bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of topical agents on paranasal sinus mucosa healing: a rabbit study
Authors: Jain Ravi , Kim Raymond , Waldvogel‐Thurlow Sharon , Hwang Peter , Cornish Jillian , Douglas Richard
Published: February 2015

Background

Numerous topical agents have been used intraoperatively to enhance postoperative mucosal healing or reduce scar formation. However, the histological effects of many of these treatments have not been well described. This study investigates the impact of topical mometasone furoate, acitretin, lactoferrin, and Silastic sheet (Medtronic) on sinus mucosal healing in a rabbit model.

Methods

Forty‐eight New Zealand white rabbits underwent defined, localized stripping of a bilateral region of maxillary sinus mucosa. One of 6 treatments was placed in 1 maxillary sinus, and the treatment carrier was applied contralaterally (0.1% mometasone furoate, 0.25% and 0.5% acitretin, lactoferrin, Silastic, and no treatment; n = 8 each group). Rabbits were euthanized after 2 weeks and histological sections were examined with light microscopy.

Results

Treatment with acitretin 0.25% and 0.5% improved cilial recovery by 0.9 ± 0.5 (p = 0.003) and 0.5 ± 0.5 (p < 0.05), respectively. Acitretin 0.25% treatment also significantly reduced collagen in healing mucosa (5.1% ± 4.8%, p = 0.04). Conversely, rabbits treated with mometasone furoate 0.1% were more likely to have reduced cilial and goblet cell recovery. Intergroup comparisons demonstrated a significant improvement in cilial recovery scores with both acitretin doses compared with mometasone furoate (p < 0.05) and less collagen deposition in rabbits treated with placebo gel over Silastic (p < 0.05). Mucosa directly underlying a blood clot had a lower cilia score and impaired epithelial recovery (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Intraoperatively applied agents have the potential to significantly affect wound healing. Acitretin improved cilial recovery and reduced collagen deposition.
Surgical management of rhinosinusitis in endoscopic‐endonasal skull‐base surgery
Authors: Nyquist Gurston G. , Friedel Mark E. , Singhal Saurabh , Beahm D. David , Farrell Christopher J. , Evans James J. , Rosen Marc R.
Published: February 2015

Background

Endoscopic‐endonasal skull base surgery (ESBS) provides an important approach to select pathologies. There remains a paucity of data, however, regarding morbidity in patients undergoing ESBS with comorbid acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), a fungal ball (FB), or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods

A retrospective database review between January 2008 and January 2013 identified 35 patients with concurrent skull‐base pathology and refractory ARS, FB, CRS, and CRS with nasal polyposis (CRSP) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and ESBS.

Results

Two of 35 (5.7%) had an FB, 3 of 35 (8.6%) had ARS, 19 of 35 (54.2%) had CRSP, and 11 of 35 (31.4%) had CRS. Five of 35 (14.3%) were staged procedures whereas 30 of 35 (85.7%) underwent concurrent ESS and ESBS. Four patients (80%) who were staged carried diagnoses of an FB and ARS. Two patients in the concurrent group required revision ESS for recurrent polyposis. There were no cases of intraorbital or intracranial infectious complications.

Conclusion

Management of the paranasal sinuses is paramount to maintain healthy sinonasal function in patients undergoing ESBS. In our experience, most cases of CRS and CRSP can be surgically managed at the time of ESBS without increased risk of intracranial infection. Patients with ARS at the time of surgery or an FB should be staged to avoid postoperative ESBS morbidity.
Comparing the effects of ketotifen fumarate eye drops and ketotifen oral pills on symptom severity and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: a double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Akhavan Asghar , Karimi‐Sari Hamidreza , Khosravi Mohammad Hossein , Arefzadeh Esmaeil , Yavarahmadi Mohammadhosein
Published: February 2015

Background

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of nasal mucosa. Previous studies have shown the therapeutic effects of ketotifen eye drops on allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis patients. This study was designed to compare the effects of ketotifen drops and oral ketotifen pills on symptoms and quality of life in allergic rhinitis patients.

Methods

In this double‐blind randomized clinical trial, patients with mild allergic rhinitis who were referred to the allergy clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital from March to April 2014 were randomly allocated to 2 groups; the first group received ketotifen drops (1 drop every 12 hours) with placebo pills (2 pills daily), and the second group received placebo eye drops with ketotifen pills for 4 weeks. Symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itching, and nasal obstruction) severity were examined and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores were evaluated in the second and fourth weeks.

Results

A total of 140 patients were evaluated in 2 groups. The mean age was 30.33 years. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the groups (p > 0.05). Both groups showed a significant improvement in rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, coughing, sneezing, RQLQ, and nasal smear eosinophil percent compared to baseline amounts (p < 0.05). Improvements were significantly more in the drops group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Because of the absence of systemic complications in ketotifen eye drops in patients with allergic rhinitis and their easy availability in Iran, using this medication instead of systemic therapies is suggested. Nevertheless, more studies are required to evaluate the long‐term effects of using this drug and the recurrence rate of symptoms.
MicroRNA association with synucleinopathy conversion in rapid eye movement behavior disorder
Authors: Fernández‐Santiago Rubén , Iranzo Alex , Gaig Carles , Serradell Mónica , Fernández Manel , Tolosa Eduardo , Santamaría Joan , Ezquerra Mario
Published: February 2015

