed that the OBS latent variable was correlated with all of the four NMP-Q latent variables. Mixed support was found for convergent validity, but high support was found for the divergent validity of the NMP-Q factors. This study contributes to a growing body of literature seeking to better understand the addictive nature of cellphones and takes a new perspective on addiction research and obsessiveness. These findings provide a better understanding between pre-existing assessments of personality disorders (e.g., obsessiveness) that are emerging from the overuse of mobile phones or the excessive fear of losing one's cell phone.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chiara Sanmartin, Francesca Venturi, Cristina Sgherri, Anita Nari, Monica Macaluso, Guido Flamini, Mike Frank Quartacci, Isabella Taglieri, Gianpaolo Andrich, Angela Zinnai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This research aimed to study the effects of packaging and storage temperature on the shelf-life of an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as it can occur in most points of sale. The evolution of the chemical and sensory characteristics of an EVOO, initially stored in stainless steel silos under nitrogen at 12–18 °C, was evaluated after packaging. Tinplate tin (TT) and greenish glass (GG), the most used packaging containers, and temperatures of 6 and 26 °C were taken into consideration. After 125 days from packaging all the samples maintained clearness, green and yellow reflections and the positive sensory notes of bitterness and pungency of the starting EVOO. Shelf-life of EVOO was significantly affected by different storage conditions: oil samples stored in GG at 6 °C preserved for the most part the positive attributes, whereas those stored in TT at 26 °C showed a significant presence of the rancid flavor due to oxidative processes. Moreover, samples stored in GG at 6 °C maintained the highest bitterness intensity and did not show defects at the end of the storage period. The results suggest that storage in GG at a low temperature could represent a promising storage condition to slow-down the oil degradation during market storage.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): J.M. Lázaro-Guevara, B.J. Flores-Robles, K. Garrido, V. Pinillos-Aransay, A. Elena-Ibáñez, L. Merino-Meléndez, J.A. López-Martínez, R. Victoriano-Lacalle〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Retinal diseases associated with the dysfunction or death of photoreceptors are a major cause of blindness around the world, improvements in genetics tools, like next generation sequencing (NGS) allows the discovery of genes and genetic changes that lead to many of those retinal diseases. Though, there very few databases that explores a wide spectrum of retinal diseases, phenotypes, genes, and proteins, thus creating the need for a more comprehensive database, that groups all these parameters.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉Multiple open access databases were compiled into a new comprehensive database. A biological network was then crated, and organized using Cytoscape. The network was scrutinized for presence of hubs, measuring the concentration of grouped nodes. Finally, a trace back analysis was performed in areas were the power law reports a high r-squared value near one, that indicates high nodes density.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉This work leads to creation of a retinal database that includes 324 diseases, 803 genes, 463 phenotypes, and 2461 proteins. Four biological networks (1) a disease and gene network connected by common phenotypes, (2) a disease and phenotype network connected by common genes, (3) a disease and gene network with shared disease or gene as the cause of an edge, and (4) a protein and disease network. The resulting networks will allow users to have easier searching for retinal diseases, phenotypes, genes, and proteins and their interrelationships.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusions〈/h6〉 〈p〉These networks have a broader range of information than previously available ones, helping clinicians in the comprehension of this complex group of diseases.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 562〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Parisa Moazzam, Giorgio Luciano, Amir Razmjou, Ehsan Akbari, Pavel G. Ul’yanov, Soumitro Mahanty〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The degree of available energy on a surface determines how a surface interacts with its surrounding environment such as corrosion. Current approaches to protection of Aluminum surfaces from corrosion mainly focus on adding an organic or inorganic layer to either act as a barrier from oxidant or scarifying to inhibit the corrosion. Altering the surface energy of Al on a molecular level is another alternative approach to efficiently modify the Al surface without the need for another thick expensive protective or scarifying materials. Herein, an attempt was made to understand how a molecular scale energy alteration improves the anticorrosion behavior of an aluminum surface. Two different surface engineering alteration strategies have been discussed; termed ALOSH and ALTSH modification. A variety of analytical instruments, i.e., FTIR, EDAX, XPS, SEM, AFM, WCA, and SFE measurement were used to systematically characterize the samples. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that there are different resistances after the surface modifications. The trapping air resistance appeared in ALTSH is approximately 2.4 and 36 times higher than that of ALOSH and bare samples, respectively. The potentiostat analysis results showed that the mili inch per year value of coating for ALTSH was 0.012 while that of ALOSH was 0.507. It was also found that the low surface energy alteration without using inert molecules is not enough to render corrosion inhibition property, as it needs to have a protective energy barrier with no or minimal active electrochemical behavior.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718311294-ga1.jpg" width="320" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Cristina Domínguez-Trujillo, Ana M. Beltrán, Maria D. Garvi, Alba Salazar-Moya, Julián Lebrato, Daniel J. Hickey, Jose A. Rodríguez-Ortiz, Paul H. Kamm, Clara Lebrato, Francisco García-Moreno, Thomas J. Webster, Yadir Torres〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, bacterial behavior on dense and porous titanium substrates is discussed. Porous titanium was fabricated by a space holder technique (using 50 vol%, NH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉HCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 with particle sizes between 250 and 355 μm). These substrates were coated by sulfonated PEEK (termed SPEEK). Characterization of the porous substrate was carried out using the Archimedes Method, Image Analysis, and three-dimensional X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography (including total and interconnected porosity, equivalent diameter, and pore shape factor), as well as mechanical characterization (specifically stiffness and yield strength). A detailed study was performed here to investigate the influence of substrate porosity on the adhesion and proliferation of 〈em〉E. coli〈/em〉, 〈em〉MRSA〈/em〉, and 〈em〉P. aeruginosa〈/em〉 (common causes of orthopedic device-associated infections). Bacterial colonization was examined in terms of the initial bacterial concentration, as well as bacterial adherence to and growth on the surface and inside the pores. Results suggest that fully dense titanium supported the least bacterial colonization, while the porous titanium promoted bacterial growth in the medium and inside the cavities. Furthermore, the SPEEK coating deposited onto the samples inhibited bacteria growth inside the porous materials. In this manner, this study showed for the first time that SPEEK could have potential antibacterial properties to offset the increase in bacteria growth commonly observed in porous materials.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0257897218312052-ga1.jpg" width="440" alt="Unlabelled Image" title="Unlabelled Image"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaolong Cai, Lisheng Zhong, Yunhua Xu, Xin Li, Mingxin Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉To improve the mechanical properties of the surface of iron-based alloys, a tungsten carbide-iron (WC-Fe) cemented carbide layer is produced on an alloy by adopting an isothermal annealing process, which was performed at 1050 °C for 4 h. By deeply etching the obtained sample, the morphologies of the WC ceramic grains in the WC-Fe hardmetal layer are characterized via scanning electron microscopy. The present results reveal three distinct morphologies consisting of rectangular, triangular prism and multi-layered shapes. Furthermore, the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of the WC-Fe layer are investigated through combined nanoindentation and Vickers indentation techniques. Nanoindentation testing is performed in a load range of 100 to 450 mN. Based on the data collected from the nanoindentation results, the average values of the hardness, Young' modulus and deformation ratio are evaluated, and the fracture toughness is determined to have a value of 3.08 MPa·m〈sup〉½〈/sup〉 at 450 mN. In the Vickers indentation technique, however, by identifying the crack type and choosing the appropriate model, the fracture toughness is calculated to be 1.85–3.44 MPa·m〈sup〉½〈/sup〉 at applied loads ranging from 0.98 to 4.9 N. The obtained fracture toughness results exhibit good consistence between the nanoindentation and Vickers indentation methods.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Y. Le Guével, B. Grégoire, M.J. Cristóbal, X. Feaugas, A. Oudriss, F. Pedraza〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Electrolytic dissolution of aluminide coatings on model (pure Ni, Ni20Cr) and René 125 Ni-based superalloy was conducted by alternated cathodic and anodic polarizations. The pure nickel aluminide dissolved homogeneously. In contrast, the inhomogeneity of dissolution increased with the incorporation of Cr in the coating. The coatings were however uniformly dissolved when the cathodic step was eliminated. XPS and TEM demonstrate that the occurrence of a passive layer containing Cr and Al oxy-hydroxides blocked dissolution.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉(a) TEM bright field images of the passive film of the aluminized Ni20Cr. (b) is a greater magnification showing the distance between the crystalline planes. (c), (d) and (e) are the selected area diffraction patterns of the three diffracted areas defined on (a). The distances marked in red correspond to “d”, i.e. the interplanar distance.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0257897218311976-ga1.jpg" width="343" alt="Unlabelled Image" title="Unlabelled Image"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lijia Fang, Jing Huang, Yi Liu, Botao Zhang, Hua Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The booming ocean economy in recent decades crucially demands advanced anti-corrosion technologies for marine infrastructures. Among the marine protective coatings developed in past decades, thermal sprayed aluminium coating was evidenced to be one of the most economical and efficient corrosion protection layers. Yet, marine corrosion is always accompanied by biofouling which in most cases accelerates corrosion. Here we report arc spray fabrication of novel aluminium-copper coatings using home-made Al-Cu cored wires for both anti-corrosion and antifouling performances. Copper particles were dispersed in the as-sprayed coatings, and TEM characterization further revealed partial interaction of Cu particles with Al matrix during the coating deposition. The chemical reaction with the formation of Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Cu offered an anchoring effect for the coatings preventing Cu particles from quick releasing into aqueous environment. Electrochemical testing in artificial seawater showed that the presence of Cu in Al coatings did not trigger considerable deterioration in corrosion resistance. Further antifouling testing of the coatings by examining settlement and colonization behaviors of bacteria 〈em〉E. coli〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Bacillus〈/em〉 sp. and typical marine algae revealed their excellent antifouling performances. The antifouling properties were predominately attributed to the continuous release of copper ions from the coatings. The results give clear insight into constructing anti-corrosion/fouling inorganic coatings by the cored-wire arc spray technical route for marine applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jinjiao Xia, Wenping Liang, Qiang Miao, Diederik Depla〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Yttrium oxide thin films are grown by reactive magnetron sputtering. To achieve a high deposition rate, target poisoning is avoided by local oxygen addition at the substrate. In all deposited thin films only the monoclinic Y〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 phase is observed. A strong variation in the film texture across the sample for experiments with a stationary sample stage is noticed. This inhomogeneity can be partially traced back to an uneven oxygen gas distribution. Sample rotation resolves this problem, but still the gas distribution influences both the texture and the Bragg peak positions. Several configurations for the gas supply are tested with a different number of gas distribution pipes. An overview of all experiments shows an interesting correlation between the texture coefficient and the peak position of the monoclinic (111) Bragg reflection. When the peak shifts towards higher diffraction angles, the texture coefficient drops as a higher contribution of the 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mfenced close=")" open="("〉〈mrow〉〈mn mathvariant="normal"〉40〈/mn〉〈mover accent="false"〉〈mrow〉〈mn mathvariant="normal"〉2〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mo mathvariant="normal"〉¯〈/mo〉〈/mover〉〈/mrow〉〈/mfenced〉〈/math〉 orientation is observed. This trend however is further complicated by the exact geometrical configuration on the deposition rate, and the energy/momentum of the species arriving at the substrate. As previously reported, an increasing energy/momentum per deposited atom results in monoclinic thin films with a preferential (111) out-of-plane orientation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Prasenjit Chakraborty, Tanusri Karmakar, Neeraj Arora, Geetashree Mukherjee〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is responsible for a large number of deaths each year. Oral cancer is the most frequent subtype of HNSCC. Historically, oral cancer has been associated with an increase in the consumption of tobacco and alcohol products, seen especially in the Asian subcontinent. It has also been associated with infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV), particularly strain HPV16. Treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary approach of surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation. The advent of immunotherapy has broadened the scope for treatment. A better immune response to the tumour can also elicit the action of other therapeutic approaches. A heightened immune response, on the other hand, can lead to resistant tumour formation through the process of immunoediting. Molecular profiling of the tumour microenvironment (TME) can provide us with better insight into the mechanism and progression of the disease, ultimately opening up new therapeutic options. High-throughput molecular profiling techniques over the past decade have enabled us to appreciate the heterogeneity of the TME. In this review, we will be describing the clinicopathological role of the immune and genomic landscape in oral cancer. This study will update readers on the several immunological and genetic factors that can play an important function as predictive and prognostic biomarkers in various forms of head and neck cancer, with a special emphasis on oral carcinoma.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Naghmeh Dehghani, Mohsen Afsharmanesh, Mohammad Salarmoini, Hadi Ebrahimnejad, Ahmad Bitaraf〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉An experiment was conducted to show the effects of different levels of pennyroyal, thyme and savory essential oils dietary supplementation on performance, organs weight, intestinal morphology, and serum lipids in quails. A total of 550 day-old Japanese quail chicks were allocated into 11 dietary treatments of 5 replications (10 birds in each cage) under a randomized experimental design. The treatments were a basal diet (Control), or 3 levels (200, 300, and 400 ppm) of thyme essential oil (TO), or 3 levels (200, 300, and 400 ppm) of savory essential oil (SO), or 3 levels (200, 300, and 400 ppm) of pennyroyal essential oil (PO) added separately to the basal diet, or also the basal diet supplemented with 100 ppm of flavophospholipol. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly and calculated totally for 35 d. The organs weight and morphology of intestine parts of one bird from each cage were measured on 35 d. At the same day, blood samples were collected and cholesterol and triglyceride values were separately determined for male and female quails. Although the addition of different levels of essential oils in quail's diet did not affect BWG, a significant decline in FI was observed in the group supplemented with 400 ppm of TO. At the same time, FCR significantly improved (P 〈 0.05) in the same group as well as in the group supplemented with the antibiotic. However, the organs weight was not significantly affected by the experimental treatments. Nevertheless, villi height of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was significantly increased and crypt depth was significantly decreased in the quails fed diets supplemented with different levels of TO and SO. The values of serum triglycerides decreased in both sexes in the groups that received diets supplemented with different levels of essential oils whereas the values of cholesterol decreased only in males of the essential oils supplemented groups. From the present observations it can be concluded that thyme and savory essential oils can improve FCR by decreasing FI through boosting the absorption of nutrients in intestine. These plant essential oils can replace antibiotic growth parameters without having any adverse effect on quail's health with thyme essential oil exerting the most effective activity.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): M.G. Mithra, M.L. Jeeva, M.S. Sajeev, G. Padmaja〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The ethanol yields from lignocellulo-starch biomass (peels of sweet potato, elephant foot yam, tannia, greater yam and beet root) by fed-batch separate hydrolysis and fermentation (F-SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (F-SSF) using 〈em〉Saccharomyces cerevisiae〈/em〉 were compared. Fed-batch saccharification of steam or dilute sulphuric acid pretreated biomass enhanced the reducing sugar yield which resulted in high RS consumption, volumetric ethanol productivity and ethanol yield during the first 24 h fermentation under F-SHF mode, while continuous production and utilization of reducing sugars occurred up to 72 h in F-SSF. Dilute sulphuric acid pretreated residues under F-SHF gave higher ethanol yield (34–43 g/L) and productivity (274–346 ml/kg dry biomass) than steam pretreatment (27–36 g/L and 223–295 ml/kg respectively), while F-SSF was superior for steam pretreated peels of sweet potato, elephant foot yam and tannia giving ethanol yields from 281 to 302 ml/kg. Glucose and xylose were present in all the hydrolysates with a preponderance of glucose and fermentation resulted in significant reduction in glucose levels in both F-SHF and F-SSF. Higher levels of total soluble phenolics and hydroxymethyl furfural were observed in the hydrolysates from dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment and yeast assimilated/detoxified part of the inhibitors, while only trivial amounts of furfural were present due to the low xylose content in the hydrolysates. Continuous formation led to higher accumulation of inhibitors in F-SSF despite supplementation with the detoxification mix comprising Tween 20, polyethylene glycol and sodium borohydride. F-SHF of dilute sulphuric acid pretreated biomass could be considered as a comparatively advantageous process where only one time feeding of enzyme cocktail and yeast was adopted compared to multiple feeds of enzymes and yeast along with other additives such as detoxification mix or nutrient solution in F-SSF.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): E. Hartill, R.B. Gillis, S. Imran Jiwani, N. Recchia, A. Meal, G.G. Adams〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Hypoglycemia unawareness (HU) has been attributed to both a downward shift in central nervous system (CNS)-triggered sympatho-adrenal responses to low glycaemic thresholds and a subsequent loss of adrenergic symptoms, which, in addition, to cerebral cortex adaptations permit normal function under hypoglycaemic conditions. Both of these mechanisms are brought about by recurring hypoglycemic events (hypoglycemia-associate autonomic failure, HAAF). This can contribute to repetitive cycles of increasingly severe hypoglycaemia, the consequences of which have considerable impact on relatives and significant others (SO) when providing care to patients with diabetes.