bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of calcium phosphate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate particles for dental applications
Authors: Natale Livia C. , Rodrigues Marcela C. , Alania Yvette , Chiari Marina D. S. , Vilela Handially S. , Vieira Douglas N. , Arana‐Chavez Victor , Meier Marcia M. , Vichi Flavio M. , Braga Roberto R.
Published: August 2018

This study describes the synthesis of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) particles in the presence of different ethylene glycol dimethacrylates (EGDMA, ethylene glycol/EG units: 1, 2, 3 or 4) at two monomer‐to‐ammonium phosphate molar ratios (1:1 and 2:1), as a strategy to develop CaP‐monomer particles with improved interaction with resin matrices. Particles displaying high surface areas and organic contents were added to a photocurable BisGMA‐TEGDMA resin and the resulting materials were tested for degree of conversion (DC), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), flexural modulus, and ion release. Data were subjected to one‐way ANOVA or Kruskal‐Wallis/Dunn test (alpha: 0.05). Functionalization with EGDMA derivatives was dependent upon the length of the spacer group and monomer concentration in the synthesis. No differences in DC were observed among materials (p > 0.05). A 39% increase in BFS was obtained with the use of particles with the highest functionalization level compared to non‐functionalized particles (p < 0.001). The use of functionalized DCPD reduced flexural modulus in comparison to non‐functionalized particles (p < 0.001). Calcium release was similar among materials and remained constant during the experiment, while phosphate release was higher at 7 days in comparison to the remaining weeks (p < 0.001). In conclusion, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate resulted in the highest functionalization levels and the highest BFS among DCPD‐containing materials. Ion release was not affected by functionalization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 708–715, 2019.
[6]‐Gingerol–induced cell cycle arrest, reactive oxygen species generation, and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential are associated with apoptosis in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells
Authors: Mansingh Debjani P. , O. J. Sunanda , Sali Veeresh Kumar , Vasanthi Hannah R.
Published: August 2018

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a monocotyledonous herb, is widely used as an herbal medicine owing to the phytoconstituents it possesses. In the current study, the quantity of [6]‐gingerol, the major phenolic ketone, in the fresh ginger and dried ginger rhizome was found to be 6.11 µg/mg and 0.407 µg/mg. Furthermore, [6]‐gingerol was assessed for its antiapoptotic effects in human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells evidenced by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining technique and Annexin‐V assay. An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation led to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and subsequent induction of apoptosis. Results disclose that perturbations in MMP are associated with deregulation of Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio at protein level, which leads to upregulation of cytochrome‐c triggering the caspase cascade. These enduringly suggest that [6]‐gingerol can be effectively used for targeting the mitochondrial energy metabolism to manage gastric cancer cells.
l‐arginine protects against oxidative damage induced by T‐2 toxin in mouse Leydig cells
Authors: Yang Jian Ying , Zhang Yong Fa , Li Yuan Xiao , Meng Xiang Ping , Bao Jian Feng
Published: August 2018

To explore the protective mechanism of l‐arginine against T‐2 toxin–induced oxidative damage in mouse Leydig cells, Leydig cells were isolated and cultured with control, T‐2 toxin (10 nM), l‐arginine (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mM), and T‐2 toxin (10 nM T‐2 toxin) with l‐arginine (0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mM) for 24 hours. Cells and supernatants were harvested to examine cell viability, activities, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and DNA damage. Results showed that T‐2 toxin significantly reduced cell viability, improved MDA content and DNA damage, and decreased activities and mRNA expression of GSH‐Px, SOD, and CAT. However, l‐arginine reduced T‐2 toxin–induced oxidative damage and tended to maintain normal levels. Furthermore, l‐arginine upregulated mRNA expressions of GSH‐Px, SOD, and CAT. Collectively, l‐arginine, due to its antioxidative ability, could ameliorate T‐2 toxin–induced cytotoxicities in mouse Leydig cells by regulating oxidative stress.
The impact of accommodating client preference in psychotherapy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Swift Joshua K. , Callahan Jennifer L. , Cooper Mick , Parkin Susannah R.
Published: August 2018

Client preferences in psychotherapy reflect specific conditions and activities that clients desire in their treatment, with increasing evidence pointing to preference accommodation as facilitating psychotherapy outcomes. This updated meta‐analysis establishes the magnitude of the effect of client preference accommodation in psychotherapy. Based on data from 53 studies and over 16,000 clients, preference accommodation was associated with fewer treatment dropouts (OR = 1.79) and more positive treatment outcomes (d = 0.28) than providing client with a nonpreferred treatment or psychotherapy condition. The preference effect was moderated by study design, timing and type of outcome measurement, and client diagnosis. It was not moderated by year of publication, treatment duration, preference type, treatment options, client age, client gender, client ethnicity, or client years of education. The authors provide a case example of preference accommodation and practice recommendations for working with client preferences.
Chronic pancreatitis correlates with increased risk of herpes zoster in a population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lai Shih‐Wei , Lin Cheng‐Li , Liao Kuan‐Fu
Published: August 2018

Background

The association between chronic pancreatitis and herpes zoster has not been fully investigated. The objective of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between chronic pancreatitis and herpes zoster in Taiwan.

