bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Various Phosphine Additives in Zeolite Based Catalytic Isomerization of Oleic Acid
Authors: Sarker Majher I. , Moreau Robert A. , Ngo Helen 
Published: April 2018

Isostearic acids (ISA) are important bio‐based ingredients for many commercial products such as lubricants, detergents, and cosmetics. This study is targeted to compare the efficacy of various phosphine derivatives in neutralizing the external acidic surface of zeolite which is responsible for the unwanted oligomerization during zeolite based skeletal isomerization reaction producing dimer as byproducts. Sixteen phosphine derivatives were individually evaluated with heat activated ammonium (NH4+) cationic ferrierite zeolite to produce iso‐oleic acid from oleic acid which was converted to ISA through the hydrogenation process. In comparison, eight newly tested phosphine additives were found more effective than the previously reported phosphines (TPP, TPTP) to increase the product yield of iso‐oleic acid, ultimately ISA, either by suppressing the byproducts or accelerating the reaction rate as a whole. The performance depends on the electron donating capacity of central phosphorus atom of phosphine derivative attracting proton from the external surface of zeolite. This phenomenon is resulted from the combination of electronic effects and structural hindrances posed by the different substituents attached to the phosphine derivatives.The effectiveness of sixteen Lewis base phosphine additives were tested in neutralizing the external acidic surface of zeolite. The neutral outer surface of zeolite is ideal for suppressing dimer formation and thus producing the iso‐oleic acid (precursor of isostearic acid) in high yield through Lewis base‐zeolite combination skeletal isomerization reaction.
Gene transfer of a naked plasmid (pUDK‐HGF) encoding human hepatocyte growth factor attenuates skin/muscle incision and retraction‐induced chronic post‐surgical pain in rats
Authors: Hu C. , Lu Y. , Chen X. , Wu Z. , Zhang Q. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundChronic post‐surgical pain (CPSP) remains a major clinical problem and is often refractory to current treatments. New analgesic medications and strategies for pain relief are needed. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is known to be a multi‐functional growth factor and regulates various biological activities.MethodsWe investigated the analgesic effect and underlying mechanism of plasmid pUDK‐HGF encoding human HGF gene on CPSP induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) in rats. The possible changes of inflammatory factors, glial cell activation and pain sensitivity after pUDK‐HGF administration were investigated by ELISA, western blot and Von Frey tests, respectively.ResultsIn behavioural assays, we found that a single intramuscular or intrathecal injection of pUDK‐HGF significantly attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity to von Frey stimulation of plantar ipsilateral hind paw after SMIR. Intramuscular injection of pUDK‐HGF promoted blood flow and proliferation of satellite cells and inhibited inflammatory cells recruitment, collagen accumulation and expression of pronociceptive factors. Intrathecal injection of pUDK‐HGF inhibited activation of spinal glial cells and production of inflammatory mediators induced by SMIR.ConclusionspUDK‐HGF has a strong analgesic potency and efficacy in CPSP induced by SMIR in rats. This study highlights a new strategy for the treatment of CPSP.SignificanceThe CPSP occurs following various surgical procedures and remains a major clinical problem due to the lack of study on the mechanisms of CPSP. Our findings provide the first evidence that pUDK‐HGF attenuates SMIR‐induced pain behaviuors through peripheral or central mechanisms. The peripheral analgesic effect of pUDK‐HGF is associated with promoting tissue repair and inhibiting inflammatory response; furthermore, pUDK‐HGF inhibits activation of spinal glial cells and overexpression of inflammatory mediators in spinal cord. Therefore, naked pUDK‐HGF may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of CPSP in clinic.
Electrochemistry in and of the Fly Brain
Authors: Majdi Soodabeh , Larsson Anna , Hoang Philipsen Mai , Ewing Andrew G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStudying brain function and neuronal communication has been always crucial due to the complexity of these systems. A great deal of technology and model systems have been developed to study this subject. Yet, very small invertebrate systems such as the fruit fly, Drosophila are excellent models and often have better defined and more easily manipulated genetics. This review focuses on in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro measurements of biogenic amines by electrochemical techniques on the fly nervous system. The methods include capillary electrophoresis, fast scan cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry have been used to study both larval and adult central nervous systems. Better understanding of brain function in model systems should aid in finding solutions to biological and bioanalytical challenges related to human brain function and also neurodegenerative disease.
