bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of low field NMR technique for analyzing segmental mobility of crosslinked polymers
Authors: Patel Jigneshkumar P. , Hsu Shaw Ling 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThis low field NMR study established the correlation between the degree of crosslinking in rigid model systems to the proton spin lattice relaxation time (T1) measured. For three model epoxy samples, our data have shown that as the number of crosslinks increases the T1 minima shift toward higher temperatures. In addition, the magnitude of the T1 minimum is also observed to shift to higher values as a function of crosslinks formed. These trends are consistent with the predictions of the Bloembergen, Purcell, and Pound analysis. For these highly crosslinked systems, it was necessary to incorporate the Fuoss Kirkwood distribution function for describing the coupled dynamics of the connected individual monomer units of each crosslink. By fitting the spin lattice relaxation data at different temperatures to the Fuoss Kirkwood modified BPP theory, the average activation energy for the molecular motion and the breadth of the relaxation spectrum were obtained. For these model systems, the increase in the activation energy to achieve mobility and the broadening of relaxation distribution have also been determined quantitatively. The results of this study provide the foundation for using T1 to analyze the crosslinking process of polymeric systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 639–642
Development and In vitro Anticancer Evaluation of Self‐Assembled Supramolecular pH Responsive Hydrogels of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Polyoxometalate
Authors: Azizullah  , Al‐Rashida Mariya , Haider Ali , Kortz Ulrich , Joshi Sachin A. , Iqbal Jamshed 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSelf‐assembled supramolecular pH‐responsive hydrogels of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and the trilacunary heteropolytungstate salt Na12[α‐P2W15O56].24H2O generating the free polyanion P2W15 in solution, have been synthesized via electrostatic interactions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as initiator for grafting poly (methacrylic acid) on polymer skeleton. The developed transparent hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis including thermogravimetric analyses and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) and the results confirmed the successful hydrogel formation. The dynamic swelling index and the controlled release pattern of the prepared hydrogels were evaluated at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The maximum swelling index and polyanion release were observed at pH 7.4. Different mathematical models including first order, zero order, Korsmeyer‐Peppas model and Higuchi model were applied and suggested that the release of encapsulated P2W15 follows the super case transport‐II mechanism and zero order kinetics. An evaluation of the anticancer activity and cytotoxicity profiling showed that both encapsulated P2W15 (hydrogel) and free P2W15 possessed a good, dose‐dependent anticancer activity against MCF‐7 and Hela cells, with only minimal cytotoxic effects on normal cells (Vero).
Recent Advances in Layered Ti3C2Tx MXene for Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Xiong Dongbin , Li Xifei , Bai Zhimin , Lu Shigang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTi3C2Tx, a typical representative among the emerging family of 2D layered transition metal carbides and/or nitrides referred to as MXenes, has exhibited multiple advantages including metallic conductivity, a plastic layer structure, small band gaps, and the hydrophilic nature of its functionalized surface. As a result, this 2D material is intensively investigated for application in the energy storage field. The composition, morphology and texture, surface chemistry, and structural configuration of Ti3C2Tx directly influence its electrochemical performance, e.g., the use of a well‐designed 2D Ti3C2Tx as a rechargeable battery anode has significantly enhanced battery performance by providing more chemically active interfaces, shortened ion‐diffusion lengths, and improved in‐plane carrier/charge‐transport kinetics. Some recent progresses of Ti3C2Tx MXene are achieved in energy storage. This Review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and electrochemical energy storage applications of Ti3C2Tx MXene including supercapacitors, lithium‐ion batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, and lithium–sulfur batteries. The current opportunities and future challenges of Ti3C2Tx MXene are addressed for energy‐storage devices. This Review seeks to provide a rational and in‐depth understanding of the relation between the electrochemical performance and the nanostructural/chemical composition of Ti3C2Tx, which will promote the further development of 2D MXenes in energy‐storage applications.