Methods

Using the claim data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, we identified 1,545 participants aged 20–84 years with a new diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis from 2000 to 2012 as the chronic pancreatitis group. We selected 6,022 sex‐matched and age‐matched participants without chronic pancreatitis as the non‐chronic pancreatitis group. The incidence of herpes zoster at the end of 2013 was measured. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for herpes zoster associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Results

The overall incidence of herpes zoster was 1.34‐fold greater in the chronic pancreatitis group than the non‐chronic pancreatitis group (6.22 vs. 4.63 per 1,000 person‐years, 95% CI 1.16–1.57). After controlling for confounding factors, the adjusted HR of herpes zoster was 1.35 (95% CI 1.01–1.82) for the chronic pancreatitis group, compared with the non‐chronic pancreatitis group.

Conclusions

Chronic pancreatitis correlates with 1.35‐fold increased risk of herpes zoster. From a view of primary prevention, we suggest that patients with chronic pancreatitis should receive herpes zoster vaccination.
Favorable efficacy of glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir as salvage therapy for HCV failures to prior direct‐acting antivirals regimens
Authors: Akuta Norio , Sezaki Hitomi , Suzuki Fumitaka , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Mariko , Saitoh Satoshi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: August 2018

In real‐world settings, not much information is probably available on the treatment efficacy of the combination of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (G/P) as a salvage therapy in failures of prior direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) regimens. Especially, the evolution of NS5A resistance‐associated variants (RAVs) and treatment efficacy in patients who received G/P for failures of prior treatment more than once is unknown. Twenty patients, who were exposed to glecaprevir 300 mg/d and pibrentasvir 120 mg/d for 12 weeks in failures of prior DAAs regimens were evaluated for sustained virological response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). The overall rate of SVR12 was 100%, based on intention‐to‐treat analysis. Five patients infected with genotype 1b, who received G/P for failures of prior treatment more than once, were analyzed for the evolution of RAVs in NS5A region. All of the five patients exhibited SVR12, regardless of the numbers of times of prior treatment (more than once), prior treatment response (nonresponse), and fibrosis stage (FIB‐4 index ≥ 3.25). At the commencement of G/P, all five patients were detected with NS5A RAVs at the position of aa 93. Four patients, except for one, were detected with RAVs at both positions of aa 31 and aa 93 (double mutation). All patients could achieve SVR12 with G/P, regardless of the emergence of NS5A RAVs, accompanied by failure to prior NS5A regimens more than once. In conclusion, our study indicated that G/P was a potentially useful salvage treatment for patients who failed prior DAAs regimens more than once.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Adult Inpatients With Malnutrition
Authors: Vest Michael T. , Papas Mia A. , Shapero Mary , McGraw Patty , Capizzi Amanda , Jurkovitz Claudine
Published: August 2018

Background

The diagnosis of malnutrition remains controversial. Furthermore, it is unknown if physician diagnosis of malnutrition impacts outcomes. We sought to compare outcomes of patients with physician diagnosed malnutrition to patients recognized as malnourished by registered dietitians (RDs), but not physicians, and to describe the impact of each of 6 criteria on the diagnosis of malnutrition.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients identified as meeting criteria for malnutrition. Pediatric, psychiatric, maternity, and rehabilitation patients were excluded. Patient demographics, clinical data, malnutrition type and criteria, nutrition interventions, and outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record.

Results

RDs identified malnutrition for 291 admissions during our study period. This represents 4.1% of hospital discharges. Physicians only diagnosed malnutrition on 93 (32%) of these cases. Physicians diagnosed malnutrition in 43% of patients with a body mass index <18.5 but only 26% of patients with body mass index higher than 18.5. Patients with a physician diagnosis had a longer length of stay (mean 14.9 days vs 7.1 days) and were more likely to receive parenteral nutrition (PN) (20.4% vs 4.6%). Of the patients, 62% had malnutrition due to chronic illness. Of the 6 criteria used to identify malnourished patients, weight loss and reduced energy intake were the most common.

Conclusions

Malnutrition is underrecognized by physicians. However, further research is needed to determine if physician recognition and treatment of malnutrition can improve outcomes. The most important criteria for identifying malnourished patients in our cohort were weight loss and reduced energy intake.
Glycemic Effects of a Low‐Carbohydrate Enteral Formula Compared With an Enteral Formula of Standard Composition in Critically Ill Patients: An Open‐Label Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: van Steen Sigrid C. , Rijkenberg Saskia , Sechterberger Marjolein K. , DeVries J. Hans , van der Voort Peter H.J.
Published: August 2018

Background

Enteral low‐carbohydrate formulas (LCFs) could serve as a noninsulin alternative for the treatment of stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. We compared the glycemic effects of an LCF with a standard formula.