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉A Systematic Review (SR) of 639 qualitative studies was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) principles. The search strategy was developed using MeSH terms for a range of electronic databases: CINAHL, Pubmed, EMBASE, Medline, AMED and ASSIA were systematically searched in order to identify a variety of literature relevant to the review topic. Four duplicate studies were removed and a further 630 studies were excluded due to being irrelevant. Five qualitative studies were retained and analysed.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉The three resultant findings from the literature appraised were i) Experiences and views of Significant Others' (SO) with adult relatives that have HU ii) Support needs of SO and iii) Health professionals interventions to address SO support needs and improve overall HU care. A clear finding was that SO experience difficulties managing HU and this can impact on the relationships that SO and HU patients have. Support needs of SO highlighted were both educational and psychological in nature, with there being a requirement for additional raised awareness within the wider community.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉It is essential that healthcare professionals offer support, such as teaching and support groups. In addition, providing interventions into improving family knowledge of diabetes and support with regard to psychosocial, behavioural and practical support for the person with diabetes. Moreover, improving resources for families to improve diabetes care. However, as the literature was of a qualitative nature, future recommendations would be quantitative research into these suggested nursing implementations to quantitatively assess their usefulness in practice.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Stefan Ehrhart, Ulrich Schraml〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Social-ecological systems are characterized by complexity, uncertainty, and change. Adaptive co-management may help to improve adaptability and resilience and to develop ‘no-regret strategies’ for a sustainable management. It is a dynamic, inductive, and self-organized process based on social learning and collaboration. In this regard, conservation conflicts, conflicts between humans about wildlife, are a contemporary environmental management issue. Their management may be facilitated through adaptive co-management. However, adaptive co-management typically emerges because of a crisis or changing context and is difficult to be applied intentionally. We hypothesize that it may be possible to lay the ground for an adaptive co-management process by activating stakeholders to interact experimentally without a prescriptive application of adaptive co-management criteria. We examined conservation conflicts in the context of three German national parks, where we triggered interaction between 68 stakeholders in nine moderated focus groups. These were recorded and analyzed. Stakeholders discussed similar conflict issues and conflict management suggestions. Subsequently, we conducted a literature synthesis, resulting in 13 adaptive co-management characteristics, and analyzed concurrencies between these and stakeholders' management suggestions. Management suggestions reflected collaborative, interactional, structural, and practice-oriented adaptive co-management characteristics, while political context, rules, adaptability, learning, and monitoring were underrepresented. These underrepresented adaptive co-management characteristics may be harder to be recognized by stakeholders. An implementation of stakeholder-based management suggestions may prepare the systems for change. However, policy windows and resilience have to be observed, underrepresented characteristics have to be examined, and political context, long-term support, monitoring, and facilitation have to be considered. The approach fosters conservation conflict solution. The results could help protected area managers to further develop a local process. The experiment empowered stakeholders and resulted in case-specific suggestions, backed up by adaptive co-management literature. Research should focus on bridging knowledge between case studies as well as between politics, management, stakeholders, and scientists and on further examining stakeholders' capabilities to develop adaptive co-management approaches.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Javier Sánchez Ramírez, Mónica Bequet-Romero, Yanelys Morera Díaz, Francisco Hernández-Bernal, Ana de la Torre Santos, Katty-Hind Selman-Housein Bernal, Yenima Martín Bauta, Cimara H. Bermúdez Badell, Miladys Limonta Fernández, Marta Ayala Avila〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Two phase I clinical trials were conducted to evaluate, among other parameters, the humoral response elicited by a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based therapeutic vaccine in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors. VEGF reduction was studied using an indirect methodology named as “Platelet VEGF”. This methodology is based on the estimation of VEGF within platelets by subtracting the plasma VEGF level from the serum level and dividing this by the platelet count, and then this latter expression is additionally corrected by the hematocrit. However, there is broad debate, whether serum or plasma VEGF or platelet-derived VEGF measurements is the most appropriate strategy to study the changes that occur on ligand bioavailability when patients are submitted to a VEGF-based immunotherapy.〈/p〉 〈p〉The current research is a retrospective study evaluating the changes on VEGF levels in serum and plasma as well as platelet-derived measurements. Changes in VEGF levels were related with the humoral response seen in cancer patients after an active immunotherapy with a VEGF-based vaccine. The present study indicates that “Platelet VEGF” is the most reliable methodology to investigate the effect of VEGF-based immunotherapies on ligand bioavailability. “Platelet VEGF” was associated with those groups of individuals that exhibited the best specific humoral response and the variation of “Platelet VEGF” showed the strongest negative correlation with VEGF-specific IgG antibody levels. This methodology will be very useful for the investigation of this VEGF-based vaccine in phase II clinical trials and could be applied to immunotherapies directed to other growth factors that are actively sequestered by platelets.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Geneviève André-Fontaine, Laetitia Triger〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Dogs are naturally exposed to numerous pathogenic serogroups. Leptospirosis vaccines are claimed to afford a clinical protection restricted to the serogroups of which they are composed.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Objectives〈/h6〉 〈p〉Dogs exhibiting liver and kidney injury were suspected of having leptospirosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) results in naive and vaccinated dogs experiencing leptospirosis outcomes. Only MAT-positive animals were included in the study.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉Over five years, 3 512 dogs were suspected of having leptospirosis. For each case, biochemical parameter results were recorded. Leptospirosis involvement was investigated by MAT performed against 6 major serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Australis, Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa and Sejroë). MAT-positive results confirmed leptospirosis cases in 147 naïve dogs and in 580 fully vaccinated dogs. Serological titres of agglutinating antibodies were related to the severity of liver and kidney failure.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉The most prevalent outcome of leptospirosis in unvaccinated dogs was liver failure (57.8%) compared to 51.7% for kidney disease, but the most severe onset (90.8%) was found among the cases of acute kidney injury compared to the severe (42.3%) hepatitis cases. In dogs vaccinated by bivalent Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola bacterins, hepatitis decreased from 57.8 to 46.5% and acute kidney injury from 51.7 to 21.6%. The decrease was shown in leptospirosis cases induced by field strains belonging to the six most prevalent serogroups, including the 4 serogroups heterologous to the vaccine.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉Common vaccination was efficient in decreasing hepatitis and kidney failure induced by field 〈em〉Leptospira〈/em〉 spp infection regardless of the MAT-prominent serogroup and limited the disease severity in the remaining cases.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 561〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Corina L. Reichert, Hanna Salminen, Gabriela Badolato Bönisch, Christian Schäfer, Jochen Weiss〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The concentration ratio of binary surfactant systems can alter the interfacial layer properties, and consequently affect emulsion stability. To study the effect of varying concentration ratios (〈em〉r,〈/em〉 % w/w) of interfaces containing 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponins and other naturally occurring food-grade surfactants on their emulsifying properties, we evaluated particle size, ζ-potential, and appearance of 10% oil-in-water emulsions (pH 7) stabilized by 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponin - protein or 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponin - lecithin mixtures. 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponin - Na-caseinate mixtures (〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.3:0.2, 0.2:0.3, and 0.1:0.4) formed small emulsion droplets (d〈sub〉43〈/sub〉: 0.2 – 0.3 μm), whereas at 〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.4:0.1, the emulsions contained micron-sized droplets (d〈sub〉43〈/sub〉: 1.217 ± 0.558 μm). Emulsions formed by 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponin - pea protein mixtures flocculated at 〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.3:2.0, 0.2:3.0, and 0.1:4.0. In contrast, 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponin - rapeseed lecithin or egg lecithin mixtures were able to generate small emulsion droplets (d〈sub〉43〈/sub〉: 0.2 – 0.5 μm) at all tested concentration ratios. The formation of stable emulsions using binary mixtures of naturally occurring emulsifiers was more dependent on the concentration ratio of the proteins than lecithins, indicating that the interfacial behavior of 〈em〉Quillaja〈/em〉 saponins is more sensitive to the presence of proteins. This was attributed to attractive molecular interactions yielding complexes at interfaces and/or in the continuous phase. This study shows that food-grade binary surfactant mixtures can be used to form stable emulsions with properties being tunable by altering the mixing ratios between surfactants.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571831522X-ga1.jpg" width="429" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 561〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Li Wang, Jingyi Wang, Chi He, Wei Lyu, Wenlong Zhang, Wei Yan, Liu Yang〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉To improve the biochar’s adsorption performance towards phosphate as well as to endow the biochar with magnetic property, novel rare earth element doped magnetic biochars, Ce/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC and La/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC, were prepared by separately co-precipitating cerium (Ce) and lanthanum (La) with FeCl〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, FeCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and biochar. For comparison, Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC without doping Ce or La was also synthesized. The characterization results indicated that Ce and La ions were successfully doped into the magnetite. The La/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC had higher magnetic saturation and point of zero charge than Ce/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC. A series of batch experiment results demonstrated that the phosphate adsorption capacity of biochar has been greatly improved after Ce or La doping, especially La. The phosphate adsorption capacity of La/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC was 20.5 mg/g at pH 6.5, which was 1.6 and 2.9 times than that of Ce/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC and Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC, respectively. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of phosphate onto La/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC and Ce/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC were best fitted by the pseudo-second order and Freundich model, respectively, indicating that the adsorption process was a multilayer process and controlled by chemical reaction. The combined results of batch experiments and physiochemical analyses revealed that the possible mechanisms were the formation of inner-sphere complex at neutral conditions and electrostatic attraction between positively charged adsorption sites and phosphate under acid conditions. The enhanced phosphate adsorption performance and endowed magnetic property indicated La/Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-BC could be used as a promising adsorbent in phosphate removal.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718312615-ga1.jpg" width="455" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): David O. Yawson, Michael O. Adu, Kingsley N. Osei〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Ghana imports about US$ 2 million worth of sugar annually. To address this huge import bill and to take advantage of a growing demand for sugar in the West African sub-region, the Government of Ghana initiated a Sugar Policy. The Government of Ghana, therefore, re-constructed and commissioned the Komenda Sugar Factory in 2016 at a reported cost of US$ 35 million. The Komenda Sugar Factory can process 1,250 tons of sugarcane per day (or 225,000 tons per annum), but was shut down soon after the test run and commissioning. This raised considerable public outcry. Among the numerous reasons that were given, it was widely believed that the factory faced feedstock deficits. This study therefore applied satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems to quantify the potential feedstock supply from current production within the immediate catchment of the factory. Supervised classification was applied to Landsat 8 images, using QGIS, to quantify sugarcane production in the study area and at specified buffer distances from the factory. The results showed that the factory could mobilize only 7% of its feedstock requirement within the industrially recommended radius of 40 miles and 13% within the entire catchment area in the 2016/2017 season. Thus, under current scale of production and production conditions, the Komenda Sugar Factory faces large deficits in feedstock supply. National production data suggests that total national sugarcane production in 2016 would only meet 68% of the factory's requirement if it were operational. The results suggest an urgent need to establish a plantation for the factory and to commit out-growers to production to support and sustain the factory if it is to become operational soon. There is also a need for high-yielding, high-brix, and early maturing varieties, coupled with good agronomic practices, to bridge the quantity and (potentially) quality gaps.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Oscar J. Cordero, Rubén Varela-Calviño〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Many evidences support that species from the Human Oral Microbiome Database such as 〈em〉Fusobacterium nucleatum〈/em〉 or 〈em〉Bacteroides,〈/em〉 linked previously to periodontitis and appendicitis, play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC), including metastasis. These typically oral species are invasive anaerobes that form biofilms in their virulent state.〈/p〉 〈p〉Aspirin (a NSAID) has been recently included into routine CRC prevention rationale. NSAIDs can prevent the growth of neoplastic lesions by inhibiting COX enzymes and another set of recently identified COX-independent targets, which include the WNT, AMPK and MTOR signaling pathways, the crosstalk between nucleoli and NF-κB transcriptional activity in apoptosis, and the biochemistry of platelets. These are signaling pathways related to tumor-promoting inflammation. In this process, pathogens or simple deregulation of the microbiota play an important role in CRC. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are efficient inhibitors of biofilm formation and able to control periodontitis development preventing inflammation related to the microbiota of the gingival tissue, so its seems plausible to include this pathway in the mechanisms that aspirin uses to prevent CRC.〈/p〉 〈p〉We propose arguments suggesting that current oral hygiene methods and other future developments against periodontitis might prevent CRC and probably other cancers, alone or in combination with other options; and that the multidisciplinary studies needed to prove this hypothesis might be relevant for cancer prevention.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Brian B. Boutwell〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The topic of consciousness remains central across numerous academic fields ranging from philosophy to cognitive neuroscience. Scholars in all of these fields continue to debate the origins of conscious experiences. More recently, scientists have applied advanced imaging techniques to illuminate brain regions that are at least associated with our subjective feelings of conscious experience. Though much disagreement remains, one point that is generally accepted across fields is that consciousness is not the product of an immaterial substance, but rather is produced by functioning across physical substrates in the brain. This point of agreement is enough to suggest that genetically and environmentally underpinned individual variation in brain structure may contribute to individual variation in consciousness. To the extent that this is correct, it may provide insight on a host of important questions across various academic fields. Equally important, understanding sources of variability in consciousness may be a key piece of the puzzle for understanding not only how consciousness evolved but also how selection pressures might continue to act on the human experience of consciousness across subsequent generations.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Alexey V. Morozov, Vadim L. Karpov〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Cell homeostasis and regulation of metabolic pathways are ensured by synthesis, proper folding and efficient degradation of a vast amount of proteins. Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) degrades most intracellular proteins and thus, participates in regulation of cellular metabolism. Within the UPS, proteasomes are the elements that perform substrate cleavage. However, the proteasomes in the organism are diverse. Structurally different proteasomes are present not only in different types of cells, but also in a single cell. The reason for proteasome heterogeneity is not fully understood. This review briefly encompasses mammalian proteasome structure and function, and discusses biological relevance of proteasome diversity for a range of important cellular functions including internal and external signaling.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Oqab Jabali〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Writing has always been seen as the most troublesome and challenging area of language learning for all students without exception especially if it is to be done in a foreign language. Most of these students fail to meet the expectations of instructors both communicatively and linguistically. Those students are, in fact of varied backgrounds, different learning methodologies, varied levels of language skills and experience, let alone different insights, attitudes and conceptions about the writing skill. Consequently, it is significant to exhibit what these students think of writing and how they approach it. This study was meant to serve a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it aimed at examining what the Palestinian EFL students' attitudes towards writing in general are; and secondly, whether the Palestinian EFL students feel any difference between expressing ideas while writing in English and Arabic. The participant of this study were (102) EFL students enrolled in four writing courses offered by the English Department in the Faculty of Humanities at An-Najah National University in the Spring Semester 2016/2017. A 28-item questionnaire modified from Daly-Miller Writing Apprehension Questionnaire and an open-ended question to help respondents freely express their attitudes towards writing were used to answer the questions. The study findings showed that students had positive attitudes toward writing, the various writing courses offered by the university, the textbooks and teaching methods used, and their writing skills and strategies.