bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Oral Loading Doses of Cholecalciferol on the Serum Concentration of 25-OH-Vitamin-D
Authors: Bo Jansen Rasmus , Lander Svendsen Ole
Published: April 2015

Background/Objectives: Severe vitamin D deficiency can be treated with oral loading doses of cholecalciferol. Our objective was to develop an algorithm to accurately calculate the amount of cholecalciferol needed for a loading dose, and what factors should be taken into account.Methods: Two studies were conducted on subjects with Vitamin D deficiency. Study 1 was observational, retrospective and included 88 subjects treated with a daily supplementation of cholecalciferol. 60 of these furthermore received a loading dose, calculated by an algorithm.Study 2 was prospective and included 29 subjects treated with a cholecalciferol loading dose, calculated by an algorithm developed based on data from study 1, which included BMI.Results: Baseline 25OH-vit.D was below 25 nmol/L (study 1) and 23 nmol/L (study 2). Subjects were given a single loading dose of cholecalciferol, averaging 172,000 IU (study 1) and 212,000 IU (study 2), based on their baseline 25OH-vit.D level.25OH-vit.D increased by 35 nmol/L (study 1) and 56 nmol/L (study 2)(range 113.0, SD 29.79) respectively. In study 2 the increase lead to an end 25OH-vit.D of 79 nmol/L - not significantly different from the target value of 80 nmol/L (P = 0.46). The increase in 25OH-vit.D in study 1 was significantly lower than in study 2 (P<0.001).Conclusion: When calculating loading doses of cholecalciferol, taking subject BMI into account gives a better estimate of the loading dose of vitamin D3 needed to treat vitamin D deficiency. It does not, however, remove the large interindividual variation in dose-response.
The Potential of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency in Africa
Authors: Gurmu Fekadu , Hussein Shimelis , Laing Mark
Published: April 2015

Purpose: Vitamin A deficiency is among major health problems worldwide that leads to blindness, retarded growth and death, particularly in developing countries. In these countries, vitamin A deficiency largely affects pre-school children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and the rural poor. For instance, the predicted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency for 36 sub-Saharan African countries is 19.1 %. Methods: Different strategies, including vitamin A supplementation, food fortification and dietary diversification, have been used to combat this problem. However, these strategies are not sustainable due to their high costs. Results: Orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) is a low priced crop, which is part of staple foods in most of sub-Saharan Africa that can be a year-round source of vitamin A. Most of the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties contain 3000 - 16000 μg 100 g-1 of β-carotene and this contributes to 250 to 1300 μg 100 g-1 Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE). Therefore, by using orange-fleshed sweet potato, it is possible to improve vitamin A status, increase the bio-availability of different micro-nutrients such as Fe, Zn, Ca and Mg, reduce vitamin A deficiency and hence reduce child mortality rates by 23 to 30 %. Conclusion: The article highlights the significance of vitamin A for human nutrition, the effect of vitamin A deficiency, the different prevention methods and the potential of orange- fleshed sweet potato as a food crop to prevent vitamin A deficiency.
Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency and Inflammation Related Markers in Overweight/Obese Schoolchildren
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Elena , Aparicio Aránzazu , Andrés Pedro , Ortega Rosa M.
Published: April 2015

Objective: Obesity has been associated with vitamin D deficiency and increased oxidative stress, which can lead to the dysregulation of adipokines and inflammation. The aim of the present work was to examine the association of vitamin D status [25(OH)D] on inflammatory related markers in overweight/obese children. Subjects/Methods: A total of 137 Spanish schoolchildren between 9 and 12 years of age (31.4 % with overweight/obesity) were studied. Being overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 85th percentile and obesity as BMI ≥ 97th percentile using the reference tables of Hernández. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent assay. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by immunoenzyme assay. Serum adiponectin was determined using an ELISA kit. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-PCR) was tested by immunonephelometry. Results: IL-6 concentrations were higher in the overweight/obese children with deficient serum 25(OH)D (< 20 ng/mL) than in those in this group but whose serum 25(OH)D concentrations were adequate (≥ 20 ng/mL). Serum 25(OH)D was inversely associated with IL-6 concentrations in the overweight/obese subjects taking into account different covariates; thus, for every 1 ng/mL rise in the former, the latter fell by 0.160 pg/mL (β = - 0.160 ± 0.068; R2 = 0.131; p = 0.023). The obese subjects with concentrations of ≥ 25 ng/mL had lower hs-CRP values compared to those with concentrations of < 25 ng/mL (0.053 ± 0.035 vs. 0.356 ± 0.613 mg/dL; p = 0.035). Conclusion: Low serum 25(OH)D was significantly associated high serum IL-6 in overweight/obese children, and with increased hs-CRP in obese children.
Manzoni Receives 2014 Early Career Hydrologic Science Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: April 2015

Stefano Manzoni received the 2014 Early Career Hydrologic Science Award at the 2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held 15–19 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award is for significant early career contributions to hydrologic science.
No photocatalyst required – versatile, visible light mediated transformations with polyhalomethanes
Authors: Franz Johannes F. , Kraus Wolfgang B. , Zeitler Kirsten
Published: April 2015

Visible light activation of polyhalomethanes offers a versatile, photocatalyst-free method for the α-CH functionalization of amines and for regioselective Kharasch-type additions.
Mesostructured zeolites: bridging the gap between zeolites and MCM-41
Authors: Prasomsri Teerawit , Jiao Wenqian , Weng Steve Z. , Garcia Martinez Javier
Published: April 2015

