bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acetalated Dextran Nanoparticles Loaded into an Injectable Alginate Cryogel for Combined Chemotherapy and Cancer Vaccination
Authors: Bauleth‐Ramos Tomás , Shih Ting‐Yu , Shahbazi Mohammad‐Ali , Najibi Alexander J. , Mao Angelo S. , Liu Dongfei , Granja Pedro , Santos Hélder A. , Sarmento Bruno , Mooney David J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractVaccination represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy due to its ability to efficiently eliminate tumors from the host body and prevent their recurrence. Nevertheless, the current vaccines are still lacking efficacy. Combination therapies, such as those integrating chemotherapy with immunotherapy, represent a powerful tool to potentially circumvent this drawback. Herein, injectable alginate cryogels loaded with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and cytosine‐phosphodiester‐guanine‐rich oligonucleotides, are combined with spermine‐modified acetalated dextran nanoparticles (Sp‐AcDEX NPs), loaded with p53 activator Nutlin‐3a (Nut‐3a) for combined chemoimmunotherapy. The Sp‐AcDEX NPs are successfully loaded into the alginate cryogels and released over time. Furthermore, the delivery of the NPs from the cryogel enhances their accumulation in tumor tissue following peritumoral injection. Nut‐3a exerts toxicity towards the tumor cells and induces immunogenic cell death through the upregulation of surface calreticulin expression. Overall, this combination is a promising strategy to reduce cancer cell proliferation, induce immunogenic cell death, and accumulate drug payloads into the tumor. This approach may avoid cancer recurrence through the induction of in situ cancer vaccination mediated by antigens and danger signals released from the apoptotic cancer cells.
Phonon‐Assisted Electro‐Optical Switches and Logic Gates Based on Semiconductor Nanostructures
Authors: Shan Zhengping , Hu Xuelu , Wang Xiao , Tan Qin , Yang Xin , Li Yunyun , Liu Huawei , Wang Xiaoxia , Huang Wei , Zhu Xiaoli , Zhuang Xiujuan , Sun Yu‐Jia , Ma Libo , Zhang Jun , Schmidt Oliver G. , Agarwal Ritesh , Pan Anlian 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHigh‐performance nanostructured electro‐optical switches and logic gates are highly desirable as essential building blocks in integrated photonics. In contrast to silicon‐based optoelectronic devices, with their inherent indirect optical bandgap, weak light‐modulation mechanism, and sophisticated device configuration, direct‐bandgap‐semiconductor nanostructures with attractive electro‐optical properties are promising candidates for the construction of nanoscale optical switches for on‐chip photonic integrations. However, previously reported semiconductor‐nanostructure optical switches suffer from serious drawbacks such as high drive voltage, limited operation spectral range, and low modulation depth. High‐efficiency electro‐optical switches based on single CdS nanobelts with low drive voltage, ultra‐high on/off ratio, and broad operation wavelength range, properties resulting from unique electric‐field‐dependent phonon‐assisted optical transitions, are demonstrated. Furthermore, functional NOT, NOR, and NAND optical logic gates are demonstrated based on these switches. These switches and optical logic gates represent an important step toward integrated photonic circuits.
Hybrid Plasmonic–Ferroelectric Architectures for Lasing and SHG Processes at the Nanoscale
Authors: O Ramírez Mariola , Molina Pablo , Gómez‐Tornero Alejandro , Hernández‐Pinilla David , Sánchez‐García Laura , Carretero‐Palacios Sol , Bausá Luisa E. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCoherent light sources providing sub‐wavelength confined modes are in ever more demand to face new challenges in a variety of disciplines. Scalability and cost‐effective production of these systems are also highly desired. The use of ferroelectrics in functional optical platforms, on which plasmonic arrangements can be formed, is revealed as a simple and powerful method to develop coherent light sources with improved and novel functionalities at the nanoscale. Two types of sources with sub‐diffraction spatial confinement and improved performances are presented: i) plasmon‐assisted solid‐state nanolasers based on the interaction between metallic nanostructures and optically active rare earth doped ferroelectric crystals and ii) nonlinear radiation sources based on quadratic frequency mixing processes that are enhanced by means of localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances. The mechanisms responsible for the intensification of the radiation–matter interaction processes by LSP resonances are discussed in each case. The challenges, potential applications, and future perspectives of the field are highlighted.