Gold Nanoparticle‐labeled Electrochemical Immunoassay Using Open Circuit Potential for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Detection
Authors: Charoenkitamorn Kanokwan , Trong Tue Phan , Chikae Miyuki , Chailapakul Orawon , Takamura Yuzuru 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study presents a new approach for an electrochemical immunoassay using gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐labeled antibodies and pre‐oxidation and reduction processes, followed by open circuit potential (OCP) measurement. Detection of the pregnancy marker, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), was used as a model. After preparation of a sandwich‐type immunosystem, the pre‐oxidation and reduction processes were applied, followed by OCP detection. The applied potential and time period were studied for the optimization of pre‐oxidation and reduction processes. We observed that the pre‐oxidation potential of 1.2 V for 60 s and reduction potential of −0.2 V for 30 s provided the highest OCP signal. The detection limit was 79 pg/mL using the optimal conditions. This system could be applied to a simplified and miniaturized diagnostic system for integration in compact analytical devices.
MnO2‐TiO2 Nanocomposite and 2‐(3,4‐Dihydroxyphenethyl) Isoindoline‐1,3‐Dione as an Electrochemical Platform for the Concurrent Determination of Cysteine, Tryptophan and Uric Acid
Authors: Bananezhad Asma , Karimi‐Maleh Hassan , Ganjali Mohammad R. , Norouzi Parviz 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA novel modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) based on an MnO2‐TiO2 nanocomposite and 2‐(3,4 dihydroxyphenethyl) isoindoline‐1,3‐dione (DPID) as the modifier for the simultaneous analysis of cysteine (Cys), tryptophan (Trp) and uric acid (UA), as three key biochemicals present in human body. The MnO2/TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesized through a chemical co‐precipitation approach and the resulting electrode (MnO2‐TiO2/DPID/CPE) was used for studying the electrochemical oxidation of cysteine (Cys), tryptophan (Trp) and uric acid. As opposed to conventional CPEs, the oxidation peak potential of cysteine on MnO2‐TiO2/DPID/CPE had a 600.0 mV decrease in overpotential and could be observed at 30.0 mV, and the signals were linear from 0.025 to 200.0 μM, and a lower detection limit of 0.013 μM was reached. The MnO2‐TiO2/DPID/CPE was satisfactorily used for the concurrent analysis of Cys, Trp and UA in pharmaceutical and biological samples.
Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Graphene as a High Performance Sensor for Determination of Trace Hydrazine Levels in Water
Authors: Amin Hatem M. A. , El‐Kady Maher F. , Atta Nada F. , Galal Ahmed 
Published: April 2018

AbstractElectrochemical sensors provide a selective, sensitive and an easy approach to detect hazardous substances such as hydrazine. Herein, we investigate a facile route for the fabrication of a nanostructured composite based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated graphene and present its sensing performance towards hydrazine. Our strategy involves electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of graphene oxide (GO) on Au substrate to obtain a uniform layer EPD‐GO, followed by electrochemical reduction of GO to yield high quality graphene ERGO and electrodeposition of monodispersed AuNPs on ERGO (AuNPs/ERGO/Au). The modified AuNPs/ERGO/Au electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) techniques. The sensor exhibited an improved catalytic activity with a peak potential of +87 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) for hydrazine oxidation. The high performance of this hybrid electrode is due to the presence of a synergistic effect between AuNPs and ERGO at their interface. Insights into the mechanism and kinetics of hydrazine oxidation are withdrawn from varying the voltage scan rate as the reaction is fully irreversible and diffusion‐controlled. The proposed hydrazine sensor showed suitability for nanomolar detection (detection limit of 74 nM), high selectivity in the presence of common ions and efficiency for application in water samples.