Green Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanotubes as Advanced Materials for High‐Efficient Energy Storage
Authors: Wang Jian‐Gan , Liu Hongzhen , Zhang Xingyuan , Li Xu , Liu Xingrui , Kang Feiyu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHierarchically porous carbon nanomaterials with well‐defined architecture can afford a promising platform for effectively addressing energy and environmental concerns. Herein, a totally green and straightforward synthesis strategy for the fabrication of hierarchically porous carbon nanotubes (HPCNTs) by a simple carbonization treatment without any assistance of soft/hard templates and activation procedures is demonstrated. A high specific surface area of 1419 m2 g−1 and hierarchical micro‐/meso‐/macroporosity can be achieved for the HPCNTs. The unique porous architecture enables the HPCNTs serving as excellent electrode/host materials for high‐performance supercapacitors and Li–sulfur batteries. The design strategy may pave a new avenue for the rational synthesis of hierarchically porous carbon nanostructures for high‐efficient energy storage applications.
Articulating the validity evidence for a science alternate assessment
Authors: Andersen Lori , Nash Brooke L. , Bechard Sue 
Published: February 2018

AbstractStudents with the most significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) are the 1% of the total student population who have a disability or multiple disabilities that significantly impact intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors and who require individualized instruction and substantial supports. Historically, these students have received little instruction in science and the science assessments they have participated in have not included age‐appropriate science content. Guided by a theory of action for a new assessment system, an eight‐state consortium developed multidimensional alternate content standards and alternate assessments in science for students in three grade bands (3–5, 6–8, 9–12) that are linked to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, ) and A Framework for K‐12 Science Education (Framework; National Research Council, ). The great variability within the population of students with SCD necessitates variability in the assessment content, which creates inherent challenges in establishing technical quality. To address this issue, a primary feature of this assessment system is the use of hypothetical cognitive models to provide a structure for variability in assessed content. System features and subsequent validity studies were guided by a theory of action that explains how the proposed claims about score interpretation and use depend on specific assumptions about the assessment, as well as precursors to the assessment. This paper describes evidence for the main claim that test scores represent what students know and can do. We present validity evidence for the assumptions about the assessment and its precursors, related to this main claim. The assessment was administered to over 21,000 students in eight states in 2015–2016. We present selected evidence from system components, procedural evidence, and validity studies. We evaluate the validity argument and demonstrate how it supports the claim about score interpretation and use.
Assembling Improv and Collaborative Story Building in Language Arts Class
Authors: Lenters Kimberly , Smith Cameron 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this article, the authors present a literacy research project in which humor, popular culture, and improvisational comedy (improv) are viewed as curricular resources to engage students' mindsandbodies in multimodal story building, following a posthuman assemblage theory approach to literacy learning. This approach takes students' learning beyond the skills of the six language arts strands to consider how affect, gesture, space, time, and improvisation work together in story writing. The authors invited improv artist Ben Cannon to work in collaboration with two fifth‐grade classroom teachers, their 50 students, and the research team to develop a children's comedy composing workshop. Over the course of two weeks, half‐day workshops employed improv techniques and related activities for composing comedic characters and collaborative comedic stories. In this article, the authors share some of the activities and what they learned about students' oral and written story‐building processes.