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 11〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lee Hadlington, Mark O. Scase〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The present study aimed to explore the potential relationship between individual differences in responses to failures with digital technology. In total, 630 participants (50% male) aged between 18–68 years (〈em〉M〈/em〉 = 41.41, 〈em〉SD〈/em〉 = 14.18) completed an online questionnaire. This included a self-report, response to failures in digital technology scale, a measure of Fear of Missing Out, Internet addiction, and the BIG-5 personality traits. Fear of Missing Out, Internet addiction, extraversion, and neuroticism all served as significant positive predictors for maladaptive responses to failures in digital technology. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness acted as significant negative predictors for maladaptive responses to failures in digital technology. The responses to failures in digital technology scale presented good internal reliability, with items loading onto four key factors, these being; ‘maladaptive responses’, ‘adaptive responses’, ‘external support and venting frustrations’, and ‘anger and resignation’. The findings are discussed in the context of the end user experience, particularly where individual differences are seen to influence the level of frustration arising from a failure. The findings are also seen as a potential route for reducing the negative impact of failures in digital technology, particularly in the context of organisational productivity and responses to malicious cyberattacks.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): David C. Watson〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The research is an investigation of self-compassion and materialism. Self-compassion is when an individual has a caring, non-judgmental view of the self. This quality has been related to lower depression, less negative emotion and higher psychological health (Neff, 2003). Materialism has been consistently associated with low subjective well-being and unhappiness. A related concept is that of the ‘quiet ego’, which is a less competitive, less self-centered individual with more concern with connecting with others and with personal growth (Wayment et al., 2015). Therefore, it is hypothesized that highly materialistic individuals will be lower in self-compassion and have a fear of compassion from others and towards others and that self-compassion and fears of compassion will mediate the relationship between materialism and low subjective well-being. As materialistic individuals are more likely to be competitive and individualistic, it is hypothesized that the ‘quiet ego’ will be negatively related to materialism. These hypotheses were investigated using a set of questionnaires with 423 undergraduate participants. The results indicated a relationship between materialism and fear of compassion for others and of responding to the compassion of others. Materialism was also negatively related to the ‘quiet ego’ and related constructs such as: mindfulness, satisfaction with life and generativity. Self-compassion, fears of compassion and the quiet-ego were also found to mediate the relationship between materialism and measures of well-being. The results are consistent with several theoretical explanations for the development of materialism. It is possible that increasing self-compassion, reducing fears of compassion and ‘ego-quieting’ procedures could be developed as methods of reducing materialistic tendencies.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anne Handrini Dewi, Ika Dewi Ana〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Objectives〈/h6〉 〈p〉We determined and structurally analyzed the reported effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) bone substitute on alveolar bone regeneration. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic reviews have previously reported the bone regenerative effect of the HA bone substitute.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Materials and methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉A literature search was performed for articles published up to August 2015 using MEDLINE with the search terms “hydroxyapatite,” “bone regeneration,” and “alveolar bone” as well as their known synonyms. The inclusion criteria were set up for human trials with at least five patients. The literature search, eligible article selection, and data extraction were independently performed by two readers, and their agreement was reported by κ value.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉Of the 504 studies found using the MEDLINE literature search, 241 were included for further steps (inter-reader agreement, κ = 0.968). Abstract screening yielded 74 studies (κ = 0.910), with 42 completely fulfilling the inclusion criteria (κ = 0.864). In a final step, 42 studies were further analyzed, with 17 and 25 studies with and without statistical analysis, respectively. The 17 studies reporting similar outcome measures were compared using the calculated 95% confidence intervals. The effect of HA on ridge preservation could not be evaluated.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusions〈/h6〉 〈p〉The use of the HA bone substitute interfered with the normal healing process, with significant differences found for sinus augmentation but not for periodontal bone defects. Thus, a bone substitute with optimal bone regenerative properties for alveolar ridge or socket preservation, sinus augmentation, and periodontal bony defect should be developed.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Luciane Morelis de Abreu, Rosângela Filipini, Beatriz da Costa Aguiar Alves, Gláucia Luciano da Veiga, Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Purpose〈/h6〉 〈p〉To evaluate the perception of breastfeeding self-efficacy in puerperal women and to verify the association between Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Brazilian Version (BSES-VB) scores and sociodemographic and obstetric variables. The practice of breastfeeding is of extreme importance, not only because of its affective value but also because the nutritional composition of human milk is essential nutrients for the adequate growth and development of the newborn.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Design and methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 100 puerperal women. The research instruments used were form with demographic, economic, obstetric and breastfeeding data and the BSES-VB.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉40% of the mothers obtained scores compatible with average breastfeeding self-efficacy, 35% of them presented high efficacy and 25% low efficacy. There was no significant relationship between sociodemographic and obstetric variables with the BSES-VB mean scores in the puerperal period. In the association between some variables and items of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale, it was observed that breastfeeding guidance in the prenatal period and marital status were statistically significant with the mean scores of each item on the scale.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉Only 35% of the puerperal women presented high breastfeeding efficacy. Breastfeeding guidance variables in prenatal care and marital status were statistically significant.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Practice implications〈/h6〉 〈p〉the work of the professionals who work in the care of puerperal women becomes of great importance to provide information on the breastfeeding theme and determining the adherence to the practice of breastfeeding.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mary Lissy P.N., Carolin Peter, Kavya Mohan, Shone Greens, Sneha George〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Clay brick manufacturing is a sector which involves a lot of firing processes requiring higher temperature. To maintain this temperature, large amount of fuel in the form of wood, coal, biomass etc. need to be burnt in the kiln causing serious issues of air pollution. Also, with the increase in the number of industries coming up, large amount of un-disposable waste gets accumulated. If suitable remedies are not adopted for its safe disposal, it may pollute the water bodies through runoff. This project is an effort to reduce the brick firing temperature in the kiln to about 600 °C thereby reducing the cost of production and making the whole process environmental friendly. This work will put forward a suitable alternative for the safe disposal of industrial debris like quarry dust and glass powder by incorporating them as a partial substitute for river sand which is one of the costly constituent of clay brick and thereby further reducing the cost of production. Experimental results showed higher compressive strength of 21.31 N/mm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉when the brick was casted with mix proportion of Cement: Sand: Red earth: Glass Powder: Quarry Dust = 4:1:1:1.5:2.5. The strength measured at temperature 600 °C met the requirements of the National Standards.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 358〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): R. Jamshidi, O. Bayat, A. Heidarpour〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Pure Al coatings are extensively used in various industries but their poor wear resistance has introduced as the main drawback of them. In this study, the effect of the addition of Ti〈sub〉3〈/sub〉SiC〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 on the tribological and corrosion behavior of Al coating was investigated. The morphological and phase evolution of coating and powders was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The corrosion behavior of samples was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The wear behavior of coating and substrate studied by the pin-on-disc test. The results indicated that the wear resistance of Al coating in terms of friction coefficient and wear rate was significantly improved by the presence of Ti〈sub〉3〈/sub〉SiC〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 inclusions. According to the result of potentiodynamic polarization tests in simulated 3.5% NaCl solution, the corrosion potential of the Al/Ti〈sub〉3〈/sub〉SiC〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 coating is nobler than that of the pure Al one. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests indicated that corrosion resistance of Al/Ti〈sub〉3〈/sub〉SiC〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 coating was increased as compared with pure Al coating.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Małgorzata Norek, Łukasz Szamyjer〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A multi-variant process of cold rolling to different reductions of thickness (0–50%) and subsequent heating under different temperature was applied to Al substrates. Next, a comprehensive analysis of the influence of various microstructural, structural, and mechanical parameters of the Al substrates on the nanopore growth in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO), was performed. As an effect, new evidences concerning an important role of Al substrate state on the AAO growth were provided. The obtained results unambiguously show that the number of dislocations is the only parameter responsible for the regular pore formation is the AAO. Since the dislocation density is greatly reduced solely after recrystallization process, a significant reduction of the percentage of defects in AAO occurs only when Al substrate is annealed at the recrystallization temperature (483 °C), independent of percent cold work. All microstructural (elongation, circularity, and size of grains) or structural (texture, lattice strain) parameters are irrelevant for the pore formation, until the number of dislocations in the Al substrate remains high. Therefore, before anodization Al substrate should be annealed, at least for 1 h, under the temperature ≥ recrystallization temperature, not lower. Stress-relief anneal at temperature 〈 recrystallization temperature is not sufficient to induce a regular pore growth in AAO.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 25 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 358〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yanming He, Chuanyang Lu, Wenjian Zheng, Jianguo Yang, Shuangjian Chen, Zhijun Li, Yuan Sun, Zengliang Gao〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, a composite coating prepared by laser cladding on a Ni-17Mo-7Cr based superalloy was thermally exposed at 1073 K for 240 h. A detailed electron microscopy examination was performed to characterize the microstructure of the aged coating. Results indicate that: the original Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C dendrites in the aged coating were coarsened while the coarsening layers were essentially the Mo-deficient and Cr-rich Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C, due to low diffusivity of Mo. Long-term thermal exposure promoted a great amount of nano-sized Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C and micro-sized Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 particles being precipitated in the interdendritic zones. In the aged coating, three types of Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 were presented: discrete Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 close to the graphite and Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 approaching to the Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C. The transformation of Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C to Cr〈sub〉3〈/sub〉C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 merely occurred in the newly formed Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C rather than in the original Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C dendrites, because deficiency of Mo and enrichment of Cr in the new Mo〈sub〉6〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉6〈/sub〉C depressed their stability. Lastly, the mechanical behavior of the aged coating was characterized by Vickers hardness, nano-indentation and nano-scratch tests with the aim to unveil the effect of microstructural evolution on mechanical properties. Our findings provide basic information to understand the aged-induced microstructural modification and its effect on mechanical properties for a laser-induced coating prepared on the Ni-17Mo-7Cr based superalloy. The results obtained cannot only apply to the investigated Ni-based superalloys, but also to other Hastelloy series superalloys.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anke Dalke, Igor Burlacov, Stephan Hamann, Alexander Puth, Jan Böcker, Heinz-Joachim Spies, Jürgen Röpcke, Horst Biermann〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Plasma nitrocarburizing based on active screen technology using a carbon-fiber reinforced carbon active screen was applied in an industrial-scale unit for thermochemical surface treatment of austenitic stainless steel. This concept is based on the use of a solid-carbon-source for the generation of highly reactive process gases directly in the active screen plasma. In this work, plasma nitrocarburizing of AISI 316L stainless steel was performed by means of the variation of the precursor gases H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 in the range of 0% N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 up to 100% N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 without the use of any additional carbon bearing gas. For a set of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 gas mixtures, the resulting reaction gas was monitored using infrared laser absorption spectroscopy (IRLAS). The four main stable species HCN, CH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 and C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 were detected. A detailed analysis of the surface microstructure resulting for each specific H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 precursor gas mixture was performed. This included glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES), optical microscopy, micro hardness measurements, as well as X-ray diffraction analysis.〈/p〉 〈p〉The concentrations of hydrocarbons CH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 were most abundant in case of pure hydrogen plasma, and a carbon-expanded austenite layer with hardness values up to 600 HK0.01 and smooth hardness gradient resulted. The admixture of N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 to the precursor gas significantly increased the concentrations of HCN and NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. Due to this, a duplex structure of nitrogen-expanded austenite γ〈sub〉N〈/sub〉 and carbon-expanded austenite γ〈sub〉C〈/sub〉 formed. With increasing content of N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 up to 50% in the precursor gas, the resulting layer thickness increased and the hardness reached values up to 1300 HK0.01. At strong nitrogen excess in the precursor gas, the nitrogen concentration in the expanded austenite significantly increased, the Fe〈sub〉2–3〈/sub〉(N, C) phase was formed, and simultaneously the layer thickness decreased. Structure and properties of the expanded austenite layer significantly changed by only varying the H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 ratio of the precursor gas mixture.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 357〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sima A. Alidokht, Stephen Yue, Richard R. Chromik〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Cold spray is a relatively new method used to deposit WC reinforced composite coatings, where its low temperature is advantageous for avoiding oxidation and carbide decomposition. Previous studies demonstrated that using powders made from agglomerated WC resulted in higher WC retention in a sprayed coating when compared to that of cast WC. However, the influence of the morphology of the starting powders on the coating's microstructure, properties, and wear performance is not well understood. Here, we report cold spray deposition of Ni with two types of WC particles, i.e. cast and agglomerated. In both cases, ~30 vol% WC was retained in coatings, allowing for a side-by-side comparison. Coatings with cast WC featured a multi-modal distribution of WC particles ranging from 0.2 to 20 μm with a mean free path (MFP) between particles of 8.5 ± 0.7 μm. In comparison, coatings with agglomerated WC had WC size range of 0.3 to 1.3 μm and an MFP of 31 ± 4 μm. The sliding wear behavior of coatings was studied with a sliding speed of 3 mm/s under normal loads of 5 and 12 N. Coatings with cast WC were found to be more wear resistant than coatings with agglomerated WC. The multi-modal size distribution of cast WC with significantly lower MFP minimized adhesive wear and helped to develop a higher coverage of protective mechanically mixed layers (MMLs) that typically formed near WC particles. For coatings with cast WC, subsurface microstructure and chemical analysis suggested higher oxidation for MMLs with shallower depths of deformation in the metal matrix beneath the MMLs compared to coatings with agglomerated powder. The main factors for improved wear resistance of cast WC coatings compared to agglomerated WC coatings were the stability of the MMLs, and the wider size distribution with lower MFP, which offered better load supporting properties.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Krystian Figlewski, Henning Andersen, Tobias Stærmose, Paul von Weitzel-Mudersbach, Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen, Jakob Udby Blicher〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an ischemic episode of neurologic dysfunction characterized by a spontaneous clinical resolution of symptoms within 24 hours. Mechanisms of this remarkable recovery are not yet well understood. In patients with permanent brain injury caused by a stroke cortical levels of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) are decreased. In this study, we aimed to investigate, whether similar alterations of cortical GABA are also present in patients with TIA. Ten first-time TIA patients with temporary unilateral motor symptoms from upper limb and 10 control subjects underwent Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) with SPECIAL technique. GABA:creatine (GABA:CR) ratios were measured in the hand area of the primary motor cortex in both hemispheres. GABA:CR ratios were significantly lower in the symptomatic hemisphere of TIA patients when compared with healthy subjects. Whether reduced GABA is induced directly by transient ischemia or is a secondary compensatory mechanism, which facilitate re-establishment of normal function remains to be elucidated. Further research investigating our findings in larger samples will aid in understanding of the clinical significance of GABA alterations in TIA patients. GABA MRS may provide vital information about mechanisms involved in recovery after transient ischemia, which may have crucial importance for development of new neuroprotective strategies in stroke.