bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of digit size and proportions on dexterity during cold exposure
Authors: Payne Stephanie , Macintosh Alison , Stock Jay 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe current study investigated whether size and proportions of the hands and digits affect dexterity during severe cold exposure. As wide hands are known to lose less heat than narrow hands, and narrow digits are associated with greater dexterity, this study aimed to test whether there was a direct trade‐off between dexterity and thermoregulation that shapes hand morphology.MethodsParticipants (25 women, 15 men) carried out the Purdue Pegboard test before and after a 3‐min ice‐water immersion of the hand. Their hand length, hand width, digit lengths, and digit widths were measured using standard anthropometric methods.ResultsWide first and third digits associated with significantly reduced dexterity after immersion relative to individuals with narrower first and third digits. Second digit width positively correlated with average digit temperature after immersion. Hand length and hand width did not influence dexterity.ConclusionThe current study suggests that digit width influences dexterity in cold conditions, reflecting patterns found at room temperature. Hand and digit morphology may be the product of two significant constraints on the hand: dexterity and thermoregulation. In cold conditions, hand morphology appears to be predominantly constrained by thermal stress, at the expense of dexterity. This may have important implications for interpreting the morphology of extinct and extant hominins.
Three‐Photon Polarization‐Spatial Hyperparallel Quantum Fredkin Gate Assisted by Diamond Nitrogen Vacancy Center in Optical Cavity
Authors: Ren Bao‐Cang , Wang Ai Hua , Alsaedi Ahmed , Hayat Tasawar , Deng Fu‐Guo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe construction of a near‐deterministic photonic hyperparallel quantum Fredkin (hyper‐Fredkin) gate is investigated for a three‐photon system with the optical property of a diamond nitrogen vacancy center embedded in an optical cavity (cavity‐NV center system). This hyper‐Fredkin gate can be used to perform double Fredkin gate operations on both the polarization and spatial‐mode degrees of freedom (DOFs) of a three‐photon system with a near‐unit success probability, compared with those on the double three‐photon systems in one DOF. In this proposal, the hybrid quantum logic gate operations are the key elements of the hyper‐Fredkin gate, and only two cavity‐NV center systems are required. Moreover, the possibility of constructing a high‐fidelity and high‐efficiency hyper‐Fredkin gate in the experimental environment of a cavity‐NV center system is discussed, which may be used to implement high‐fidelity photonic computational tasks in two DOFs with a high efficiency.
3D DNA Origami Nanoparticles: From Basic Design Principles to Emerging Applications in Soft Matter and (Bio‐)Nanosciences
Authors: Loescher Sebastian , Groeer Saskia , Walther Andreas 
Published: April 2018

AbstractScaffold‐based lattice‐engineered 3D DNA origami is a powerful and versatile technique for the rational design and build‐up of arbitrarily structured and monodisperse DNA‐based 3D nanoobjects. Relying on the unsurpassed molecular programmability of sequence‐specific DNA hybridization, a long DNA single strand (termed scaffold) is assembled with many short single‐stranded oligomers (termed staples), which organize the scaffold into a 3D lattice in a single step, thereby leading to 3D nanoparticulate structures of the highest precision in high yields. Applications of 3D DNA origami are increasingly wide‐spread and interface with numerous fields of sciences, for example, anisometric or anisotropically functionalized nanoparticles, fundamental investigations of superstructure formation, biomedicine, (bio)physics, sensors, and optical materials. This Minireview discusses the fundamentals and recent advances from structure formation to selected applications, with a mission to promote cross‐disciplinary exchange.
Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) dithiocarbamate complexes involving pyrrole and ferrocenyl moieties and their utility for sensing anions and preparation of copper sulfide and copper–iron sulfide nanoparticles
Authors: Gurumoorthy Govindasamy , Thirumaran Subbiah , Ciattini Samuele 
Published: April 2018

Bis(N‐(pyrrol‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N‐butyldithiocarbamato‐S,S′)copper(II) (1), bis(N‐(pyrrol‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N‐(2‐phenylethyl)dithiocarbamato‐S,S′)copper(II) (2), bis(N‐methylferrocenyl‐N‐(2‐phenylethyl)dithiocarbamato‐S,S′)copper(II) (3) and bis(N‐furfuryl‐N‐methylferrocenyldithiocarbamato‐S,S′)copper(II) (4) were prepared and characterized using elemental analysis and infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies on 3 show that each copper centre adopts the square planar geometry by the coordination of four sulfur atoms of the metalloligand N‐methylferrocenyl‐N‐(2‐phenylethyl)dithiocarbamate. The CuS distances are symmetrical and are in the range 2.293–2.305 Å. The supramolecular architecture in complex 3 is sustained in the solid state by CH⋅⋅⋅π, CH⋅⋅⋅S, Fe⋅⋅⋅Fe and H⋅⋅⋅H interactions. Density functional theory calculations were carried out for 3. Anion (F−, Cl−, Br− and I−) binding studies with complex 1 were performed using cyclic voltammetry. Copper sulfide, copper–iron sulfide‐1 and copper–iron sulfide‐2 nanoparticles were prepared from complexes 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and they were characterized using powder XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray, UV–visible, photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopies. TEM images of copper–iron sulfide‐1 and copper–iron sulfide‐2 reveal that the particles are spherical and oval shaped, respectively. Photocatalytic activities of as‐prepared nanoparticles were studied by decolourization of methylene blue and rhodamine‐B under UV light. It was found that copper–iron sulfide degrades methylene blue and rhodamine‐B much better than does copper sulfide.
Linear low‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends compatibilization prepared by an eccentric rotor extruder: A morphology, mechanical, thermal, and rheological study
Authors: He He‐Zhi , Xue Feng , Jia Peng‐Fei , He Guang‐Jian , Huang Zhao‐Xia , Liu Shi‐Ming , Xue Bin 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTIn this study, various poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) with maleic anhydride‐grafted LLDPE (LLDPE‐g‐MAH) compatibilizer were melt blended under an elongational flow. A novel extrusion device, eccentric rotor extruder (ERE), was developed to supply such flow during the process. Including morphology, mechanical properties, melting behavior, and rheological behavior were studied. The morphological study showed that the compatibility between LLDPE and PET was greatly improved with LLDPE loading up to 80 wt %. Mechanical tests indicated that LLDPE could toughen PET to some extent. Moreover, a comparison of samples prepared between ERE and conventional extruder was made and demonstrated the sample prepared by ERE can exhibit better mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that PET can promote the crystallinity of LLDPE. Rheological behavior indicated that the complex viscosity of the blends exhibited strong shear thinning phenomenon with increasing LLDPE content, particularly in high‐frequency range blend with the LLDPE weight ratio of 80 wt % was more sensitivity to shear rate than neat LLDPE. The G′‐G″ curves of the blends also revealed that the microstructure of the blends changed significantly with the addition of LLDPE which was consistent with the scanning electron micrographs that PET particles became smaller and distributed more uniform with increasing LLDPE content. Furthermore, the blends showed similar stress relaxation mechanism with adding LLDPE content from 60 to 100 wt %. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46489.
A machine learning based deaf assistance digital system
Authors: Saifan Ramzi R. , Dweik Waleed , Abdel‐Majeed Mohamad 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe hearing sense is one of the five senses essential for human life. The hearing sense is required to acquire language, learn how to speak, and gain general knowledge. Most importantly, hearing enables individuals to communicate and socialize with the world around them. Deaf people suffer from hearing loss which affects many aspects of their lives; they cannot communicate or socialize effectively with normal people around them. In addition, the safety of deaf people is compromised in many scenarios because they cannot take the right decision emanating from the process of analyzing sounds in the brain, especially alarming sounds. The treatment of hearing loss is dependent on its level. Medicine fails to treat many cases of severe or profound deafness; therefore, people lose hope to live normally. In this paper, we propose a Deaf Assistance Digital System (DADS) that aims to convert major alarm sounds and words which are not distinguishable by deaf people into recognizable alerts for deaf people. The proposed system strives to help deaf people live normally by alerting them about sounds like baby crying or door bell. Moreover, DADS enhances the safety of deaf people by alerting them about alarming sounds and cautionary words. DADS consists of a speech recognition engine and a sound recognition engine. The speech recognition engine is based on the Soundx algorithm while the sound recognition system is implemented using neural networks. The implemented sound recognition and voice recognition engines have more than 90% accuracy.