Recently, we reported downregulated circulating levels of the microRNAs miR‐19b, miR‐29a, and miR‐29c in Parkinson disease. Here we investigated the expression of these microRNAs in serum samples from 56 patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, before and after their conversion into a synucleinopathy. Compared to controls, we found that the expression level of miR‐19b is downregulated in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and antedates the diagnosis of Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies after 4.67 ± 2.61 years of follow‐up. Our findings indicate that dysregulation of the microRNA miR‐19b occurs in the prodromal stage of synucleinopathies. Ann Neurol 2015;77:895–901
Das Yin und Yang in der Entwicklung von katalytischen Prozessen: Katalyseforschung und Reaktionstechnik
Authors: Prieto Gonzalo , Schüth Ferdi
Published: February 2015

Für die Umsetzung von kommerziell genutzten katalytischen Prozessen müssen Katalysatorentwicklung, Reaktorkonzept und Reaktortechnologie Hand in Hand gehen. Da alle drei Bereiche wechselseitig voneinander abhängen, war eine Koevolution von Katalysatoren und chemischen Reaktoren historisch der richtige Weg hin zu erfolgreichen Großtechnologien. Während des 150‐jährigen Bestehens der BASF sind deren Beiträge zur Entwicklung verschiedener kommerzieller katalytischer Prozesse eine perfekte Illustration dieses erforderlichen und synergetischen Wechselspiels zwischen Katalysewissenschaft und Reaktortechnologie gewesen.
Sensing Remote Chirality: Stereochemical Determination of β‐, γ‐, and δ‐Chiral Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Tanasova Marina , Anyika Mercy , Borhan Babak
Published: February 2015

Determining the absolute stereochemisty of small molecules bearing remote nonfunctionalizable stereocenters is a challenging task. Presented is a solution in which appropriately substituted bis(porphyrin) tweezers are used. Complexation of a suitably derivatized β‐, γ‐, or δ‐chiral carboxylic acid to the tweezer induces a predictable helicity of the bis(porphyrin), which is detected as a bisignate Cotton Effect (ECCD). The sign of the ECCD curve is correlated with the absolute stereochemistry of the substrate based on the derived working mnemonics in a predictable manner.
Die σ‐aromatischen Cluster [Zn3]+ und [Zn2Cu] – kleinste molekulare Bausteine für Messing
Authors: Freitag Kerstin , Gemel Christian , Jerabek Paul , Oppel Iris M. , Seidel Rüdiger W. , Frenking Gernot , Banh Hung , Dilchert Katharina , Fischer Roland A.
Published: February 2015

Die dreieckigen Cluster [Zn3Cp*3]+ und [Zn2CuCp*3] wurden durch Addition der in situ generierten, elektrophilen und isolobalen Spezies [ZnCp*]+ und [CuCp*] an das Carmona‐Reagens [Cp*ZnZnCp*] synthetisiert, wobei die Zn‐Zn‐Bindung des Letzteren erhalten blieb. Die Verwendung von nichtkoordinierenden fluorierten aromatischen Lösungsmitteln ist dabei essenziell. Die Bindungssituation der ligandenstabilisierten Cluster wurde mit quantenchemischen Methoden untersucht, wobei sich ein hohes Maß an σ‐Aromatizität zeigte, ähnlich der Bindungssituation im Triwasserstoffkation [H3]+. Die neuen Spezies dienen als molekulare Bausteine für CunZnm‐Cluster (Nanomessing), die auch im LIFDI‐Massenspektrum der neuen Verbindungen detektiert werden können.
Nachweis maximaler Spinpolarisation in Chromdimerkationen durch zirkularen magnetischen Röntgendichroismus
Authors: Zamudio‐Bayer Vicente , Hirsch Konstantin , Langenberg Andreas , Niemeyer Markus , Vogel Marlene , Ławicki Arkadiusz , Terasaki Akira , Lau J. Tobias , von Issendorff Bernd
Published: February 2015

Mithilfe des magnetischen zirkularen Röntgendichroismus wurden die elektronische Struktur und das magnetische Moment von Cr2+ bestimmt. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich die bevorzugte Kopplung der 3d‐Spins durch das Entfernen eines einzelnen Elektrons aus dem bindenden 4sσg‐Orbital des Cr2 dramatisch umkehrt. Im Unterschied zum neutralen Molekül, das einen Grundzustand mit verschwindendem Spin bei kurzer Bindungslänge besitzt, zeigt das Molekülkation einen ferromagnetisch gekoppelten Grundzustand mit dem höchstmöglichen Spin von S=11/2 bei nahezu der doppelten Bindungslänge des neutralen Moleküls. Diese besondere Spinkonfiguration ist das Resultat einer indirekten Austauschkopplung der an den Ionenrümpfen lokalisierten 3d‐Elektronen durch das delokalisierte 4sσ‐Elektron über den starken intraatomaren 3d‐4s‐Austausch. Unsere Ergebnisse ermöglichen erstmals eine Abschätzung der relativen Energien des ferromagnetisch gekoppelten 12Σ‐Grundzustands und des angeregten 2Σ‐Zustands.
Formation of a ZnO Overlayer in Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts Induced by Strong Metal–Support Interactions
Authors: Lunkenbein Thomas , Schumann Julia , Behrens Malte , Schlögl Robert , Willinger Marc G.
Published: February 2015

In industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts for methanol synthesis, the strong metal support interaction between Cu and ZnO is known to play a key role. Here we report a detailed chemical transmission electron microscopy study on the nanostructural consequences of the strong metal support interaction in an activated high‐performance catalyst. For the first time, clear evidence for the formation of metastable “graphite‐like” ZnO layers during reductive activation is provided. The description of this metastable layer might contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects between the components of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts.
Cation‐Triggered Switchable Asymmetric Catalysis with Chiral Aza‐CrownPhos
Authors: Ouyang Guang‐Hui , He Yan‐Mei , Li Yong , Xiang Jun‐Feng , Fan Qing‐Hua
Published: February 2015

An aza‐crown ether, modified phosphoramidite ligand, has been designed and synthesized. The ON/OFF reversible switch of catalytic activity for its rhodium catalyst was thoroughly investigated in the asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid esters modulated by host–guest interactions. In the OFF state, the catalyst is almost inactive (less than 1 % conversion) because of the formation of an intermolecular sandwich complex by two aza‐crown ether moities and the cationic rhodium metal center. In using alkali‐metal‐cations as the trigger, the catalytic activity was turned ON and consequently resulted in full conversions and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % ee).
Impact of Hydrogenolysis on the Selectivity of the Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Diesel Fuel Production over Mesoporous Zeolite‐Y‐Supported Cobalt Nanoparticles
Authors: Peng Xiaobo , Cheng Kang , Kang Jincan , Gu Bang , Yu Xiang , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Ye
Published: February 2015

Selectivity control is a challenging goal in Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Hydrogenolysis is known to occur during FT synthesis, but its impact on product selectivity has been overlooked. Demonstrated herein is that effective control of hydrogenolysis by using mesoporous zeolite Y‐supported cobalt nanoparticles can enhance the diesel fuel selectivity while keeping methane selectivity low. The sizes of the cobalt particles and mesopores are key factors which determine the selectivity both in FT synthesis and in hydrogenolysis of n‐hexadecane, a model compound of heavier hydrocarbons. The diesel fuel selectivity in FT synthesis can reach 60 % with a CH4 selectivity of 5 % over a Na‐type mesoporous Y‐supported cobalt catalyst with medium mean sizes of 8.4 nm (Co particles) and 15 nm (mesopores). These findings offer a new strategy to tune the product selectivity and possible interpretations of the effect of cobalt particle size and the effect of support pore size in FT synthesis.
Caterpillar Track Complexes in Template‐Directed Synthesis and Correlated Molecular Motion
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Kondratuk Dmitry V. , Rousseaux Sophie A. L. , Gil‐Ramírez Guzmán , O'Sullivan Melanie C. , Cremers Jonathan , Claridge Tim D. W. , Anderson Harry L.
Published: February 2015

Small alterations to the structure of a star‐shaped template totally change its mode of operation. The hexapyridyl template directs the conversion of a porphyrin dimer to the cyclic hexamer, but deleting one pyridine site changes the product to the cyclic decamer, while deleting two binding sites changes the product to the cyclic octamer. This surprising switch in selectivity is explained by the formation of 2:1 caterpillar track complexes, in which two template wheels bind inside the nanoring. Caterpillar track complexes can also be prepared by binding the hexapyridyl template inside the 8‐ and 10‐porphyrin nanorings. NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) experiments show that these complexes exhibit correlated motion, in which the conrotatory rotation of the two template wheels is coupled to rotation of the nanoring track. In the case of the 10‐porphyrin system, the correlated motion can be locked by binding palladium(II) dichloride between the two templates.
Hypercrosslinked Phenolic Polymers with Well‐Developed Mesoporous Frameworks
Authors: Zhang Jinshui , Qiao Zhen‐An , Mahurin Shannon M. , Jiang Xueguang , Chai Song‐Hai , Lu Hanfeng , Nelson Kimberly , Dai Sheng
Published: February 2015

A soft chemistry synthetic strategy based on a Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction is developed for the textural engineering of phenolic resin (PR) with a robust mesoporous framework to avoid serious framework shrinkage and maximize retention of organic functional moieties. By taking advantage of the structural benefits of molecular bridges, the resultant sample maintains a bimodal micro‐mesoporous architecture with well‐preserved organic functional groups, which is effective for carbon capture. Moreover, this soft chemistry synthetic protocol can be further extended to nanotexture other arene‐based polymers with robust frameworks.
The Yin and Yang in the Development of Catalytic Processes: Catalysis Research and Reaction Engineering
Authors: Prieto Gonzalo , Schüth Ferdi
Published: February 2015

For the implementation of commercial catalytic processes, catalyst development and reactor design and engineering need to go hand‐in‐hand. As both fields are mutually interdependent, a co‐evolution of catalysts and chemical reactors has historically been the right path towards successful, large‐scale technologies. Over the 150 years of its existence, the contributions of BASF to the development of several commercial catalytic processes constitute perfect illustrations of this necessary and synergetic interplay between catalyst science and reactor engineering.
The σ‐Aromatic Clusters [Zn3]+ and [Zn2Cu]: Embryonic Brass
Authors: Freitag Kerstin , Gemel Christian , Jerabek Paul , Oppel Iris M. , Seidel Rüdiger W. , Frenking Gernot , Banh Hung , Dilchert Katharina , Fischer Roland A.
Published: February 2015