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim 
Published: February 2018

We begin February’s issue on p. 39, marking the 50th anniversary of a storm that caused serious damage in many northern and western parts of the British Isles. This storm has received relatively little attention in the scientific press and was hardly reported in national newspapers at the time. In ‘50 years on from the Great Glasgow Storm… What have we learned from powerful storms since then?’ Penny Tranter and the Editor of this journal describe the effects of the storm and the lessons we have learned from this and other similar storms, over the years.Many readers may remember the terrible droughts that caused serious famine in the monsoon zone of West Africa in the 1980s and Kwadwo Owusu’s paper on p. 46 ‘Rainfall changes in the savannah zone of northern Ghana 1961–2010’ shows how variable the rainfall was in this zone in the 50 years to 2010. Indeed, although serious drought has not been a main feature in recent years, rainfall remains below that seen in the 1960s and early 1970s.A recent UK storm features in the paper on p. 54. Warnings of poor weather can cause changes in behaviour, not least travel. In ‘Better by bus? Insights into public transport travel behaviour during Storm Doris in Reading, UK’ Hannah Budnitz, Lee Chapman and Emmanouil Tranos describe changes in travel patterns on 23 February 2017.Our final paper, on p. 60, looks at the change in temperature in recent years along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Kareem M. Tonbol, Tarek M. El‐Geziry and Mohamed Elbessa compare temperature changes over time and against both global and European temperatures in ‘Evaluation of changes and trends in air temperature within the Southern Levantine basin’..
Biochemical determinants of litter quality in 15 species of Sphagnum
Authors: Bengtsson Fia , Rydin Håkan , Hájek Tomáš 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background and aims

Sphagnum mosses are ecosystem engineers that create and maintain boreal peatlands. With unique biochemistry, waterlogging and acidifying capacities, they build up meters-thick layers of peat, reducing competition and impeding decomposition. We quantify within-genus differences in biochemical composition to make inferences about decay rates, related to hummock–hollow and fen–bog gradients and to phylogeny.

Methods
We sampled litter from 15 Sphagnum species, abundant over the whole northern hemisphere. We used regression and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to evaluate general relationships between litter quality parameters and decay rates measured under laboratory and field conditions.

Results
Both concentrations of the polysaccharide sphagnan and the soluble phenolics were positively correlated with intrinsic decay resistance, however, so were the previously understudied lignin-like phenolics. More resistant litter had more of all the important metabolites; consequently, PC1 scores were related to lab mass loss (R2 = 0.57). There was no such relationship with field mass loss, which is also affected by the environment. PCA also revealed that metabolites clearly group Sphagnum sections (subgenera).

Conclusions
We suggest that the commonly stated growth-decomposition trade-off is largely due to litter quality. We show a strong phylogenetic control on Sphagnum metabolites, but their effects on decay are affected by nutrient availability in the habitat.
Macronutrient manipulations of cheese resulted in lower energy content without compromising its satiating capacity
Authors: Hansen Thea Toft , Sjödin Anders , Ritz Christian , Bonnet Simon , Korndal Sanne Kellebjerg 
Published: February 2018

AbstractManipulation of food's macronutrient composition in order to reduce energy content without compromising satiating capacity may be helpful in body weight control. For cheeses, substituting fat with protein may provide such opportunity. We aimed at examining the acute effect of cheeses with different macronutrient compositions on accumulated energy intake and subjective appetite sensation. A total of thirty-nine normal-weight (average BMI 24·4 kg/m2) men and women completed the partly double-blind, randomised crossover study with high-protein/low-fat (HP/LF, 696 kJ), high-protein/high-fat (HP/HF, 976 kJ) and low-protein/high-fat (LP/HF, 771 kJ) cheeses. After overnight fasting, 80 g cheese were served with 70 g bread, 132 g juice and 125 g coffee/tea/water. Ad libitum spaghetti bolognaise was served after 3 h and energy intake assessed. Subjective appetite ratings were assessed using visual analogue scales. Composite appetite scores were calculated and evaluated relatively to energy intake. Total accumulated energy intake was 188·3 (se 97·4) kJ lower when consuming the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF (P ≤ 0·05), but, compared with the LP/HF cheese, the difference was not significant (177·0 (se 100·4) kJ lower; P = 0·08). In relation to energy intake, the composite appetite score was lower when consuming the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF (P = 0·003) and the LP/HF (P = 0·007) cheeses. Thereby, no compensatory eating following consumption of the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF cheese was found. The HP/LF cheese resulted in an increased feeling of satiety in relation to its lower energy content compared with both HP/HF and LP/HF cheeses.
