bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrophilic modification of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by blending amphiphilic copolymer via thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Jin Yu‐tao , Hu Dan , Lin Ya‐kai , Shi Ling 
Published: September 2018

A new amphiphilic copolymer TD‐A is melt‐blended with polyvinylidene fluoride to fabricate hollow fiber membranes in order to improve the hydrophilicity and anti‐fouling property. Membrane samples with different blending ratios are prepared via thermally induced phase separation method. An optimum blending ratio of TD‐A (10 wt%) is determined by a series of characterizations to evaluate the effects of TD‐A contents on membrane properties. The hydrophilicity of the blended membrane samples increases with the increasing blending ratio, but excessive content of TD‐A in blended membranes can lead to structural defects and reduction of mechanical properties. TD‐A blended hollow fiber membrane with optimum blending ratio shows excellent bi‐continuous structure and high water flux. Membrane fouling is remarkably reduced due to the incorporation of TD‐A by static absorption and cyclic filtration tests of bovine serum albumin. Moreover, constant surface chemical compositions and stable flux during long‐term chemical cleaning demonstrate the hydrophilic stability of the blended membrane.
Piezoelectric property improvement of polyethylene ferroelectrets using postprocessing thermal‐pressure treatment
Authors: Hamdi Ouassim , Mighri Frej , Rodrigue Denis 
Published: September 2018

In this work, biaxially stretched polymer foams with well‐defined cellular structures were prepared from polyethylene via blown‐film extrusion and subjected to corona charging to produce a piezoelectric response. The charging parameters were first optimized in terms of charging voltage and needle distance, as well as the gas type and pressure to investigate their effect on the piezoelectric coefficient (d33). The results show that samples charged under nitrogen (N2) at 100 kPa had better d33 coefficient than those charged under ambient air or N2 at 20 kPa. Moreover, 2 different thermal pressure treatments were imposed to obtain an optimized eye‐like cellular structure with different cell aspect ratios (AR). The results showed that when the cells were elongated in both the longitudinal and transverse directions (higher AR), higher d33 coefficients were achieved. From all the samples produced, the best results were obtained for a longitudinal aspect ratio (AR‐L) of 7.1, a transversal aspect ratio (AR‐T) of 4.6, and a relative foam density of 0.52 leading to a d33 coefficient of 935 pC/N. This coefficient was further increased using reverse charging and multilayered films, reaching a maximum of 2550 pC/N. This value is much higher than typical ones reported so far for any polyethylene and polypropylene ferroelectrets. These results could increase the use of polyethylene in piezoelectric applications as these materials are very attractive for the large‐scale production of electret‐based sensors and transducers due to their low cost and easy processing.
Primordial germ cells as a potential shared cell of origin for mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas and mucinous ovarian tumors
Authors: Elias Kevin M , Tsantoulis Petros , Tille Jean‐Christophe , Vitonis Allison , Doyle Leona A , Hornick Jason L , Kaya Gurkan , Barnes Laurent , Cramer Daniel W , Puppa Giacomo , Stuckelberger Sarah , Hooda Jagmohan , Dietrich Pierre‐Yves , Goggins Michael , Kerr Candace L , Birrer Michael , Hirsch Michelle S , Drapkin Ronny , Labidi‐Galy Sana Intidhar 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMucinous ovarian tumors (MOTs) morphologically and epidemiologically resemble mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas, sharing a similar stroma and both occurring disproportionately among young females. Additionally, MOTs and MCNs share similar clinical characteristics and immunohistochemical phenotypes. Exome sequencing has revealed frequent recurrent mutations in KRAS and RNF43 in both MOTs and MCNs. The cell of origin for these tumors remains unclear, but MOTs sometimes arise in the context of mature cystic teratomas and other primordial germ cell (PGC) tumors. We undertook the present study to investigate whether non‐teratoma‐associated MOTs and MCNs share a common cell of origin. Comparisons of the gene expression profiles of MOTs [including both the mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (MBOTs) and invasive mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MOCs)], high‐grade serous ovarian carcinomas, ovarian surface epithelium, Fallopian tube epithelium, normal pancreatic tissue, pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas, MCNs, and single‐cell RNA‐sequencing of PGCs revealed that both MOTs and MCNs are more closely related to PGCs than to either eutopic epithelial tumors or normal epithelia. We hypothesize that MCNs may arise from PGCs that stopped in the dorsal pancreas during their descent to the gonads during early human embryogenesis, while MOTs arise from PGCs in the ovary. Together, these data suggest a common pathway for the development of MCNs and MOTs, and suggest that these tumors may be more properly classified as germ cell tumor variants. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photophysical insights and guidelines for blue “turn‐on” fluorescent probes for the direct detection of nitric oxide (NO•) in biological systems