The triangular clusters [Zn3Cp*3]+ and [Zn2CuCp*3] were obtained by addition of the in situ generated, electrophilic, and isolobal species [ZnCp*]+ and [CuCp*] to Carmona’s compound, [Cp*ZnZnCp*], without splitting the ZnZn bond. The choice of non‐coordinating fluoroaromatic solvents was crucial. The bonding situations of the all‐hydrocarbon‐ligand‐protected clusters were investigated by quantum chemical calculations revealing a high degree of σ‐aromaticity similar to the triatomic hydrogen ion [H3]+. The new species serve as molecular building units of CunZnm nanobrass clusters as indicated by LIFDI mass spectrometry.
Single‐Shell Carbon‐Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles: Synthesis and High Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Tavakkoli Mohammad , Kallio Tanja , Reynaud Olivier , Nasibulin Albert G. , Johans Christoffer , Sainio Jani , Jiang Hua , Kauppinen Esko I. , Laasonen Kari
Published: February 2015

Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts is a valuable approach for clean and renewable energy systems. Here, single‐shell carbon‐encapsulated iron nanoparticles (SCEINs) decorated on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are introduced as a novel highly active and durable non‐noble‐metal catalyst for the HER. This catalyst exhibits catalytic properties superior to previously studied nonprecious materials and comparable to those of platinum. The SCEIN/SWNT is synthesized by a novel fast and low‐cost aerosol chemical vapor deposition method in a one‐step synthesis. In SCEINs the single carbon layer does not prevent desired access of the reactants to the vicinity of the iron nanoparticles but protects the active metallic core from oxidation. This finding opens new avenues for utilizing active transition metals such as iron in a wide range of applications.
Fixation and Release of Intact E4 Tetrahedra (E=P, As)
Authors: Spitzer Fabian , Sierka Marek , Latronico Mario , Mastrorilli Piero , Virovets Alexander V. , Scheer Manfred
Published: February 2015

By the reaction of [NacnacCuCH3CN] with white phosphorus (P4) and yellow arsenic (As4), the stabilization and enclosure of the intact E4 tetrahedra are realized and the disubstituted complexes [(NacnacCu)2(μ,η2:2‐E4)] (1 a: E=P, 1 b: E=As) are formed. The mono‐substituted complex [NacnacCu(η2‐P4)] (2), was detected by the exchange reaction of 1 a with P4 and was only isolated using low‐temperature work‐up. All products were comprehensively spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. The bonding situation in the products as intact E4 units (E=P, As) was confirmed by theory and was experimentally proven by the pyridine promoted release of the bridging E4 tetrahedra in 1.
Siloxane‐Based Hybrid Semiconducting Polymers Prepared by Fluoride‐Mediated Suzuki Polymerization
Authors: Lee Junghoon , Han A‐Reum , Lee Sang Myeon , Yoo Dohyuk , Oh Joon Hak , Yang Changduk
Published: February 2015

Siloxane‐containing materials are a large and important class of organic‐inorganic hybrids. In this report, a practical variation of the Suzuki polymerization to generate semiconducting polymeric hybrids based on siloxane units, which proceeds under essentially nonbasic conditions, is presented. This method generates solution‐processable poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (PDPPBT‐Si) consisting of the hybrid siloxane substituents, which could not be made using conventional methods. PDPPBT‐Si exhibits excellent ambipolar transistor performance with well‐balanced hole and electron FET mobilities. The siloxane‐containing DPP‐thiophene polymer classes (PDPP3T‐Si and PDPP4T‐Si), synthesized by this method, exhibit high hole mobility of up to 1.29 cm2 V−1 s−1. This synthetic approach should provide access to a variety of novel siloxane‐containing conjugated semiconductor classes by using a variety of aryldihalides and aryldiboronic acids/esters.
Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Dinuclear Copper Complex in a Neutral Aqueous Solution
Authors: Su Xiao‐Jun , Gao Meng , Jiao Lei , Liao Rong‐Zhen , Siegbahn Per E. M. , Cheng Jin‐Pei , Zhang Ming‐Tian
Published: February 2015

Electrocatalytic water oxidation using the oxidatively robust 2,7‐[bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐1,8‐naphthyridine ligand (BPMAN)‐based dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu2(BPMAN)(μ‐OH)]3+, has been investigated. This catalyst exhibits high reactivity and stability towards water oxidation in neutral aqueous solutions. DFT calculations suggest that the OO bond formation takes place by an intramolecular direct coupling mechanism rather than by a nucleophilic attack of water on the high‐oxidation‐state CuIVO moiety.
Fabrication of covalently functionalized mesoporous silica core–shell magnetite nanoparticles with palladium(II) acetylacetonate: application as a magnetically separable nanocatalyst for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of acyl halides with boronic acids
Authors: Hajipour Abdolreza , Azizi Ghobad
Published: February 2015