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Connor J. Welty, Matthew L. Sousa, Frank M. Dunnivant, Paul H. Yancey〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Anthropogenic use of high density, toxic elements results in marine pollution which is bio-accumulating throughout marine food webs. While there have been several studies in various locations analyzing such elements in fish, few have investigated patterns in these elements and their isotopes in terms of ocean depth, and none have studied the greatest depth zones. We used a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer-hydride system and an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer to determine concentrations of the high-density elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), plus the light-metal barium (Ba), in fish ranging from bathyal (1000 m in Monterey Bay) to upper hadal zones (6500–7626 m in the Kermadec and Mariana Trenches) in the Pacific Ocean. Five species of fish—including the Mariana Trench snailfish, the world's deepest known fish newly discovered—were analyzed for patterns in total element concentration, depth of occurrence, Se:Hg ratio, plus mercury isotopes in the deepest species. Co and As levels decreased with depth. In the Mariana Trench, Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cu were higher than in all other samples, and higher in those plus Ba than in the Kermadec Trench. The latter samples had far higher Ni and Cr levels than all others. Mercury relative isotope analysis showed no depth trends in the deepest species. Se:Hg showed a large molar excess of Se in bathyal flatfish species. These patterns indicate that exposures to pollutants differ greatly between habitats including trenches of similar depths.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jon Klokk Slettedal, Leiv Sandvik, Amund Ringvold〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) is a common eye condition, indicating a risk of various eye diseases. Whether or not PES has extra-ocular physiological or even pathophysiological implications has been a matter of controversy for years.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉In total 1888 persons were examined for PES in 1985–86. Of these, 1864 (98·7%) had died and were therefore available for analysis by 01.01.2016. Age and cause(s) of death were recorded. 9 diagnostic groups (cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, neoplasms, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Parkinson's disease, aortic aneurysm (AA), and amyloidosis) based on ICD-coding were analyzed for both a possible association between PES and lifespan, as well as PES and specific systemic diseases.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Findings〈/h6〉 〈p〉In the cardiovascular group, PES was not associated with an alteration in longevity. The subgroups 〈em〉acute myocardial infarction〈/em〉 and 〈em〉other cardiovascular diseases〈/em〉 revealed significantly reduced and increased lifespan, respectively, compared to the rest of the population. These deviations were independent of PES. The impact of PES on the neoplasm group showed that PES-positive persons lived 1·81 years (p 〈 0·001) longer than PES-negative persons. No significant differences in the PES prevalence were found in any of the cause of death diagnostic groups.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Interpretations〈/h6〉 〈p〉The present study suggests that lifespan reduction due to neoplasia is nullified by PES, and that this phenomenon is not restricted to one specific neoplasm type. Thus, the paradoxical conclusion emerges that PES provides a lifespan benefit to the patient with a neoplasm. For the remaining diagnostic groups, PES was neither associated with an altered lifespan, nor with any cause of death diagnoses.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaocheng Wei, Dongfang Liu, Lirui Liao, Zhendong Wang, Wenjiao Li, Wenli Huang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The purpose of this work was to study the sulfur concentration on bioleaching of heavy metals from pig manure employing indigenous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Also, the variations in physicochemical properties of pig manure before and after bioleaching were investigated. The results showed that sulfur concentration significantly affected the rate of acidification, sulfate production and metal solubilization during pig manure bioleaching process. A Michaelis–Menten type equation was utilized to interpret the relationships between sulfur concentration, sulfate production and metal solubilization in the bioleaching process. The rates of metal solubilization during pig manure bioleaching were well described by a first order kinetic equation related to time. After 12 days of bioleaching, 93%–97% of Zn, 96%–98% of Mn and 48%–94% of Cu were leached out from pig manure, respectively. The metals remaining in the pig manure residual were mainly existed in stable forms. In addition, elemental analysis showed that bioleaching process could significantly modify the dewaterbility and organic composition of pig manure. However, fertility analysis found that 9.0%–19.1% of nitrogen, 68.5%–71.0% of phosphorus, 76.5%–78.8% of potassium and 47.5%–49.4% of the total organic carbon (TOC) were lost from pig manure in the bioleaching process. Therefore, bioleaching process used in this study could be applied to remove heavy metals effectively from the pig manure, but more detailed studies need to be done to decrease the nutrients loss from pig manure.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sanja Kostić, Sandro Meier, Etienne Cabane, Ingo Burgert〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Timber-concrete composites require reliable connections between both components, which are usually obtained by metal fasteners or slots in the wood. In this study, an alternative approach is presented based on a fully glued connection in combination with a primer treated wood surface, to enhance the compatibility and the adhesion properties at the interface between beech wood and concrete. Prior to the gluing and the concrete application in a wet-on-wet process, the wood surface was functionalised with a xerogel obtained by means of a sol-gel process, consisting of two layers of silane nanofilms, with different functional groups, which are capable of undergoing further chemical crosslinking reactions with the adhesive. The coating with its functionalities allows for reducing the penetration of the epoxy adhesives into the wood structure and an additional chemical connection to the adhesive can be established. The main objective of this study was to analyse the effect of the surface treatment on the mechanical properties of such composites in 3-point and 4-point bending tests as well as push-out-tests. The results showed that the pre-treatment can improve the load bearing capacity of the timber-concrete composites, but that a ductile behaviour cannot be achieved with the tested adhesives.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Cheng Yue, Jianlin Liu, Hongwei Zhang, Liang Dai, Bigui Wei, Qing Chang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Generally, increasing the hydrophobicity of filter media leads to enhanced oil removal by filtration. In this study, the hydrophobicity of quartz sand filter media was increased by modifying the particles with titanate and silane coupling agents (DN101 and KH550) by dry processing. The results show that the quartz sand particle surfaces were uniformly covered with the coupling agents after surface modification, and many fine particles were observed. The optimised parameters for the surface modification procedure were a DN101:KH550 ratio of 1:2, total coupling agent amount of 1.0 wt%, reaction temperature of 60 °C and reaction time of 50 min. Under these conditions, the water contact angle on the filter media surface increased from 40.1° to 82.9°, and the effluent oil concentration decreased from 4.74 mg/L for the unmodified filter media to 2.99 mg/L for the modified filter media when the influent oil concentration was 17.3 mg/L. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show that DN101 and KH550 formed chemical bonds with the quartz sand surface groups, resulting in the formation of a uniform, stable coating on the surface.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): James R. Watson, Fredrik Armerin, Dane H. Klinger, Ben Belton〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Aquaculture is a booming industry. It currently supplies almost half of all fish and shellfish eaten today, and it continues to grow faster than any other food production sector. But it is immature relative to terrestrial crop and livestock sectors, and as a consequence it lags behind in terms of the use of aquaculture specific financial risk management tools. In particular, the use of insurance instruments to manage weather related losses is little used. In the aquaculture industry there is a need for new insurance products that achieve both financial gains, in terms of reduced production and revenue risk, and environmental wins, in terms of incentivizing improved management practices. Here, we have developed a cooperative form of indemnity insurance for application to small-holder aquaculture communities in developing nations. We use and advance the theory of risk pools, applying it to an aquaculture community in Myanmar, using empirical data recently collected from a comprehensive farm survey. These data were used to parameterize numerical simulations of this aquaculture system with and without a risk pool. Results highlight the benefits and costs of a risk pool, for various combinations of key parameters. This information reveals a path forward for creating new risk management products for aquaculturalists around the world.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sutas Janbuala, Mana Eambua, Arpapan Satayavibul, Watcharakhon Nethan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The objective of this research was to study the effect of bagasse and bagasse ash on the properties of pottery products. In the experiments, we varied the composition of clay by adding 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight of bagasse or by adding 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of bagasse ash and maintained the temperature of the furnace at 900 °C. The results indicate that the best composition is obtained by adding 10% by weight of bagasse ash, which yielded pottery products with improved strength (20.10 MPa), density (1.41 g/cm〈sup〉3〈/sup〉), water absorption (13.91%), and porosity (25.73%). In comparison, the composition of clay with 4% by weight of bagasse yielded strength, density, water absorption, and porosity of 10.12 MPa, 1.53 g/cm〈sup〉3〈/sup〉, 19.95%, and 30.17%, respectively.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Quan V. Vuong, Hong Ngoc Thuy Pham, Hang T. Vu, Trung Thanh Dang, Thanh Van Ngo, Anita C. Chalmers〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Blueberry ash (〈em〉Elaeocarpus reticulatus〈/em〉 Sm.) fruit has potential for human nutrition, but there is limited information on this fruit. This preliminary study aimed to characterise blueberry ash fruit and examine the influence of extraction solvents on its phytochemical and antioxidant properties. Blueberry ash fruit is dark blue in colour and is a stone fruit of small size (7 mm) and light weight (0.2 g). However, it has a high portion of flesh (60% of fruit weight), which is edible and can be a potential source of phytochemicals. Water, ethanol, acetonitrile, acetone, and their combination were tested for extraction of phytochemicals from flesh of this fruit. Water or absolute organic solvent was ineffective for extraction of phenolic compounds from this fruit, but mixtures of water and organic solvents were more effective, and 50% acetone was the most suitable extraction solvent. Extraction with 50% acetone, this fruit was found to contain high levels of total phenolic content, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins (104 mg GAE/g, 155 mg RUE/g, 78 mg CE/g, and 119 mg CGE/g, respectively). In addition, this fruit was found to possess potent antioxidant properties. Therefore, this fruit should be further studied for identification of its phenolic compounds and further tested for their biological properties.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xinyu Tan, Mingzhi Luo, Allen P. Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A cell's ability to establish polarization is one of the key steps in directional migration. Upon the addition of a chemoattractant, N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), neutrophils rapidly develop a front end marked by a wide and dense actin network which is a feature of cell polarization. Despite a general understanding of bi-directional crosstalk between endocytosis and polarization, it remains unclear how clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) induced by chemoattractant binding to formyl peptide receptor (FPR) affects neutrophil polarization. In this work, we characterized the spatial organization of FPR and clathrin-coated pits (CCPs), the functional unit of CME, with and without fMLP and found that fMLP induced different distributions of FPR and CCPs. We further found that cells had impaired polarization induced by fMLP when CME is inhibited by small molecule inhibitors. Under these conditions, pERK, pAkt〈sub〉308〈/sub〉, and pAkt〈sub〉473〈/sub〉 were all severely blocked or had altered dynamics. The spatial organization between actin and two major clathrin-mediated endocytic proteins, clathrin and β-arrestin, were distinct and supported clathrin and β-arrestin's functional roles in mediating neutrophil polarization. Together these results suggest that CME plays a pivotal role in a complex process such as cell polarization.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Su Su Maw, Chiyori Haga〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by significant impairment in social communication and the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviour or interest. Intervention during early childhood could decrease ASD symptoms. We aimed to identify the most effective intervention based on cognitive, developmental, and behavioural approaches and the factors that impact the effectiveness of the intervention.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing interventions for ASD in preschool-aged children. Electronic databases were searched for related articles with randomised controlled trial (RCT) designs published between 2001 to 2015. Outcome measures were communication, behavioural and cognitive skills, reported as standardised mean differences (SMD) compared to a control group. A Random-effects model was utilised to calculate the pooled estimate effect. Between-study variability was also assessed. The registering number of this study is CRD42017035354.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Findings〈/h6〉 〈p〉Out of the initial 5174 studies that were identified, there were 14 RCTs (746 children) that were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled estimate effect provided by random-effects model was 0.23 (95% confidence interval, CI [0.08–0.37]) with no between-study heterogeneity (〈em〉I〈/em〉〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 = 0.00%, p = 0.0018). Three studies of music therapy interventions provided the greatest outcome effects with a shorter duration and lower intensity. SMD for music therapies ranged from 0.40 to 0.62 with 95% CI [0.22 to 1.85]. The quality of the health care provider, the duration, and the intensity of intervention played an important role in the effectiveness of the intervention.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Interpretation〈/h6〉 〈p〉Music therapy appears to be an effective tool for improving social interaction in preschool-aged children with ASD. However, more evidence-based trials are required to further validate the effectiveness of music therapy in ASD.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mansour Babaei, Mohammad Mohammadian, Masoud Abdollahi, Ali Hatami〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Human behavior is recognized as the main factor in the occurrence of accidents (70–90 percent), with human personality and problem solving ability as two related factors in the occurrence of medical errors (annually 42.7 million in the world). The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between personality factors, problem solving ability and medical errors.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Material and methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉This study was a questionnaire case control study. Information on 49 members of medical and nursing staff with medical errors (case group) and 46 without medical errors (control group) were analyzed. To collect the data, two Heppner problem solving questionnaires and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory were used, which were completed by the study population.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉The results illustrate that individuals without medical errors showed higher scores in contentiousness, extraversion and agreeableness and lower scores in neuroticism than those with medical errors. Individuals without medical errors also showed higher scores in problem solving ability scales than those with medical errors.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉Results of this study, suggest that personality factors and problem solving ability are related to medical errors and it may be possible for hospital authorities to use this knowledge when selecting capable medical staff.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Peng-Sheng Wei, Yin-Chih Hsieh, Hsuan-Han Chiu, Da-Lun Yen, Chieh Lee, Yi-Cheng Tsai, Te-Chuan Ting〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Absorption coefficient affected by carbon dioxide concentration and optical path length responsible for temperature or global warming across the troposphere layer, which is less than the altitude of 10 km in the atmosphere, is systematically presented in this work. Solar irradiation within a short wavelength range can be absorbed, scattered and transmitted by the atmosphere, and absorbed and reflected by the Earth's surface. Radiative emission in high wavelength ranges from the Earth's surface at low temperature can be absorbed by atmospheric water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gases. Unbalance of radiation thus results in the atmosphere to act as the glass of a greenhouse and increase atmospheric temperature. Even though global warming strongly affects the life of the human being, the cause of global warming is still controversial. This work thus proposes a fundamental and systematical unsteady one-dimensional heat conduction-radiation model together with exponential wide band model to predict absorption coefficients affected by concentration, temperature, optical path lengths and radiation correlated parameters in different bands centered at 15, 4.3, 2.7, and 2 μm of carbon dioxide across the troposphere layer. It shows that absorption coefficient required for calculating heat transfer is strongly affected by carbon dioxide concentration and optical path length across the troposphere. Relevant values of the latter should be greater than 5,000 m. Absorption coefficients in the band centered at 4.3 μm subject to a chosen optical path length of 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈msup〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉10〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉4〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msup〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 m increase from 0.04 m〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and 0.165 m〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉at the tropopause to 0.11 m〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and 0.44 m〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at the Earth's surface for carbon dioxide concentrations of 100 and 400 ppm, respectively. A more relevant and detailed temperature profile across the troposphere is presented.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Nivedita Singh, Ashwinee Kumar Shreshtha, M.S. Thakur, Sanjukta Patra〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Medicinal plants have been the basis for discovery of various important marketed drugs. Xanthine is one such lead molecule. Xanthines in various forms (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, etc) are abode in tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate etc. giving them popular recognition. These compounds are best known for their diverse pharmaceutical applications as cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibition, antagonization of adenosine receptor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities. These properties incentivize to use xanthine as scaffold to develop new derivatives. Chemical synthesis contributes greater diversity in xanthine based derivatisation. With highlighting the existing challenges in chemical synthesis, the present review focuses the probable solution to fill existing lacuna. The review summarizes the available knowledge of xanthine based drugs development along with exploring new xanthine led chemical synthesis path for bringing diversification in xanthine based research. The main objective of this review is to explore the immense potential of xanthine as scaffold in drug development.