bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crispr‐Cas9 in der Anwendung – wo wir heute stehen
Authors: Schneider Sabine 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDie Entwicklung eines bakteriellen Immunsystems zu einem Werkzeug für die Gentechnik hat nicht nur die biologische und medizinische Forschung revolutioniert. Das Werkzeug hat zudem das Potenzial, Erbkrankheiten zu heilen. Wo steht die Forschung fast acht Jahre, nachdem Crispr‐Cas9 erstmals beschrieben wurde?
Leverage centrality analysis of infrastructure networks
Authors: Berberler Murat Erşen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLeverage centrality is a novel centrality measure proposed to identify the critical nodes that are highly influential within the network. Leverage centrality considers the extent of connectivity of a node relative to the connectivity of its neighbors. The leverage centrality of a node in a network is determined by the extent to which its direct neighbors rely on that node for information. In this paper, leverage centralities of the nodes of infrastructure networks are computed and critical nodes within the network are identified.
A novel preparation method of polypropylene/natural rubber blends with improved toughness
Authors: Lendvai László 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA novel melt compounding method – originally introduced for the preparation of nanocomposites – was adapted to produce polypropylene (PP) based blends toughened with up to 20 wt% natural rubber (NR). This water‐assisted technique is based on batchwise melt mixing, where the additives are introduced as an aqueous dispersion into the matrix, drop by drop. The efficiency of this preparation technique was analyzed by comparing the resulting blends with reference samples produced by traditional melt mixing. Mechanical, thermomechanical and morphological properties were determined in order to investigate the structure–property relationships. According to SEM analyses, the average domain size of NR within the PP matrix became significantly smaller when the water‐assisted method was applied. Charpy impact tests showed that the toughening efficiency of NR particles within the PP was enhanced as a result of their decreased size. This improvement was more prominent when the difference between the viscosity of PP and NR was higher. In addition, applying the water‐assisted technique led to an enhanced deformability with similar strength and stiffness compared to common melt mixing. © 2020 The Author. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
New sustainable alternating semi‐aromatic polyamides prepared in bulk by direct solid‐state polymerization
Authors: Wolffs Martin , Cotton Lucy , Kolkman Ard J , Rulkens Rudy 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNew semi‐aromatic bio‐based copolyamides PA 4T/4Y and PA 6T/6Y were successfully synthesized in bulk by direct solid‐state polycondensation in which hydrophobic bio‐based dicarboxylic acids sebacic acid, octadecanedioic or hydrogenated dimer fatty acid (Y = C10, C18 or C36) alternate with terephthalic acid T. The absence of a polymerization solvent and the possibility of performing the polymerization on the dicarboxylic acid make it an interesting route for future production of alternating copolyamides. A stepwise synthetic approach is taken where first terephthalic acid‐based diamide diamines of the linear C4 or C6 diamines 4T4 or 6T6 are prepared, followed by preparation of solid salts with the above aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and subjecting the salts to a solid‐state post‐condensation. The alternation is achieved by the interlocking of the 4T4 or 6T6 units in the salts with the bio‐based dicarboxylic acids and polymerizing these salts below the melt temperature of the terephthalamide‐based core. During the polycondensation, the transamidation reaction of the terephthalamide moiety is prevented and with that the randomization of the polyamide. Especially the diaminobutane‐based PA 4T/4Y copolyamides show strict alternation, leading to interesting properties like high crystallinity and high melting points of 250 to 318 °C supported by a randomness value of 2, determined using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The special alternating feature becomes especially clear when heating the polymer in the melt state, when the transamidation of the terephthalamide moieties is no longer prevented by the interlocking principle, leading to lowering of the randomness value and therewith the melting point and crystallinity. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Towards the targeted assessment of relevant problems: Optimization of the distress Thermometer for adult neuro‐oncological patients
Authors: Goebel Simone , Knuth Carina , Damm Matthias , Linden Daniel , Coburger Jan , Ringel Florian , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Mehdorn Maximilian , Renovanz Mirjam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveGeneric psychosocial screening tools may not reflect the unique symptom profile of brain tumour patients (BTPs). The aim was to adapt the problem list of the distress thermometer (DT) for BTPs.MethodsFirst, items of low relevance for BTPs were identified on basis of retrospective analyses. Second, relevant yet missing problems were identified via an extensive literature search, qualitative interviews with BTPs and experts, as well as an online expert survey. The resulting raw version of the adapted problem list in BTPs was subsequently pretested.ResultsIn the first part, data of n = 657 BTPs were analysed. Twelve items (20%) were excluded in this step as they proved to be less relevant for BTPs (i.e., items were endorsed by less than 10% and without significant correlations to patients' DT score). In the second part, qualitative interviews and the online survey with 102 professionals led to the addition of 21 new and the modification and condensation of 17 relevant problems specific for BTPs. This adapted list was than successfully pretested in n = 19 patients, leading to the ‘distress thermometer brain tumour problem list’ (DT‐BT), consisting of 42 relevant problems.ConclusionThe adapted problem list for the DT particularly reflects the neurological and psychosocial burden of an intracranial tumour and allows for the targeted assessment of the specific burdens and needs of BTPs. Our revised version of the DTs problem list (DT‐BT) should in the next step be widely validated in multinational samples.
