bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic Accelerated Biginelli‐Like Reaction by the Covalently Anchored Copper‐Isatoic Anhydride over the Modified Surface of Mesoporous SBA‐15 to the Synthesis of Pyrimidines
Authors: Ghomi Javad Safaei , Bakhtiari Atefeh 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe novel hybrid catalyst Cu@IA‐SBA‐15 was synthesized by anchoring isatoic anhydride on amino‐functionalized SBA‐15. The synthesized process pursued by grafting of Cu(II) to catch desired product. 2D‐hexagonally ordered mesoporous of bidentate ligand characterized by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), N2 adsorption analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA). The activity of catalyst has been scrutinized in Biginelli‐Like reaction through the environmentally benign conditions by using ultrasound irradiation and green solvents. The methodology offers remarkable development by easy production of hybrid catalyst Cu@IA‐SBA‐15 in regard to solve the problem of using harsh catalysts. It also demonstrates to be impressive and environmentally friendly in term of low reaction times and high yields.
Facile Synthesis and Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Sn1‐xMnxS (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) Nanocrystals
Authors: Behera Chandini , Samal Debakanta , Bhat Shwetha G. , Kumar P. S. Anil , Samal Saroj L 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTin‐sulfide (SnS) has emerged as a promising energy‐material owing to its remarkable optical and electrical properties. SnS can exhibit even more diversified properties with the incorporation of other elements, but remains scantly explored. The optical and photocatalytic properties of Mn‐substituted SnS (Sn1−xMnxS with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) nanocrystals are reported here. Mn‐incorporation into SnS is inferred from structural and photoelectron spectroscopic study. Transmission electron microscopy reveals a change in the size‐cum‐morphology of nanocrystals with Mn‐ substitution. While cuboid shape nanocrystals are observed for SnS, Mn‐substitution results in spherical shape. The optical band gap of Sn1−xMnxS shows a red‐shift (by 0.15 eV) up to 10% Mn‐concentration, however further substitution leads to contrasting effect. The intensity of emission peaks declines significantly upon Mn‐substitution, which could be related to charge‐separation scenario that weakens the radiative recombination process. Mn‐ substitution in SnS enhances the photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Congo red dye in visible region. The scavenger study suggests that the photo generated hole, hydroxyl and super oxide radicals are the principal reacting species for the degradation of Congo red dye. The tunability of optical properties in Sn1−xMnxS and enhanced photocatalytic properties could make it suitable for potential applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics.
Universal Soft Robotic Microgripper
Authors: Jia Haiyan , Mailand Erik , Zhou Jiangtao , Huang Zhangjun , Dietler Giovanni , Kolinski John M. , Wang Xinling , Sakar Mahmut Selman 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHere, a soft robotic microgripper is presented that consists of a smart actuated microgel connected to a spatially photopatterned multifunctional base. When pressed onto a target object, the microgel component conforms to its shape, thus providing a simple and adaptive solution for versatile micromanipulation. Without the need for active visual or force feedback, objects of widely varying mechanical and surface properties are reliably gripped through a combination of geometrical interlocking mechanisms instantiated by reversible shape‐memory and thermal responsive swelling of the microgel. The gripper applies holding forces exceeding 400 µN, which is high enough to lift loads 1000 times heavier than the microgel. An untethered version of the gripper is developed by remotely controlling the position using magnetic actuation and the contractile state of the microgel using plasmonic absorption. Gentle yet stable robotic manipulation of biological samples under physiological conditions opens up possibilities for high‐throughput interrogation and minimally invasive interventions.
Drug‐Controlled Release Based on Complementary Base Pairing Rules for Photodynamic–Photothermal Synergistic Tumor Treatment
Authors: Zhan Qichen , Shi Xianqing , Zhou Jiahong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shaohua 
Published: November 2018

AbstractControlled drug release systems can enhance the safety and availability but avoid the side effect of drugs. Herein, the concept of DNA complementary base pairing rules in biology is used to design and prepare a photothermal‐triggered drug release system. Adenine (A) modified polydopamine nanoparticles (A‐PDA, photothermal reagent) can effectively bind with thymine (T) modified Zinc phthalocyanine (T‐ZnPc, photosensitizer) forming A‐PDA = T‐ZnPc (PATP) complex based on A = T complementary base pairing rules. Similar to DNA, whose base pairing in double strands will break by heating, T‐ZnPc can be effectively released from A‐PDA after near infrared irradiation–triggered light‐thermal conversion to obtain satisfactory photodynamic–photothermal synergistic tumor treatment. In addition, PDA can carry abundant Gd3+ to provide magnetic resonance imaging guided delivery and theranostic function.
