bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of aluminum trihydroxide and P‐N core‐shell structures and their synergistic effects on halogen‐free flame‐retardant polyethylene composites
Authors: Long Shijun , Qiu Di , Long Ren , Li Xun , Chen Hanyu , Huang Yiwan , Li Xuefeng 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn order to improve the performance of inorganic/organic composites, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) core composites with a styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH‐g‐SEBS) shell phase, and P‐N flame retardant as a synergistic agent, were prepared through an interface design. The effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) content on the interfacial interaction, flame retardancy, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ATH composites were investigated by small angle X‐ray diffraction, rotational rheometer, limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing. The ATH synergistic effects of P‐N flame‐retardant improved the combustion performance of HDPE/ATH/PEG(3%)/MAH‐g‐SEBS/P‐N (abbreviated as HDPE/MH3/M‐g‐S/P‐N) composite by forming more carbon layer, increased the elongation at break from 21% to 558% compared to HDPE/ATH, and increased the interface thickness from 0.447 to 0.891 nm. SEM results support the compatibility of ATH with HDPE increased and the interfacial effect was enhanced. TGA showed the maximum decomposition temperature of the two stages and the yield of the residue at high temperature increased first and then decreased with the increase of PEG content. Rheological behavior showed the storage modulus, complex viscosity, and the relaxation time initially increased and then decreased with the increase of PEG content indicating PEG, M‐g‐S, and ATH powder gradually formed a partial coating, then a full coating, and finally an over‐coated core‐shell structured model.
Morphology, intrafetal vascular pattern, and umbilical artery Doppler indices of acardiac twins
Authors: Wataganara Tuangsit , Phithakwatchara Nisarat , Pooliam Julaporn , Jaingam Suparat , Thongkloung Piyatida , Mongkolchat Nadda , Viboonchart Sommai , Nawapun Katika 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundTwin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence consists of acardiac twin (A) paradoxically perfused by pump twin (P) through an umbilical artery (UA). We proposed characterization of acardiac twins with intrafetal vascular pattern (IVP), and assessed its correlation with morphology and UA Doppler indices.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 21 cases of TRAP sequence. Morphology (acardia vs hemicardia) and IVP (simple vs complex) of acardiac twins were characterized with ultrasound and color Doppler. Twins weight ratio (A/P Wt) and UA Doppler indices of acardiac and pump twins including (1) difference of systolic/diastolic ratio (UA ∆S/D), (2) difference of resistance index (UA ∆RI), and (3) ratio of pulsatility index (UA PI A/P) were calculated.ResultsThe median (min, max) gestational age at diagnosis was 18 (11, 27) weeks. Acardia (n = 14) were associated with simple IVP (n = 16) (P < .05). After exclusion of acardia with complex IVP (n = 1), the A/P Wt, UA ∆S/D, UA ∆RI, and UA PI A/P of acardia with simple IVP (n = 13), hemicardia with simple IVP (n = 3), and hemicardia with complex IVP (n = 4) were not significantly different (P > .05).ConclusionsMost of acardiac twins were acardia with simple IVP. Morphology and IVP of acardiac twins were not associated with UA Doppler indices.
Recognizing the unique prenatal phenotype of Prader‐Willi Syndrome (PWS) indicates the need for a diagnostic methylation test
Authors: Srebnik Naama , Gross Even‐Zohar Noa , Salama Abdalla , Sela Hen Y. , Hirsch Harry J. , Gross‐Tsur Varda , Eldar‐Geva Talia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesPrader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by mental retardation, morbid obesity, and endocrine and behavior disorders. We previously showed in a small group of patients that PWS may have a unique prenatal phenotype. We aimed to characterize clinical and ultrasonic features in a larger series of pregnancies with a PWS fetus.MethodsWe retrospectively interviewed all mothers of children with PWS followed in the Israel national multidisciplinary PWS clinic. We compared details of the PWS pregnancy with the pregnancies of healthy siblings and with data from the general population. Medical records including ultrasound reports, obstetric records, and genetic results were analyzed.ResultsDistinct prenatal features of PWS pregnancies included abnormal fetal growth [fetal growth restriction (FGR) (37.3%), increased head to abdominal circumference ratio (44.8%), decreased abdominal circumference (49.2%)], markedly decreased fetal movements (DFM) (80.4%), and polyhydramnios (42.0%) (P < 0.001 for all). The combination of abnormal growth accompanied by polyhydramnios or DFM was highly suggestive for PWS.ConclusionsRecognition of the unique PWS phenotype should alert obstetricians to consider the possibility of PWS, perform the diagnostic methylation test, provide appropriate counseling, and plan optimal management of the affected pregnancy.