Methods

We conducted an open‐label randomized trial in patients admitted to our intensive care unit between September 2015 and June 2016. Adult patients with an indication for enteral nutrition were randomized to an LCF (Glucerna 1.5 kcal) or a standard enteral formula (Fresubin Energy Fibre, with additional protein supplement). Primary outcome was glucose variability defined as mean absolute glucose (MAG) change (mmol/L/h). Secondary outcomes were mean glucose, time in target, hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events, and insulin requirements. We assessed glycemic outcomes per blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system and compared outcomes with glucose measurements per blood gas analysis and point‐of‐care device.

Results

We randomized 107 patients (LCF: n = 53; standard: n = 54). Six patients had no CGM data, leaving 101 patients (n = 52; n = 49) for the intention‐to‐treat analysis. MAG change and time in target range were not different between groups. LCF gave a lower mean glucose measured per point‐of‐care device (7.8 ± 1.0 vs 8.4 ± 1.1 mmol/L, P = .007). LCF patients required significantly less insulin on the second study day (46.8 vs 68.0 IU, P = .036).

Conclusion

LCF showed a trend toward a modestly reduced mean glucose and significantly lower insulin requirements as compared with standard feeding but had no effect on glucose variability or time in target range.
Temporal Bone Histopathology of X‐linked Inherited Alport Syndrome
Authors: Ungar Omer J. , Nadol Joseph B. , Santos Felipe
Published: August 2018

Objective

To describe the histopathologic findings within the human cochlea in X‐linked Alport syndrome.

Study Design

Histopathologic analysis of cellular elements within the human cochlea by light microscopy.

Materials and Methods

A right and a left cochleae of a man with genetically confirmed X‐linked Alport syndrome was studied post‐mortem. The temporal bones underwent standard processing for histologic examination. The slides were examined by light microscopy. Graphic reconstruction of the cochlea was performed to quantify hair cells, pathologic changes of the stria vascularis, and loss of cochlear neuronal cells.

Results

There was severe loss of inner hair cells and all three rows of outer hair cells in the apical two turns of the cochlea. The stria vascularis and spiral ligament showed areas of marked loss which became more prominent from base to apex in each ear. The spiral ganglion cell count in the Rosenthal's canal exhibited loss of 20% to 45% compared to matched historical controls. There was a zone of separation between the organ of Corti and the basilar membrane extending along the basal surface of Deiters cells, Hensen cells, Claudius cells and external sulcus cells. The tunnel of Corti and the space of Nuel were filled with cellular elements along the cochlea.

Conclusion

The histopathologic findings of cochlear involvement in Alport's syndrome are basement membrane separation from the cells of the organ of Corti, outer and inner hair cell loss, and cellular infilling of the tunnel and extracellular spaces of the organ of Corti. These observations contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of sensorineural hearing loss in these patients.

Level of Evidence
Is There a Difference in Staging and Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Tumors Between Tertiary Care and Community‐Based Institutions?
Authors: Akkina Sarah R. , Kim Roderick Y. , Stucken Chaz L. , Pynnonen Melissa A. , Bradford Carol R.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To characterize the differences in the staging and treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma between a tertiary care center and community‐based practices.

Methods

This study is a retrospective chart review of 943 adult patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer presenting to a tertiary care center between 2008 and 2014 as part of the University of Michigan Head and Neck Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (UM HN‐SPORE) database. Demographic information, diagnostic testing, staging information, and treatment recommendations were recorded.

Results

Of 943 patients reviewed, 159 had documentation of tumor stage that was assigned by the community‐based practice. Of these, 53% had a tumor staging change made at the tertiary care center, with 43% of patients upstaged and 10% of patients downstaged. Fifty‐one percent received different treatment than had previously been offered at the community‐based practice, although only 31% of these patients had a change in tumor staging.

Conclusion

Over half of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are evaluated at a tertiary care center after the initial evaluation at a community‐based practice have their tumors staged differently, with the majority upstaged. A significant number of these patients also received different treatment than was initially offered at the referring practice. Future studies are required to determine whether these differences have an effect on tumor recurrence and patient survival rates.

Level of Evidence

2c (Outcomes Research).
Facile Synthesis of Ladder‐Type Polyacenes with Perylene‐Fused‐Pyrene Structures
Authors: Hu Chaoying , Chen Weiping , Yao Haicui , Ren Xiaojie , Zhang Hailei , Zhao Hongchi , Wu Yonggang , Ba Xinwu
Published: August 2018