Functional Femtoliter Droplets for Ultrafast Nanoextraction and Supersensitive Online Microanalysis
Authors: Li Miaosi , Dyett Brendan , Yu Haitao , Bansal Vipul , Zhang Xuehua 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA universal femtoliter surface droplet‐based platform for direct quantification of trace of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions is presented. Formation and functionalization of femtoliter droplets, concentrating the analyte in the solution, are integrated into a simple fluidic chamber, taking advantage of the long‐term stability, large surface‐to‐volume ratio, and tunable chemical composition of these droplets. In situ quantification of the extracted analytes is achieved by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy by nanoparticles on the functionalized droplets. Optimized extraction efficiency and SERS enhancement by tuning droplet composition enable quantitative determination of hydrophobic model compounds of rhodamine 6G, methylene blue, and malachite green with the detection limit of 10−9to 10−11mand a large linear range of SERS signal from 10−9to 10−6mof the analytes. The approach addresses the current challenges of reproducibility and the lifetime of the substrate in SERS measurements. This novel surface droplet platform combines liquid–liquid extraction and highly sensitive and reproducible SERS detection, providing a promising technique in current chemical analysis related to environment monitoring, biomedical diagnosis, and national security monitoring.
Mechanisms involved in inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis induced by lunar dust simulant in rats
Authors: Sun Yan , Liu Jinguo , Zhang Xiaoping , Li Xiongyao , Zhou Baichu , Lv Zengjing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLunar dust is one of the biggest risk factors in the future manned exploration mission. Much is not known about the pulmonary toxicity of lunar dust. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by subacute exposure to lunar dust stimulant (LDS) in rats. Wistar rats were intratracheally administered LDS, twice a week for 3 weeks. Inflammatory cell counting and cytokine assays using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed. Lung tissues were processed for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and genes and proteins related to inflammation and fibrosis in lung tissue were also determined. The neutrophil count in the BALF of LDS‐exposed groups was higher than that in controls (P < .05). LDS caused a significant increase in some of biochemical indicators and proinflammatory factors levels in BALF compared with control group. The normal balance between oxidation and antioxidation was broken by LDS. Pathological characteristics of lung tissue and immunohistochemical results for α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) indicated that inflammatory response was an extremely important passage to pulmonary fibrosis. Real‐time PCR analysis showed elevated levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) mRNA in the lungs (P < .05). Western blotting results were consistent with immunohistochemistry and qPCR results. These results indicate that inhalation of lunar dust may cause inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis. NOX4 may be a key potential therapeutic target for inflammatory injury and fibrosis in the lung.
The protective activity of nanomicelle curcumin in bisphenol A‐induced cardiotoxicity following subacute exposure in rats
Authors: Valokola Mahmoud Gorji , Karimi Gholamreza , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Kianfar Mostafa , Jafarian Amir Hossein , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Imenshahidi Mohsen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic compound, is used in manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is a potent protective compound against cardiac diseases. In this study the protective effect of nanomicelle curcumin on BPA‐induced subchronic cardiotoxicity in rats was evaluated. Rats were divided into 6 groups including control, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg, gavage), BPA (50 mg/kg, gavage), nanomicelle curcumin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) plus BPA. The treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Results revealed that BPA significantly induced histophatological injuries including focal lymphatic inflammation, nuclear degenerative changes and cytoplasmic vacuolation, increased body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, malondialdehyde and Creatine phosphokinase‐MB level and decreased glutathione content in comparison with control group. In addition, in electrocardiographic graph, RR, QT, and PQ intervals were increased by BPA. Western blot analysis showed that BPA up‐regulated phosphorylated p38 (p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase) and JNK (c‐jun NH2 terminal kinases), while down‐regulated phosphorylated AKT (Protein Kinase B) and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 1 and 2). However, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg) significantly improved these toxic effects of BPA in rat heart tissue. The results provide evidence that nanomicelle curcumin showed preventive effects on subchronic exposure to BPA induced toxicity in the heart tissue in rats.