We report the preparation of supported palladium(II) acetylacetonate, Pd(acac)2, coordinated by pendant acac groups, by reacting palladium acetate with acac‐functionalized doubly silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. The solid support consists of an amorphous silica‐coated (as magnetite protecting layer) magnetite core and a mesoporous silica shell. The magnetically separable palladium nanocatalyst is active for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of acyl halides with boronic acids. The catalyst is simply isolated from the reaction mixture that allows fast and efficient isolation of product and catalyst compared to traditional methods that generally make use of time‐ and solvent‐consuming procedures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical and experimental investigations of the inverse emulsion polymerization of acrylamide
Authors: Abdi Ardeshir , Shahrokhi Mohammad , Ramazani S. A Ahmad , Vafa Ehsan
Published: February 2015

In this study, the inverse emulsion polymerization modeling of polyacrylamide with population balance equations (PBEs) was performed. The PBEs were derived on the basis of the zero–one kinetic model. The effects of the surfactant steric barrier and surfactant reaction with radicals, including monomeric radicals, on the radical entry rate into the particle were taken into account. In the modified model, the coagulation phenomenon was included through consideration of the effects of forces not included in the Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DLVO) theory; these include hydration and steric forces in addition to DLVO forces. The effects of the surfactant and initiator concentrations on the conversion, particle size, and average molecular weight (MW) were investigated by simulation and experimental studies. Increasing the surfactant concentration initially increased the conversion and decreased MW. A further increase in the surfactant concentration resulted in a decrease in the conversion and an increase in MW. The average particle size decreased with an increase in the surfactant concentration. An increase in the initiator concentration led to an increase in the monomer conversion and a decrease in the average MW. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41916.
Differences in regenerated silk fibroin prepared with different solvent systems: From structures to conformational changes
Authors: Cheng Guotao , Wang Xin , Tao Sijie , Xia Ju , Xu Shui
Published: February 2015

Dissolution is an important part of silk fibroin (SF) reprocessing, and it is the only way to process it into films, gels, porous scaffold materials, and electrostatic spinning silk fibers. There are a variety of dissolution systems used to dissolve SF. However, few studies have focused on the differences between these different solvent systems. The dissolution of SF with different solvent systems was investigated in this study. Regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) solutions and films were characterized by dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the RSF film structures changed with the solvent system, especially LiBr–H2O. The characterization proved that the random coil did not change into a β‐sheet structure during film formation, and this indicated that its crystal structure and thermal stability was different from others. Interestingly, the differences in the morphologies of all of the RSF films prepared with different solvents were outstanding. Because the mechanism and force of the ion in the solvent systems were different, the SF molecule was hydrolyzed differently in individual solvent systems and produced different hydrolyzed SF molecular chains. These chains had different self‐assembly processes and would lead to RSF products with different microstructures and properties. This suggests that a suitable solvent should be chosen for different uses. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41959.
Tailoring block‐copolyesters by reactive blending of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate using statistical design of experiments
Authors: Röhner Stefan , Geyer Björn , Gad'on Sina , Kandelbauer Andreas , Chassé Thomas , Lorenz Günter
Published: February 2015

Block‐copolyesters of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) were synthesized via reactive extrusion. The influence of processing parameters on the material properties on a molecular scale like degree of trans‐esterification, block length, and degree of randomness were investigated. The varied process factors were extrusion temperature and rotational speed. The effects of process parameter variation were investigated by 1H‐NMR‐spectroscopy. The experimental results show a clear dependence of the molecular properties on the processing conditions. By using statistical experimental design (DoE), it was possible to prepare defined copolyesters from PET and PEN without addition of further chemicals. With a degree of randomness between 0.05 and 0.5, the presence of an actual copolyester was confirmed when appropriate extrusion conditions were applied. The reactive extrusion process was confirmed to be suitable to produce defined block‐copolyesters in a predictable and reproducible way. It was possible to produce designed sequence lengths, which could be adjusted within a range of 11–136 repeating units in the case of PET and, in the case of PEN, of 2.5–26. The produced materials can be used as barrier materials or barrier coatings to protect substrates against molecular oxygen and water vapour, e.g., in organic photovoltaic applications or food packaging. The described method is a one‐pot alternative method to the previously described chemical recycling pathway. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41997.
High‐performance copoly(benzimidazole‐benzoxazole‐imide) fibers: Fabrication, structure, and properties
Authors: Luo Longbo , Zheng Yaxin , Huang Jieyang , Li Ke , Wang Huina , Feng Yan , Wang Xu , Liu Xiangyang
Published: February 2015

Novel high‐performance copolyimide (co‐PI) fibers containing benzimidazole and benzoxazole ring in the main chain were prepared by a two‐step spinning via the poly(amic acid)s. Effects of the incorporated benzimidazole and benzoxazole units on the micro‐structure and properties of co‐PI fibers were investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results indicated that hydrogen bonding is formed in the co‐PI fibers. The co‐PI fibers exhibited discernible crystallization peaks at 14°∼15° and 23°∼26° (2θ), showing crystalline‐like structure. Moreover, the packing type of benzimidazole‐imide units determined the macromolecules packing of co‐PIs. It was amazedly found that the co‐PI fibers exhibited higher tensile strength and initial modulus than those of corresponding homo‐PI fibers, reaching tensile strength of 2.2–2.6 GPa, initial modulus of 99.1–113.2 GPa. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated co‐PI2 fiber had a positive Tg deviation due to the presence of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between benzimidazole‐imide and benzoxazole‐imide units, which maybe lead to the effective stress transfer between benzimidazole‐imide units and benzoxazole‐imide units. In addition, the obtained PI fibers exhibited excellent thermal properties with the 10% weight loss temperatures under N2 in the range of 574–585°C. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42001.
The effect of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) addition on the structure and properties of film‐forming polyacrylate/silica core–shell composite particles
Authors: Yuan Junjie , Qian He
Published: February 2015