Authors: Barzegar Amiri Olia Mina , Hancock Amber N. , Schiesser Carl H. , Goerigk Lars , Wille Uta 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSynthesis and photophysical properties of a family of five blue fluorescent “turn‐on” probes for the direct detection of nitric oxide (NO•) is reported. The probes CB1‐5 feature a substituted 7‐hydroxy coumarin chromophore coupled to 2‐methyl‐8‐aminoquinoline, which act as tridentate ligand for Cu(II) and active site for monitoring NO• using a replacement strategy. The UV/vis absorption and fluorescence emission characteristics of the probes are significantly influenced by the substitution pattern on the coumarin ring, as well as by solvent polarity and pH. Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations for CB4 and CB5 showed that the absorptions are due to π‐π* transitions localised on coumarin, with a small charge transfer contribution from the quinoline system at higher pH where the 7‐hydroxy coumarin moiety is deprotonated, which leads to a bathochromic shift of the absorption. Complexation of the probes with Cu(II) quenches the fluorescence, which is turned back on upon reaction with NO•, allowing selective detection of this important signalling molecule in μM concentrations. Preliminary experiments revealed that CB4 and CB5 enable to monitor endogenously produced NO• in living bacterial cells in multi‐dye imaging experiments.
A facile method to fabricate tough hydrogel with ultra‐wide adjustable stiffness, stress, and fast recoverability
Authors: Xiang Shuangfei , Li Ting , Dong Weifu , Lu Qinghua 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIn this article, we report a synergistic strategy to develop dual physically cross‐linked tough hydrogels via one‐pot bulk copolymerization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, acrylic acid, and stearyl methylacrylate (SMA) without any adscititious surfactant. Due to synergic effects of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic association, the resulted dual physically cross‐linked hydrogels (DP Gel) with ultra‐wide range adjustable Young's modulus (0.08–45.6 MPa), tensile stress (0.7–6.9 MPa), and toughness (3.3–23.1 MJ m−3). Stretching to 300%, DP Gel exhibited fast recoverability that remained ~95% of initial dissipated energy after resting in 60 °C for 3 min. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microstructure of hydrogel changed from phase separation structure to micro phase separation as SMA added, which accounted for excellent performance of DP Gel. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1469–1474
Population recovery of a common vole population (Microtus arvalis) after population collapse
Authors: Hein Susanne , Jacob Jens 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPopulation collapses in small mammals occur naturally after natural disasters and during multi‐annual population fluctuations as well as after man‐made intervention such as rodent management action. Although there has been extensive previous work on patterns and mechanisms of population fluctuations and cyclicity, little is known about population recovery after collapse. In Europe, the common vole (Microtus arvalis) is the major pest species in agriculture, damaging crops, competing with livestock and potentially posing a health risk to people. In this study, we investigated population recovery, recovery mechanism and recovery time of common vole populations after artificially inducing a collapse through rodenticide application.RESULTSThe rodenticide treatment reduced abundance in spring (by about 90%) but not in summer. Demographic data (age, sex‐ratio, breeding activity) suggest that it was mostly immigration and not reproduction that led to population recovery after collapse.CONCLUSIONSThe findings indicate that rodenticide treatment should be conducted in spring before the main reproductive season starts. The treatment effect was transient and lasted for about 3 months before immigration offset the initial reduction in population abundance. This indicates that immigration patterns should be considered by managing vole populations at an appropriate spatial scale and frequency to prevent rapid repopulation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of rhinoceros keratin using direct analysis in real time time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Price Erin R. , McClure Pamela J. , Jacobs Rachel L. , Espinoza Edgard O. 