Ladder‐type polyacene (FP2) and model compounds (1c and 2c) with perylene‐fused‐pyrene structures are achieved in high yields by using a Pd(PPh3)2Cl2‐catalyzed Suzuki reaction followed by cyclization with FeCl3. The obtained model compounds and polyacene display desirable solubility in commonly used solvents and high thermal stability. Fluorescence peak at 614 nm is observed in diluted CH2Cl2 solution containing polyacene. Furthermore, the as‐prepared model compound (2c) and polyacene (FP2) are employed as acceptors in bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells with PTB7‐Th as electrodonor cells. The 2c‐based solar cell demonstrates a power conversion efficiency of 3.25%.
Covalent Binding of Maleic Anhydride Copolymer Monolayers to Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
Authors: Müller Christina , Ansorge Michael , Espig Martin , Zschoche Stefan , Schiller Jürgen , Pompe Tilo
Published: August 2018

Physicochemical surface modifications of soft hydrogel layers are beneficial tools for modulating biomimetic substrate properties in cell adhesion studies. Recently, a layered system of a polyacrylamide hydrogel with a monolayer coating of maleic anhydride copolymers was introduced, however, without a detailed study of the chemical coupling mechanism. Herein it is shown that a stable coupling results from covalent binding of maleic anhydride residues to the primary amides of polyacrylamide via imide bond formation. The many anhydride moieties of the copolymer chains allow for coupling with a low‐yield reaction at mild conditions. Furthermore, hydrogen bonding and polar interactions are excluded to account for a stable binding of maleic anhydride copolymers to polyacrylamide hydrogels.
Bulk Polymerization Photo‐Initiator ZnO: Increasing of the Benzoyl Formic Acid Concentration and LED Illumination
Authors: Schmitt Michael , Garra Patxi , Lalevée Jacques
Published: August 2018

Polymerization in volume/bulk is one of the most important processes used in science and in industry to form solid polymers used in multiple different applications. The migration and transport of molecular polymerization initiators are problematic for commercially used photo‐polymerization procedures. ZnO not only is a well‐known photo‐semiconductor but has the potential to be used as an enlarged size photo‐initiation system. A high reactivity modification, firstly systematically investigated using novel light‐emitting diode illumination and two benchmarked resins is presented here. The curing potential of layers up to 1.4 mm is proven and first indications of differences in oxygen dependencies of such initiating systems are discovered. Additionally, the optimized synthesis procedure (0.45 mol L−1 Zn2+ at room temperature) is presented which allows to perform systematic variation of the ZnO surface. Starting from one approach/batch, the content of the modification is systematically increased.
Different Geometric Information Integrated within a Single Polydopamine Pattern to Yield Dual Shape Transformations
Authors: Chen Tingting , Ji Chong , Jin Ying , Wang Jun , Jin Qiao
Published: August 2018

Patterned structures in planar sheets have been explored as the geometric information carriers for shape‐morphing materials dominated by the spatially nonuniform internal stresses. Generally, multi‐shape transitions require more than one pattern, incurring some concomitant problems, such as possible presence of cross‐talk between different structural components and complex preparing strategies. In the present research, local polydopamine (PDA) modification is used to pattern the pre‐stretched shape memory Nafion films. The obtained PDA pattern can be decoded to different geometric information, guiding discrepant 3D deformations under the stimulation of heat and near‐infrared light. The dual types of geometric information contained in one pattern can be ascribed to the increased transition temperature and obtain photothermal conversion capacity after PDA modification, which contributes to thermo‐ and light‐induced spatially nonuniform shape recovery, respectively.
Visualizing Nanoscale Coronal Segregation in Rod‐Like Micelles Formed by Co‐Assembly of Binary Block Copolymer Blends
Authors: Cruz Menandro , Xu Jiangping , Yu Qing , Guerin Gerald , Manners Ian , Winnik Mitchell A.
Published: August 2018

Mixed micelles formed by co‐assembly of pairs of block copolymers (BCPs) can develop novel morphologies and generate useful properties not accessible from homomicelles. For micelles consisting of two different polymers in the corona, identifying the location of the corona chains is a critical part of morphology characterization. Coronal segregation in mixed micelle is often characterized by transmission electron microscopy in combination with selective staining of individual polymers. In this study, Karstedt’s catalyst is used for selective Pt(0)‐olefin coordination staining of polyisoprene (PI) and poly(methylvinylsiloxane) (PMVS) corona chains in the presence of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) corona chains in cylindrical mixed micelles with a crystalline poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PFS) core. Previous experiments using OsO4 as a stain did not enable visualization of nanoscale coronal segregation in mixed micelles obtained from co‐assembly of PFS‐b‐PI and PFS‐b‐PDMS, as well as PFS‐b‐PMVS and PFS‐b‐PDMS.
Controlling Nanomaterial Size and Shape for Biomedical Applications via Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly
Authors: Khor Song Yang , Quinn John F. , Whittaker Michael R. , Truong Nghia P. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: August 2018