Observation of a Giant Nonlinear Chiro‐Optical Response in Planar Plasmonic–Photonic Metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Feng , Harutyunyan Hayk 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPlasmonic nanosystems and metamaterials have recently attracted considerable attention because of their ability to enhance the light–matter interactions. One of such optical phenomena is the chiral‐ or handedness‐dependent response which typically requires 3D samples. Planar structures that can exhibit chiral response are highly desirable because of their facile fabrication, however fundamental challenges arising from the 2D nature of these systems prevent the generation of strong chiro‐optical effects. In this work, giant enhancement of the handedness‐dependent optical response in planar metallic nanostructures is shown by exploring the hybridization of plasmonic–photonic modes in a chiral metasurface. The resulting planar hybrid metasurface exhibits over an order of magnitude difference in nonlinear optical response when illuminated with excitation light of opposite circular polarizations. The unique properties of the hybridized plasmonic–photonic modes are shown to be responsible for the giant chiral nonlinear response. This platform allows to study the fundamental framework of chiral optical effects that arise from the combination of planar chirality and collective interaction of discrete nanosystems.
An efficient method allowing for continuous preparation of PDMS/PVDF composite membrane
Authors: Li Shufeng , Li Pei , Si Zhihao , Li Guozhen , Qin Peiyong , Tan Tianwei 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes are widely applied in biofuel production, gasoline desulfurization, and wastewater treatment because of its excellent organophilic nature. However, curing of PDMS membrane usually lasts for hours to days. In this study, effects of temperature, catalyst, water, and ethanol on viscoelasticity of PDMS before and after coating were investigated. A mathematical model was proposed to describe the relationships between viscosity of coating mixture and time. The time window to coat PDMS coating mixture could be predicted by this model with errors below 2.7 min. Moreover, we proposed an imprint method to determine the time for membrane winding‐up. Finally, a continuous fabrication procedure was established by controlling compositions of coating mixture and crosslinking conditions where the time window to coat PDMS and duration of winding up were 88.3 min and 11 min, respectively. The fast and continuous preparation procedure fits the requirement of producing large amounts of PDMS membranes.
Do current Philips ultrasound systems exceed the recommended safety limits during routine prenatal ultrasounds?
Authors: Ong Qi Hao , Necas Martin , Lissington Karen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundBiological safety of ultrasound is a complex and nuanced subject that is poorly understood by ultrasound users. Little is known about the acoustic output and thermal index levels during the routine use of modern ultrasound machines in prenatal scanning.MethodologyThis study was a retrospective review of thermal index (TI) values encountered during 300 prenatal ultrasound examinations (100 in each trimester) performed on any one of 13 Philips Epiq 7 or Epiq 5 systems, representing approximately 106.5 h of real‐time scanning. The TI levels were compared to three international guidelines on the biological safety of ultrasound.ResultsThe routine use of current Philips systems was associated with low TI levels. Of the 300 examinations reviewed, virtually all were compliant with the BMUS and Nelson safety guideline. Whether the examination was compliant with the WFUMB guideline is open to interpretation. The highest level of TI encountered was 1.1. In no instance did the TI level incur into the ‘not recommended’ range or into a range where specific user action was required to reduce the TI within 1 min. The most frequent action associated with TI > 0.7 was the use of M‐mode to document the fetal heart rate. In the four instances where TI peaked at 1.1, 3 were associated with the use of M‐mode and one with B‐mode. Spectral Doppler was not implicated in high TI levels. These results are surprising and open up a range of opportunities for future study.