This feature article critically reviews the use of surfactants to introduce controlled mesoporosity in zeolites and their commercial applications.
Painting biological low-frequency vibrational modes from small peptides to proteins
Authors: Perticaroli S. , Russo D. , Paolantoni M. , Gonzalez M. A. , Sassi P. , Nickels J. D. , Ehlers G. , Comez L. , Pellegrini E. , Fioretto D. , Morresi A.
Published: April 2015

We use experiments and simulation to investigate the validity of different model systems used to study the low-frequency vibrations of proteins.
Reaction-based turn-on fluorescent probes with magnetic responses for Fe2+ detection in live cells
Authors: Maiti Siddhartha , Aydin Ziya , Zhang Yi , Guo Maolin
Published: April 2015

A highly selective reaction-based “turn-on” fluorescent sensor is capable of detecting Fe2+ in mitochondria with distinct EPR responses.
Choline peroxydisulfate oxidizing Bio-TSIL: triple role player in the one-pot synthesis of Betti bases and gem-bisamides from aryl alcohols under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Gadilohar Balu L. , Kumbhar Haribhau S. , Shankarling Ganapati S.
Published: April 2015

The sequential one-pot multicomponent synthesis of Betti bases and bisamides using biodegradable choline persulfate.
Ultrasensitive SERS detection of trinitrotoluene through capillarity-constructed reversible hot spots based on ZnO–Ag nanorod hybrids
Authors: He Xuan , Wang Hui , Li Zhongbo , Chen Dong , Liu Jiahui , Zhang Qi
Published: April 2015

Ultra-sensitive ZnO–Ag hybrid SERS substrates are used to detect TNT vapor or solution by a capillarity-constructed reversible hot spots strategy.
Zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide and their ternary carbide nanoparticles by an in situ polymerization route
Authors: Yan Chunlei , Liu Rongjun , Zhang Changrui , Cao Yingbin
Published: April 2015

Anin situpolymerization route for the synthesis of zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide and their ternary carbide nanoparticles.
How to determine accurate chemical ordering in several nanometer large bimetallic crystallites from electronic structure calculations
Authors: Kozlov Sergey M. , Kovács Gábor , Ferrando Riccardo , Neyman Konstantin M.
Published: April 2015

The proposed method allows to efficiently determine the atomic arrangement in bimetallic nanoparticles based on electronic structure calculations and unravels the relationship between structural preferences of atoms and binding in nanoalloys.
Palladium(0) NHC complexes: a new avenue to highly efficient phosphorescence
Authors: Henwood Adam F. , Lesieur Mathieu , Bansal Ashu K. , Lemaur Vincent , Beljonne David , Thompson David G. , Graham Duncan , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Cazin Catherine S. J. , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: April 2015

We report the first examples of highly luminescent di-coordinated Pd(0) complexes.
Interdependence of initial cell density, drug concentration and exposure time revealed by real-time impedance spectroscopic cytotoxicity assay
Authors: Caviglia C. , Zór K. , Canepa S. , Carminati M. , Larsen L. B. , Raiteri R. , Andresen T. L. , Heiskanen A. , Emnéus J.
Published: April 2015

The impedance-based drug toxicity assay reveals the effect of cancer drugs, showing the interdependence of the drug exposure time, concentration, and cell density.
Development of a miniature mass spectrometer with continuous atmospheric pressure interface
Authors: Zhai Yanbing , Feng Yan , Wei Yongzheng , Wang Yuzhuo , Xu Wei
Published: April 2015

The demand for on-the-spot analysis is met by a miniature mass spectrometer which is preferred to be robust, stable, as small as possible and capable of analyzing different samples by coupling with various ionization methods.
A novel electrochemical sensor for non-ergoline dopamine agonist pramipexole based on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons
Authors: Narayana Prashanth S. , Teradal Nagappa L. , Seetharamappa J. , Satpati Ashis K.
Published: April 2015

A facile and feasible electrochemical sensing platform based on graphene oxide nanoribbons for electrochemical investigations and determination of a non-ergoline dopamine agonist in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids.
Combined electrochemical-topographical imaging: a critical review
Authors: O'Connell Michael A. , Wain Andrew J.
Published: April 2015

This review critically analyses the state-of-the-art in correlative electrochemical-topographical imaging, focusing on AFM, shear-force, ion conductance, and electrochemical positional feedback.
Little do more: a highly effective Pt1/FeOx single-atom catalyst for the reduction of NO by H2
Authors: Lin Jian , Qiao Botao , Li Ning , Li Lin , Sun Xiucheng , Liu Jingyue , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao
Published: April 2015

A FeOx supported Pt single-atom catalyst (Pt-SAC) exhibited much higher NO conversion and selectivity to N2 than the supported Pt nanoparticle catalyst (Pt-Nano).
A visual volumetric hydrogel sensor enables quantitative and sensitive detection of copper ions
Authors: Wu Rui , Zhang Shenghai , Lyu Jitong , Lu Fang , Yue Xuanfeng , Lv Jiagen
Published: April 2015

A volumetric sensor design enables the precise naked-eye readout of hydrogel volume changes for quantitative and sensitive detection of copper ions.
Cubic anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity
Authors: Xu Quanlong , Yu Jiaguo , Zhang Jun , Zhang Jinfeng , Liu Gang
Published: April 2015

Anatase TiO2 nanocubes with exposed {100} and {001} facets show especially high photocatalytic activity toward CO2 reduction to methane and methanol.
Directed evolution 2.0: improving and deciphering enzyme properties
Authors: Cheng Feng , Zhu Leilei , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: April 2015

A KnowVolution: knowledge gaining directed evolution including four phases is proposed in this feature article, which generates improved enzyme variants and molecular understanding.
A rationally designed peptidomimetic biosensor for sialic acid on cell surfaces
Authors: Chaudhary Preeti Madhukar , Murthy Raghavendra Vasudeva , Yadav Rohan , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: April 2015