Heavy crude oil asphaltenes as a nanofiller for epoxy resin
Authors: Ignatenko Viktoria Y. , Kostyuk Anna V. , Kostina Julia V. , Bakhtin Danila S. , Makarova Veronika V. , Antonov Sergey V. , Ilyin Sergey O. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAsphaltenes are harmful components of heavy crude oils and require rational utilization after oil refining or deasphalting. Asphaltenes are macromolecules containing various functional groups that self‐assemble to nanoscale aggregates and can be used as nanofillers for polymers. In this research, mixtures of asphaltenes with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A were considered. The solubility of asphaltenes in this epoxy resin, the rheological properties of the mixtures, and the effect of asphaltenes on the curing with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone were studied. In addition, the glass transition temperature, strength, and adhesion characteristics of the asphaltene‐filled cured composites were evaluated. The dual role of asphaltenes in polymer modification was demonstrated: the asphaltenes simultaneously plasticize and reinforce the polymer matrix, and the transition from predominant plasticization to strengthening occurs with an asphaltene content at 20 wt%. The dual reinforcement/plasticization effect occurs because epoxy composites contain both nanosized and microsized particles of asphaltenes due to the partial dissolution of asphaltenes in the epoxy resin and the decrease in their solubility during high‐temperature curing.
A Ru(II)‐Based Nanoassembly Exhibiting Theranostic PACT Activity in NIR Region
Authors: Wang Youchao , Tian Na , Sun Weize , Rena Boerhan , Guo Xusheng , Feng Yang , Li Chao , Wang Xuesong , Zhou Qianxiong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPhotoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) has appealing merits over traditional chemotherapy as well as photodynamic therapy (PDT) by virtue of its spatial and temporal control on drug activity and oxygen‐independent mechanisms of action. However, the short photoactivation wavelengths, e.g., visible light–activated Ru(II)‐based PACT agents, limit the clinical application severely. In this work, a facile construction of supramolecular nanoparticles from a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐modified [Ru(dip)2(py‐SO3)]+ (abbreviated as Ru‐PEG, dip = 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, py‐SO3 = pyridine‐2‐sulfonate) and 1,3‐phenylenebis(pyren‐1‐ylmethanone) (BP) is shown. While Ru‐PEG may undergo photoinduced ligand dissociation and release anticancer species of [Ru(dip)2(H2O)2]2+, BP has extremely large two‐photon absorption cross sections (δ2) in the NIR region and intense fluorescence over the wavelengths where Ru‐PEG has strong absorption. Thus, two‐photon excitation of BP followed by an efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from BP to Ru‐PEG may lead to a potent inactivation against cisplatin‐resistant cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). The residue fluorescence of BP also allows the cellular uptake of the particles to be visualized. This work provides a universal and convenient strategy to realize theranostic PACT in the ideal phototherapeutic window of 650–900 nm.