Chimeric Terpene Synthases Possessing both Terpene Cyclization and Prenyltransfer Activities
Authors: Mitsuhashi Takaaki , Abe Ikuro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPrenyltransferase (PT) and terpene synthase (TPS) are key enzymes in the formation of the basic carbon skeletons of terpenoids. The PTs determine the prenyl carbon chain length, whereas TPSs generate the structural complexity of the molecular scaffolds, forming various ring structures. Normally, PTs and TPSs are separate, independent enzymes. However, in 2007, a chimeric enzyme, in which the PT was fused with the TPS, was found in a fungus. Recent studies have revealed that such chimeric TPSs are widely distributed in fungi and function in the biosyntheses of various terpene natural products, including sesterterpenes, which are a relatively rare group of terpenoids. This review summarizes the accumulated knowledge of these recently discovered, unique, chimeric TPSs.
Functionalized Spiroindolines with Anticancer Activity through a Metal‐Free Post‐Ugi Diastereoselective One‐Pot Cascade Reaction
Authors: Xu Zhi‐Gang , Li Shi‐Qiang , Meng Jiang‐Ping , Tang Dian‐Yong , He Liu‐Jun , Lei Jie , Lin Hui‐Kuan , Li Hong‐Yu , Chen Zhong‐Zhu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA post‐Ugi diastereoselective one‐pot cascade reaction requiring no metal catalyst was developed. The reaction scope was wide with mild conditions and good yields. A collection of spiroindolines was prepared by the protocol and screening tests in several difficult‐to‐inhibit cancer cell lines were conducted. The relationship of structure and anticancer activities was promising and in the Huh7 cell lines compound 16 j is more potent than Vinbalstine. The cyclization design strategy could be applicable to other multicomponent reactions (MCRs) for synthesizing bioactive and drug‐like heterocycles.
Site‐Selective trans‐Hydrostannation of 1,3‐ and 1,n‐Diynes: Application to the Total Synthesis of Typhonosides E and F, and a Fluorinated Cerebroside Analogue
Authors: Mo Xiaobin , Letort Aurélien , Roşca Dragoş‐Adrian , Higashida Kosuke , Fürstner Alois 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPropargyl alcohols are privileged substrates for stereochemically unorthodox trans‐hydrostannation reactions catalyzed by [Cp*RuCl]4 (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), because an incipient hydrogen bond between the ‐OH group and the polarized [Ru‐Cl] unit assists substrate binding. For this very reason, it is also possible to subject diyne derivatives carrying one ‐OH group to site‐selective stannylation, even if the acetylene units are conjugated and hence, electronically coupled. An unusual temperature dependence was observed in that heating tends to improve site‐selectivity, whereas per‐stannylation is favored when the reaction is carried out in the cold. This counterintuitive trend can be rationalized based on spectroscopic data; additional support comes from the isolation of the unusual bimetallic complex 11. The bridging fulvene and enynyl ligands in 11 are thought to reflect an interligand redox isomerization process likely triggered by synchronous activation of the 1,3‐diyne substrate by two metal centers. The preparative relevance of site‐selective trans‐hydrostannation is illustrated by the total synthesis of two members of the typhonoside series of glycolipids, which are endowed with neuroprotective properties. Moreover, the preparation of a fluoroalkene sphingosine analogue shows that the tin residue also serves as a versatile handle for late‐stage modification of a bioactive target compound.
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry under High‐Pressure:A New Route to Disulfide Metathesis
Authors: Sobczak Szymon , Drożdż Wojciech , Lampronti Giulio I. , Belenguer Ana M. , Katrusiak Andrzej , Stefankiewicz Artur R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis work describes, for the first time, the application of combined pressure and temperature stimuli in disulfide metathesis reactions. In the system studied, above a pressure of 0.2 GPa, equimolar amounts of symmetric disulfides bis 4‐chlorophenyl disulfide [(4‐ClPhS)2] and bis 2‐nitrophenyl disulfide [(2‐NO2PhS)2] react to give the heterodimeric product 4‐Cl‐PhSSPh‐2‐NO2. In contrast to experiments conducted in solution at atmospheric pressure or in mechanochemical experiments under ball‐mill grinding conditions, there is no necessity to use a base or thiolate anion as a catalyst for the exchange reaction under investigated conditions. Single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction revealed also that, despite the high‐pressure conditions of this reaction, the heterodimeric‐disulfide product unexpectedly crystallizes into the low‐density polymorph A. This counterintuitive result contrasts with the high‐pressure stability of the higher‐density polymorph B, confirmed by its compression up to 2.8 GPa with no signs of a phase transition.