We have developed peptidomimetic sialic acid (Sia) biosensors using boronic acid and arginine groups on the peptide backbone.
Recent advances in carbon nanospheres: synthetic routes and applications
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Qiao Zhen-An , Dai Sheng
Published: April 2015

Various strategies to carbon nanospheres together with a brief introduction of applications are presented in this feature article.
Sequential double second-order nonlinear optical switch by an acido-triggered photochromic cyclometallated platinum(ii) complex
Authors: Boixel Julien , Guerchais Véronique , Le Bozec Hubert , Chantzis Agisilaos , Jacquemin Denis , Colombo Alessia , Dragonetti Claudia , Marinotto Daniele , Roberto Dominique
Published: April 2015

The first example of a sequential double nonlinear optical switch, induced first by protonation and next upon irradiation with UV light.
Rational synthesis of novel recyclable Fe3O4@MOF nanocomposites for enzymatic digestion
Authors: Zhao Man , Zhang Xiangmin , Deng Chunhui
Published: April 2015

Magnetic MOFs were synthesized for enzyme immobilization. The magnetic MOF–trypsin exhibited significantly improved digestion performance for different kinds of enzymes.
Mechanochemical reactions studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy: base catalysis in liquid-assisted grinding
Authors: Tireli Martina , Juribašić Kulcsár Marina , Cindro Nikola , Gracin Davor , Biliškov Nikola , Borovina Mladen , Ćurić Manda , Halasz Ivan , Užarević Krunoslav
Published: April 2015

Monitoring byin situRaman spectroscopy of a mechanochemical substitution reaction on a carbonyl group reveals base catalysis akin to catalysis in solution.
Chemically and electrochemically induced expansion and contraction of a ferrocene rotor
Authors: Scottwell Synøve Ø. , Elliott Anastasia B. S. , Shaffer Karl J. , Nafady Ayman , McAdam C. John , Gordon Keith C. , Crowley James D.
Published: April 2015

A 2,2′-bipyridine-appended ferrocene rotor can be switched, upon treatment with [Cu(CH3CN)4](PF6) and 6,6′-dimesityl-2,2′-bipyridine, from the stacked (syn) conformation to the unstacked (anti) conformation. The switching was completely reversible and could be triggered either chemically, or electrochemically.
Crystallographic insight-guided nanoarchitectonics and conductivity modulation of an n-type organic semiconductor through peptide conjugation
Authors: Pandeeswar M. , Khare Harshavardhan , Ramakumar Suryanarayanarao , Govindaraju T.
Published: April 2015

Crystallographic insight-guided and bio-inspired molecular nanoarchitectonics of an n-type organic semiconductor is described to understand the structure–property correlation, for modulation of functional properties.
A fluorescent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor for cellular imaging
Authors: Fleming Cassandra L. , Ashton Trent D. , Nowell Cameron , Devlin Mark , Natoli Anthony , Schreuders Jeannette , Pfeffer Frederick M.
Published: April 2015

Fluorescent 4MS, has comparable HDAC and anticancer activity to scriptaid and allows visualisation of rapid cellular uptake and cytoplasmic localisation.
Asymmetric palladium-catalyzed umpolung cyclization of allylic acetate-aldehyde using formate as a reductant
Authors: Tsukamoto Hirokazu , Kawase Ayumu , Doi Takayuki
Published: April 2015

Asymmetic palladium/chiral diphosphine-catalyzed umpolung cyclization of allylic acetate-aldehyde using formate as a reductant affordscis-disubstituted pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, and spiro carbocycle.
Solvent-dependent strong asymmetric amplification in the catalytic enantioselective Henry reaction using the trans-N,N′-bis-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-CuCl2 complex
Authors: Tanaka Koichi , Iwashita Tomoharu , Yoshida Erika , Ishikawa Tomomi , Otuka Shinya , Urbanczyk-Lipkowska Zofia , Takahashi Hiroki
Published: April 2015

An unprecedented strong positive nonlinear effect was observed in the asymmetric Henry reaction.
Body temperature sensitive micelles for MRI enhancement
Authors: Zhu Xiaolei , Chen Shizhen , Luo Qing , Ye Chaohui , Liu Maili , Zhou Xin
Published: April 2015

CEST MRI signal enhancement at body temperature.
Cluster evolution during the early stages of heating explosives and its relationship to sensitivity: a comparative study of TATB, β-HMX and PETN by molecular reactive force field simulations
Authors: Wen Yushi , Zhang Chaoyang , Xue Xianggui , Long Xinping
Published: April 2015

The clustering mechanism of heating TATB, HMX and PETN was strongly influenced by their oxygen balance and was related to their sensitivity.
Structural characterization of eutectic aqueous NaCl solutions under variable temperature and pressure conditions
Authors: Ludl A.-A. , Bove L. E. , Saitta A. M. , Salanne M. , Hansen T. C. , Bull C. L. , Gaal R. , Klotz S.
Published: April 2015

We analyze the structural evolution of quenched aqueous NaCl solutions under pressure up to 4 GPa.
XPS of guanidinium ionic liquids: a comparison of charge distribution in nitrogenous cations
Authors: Santos Ana R. , Blundell Rebecca K. , Licence Peter
Published: April 2015

We report first X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for a range of functionalised guanidinium based systems that find application in the dissolution of biomolecules. Measured binding energies are compared to those of more common ionic liquid families containing other nitrogen based cations.
Can pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) be used to assess implementation and effectiveness of green chemistry practices? A case study involving the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and pharmaceutical manufacturers
Authors: DeVito Stephen C. , Keenan Cheryl , Lazarus Dana
Published: April 2015