Toward a new picture of the living plasma membrane
Authors: Kalappurakkal Joseph Mathew , Sil Parijat , Mayor Satyajit 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOur understanding of the plasma membrane structure has undergone a major change since the proposal of the fluid mosaic model of Singer and Nicholson in the 1970s. In this model, the membrane, composed of over thousand lipid and protein species, is organized as a well‐equilibrated two‐dimensional fluid. Here, the distribution of lipids is largely expected to reflect a multicomponent system, and proteins are expected to be surrounded by an annulus of specialized lipid species. With the recognition that a multicomponent lipid membrane is capable of phase segregation, the membrane is expected to appear as patchwork quilt pattern of membrane domains. However, the constituents of a living membrane are far from being well equilibrated. The living cell membrane actively maintains a trans‐bilayer asymmetry of composition, and its constituents are subject to a number of dynamic processes due to synthesis, lipid transfer as well as membrane traffic and turnover. Moreover, membrane constituents engage with the dynamic cytoskeleton of a living cell, and are both passively as well as actively manipulated by this engagement. The extracellular matrix and associated elements also interact with membrane proteins contributing to another layer of interaction. At the nano‐ and mesoscale, the organization of lipids and proteins emerge from these encounters, as well as from protein–protein, protein–lipid, and lipid–lipid interactions in the membrane. New methods to study the organization of membrane components at these scales have also been developed, and provide an opportunity to synthesize a new picture of the living cell surface as an active membrane composite.
Simplified method for the measurement of plasma alkylresorcinols: Biomarkers of whole‐grain intake
Authors: Rodríguez‐Morató Jose , Jayawardene Sarah , Huang Neil K. , Dolnikowski Gregory G. , Galluccio Jean , Lichtenstein Alice H. , Matthan Nirupa R. 
Published: April 2020

RationaleConsumption of whole grains is negatively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but quantification of whole‐grain intake is challenging. Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are biomarkers of whole‐grain intake. Current methods for AR quantification involve a time‐consuming multi‐step separation process that hampers applicability in large‐scale studies.MethodsWe developed a streamlined method to quantify ARs in human plasma based on protein precipitation and direct injection into an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer operating in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization negative ion mode.ResultsSeparation of five major ARs was achieved, with linearity in the 5 to 550 nmol/L range and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 nmol/L and quantification (LOQ) of 5 nmol/L. The within‐run and between‐run precision and accuracy were below 15%, and recoveries above 90%. Once validated, the method was applied to measure concentrations of plasma ARs in subjects who participated in a randomized, crossover trial evaluating the effect of carbohydrate type on CVD risk factors. The unrefined carbohydrate diet with the highest fiber content resulted in the highest plasma AR concentration (93 ± 78 nmol/L), and was significantly different (p <0.01) from lower fiber diets (18 ± 26 nmol/L and 19 ± 26 nmol/L, simple and unrefined carbohydrate, respectively).ConclusionsThis method offers a simplified approach to measure concentrations of plasma ARs as an objective biomarker of whole‐grain intake that can be applied to large‐scale cohort studies.
The effect of camera orientation on the detectability of wildlife: a case study from north‐western Australia
Authors: Moore Harry A. , Valentine Leonie E. , Dunlop Judy A. , Nimmo Dale G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCamera traps are increasingly used to survey and monitor rare or cryptic species, yet few studies consider how camera orientation influences species detectability, among other metrics such as total independent detections and likelihood of missing detections. We used these measures to compare the performance of vertically and horizontally orientated camera traps at 46 sites spread over 10 000 km2 in north‐west Australia. Data were collected for four taxa, including northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), Rothschild's rock‐wallabys (Petrogale rothschildi), feral cats (Felis catus) and varanids (Varanus spp.). Metrics compared included probability of species presence/absence, total independent detections recorded and likelihood of cameras missing or recording nightly detections. We found camera orientation did not impact camera performance across any metric for northern quolls. By contrast, we found horizontal cameras were more efficient at detecting feral cats and Rothschild's rock wallabies. They also recorded more detections and were less likely to miss detections than vertical cameras for these species. For varanids, vertical cameras outperformed horizontal cameras across all metrics. Studies that use vertical cameras to collect image data better suited for species or individual identification should consider how target species detectability may be compromised by having a reduced detection zone size. However, horizontally orientated cameras may not always be superior to vertically orientated cameras in terms of species detectability, particularly for laterally compressed species such as lizards.