Rapid developments in the polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) technique have paved the way for the environmentally friendly production of nanoparticles with tunable size and shape for a diverse range of applications. In this feature article, the biomedical applications of PISA nanoparticles and the substantial progress made in controlling their size and shape are highlighted. In addition to early investigations into drug delivery, applications such as medical imaging, tissue culture, and blood cryopreservation are also described. Various parameters for controlling the morphology of PISA nanoparticles are discussed, including the degree of polymerization of the macro‐CTA and core‐forming polymers, the concentration of macro‐CTA and core‐forming monomers, the solid content of the final products, the solution pH, the thermoresponsitivity of the macro‐CTA, the macro‐CTA end group, and the initiator concentration. Finally, several limitations and challenges for the PISA technique that have been recently addressed, along with those that will require further efforts into the future, will be highlighted.
Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Forage Fish Use of Eelgrass Habitats in a Diked and Channelized Puget Sound River Delta
Authors: Rubin Stephen P. , Hayes Michael C. , Grossman Eric E.
Published: August 2018

Eelgrass Zostera marina can form extensive meadows on Puget Sound river deltas. The extent to which these meadows provide critical rearing habitat for local estuarine fishes, especially out-migrating juvenile salmon, is not well understood. Further, delta eelgrass has been impacted by diking and river channelization with unknown consequences for fish. We sampled fish in the Skagit River delta, Washington, during April–September with a lampara net, which is well suited to capturing fish in eelgrass. We compared abundance and body size of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and three forage fish species between eelgrass and nearby unvegetated habitat. We also assessed combined effects of eelgrass characteristics (meadow size and morphology) and oceanographic conditions (temperature and salinity), which covaried according to proximity and orientation to channelized distributary outlets, diked shorelines, and a jetty. Chinook Salmon were more abundant in eelgrass than in unvegetated habitat in June–July and were relatively more abundant in eelgrass compared with unvegetated habitat in regions with intact eelgrass than offshore from a channelized distributary outlet. Abundances of Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii and Shiner Perch Cymatogaster aggregata were consistently severalfold higher in eelgrass than in unvegetated habitat. Surf Smelt Hypomesus pretiosus were more abundant in eelgrass than in unvegetated habitat at some locations, but never less abundant in eelgrass. Our results suggest that conservation and restoration of delta eelgrass would benefit these species and help to identify the settings in which these actions would be most beneficial.
Variation in the Catch Rate and Distribution of Swordtip Squid Uroteuthis edulis Associated with Factors of the Oceanic Environment in the Southern East China Sea
Authors: Liao Cheng-Hsin , Lan Kuo-Wei , Ho Hsin-Ying , Wang Kae-Yih , Wu Yan-Lun
Published: August 2018

Predictions from species distribution models are used to parameterize the environmental factors that influence the biology, distribution, and habitats of a species of interest. We fitted generalized additive models (GAMs) to spatiotemporal fishery data from torchlight fishing (2009–2013) to investigate the catch rates of swordtip squid Uroteuthis edulis in relation to changes in oceanographic conditions within the southern East China Sea, and we developed a habitat preference model. A high Jensen–Shannon divergence (JSD) value is considered to be an index of a thermal front. The results obtained using the selected GAMs revealed that the explained deviance in the catch rates pertaining to the oceanographic conditions was 45.10% throughout the year. All variables examined—sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a, sea surface height anomaly, and JSD—were statistically significant predictors (P < 0.05), and JSD explained the greatest amount of deviance (17.70%). The model predicted relatively high abundance of swordtip squid at 27–28°N in the southern East China Sea during spring and a decrease from June to August. The high abundance occurred again in September and extended southwestwardly to a region including coastal mainland China. These results demonstrated that high swordtip squid abundance occurred in an SST range of 20.0–26.0°C and a JSD range of 0.35–0.50 during spring around 27–28°N, and movement toward the southwest corresponded with shifts in the Kuroshio front (26°C isotherm) in summer and autumn.
The Alkanes with Maximum Wiener Polarity Index
Authors: Du Zhibin , Ali Akbar
Published: August 2018

The Wiener polarity index (usually denoted by
) of an alkane is the number of unordered pairs of carbon atoms which are separated by three carbon–carbon bonds. This topological index
is useful for predicting the boiling points of alkanes. Deng [MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 66 (2011) 305] proved that the maximum
value among all alkanes, with n carbon atoms, is
. The main purpose of present paper is to find all those alkanes with n carbon atoms, which attain the maximum value of
.
Multiaxial cyclic plasticity in accordance with 1D hyperbolic models and Masing criteria
Authors: Restrepo Doriam , Taborda Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Bounding surface plasticity models based on one‐dimensional hardening functions are broadly accepted as a valid approach to represent the multiaxial cyclic behavior of undrained cohesive soils. However, under certain conditions, these models may exhibit deviations from the expected stress path. This makes them inadequate to meet traditional hysteretic rules. Current solutions to this problem impose thresholds to help adjust the stress path by introducing additional memory variables. This article presents a formulation that achieves the same goal without the need of such additional variables. The proposed formulation operates on a generic hardening function under multiaxial loading while preserving the simplicity inherited from pure deviatoric bounding surface models. In addition, the approach presented here allows the implementation of Masing‐type rules, as well as the use of reduction factors to mitigate the overdamping effects of large hysteresis loops. The formulation is tested using well‐known hyperbolic backbone functions under radial and nonradial multiaxial loading cycles, and it is shown to have good agreement with reference solutions.
Smashing OpenFlow's “atomic” actions: Programmable data plane packet manipulation in hardware
Authors: Pontarelli Salvatore , Bonola Marco , Bianchi Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