Pharmaceutical firms have reported that implementation of green chemistry practices in their manufacturing processes have greatly reduced the quantities of toxic chemicals they use, release to the environment, or manage as waste.
Enantioselective α-amination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in batch and flow with immobilized thiourea organocatalysts
Authors: Kasaplar Pinar , Ozkal Erhan , Rodríguez-Escrich Carles , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: April 2015

A PS-immobilized thiourea catalyses the enantioselective α-amination of dicarbonyl compounds at room temperature. It is not deactivated by azodicarboxylate reagents, allowing multiple recycling in batch as well as use in flow (21 min residence time).
A systematic study of the cellular metabolic regulation of Jhdm1b in tumor cells
Authors: Yu Xi , Wang Jiaxu , Wu Jihui , Shi Yunyu
Published: April 2015

Jhdm1b knockdown cells enhanced glutaminolysis to maintain the Krebs cycle by upregulating RIP3 expression.
High-resolution structural characterization of Noxa, an intrinsically disordered protein, by microsecond molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Espinoza-Fonseca L. Michel , Kelekar Ameeta
Published: April 2015

Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations reveal structural and functional features of Noxa, an intrinsically disordered protein, at atomic-level resolution.
New substituted 9-propyladenine derivatives as A2Aadenosine receptor antagonists
Authors: Lambertucci C. , Buccioni M. , Dal Ben D. , Kachler S. , Marucci G. , Spinaci A. , Thomas A. , Klotz K.-N. , Volpini R.
Published: April 2015

New 9-propyladenines substituted at 2- or N6- and 8 positions behave as adenosine receptor antagonists with low nM affinity at the A2A subtype.
Ring-opening polymerization of lactide using chiral salen aluminum complexes as initiators: high productivity and stereoselectivity
Authors: Gao Bo , Li Dongni , Li Yanhui , Duan Qian , Duan Ranlong , Pang Xuan
Published: April 2015

Chiral salen aluminum complexes have been synthesized and investigated as initiators for l-lactide and rac-lactide polymerization.
Direct imaging of the magnetic polarity and reversal mechanism in individual Fe3−xO4 nanoparticles
Authors: Moya Carlos , Iglesias-Freire Óscar , Pérez Nicolás , Batlle Xavier , Labarta Amilcar , Asenjo Agustina
Published: April 2015

This work reports on the experimental characterization of the magnetic domain configurations in cubic, isolated Fe3−xO4 nanoparticles with a lateral size of 25–30 nm.
High-performance graphene/sulphur electrodes for flexible Li-ion batteries using the low-temperature spraying method
Authors: Kumar Pushpendra , Wu Feng-Yu , Hu Lung-Hao , Ali Abbas Syed , Ming Jun , Lin Chia-Nan , Fang Jason , Chu Chih-Wei , Li Lain-Jong
Published: April 2015

Low temperature spraying of graphene–sulphur ink has been shown to be an excellent method to fabricate high energy electrodes for flexible batteries.
In situ synthesis of a large area boron nitride/graphene monolayer/boron nitride film by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Wu Qinke , Jang Sung Kyu , Park Sangwoo , Jung Seong Jun , Suh Hwansoo , Lee Young Hee , Lee Sungjoo , Song Young Jae
Published: April 2015

We describe the successful in situ chemical vapor deposition synthesis of a graphene-based heterostructure in which a graphene monolayer is protected by top and bottom boron nitride films.
A novel three-dimensional spherical CuBi2O4 consisting of nanocolumn arrays with persulfate and peroxymonosulfate activation functionalities for 1H-benzotriazole removal
Authors: Oh Wen-Da , Lua Shun-Kuang , Dong Zhili , Lim Teik-Thye
Published: April 2015

A novel CuBi2O4 consisting of self-assembled spherical nanocolumn arrays (CuB-H) was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles alter cellular morphology via disturbing the microtubule dynamics
Authors: Mao Zhilei , Xu Bo , Ji Xiaoli , Zhou Kun , Zhang Xuemei , Chen Minjian , Han Xiumei , Tang Qiusha , Wang Xinru , Xia Yankai
Published: April 2015

A nanoparticle–microtubule–tau interaction model is proposed.
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dots: synthesis from adenosine triphosphate, optical properties, and cellular imaging
Authors: Ananthanarayanan Arundithi , Wang Yue , Routh Parimal , Sk Mahasin Alam , Than Aung , Lin Ming , Zhang Jie , Chen Jie , Sun Handong , Chen Peng
Published: April 2015

N/P co-doped graphene quantum dots are synthesized, characterized, and used for specific molecular imaging and tracking in live cells.
Zwitterionic supramolecular nanoparticles: self-assembly and responsive properties
Authors: Stoffelen Carmen , Huskens Jurriaan
Published: April 2015

Zwitterionic supramolecular nanoparticles (ZSNPs) show photo- and pH-responsive properties and are stable in high-BSA solutions.
Application of optically active chiral bis(imidazolium) salts as potential receptors of chiral dicarboxylate salts of biological relevance
Authors: González-Mendoza Laura , Escorihuela Jorge , Altava Belén , Burguete M. Isabel , Luis Santiago V.
Published: April 2015

New chiral ionic liquids as receptors for dicarboxylic acid derivatives.
Convenient synthesis of functionalized spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrolizines] or spiro[indoline-3,3′-pyrrolidines] via multicomponent reactions
Authors: Sun Jing , Chen Liang , Gong Hui , Yan Chao-Guo
Published: April 2015