Transforming big data into smart data: An insight on the use of the k‐nearest neighbors algorithm to obtain quality data
Authors: Triguero Isaac , García‐Gil Diego , Maillo Jesús , Luengo Julián , García Salvador , Herrera Francisco 
Published: November 2018

The k‐nearest neighbors algorithm is characterized as a simple yet effective data mining technique. The main drawback of this technique appears when massive amounts of data—likely to contain noise and imperfections—are involved, turning this algorithm into an imprecise and especially inefficient technique. These disadvantages have been subject of research for many years, and among others approaches, data preprocessing techniques such as instance reduction or missing values imputation have targeted these weaknesses. As a result, these issues have turned out as strengths and the k‐nearest neighbors rule has become a core algorithm to identify and correct imperfect data, removing noisy and redundant samples, or imputing missing values, transforming Big Data into Smart Data—which is data of sufficient quality to expect a good outcome from any data mining algorithm. The role of this smart data gleaning algorithm in a supervised learning context are investigated. This includes a brief overview of Smart Data, current and future trends for the k‐nearest neighbor algorithm in the Big Data context, and the existing data preprocessing techniques based on this algorithm. We present the emerging big data‐ready versions of these algorithms and develop some new methods to cope with Big Data. We carry out a thorough experimental analysis in a series of big datasets that provide guidelines as to how to use the k‐nearest neighbor algorithm to obtain Smart/Quality Data for a high‐quality data mining process. Moreover, multiple Spark Packages have been developed including all the Smart Data algorithms analyzed.This article is categorized under:
Technologies > Data Preprocessing
Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining
Technologies > Classification
Protein crystal based materials for nanoscale applications in medicine and biotechnology
Authors: Hartje Luke F. , Snow Christopher D. 
Published: November 2018

The porosity, order, biocompatibility, and chirality of protein crystals has motivated interest from diverse research domains including materials science, biotechnology, and medicine. Porous protein crystals have the unusual potential to organize guest molecules within highly ordered scaffolds, enabling applications ranging from biotemplating and catalysis to biosensing and drug delivery. Significant research has therefore been directed toward characterizing protein crystal materials in hopes of optimizing crystallization, scaffold stability, and application efficacy. In this overview article, we describe recent progress in the field of protein crystal materials with special attention given to applications in nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology.This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Virtual Reality and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Stroke: How Effective Is Their Combination for Upper Limb Motor Improvement?—A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Subramanian Sandeep K. , Prasanna Shreya S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundEfforts to augment post‐stroke upper limb (UL) motor improvement include the use of newer interventions such as noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and task practice in virtual reality environments (VEs). Despite increasing interest in using a combination of these 2 interventions, the effectiveness of this combination to enhance UL motor improvement outcomes has not been examined.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of NIBS and task practice in a VE to augment post‐stroke UL motor improvement.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of the published literature using standard methodology. The Down and Black checklist and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Research Organization Scale were used to assess study quality. We compared changes in UL impairment and activity levels between active stimulation and sham or other interventions using standardized mean differences and derived a summary effect size.ResultsWe retrieved 5 studies that examined the role of a combination of NIBS and task practice in a VE to optimize UL motor improvement. These 5 studies included 3 randomized controlled trials, 1 cross‐sectional study, and 1 crossover study. There was level 1a evidence that the combination was beneficial in subacute stroke. There was level 1b evidence that provision of real stimulation was not superior to sham stimulation in chronic stroke. Effect sizes favoring the combination were moderate for improvements in UL impairment and small for activity levels.ConclusionsPreliminary evidence supports the effectiveness of this combination in subacute stroke. Emergent questions need to be addressed to derive maximum benefit of this combination to augment post‐stroke UL motor improvement.Level of EvidenceI
A multilevel approach towards unbiased sampling of random elliptic partial differential equations
Authors: Li Xiaoou , Liu Jingchen , Xu Shun 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Partial differential equations are powerful tools for used to characterizing various physical systems. In practice, measurement errors are often present and probability models are employed to account for such uncertainties. In this paper we present a Monte Carlo scheme that yields unbiased estimators for expectations of random elliptic partial differential equations. This algorithm combines a multilevel Monte Carlo method (Giles (2008)) and a randomization scheme proposed by Rhee and Glynn (2012), (2013). Furthermore, to obtain an estimator with both finite variance and finite expected computational cost, we employ higher-order approximations.
Dilation volumes of sets of finite perimeter
Authors: Kiderlen Markus , Rataj Jan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this paper we analyze the first-order behavior (that is, the right-sided derivative) of the volume of the dilationA⊕tQastconverges to 0. HereAandQare subsets ofn-dimensional Euclidean space,Ahas finite perimeter, andQis finite. IfQconsists of two points only,nandn+u, say, this derivative coincides up to a sign with the directional derivative of the covariogram ofAin directionu. By known results for the covariogram, this derivative can therefore be expressed by the cosine transform of the surface area measure ofA. We extend this result to finite setsQand use it to determine the derivative of the contact distribution function with finite structuring element of a stationary random set at 0. The proofs are based on an approximation of the indicator function ofAby smooth functions of bounded variation.