Recently, with new hardware architectures such as Reconfigurable Match Tables and languages such as P4, the Software Defined Networking community has started to bring line‐rate data plane programmability inside switching chipsets. Starting from the original OpenFlow's match/action abstraction, most of the work has so far focused on key improvements in matching flexibility. Conversely, the “action part,” ie, the set of operations (such as encapsulation or header manipulation) performed on packets after the forwarding decision, has received way less attention. Goal of this paper is to move beyond the idea of “atomic,” preimplemented, actions, and rather make them programmable while retaining high speed multi‐Gbps operation. To this purpose, we propose a domain‐specific HW architecture, called Packet Manipulation Processor (PMP), able to efficiently implement such actions. Both a PMP C++ instruction set simulator and a NetFPGA prototype have been developed. The performances of the PMP have been verified with three nontrivial use cases (tunneling, NAT, and ARP reply generation), showing that also in the worst case the throughput is well above 10 Gbps.
Ascribing patients a passive role: Conversation analysis of practice nurses’ and patients’ goal setting and action planning talk
Authors: Lenzen Stephanie A. , Stommel Wyke , Daniëls Ramon , van Bokhoven Marloes A. , van der Weijden Trudy , Beurskens Anna
Published: August 2018

Within primary care, nurses are expected to set goals and make action plans with patients. However, little information is available on how this is done. The aim of this study is to gain insight into how nurses set goals and action plans with patients. Data were collected from three practice nurses working in elderly care and five patients in the Netherlands. Practice nurse is the term for the home care registered nurse in the Netherlands. Five home visits for which goal setting and action planning were the main agreed‐upon objectives, were video‐recorded and transcribed. We found that explicit goal setting was not observable. However, in 16 episodes, action plans were discussed. Action planning was always initiated by the nurse and was oriented toward offering professional help or assistance in order to solve the patient's problems. In response, patients tended to resist the proposed solutions, with the result that action planning was abandoned. By the nurse proposing professional help, patients were positioned as passive rather than active agents. Our results contribute to the understanding of how nurses’ communicative behavior influences the extent to which patients feel encouraged to actively participate in goal setting/action planning.
Sound absorption properties of nonwoven fabric based multi‐layer composites
Authors: Tang Xiaoning , Zhang Xiansheng , Zhuang Xingmin , Zhang Huiping , Yan Xiong
Published: August 2018

In this article, the sound absorption properties of multi‐layer fibrous composites consist of nonwoven fabric, woven fabric and polyethylene (PE) membrane was investigated. Six types of different constructions including both bi‐layer and three‐layer structures were tested by impedance tube ranged from 100 to 6,300 Hz. To improve the sound absorption of multi‐layer composites, the effects of layering sequence, woven fabric and PE membrane were studied. It has been found that layering sequence is important for sound absorption properties. The absorber has the highest sound absorption coefficients of 0.538 when PE membrane was placed at the middle position of the multilayer structure. This study has concluded that the layering sequence should be emphatically considered when designing nonwoven fabric‐based multilayer sound absorption composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2012–2018, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Insights into post‐polymerisation modification of bio‐based unsaturated itaconate and fumarate polyesters via aza‐michael addition: Understanding the effects of CC isomerisation
Authors: Farmer T. J. , Macquarrie D. J. , Comerford J. W. , Pellis A. , Clark J. H.
Published: August 2018

Development of renewable bio‐based unsaturated polyesters is undergoing a renaissance, typified by the use of itaconate and fumarate monomers. The electron‐deficient CC bond found on the corresponding polyesters allows convenient post‐polymerisation modification to give a wide range of polymer properties; this is notably effective for the addition of nucleophilic pendants. However, preservation of unsaturated functionality is blighted by two undesirable side‐reactions, branching/crosslinking and CC isomerisation. Herein, a tentative kinetic study of diethylamine addition to model itaconate and fumarate diesters highlights the significance of undesirable CC isomerisation. In particular, it shows that reversible isomerisation from itaconate to mesaconate (a poor Michael acceptor) is in direct competition with aza‐Michael addition, where the amine Michael donor acts as an isomerisation catalyst. We postulate that undesired formation of mesaconate is responsible for the long reaction times previously reported for itaconate polyester post‐polymerisation modification. This study illustrates the pressing need to overcome this issue of CC isomerisation to enhance post‐polymerisation modification of bio‐based unsaturated polyesters. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1935–1945
Synthesis and electroluminescent performance of thermally activated delayed fluorescence‐conjugated polymers with simple formylphenyl as pendant acceptor
Authors: Yang Yike , Zhu Yunhui , Wang Yanjie , Wang Shumeng , Zhan Hongmei , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: August 2018