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): K. Srikanth Kumar, A. Lakshmana Rao, M.V. Basaveswara Rao〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Various thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives 〈strong〉3a-l〈/strong〉 possessing indole moiety were designed, synthesized using appropriate conventional heating as well as microwave irradiation methods. All the synthesized compounds were characterized physically and spectrally. The compounds were evaluated for 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 antibacterial activity, 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 antioxidant activity and 〈em〉in vivo〈/em〉 hypoglycemic activity in relation to the standard drugs. Most of the new compounds exhibited moderate activity and some showed considerable activity. Molecular docking studies were carried out using AutoDock software and revealed that compound 〈strong〉3b〈/strong〉 has significant binding interaction with PPARγ receptor compared with the standard ligand Rosiglitazone.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Janardhan H. Shendkar, Vijaykumar V. Jadhav, Pritamkumar V. Shinde, Rajaram S. Mane, Colm O'Dwyer〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Pristine and nanocomposite (NC) hybrid electrodes of polyaniline (PANI)-nickel hydroxide [Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] have been prepared by single and two-step electrodeposition processes, respectively, onto stainless-steel (SS) substrates. Enhanced reversibility and stability of amorphous PANI- Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 NC electrodes compared to single electrode materials have been explored. PANI has a nanofibrous morphology, Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 has nanoplatelet-type morphology, and the NC electrodes retain an overall nanofibrous morphology. The maximum specific capacitance (SC), obtained from integrated charge under voltammetric conditions, for PANI (electro-deposited for 5 min), NC (electrodeposition of Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 for 10 min and 20 min onto PANI electrode surface) and Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (electrodeposited for 10 min) electrodes, are 0.59, 39.06, 32.36, and 113.8 F/g, respectively, suggesting higher electrochemical performance of Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrode compared to PANI and NC electrodes. The retention in SC values with faster scan rates from 10 to 100 mV/s for PANI, NC (10 min), NC (20 min) and Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 are 38.7, 61.1, 52.4, and 29.0 %, respectively, explicitly confirming a higher reversibility in NC electrodes. The retention in SC values with increase of cycle number up to 1000 for PANI, NC (10 min), NC (20 min) and Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrodes are 34.9, 61.5, 67.5, and 40.7 % respectively, demonstrating higher electrochemical stability of NC electrodes over pure-phase electrodes. Nearly 2.15, 79.36, 66.66 and 406.83 mC/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 charges on PANI, NC (10 min), NC (20 min) and Ni(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 electrodes, respectively, are obtained. Inner to total charge and outer to total charge ratios have been used to explain contributing sites to total charge in pristine and NC electrodes.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Patricia Goldschmidt Lins, Silvana Marina Piccoli Pugine, Antonio Márcio Scatolini, Mariza Pires de Melo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Aims〈/h6〉 〈p〉This study aimed to evaluate 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 antioxidant capacity of olive leaf extract (OLE), 〈em〉Olea europaea〈/em〉 L., and its protective effect on peroxyl radical-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Main methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉The OLE was evaluated by the following assays: i) total phenolic and flavonoid content; ii) oleuropein content; iii) Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); iv) antioxidant activity against ABTS〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉〈sup〉+〈/sup〉, DPPH〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉 and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: superoxide anion (〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈msup〉〈mrow〉〈msub〉〈mrow〉〈mtext〉O〈/mtext〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msub〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉·〈/mo〉〈mo〉−〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/msup〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉), hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and nitric oxide (NO〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉) and v) protective effect on peroxyl radical-induced oxidative damages in human erythrocytes as hemolysis, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation and oxyhemoglobin oxidation.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Key findings〈/h6〉 〈p〉Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 131.7 ± 9.4 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight (dw) and 19.4 ± 1.3 mg quercetin equivalents/g dw, respectively. Oleuropein content was 25.5 ± 5.2 mg/g dw. FRAP analysis was 281.8 ± 22.8 mg trolox equivalent/g dw and OLE inhibited ABTS〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 (50% effective concentration (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉) = 16.1 ± 1.2 μg/mL) and DPPH〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉 (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 13.8 ± 0.8 μg/mL). The extract demonstrated effective ability to scavenge 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈msup〉〈mrow〉〈msub〉〈mrow〉〈mtext〉O〈/mtext〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mn〉2〈/mn〉〈/mrow〉〈/msub〉〈/mrow〉〈mrow〉〈mo〉·〈/mo〉〈mo〉−〈/mo〉〈/mrow〉〈/msup〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉 (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 52.6 ± 2.1 μg/mL), NO〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉 (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 48.4 ± 6.8 μg/mL) and HOCl (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 714.1 ± 31.4 μg/mL). The extract inhibited peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 11.5 ± 1.5 μg/mL), TBARS formation (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 38.0 ± 11.7 μg/mL) and hemoglobin oxidation (EC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 186.3 ± 29.7 μg/mL) in erythrocytes.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Significance〈/h6〉 〈p〉OLE is an important source of natural antioxidants; it has effective antioxidant activity against different reactive species and protects human erythrocytes against oxidative damage.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hidetsugu Mori, Haruhiko Yamada, Keiko Toyama, Kanji Takahashi〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Purpose〈/h6〉 〈p〉To establish a new evaluation method to quantify residual ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) volume and corneal endothelium adhesion properties for phacoemulsification surgery.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉We compared the performance of four OVDs (Viscoat®, Healon5®, Healon® and DisCoVisc®) using porcine eyes. First, OVDs were mixed with fluorescent-conjugated dextrans to render them visible under the microscope. A corneal side port was opened, followed by a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, and a corneal tunnel incision was made. OVDs were injected, then the lens was removed using one-handed phacoemulsification. After this procedure, the anterior segment of the eye was isolated via an equatorial incision and the tissue was immediately frozen in shimmering liquid nitrogen. Sagittal slices (20 μm) were cut with a Cryostat from limbus to limbus. Every tenth slide was imaged using a fluorescent microscope with a CCD camera. We evaluated the percentage of the corneal endothelium covered by each OVD as the OVD adhesion to corneal endothelium ratio (OAE ratio) and the volume of residual OVD in the anterior chamber.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉Viscoat® showed significantly higher endothelium coverage compared with both Healon® and DisCoVisc®. A statistically larger volume of Healon5® remained in the anterior chamber compared with Healon® and DisCoVisc®.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉The new evaluation methods used here provide precise quantitative analysis of OAE ratio and residual OVD volume. These results show that Viscoat® and Healon5® have a high potential for coating the corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification and aspiration surgery.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Javier Villacampa, Gordon P.D. Ingram, Manuel Martí-Vilar, Antonio Olivera-La Rosa〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Despite growing research on online social networking, implicit associations of Facebook users have been largely understudied. In Study 1, we used the Single-Target Implicit Association Test (ST-IAT; Karpinski and Steinman, 2006) in order to assess implicit associations between Facebook and two evolutionary relevant constructs: sexual and prosocial behavior. Additionally, we controlled for the role of participant's relationship status as a potential moderator of Facebook implicit associations. In Study 2, we extended these findings and explored the relationship between implicit and explicit associations towards Facebook. Across two studies, we found that Facebook is more strongly associated with prosocial than with sexual behavior. This effect was not sensitive to sex differences. Further, Study 2 results revealed that implicit and explicit associations did not correlate. We discuss the implications of these findings, underlining the role of implicit measures in cyberpsychology research.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mari Akiyama〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Osteocalcin (OC) is a well-known protein related to bone, however, the role of F-box and WD-40 domain-containing protein 2 (FBXW2) in bone remains unclear. In 2016, the presence of FBXW2 in bovine periosteum was reported. In this study, double immunostaining was used to investigate the relationship between OC and FBXW2. FBXW2 showed tubular structures, and OC showed a similar localization pattern as FBXW2. Double immunostaining findings suggested that FBXW2 tubes were coated with OC. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the interaction between OC and FBXW2.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Pasi Keinänen, Sanna Siljander, Mikko Koivula, Jatin Sethi, Essi Sarlin, Jyrki Vuorinen, Mikko Kanerva〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this paper, we propose and verify a theoretical model of the development of dispersion quality of aqueous carbon nanotube (CNT) colloid as a function of sonochemical yield of the sonication process. Four different surfactants; Triton X-100, Pluronic F-127, CTAB and SDS were studied. From these four SDS had the lowest dispersion performance which was surprising. Optical dispersion quality results fits well with proposed theoretical model.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): T.F. Adepoju, B. Rasheed, O.M. Olatunji, M.A. Ibeh, F.T. Ademiluyi, B.E. Olatunbosun〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉In 2015, the Worldatlas recorded 50 countries whose source of income is fossil fuel and its derivatives. Surprisingly, these countries solely depend on this source of energy up to 100% (Omar, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) because of technology improvement. It's so sadden that apart from its adverse effect on the economics of the countries, fossil fuels harmful effects on the universe cannot be overlooked. Meanwhile, the use of renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuel and its derivatives are faced by the high oil price, high cost of investment for alternative energy, and unfathomed electricity prices. This research work evaluates desirability of making use of alternative source of energy sources by making use of biomass oil over the use of fossil fuel and its derivatives for electricity generation.〈/p〉 〈p〉Lucky nut is an agricultural non edible seed that was employed as raw material for biofuel production. The non-edible oil was extracted from the seeds and the oil was further converted to Lucky nut biofuel via a heterogeneous based catalyst produced from calcinated pearl spar. For modelling and optimization, design expert coupled with genetic algorithms were used to generate experimental designs so as to correlate the variable factors considered for production.〈/p〉 〈p〉The extraction of Lucky nut seed revealed the optimum production yield of 50.80% (v/v) and the oil is highly unsaturated. Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometer analyses and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the calcined catalyst obtained from pearl spar showed the major component found in the pearl spar was K with relative abundance of 58.48%, which favoured the yield of Lucky nut biodiesel (91.00% (v/v)). Based on predicted values, the optimum validated Lucky nut biodiesel by RSMED and ANNED were 89.68% (v/v) and 92.87% (v/v), respectively. Produced properties of biofuel conformed to the biofuel standard.〈/p〉 〈p〉The study concluded that Lucky nut seed is a good source of oil, and its transformation to alternative fuel via a using calcined catalyst proved its fitness as a replacement for fossil fuel.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ryota Funakoshi, Koji Masuda, Hidehiko Uchiyama, Mitsuaki Ohta〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The study aimed to clarify the regularity of the motions of horse's back, rider's pelvis and spine associated with improvement of rider's dynamic trunk alignment. The study used a crossover design, with exercise using the horseback riding simulator (simulator hereafter) as the control condition. The experiments were conducted at Tokyo University of Agriculture Bio-therapy Center. The sample consisted of 20 healthy volunteers age 20–23 years. Participants performed 15-min sessions of horseback riding with a Hokkaido Pony and exercise using the simulator in experiments separated by ≥2 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) after horseback riding revealed decreased activity in the erector spinae. Exploratory data analysis of acceleration and angular velocity inferred associations between acceleration (Rider's neck/longitudinal axis [Y hereafter]) and angular velocity (Horse saddle/Y) as well as angular velocity (Rider's pelvis/Y) and angular velocity (Horse saddle/Y). Acceleration (Rider's neck/Y) tended to be associated with angular velocity (Rider's pelvis/Y). Surface EMG following exercise revealed decreased activity in the rectus abdominis and erector spinae after the simulator exercise. Horseback riding improved the rider's dynamic trunk alignment with a clear underlying mechanism, which was not observed with the simulator.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ningning Cheng, Jingjing Zhang, Jingmei Yin, Shenmin Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The harm of trans-fatty acids to health has aroused public concern. It is believed that the main source of trans-fatty acids in diets is the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids in edible oils during cooking. However, the information on the isomerization mechanism is very limited. In this paper, we used oleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, as a simplified model for edible oil and investigated the mechanism of cis/trans isomerization by computation and experiments. The computational results show that R〈sub〉c〈/sub〉-O-O-H is a very important intermediate, and the cleavage of O-O bond in R〈sub〉c〈/sub〉-O-O-H is the rate-controlling step during the cis/trans isomerization. Using the ATR-FTIR measurements, the contents of elaidic acid were measured quantitatively in sites. The experimental results indicate that the cis/trans isomerization of oleic acid can occur obviously only under oxidizing condition when the temperature is higher than 120 °C.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Show-Yu Lin, Chen-Yung Lin, Ming-Chin Hsin〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This study investigated students' risk perceptions with respect to personal hygiene behaviours (PHBs) from a sociocultural perspective along three dimensions: oral intake, physical contact, and preventative. A framework for an ecological system incorporates personal-social-cultural schemata shaping one's PHBs was proposed. A questionnaire survey and interview were administrated to 113 Taiwanese undergraduates who rated their risk concerns regarding 22 PHBs items; interviews were also conducted post-questionnaire to solicit opinions regarding item responses. A descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and post hoc comparison were performed for quantitative data analysis while qualitative data quoting students' elaboration on their responses were presented. This study reached three main conclusions. First, there is a significant difference between the risk perception scores of oral intake PHBs compared to physical contact PHBs. Second, the risk perception scores between this study and the American survey differ significantly. Furthermore, 13 of the items are considered to be socioculturally-embedded PHBs, differing substantially between the two study populations. Therefore, this study suggests that, in order to promote health policy and education, biology, society and culture levels need to be considered.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Nury Tatiana Jiménez, Juan Carlos Munévar, José Manuel González, Clementina Infante, Sandra Janneth Perdomo Lara〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Three-dimensional-porous scaffolds of bone graft substitutes play a critical role in both cell targeting and transplantation strategies. These scaffolds provide surfaces that facilitate the response of stem cells related to attachment, survival, migration, proliferation, and differentiation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Objective〈/h6〉 〈p〉The aim of this study was to evaluate the 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 behavior of human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells cultured on scaffolds of polylactic/polyglycolic acid with and without hydroxyapatite.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Method〈/h6〉 〈p〉We performed an 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 experimental study using dental pulp stem cells obtained from samples of premolars, molars. The cells were cultured on scaffolds with osteogenic differentiation medium. Cell proliferation, adhesion and cell differentiation to an osteoblastic linage in the biomaterial were evaluated at three different time points: 7, 15 and 30 days. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. Analysis of the data was performed with the Split Plot block and MANOVA model.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉The differentiation capability of hDPSCs towards the osteoblast lineage was better in the scaffold of PLGA/HA at 7, 15 and 30 days, as indicated by the high expression of osteogenic markers 〈em〉RUNX2, ALP, OPN〈/em〉 and 〈em〉COL-I〈/em〉, compared with differentiation in the PLGA scaffold. No statistically significant differences were found in cell adhesion between the two types of scaffolds.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉The PLGA/HA scaffold provided better physical and chemical signals, as judged by the ability of dental pulp stem cells to adhere, proliferate and differentiate toward the osteogenic lineage.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Björn-Ole Bast, Uta Rickert, Janna Schneppenheim, François Cossais, Henrik Wilms, Philipp Arnold, Ralph Lucius〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Over the last years, studies on microglia cell function in chronic neuro-inflammation and neuronal necrosis pointed towards an eminent role of these cells in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease. It was found, that microglia cell activity can be stimulated towards a pro- or an anti-inflammatory profile, depending on the stimulating signals. Therefore, investigation of receptors expressed by microglia cells and ligands influencing their activation state is of eminent interest.〈/p〉 〈p〉A receptor found to be expressed by microglia cells is the mineralocorticoid receptor. One of its ligands is Aldosterone, a naturally produced steroid hormone of the adrenal cortex, which mainly induces homeostatic and renal effects. We evaluated if the addition of Aldosterone to LPS stimulated microglia cells changes their inflammatory profile.〈/p〉 〈p〉Therefore, we assessed the levels of nitric oxide (NO), iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 in untreated, LPS-treated and LPS/Aldosterone-treated microglia cells. Furthermore we analyzed p38-MAP-Kinase and NFκB signaling within these cells.