Efficient simulation of Brown‒Resnick processes based on variance reduction of Gaussian processes
Authors: Oesting Marco , Strokorb Kirstin 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Brown‒Resnick processes are max-stable processes that are associated to Gaussian processes. Their simulation is often based on the corresponding spectral representation which is not unique. We study to what extent simulation accuracy and efficiency can be improved by minimizing the maximal variance of the underlying Gaussian process. Such a minimization is a difficult mathematical problem that also depends on the geometry of the simulation domain. We extend Matheron's (1974) seminal contribution in two directions: (i) making his description of a minimal maximal variance explicit for convex variograms on symmetric domains, and (ii) proving that the same strategy also reduces the maximal variance for a huge class of nonconvex variograms representable through a Bernstein function. A simulation study confirms that our noncostly modification can lead to substantial improvements among Gaussian representations. We also compare it with three other established algorithms.
Analysing Payoff Salience in Coalition Allocation: Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Committee Chairs
Authors: Evans Matt 
Published: November 2018

AbstractResearch during the past six decades has found that parties joining coalition governments receive payoffs, in the form of government posts, in proportion to their coalition share. These findings, however, do not indicate which coalition partners receive payoffs that will most enable them to influence their preferred policies. This article joins recent qualitative analyses of coalition allocation and examines payoffs in terms of the salience of positions relative to the policy goals of the parties receiving them. The single-country study of eight Israeli governments from 1992 to 2015 integrates quantitative and qualitative analyses of coalition payoffs. This article contributes to coalition allocation research by expanding the scope of coalition payoffs to include junior ministers and committee chairs, and by distinguishing payoff outcomes for different party families. The results show an edge for formateur parties in obtaining policy-salient ministerial payoffs and an advantage to non-formateurs for policy-salient deputy (junior) minister positions.
Does an increased intake of added sugar affect appetite in overweight or obese adults, when compared with lower intakes? A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Thornhill Kayla , Charlton Karen , Probst Yasmine , Neale Elizabeth 
Published: November 2018

AbstractChanges in added sugar intake have been associated with corresponding changes in body weight. Potential mechanisms, particularly the impact of added sugar intake on appetite, warrant exploration. A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials investigated the association between added sugar consumption and appetite in overweight and obese adults. A systematic search of Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and CINAHL included studies that examined the relationship between added sugar intake and appetite markers, in comparison with a group with lower added sugar intake. A total of twenty-one articles describing nineteen studies were included in the review. The effect of added sugar on appetite was explored separately by reported comparisons of added sugar type and their effect to three study outcomes: energy consumption (n20 comparisons); satiety (n18); and appetite hormones, leptin (n4) or ghrelin (n7). Increased added sugar consumption did not impact subsequent energy intake (n9), nor did it influence satiety (n12) or ghrelin levels (n4). Differences in the total daily energy intake were comparable with the differences in energy values of tested products (n3). Added sugar intake was reported to increase leptin levels (n3). This review did not find a consistent relationship between added sugar intake and appetite measures, which may be partially explained by variations in study methodologies. There is a need for randomised controlled trials examining a range of added sugar sources and doses on appetite in overweight and obese adults to better understand implications for weight gain.
Pheromone emission patterns and courtship sequences across distinct populations withinAnastrepha fraterculus(Diptera-Tephritidae) cryptic species complex
Authors: Roriz A.K.P. , Japyassú H.F. , Cáceres C. , Vera M. Teresa , Joachim-Bravo I.S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSexual behavioural isolation can result from sexual selection and represents a relevant factor associated with the speciation process. We analysed the pheromone emission pattern and the courtship of males of five different populations of theAnastrepha fraterculuscryptic complex: Brazil (Vacaria, Tucumán and Piracicaba), Colombia and Peru. The time of pheromone emission was recorded in each population every 30 min during the day. The behavioural sequences of courting were video recorded and analysed using EthoSeq software. Males from different populations have showed different period of pheromone emission – Vacaria, Piracicaba and Tucumán executed calling only during the morning, Colombia only in the afternoon and Peru during both periods. The general frequencies of the courtship units of the males were distinct among the populations. Three groups were formed in the classification from the function of 14 behavioural routines: Vacaria, Piracicaba and Tucumán formed a single group (Brazil-1), while Colombia and Peru formed two distinct groups. In the probabilistic trees generated, the behavioural units that most contributed to the occurrence of copulation were distinct among the three groups formed: Brazil-1 (Contact,AlignmentandArrowhead-1); Colombia (Flying,Mobile,ContactandAlignment); Peru (Flying,Arrowhead-1andCalling). Our results indicated differences in sexual behaviour that may explain the behavioural isolation found between the distinct groups in addition with the temporal isolation found between the Brazil-1 and Colombia populations. The evolutionary implications for theA. fraterculuscryptic species complex are discussed.