The film‐forming polyacrylate/silica core–shell nanocomposite particles with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) were successfully synthesized via aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of a glycerol‐functionalized nano silica sol. The ring‐opening polymerization of D4 and the reaction with the glycerol‐functionalized nano silica particles before emulsion polymerization was the key procedure in this process. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that more nano silica particles tended to coat on the polyacrylate particles surface after the nano silica sols were modified with D4. The silica aggregation efficiency was increased from 90.9 to 98.6% when the amount of D4 used in the system was varied from 0 to 8.0 wt %. The transparency of the nanocomposite films was not compromised after D4 was incorporated into the system. The films of the nanocomposite particles with or without D4 both exhibited superior abrasive resistance. Furthermore, the water resistance and hydrophobicity of the films of these particles with D4 were also improved significantly. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42003.
Autonomic self‐healing of poly(vinyl butyral)
Authors: Arayachukiat Sunatda , Doan Vu Anh , Murakami Tatsuya , Nobukawa Shogo , Yamaguchi Masayuki
Published: February 2015

The self‐healing behavior of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) is evaluated below the glass transition temperature Tg. It is found that PVB shows autonomic self‐healing even at room temperature, although Tg is around at 76°C. Furthermore, a large amount of water is found to be adsorbed on the surface of the film. This is attributed to the surface localization of hydroxyl group in PVB, which is confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Since the surface is plasticized by water, the scar applied by a razor blade is healed even in the glassy state of the bulk. Moreover, the healing efficiency is enhanced at high humidity condition, owing to the pronounced plasticizing effect by water. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42008.
Partial replacement of EPR by GTR in highly flowable PP/EPR blends: Effects on morphology and mechanical properties
Authors: Lima Paulo Silva , Oliveira José Martinho , Costa Vítor António Ferreira
Published: February 2015

This research analyzes the effect of ground tire rubber (GTR) and a novel metallocene‐based ethylene–propylene copolymer (EPR), with high propylene content, on the morphology and mechanical behavior of ternary polymer blends based on a highly flowable polypropylene homopolymer (PP). The PP/EPR blends morphology, with very small domains of EPR dispersed in the PP matrix, indicates a good compatibility among these materials, which leads to a significant improvement on elongation at break and impact strength. The incorporation of EPR on the rubber phase of thermoplastic elastomeric blends (TPE) based on GTR and PP (TPEGTR) has a positive effect on their mechanical performance, attributed to the toughness enhancement of the PP matrix and to the establishment of shell‐core morphology between the rubber phases. The mechanical properties of the ternary blends reveal that TPEGTR blends allow the upcycling of this GTR material by injection molding technologies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42011.
Design and verification of a single slab RAS through mass production of glass/MWNT added epoxy composite prepreg
Authors: Shin Jae‐Hwan , Jang Hong‐Kyu , Choi Won‐Ho , Song Tae‐Hoon , Kim Chun‐Gon , Lee Woo‐Yong
Published: February 2015

In this study, glass fiber composite prepreg is manufactured with multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) added epoxy using two different methods. Because MWNT agglomeration occurs, the calendering dispersion method is used to resolve this problem. The tensile and shear tests of glass/MWNT 1.8wt % added epoxy composite (CNT18) are conducted and the results are compared with the properties of a commercial glass/epoxy composite (GEP 118). The complex permittivity is measured using a network analyzer and a waveguide in the Ku‐band. A single slab radar absorbing structure (RAS) is also designed and verified. It is found that the tensile and shear properties of CNT18 are sufficient to replace GEP 118 as a structural material. Furthermore, the—10 dB bandwidth and reflection loss of the RAS using CNT18 is 12.87 to 17.78 GHz (4.91 GHz) and—29.2 dB at 14.95 GHz, respectively. The measurement results align well with the simulation results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42019.
Development of a superporous hydroxyethyl cellulose‐based hydrogel by anionic surfactant micelle templating with fast swelling and superabsorbent properties
Authors: Shi Xiaoning , Jietang  , Wang Aiqin
Published: February 2015

The self‐assembling anionic surfactant, sodium n‐dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) micelles were used as pore‐forming templating for fabricating novel superporous hydroxyethyl cellulose‐grafting‐poly(sodium acrylate)/attapulgite (HEC‐g‐PNaA/APT) hydrogels. The network characteristics, morphologies of the hydrogels and removing of SDS micelles from the final product by washing with ethanol/water (v/v, 7 : 3) procedure were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, as well as by determination of swelling ratio, swelling rate, and stimuli response to salts and pHs. The results showed that the added‐SDS concentration significantly affected the morphologies and pore structure of the hydrogel, and 2 mM SDS facilitates to form a homogeneous and well‐defined pore structure in the gel network to extremely improve the swelling ratio and swelling rate. The 2 mM SDS‐added superporous HEC‐based hydrogel not only had highest equilibrium swelling ratio (Qeq, 1118, 102 g g−1 in distilled water and 0.9 wt % NaCl solution), rapid swelling rate (kis, 5.2840 g g s−1), also showed multistimulus responses to salts and pHs, which may allow its applications in several areas such as adsorption, separation and biomedical materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42027.
Precocious Ossification of the Tympanoperiotic Bone in Fetal and Newborn Dolphins: An Evolutionary Adaptation to the Aquatic Environment?
Authors: Cozzi Bruno , Podestà Michela , Vaccaro Calogero , Poggi Roberto , Mazzariol Sandro , Huggenberger Stefan , Zotti Alessandro
Published: February 2015