Prevalence of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction and laryngeal obstruction in adolescent athletes
Authors: Ersson Karin , Mallmin Elisabet , Malinovschi Andrei , Norlander Katarina , Johansson Henrik , Nordang Leif 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo study the prevalence of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and exercise‐induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) in adolescent athletes.MethodsAll adolescents (n = 549) attending first year at a sports high school in 2016 and 2017, were invited to answer a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. The 367 responding participants were divided into two groups based on whether they reported exercise‐induced dyspnea (dyspnea group) or not (nondyspnea group). Randomly selected participants in each group were invited to undergo two standardized exercise tests, an EIB test and a continuous laryngoscopy exercise (CLE) test, to investigate EILO.ResultsIn total, 98 participants completed an EIB test, 75 of whom also completed a CLE test. Positive EIB tests: eight of 41 in the dyspnea group and 16 of 57 in the nondyspnea group. Positive CLE tests: 5 of 34 in the dyspnea group and three of 41 in the nondyspnea group. The estimated prevalence of EIB was 23.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.5–33.8) and of EILO 8.1% (95% CI: 2.5–18.5) in the whole study population. No differences in prevalence of EIB or EILO were found between the dyspnea and the nondyspnea groups.ConclusionEIB was highly prevalent in this cohort of adolescent athletes. EILO was less prevalent, but represents an important differential diagnosis to EIB. Self‐reported exercise‐induced dyspnea is a weak indicator for both EIB and EILO and standardized testing should be provided.
Conifold Vacua with Small Flux Superpotential
Authors: Demirtas Mehmet , Kim Manki , McAllister Liam , Moritz Jakob 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe introduce a method for finding flux vacua of type IIB string theory in which the flux superpotential is exponentially small and at the same time one or more complex structure moduli are stabilized exponentially near to conifold points.
Comparison of strategies for enhancing RNA interference efficiency in Ostrinia nubilalis
Authors: Cooper Anastasia MW , Song Huifang , Yu Zhitao , Biondi Marie , Bai Jun , Shi Xuekai , Ren Zhaoyang , Weerasekara Sahani M , Hua Duy H , Silver Kristopher , Zhang Jianzhen , Zhu Kun Yan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDTargeting insect‐specific genes through post‐transcriptional gene silencing with RNA interference (RNAi) is a new strategy for insect pest management. However, lepidopterans are recalcitrant to RNAi, which prevents application of novel RNAi technology to many notorious pests, including Ostrinia nubilalis (ECB). Strategies for enhancing RNAi efficiency, including large doses of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), nuclease inhibitors, transfection reagents, and nanoparticles, have proved useful in other insects exhibiting substantial dsRNA degradation, a major mechanism limiting RNAi efficacy. To determine if similar strategies can enhance RNAi efficiency in ECB, various reagents were tested for their ability to enhance dsRNA stability in ECB tissues, then compared for their effectiveness in whole ECB.RESULTSEx vivo incubation experiments revealed that Meta dsRNA lipoplexes, EDTA, chitosan‐based dsRNA nanoparticles, and Zn2+ enhanced dsRNA stability in ECB hemolymph and gut content extracts, compared with uncoated dsRNA. Despite these positive results, the reagents used in this study were ineffective at enhancing RNAi efficiency in ECB in vivo. To reduce assay time and required dsRNA, midguts were dissected and incubated in tissue culture medium containing dsRNA with and without reagents. These experiments showed that RNAi efficiency varied between target genes, and nuclease inhibitors improved RNAi efficiency for only a portion of the refractory target genes investigated ex vivo.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that enhancing dsRNA stability is insufficient to improve RNAi efficiency in ECB and suggests the existence of additional, complex mechanisms contributing to low RNAi efficiency in ECB.
Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticle supplementation on the enhanced production of surfactin and iturin lipopeptides of endophytic Bacillus sp. Fcl1 and its ameliorated antifungal activity
Authors: Ravi Aswani , Nandayipurath Vipina Vinod Thazhe , Rajan Sukanya , Salim Simi Asma , Khalid Nejumal Kannankeril , Aravindakumar Charuvila T , Krishnankutty Radhakrishnan Edayileveettil 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDLipopeptides from the Bacillus spp. possess an excellent spectrum of antimicrobial properties which make them suitable candidates to be explored for the food, agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. As the low yield of the lipopeptides limits their applications, methods to enhance their production are highly significant.RESULTSIn this study, extracts prepared from endophytic Bacillus sp. Fcl1 cultured in the presence of various supplements were screened for antifungal activity against Pythium aphanidermatum. From the results, the supplementation of carbon sources and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) was found to have an enhancement effect on the antifungal activity of Bacillus sp. Fcl1. Among these, the highest antifungal activity (73.2%) could be observed for the Fcl1 sample cultured with 5 mg L−1 of ZnONP supplementation. The growth of Fcl1 in the presence of ZnONPs also indicated its compatibility with the nano‐supplement in the concentration range used. By liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) analysis, the synthesis of increased numbers of lipopeptide surfactin derivatives could be identified from the extracts of Fcl1 prepared from the carbon sources and ZnONP‐supplemented cultures. In addition to the surfactin derivatives, the presence of another lipopeptide iturin was also detected from the extracts of Fcl1 cultured with ZnONPs.CONCLUSIONZnONP supplementation was found to enhance antifungal activity and lipopeptide production in the Bacillus sp. Fcl1. The use of nanoparticles to enhance the antifungal mechanisms of Fcl1 as observed in the study provides novel insights to explore its applications for sustainable agricultural productivity.
Characteristics of cyclones following different pathways in the Gulf Stream region
Authors: Tsopouridis Leonidas , Spensberger Clemens , Spengler Thomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Northwest Atlantic is a region of strong temperature gradients and hence is a favourable location for wintertime cyclone intensification co‐located with the storm track. The temperature gradient is associated with both the sea surface temperature front along the Gulf Stream and the land–sea contrast. To understand the respective influences of the sea surface temperature (SST) front and land–sea contrast in the Gulf Stream region, as well as the role of upper‐level forcing on cyclone development, we track individual cyclones and categorise them depending on their propagation relative to the SST front. We concentrate on cyclones staying either on the cold (C1) or warm (C2) side of the SST front, and on cyclones that cross the SST front from the warm to the cold side (C3). Comparing these categories, we find that the land–sea contrast is more important for supplying baroclinicity to cyclones in C1, while the strong low‐level baroclinicity in C3 is also partially attributable to the SST front. The propagation of cyclones in C1 and C3 near the left exit region of the North Atlantic jet explains the higher intensification and precipitation.
Mechanistic investigation on ethanol‐to‐butadiene conversion reaction over metal oxide clusters
Authors: Butera Valeria , Tanabe Yusuke , Shinke Yu , Miyazawa Tomohisa , Fujitani Tadahiro , Kayanuma Megumi , Choe Yoong‐Kee 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDensity functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to investigate mechanistic details of ethanol‐to‐butadiene conversion reaction over MgO or ZnO catalyst. We evaluated the Lewis acidity and basicity of MgO and ZnO and found that ZnO had the stronger Lewis acidity and basicity than MgO. Potential energy surfaces of ethanol‐to‐butadiene conversion, which included relevant transition states and intermediates, were computed in detail following the generally accepted mechanism reported in the literature, where such mechanism included ethanol dehydrogenation, aldol condensation, Meerwein‐Pondorf‐Verley reduction, and crotyl alcohol dehydration. DFT results showed that ethanol dehydrogenation was the rate‐limiting step of overall reaction when the reaction was catalyzed by MgO. Also, DFT results showed that ethanol dehydrogenation occurred more easily on ZnO than on MgO, where such a result correlated with the stronger Lewis acidity of ZnO. In addition, we computed ethanol dehydration, which generates ethylene, one of the major undesired side reaction products for butadiene formation. DFT results showed that ZnO favored dehydrogenation over dehydration, while MgO favored dehydration.