Millennials and Race in the 2016 Election
Authors: Medenica Vladimir Enrique 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn addition to being the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, millennials comprised an equal number of the voting-eligible population as baby boomers in 2016 and are projected to become the largest share of the American voting-eligible population by 2018. Drawing from several distinct datasets, this study explores three primary topics: (1) examining how race influenced the vote choice of millennials in the 2016 presidential election; (2) comparing partisanship and vote choice among white millennials to older whites; and (3) identifying differences between white millennials who voted in 2016 to those who did not cast a ballot. The study finds that young whites are the outlier category of their age group; being white is associated with a higher probability of voting for Donald Trump, even when accounting for the effects of racial resentment, partisanship, ideology, and other factors. While white millennials appear conservative relative to their peers of color, however, the preferences of young whites are more Democratic than older whites. Non-voting white millennials are more likely than their voting counterparts to identify as independents and ideological moderates, making them a political swing bloc as white millennials age. While political observers are quick to point to the liberal-leaning preferences of young people as a whole, disaggregating the 18–30 age group by race as this study suggests that the Democratic preferences displayed by millennials in the aggregate are largely driven by the cohort's racial and ethnic diversity.
Identification and tissue expression profiling of candidate UDP-glycosyltransferase genes expressed in Holotrichia parallela motschulsky antennae
Authors: Wang S. , Liu Y. , Zhou J.-J. , Yi J.-K. , Pan Y. , Wang J. , Zhang X.-X. , Wang J.-X. , Yang S. , Xi J.-H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIt is difficult to control Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky with chemical insecticides due to the larvae's soil-living habit, thus the pest has caused great economic losses in agriculture. In addition, uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze the glycosylation process of a variety of small lipophilic molecules with sugars to produce water-soluble glycosides, and play multiple roles in detoxification, endobiotic modulation, and sequestration in an insect. Some UGTs were found specifically expressed in antennae of Drosophila melanogaster and Spodoptera littoralis, and glucurono-conjugated odorants could not elicit any olfactory signals, suggesting that the UGTs may play roles in odorant inactivation by biotransformation. In the current study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the candidate UGT family in the dark black chafer, H. parallela. Based on a UGT gene signature and the similarity of these genes to UGT homologs from other organisms, 20 putative H. parallela UGT genes were identified. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict sequence and structural features of H. parallela UGT proteins, and revealed important domains and residues involved in sugar donor binding and catalysis by comparison with human UGT2B7. Phylogenetic analysis of these 20 UGT protein sequences revealed eight major groups, including both order-specific and conserved groups, which are common to more than one order. Of these 20 UGT genes, HparUGT1265-1, HparUGT3119, and HparUGT8312 were highly (>100-fold change) expressed in antennae, suggesting a possible role in olfactory tissue, and most likely in odorant inactivation and olfactory processing. The remaining UGT genes were expressed in all tissues (head, thorax, abdomen, leg, and wing), indicating that these UGTs likely have different biological functions. This study provides the fundamental basis for determining the function of UGTs in a highly specialized olfactory organ, the H. parallela antenna.
The intestinal protist Blastocystis is not a common member of the healthy infant gut microbiota in a Westernized country (Ireland)
Authors: Scanlan P. D. , Hill C. J. , Ross R. P. , Ryan C. A. , Stanton C. , Cotter P. D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractResearch into the gut microbiota of human infants is necessary in order to better understand how inter-species interactions and ecological succession shape the diversity of the gut microbiota, and in turn, how the specific composition of the gut microbiota impacts on host health both during infancy and in later years. Blastocystis is a ubiquitous intestinal protist that has been linked to a number of intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. However, emerging data show that asymptomatic carriage is common and that Blastocystis is prevalent in the healthy adult gut microbiota. Nonetheless, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of this microorganism in the healthy infant gut, including when and how individuals become colonized by Blastocystis. Here, we surveyed the prevalence and diversity of Blastocystis in an infant population (n = 59) from an industrialized country (Ireland) using Blastocystis-specific primers at three or more time-points up to 24 months old. Only three infants were positive for Blastocystis (prevalence = 5%) and this was only noted for samples collected at month 24. This rate is comparatively low relative to previously reported prevalence rates in the contemporaneous adult population. These data suggest that infants in Westernized countries that are successfully colonized by Blastocystis most likely acquire this microorganism via horizontal transfer.