The present study, performed with a dual‐energy X‐ray (DXA) bone densitometer on a series of fetal and newborn striped and short‐beaked common dolphins, shows that the bone density of the area of the tympanic bulla within the tympanoperiotic complex starts with 0.483 g cm−2 in 5‐ to 6‐month‐old specimens of striped (or common) dolphin fetuses and reaches 1.841 g cm−2 in newborn striped dolphins, with values consistently higher than in other parts of the skull or elsewhere in the skeleton. The same results apply to the common bottlenose dolphins, in which the area of the tympanic bulla has a density of 0.312 g cm−2 in 5‐month‐old specimens and becomes four times as much in newborns. Regardless of the areal bone density results correlated to the DXA‐technique, comparisons with DXA‐bone density data in the literature referred to other mammals emphasize the presence of very high mineral deposition in the area of the tympanoperiotic bone in fetal and newborn dolphins and the most dense part of it belongs to the tympanic bulla. The early osseous maturation of the tympanic bulla area may be compared to what described in fin whales and may represent an unique ontogenetic and phylogenetic feature of cetaceans, possibly related to the development of essential acoustic sense and establishment of immediate post‐natal mother–calf relationship. Anat Rec, 298:1294–1300, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Evaluation of New Bis‐1,3,4,2‐triazaphospholinoalkane Derivatives as In Vitro α‐Amylase and Lipase Inhibitors
Authors: Hamzaoui Salwa , Ben Salah Bochra , Hamden Khaled , Rekik Awatef , Kossentini Mohamed
Published: February 2015

A series of new 1,ω‐bis‐(5‐alkyl‐2‐oxide‐3‐tosyl‐1,3,4,2‐triazaphospholino)alkanes 2 and 3 were prepared in good yields by the treatment of 1,ω‐bis‐(1‐tosylamidrazone)alkanes 1 with two molar equivalents of phosphoryl trichloride and phenylphosphonic dichloride, respectively. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, and elemental analysis. All the new compounds were screened for their inhibitory effect on the key enzymes related to diabetes and obesity, as α‐amylase and lipase. The in vitro study revealed that these alkane derivatives exert an inhibitory action against these key enzymes, especially 2b with an IC50 of 16 μg/mL against α‐amylase and lipase. Overall, the findings of the current study indicate that 2d exhibits attractive properties and can therefore be considered for future application in the development of antidiabetic and hypolipidemic drugs.
Overcoming bias to learn about controversial topics
Authors: Vydiswaran V. G. Vinod , Zhai ChengXiang , Roth Dan , Pirolli Peter
Published: February 2015

Deciding whether a claim is true or false often requires a deeper understanding of the evidence supporting and contradicting the claim. However, when presented with many evidence documents, users do not necessarily read and trust them uniformly. Psychologists and other researchers have shown that users tend to follow and agree with articles and sources that hold viewpoints similar to their own, a phenomenon known as confirmation bias. This suggests that when learning about a controversial topic, human biases and viewpoints about the topic may affect what is considered “trustworthy” or credible. It is an interesting challenge to build systems that can help users overcome this bias and help them decide the truthfulness of claims. In this article, we study various factors that enable humans to acquire additional information about controversial claims in an unbiased fashion. Specifically, we designed a user study to understand how presenting evidence with contrasting viewpoints and source expertise ratings affect how users learn from the evidence documents. We find that users do not seek contrasting viewpoints by themselves, but explicitly presenting contrasting evidence helps them get a well‐rounded understanding of the topic. Furthermore, explicit knowledge of the credibility of the sources and the context in which the source provides the evidence document not only affects what users read but also whether they perceive the document to be credible.
Physicians' learning at work through everyday access to information
Authors: Isah Esther Ebole , Byström Katriina
Published: February 2015

This article explores access to information through an analysis of sources and strategies as part of workplace learning in a medical context in an African developing country. It focuses on information practices in everyday patient care by a team of senior and junior physicians in a university teaching hospital. A practice‐oriented, interpretative case study approach, in which elements from activity theory, situated learning theory, and communities of practice framework, was developed to form the theoretical basis for the study. The qualitative data from observations and interviews were analyzed with iterative coding techniques. The findings reveal that physicians' learning through everyday access to medical information is enacted by, embedded in, and sustained as a part of the work activity itself. The findings indicate a stable community of practice with traits of both local and general medical conventions, in which the value of used sources and strategies remains relatively uncontested, strongly based on formally and informally sanctioned and legitimized practices. Although the present study is particular and context specific, the results indicate a more generally plausible conclusion; the complementary nature of different information sources and strategies underscores that access to information happens in a context in which solitary sources alone make little difference.
Diversity of references as an indicator of the interdisciplinarity of journals: Taking similarity between subject fields into account
Authors: Zhang Lin , Rousseau Ronald , Glänzel Wolfgang
Published: February 2015