Multicomponent reactions of α-amino acids, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and 3-methyleneoxindoles afforded diverse functionalized spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrolizines], spiro[indoline-3,3′-pyrrolidines] and spiro[indoline-3,6′-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles].
An interactive database to explore herbicide physicochemical properties
Authors: Gandy Michael N. , Corral Maxime G. , Mylne Joshua S. , Stubbs Keith A.
Published: April 2015

An interactive database containing the physicochemical properties of successful herbicidal compounds that allows rapid comparison to potential, new herbicidal compounds is presented.
Formation of liquid rope coils in a coaxial microfluidic device
Authors: Tottori Soichiro , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: April 2015

The coiling of viscous liquid threads in a coaxial microfluidic device is explored and used to fabricate helical hydrogel microfibers.
Uranium(vi) complexes with isonicotinic acid: from monomer to 2D polymer with unique U–N bonding
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Karatchevtseva Inna , Price Jason R. , Aharonovich Igor , Kadi Fatima , Lumpkin Gregory R. , Li Feng
Published: April 2015

Two uranium(vi) complexes with isonicotinic acid, exhibiting a monomer and a 2D polymer, have been synthesized and characterized.
Synthesis of supported vertical NiS2 nanosheets for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic and alkaline solution
Authors: Wu Xiaolin , Yang Bin , Li Zhongjian , Lei Lecheng , Zhang Xingwang
Published: April 2015

We report a two-step synthesis to grow vertical NiS2 nanosheets on a graphite substrate, the NiS2 electrocatalyst showed excellent activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction in a wide pH range.
Fire and mechanical properties of a novel free-radically cured phenolic resin based on a methacrylate-functional novolac and of its blends with an unsaturated polyester resin
Authors: Kandola Baljinder K. , Krishnan Latha , Deli Dario , Luangtriratana Piyanuch , Ebdon John R.
Published: April 2015

A novel free-radically curable phenolic novolac resin bearing methacrylate functional groups has been synthesized by reaction of the novolac with methacryloyl chloride.
Microwave assisted synthesis of mesoporous NiCo2O4nanosheets as electrode material for advanced flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Khalid Syed , Cao Chuanbao , Ahmad Aziz , Wang Lin , Tanveer M. , Aslam Imran , Tahir Muhammad , Idrees Faryal , Zhu Youqi
Published: April 2015

Mesoporous nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) nanosheets are synthesized using a cost effective, ultra fast and environmentally friendly microwave assisted heating method followed by a post-calcination process of the as-prepared precursors.
Methane-rich biogas production from waste-activated sludge with the addition of ferric chloride under a thermophilic anaerobic digestion system
Authors: Yu Bao , Zhang Dongling , Shan Aidang , Lou Ziyang , Yuan Haiping , Huang Xiaoting , Yuan Wenxiang , Dai Xiaohu , Zhu Nanwen
Published: April 2015

Three ferric salts, i.e. Fe(NO3)3, Fe2(SO4)3 and FeCl3 were introduced to test the potential effects on sludge thermophilic anaerobic digestion, and a favourable environment was created with the addition of FeCl3.
Preparation of surface self-concentration and contact-killing antibacterial coating through UV curing
Authors: Liu Ren , Zheng Junchao , Li Zhiquan , Liu Jingcheng , Liu Xiaoya
Published: April 2015

The straightforward preparation of surface self-concentration and contact-killing antibacterial coating through UV curing.
Biodegradable and crosslinkable PPF–PLGA–PEG self-assembled nanoparticles dual-decorated with folic acid ligands and Rhodamine B fluorescent probes for targeted cancer imaging
Authors: Liu Xifeng , Miller II A. Lee , Yaszemski Michael J. , Lu Lichun
Published: April 2015

Novel crosslinkable self-assembled PPF–PLGA–PEG nanoparticles with fluorescent RhB probes and FA ligands for targeted cancer imaging and potential drug delivery.
A sequential synthetic strategy towards unexplored dibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepine carboxamides: copper catalysed C–S cyclisation followed by Ugi type 3CC cascade
Authors: Saha Debasmita , Wadhwa Preeti , Sharma Anuj
Published: April 2015

A two-step diversity oriented synthetic protocol has been developed to access a novel class of dihydrodibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepine-11-carboxamides via copper-mediated cyclisation followed by Ugi- Joullié reaction sequence.
Preparation of 2D hydroxyl-rich carbon nitride nanosheets for photocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Yanjie , Bi Yiqing , Jin Jiarui , Ehsan Muhammad Fahad , Fu Min , He Tao
Published: April 2015

The nanosheet exhibits better visible-light photocatalytic activity than bulk g-C3N4 due to nanosheet nature and presence of more hydroxyl groups.
Size-and phase-dependent structure of copper(ii) oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Ahmed Alauddin , Elvati Paolo , Violi Angela
Published: April 2015

Core (3 nm diameter) and outer surface layer (0.5 nm width) of a CuO nanoparticle of 4 nm in diameter.
Interaction of flavones with DNA in vitro: structure–activity relationships
Authors: Tu Bao , Chen Zhi-Feng , Liu Zhi-Juan , Cheng Li-Yang , Hu Yan-Jun
Published: April 2015

The structure–activity relationship of the different flavones has been investigated, which may meaningful for drug discovery, and novel drug design.
Computational study of oxygen adsorption in metal–organic frameworks with exposed cation sites: effect of framework metal ions
Authors: Wang Yong , Yang Jiangfeng , Li Zhengjie , Zhang Zhuoming , Li Jinping , Yang Qingyuan , Zhong Chongli
Published: April 2015