Model‐Based Design of Energy Efficient Reactors
Authors: Päßler Frank , Freund Hannsjörg 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn dieser Arbeit wird ein modellbasierter Ansatz für die Entwicklung maßgeschneiderter, energieeffizienter chemischer Reaktoren vorgestellt. Hierzu wird eine praktikable Größe zur Beschreibung der Energieeffizienz eingeführt und als Zielfunktional der Optimierung genutzt. Zur Veranschaulichung des Ansatzes und der energetischen Bewertungsgröße wird das neue Zielfunktional verwendet, um einen neuen Reaktor für die Anilinsynthese zu entwickeln. Die Energieeffizienz konnte dabei im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen industriellen Anilinreaktoren um das Doppelte gesteigert werden.
Self Assembly through Sonication: An Expeditious and Green Approach for the Synthesis of Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Nanopetals and their Application as Biocatalyst
Authors: Dwivedee Bharat P. , Soni Surbhi , Laha Joydev K. , Banerjee Uttam C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe present study exhibits a facile method for the expeditious synthesis of organic‐inorganic hybrid nanoassemblies. Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase was immobilized on the nanoassembly and its application as a nanobiocatalyst was demonstrated. Scanning electron microscopy analysis depicted petal‐like morphology of the newly synthesized hybrid. The sonochemical method screened as a faster route for the synthesis of hybrid nanopetals with a marked increase in enzyme activity (15 folds). Furthermore, an additional treatment of the hybrid nanopetals with chemical modifiers likes 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide (EDC) exhibited improved stability and reusability upto six cycles. A systematic investigation of the reaction parameters influencing the formation of lipase‐embedded hybrid nanopetals was done. In addition, the nanobiocatalytic potential of hybrid nanopetals was explored in the kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols.
The Effect of an Electric Field on the Spectroscopic Properties of the Isolated Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore Anion
Authors: Langeland Jeppe , Kjær Christina , Andersen Lars H. , Brøndsted Nielsen Steen 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHere we uncover the direct effect of a high electric field on the absorption by the Green Fluorescent Protein chromophore anion isolated in vacuo based on gas‐phase action spectroscopy. Betaine is a strong molecular dipole that creates an electric field of ∼70 MV/cm when attached to the ion at the phenolate oxygen, more than half the actual field from the protein matrix and pointing in the same direction. Nevertheless, the shift in absorption is limited (0.08 eV), supporting earlier conclusions, but subject to much debate, that the protein is rather innocent in perturbing the transition energy. The betaine complexes are readily made by electrospray ionization and in contrast to the bare ions, they dissociate after one‐photon absorption. Also, electron detachment is not an open channel complicating the bare ion case. As steric constraints are absent in vacuo, the possibility of turning on fluorescence by an electric field can be tested from experiments on complexes with betaine.
MCS selection exploiting femtocell utilization in multicast transmissions
Authors: Bouras Christos , Kanakis Nikolaos , Kokkinos Vasileios , Papachristos Nikolaos , Vouyioukas Demosthenes 
Published: April 2018

SummaryMulticast‐Broadcast over Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) technology, as introduced by the Long Term Evolution Advanced group, is expected to be part of the upcoming cellular systems offering resource efficiency to broadcast services. MBSFN transmission is suitable to serve multicast groups searching the same content. In addition, the fast emerging technology of femtocells networks and their hybrid nature can lead to efficient resource sharing between non‐subscribed users when located inside their coverage. The focus of this manuscript is 2‐fold; firstly, we have contacted simulation experiments to compare the MBSFN transmission with the traditional Point‐To‐Point transmission for various femtocell distributions and network topology changes; secondly, a novel multicast transmissions mechanism is proposed from non‐subscribed users who exploit femtocells resources for broadcast services, without limiting user's data requirements. The simulation results lead to a significant system's performance in terms of average throughput, total capacity, and energy consumption.