The objective of this article is to further the study of journal interdisciplinarity, or, more generally, knowledge integration at the level of individual articles. Interdisciplinarity is operationalized by the diversity of subject fields assigned to cited items in the article's reference list. Subject fields and subfields were obtained from the Leuven‐Budapest (ECOOM) subject‐classification scheme, while disciplinary diversity was measured taking variety, balance, and disparity into account. As diversity measure we use a Hill‐type true diversity in the sense of Jost and Leinster‐Cobbold. The analysis is conducted in 3 steps. In the first part, the properties of this measure are discussed, and, on the basis of these properties it is shown that the measure has the potential to serve as an indicator of interdisciplinarity. In the second part the applicability of this indicator is shown using selected journals from several research fields ranging from mathematics to social sciences. Finally, the often‐heard argument, namely, that interdisciplinary research exhibits larger visibility and impact, is studied on the basis of these selected journals. Yet, as only 7 journals, representing a total of 15,757 articles, are studied, albeit chosen to cover a large range of interdisciplinarity, further research is still needed.
Testing turbulent closure models with convection simulations
Authors: Snellman J. E. , Käpylä P. J. , Käpylä M. J. , Rheinhardt M. , Dintrans B.
Published: February 2015

We compare simple analytical closure models of homogeneous turbulent Boussinesq convection for stellar applications with three–dimensional simulations. We use turbulent closure models to compute the Reynolds stresses and the turbulent heat flux as functions of rotation rate measured by the Taylor number. We also investigate cases with varying angles between the angular velocity and gravity vectors, corresponding to locating the computational domain at different latitudes ranging from the pole to the equator of the star. We perform three–dimensional numerical simulations in the same parameter regimes for comparison. The free parameters appearing in the closure models are calibrated by two fitting methods using simulation data. A unique determination of the closure parameters is possible only in the non–rotating case or when the system is placed at the pole. In the other cases the fit procedures yield somewhat differing results. The quality of the closure is tested by substituting the resulting coefficients back into the closure model and comparing with the simulation results. To eliminate the possibilities that the results obtained depend on the aspect ratio of the simulation domain or suffer from too small Rayleigh numbers we performed runs varying these parameters. The simulation data for the Reynolds stress and heat fluxes broadly agree with previous compressible simulations. The closure works fairly well with slow and fast rotation but its quality degrades for intermediate rotation rates. We find that the closure parameters depend not only on rotation rate but also on latitude. The weak dependence on Rayleigh number and on the aspect ratio of the domain indicates that our results are generally valid. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Control of chaos in the vicinity of the Earth‐Moon L5 Lagrangian point to keep a spacecraft in orbit
Authors: Slíz J. , Süli Á. , Kovács T.
Published: February 2015

The concept of Space Manifold Dynamics is a new method of space research. We have applied it along with the basic idea of the method of Ott, Grebogi, and York (OGY method) to stabilize the motion of a spacecraft around the triangular Lagrange point L5 of the Earth‐Moon system. We have determined the escape rate of the trajectories in the general three‐ and four‐body problem and estimated the average lifetime of the particles. Integrating the two models we mapped in detail the phase space around the L5 point of the Earth‐Moon system. Using the phase space portrait our next goal was to apply a modified OGY method to keep a spacecraft close to the vicinity of L5. We modified the equation of motions with the addition of a time dependent force to the motion of the spacecraft. In our orbit‐keeping procedure there are three free parameters: (i) the magnitude of the thrust, (ii) the start time, and (iii) the length of the control. Based on our numerical experiments we were able to determine possible values for these parameters and successfully apply a control phase to a spacecraft to keep it on orbit around L5. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantifying Supervisory Decision Making: Eye‐Tracking Technology Applications for the Promotion of Child Safety
Authors: Cavalari Rachel N. S. , Romanczyk Raymond G.
Published: February 2015

Previous research has investigated various risk factors correlated with childhood injury, but few studies have successfully investigated these variables beyond participant self‐report. The present study utilized infrared eye‐tracking and computer‐based latency measures to evaluate caregiver supervision decisions in injury risk situations for typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder. The sample included 99 young women, ages 18–24 years, who are frequent non‐parental caregivers for children. Results indicated that participants altered their speed of response, child monitoring, and intervention decisions on the basis of idiosyncratic assessment of injury risk. Minimal significant differences emerged with regard to supervision behavior and chosen strategies when comparing children with autism spectrum disorder to typically developing children. Overall, results suggest that non‐parental caregivers integrate child characteristics and environmental risk factors when assessing risk and choosing interventions. Implications are discussed with regard to injury prevention programs emphasizing protective aspects of supervision for children across various settings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Re‐thinking miRNA‐mRNA interactions: Intertwining issues confound target discovery
Authors: Cloonan Nicole
Published: February 2015

Despite a library full of literature on miRNA biology, core issues relating to miRNA target detection, biological effect, and mode of action remain controversial. This essay proposes that the predominant mechanism of direct miRNA action is translational inhibition, whereas the bulk of miRNA effects are mRNA based. It explores several issues confounding miRNA target detection, and discusses their impact on the dominance of “miRNA seed” dogma and the exploration of non‐canonical binding sites. Finally, it makes comparisons between miRNA target prediction and transcription factor binding prediction, and questions the value of characterizing miRNA binding sites based on which miRNA nucleotides are paired with an mRNA.