Formylphenyl has been demonstrated to act as an acceptor to construct thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter, and therefore a series of the TADF‐conjugated polymers with formylphenyl as pendant acceptor and carbazole/acridine as backbone donor are designed and synthesized. All polymers involve the twisted donor/acceptor structural moieties with the sufficiently spatial separation between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital as well as a small singlet/triplet splitting, and exhibit the legible TADF features confirmed by theoretical calculation and their transient decay spectra. The solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes using neat film of the polymers as emissive layer achieve excellent performance with the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 10.6%, the maximum current efficiency of up to 35.3 cd A−1 and the low turn‐on voltage of 2.7 V. Moreover, the EQE still remains 10.3% at the luminance of 1000 cd m−2 with the low driving voltage of 4.4 V and extremely small efficiency roll‐off. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1989–1996
Magnetically Responsive Silica Hollow Spheres: Straightforward Synthesis of Accessible Micro‐Sized Containers
Authors: Deon Monique , de Andrade Rafaela Carvalho , Nicolodi Sabrina , da Cunha João Batista Marimon , Costa Tania Maria Haas , Rodembusch Fabiano Severo , de Menezes Eliana Weber , Benvenutti Edilson Valmir
Published: August 2018

Silica hollow spheres are obtained as micro‐sized containers with magnetic‐field‐induced mobility. The completely empty hollow spheres are proved accessible with features of confined environment, where an unexpected structured fluorescence emission with large Stokes' shift is observed. This multifunctional system is achieved through a controllable etching of magnetite from magnetite@silica core–shell with hydrochloric acid solution, resulting in silica hollow spheres coupled with remaining magnetite@silica. The increase in the etching time leads to an increase in the proportion of hollow to magnetite‐occupied spheres, and the obtained hollow spheres are completely empty. The remaining magnetite particles have their crystalline structure preserved and even the material with higher proportion of hollow spheres presents high saturation magnetization, which grants response from the whole system induced by a magnetic field. The accessibility of the hollow structure is successfully observed by steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy using toluene as optical probe.
Morphology and Crystal Planes Effects on Supercapacitance of CeO2 Nanostructures: Electrochemical and Molecular Dynamics Studies
Authors: Jeyaranjan Aadithya , Sakthivel Tamil Selvan , Molinari Marco , Sayle Dean C. , Seal Sudipta
Published: August 2018

Nano cerium oxide (CeO2) is a promising supercapacitor material, but the effect of morphology on charge storage capacity remains elusive. To determine this effect, three different morphologies, nanorods, cubes, and particles are synthesized by a one‐step hydrothermal process. Electrochemical evaluation through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques reveals specific capacitance to be strongly dependent on the nanostructure morphology. The highest specific capacitance in nanorods (162.47 F g−1) is due to the substantially larger surface area relative to the other two morphologies and the predominant exposure of the highly reactive {110} and {100} planes. At comparable surface areas, exposed crystal planes exhibit a profound effect on charge storage. The exposure of highly reactive {100} planes in nanocubes induce a greater specific capacitance compared to nanoparticles, which are dominated by the less reactive {111} facets. The experimental findings are supported by reactivity maps of the nanostructures generated by molecular dynamics simulations. This study indicates that supercapacitors with higher charge storage can be designed through a nanostructure morphology selection strategy.
About the Interaction Between a Laser Beam and Group IV Nanowires: A Study of the Electromagnetic Field Enhancement in Homogeneous and Heterostructured Nanowires
Authors: Pura Jose Luis , Anaya Julián , Jiménez Juan
Published: August 2018

The optical properties of semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are object of study because they are the building blocks of the future nanophotonic devices. The high refractive index and its reduced dimension, make them suitable for photon engineering. The study of the interaction between NWs and visible light has revealed resonances of the light absorption/scattering by the NWs. Micro‐Raman spectroscopy is used as a characterization method of semiconductor NWs. The relation between the Raman intensity and the incident electromagnetic (EM) field permits to study the light/NW interaction through the micro‐Raman spectra of individual NWs. As compared to either metallic or dielectric NWs, the semiconductor NWs add additional tools to modify its interaction with light, for example, the composition, the presence of heterostructures, both axial and radial, doping, and the surface morphology. One presents herein a study of the optical response of group IV semiconductor NWs to visible photons. The study is experimentally carried out through the micro‐Raman spectroscopy of different group IV NWs, both homogeneous and heterostructured (SiGe/Si), and the results are analyzed in terms of the EM modeling of the light/NW interaction using finite element methods (FEMs). The heterostructures are seen to produce additional resonances allowing new photonic capacities to the semiconductor NWs.
Environmental flows and water reserves: Principles, strategies, and contributions to water and conservation policies in Mexico
Authors: Salinas‐Rodríguez Sergio A. , Barrios‐Ordóñez Jorge E. , Sánchez‐Navarro Rafael , Wickel Albertus J.
Published: August 2018