Fault accommodation controller under Markovian jump linear systems with asynchronous modes
Authors: Carvalho L. P. , Rosa T. E. , Jayawardhana B. , Costa O. L. V. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryWe tackle the fault accommodation control (FAC) in the Markovian jump linear system (MJLS) framework for the discrete‐time domain, under the assumption that it is not possible to access the Markov chain mode. This premise brings some challenges since the controllers are no longer allowed to depend on the Markov chain, meaning that there is an asynchronism between the system and the controller modes. To tackle this issue, a hidden Markov chain (, ) is used where denotes the Markov chain mode, and denotes the estimated mode. The main novelty of this work is the design of and FAC under the MJLS framework considering partial observation of the Markov chain. Both designs are obtained via bilinear matrix inequalities optimization problems, which are solved using coordinate descent algorithm. As secondary results, we present simulations using a two‐degree of freedom serial flexible joint robot to illustrate the viability of the proposed approach.
Synthesis, Characterisation, and Performance Evaluation of Promoted Ni‐Based Catalysts for Thermocatalytic Decomposition of Methane
Authors: Awad Ali , Alnarabiji Mohamad S. , Salam Md. A. , Vo Dai‐Viet N. , Setiabudi Herma D. , Abdullah Bawadi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThermocatalyatic decomposition (TCD) of methane to COX free hydrogen and carbon nanofibre (CNF) was investigated over a series of self‐designed monometallic Ni catalyst and bimetallic Ni−Cu and Ni−Pd catalysts. The catalysts were synthesised from the wet impregnation method and characterised using a series of complementary techniques include TGA, XRD, BET, TPR, FESEM, TEM, and Raman Spectroscopy. Despite a substantial reduction of surface area in the promoted catalysts, the catalytic activity of the promoted catalyst was enhanced due to the nature of the process which is a metal‐catalysed reaction. As a whole, bimetallic Pd−Ni catalyst with a surface area of 2.76 m2 g−1 possesed the highest conversion of 77 % after 6 h reaction. The overall TCD reaction was found to be first‐order with the calculated activation energy, Ea of 38 kJ mol−1. The methane consumption rates at 1023 K and 1073 K were 0.5 mol s−1gcat−1 and 0.58×104 mol s−1gcat−1 respectively. Meanwhile, the methane consumption rates improved considerably from 0.58 mol s−1gcat−1 to 0.67×104 mol s−1gcat−1 under the methane partial pressure of 41 kPa. The XRD profile of the fresh catalysts revealed that mixed oxides were formed over the surface of the support upon the addition of Cu and Pd to 50 %Ni/Al2O3. Moreover, the formation of carbon nanofibers followed both tip and base growth mechanisms as evident from the TEM images. Larger and wider carbon fibres were found in the Pd promoted catalyst.
Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from the Fruit Peel of Opuntia robusta
Authors: Mota Jaquelinne , Muro Claudia , Illescas Javier , Hernández Omar A. , Tecante Alberto , Rivera Ernesto 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this study, pectin extraction from fruits peel of Opuntia robusta was investigated. Pectin was extracted by microwave and conventional heating methods, and the product was analysed to determine the yield, esterification degree, galacturonic acid content, molar mass, antioxidant, emulsifying and rheological properties. The extraction methods resulted in two different types of pectin: pectin I, with high (>50 %) methoxyl degree of esterification, and pectin II, with low, (<50 %) methoxyl degree of esterification. The extraction yield of these pectins was 14.64 and 15.71 %, with molar masses of 33,110 and 20,339 g mol−1, respectively. Pectin II showed the highest galacturonic acid content (47.05 %) in comparison with pectin I (31.74 %). The antioxidant properties of pectins showed similar polyphenols content. However, pectin II had the highest scavenging activity. Finally, pectin I displayed the best emulsifying properties, and both pectins produced shear‐thinning solutions and predominantly elastic gel behaviour.