Published: September 2018

RationaleTrade in rhinoceros horn is regulated or banned internationally in recognition of its impact on wild populations worldwide. Enforcement of the laws and regulations depends on successfully identifying when violations occur, which is complicated by the presence of alternative/imitation rhinoceros horn keratin (e.g., bovid horn keratin). In this study, we assess the potential for Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) ionization paired with Time‐Of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART‐TOFMS) to classify different keratin types from four taxonomic groups: rhinoceros, bovid, domestic horse, and pangolin.MethodsThe spectra of 156 keratin samples from all five rhinoceros species (horn keratin), eight genera of bovids (horn keratin), domestic horses (hoof keratin), and all extant species of pangolins (scale keratin) were collected. Fisher ratio analysis identified the most important ions that characterized each class and these ions were used for the training model, which consisted of 143 spectra. Kernel Discriminant Analysis (KDA) was used to classify the different groups.ResultsThe spectra collected for each taxonomic group are distinctive. The chemotypes demonstrate that the spectra of rhinoceros, bovids, and domestic horse are similar to each other, whereas the chemotypes of pangolins show a different chemical profile. The model built by KDA resolved each taxonomic group: 95% of samples were correctly assigned using leave‐one‐out cross validation. The 13 blind samples not used in model development were all correctly classified to taxonomic source.ConclusionsDART‐TOFMS appears to be a reliable approach for taxonomic identification of keratin. This analysis can be carried out with a small sliver of keratin, with minimal sample preparation, inexpensively and quickly, making it a potential valuable tool for identification of rhinoceros horn and other keratin types.
On the sliding mode control of MIMO nonlinear systems: An input‐output approach
Authors: Sira‐Ramírez H. , Aguilar‐Orduña M.A. , Zurita‐Bustamante E.W. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryWe address the sliding mode control design problem for output reference trajectory tracking problems in the special class of MIMO flat systems known as static feedback linearizable systems. We assume unavailable system state components but rely on available inputs and measurable flat outputs. Each controller will largely ignore state and control input couplings by adopting a standard sliding mode controller scheme derived from the SISO case and used this as decoupled input‐to‐flat‐output model. The standard controller arises from a vastly simplified pure integration, additively perturbed, system. The simplified pure integration system controlled trajectories are shown to be time‐scale homotopically equivalent to those of the nonlinear flat system. The basic sliding surface coordinate function design is approached from the perspective of structural integral reconstructors requiring only the inputs and the flat outputs of the system. Integral structural reconstructors were introduced by Fliess et al for the control of linear SISO and MIMO systems, giving rise to the generalized proportional integral control method. Simulations are presented for SISO and MIMO systems and experimental results are reported for a two‐degree‐of‐freedom fully actuated robotic manipulator.
Leader‐following consensus of general linear fractional‐order multiagent systems with input delay via event‐triggered control
Authors: Ye Yanyan , Su Housheng 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this paper, the event‐triggered leader‐following consensus problem of general linear fractional‐order multiagent systems subject to input delay on directed graph is investigated. A distributed event‐triggered control protocol with input delay is proposed firstly. By applying the properties of the Mittag‐Leffler function, the technique of inequality, and the matrix theory, some consensus criteria for the fractional‐order multiagent systems are obtained. It is shown that the dynamic leader can be tracked by the followers for any bounded delay, and the followers receive and update their control protocol at some discrete time instants. Some simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Toward a critical theory of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics doctoral persistence: Critical capital theory
Authors: Bancroft Senetta F. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe proportion of Black, Latinx, and American Native individuals annually earning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral degrees in the United States (US) has been enduringly and inequitably low for decades compared to their White peers. Despite the intransigent connection between race and STEM doctoral outcomes, US STEM education policy documents typically fail to identify racism as influencing this racial inequity. This paper presents critical capital theory (CCT)—an integration of critical race theory, forms of capital, and fictive kinship—to give racism full explanatory power within the context of US STEM doctoral outcomes. CCT proposes that access to large and affluent social networks containing supportive individuals who have knowledge of how to successfully navigate institutions of power is currently core to STEM doctoral success. This access reinforces STEM identity and belonging, but has been and continues to be primarily preserved for White students via an ever‐evolving system of racism. CCT proposes systems supporting STEM faculty’s consistent provision of high‐quality mentorship experiences for all their students—coupled with accountability for providing this mentorship—would result in more equitable STEM doctoral outcomes.