Trypanosoma cruzi: death phenotypes induced by ortho-naphthoquinone substrates of the aldo-keto reductase (TcAKR). Role of this enzyme in the mechanism of action of β-lapachone
Authors: Garavaglia Patricia Andrea , Rubio María Fernanda , Laverrière Marc , Tasso Laura Mónica , Fichera Laura Edith , Cannata Joaquín J B , García Gabriela Andrea 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSeveral ortho-naphthoquinones (o-NQs) have trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. Previously, we demonstrated that the aldo-keto reductase from this parasite (TcAKR) reduces o-NQs, such as β-lapachone (β-Lap) and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ), with concomitant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Recent characterization of TcAKR activity and expression in two T. cruzi strains, CL Brener and Nicaragua, showed that TcAKR expression is 2.2-fold higher in CL Brener than in Nicaragua. Here, we studied the trypanocidal effect and induction of several death phenotypes by β-Lap and 9,10-PQ in epimastigotes of these two strains. The CL Brener strain was more resistant to both o-NQs than Nicaragua, indicating that greater TcAKR activity is unlikely to be a major influence on o-NQ toxicity. Evaluation of changes in ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential, phosphatidylserine exposure and monodansylcadaverine labelling evidenced that β-Lap and 9,10-PQ induce different death phenotypes depending on the combination of drug and T. cruzi strain analysed. To study whether TcAKR participates in o-NQ activation in intact parasites, β-Lap and 9,10-PQ trypanocidal effect was next evaluated in TcAKR-overexpressing parasites. Only β-Lap was more effective and induced greater ROS production in TcAKR-overexpressing epimastigotes than in controls, suggesting that TcAKR may participate in β-Lap activation.
Could diet composition modulate pathological outcomes in schistosomiasis mansoni? A systematic review of in vivo preclinical evidence
Authors: Marques Débora Vasconcelos Bastos , Felizardo Amanda Aparecida , Souza Raquel Lopes Martins , Pereira Alessandro Antônio Costa , Gonçalves Reggiani Vilela , Novaes Rômulo Dias 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSchistosomiasis and malnutrition are often overlapped in poor communities, resulting in disproportionately high mortality rates. Currently, fragmented data make it difficult to define the relationship between diet and schistosomiasis. Thus, we systematically review the preclinical evidence on the impact of diet in Schistosoma mansoni infection. From a structured search, we recovered 27 original articles. All studies used mice and most of them investigated hypoproteic (70.37%), hyperlipidic (22.22%) or vitamin-deficient (7.41%) diets. Diets based on carbohydrate, zinc or milk supplementation were investigated at a reduced frequency (3.70% each). Hypoproteic diets attenuated parasitic load and granulomatous inflammation, but also reduced host resistance to S. mansoni infection, determining higher mortality rates. By stimulating steatohepatitis, parasitic load and granulomatous inflammation, hyperlipidic diets increase organ damage and mortality in infected animals. Although a high-sugar diet and vitamin restriction potentiate and zinc supplementation attenuates S. mansoni infection, the current evidence for these diets remains inconclusive. Analysis of methodological quality indicated that the current evidence is at high risk of bias due to incomplete characterization of the experimental design, diet composition and treatment protocols. From the bias analysis, we report methodological limitations that should be considered to avoid systematic reproduction of inconsistent and poorly reproducible experimental designs.