Neural crest delamination and migration: Looking forward to the next 150 years
Authors: Gouignard Nadège , Andrieu Cyril , Theveneau Eric 
Published: April 2018

SummaryNeural crest (NC) cells were described for the first time in 1868 by Wilhelm His. Since then, this amazing population of migratory stem cells has been intensively studied. It took a century to fully unravel their incredible abilities to contribute to nearly every organ of the body. Yet, our understanding of the cell and molecular mechanisms controlling their migration is far from complete. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and collective behavior of NC cells and propose further stops at which the NC train might be calling in the near future.
Use of two gRNAs for CRISPR/Cas9 improves bi‐allelic homologous recombination efficiency in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Acosta Sandra , Fiore Luciano , Carota Isabel Anna , Oliver Guillermo 
Published: April 2018

SummaryTargeted genome editing in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is a powerful resource to functionally characterize genes and regulatory elements. The use of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing approach has remarkably improved the time and efficiency of targeted recombination. However, the efficiency of this protocol is still far from ideal when aiming for bi‐allelic homologous recombination, requiring at least two independent targeting recombination events. Here we describe an improved protocol that uses two gRNAs flanking the selected targeted region, leading to highly efficient homologous recombination in mouse ESCs. The bi‐allelic recombination targeting efficiency is over 90% when using two gRNAs together with the inhibition of non‐homologous end‐joint repair. Moreover, this technique is compatible with the generation of knocked‐in mice and the use of ESC‐derived differentiation protocols, therefore facilitating and accelerating the gene targeting in mice and ESCs.
Development of high transferability cpSSR markers for individual identification and genetic investigation in Cupressaceae species
Authors: Huang Li‐Sha , Sun Yan‐Qiang , Jin Yuqing , Gao Qiong , Hu Xian‐Ge , Gao Fu‐Ling , Yang Xiao‐Lei , Zhu Ji‐Jun , El‐Kassaby Yousry A. , Mao Jian‐Feng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGiven the low substitution rate in plastomes, the polymorphic and codominant nature of chloroplast SSRs (cpSSRs) makes them ideal markers, complementing their nuclear counterpart. In Cupressaceae, cpSSRs are mostly paternally inherited, thus, they are useful in mating systems and pollen flow studies. Using e‐PCR, 92 SSR loci were identified across six Cupressaceae plastomes, and primers were designed for 26 loci with potential interspecific transferability. The 26 developed cpSSRs were polymorphic in four genera, Platycladus, Sabina, Juniperus, and Cupressus and are suitable for Cupressaceae molecular genetic studies and utilization. We genotyped 192 Platycladus orientalis samples from a core breeding population using 10 of the developed cpSSRs and 10 nuclear SSRs, and these individuals were identified with high confidence. The developed cpSSRs can be used in (1) a marker‐assisted breeding scheme, specifically when paternity identification is required, (2) population genetics investigations, and (3) biogeography of Cupressaceae and unraveling the genetic relationships between related species.
Simple foraging rules in competitive environments can generate socially structured populations
Authors: Cantor Mauricio , Farine Damien R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSocial vertebrates commonly form foraging groups whose members repeatedly interact with one another and are often genetically related. Many species also exhibit within‐population specializations, which can range from preferences to forage in particular areas through to specializing on the type of prey they catch. However, within‐population structure in foraging groups, behavioral homogeneity in foraging behavior, and relatedness could be outcomes of behavioral interactions rather than underlying drivers. We present a simple process by which grouping among foragers emerges and is maintained across generations. We introduce agent‐based models to investigate (1) whether a simple rule (keep foraging with the same individuals when you were successful) leads to stable social community structure, and (2) whether this structure is robust to demographic changes and becomes kin‐structured over time. We find the rapid emergence of kin‐structured populations and the presence of foraging groups that control, or specialize on, a particular food resource. This pattern is strongest in small populations, mirroring empirical observations. Our results suggest that group stability can emerge as a product of network self‐organization and, in doing so, may provide the necessary conditions for the evolution of more sophisticated processes, such as social learning. This taxonomically general social process has implications for our understanding of the links between population, genetic, and social structures.