Poverty alleviation among persons with disabilities via United Nations' sustainable development goals in Ghana: Voices of stakeholders with disabilities
Authors: Opoku Maxwell P. , J‐F  , Swabey Karen , Pullen Darren , Dowden Tony 
Published: September 2018

AbstractConsistently, it has been reported that persons with disabilities face multiple challenges in societies and thus it is important that deliberate intervention programs are initiated to empower them to overcome exclusion. The United Nations has taken the lead through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) project, which is a framework for assisting countries and donors in their efforts to alleviate poverty. This article documented the experiences of persons with disabilities with respect to global efforts towards poverty reduction via SDGs. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 48 individuals with disabilities (hearing loss n = 11, visual impairment n = 15, and physical disability n = 22) who were drawn from four districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. Analysis of the interview data revealed common themes related to hardship, poverty, limited access to education, and underemployment. The results indicated that the SDG project engendered little tangible improvement in the lives of persons with disabilities. The need for concerted efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities is discussed extensively.
Boosting the Electrochemical Performance of Li–S Batteries with a Dual Polysulfides Confinement Strategy
Authors: Yao Yu , Feng Wanlin , Chen Minglong , Zhong Xiongwu , Wu Xiaojun , Zhang Haibin , Yu Yan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted more and more attention because they represent one of the most promising candidates to satisfy emerging energy storage demands. The biggest challenge regarding the application of the Li–S battery is to suppress the polysulfide shuttle while maintaining a high sulfur loading mass. Here, a dual polysulfide confinement strategy is designed by confinement of sulfur in polydopamine‐coated MXene nanosheets (denoted as S@Mxe@PDA) that performs as a high‐performance cathode for Li–S cells owing to their inherently high underlying metallic conductivity and chemical bonding and strong chemical adsorption to lithium polysulfides (LPs). This dual LPs confinement strategy is supported by the results of density functional theory calculations. It is demonstrated that the S@Mxe@PDA cathode exhibits outstanding electrochemical properties, including high reversible capacity (1044 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.2 C), superior rate capability (624 mAh g−1 at 6 C) and excellent cycling stability (556 mAh g−1 after 330 cycles at 0.5 C with 4.4 mg cm−2 sulfur loading). This work offers a facile and effective method for boosting Li–S batteries into practical applications.