〈/p〉 〈p〉Our results indicate that the co-stimulation with Aldosterone leads to a decrease of the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory effect and thus renders Aldosterone an anti-inflammatory agent in our model system.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zahir Shah, Ebenezer Bonyah, Saeed Islam, Waris Khan, Mohammad Ishaq〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this research work we have examined the flow of Williamson liquid film fluid with heat transmission and having the impact of thermal radiation embedded in a permeable medium over a time dependent stretching surface. The fluid flow of liquid films is assumed in two dimensions. By using suitable similarity transformation the governing non-linear partial differential equations have been transformed into non-linear differential equations. An optimal approach has been used to acquire the solution of the modelled problem. The convergence of the technique has been shown numerically. The impact of the Skin friction and Nusslet number and their influence on thin film flow are shown numerically. Thermal radiation, unsteadiness effect and porosity have mainly focused in this paper. Furthermore, for conception and physical demonstration the entrenched parameters, like porosity parameter 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉k〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉, Prandtl number 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉Pr〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉, unsteadiness parameter 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉S〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉, Radiation parameter 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si4.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉R〈/mi〉〈mi〉d〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉, Magnetic parameter 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si5.gif" overflow="scroll"〉〈mrow〉〈mi〉M〈/mi〉〈/mrow〉〈/math〉, and Williamson fluid parameter have been discussed graphically in detail with their effect on liquid film flow.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hiroyuki Miwa, Nobuyuki Itoh〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We identified two genes, 〈em〉Cebelin〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Cebelin-like〈/em〉, encoding unknown proteins in mice. Cebelin and Cebelin-like consist of 168 and 167 amino acids with putative secreted signal sequences. However, Cebelin and Cebelin-like are cellular proteins not secreted proteins. 〈em〉Cebelin〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Cebelin-like〈/em〉 were predominantly expressed in the brain among major tissues examined. The expression of 〈em〉Cebelin〈/em〉 in the brain was predominantly detected in the internal granule layer of the cerebellum.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mark W. Perlin〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Natural variation in biological evidence leads to uncertain genotypes. Forensic comparison of a probabilistic genotype with a person's reference gives a numerical strength of DNA association. The distribution of match strength for all possible references usefully represents a genotype's potential information. But testing more genetic loci exponentially increases the number of multi-locus possibilities, making direct computation infeasible.〈/p〉 〈p〉At each locus, Bayesian probability can quickly assemble a match strength random variable. Multi-locus match strength is the sum of these independent variables. A multi-locus genotype's match strength distribution is efficiently constructed by convolving together the separate locus distributions. This convolution construction can accurately collate all trillion trillion reference outcomes in a fraction of a second.〈/p〉 〈p〉This paper shows how to rapidly construct multi-locus match strength distributions by convolution. Function convergence demonstrates that distribution accuracy increases with numerical resolution. Convolution construction has quadratic computational complexity, relative to the exponential number of reference genotypes. A suitably defined random variable reduces high-dimensional computational cost to fast real-line arithmetic.〈/p〉 〈p〉Match strength distributions are used in forensic validation studies. They provide error rates for match results. The convolution construction applies to discrete or continuous variables in the forensic, natural and social sciences. Computer-derived match strength distributions elicit the information inherent in DNA evidence, often overlooked by human analysis.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Siying Wei, Jingyu Zhao, Shuo Wang, Meiqin Huang, Yining Wang, Yan Chen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Continuous deficiency of leucine, a member of branched chain amino acids, is able to reduce obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in mice. Intermittent fasting has been shown to be effective in intervention of metabolic disorders including diabetes. However, it is unknown whether intermittent leucine deprivation can intervene in type 2 diabetes progression. We administered leucine-deprived food every other day in 〈em〉db/db〈/em〉 mice, a type 2 diabetes model, for a total of eight weeks to investigate the interventional effect of intermittent leucine deprivation. Intermittent leucine deprivation significantly reduces hyperglycemia in 〈em〉db/db〈/em〉 mice independent of body weight change, together with improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The total area of pancreatic islets and β cell number are increased by intermittent leucine deprivation, accompanied by elevated proliferation of β cells. The expression level of Ngn3, a β cell progenitor marker, is also increased by leucine-deleted diet. However, leucine deficiency engenders an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass. Lipid accumulation in the liver is elevated and liver function is compromised by leucine deprivation. In addition, leucine deficiency alters the composition of gut microbiota. Leucine deprivation increases the genera of 〈em〉Bacteroides〈/em〉, 〈em〉Alloprevotella〈/em〉, 〈em〉Rikenellaceae〈/em〉 while reduces 〈em〉Lachnospiraceae〈/em〉 and these changes are correlated with fasting blood glucose levels of the mice. Collectively, our data demonstrated that intermittent leucine deprivation can intervene in the progression of type 2 diabetes in 〈em〉db/db〈/em〉 mice. However, leucine deficiency reduces lean mass and aggravates hepatic steatosis in the mouse.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hamid Aziz, Aamer Saeed, Farukh Jabeen, Noor ud Din, Ulrich Flörke〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Tetrazoles are conjugated nitrogen-rich heterocycles considered as bio-isosteres of carboxylic acids. Tetrazoles owing to their conjugated structures serve as biologically relevant potent scaffolds. The present research paper reports the successful synthesis and single crystal analysis of three different tetrazole derivatives 〈strong〉(2, 4, 6)〈/strong〉. The synthesized tetrazole derivatives were evaluated for their possible cytotoxicity LD〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 (52.89, 49.33, 17.28 μg/ml) and antileishmanial activities IC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 (0.166, 10, 5.0 μg/ml). Moreover, molecular docking studies were performed to determine the possible interaction sites of the tetrazole derivatives 〈strong〉(2, 4, 6)〈/strong〉 with TryR, an enzyme involved in the redox metabolism of the 〈em〉Leishmania〈/em〉 parasite. Docking computations demonstrates that the tetrazole derivatives 〈strong〉(2, 4, 6)〈/strong〉 established prominent binding interactions with the key residues of the TryR and possess the potential to effectively inhibit the catalytic activities of the enzyme. The results suggested that the synthesized tetrazole derivative 〈strong〉(2, 4, 6)〈/strong〉 can be possible hit candidates which can be tested further against amastigote stage of parasite and then in an animal model of leishmaniasis.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Settakorn Upasen, Piyachat Wattanachai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This research studied various types of packaging to prolong the shelf life of non-preservative white bread. Three types of blown film packages were used, i.e. a single LDPE layer incorporated with an oxygen scavenger, a single LDPE layer containing an oxygen absorber sachet, and three layers of LDPE laminated with O-nylon. The effects of modified packaging atmosphere, i.e. 5, 10, and 21 vol. % of oxygen in nitrogen balance, on the shelf life was also included. Characterization of the packaging films was carried out using several techniques, such as Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and an optical microscopy. Headspace gases, microbial count, as well as physical appearance were used to evaluate the shelf life. The optical microscopic images showed that incorporating the oxygen scavenger into the plastic film produced small pores, contributing to a passive function of the films as their OTRs were significantly enhanced. However, the microbial growth on bread stored in those packages was suppressed, implying that the intermediate generated from scavenging reaction might act as a fungistatic. Even though the scavenging capability of the oxygen absorber sachet lasted only for 4 days, the fungi and mould development thereafter was still lower compared to the package without the sachet. The prolonging white bread shelf life was found to be primarily dependent on two factors. The package with a high oxygen barrier such three-layer films defeated microorganisms. With a low initial oxygen level of around 5% by volume, the bread shelf life could be prolonged up to 5–7 days.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Vincent Roth, Tatenda Lemann, Gete Zeleke, Alemtsehay Teklay Subhatu, Tibebu Kassawmar Nigussie, Hans Hurni〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Drawing on hydrology, rainfall, and climatic data from the past 25 years, this article investigates the effects of climate change on water resources in the transnational Blue Nile Basin (BNB). The primary focus is on determining the long-term temporal and seasonal changes in the flows of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia at the border to Sudan. This is important because the Blue Nile is the main tributary to the Nile river, the lifeline of both Sudan and Egypt. Therefore, to begin with long-term trends in hydrological time series were detected by means of both parametric and nonparametric techniques. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was calibrated using several sub-basins and new high-resolution land use and soil maps. Future climate change impacts were projected using data from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) of the National Centers for Environmental Predictions based on three different climate change scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3). Projected time series were analysed for changes in rainfall and streamflow trends. Climate change scenario modelling suggested that the precipitation will increase from 7% to 48% and that streamflow from the BNB could increase by 21% to 97%. The results provide a basis for evaluating future impacts of climate change on the upper Blue Nile River (Abay River). This is the main river basin contributing to the Nile and a source of water for millions of people in Sudan and Egypt, downstream from Ethiopia. Three models (CCCMA, CNRM, MRI) were applied in this research, within two future time periods (2046–2064 and 2081–2099) and one scenario (A1B). The Abay Basin was divided into seven sub-basins, six of which were used as inlets to the lowest basin at the border to Sudan. The above-mentioned results show that under current climate change scenarios there is a strong seasonal shift to be expected from the present main rainfall season (June to September) to an earlier onset from January to May with less pronounced peaks but longer duration of the rainfall season. This has direct consequences on the streamflow of the Blue Nile, which is connected to the rainfall season and therefore has direct effects on the people living in the sphere of influence of the Nile River.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Majid Javari〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Causal analysis (CA) is a strong quantitative approach whose mechanisms have climatic predictions. In this study, we studied the patterns of causality (PC) on the effect of rainfall (ER) using climatic series collected from 170 stations for the period 1975–2014 in Iran. Next, we predicted the causal relationships of climatic variables using causal models, including first-generation techniques (FGT), second-generation techniques (SGT), third-generation techniques (TGT), and causal hybrid techniques (CHT). Then, we estimated the causal models using partial squares algorithms (PSA), mechanical equations modeling algorithms (MEMA) such as exploratory and confirmatory methods, and spatial variability methods such as geostatistics and spatial statistical methods. Finally, we evaluated the quality of the methods using the goodness of fit indices, including absolute fit indices (AFI), comparative fit indices (CFI), and parsimonious fit indices (PFI). The results showed that CHT algorithm more suitably predicted the climatic spatiotemporal effect variability (SEV) by extracting direct, indirect, and total effects of climatic variables. Based on the CHT algorithm, the highest and lowest effect values were observed in total effects of winter rainfall (0.98) and summer rainfall variables (0.1), respectively. The SEV ranged from 0.8 to 0.98 for the winter rainfall total effects of CHT in Iran. Using CHT, most of the predicted SEV, particularly the rainfall series, displayed SEV varying from 80% to 98% of the winter rainfall total effects to the annual rainfall in Iran. Similarly, based on the CHT, the highest and lowest SEV values were in western, eastern, and southern regions and in central regions, respectively. In addition, the SEV varied within the range of 0.6–0.74 (varying from 60% to 74% for the autumn rainfall total effects of the annual rainfall in Iran) for the autumn rainfall total effects in Iran. Finally, the SEV of this type of analytical pattern as well as designated subject of CA applications in the atmospheric science and environmental science are discussed.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Seyed Hossein Abrehdari〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉In this study, a simple Simulink model was designed and presented which can describe the overall operation of seismograph based on the desired input and output response.〈/p〉 〈p〉By converting Laplace to seismograph equations and by defining Numerator and Denominator fractions to Num. and Den. (Numerator and Denominator) transfer WWSSN (World-Wide Standard Seismographic Network) functions, the changeability of pole-zero was taken into consideration which indicates the stability and instability of the system layout with respect to pole - zero layout. In fact, the poles and zeros are placed in the seismograph response based on frequency, amplitude and phase (FAP) and are analyzed well. Through this method can also be used to study seismograph transfer function to predict the seismograph output in environments with different seismic noise and to select the most appropriate value for the parameters controlling the output of the device.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Rahul Saha, Ramgopal V.S Uppaluri, Pankaj Tiwari〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Experimental investigations targeting optimum chemical slug formulations for tertiary enhance oil recovery of heavy crude oil in carbonate reservoir were carried out. Based on interfacial tension (IFT), emulsification, wettability alteration and core flooding studies, two alkalis and eight surfactants have been screened by considering conditions similar to oil reservoirs (0–20% salinity and 30–80 °C temperature). Dynamic IFT studies interestingly affirmed oil-layer break time phenomena and hence enhanced emulsification extent. Alkali, thermally stable surfactant mixture and alkali-surfactant mixture systems reduced IFT to 10〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, 10〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 and 10〈sup〉−3〈/sup〉 mN/m respectively. Flooding studied confirmed an additional oil recovery of 12.79% and 14.46% for alkali and alkali-surfactant mixture systems respectively. On the other hand, due to optimal emulsion stability, maximal residual oil recovery of 24.58% being achieved for a slug formulation of 0.1 wt% surfactant mixture. Surfactant concentration above 0.1 wt% enabled stronger emulsion formation that detriments displacement efficiency and oil recovery factor.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718311178-ga1.jpg" width="341" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mi Zhang, Jilai Gong, Guangming Zeng, Peng Zhang, Biao Song, Weicheng Cao, Hongyu Liu, Shuangyan Huan〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉As a photocatalyst, bismuth vanadate coupled with reduced oxide graphene (BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-rGO) has been reported for dye degradation. However, this catalyst faced the disadvantages of low catalytic efficiency and long catalytic time. In this paper, BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-rGO composites were synthesized by a modified hydrothermal method, and characterization results showed the monoclinic BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 surface successfully coupled with a layer of rGO. The dye removal performance of BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-rGO composites were evaluated by the degradation of malachite green and rhodamine B under visible light irradiation and photocatalytic results showed that the BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 with rGO modification could effectively enhance the dyes removal performance. In a specific photocatalytic experiment, BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-rGO-300 could remove 99.5% MG in two hours and 99.84% RhB in four hours, which was superior to previous studies. Furthermore, application of catalyst in practical wastewater was also taken into account. MG and RhB were degraded by BiVO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-rGO in several kinds of actual wastewater and experimental results showed that this catalyst could efficiently remove dye in actual environment. This improvement could be ascribed to the increase of special surface area, efficient charge transfer and reduction of electron-hole pair recombination with the incorporation of rGO. The influences of pH, supporting electrolyte and mechanism of the dye degradation were also investigated in details.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉The dyes removal performance for MG and RhB was effectively enhanced and the catalyst has a good potential in dye wastewater treatment.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571831135X-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Min Jae Shin, Young Jae Shin, Jae Sup Shin〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, the molecular imprinting technique and self-assembled monolayer technique were combined to increase the recognition ability of cholesterol. A self-assembled monolayer with 4-mercaptophenol and benzenethiol was formed on a gold plate, and the reaction of cholesteryl chloroformate with the phenol group in the 4-mercaptophenol was followed. This layer was then coated with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In order to expose the cholesterol buried under the coating, the partial upper part of the coated PMMA was then removed by stroking the coated plate in acetone solvent. The molecular imprinted site was prepared by hydrolysis of the carbonate bond and extraction of the hydrolyzed cholesterol. This gold plate was used as a working electrode to test the recognition ability for cholesterol. The result showed that the plate obtained good recognition ability for cholesterol compared with cholic acid. The ratio of 4-mercaptophenol to benzenethiol was a very important factor in the ability to recognize cholesterol. Regulating the thickness of the coated PMMA was also one of the important factors to increase the ability to recognize cholesterol.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571831238X-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Nichaphat Thongsai, Nattapong Tanawannapong, Janjira Praneerad, Sumana Kladsomboon, Panichakorn Jaiyong, Peerasak Paoprasert〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Rice husk, an agricultural waste that currently finds few uses, is rich in cellulose-based materials and silica. In this work, a simple one-pot method for preparing carbon dots and mesoporous silica from rice husk was developed, using hydrothermal and calcination methods. The carbon dots exhibited blue emission with excellent photostability, and had a diameter of 4–5 nm and a quantum yield of 3%. They were demonstrated to be capable of detecting alcohol vapors at room temperature, and of distinguishing between methanol, ethanol, and several volatile organic compounds when used as the sensing layer in an optical electronic nose system. The alcohol content of a commercial beverage was successfully determined using the carbon dot-integrated electronic nose. The solvation effect of the alcohol vapors on the electronic absorption spectra of model carbon dot structures was illustrated using time-dependent density functional theory with the dielectric polarizable continuum model. The UV–vis and computational results confirmed that the sensing mechanism of carbon dots is through the modulation of their optical absorbance governed by polar-polar interfacial interactions. This was experimental and computational demonstration of carbon dot sensing of vapors. Their excellent biocompatibility suggests biomedical applications, in addition to sensing. The production of two functional materials from a single low-value waste source was demonstrated.