Using a dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) method, this work shows that Ni3(BTC)2 can be potentially considered as promising adsorbent for O2/N2 separation with easier deoxygenation.
Rheological behavior of hydrophobically modified polysulfobetaine methacrylate aqueous solution
Authors: Du Miao , Ma Yanjie , Su Heng , Wang Xiang , Zheng Qiang
Published: April 2015

Polysulfobetaine methacrylate (PSBMA) that was hydrophobically modified with methacrylic acid 2,3-epoxypropyl ester (GMA) was synthesized via micellar copolymerization method. Viscosity of the hydrophobically modified PSBMA solution was sensitive to added salt concentration.
Examination of visuals about the particulate nature of matter in Turkish middle school science textbooks
Authors: Kapıcı Hasan Özgür , Savaşcı-Açıkalın Funda
Published: April 2015

Textbooks are one of the primary teaching tools frequently used in schools and most teachers use them in their classrooms (Sanchez and Valcarcel, 1999). Since there are a lot of abstract concepts in science education, images in science textbooks play a vital role in the learning process (Kenanet al., 2011). Concretization of abstract concepts may ease students' understanding. For this reason, the aim of this study was to examine images about the particulate nature of matter (PNM) in Turkish middle school science textbooks. In other words, visuals were examined with respect to representational levels, relatedness to text, existence and properties of the captions. The rubric developed by Gkitziaet al.(2011) was used to evaluate the images from middle school science textbooks in selected units. A total of 825 images in Turkish middle school science textbooks were identified in related units. In addition, it was found that the most common representation type of images about the PNM in Turkish middle school science textbooks were macroscopic representations (36%). The relatedness of images to the text was also studied. It was concluded that just 4 out of 10 images were completely related and linked to the text. Lastly, it was found that more than half of the images about the PNM in Turkish middle school science textbooks had no caption.
Designing efficient photochromic dithienylethene dyads
Authors: Fihey Arnaud , Jacquemin Denis
Published: April 2015

The impact of chemical substitution on the optical properties of ca. 30 dithienylethene (DTE) dyads is investigated with first-principles approaches, with the aim to provide useful guidelines for obtaining more efficient DTE multimers.
Nonaqueous synthesis of TiO2–carbon hybrid nanomaterials with enhanced stable photocatalytic hydrogen production activity
Authors: Yang Yijun , Yao Ye , He Liu , Zhong Yeteng , Ma Ying , Yao Jiannian
Published: April 2015

Enhanced and stable photocatalytic activity upon water splitting was demonstrated in a series of TiO2–carbon hybrid nanomaterials, which were derived from oleylamine wrapped ultrathin TiO2 nanosheets.
Ultrathin TiO2-B nanowires with enhanced electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Lan Tongbin , Dou Jie , Xie Fengyan , Xiong Peixun , Wei Mingdeng
Published: April 2015

Ultrathin TiO2-B nanowires with the most open channels exhibited large reversible lithium-ion charge–discharge capacity, excellent cycling stability and high-rate capability.
Role of Cr3+/Cr6+ redox in chromium-substituted Li2MnO3·LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2 layered composite cathodes: electrochemistry and voltage fade
Authors: Lee Eungje , Park Joong Sun , Wu Tianpin , Sun Cheng-Jun , Kim Hacksung , Stair Peter C. , Lu Jun , Zhou Dehua , Johnson Christopher S.
Published: April 2015

The substitution of chromium into the composite Li2MnO3·LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2 cathode dramatically affects the initial electrochemical activation process; however the voltage fade process during cycling persists.
Atomic H-induced cutting and unzipping of single-walled carbon nanotube carpets with a teepee structure and their enhanced supercapacitor performance
Authors: Fan Xiujun , Peng Zhiwei , Yang Yang , Zhou Haiqing , Guo Xia
Published: April 2015

The atomic H-induced cutting and unzipping of VA-SWCNTs with teepee structure and vertical integrity were demonstrated.
Highly flexible and transferable supercapacitors with ordered three-dimensional MnO2/Au/MnO2 nanospike arrays
Authors: Gao Yuan , Jin Huanyu , Lin Qingfeng , Li Xiang , Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Leung Siu-Fung , Tang Wing Man , Zhou Limin , Wa Chan Helen Lai , Fan Zhiyong
Published: April 2015

An ultra-thin freestanding Au NSP film is fabricated by simple wet etching. Supercapacitors fabricated based on such structure show notable electrochemical improvements.
Hierarchical i–p and i–n porous heterojunction in planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liao Hsueh-Chung , Tsao Cheng-Si , Jao Meng-Huan , Shyue Jing-Jong , Hsu Che-Pu , Huang Yu-Ching , Tian Kuo-Yo , Chen Charn-Yin , Su Chun-Jen , Su Wei-Fang
Published: April 2015

A hierarchical pore network is discovered in CH3NH3PbI3perovskite solar cell, which forms an i–p or i–n porous heterojunction with infiltrated hole transporting materials or electron transporting materials, respectively.
Improved synthesis and photovoltaic performance of donor–acceptor copolymers based on dibenzothiophene-cored ladder-type heptacyclic units
Authors: Wang Lixin , Cai Dongdong , Tang Changquan , Wang Meng , Yin Zhigang , Zheng Qingdong
Published: April 2015

A ladder-type heptacyclic building block was synthesized with high yield and used for the construction of donor–acceptor copolymers with different π-spacers or different heteroatoms on the acceptor unit.
Telepractice Versus In-Person Delivery of Voice Therapy for Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Authors: Rangarathnam Balaji , McCullough Gary H. , Pickett Hylan , Zraick Richard I. , Tulunay-Ugur Ozlem , McCullough Kimberly C.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of telepractice for delivering flow phonation exercises to persons with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD).