Biodegradable Microalgae‐Based Carriers for Targeted Delivery and Imaging‐Guided Therapy toward Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhong Danni , Zhang Dongxiao , Xie Tingting , Zhou Min 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHigh delivery efficiency, prolonged drug release, and low systemic toxicity are effective weapons for drug delivery systems to win the battle against metastatic breast cancer. Herein, it is shown that Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) can be used as natural carriers to construct a drug‐loaded system for targeted delivery and fluorescence imaging‐guided chemotherapy on lung metastasis of breast cancer. The chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded into S. platensis (SP) via only one facile step to fabricate the DOX‐loaded SP (SP@DOX), which exhibits ultrahigh drug loading efficiency and PH‐responsive drug sustained release. The rich chlorophyll endows SP@DOX excellent fluorescence imaging capability for noninvasive tracking and real‐time monitoring in vivo. Moreover, the micrometer‐sized and spiral‐shaped SP carriers enable the as‐prepared SP@DOX to passively target the lungs and result in a significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy on lung metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer. Finally, the undelivered carriers can be biodegraded through renal clearance without notable toxicity. The SP@DOX described here presents a novel biohybrid strategy for targeted drug delivery and effective treatment on cancer metastasis.
Delivering unexpected news via obstetric ultrasound: A systematic review and meta‐ethnographic synthesis of expectant parent and staff experiences
Authors: Johnson Judith , Dunning Alice , Sattar Raabia , Arezina Jane , Karkowsky Eve C. , Thomas Samantha , Panagioti Maria 
Published: April 2020

AbstractExpectant parents report negative experiences of receiving unexpected news via ultrasound. There is a need to improve communication in this setting, but a lack of understanding on how to achieve this. This systematic review aimed to synthesise findings from qualitative studies exploring experiences of expectant parents or healthcare professionals when a fetal abnormality or unexpected finding was identified via ultrasound. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched using three blocks of terms (fetal abnormalities; ultrasound; experiences). Qualitative studies exploring the disclosure of pregnancy complications during ultrasound examinations were included and analysed using meta‐ethnographic synthesis. The review was conducted according to PRISMA and eMERGe guidelines. The review identified 28 studies. News delivered via ultrasound can be viewed as a journey involving five phases (expectations of ultrasound scans; discovery; shock; decisions and planning; adaptation). How well this is navigated depends upon the extent to which information needs and support needs are met. Ultrasound is a uniquely challenging situation to communicate difficult news as there is the potential for news to be communicated immediately. Care quality could be improved by the provision of written information and the use of correct terminology to describe abnormalities.
Structural member stability verification in the new Part 1‐1 of the second generation of Eurocode 3
Authors: Knobloch Markus , Bureau Alain , Kuhlmann Ulrike , da Silva Luís Simões , Snijder Hubertus. H. , Taras Andreas , Bours Anna‐Lena , Jörg Fabian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis two‐part article gives an overview of the developments of the structural member verification in prEN 1993‐1‐1:2020 “Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures – part 1‐1: General rules and rules for buildings”, one of the second generation of Eurocodes. These developments were undertaken by Working Group 1 (WG1) of Subcommittee CEN/TC250/SC3 and by Project Team 1 (SC3.PT1) responsible for drafting the new version of EN 1993‐1‐1. In the past, WG1 collected many topics needing improvement, and the systematic review conducted every five years also yielded topics needing further development. Based on this, the current version of EN 1993‐1‐1 has been developed into a new draft version prEN 1993‐1‐1:2020 enhancing “ease of use”. The technical content of this new draft was laid down at the end of 2019. Many improvements to design rules have been established with respect to structural analysis, resistance of cross‐sections and stability of members. This two‐part article focuses on member stability design rules and deals with the basis for the calibration of partial factors, the introduction of more economic design rules for semi‐compact sections, methods for structural analysis in relation to the appropriate member stability design rules, new design rules for lateral torsional buckling plus other developments and innovations. This first part of the article primarily serves to explain the general background to the European Commission Mandate M/515 that led to the further evolution of the Eurocodes and to illustrate the developments in prEN1993‐1‐1:2020 that pertain to new material grades, partial factors, cross‐sectional classification and structural analysis. These form the necessary background to the changes to member buckling design rules, which are treated more specifically in the second part.