Since the Brisbane Declaration in 2007, implementation of environmental flows in public policies has witnessed a steady increase around the globe. Environmental water reserves are an annual volume that is designated to remain in the ecosystem for the sustainable management of river basins. In Mexico, these reserves are determined on the basis of the Mexican Environmental Flows Norm and must be established at a river basin scale through a presidential decree for 50 years. In this manuscript, we present and discuss the implementation strategy of the norm developed for the National Water Reserves for the Environment Program, and its results in 25 reference sites based on environmental flow assessments conducted from 2012 to 2015 using hydrological and holistic methodologies. An analytical evaluation revealed an overall consistency between the Norm's environmental objectives (baseline) and the current ecological conditions on‐site for the 80% of the cases (96% over high confidence rating). Furthermore, in 72% of the reference sites, the coefficient of variation among the reserve's was below the fourth quartile (<11%), whereas those remaining above that limit can be attributed to a difference in the methods' hydrologic scope. The recommended volumes for environmental allocation are feasible under the current water availability conditions in the 94% of the river basins. Although challenges have appeared in the process, to date, one reserve has been decreed on the basis of the strategic approach of setting sustainable limits of water allocation and being built an enriched flow‐ecology relationships' understanding system, urgently needed to prevent ecosystems degradation and secure ecological processes.
SERS and DFT investigation on push‐pull molecules: 4‐Dimethylamino‐ 4’‐nitrostilbene adsorbed on silver colloidal nanoparticles
Authors: Muniz‐Miranda Maurizio , Muniz‐Miranda Francesco , Pedone Alfonso
Published: August 2018

The adsorption of 4‐dimethylamino‐4’‐nitrostilbene, a typical push‐pull chromophore, on Ag colloidal nanoparticles has been studied for the first time by SERS spectroscopy with different exciting lines and interpreted by the help of density functional theory calculations. This study allowed ascertaining the adsorption of DANS on silver via nitro‐group and collecting information on the structural changes of the molecule induced by the interaction with the metal surface, leading to augmented nonlinear optical properties. In addition, under blue‐green light irradiation the adsorbed molecules undergo a photoreduction of the nitro‐group by a plasmon‐induced catalyzing effect of the nanostructured silver surface.
Polymorphic Evolution of TiO2 in Hydrothermal Reaction System of Layered Titanate Nanosheets
Authors: Xu Linfeng , Li Sen , Uemura Shinobu , Kusunose Takafumi , Kong Xingang , Feng Qi
Published: August 2018

The hydrothermal formation mechanisms of TiO2 polymorphs of brookite and anatase, and their nanocomposites were investigated systematically in a mixed solution reaction system of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) by using XRD, FE‐SEM and TEM observations, and SAED. The titanate nanosheets with lepidocrocite‐type layered structure are formed firstly, and then transformed to the TiO2 polymorphs by topotactic structural transformation reactions in the reaction system. The pH value and the concentration of TMA+ play the key roles in the formation of TiO2 polymorphs. The small‐sized layered titanate nanosheets are formed and transformed to anatase phase under low pH and low TMA+ concentration conditions, while the large‐sized layered titanate nanosheets are formed and transferred to brookite phase under high pH and high TMA+ concentration conditions. The anatase‐brookite nanocomposites can be obtained from the mixture of small‐ and large‐sized nanosheets under middle pH conditions, in which the anatase nanocrystals are formed on the surface of brookite nanocrystal.
Stretchable Transparent Conductive Films from Long Carbon Nanotube Metals
Authors: Wang Peng , Peng Zhiwei , Li Muxiao , Wang YuHuang
Published: August 2018

Flexible transparent conductors are an enabling component for large‐area flexible displays, wearable electronics, and implantable medical sensors that can wrap around and move with the body. However, conventional conductive materials decay quickly under tensile strain, posing a significant hurdle for functional flexible devices. Here, we show that high electrical conductivity, mechanical stretchability, and optical transparency can be simultaneously attained by compositing long metallic double‐walled carbon nanotubes with a polydimethylsiloxane substrate. When stretched to 100% tensile strain, thin films incorporating these long nanotubes (≈3.2 µm on average) achieve a record high conductivity of 3316 S cm−1 at 100% tensile strain and 85% optical transmittance, which is 194 times higher than that of short nanotube controls (≈0.8 µm on average). Moreover, the high conductivity can withstand more than 1000 repeated stretch‐release cycles (switching between 100% and 0% strain) with a retention approaching 96%, whereas the short nanotube controls exhibit only 10%. Mechanistic studies reveal that long tubes can bridge the microscale gaps generated during stretching, thereby maintaining high electrical conductivity. When mounted on human joints, this elastic transparent conductor can accommodate large motions to provide stable, high current output. These results point to transparent conductors capable of attaining high electrical conductivity and optical transmittance under mechanical strain to allow large shape changes that may take place in the operation and use of flexible electronics.