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718312378-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chenhao Zhao, Zhibiao Hu, Jiangshui Luo〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Porous carbon box or nanoplate has been prepared by synchronous carbonization/activation of potassium citrate, and the corresponding porous carbon nanoplate/Se composite can be obtained using a melting-diffusion method. The influence of structure parameters including specific surface area and porous structure of porous carbon and resultant carbon/Se composite on electrochemical properties are studied. It is found a moderate micropore size of carbon substrate and low specific surface area of carbon/Se composite are benefit to electrochemical performances. At an optimal temperature of 700 °C, the porous carbon composed of micro- and small meso-porous (2–4 nm) structure has a BET specific surface area of 695.4 m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, and the amorphous Se is uniformly encapsulated into its porous structure. As the cathode material of Li ion battery, the porous carbon nanoplate/Se composite delivers an initial discharge capacity of 589.2 mAh g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 with Coulombic efficiency of 72.6% at 0.2C, and capacity retention of 78.3% can be obtained after 500 cycles at 2C. Even at a high rate of 4C, a discharge capacity of 415.2 mAh g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 can be reached.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718312950-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ting Zou, You Han, Xinxue Li, Wei Li, Jinli Zhang, Yan Fu〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Controlled synthesis of noble metal nanocatalysts with desirable catalytic activities remains a great challenge. Inspired by electron-rich functional groups and supramolecular assembly properties of natural nucleotides, herein we propose a versatile approach to construct Pd nanocatalysts through employing seven nucleotides as both electron donors and stabilizers. The catalytic performance of nucleotide-Pd complexes are greatly associated with the chemical structures of nucleobases as well as the number of phosphate groups. Guanosine 5′-triphosphate-Pd complexes possess high activities in the hydrogenation reduction of 4-nitrophenol assisted by NaBH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, with the relative rate constant of 7770 min〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 mM〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 25 °C. Pd(II)-coordinated nucleotides are also promising in NaBH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-mediated degradation of organic dyes. This work demonstrates a green and facile process to construct Pd nanocatalysts containing abundant active sites under the assistance by natural nucleotides.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718314377-ga1.jpg" width="471" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mirela Teodorescu, Maria Bercea, Simona Morariu〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The present study has been focused on investigation of some polymer mixtures of interest for biomedical applications. Three pairs of polymers, namely: poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), PVA/hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), Pluronic F127 (PL)/HPC were subjected to viscometic study in dilute solution. The intrinsic viscosity, the Huggins constant and 〈em〉B〈/em〉 parameter, as well as the miscibility parameters were discussed. The hydrodynamic properties of these polymer mixtures were analyzed as compared with the corresponding single polymer solutions at two reference temperatures, 〈em〉i.e.〈/em〉 the storage (25 °C) and physiological (37 °C) temperature. Each mixture has shown distinct behavior: PVA/PVP system is fully miscible regardless composition or temperature; the miscibility of PVA/HPC or PL/HPC mixtures is influenced in a specific manner by the ratio between the two polymers and by the temperature. The main interest is a better understanding of the polymer-polymer interactions and to identify the synergistic behavior in order to design multicomponent biomaterials with targeted properties. The compatibility of these polymers was attributed to the favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions between the hydroxyl groups of PVA and carbonyl groups of PVP, hydroxyl groups of PVA and HPC, and ether groups of PL and hydroxyl groups of HPC. On the other hand, hydrophobic interactions influence the polymer/polymer miscibility.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718311749-ga1.jpg" width="225" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaopeng Xue, Zhonghao Xu, Israel Pedruzzi, Ping Li, Jianguo Yu〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Interface phenomena between low molecular weight (LMW) carboxylic acids and muscovite was investigated through molecular dynamic simulation and experiment, where the typical monocarboxylic acids including formic acid (C〈sub〉1〈/sub〉), acetic acid (C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), propionic acid (C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉) and butyric acid (C〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) were used as models. Density distribution, adsorption energy, root mean square dynamic (RMSD) of carboxylic acids on water-muscovite interface were calculated through molecular dynamic simulation, and the advanced characterization methods, such as ATR-FTIR spectra, AFM images and contact angle were performed to test and verify the relative simulation findings. The molecular simulation showed that carboxylic acids adsorbed on surface of muscovite through hydrogen bond between H atom of 〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉COOH functional group of carboxylic acid and O atom of muscovite, belong to outer sphere adsorption, and ATR-FTIR spectra and AFM images confirmed this finding. Adsorption energy for long carbon chain carboxylic acid (C〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) was higher than that for short carbon chain carboxylic acid (C〈sub〉1〈/sub〉, C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉) due to the effect of carboxylic acid diffusion on water-muscovite interface. The hydrophilic functional group 〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉COOH of carboxylic acids preferably adsorbed on muscovite surface, while the hydrophobic functional groups 〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉CH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 and 〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉CH〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 of carboxylic acids were far from the muscovite surface. So, the hydrophobicity on muscovite surface increased due to the adsorption of carboxylic acids, which resulted in the increase of contact angle of water on muscovite surface.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718310823-ga1.jpg" width="242" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Guowen Chen, Yuying Fu, Fuge Niu, Hao Zhang, Xiaomeng Li, Xin Li〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉To evaluate the performance of biopolymer fabricated nanoparticle under commercial processing conditions, the stability of gum Arabic (GA)-zein-cur (curcumin) colloidal system was recorded and analyzed. The results showed that GA-zein-cur system is colloidal stable in the pH range of 5–8, however, encapsulated curcumin degraded rapidly as long as the pH changes. As for processing temperature, more than 70 °C will affect the spatial structure of zein and leading to the leak or exposure of encapsulated curcumin which result in the degradation of curcumin. Na〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 has no significant effect on colloidal and chemical performance of nanoparticles while Fe〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 could penetrate the zein nanosphere and compromise curcumin. Results of our work imply that the protein-based core-shell delivery system has advantages in solubilizing the hydrophobic compounds and has certain ability to protect the encapsulated material against the unfavorable environment.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718308707-ga1.jpg" width="313" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Haiqin Wu, Liang Yan, Liyang Fu, Lan Jin〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The interaction of alizarin with aminophenylboronic acid (ARS-PBA) was used through a new strategy for electrochemical sensors of glucose. In the present work, ARS-PBA complex and the layered double hydroxide nanosheets (LDH nanosheets) were successfully assembled on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes via layer by layer technology method. The resulted electrode was characterized by UV–vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to achieve the morphological, structural and compositional information. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were conducted to investigate electrochemical properties of the modified electrode. Moreover, the modified electrode was used as a non-enzymatic sensor for glucose determination, exhibiting good electrochemical properties, fast response time and long-term stability. At the optimum conditions, the constructed electrode sensor shows a linear range of 0∼1.00 μmol/L and a low detection limit of 4.0 nmol/L (S/N = 3) for glucose. On the basis of affinity between glucose and ARS-PBA complex, the functionalized electrode showed a high selectivity toward glucose over other concomitant biomolecues (dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid). Therefore, a simple and effective electrochemical method was developed and offers a complementary tool for the detection of glucose.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718313219-ga1.jpg" width="358" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Priyadharsan A., Shanavas S., Vasanthakumar V., Balamuralikrishnan B., Anbarasan P.M.〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The sunlight driven photocatalytic activity of semiconductor based nanocomposites has attracted extensive attention in recent years for environmental remediation and energy applications. Here, we report an effective strategy to synthesis ternary MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-ZnO-reduced graphene oxide (MZG) nanocomposite as a photocatalyst by a facile hydrothermal method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical tools. The basic photocatalytic mechanism of the composite material was exhibited the photoexcited electrons of ZnO can be readily transported to MoS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 through rGO backbone, reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. The photocatalytic performance was optimized using methylene blue as a model organic dye under natural sunlight irradiation. The results were compared with pure and binary, MZG ternary nanocomposites exhibit superior photocatalytic activity. In a continuation of environmental remediation studies, MZG ternary nanocomposites revealed high antibacterial activity towards 〈em〉Escherichia coli (E.coli)〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus)〈/em〉, highlighting its potential photocatalytic and antibacterial properties at different industrial and medical applications. This study may afford some inspiration for the rational design and facile synthesis of composite catalysts with a high and tunable catalytic property through a green, efficient pathway.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718310835-ga1.jpg" width="233" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anusha Chandra, Bhuvanesh E, Sujay Chattopadhyay〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Permselectivity and water uptake behaviors of anion exchange membrane (AEM) were investigated with organic acids. Contribution of the number of carboxyl group (acetic acid: AA, malic acid: MA, citric acid: CA) and hydrocarbon chain lengths (formic acid: FA, AA, propionic acid: PA and n-butyric acid: BA) in water uptake and permselectivity values were separately investigated with five different concentrations 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.125 mol·L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 of each acid at two different pH 2.0 and 7.5 conditions. Microstructural changes occurring due to interaction of carboxylate anion and NR〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 groups of AEM resulted in permselectivity behavior. Permselectivity trend: CA 〈 MA 〈 AA could be explained by counter-ion condensation resulting out of strong counter-ion interactions with AEM fixed charges. Co-ion mobility values could explain variation in permselectivity at pH 2.0 and 7.5. While, water uptake and ionic size were dominant factors to explain the permselectivity trend: FA 〉 AA 〉 PA 〉 BA. Complex nature of interactions due to properties (size, charge, ionic charge density, mobility, diffusivity, stokes radius etc.) of carboxylate anions were explained using diffusivity ratio (counter/co-ion, 〈em〉D〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/D〈sub〉1〈/sub〉〈/em〉), adsorption equilibrium and fraction of dissociated species.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718313906-ga1.jpg" width="276" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Svetlana Fedorenko, Alexey Stepanov, Rustem Zairov, Ondrej Kaman, Rustem Amirov, Irek Nizameev, Kirill Kholin, Ildus Ismaev, Alexandra Voloshina, Anastasiya Sapunova, Marsil Kadirov, Asiya Mustafina〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The present work introduces one-pot synthetic route to join ultra-small iron oxides (6 nm) with Gd(III) complexes in small (∼30 nm) silica nanoparticles with high longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values (r〈sub〉1〈/sub〉 = 34.7 mM〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and r〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 = 64.7 mM〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 0.47 T). The design of the nanoparticles is based on the core-shell morphology, where the Gd(III) complexes were doped into the exterior silica layer. The doping mode is the reason for an efficient interfacial hydration and the small suppressing of r〈sub〉1〈/sub〉 by iron oxides. The measurements on the whole body scanner at 1.5 T confirm the high contrasting abilities of T〈sub〉1〈/sub〉 (Gd) and T〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (iron oxide) components in the nanoparticles. Poor aggregation behavior of the nanoparticles in water is due to high electrokinetic potential value (−78 mV). Greater aggregation of the nanoparticles in the buffer solutions of bovine serum albumin enhances the disturbing effect of iron oxides on the longitudinal relaxation and facilitates the transverse relaxation. The higher surface activity of the nanoparticles results in their greater cytotoxicity versus the silica coated iron oxides, although the cytotoxicity is low in the concentration range which is within the region of interest for MRI technique.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718311166-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jiwei Lu, Mingjun Sun, Zhitao Yuan, Shengliang Qi, Zhongyun Tong, Lixia Li, Qingyou Meng〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Serpentine, as a common magnesium silicate mineral found in many ores around the world, is usually dispersed/depressed with the dispersants/depressants by adsorbing on the surface of serpentine. Therefore, in this work, the interaction mechanism of the dispersant of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was investigated in detail though solution chemistry calculations, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses, zeta potential measurements, adsorption and ion release tests, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results indicated that anionic components of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉PO〈sup〉−〈/sup〉〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and HPO〈sup〉2−〈/sup〉〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 in SHMP, as the predominant and effective species, adsorbed on the Mg and Si sites of the serpentine surfaces, which occurred on the Si site through the electrostatic interaction and on the Mg site through the chemical adsorption. As a result, the surface charge of serpentine was reversed from positive to negative at all pH region examined. In addition, ion release tests confirmed that SHMP dissolved some Mg ions for forming soluble complexes from the serpentine surface into the solution. Thus, the negative charge of it was further enhanced, which would lead to much stronger repulsion between negatively charge valuable minerals (e.g., pentlandite) and serpentine. Thus, the serpentine would be well dispersed with the valuable minerals.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718312329-ga1.jpg" width="398" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Konstantin Popov, Maxim Oshchepkov, Elena Afanas’eva, Elena Koltinova, Yulia Dikareva, Hannu Rönkkömäki〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Scaling in reverse osmosis facilities, boilers, heat exchangers, evaporation plants, and oilfield applications is a serious problem worldwide. A widely used solution for controlling scale deposition is an application of chemical inhibitors. However, irrespective of the broad and a long-term antiscalant application, the mechanisms of scale inhibition are still the matter of discussions.〈/p〉 〈p〉In order to provide a new insight into the mechanism of the scale inhibition, a novel dynamic light scattering (DLS) special technique is used to study the bulk supersaturated gypsum aqueous solutions during the induction period. It is based on the standard Ag nanoparticles (ARGOVIT) injection into the supersaturated gypsum solution. These nanoparticles act as an internal indifferent light scattering intensity reference, and provide a semiquantitative measurement of a relative gypsum particles content in a blank solution and in the system treated with phosphonates: amino-tris(methylenephosphonic acid), ATMP; 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-bis(phosphonic acid), HEDP; 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, PBTC. It is found that ATMP sufficiently reduces the number of gypsum nuclei, spontaneously formed in the supersaturated solutions. The less effective inhibitors of gypsum scaling HEDP and PBTC also reduce the gypsum nuclei number, but to a less extent. A tentative nonconventional mechanism of scale inhibition in the bulk supersaturated aqueous solutions of gypsum is proposed.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718307192-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hong-Liu Jiang, Jie-Ci Lin, Wei Hai, Hong-Wei Tan, Yu-Wei Luo, Xiao-Lin Xie, Yao Cao, Fu-An He〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, a novel crosslinked porous β-cyclodextrin-based polymer containing carboxylic acid groups (CT-β-CD) was synthesized successfully and characterized by SEM, FTIR, 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C solid-state NMR, water-contact-angle measurement, and TGA. The resultant CT-β-CD with triple absorption effects including inclusion complextion, porous network capture, and electrostatic interaction was employed as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue dye from aqueous solution, which exhibited several advantages such as high absorption capacity (q〈sub〉max〈/sub〉 = 672 mg/g), rapid absorption rate, good recyclable ability, and selective adsorption for cationic dyes. The influences of initial MB concentration, absorption time, and pH value on the absorption behavior of CT-β-CD for MB were also investigated. In addition, it was found that the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir model for adsorption isotherm could be used to describe the MB absorption behavior of CT-β-CD.