Temperature‐Responsive Low Molecular Weight Ionic Liquid Based Gelator: An Approach to Fabricate an Anti‐Cancer Drug‐Loaded Hybrid Ionogel
Authors: Kuddushi Muzammil , Patel Nehal K. , Rajput Sargam , El Seoud Omar A. , Mata Jitendra P. , Malek Naved I. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractConceptualising gelators with stimuli responsiveness is advantageous to design smart materials for emerging technologies. These gelators, if are surface active and made up of active pharmaceutical ingredients, can (i) exhibit an interesting pharmaceutical profile, (ii) be useful in drug formulations and (iii) exert direct effects on cell membranes. Herein, cetylpyridinium salicylate (CetPySal) that offers higher surface activity than its precursor surfactant, cetpylpyridinium chloride (CPCl), was synthesised. CetPySal forms a temperature‐responsive ionogel at a critical gelation concentration that changes its physical appearance with temperature, i. e. opaque to transparent, owing to its structural arrangement within its supramolecular framework, that are characterized through spectrometric, calorimetric, scattering and microscopic techniques. The viscoelastic nature of the ionogels was studied through dynamic rheological measurements and the interactions that governs the phase transition were studied through FTIR spectroscopy. The hybrid pharmaceutical ionogels was successfully constructed through encapsulation of the chemotherapeutic drug imatinib mesylate within the ionogel matrix. The sustained release of the drug was investigated from this hybrid ionogel matrix. These results suggest that this new thermo‐responsive ionogel may be used to improve sustained release of drugs and open up new avenues as low‐cost gelators for biomedical applications.
Seismic design of outrigger systems using equivalent energy design procedure
Authors: Yang T.Y. , Atkinson Jeremy , Tobber Lisa , Tung Dorian P. , Neville Bob 
Published: April 2020

SummaryAn outrigger system is an effective structural scheme that is commonly used in high‐rise construction to increase the stiffness of concrete core walls and to reduce the moment demand within the walls. Despite the on‐going use of outrigger systems around the world, a formal seismic design procedure is yet available. This paper presents an equivalent energy design procedure (EEDP) to design outrigger systems for seismic applications. Three prototype outrigger‐wall buildings of various heights are designed for Vancouver, Canada. Detailed finite element models are developed to assess the seismic performance of the prototype buildings and to assess the safety using the FEMA P695 methodology. The result shows that EEDP is an efficient method to design outrigger systems which results in structures that can achieve sufficient margin of safety against collapse and satisfy multiple performance objectives at different seismic hazard levels.
Optimal design of real‐size building structures using quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer
Authors: Talatahari Siamak , Azizi Mahdi 
Published: April 2020

SummaryIn this paper, the quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer is proposed for optimal design of real‐size building structures in which the quantum computing is introduced into the standard developed swarm optimizer. In this method, the position‐updating process for the search agents is conducted by simultaneous utilization of the so far best position of all particles, center of mass of all particles, so far best position of each particle, and the mean best position of all particles in which the first two of these aspects satisfy the exploration phase of the algorithm, whereas the other two are utilized for improving the exploitation phase of the proposed method. In order to evaluate the capability of the proposed method in dealing with difficult optimization problems, three real‐size building structures are considered, namely, a 10‐story building with 1,026 structural members, a 20‐story building with 3,860 members, and a 60‐story building with 8,272 members. The overall performance of the proposed quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer is compared with that of the standard developed swarm optimizer and other approaches. The obtained results proved that the proposed method is capable of providing better results for the considered examples than are the other algorithms.