Preparation of Polyfunctional Arylzinc Organometallics in Toluene by Halogen/Zinc Exchange Reactions
Authors: Balkenhohl Moritz , Ziegler Dorothée S. , Desaintjean Alexandre , Bole Leonie J. , Kennedy Alan R. , Hevia Eva , Knochel Paul 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA wide range of polyfunctional diaryl‐ and diheteroarylzinc species were prepared in toluene within 10 min to 5 h through an I/Zn or Br/Zn exchange reaction using bimetallic reagents of the general formula R′2Zn⋅2 LiOR (R′=sBu, tBu, pTol). Highly sensitive functional groups, such as a triazine, a ketone, an aldehyde, or a nitro group, were tolerated in these exchange reactions, enabling the synthesis of a plethora of functionalized (hetero)arenes after quenching with various electrophiles. Insight into the constitution and reactivity of these bimetallic mixtures revealed the formation of highly active lithium diorganodialkoxyzincates of type [R′2Zn(OR)2Li2].
Efficacy of curcumin on prevention of drug‐induced nephrotoxicity: A review of animal studies
Authors: Motaharinia Javad , Panahi Yunes , Barreto George E. , Beiraghdar Fatemeh , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDrug‐induced nephrotoxicity is a frequent serious adverse effect, contributing to morbidity and increased healthcare utilization. Prevention or reversal is key. Curcumin has useful biological features that include antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This review covers aspects of curcumin in relation to prevention of drug‐induced nephrotoxicity: dosage and schedule, effect on kidney biomarkers and histological changes, and mechanisms of curcumin's protective effects. Despite success in some animal models, human studies and clinical administration of curcumin for nephroprotection remains limited due to difficulty in achieving therapeutic levels following oral administration and in determining the optimal dosing schedule. Lack of sufficient evidence from animal studies, coupled with low systemic bioavailability, continues to limit the utilization of curcumin in addressing and controlling drug‐induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, human studies are required to fully assess and validate the therapeutic potential of curcumin.
Coupling agent motivations and spatial behaviors for authoring multiagent narratives
Authors: Zhang Xun , Schaumann Davide , Haworth Brandon , Faloutsos Petros , Kapadia Mubbasir 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAuthoring behavior narratives for heterogeneous multiagent virtual humans engaged in collaborative, localized, and task‐based behaviors can be challenging. Traditional behavior authoring frameworks are either space‐centric, where occupancy parameters are specified; behavior‐centric, where multiagent behaviors are defined; or agent‐centric, where desires and intentions drive agents' behavior. In this paper, we propose to integrate these approaches into a unique framework to author behavior narratives that progressively satisfy time‐varying building‐level occupancy specifications, room‐level behavior distributions, and agent‐level motivations using a prioritized resource allocation system. This approach can generate progressively more complex and plausible narratives that satisfy spatial, behavioral, and social constraints. Possible applications of this system involve computer gaming and decision‐making in engineering and architectural design.
Nutritional components, in vitro digestibility, and textural properties of cookies made from whole hull‐less barley
Authors: Deng Xiao‐Qing , Pan Zhi‐Fen , Li Qiao , Deng Guang‐Bing , Long Hai , Tashi Nima , Zhao Yun , Yu Mao‐Qun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackground and objectivesHull‐less barley provides health benefits, but it is not consumed widely because of its poor processing performance and eating quality of end products. In this study, cookies from 23 whole hull‐less barley varieties including waxy and ordinary types were prepared, and its nutritional composition, in vitro digestibility, and textural properties were evaluated.FindingsWide variations were observed in the properties of different cookies. Waxy cookies were higher in protein and β‐glucan contents (10.08% and 5.46%) than ordinary ones (8.27% and 3.83%, respectively), but lower in equilibrium concentration of hydrolysis (C∞), glycemic index (GI), rapidly digestible starch (RDS), and resistant starch (RS) contents which corresponded to its higher crystallinity and more number of crystalline peaks. Besides, waxy cookies tended to be more crispy, hard, and chewy than ordinary ones. Correlation analyses indicate that amylose and total starch positively influenced starch hydrolysis, but negatively affected cookie texture. Conversely, both protein and β‐glucan corresponded with a low estimated GI and high textural parameters.ConclusionsWaxy cookies retained higher nutritional value and potential health benefits. Meanwhile, waxy cookies gained desirable sensory properties as well as ordinary ones.Significance and noveltyThe major components of barley grain significantly influenced the nutritional value, in vitro starch digestibility, and texture of 100% whole hull‐less barley cookies, and waxy type could be more beneficial to human health.