Method

Fourteen participants with a diagnosis of primary MTD participated, 7 on site and 7 at remote locations. Each participant received 12 treatment sessions across 6 weeks. Treatment consisted of flow phonation voice therapy exercises. Auditory–perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and quality-of-life measures were taken before and after treatment.

Results

Perceptual and quality-of-life measures were significantly better posttreatment and were statistically equivalent across groups. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures improved in both groups, but changes did not reach statistical significance. Results for the 2 service delivery groups were comparable, with no significant differences observed for perceptual and quality-of-life measures.

Conclusions

Although the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports the use of telepractice for speech-language pathology services, evidence for the use of telepractice for providing behavioral treatment to patients with MTD has been lacking. The results of this study indicate that flow phonation exercises can be successfully used for patients with MTD using telepractice.
Evidence-Based Systematic Review: Effects of Speech-Language Pathology Treatment for Individuals With Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion
Authors: Patel Rita R. , Venediktov Rebecca , Schooling Tracy , Wang Beverly
Published: April 2015

Purpose

In this article, our goal was to determine the state of the evidence and the effect of speech-language pathology (SLP) treatment for individuals with paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM).

Method

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders searched 22 electronic databases using key words related to PVFM, speech or voice treatment, and behavioral intervention for articles published through July 2013. Identified articles were systematically evaluated to assess the quality of the evidence using a modification of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's critical appraisal scheme.

Results

Sixty-five articles met the search criteria. Only 2 out of the 65 articles were judged to contain adequate evidence to evaluate the effect of SLP treatment for PVFM. All 65 articles exemplify the state of the evidence for SLP treatment for PVFM.

Conclusion

The state of the evidence for the use of SLP treatment is in its infancy, with a majority of articles in the exploratory stage of research. Consequently, few clinical implications can be drawn at this time. SLP treatment for PVFM is promising; however, there is clearly a pressing need for systematic experimental studies that involve a control group to further the evidence base.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170243
Narrative Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Gillam Sandra Laing , Hartzheim Daphne , Studenka Breanna , Simonsmeier Vicki , Gillam Ronald
Published: April 2015

Purpose

This study was conducted to determine whether a narrative intervention program that targeted the use of mental state and causal language resulted in positive gains in narrative production for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

Five children (2 girls and 3 boys) who had been diagnosed with ASD participated in the study. Children ranged in age from 8 to 12 years and were recruited through an autism clinic. Intervention was provided for two 50-min individual sessions per week for a total of 21–33 sessions (depending on the student). Children's spontaneous stories, collected weekly, were analyzed for overall story complexity, story structure, and the use of mental state and causal language. Following a multiple-baseline across-participants design, data were collected for lagged baseline and intervention phases over a 6-month period.

Results

All of the children made gains on all 3 measures of narration after participating in the instruction, with clear changes in level for all 5 children and changes in trend for 4 of the 5 children. The gains were maintained after intervention was discontinued.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the efficacy of the 3-phase narrative instruction program for improving the fictional narration abilities of children with ASD.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170315
Synthesis of (R)-Lactic Acid and (2R,5R)-2-tert-Butyl-5-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one
Authors: Aitken R. , Meehan Anna , Power Lynn
Published: April 2015

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of very expensive (R)-lactic acid from relatively inexpensive (R)-alanine is described. Its subsequent conversion into a chiral dioxolanone can be carried out by using an inexpensive pivalaldehyde–tert-butanol mixture.
Platinum-induced structural collapse in layered oxide polycrystalline films
Authors: Wang Jianlin , Huang Haoliang , Liu Changhui , Fu Zhengping , Zhai Xiaofang , Peng Ranran , Lu Yalin
Published: April 2015

Effect of a platinum bottom electrode on the SrBi5Fe1−xCoxTi4O18 layered oxide polycrystalline films was systematically studied. The doped cobalt ions react with the platinum to form a secondary phase of PtCoO2, which has a typical Delafossite structure with a weak antiferromagnetism and an exceptionally high in-plane electrical conductivity. Formation of PtCoO2 at the interface partially consumes the cobalt dopant and leads to the structural collapsing from 5 to 4 layers, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. Considering the weak magnetic contribution from PtCoO2, the observed ferromagnetism should be intrinsic of the Aurivillius compounds. Ferroelectric properties were also indicated by the piezoresponse force microscopy. In this work, the platinum induced secondary phase at the interface was observed, which has a strong impact on Aurivillius structural configuration and thus the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties.
A study of the geometry and parameter dependence of vortex breakdown
Authors: Jones M. C. , Hourigan K. , Thompson M. C.
Published: April 2015

The types of vortex breakdown observed in the torsionally driven cylinder (TDC) flow and in the flow through an open-ended pipe are compared. The connection between the various breakdown types is specifically addressed, and the differences in manifestation of breakdown are attributed to the different Reynolds number regimes involved. Here, in both cases, the Reynolds number is based on quantities associated with the vortex core immediately upstream of breakdown, rather than the more geometry-specific Reynolds number defined in the previous work. Thus, the relationship between the TDC flow and the flows observed in other, more open geometries, is clarified. The predominantly asymmetric breakdown observed in open high Reynolds number flows is replaced by a closed bubble form with decreasing Reynolds number in the TDC. Three-dimensional numerical simulations support this interpretation, showing that the 3D spiral type of breakdown is replaced by a TDC-type axisymmetric breakdown in an open pipe as the Reynolds number is reduced. The stability of the three-dimensional solutions indicates that spiral breakdown modes stabilise at lower Reynolds number, leading to an axisymmetric breakdown state as a stable evolved flow solution.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of B4O4−: Dual 3c-4e π hyperbonds and rhombic 4c-4e o-bond in boron oxide clusters
Authors: Tian Wen-Juan , Zhao Li-Juan , Chen Qiang , Ou Ting , Xu Hong-Guang , Zheng Wei-Jun , Zhai Hua-Jin , Li Si-Dian
Published: April 2015