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718313050-ga1.jpg" width="437" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Qing Fan, Dali Zhou, Lei Yang, Jiabei Zhou, Shuang Yang, Yongqiang Yang〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Glass lubricants have great potential in industrial metal forming processes such as hot extrusion of titanium and titanium alloys. In this work, based on the extrusion process of commercial-purity titanium (TA2) at 800 °C, glass lubricants with low melting points are designed. The thermal properties, high-temperature oxidation resistance and friction properties of uncoated and glass-coated TA2 samples are systemically studied, which reveals the good lubricating and anti-oxidation properties of the samples. The glass lubricant melts into a viscoelastic film at 800 °C to insulate TA2 from oxygen and reduce friction, and automatically peel off during cooling due to the significantly mismatched thermal expansion between the glass coating and TA2 substrate. This work provides a guidance for designing glass-based lubricants used in hot extrusion of metals.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571831152X-ga1.jpg" width="322" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): T. Rijnaarts, J. Moreno, M. Saakes, W.M. de Vos, K. Nijmeijer〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a process to harvest renewable energy from salinity gradients. Under lab conditions with artificial salt solutions, promising results have been achieved in recent years. However, in large scale industrial applications, natural waters are used and that poses challenges such as fouling. Fouling of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) by organic matter (e.g. humic acids) has been identified as a possible cause that lowers RED performance with natural waters. In this work, natural river and seawater at the Afsluitdijk (The Netherlands) are used to study the RED performance of six different AEMs. These AEMs are characterized before and after RED experiments with natural waters. The effect of natural fouling is found to be specific for each AEM and highly dependent on their respective chemistries and associated membrane properties. Firstly, aromatic AEMs with a low swelling degree showed a permselectivity decrease as well as membrane resistance increase. Secondly, aliphatic AEMs with a medium swelling degree experienced only a membrane resistance increase. Finally, only a decrease in permselectivity was observed for aliphatic AEMs with large swelling degrees. Subsequently, the effect of AEM fouling is compared to the observed decrease in RED performance and this shows that AEM fouling can only explain a minor part of the losses in open circuit voltage (OCV). The RED power densities dropped by 15–20% over 12 days, independent of the AEMs selected, while the reduced AEM performance could only explain 2–4% of this reduction in power density. This demonstrates that next to AEM fouling, also other factors, such as spacer fouling, are expected to be the dominant fouling mechanism, reducing the performance to a much larger extent.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718313505-ga1.jpg" width="481" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yibo Ouyang, Jin Zhao, Ri Qiu, Shugang Hu, Yan Zhang, Peng Wang〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bioinspired superhydrophobic and oil-infused surfaces have been recognized as interesting and promising materials for a wide range of applications correlated with water environment, such as corrosion and biofouling inhibition. Which material is the better choice still waits to reveal. In this study, taking stainless steel as the substrate, superhydrophobic and oil-infused surface based on Cu(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 matrix with prickly chestnut husk morphology is respectively obtained via successive steps. During the preparation of superhydrophobic surface, firstly, discrete Cu particles are electrodeposited onto stainless steel. After that, oxidation of the as-deposited Cu particles leads to the prickly Cu(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 following a dissolution-crystallization mechanism. Under a mild condition, dodecanethiol vapor modifies prickly matrix to achieve superhydrophobicity by anchoring the long-chain organic moiety onto Cu(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 surface. Since superhydrophobic matrix is intrinsically superoleophilic, oil-infused surface is finally constructed onto stainless steel. Taking typical marine fouling organisms including sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and diatoms as the representatives, oil-infused surface can steadily prevent the biofouling on stainless steel, showing the better performance than superhydrophobic surface for biofouling inhibition. Using epoxy resin as the artificial fouling agent, the pulling force to remove the glued solid on oil infused surface is much lower than that on bare stainless steel, illustrating oil layer acting as the separation cushion between fouling agent and underneath substrate.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Superhydrophobic and oil-infused surface based on prickly chestnut husk morphology Cu(OH)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 are used as the representatives to illustrate which is the better choice to prevent marine biofouling.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718307477-ga1.jpg" width="295" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chengyi Wang, Lin Chen, Shanshan Liu, Liang Zhu〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, nitrite desorption from activated carbon fiber (ACF) in capacitive deionization (CDI) and membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) was examined and the effects of the operation parameters (pH, voltage, temperature and flow rate) and co-existing matters were deeply investigated. Desorption mechanisms were analyzed via Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed that the final desorption ratio increased from 0 to 100% in MCDI and the enhancement was also observed in CDI that the ratio increased from 18.7 to 83.5% when solution pH increased from 2 to 10. Increasing the voltage and solution temperature also contributed to the ion desorption both in CDI and MCDI, while the effect of flow rate was negligible. Generally, MCDI showed greater desorption performance than CDI due to the elimination of co-ions effect. However, it was interesting to find that when the voltage was in the range of 0.4-0.6 V, the desorption ratio increased from 38.4% to 50.8% in MCDI which was lower than that in CDI (45.4% to 55.8%). One possible explanation was that the presence of membranes would inevitably introduce additional resistance into the system and decrease effective voltage especially at lower voltage. Compared to the desorption performance in MCDI when the solution pH was 2, the greater desorption performance was observed in CDI which was mainly attributed to the site competition. As for the influence of coexisting matters, the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) posed an adverse effect for the ion desorption both in CDI and MCDI. The inhibition effect was more serious in CDI, and pore blockage caused by BSA attachment onto ACF was the main mechanism. Therefore, this study would provide some referential advice for the investigation of ion desorption in CDI and MCDI.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718312275-ga1.jpg" width="255" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 28 June 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anwesha Sarkar, Brent S. Murray〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 560〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anh-Tu Ngo, Salvatore Costanzo, Pierre-Antoine Albouy, Vincent Russier, Sawako Nakamae, Johannes Richardi, Isabelle Lisiecki〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Novel colloidal crystals made of maghemite nanocrystals are fabricated by a co-evaporation method with a mixture of ethanol/hexane. Through a series of comprehensive characterization performed by grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM), we show the first example of well-defined face-centered cubic (fcc) colloidal crystals. In order to obtain a clear picture of the crystal formation, the amount of ethanol in the solution is monitored using gas chromatography. In parallel, the interactions between the nanocrystals are calculated by statistical mechanics theory using solubility parameters. Theory predicts the formation of colloidal crystals at quite high amounts of ethanol around 15%, in perfect agreement with experimental results. We show that the theory can further be applied to predict the optimal experimental conditions for the formation of colloidal crystals using other solvent mixtures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571830788X-ga1.jpg" width="446" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 20 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Volume 559〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaoyu Gao, Gang Wen, Zhiguang Guo〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Based on controlling ZnO nanoarrays morphology and employing fluorine-free modification agent, superhydrophobicity in air and superoleophobicity under water were successfully achieved on the prepared cotton fabric surfaces via a two-step hydrothermal reaction. To increase adhesion between ZnO crystal layer and substrate surface, two kinds of silane coupling agents (hydrophobic TTOP-12 and hydrophilic KH550) were added selectively in the pretreatment process. The as-prepared fabric exhibited great tolerance and durableness towards external harsh environments, such as mechanical abrasion, UV radiation, immersion of acid or alkali, and high temperature. In comparison, superhydrophobic fabrics showed superior separation effect for heavy oil and water mixture, while underwater superoleophobic fabric can also show efficient separation of water and light oil with high separation efficiency and flux. In a word, heavy/light oil and water mixtures can be separated efficiently as need by choosing cotton fabrics with various wettabilities.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉The cotton fabrics with superhydrophobic and superolephobic underwater were fabricated in this paper via controlling ZnO crystal morphology and choosing various modification agents, and the results showed that they possessed efficient separations as need for oil/ water mixtures with both an efficiency and a high flux.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0927775718311129-ga1.jpg" width="386" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Elina Kylmäoja, Miho Nakamura, Sanna Turunen, Christina Patlaka, Göran Andersson, Petri Lehenkari, Juha Tuukkanen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) derived mononuclear cells are precursors of 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉 osteoclast differentiation. However, few studies have compared the phenotypic and functional properties of osteoclasts generated from these sources and the effects of different growth factors on osteoclastogenesis. Both cell types differentiated into functional osteoclasts, but culturing the cells with or without transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and dexamethasone revealed differences in their osteoclastogenic capacity. When receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were used for differentiation, we did not observe differences in bone resorption activity or expression of osteoclastogenic genes 〈em〉calcitonin receptor〈/em〉 (〈em〉CR〈/em〉) and 〈em〉nuclear factor of activated T-cells〈/em〉 (〈em〉NFATc1〈/em〉) between the osteoclasts formed from the two sources. Addition of TGF-β and dexamethasone led to higher number of nuclei in multinuclear cells and increased expression of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) 5a and 5b, 〈em〉CR〈/em〉 and 〈em〉NFATc1〈/em〉 in PB- derived osteoclasts depicting the higher osteoclastogenic potential and responsiveness to TGF-β and dexamethasone in PB monocytes. These results conclude that the choice of the osteoclast precursor source as well as the choice of osteoclastogenic growth factors are essential matters in determining the phenotypic characteristics of heterogeneous osteoclast populations.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Roshan R. Rao, Monto Mani, Praveen C. Ramamurthy〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Globally installed solar photovoltaics (PV) capacity has crossed three hundred gigawatts and is increasing each year. As the share of solar PV in the energy mix of a country increases, forecasting PV power available will be crucial. To forecast the instantaneous and long-term PV power output, understanding the factors influencing them is necessary. In this view, this work elaborates on the factors that impact the PV system through tabulation and graphical explanation. Further, a discussion of the articles related to the dust-induced change in performance is made. To understand the impact of dust on solar PV systems in depth, advanced instrumentation and methodologies have been used in the past few years. One of the methods is the measurement of spectral transmittance/reflectance/absorptance of the dust layer on the PV panel. This has led to the question whether a thin layer of some specific dust can be beneficial by absorbing infrared (IR) heat and hence allowing the PV cells to operate at a lower temperature. Many controlled experiments in the laboratory have been made using the artificial dust and sun simulators; and such studies aid in the development of numerical models. Research in modeling, mathematical analysis (from first principles) of dust deposition, and calculation of its impact on panels have been given importance in recent years. Outdoor experiments are relatively more common than other modes of research in this field. Studies involving the interaction of deposited dust with spectral radiation, improving the correlation between artificial and natural dust deposition, the interplay between dust and atmospheric parameters are to be encouraged.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Verónica Casmo, Marianne Lebbad, Salomão Maungate, Johan Lindh〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Infections with 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 spp. and 〈em〉Cystoisospora belli〈/em〉 are important causes of diarrhoea in HIV patients. Nevertheless, information concerning these two parasites is scarce in many African countries, including Mozambique. In this study occurrence of 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 spp. and 〈em〉C. belli〈/em〉 was investigated by microscopy of stool specimens from 108 adult diarrhoeal patients, most with a confirmed HIV diagnosis. The 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 isolates were further characterized by molecular methods.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 and 〈em〉C. belli〈/em〉 oocysts were found in 8.3% (9/108), and 25.0% (27/108) of the study participants, respectively. Species identification was possible for all 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 isolates with available DNA. The following 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 species were detected (number of cases within parentheses): 〈em〉C. parvum〈/em〉 (3)〈em〉, C. hominis〈/em〉 (3), 〈em〉C. felis〈/em〉 (1)〈em〉,〈/em〉 and 〈em〉C. hominis/C. parvum〈/em〉 (1). Subtyping targeting the gp60 gene revealed two 〈em〉C. hominis〈/em〉 isolates with subtype IaA23R3, one 〈em〉C. parvum〈/em〉 isolate with IIcA5G3d, and one with IIeA12G1.〈/p〉 〈p〉In summary the occurrence of 〈em〉C. hominis〈/em〉 and anthroponotic subtypes of 〈em〉C. parvum〈/em〉 indicates that the main route of 〈em〉Cryptosporidium〈/em〉 transmission in the present study population was human to human (direct or via food and water). The high prevalence of 〈em〉C. belli〈/em〉 highlights the need for early diagnosis of this parasite, for which a treatment exists.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 10〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Tomoya Terashima, Yuki Nakae, Miwako Katagi, Junko Okano, Yoshihisa Suzuki, Hideto Kojima〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Microglia are classified mainly into the M1 or M2 phenotypes, which evoke either proinflammatory or neuroprotective responses. Given the association of microglia with the pathogenesis of neuronal diseases, they are in focus as therapeutic targets for the treatment of such conditions. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a ligand for the c-kit receptor, one of the differentiation factors for bone marrow cells. In this study, characteristics of SCF-activated microglia and their effects on neurons were analyzed to investigate the therapeutic potential of SCF in neuronal diseases. SCF was found to induce proliferation, migration, and phagocytosis of microglia. In addition, SCF-derived microglia showed a neuroprotective phenotype expressing anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and M2 markers as compared to the phenotype shown by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor-derived microglia expressing inflammatory cytokines and M1 markers. Furthermore, supernatant medium from SCF-activated microglia enhanced cell proliferation and protection from cell death in NSC-34 neuronal cells. We conclude that SCF modulates microglial functions and induces activation of the neuroprotective effects of microglia, which could be used for treatment of neuronal diseases.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Taahir Harris, Victoria Jideani, Marilize Le Roes-Hill〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bambara groundnut (〈em〉Vigna subterranea〈/em〉) an indigenous legume proclaimed to have medicinal properties within rural areas. Therefore, this study aimed to identify possible medicinal properties of Bambara groundnut (BGN). Flavonoids and tannins were highly concentrated in the red and brown BGN hulls. Among the flavonoid compounds rutin was observed in highest concentrations in brown hull (24.458 ± 0.234 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and myricetin (1.800 ± 0.771 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉). While among tannin compounds chlorogenic acid was found in highest concentrations (0.115 ± 0.199 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and ellagic acid in red hull (0.105 ± 0.082 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉). The form and colour of the BGN were all important factors to optimize the best extraction yield of phytochemicals. Overall the hulls of the BGN were the optimum source of flavonoids and tannins.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): N. Shaari, S.K. Kamarudin, S. Basri〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The influence of methanol as a solvent on the properties of sodium alginate/sulfonated graphene oxide (SA/SGO) membranes was explored in water-methanol mixed conditions with various methanol concentrations and temperatures through molecular dynamics simulations. The methanol uptake of the membrane showed an isolation phase determined from the simulation results. The distance between the sulfonic acid groups increased in higher methanol concentrations, as observed from S-S RDFs. Furthermore, the distance between the SA-chain RDFs and the solvent molecules was analysed to determine a) the affinity of water towards the sulfonic acid groups and b) the affinity of the aromatic backbone of the SA towards methanol molecules. A decrease in water molecule diffusion led to an increase in methanol diffusion and uptake. SA/SGO membranes exhibited a smaller diffusion coefficient than that for the Nafion membranes, as calculated from simulation results and compared to the experimental work. Additionally, the diffusion ability increased at higher temperatures for all permeants. The interaction information obtained is useful for DMFC applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: September 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 4, Issue 9〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jeremiah Oshiomame Unuofin, Gloria Aderonke Otunola, Anthony Jide Afolayan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈em〉Kedrostis africana〈/em〉, is a tuberous plant commonly used by traditional healers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the management of obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity and cytotoxic effects of 〈em〉Kedrostis africana〈/em〉 extracts in vitro The α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of 〈em〉Kedrostis africana〈/em〉 tuber were investigated while the cytotoxic effects of these extracts were analyzed using Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (PI) dual staining in combination with Molecular Devices ImageXpress Micro XLS Widefield microscope for high content analysis on human cervical (HeLa) cell line. The ethanol extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase (IC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 381.86 μg/ml) and on α-glucosidase (IC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 157.99 μg/mL) while the aqueous extract has strongest α-amylase (IC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 = 439.45 μg/ml). Both tuber extracts were found nontoxic at tested concentrations on HeLa cell lines as confirmed by the Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide dual staining respectively. This study revealed that both the aqueous and ethanol tuber extract of 〈em〉K. africana〈/em〉 exerts a certain degree of inhibitory effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase and were also nontoxic to HeLa cell line at tested concentrations.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