Bioreduction of Gold Ions from Anisotropic to Isotropic Nanostructures by NADPH‐Dependent Reductase from Bipolaris oryzae
Authors: Dhanasekar Naresh N. , Shirke Anupama , Sakthivel Natarajan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHere, we report an eco‐friendly, benign and rapid mycogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles of various shapes using cell‐free extract of the fungus Bipolaris oryzae (B. oryzae). Three different volumes of cell‐free extract of the fungus were exposed to an aqueous solution of gold chloride and in all three cases, there is a gradual color change from light yellow to pink indicating the formation of gold nanoparticle. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) dependent enzyme present in the cell‐free extract of the fungus B. oryzae leads to the rapid reduction of Au3+ to Au0 within 5–10 min when incubated with an aqueous solution of gold chloride. UV‐visible and fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements show the presence of aminoacids, such as tyrosine/phenylalanine and proteins as the possible capping agent. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) revealed the morphology of the structures were anisotropic triangles, hexagons, decahedrals and isotropic spheres. Isotropic spherical nanoparticles and anisotropic nanoparticles such as triangles, hexagons and decahedrals were produced at higher and lower volumes of the fungal extract, respectively. Rapid and sustainable approach for the production of gold nanoparticles of various shapes such as the one reported has a plethora of applications in the field of life‐sciences and medicine.
Negligible Effect on the Structure and Vibrational Spectral Dynamics of Water Molecules Near Hydrophobic Solutes
Authors: Biswas Sohag , Mallik Bhabani S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe first principles molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the structural, dynamical, and spectral properties of water molecules in the vicinity of hydrophobic molecules. A layer‐wise distance‐dependent angular distribution calculation was performed to understand the effects of neopentane (NEO) and tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) on the orientation profile of water molecules. We found no evidence of an increasing tetrahedral structure of water molecules inside the first solvation shell of NEO and TBA; this indicates the presence of less ordered water molecules inside the solvation shell. The water molecules, however, retained their bulk‐like property by accruing three to four hydrogen bonds per water molecule in bulk. The long‐lived non‐hydrogen‐bonded or dangling OH bonds were observed in the hydration shells of both the molecules as compared to the bulk water, where such dangling OH bonds were less. The high peak frequency of dangling OH oscillators in the hydration shell was found to be similar to the previously obtained dangling OH chromophores in experimental and theoretical studies. We also report the rotational dynamics of water molecules. Our calculations suggest that the slowing down of water molecules near the hydrophobic solutes is moderate as compared to that of bulk water due to the lack of hydrogen bond exchangeable partners. Therefore, our results are in complete contrast with the idea of the iceberg of Frank and Evan.
Catalytic Hydrogenation of Methyl Acetate to Ethanol over Boron Doped Carbon Aerogels Supported Cu Catalyst
Authors: Wu Mengmeng , Hou Xiaoxiong , Quan Yanhong , Zhao Jinxian , Ren Jun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe hydrogenation of methyl acetate (MA) is a crucial step to obtain ethanol from coal‐syngas indirectly. In this paper, boron doped carbon aerogel (BCAs) has been prepared successfully and applied as support for copper‐base catalyst due to its unique physicochemical properties. The influence of boron on copper‐based catalysts Cu/xBCAs (x=1, 3, 5) for the hydrogenation of methyl acetate (MA) to ethanol is studied systematically. H2‐N2O and XRD prove that appropriate amount of boron not only improves the dispersion of active copper species, but also achieves the higher percentage of Cu+ in (Cu++Cu0). The catalyst Cu/3BCAs performs the best catalytic activity with methyl acetate (MA) conversion of 90.6 % and ethanol selectivity of 59.9 %, respectively. The high catalytic activity comes from the highest proportion of Cu+ on the Cu/3BCAs due to the lower reducibility of Cu+ species caused by the relatively high affinity of boron with electrons.