Recent Developments in the Biosynthesis of Cu‐Based Recyclable Nanocatalysts Using Plant Extracts and their Application in the Chemical Reactions
Authors: Nasrollahzadeh Mahmoud , Ghorbannezhad Fatemeh , Issaabadi Zahra , Sajadi S. Mohammad 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCopper nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the most commercialized nanomaterials. From the standpoint of nanotechnology copper‐based nanostructured materials have many applications in biological process, folk medicine, electronics, and industrial fields. With growing concern regarding the energy crisis and problems of chemical and physical procedures to prepare the metal nanoparticles, efforts for alternative traditional chemistry attracted particular considerations. A widespread of researches have studied on biological methods which do not generate hazardous waste and therefore, don't need the purification processes. Plants could be remarkably valuable to exploring the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles. The aim of this review is to provide further insight in to connections between plant extracts and synthesis of copper NPs. The utilization of living plants for biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) is a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly procedure. To date, the obtained results demonstrated several aspects of the plant physiology and their relations to nanoparticle synthesis. This work describes the state of the art and future challenges in green synthesis of copper NPs. This review has proven recent elevation in the green synthesis of Cu NPs, CuO NPs, Cu2O NPs, CuS NPs, CuAl2O4 and immobilized copper nanoparticles on the numerous supports such as Natrolite, bentonite, perlite, ZnO, MgO, MnO2, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and Fe3O4 by a wide range of plant extracts. Therefore, detailed description of green synthesis and stabilizing agents concerning copper nanoparticles using these green sources is presented. Also, the catalytic activities of synthesized Cu‐based recyclable nanocatalysts using various plant extracts in several chemical reactions such as oxidation, reduction, hydration, cyanation, cycloaddition, and coupling reactions were consciously investigated.
Development of High Performance Heterogeneous Catalysts for Selective Cleavage of C−O and C−C Bonds of Biomass‐Derived Oxygenates
Authors: Mizugaki Tomoo , Kaneda Kiyotomi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe environmental impact of CO2 emissions via the use of fossil resources as chemical feedstock and fuels has stimulated research to utilize renewable biomass feedstock. The biogenic compounds such as polyols are highly oxygenated and their valorization requires the new methods to control the oxygen to carbon ratio of the chemicals. The catalytic cleavage of C−O bonds and C−C bonds is promising methods, but the conventional catalyst systems encounter the difficulty to obtain the high yields of the desired products. This review describes our recent development of the high performance heterogeneous catalysts for the valorization of the biogenic chemicals such as glycerol, furfural, and levulinic acid via selective cleavage of C−O bonds and C−C bonds in the liquid‐phase. Selective C−O bond cleavage by hydrogenolysis enables production of various diols useful as engineering plastics, antifreeze, and cosmetics in high yields. The success of the selective C−C bond scission of levulinic acid can be applied to a wide range of the biogenic oxygenates such as carboxylic acids, esters, lactones, and primary alcohols, in which the selective C−C bond scission at adjacent to the oxygen functional groups are achieved. Furthermore, valorization of glycerol by selective acetylation and acetalization, and of levulinic acid by hydrogenation is described. Our catalysts show excellent performance compared to the reported catalysts in the aforementioned valorization.
Nanoarchitectonic‐Based Material Platforms for Environmental and Bioprocessing Applications
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko , Jackman Joshua A. , Cho Nam‐Joon , Hsu Shan‐hui , Shrestha Lok Kumar , Mori Taizo , Takeya Jun 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe challenges of pollution, environmental science, and energy consumption have become global issues of broad societal importance. In order to address these challenges, novel functional systems and advanced materials are needed to achieve high efficiency, low emission, and environmentally friendly performance. A promising approach involves nanostructure‐level controls of functional material design through a novel concept, nanoarchitectonics. In this account article, we summarize nanoarchitectonic approaches to create nanoscale platform structures that are potentially useful for environmentally green and bioprocessing applications. The introduced platforms are roughly classified into (i) membrane platforms and (ii) nanostructured platforms. The examples are discussed together with the relevant chemical processes, environmental sensing, bio‐related interaction analyses, materials for environmental remediation, non‐precious metal catalysts, and facile separation for biomedical uses.
Impact of mining on human health in and around mines
Authors: Yadav Akhilesh Kumar , Jamal Aarif 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the structure of the systematic investigation of the environment of the Singrauli coal field of the Singrauli and Sonbhadra Districts, mining activities are among the primary pollutant‐producing sources of particulate matter. In this study, the age group found to receive the highest dose—and to be at highest risk for adverse health effects—was children at the age of 1 year. Furthermore, the inhalation dose and health risks are 1.4 times higher for actual mine workers when they are in the mine areas than for persons in non‐mining, areas. Furthermore, inhalation doses were observed to be higher in summer than in winter and the rainy season.