σ‐Silane Platinum(II) Complexes as Intermediates in C−Si Bond‐Coupling Processes
Authors: Ríos Pablo , Fouilloux Hugo , Díez Josefina , Vidossich Pietro , Lledós Agustí , Conejero Salvador 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPlatinum complexes [Pt(NHC′)(NHC)][BArF] (in which NHC′ denotes a cyclometalated N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, NHC) react with primary silanes RSiH3 to afford the cyclometalated platinum(II) silyl complexes [Pt(NHC‐SiHR′)(NHC)][BArF] through a process that involves the formation of C−Si and Pt−Si bonds with concomitant extrusion of H2. Low‐temperature NMR studies indicate that the process proceeds through initial formation of the σ‐SiH complexes [Pt(NHC′)(NHC)(HSiH2R)][BArF], which are stable at temperatures below −10 °C. At higher temperatures, activation of one Si−H bond followed by a C−Si coupling reaction generates an agostic SiH platinum hydride derivative [Pt(H)(NHC′‐SiH2R)(NHC)][BArF], which undergoes a second Si−H bond activation to afford the final products. Computational modeling of the reaction mechanism indicates that the stereochemistry of the silyl/hydride ligands after the first Si−H bond cleavage dictates the nature of the products, favoring the formation of a C−Si bond over a C−H bond, in contrast to previous results obtained for tertiary silanes. Furthermore, the process involves a trans‐to‐cis isomerization of the NHC ligand before the second Si−H bond cleavage.
Self‐Assembly Behavior and Application of Terphenyl‐Cored Trimaltosides for Membrane‐Protein Studies: Impact of Detergent Hydrophobic Group Geometry on Protein Stability
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad , Du Yang , Mortensen Jonas S. , Hariharan Parameswaran , Qu Qianhui , Ghani Lubna , Das Manabendra , Grethen Anne , Byrne Bernadette , Skiniotis Georgios , Keller Sandro , Loland Claus J. , Guan Lan , Kobilka Brian K. , Chae Pil Seok 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAmphipathic agents are widely used in various fields including biomedical sciences. Micelle‐forming detergents are particularly useful for in vitro membrane‐protein characterization. As many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, it is necessary to develop novel detergents to facilitate membrane‐protein research. In the current study, we developed novel trimaltoside detergents with an alkyl pendant‐bearing terphenyl unit as a hydrophobic group, designated terphenyl‐cored maltosides (TPMs). We found that the geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group substantially impacts detergent self‐assembly behavior, as well as detergent efficacy for membrane‐protein stabilization. TPM‐Vs, with a bent terphenyl group, were superior to the linear counterparts (TPM‐Ls) at stabilizing multiple membrane proteins. The favorable protein stabilization efficacy of these bent TPMs is likely associated with a binding mode with membrane proteins distinct from conventional detergents and facial amphiphiles. When compared to n‐dodecyl‐β‐d‐maltoside (DDM), most TPMs were superior or comparable to this gold standard detergent at stabilizing membrane proteins. Notably, TPM‐L3 was particularly effective at stabilizing the human β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), a G‐protein coupled receptor, and its complex with Gs protein. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools that are useful for membrane‐protein study, but also suggests a critical role for detergent hydrophobic group geometry in governing detergent efficacy.