Gas-phase anion photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) is combined with global structural searches and electronic structure calculations at the hybrid Becke 3-parameter exchange functional and Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional (B3LYP) and single-point coupled-cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations (CCSD(T)) levels to probe the structural and electronic properties and chemical bonding of the B4O40/− clusters. The measured PES spectra of B4O4− exhibit a major band with the adiabatic and vertical detachment energies (ADE and VDE) of 2.64 ± 0.10 and 2.81 ± 0.10 eV, respectively, as well as a weak peak with the ADE and VDE of 1.42 ± 0.08 and 1.48 ± 0.08 eV. The former band proves to correspond to the Y-shaped global minimum of Cs B4O4− (2A″), with the calculated ADE/VDE of 2.57/2.84 eV at the CCSD(T) level, whereas the weak band is associated with the second lowest-energy, rhombic isomer of D2h B4O4− (2B2g) with the predicted ADE/VDE of 1.43/1.49 eV. Both anion structures are planar, featuring a B atom or a B2O2 core bonded with terminal BO and/or BO2 groups. The same Y-shaped and rhombic structures are also located for the B4O4 neutral cluster, albeit with a reversed energy order. Bonding analyses reveal dual three-center four-electron (3c-4e) π hyperbonds in the Y-shaped B4O40/− clusters and a four-center four-electron (4c-4e) π bond, that is, the so-called o-bond in the rhombic B4O40/− clusters. This work is the first experimental study on a molecular system with an o-bond.
Compressive and rarefactive dust-ion-acoustic Gardner solitons in a multi-component dusty plasma
Authors: Ema S. A. , Ferdousi M. , Mamun A. A.
Published: April 2015

The linear and nonlinear propagations of dust-ion-acoustic solitary waves (DIASWs) in a collisionless four-component unmagnetized dusty plasma system containing nonextensive electrons, inertial negative ions, Maxwellian positive ions, and negatively charged static dust grains have been investigated theoretically. The linear properties are analyzed by using the normal mode analysis and the reductive perturbation method is used to derive the nonlinear equations, namely, the Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV), the modified K-dV (mK-dV), and the Gardner equations. The basic features (viz., polarity, amplitude, width, etc.) of Gardner solitons (GS) are found to exist beyond the K-dV limit and these dust-ion-acoustic GS are qualitatively different from the K-dV and mK-dV solitons. It is observed that the basic features of DIASWs are affected by various plasma parameters (viz., electron nonextensivity, negative-to-positive ion number density ratio, electron-to-positive ion number density ratio, electron-to-positive ion temperature ratio, etc.) of the considered plasma system. The findings of our results obtained from this theoretical investigation may be useful in understanding the nonlinear structures and the characteristics of DIASWs propagating in both space and laboratory plasmas.
Electrical response of Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 under shock compressions
Authors: Zhang Fuping , Liu Yusheng , Xie Qinghai , Liu Gaomin , He Hongliang
Published: April 2015

PZT ((Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3)) 95/5 ferroelectric ceramics have been used in shock-driven pulsed-power supplies for many years. Their electrical responses under the high electric field strengths generated by shock compression are important in various applications. Shock experiments were conducted to understand the complicated electromechanical behavior by measuring the depoling current. An equivalent circuit was built to analyze the dielectric parameters of PZT 95/5 ceramics under shock compression. The results indicated that the internal resistivity and breakdown strength decrease with increasing shock stress and abnormal behavior, whereby the internal resistivity increases with increasing electric field strength, which is also observed at 4.3 GPa. Cracks induced by mechanical failure under high stresses were found to be related to the leakage current of the samples and to play an important role in determining the electrical response of PZT 95/5 under shock compression.
Communication: A simple full range analytical potential for H2b3∑u+, H–He 2∑+, and He21∑g+
Authors: Warnecke Sascha , Tang K. T. , Toennies J. Peter
Published: April 2015

The Tang-Toennies potential for the weakly interacting systems H2b3Σu+, H–He 2Σ+, and He21Σg+ is extended down to the united atom limit of vanishing internuclear distance. A simple analytic expression connects the united atom limiting potential with the Tang-Toennies potential in the well region. The new potential model is compared with the most recent ab initio calculations for all three systems. The agreement is better than 20% (H2 and He2) or comparable with the differences in the available ab initio calculations (H–He) over six orders of magnitude corresponding to the entire range of internuclear distances.
Linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes in GaN/AlxGa(1−x)N double quantum wells operating at 1.55 μm
Authors: Dakhlaoui Hassen
Published: April 2015

In the present paper, the linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes between the ground and the first excited states in double GaN/AlxGa(1−x)N quantum wells are studied theoretically. The electronic energy levels and their corresponding wave functions are obtained by solving Schrödinger-Poisson equations self-consistently within the effective mass approximation. The obtained results show that the optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes can be red- and blue-shifted through varying the left quantum well width and the aluminum concentration xb2 of the central barrier, respectively. These structural parameters are found to present optimum values for carrying out the transition of 0.8 eV (1.55 μm). Furthermore, we show that the desired transition can also be achieved by replacing the GaN in the left quantum well with AlyGa(1−y)N and by varying the aluminum concentration yAl. The obtained results give a new degree of freedom in optoelectronic device applications such as optical fiber telecommunications operating at (1.55 μm).