Spatial conservation planning under uncertainty: adapting to climate change risks using modern portfolio theory
Authors: Eaton Mitchell J. , Yurek Simeon , Haider Zulqarnain , Martin Julien , Johnson Fred A. , Udell Bradley J. , Charkhgard Hadi , Kwon Changhyun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractClimate change and urban growth impact habitats, species, and ecosystem services. To buffer against global change, an established adaptation strategy is designing protected areas to increase representation and complementarity of biodiversity features. Uncertainty regarding the scale and magnitude of landscape change complicates reserve planning and exposes decision makers to the risk of failing to meet conservation goals. Conservation planning tends to treat risk as an absolute measure, ignoring the context of the management problem and risk preferences of stakeholders. Application of risk management theory to conservation emphasizes the diversification of a portfolio of assets, with the goal of reducing the impact of system volatility on investment return. We use principles of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), which quantifies risk as the variance and correlation among assets, to formalize diversification as an explicit strategy for managing risk in climate‐driven reserve design. We extend MPT to specify a framework that evaluates multiple conservation objectives, allows decision makers to balance management benefits and risk when preferences are contested or unknown, and includes additional decision options such as parcel divestment when evaluating candidate reserve designs. We apply an efficient search algorithm that optimizes portfolio design for large conservation problems and a game theoretic approach to evaluate portfolio trade‐offs that satisfy decision makers with divergent benefit and risk tolerances, or when a single decision maker cannot resolve their own preferences. Evaluating several risk profiles for a case study in South Carolina, our results suggest that a reserve design may be somewhat robust to differences in risk attitude but that budgets will likely be important determinants of conservation planning strategies, particularly when divestment is considered a viable alternative. We identify a possible fiscal threshold where adequate resources allow protecting a sufficiently diverse portfolio of habitats such that the risk of failing to achieve conservation objectives is considerably lower. For a range of sea‐level rise projections, conversion of habitat to open water (14–180%) and wetland loss (1–7%) are unable to be compensated under the current protected network. In contrast, optimal reserve design outcomes are predicted to ameliorate expected losses relative to current and future habitat protected under the existing conservation estate.
Binder‐Free 3D Integrated Ni@Ni3Pt Air Electrode for Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Pham Thien Viet , Li Yang , Luo Wen‐Bin , Guo Hai‐Peng , Gao Xuan‐Wen , Wang Jia‐Zhao , Liu Hua‐Kun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDeveloping an air electrode with high efficiency and stable performance is essential to improve the energy conversion efficiency and lifetime of zinc–air battery. Herein, Ni3Pt alloy is deposited on 3D nickel foam by a pulsed laser deposition method, working as a stable binder‐free air electrode for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. The polycrystalline Ni3Pt alloy possesses high oxygen‐conversion catalytic activity, which is highly desirable for the charge and discharge process in zinc–air battery. Meanwhile, this sample technique constructs an integrated and stable electrode structure, which not only has a 3D architecture of high conductivity and porosity but also produces a uniform Ni3Pt strongly adhering to the substrate, favoring rapid gas and electrolyte diffusion throughout the whole energy conversion process. Employed as an air electrode in zinc–air batteries, it exhibits a small charge and discharge gap of below 0.62 V at 10 mA cm−2, with long cycle life of 478 cycles under 10 min per cycle. Furthermore, benefitting from the structural advantages, a flexible device exhibits similar electrochemical performance even under the bending state. The high performance resulting from this type of integrated electrode in this work paves the way of a promising technique to fabricate air electrodes for zinc–air batteries.
Objective assessment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in older adults compared with controls using the QbTest
Authors: Bijlenga Denise , Ulberstad Fredrik , Thorell Lisa B. , Christiansen Hanna , Hirsch Oliver , Kooij J.J. Sandra 
Published: June 2019

ObjectivesAttention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists into old age, with prevalence rates of 2.8% to 3.3% in adults over 60 years of age. Most diagnostic assessment tools are not validated for older adults. The Quantified behavioral Test (QbTest) is an objective assessment for the core symptoms of ADHD and is validated for children and younger adults. We investigated whether the QbTest can be used to differentiate between older adults with ADHD and healthy controls.MethodsOlder adults aged 55 to 79 years with (n = 97) or without (n = 112) ADHD were assessed with the QbTest. They also rated their ADHD symptom severity. QbTest raw scores were compared between groups. Factor scores were computed using factor loadings from a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multilevel regressions were used to determine effects of background characteristics and comorbidity. Logistic regressions were performed to determine whether the QbTest differentiated between patients with ADHD and healthy controls.ResultsThe factor structure of the CFA was comparable with that of younger age groups. Older age was associated with higher Inattention score. Parameters comprising the factors Hyperactivity and Inattention, but not Impulsivity, were shown to contribute significantly in differentiating between the groups. The QbTest had a correct classification rate of 70%, which was increased to 91% when combining QbTest scores and self‐reports of ADHD symptom severity.ConclusionsThe QbTest is feasible for older adults, and the factors Hyperactivity and Inattention are valid parameters for the diagnostic assessment of ADHD in older adults, when used in addition to self‐reports.