Predicting crypto‐currencies using sparse non‐Gaussian state space models
Authors: Hotz‐Behofsits Christian , Huber Florian , Zörner Thomas Otto 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this paper we forecast daily returns of crypto‐currencies using a wide variety of different econometric models. To capture salient features commonly observed in financial time series like rapid changes in the conditional variance, non‐normality of the measurement errors and sharply increasing trends, we develop a time‐varying parameter VAR witht‐distributed measurement errors and stochastic volatility. To control for overparametrization, we rely on the Bayesian literature on shrinkage priors, which enables us to shrink coefficients associated with irrelevant predictors and/or perform model specification in a flexible manner. Using around one year of daily data, we perform a real‐time forecasting exercise and investigate whether any of the proposed models is able to outperform the naive random walk benchmark. To assess the economic relevance of the forecasting gains produced by the proposed models we, moreover, run a simple trading exercise.
Tribological analysis of the TBM tool wear in soil from the view of material science
Authors: Küpferle Jakob , Röttger Arne , Theisen Werner , Alber Michael 
Published: April 2018

AbstractExcessive wear to excavation tools leads to unplanned downtime, which results in additional costs. To predict tool wear during the planning phase of a project, an analysis of the acting tribological system is essential. The different influential factors and interactions have to be considered. The abrasive surface degradation of tools is investigated on a microstructural scale with nano‐scratch experiments. Material‐dependent variables like hard phase content and size are discussed in terms of the resulting wear‐resistance. Using the RUB Tunnelling Device, abrasive surface degradation can be investigated on a more global scale and correlated with the acting tribological system, and the different tribological system components and influential factors can be considered.
Lagerungsdichte von nichtbindigen Böden aus Ramm‐ und Drucksondierungen
Authors: Vrettos Christos , Papamichael Salomi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDer Einsatz von Rammsonden zur Abschätzung der Lagerungsdichte von nichtbindigen Böden ist in Deutschland sehr verbreitet. Die zugehörigen empirischen Korrelationen aus der inzwischen zurückgezogenen DIN 4094‐3 wurden teils in die DIN EN 1997‐2 und teils in die DIN 4094‐2 übernommen. Die Abhängigkeit der Schlagzahl von der Tiefe und somit vom Spannungsniveau wird dabei nicht explizit berücksichtigt und es wird lediglich zwischen Situationen über und im Grundwasser unterschieden. Der Einfluss des Überlagerungsdrucks wird auch bei den Drucksondierungen nicht berücksichtigt. Bedingt durch die verfeinerte Instrumentierung und die damit verbundene Möglichkeit einer differenzierteren Charakterisierung des Baugrunds gewinnen Drucksondierungen zunehmend an Bedeutung, so dass für diesen Sondierungstyp der Fundus von Korrelationen in der internationalen Fachliteratur groß ist. Im Rahmen einer Vergleichsuntersuchung werden die Anwendungsgrenzen und die Zuverlässigkeit der in den Regelwerken vorgeschlagenen empirischen Beziehungen kritisch bewertet und durch neue Ansätze erweitert. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf Korrelationen zwischen den Ergebnissen der beiden Sondierungstypen gelegt.
Fluid inclusion and isotope characteristics of the Xishanwanyangchang silver polymetallic deposit, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Kang Ming , Yuan Ye , Yue Changcheng , Gao Chao 
Published: April 2018

The Xishanwanyangchang silver polymetallic deposit is located in Inner Mongolia. The upper part is a silver orebody, and the lower part is a lead–zinc orebody. The Xishanwanyangchang deposit is related to Mesozoic volcanic hydrothermal activity, and the hydrothermal ore‐forming process of the deposit includes 3 stages, that is, the early, middle, and late stages. The early lead–zinc mineralization stage is marked by quartz–pyrite–galena–sphalerite, with salinities of 0.88 to 13.94 wt% NaCl equivalent and homogenization temperatures of greater than 330°C. Fluid inclusions are mainly composed of gas–liquid two‐phase aqueous solutions, characterized by high‐temperature and low‐salinity fluid. The middle mineralization stage is marked by quartz‐polymetallic sulphide minerals, with salinities of 0.35 to 31.90 wt% NaCl equivalent and homogenization temperatures of 250°C to 330°C. Inclusions are characterized by coexistence of low‐salinity aqueous inclusions and high‐salinity multiphase inclusions containing daughter minerals. The late mineralization stage is marked by quartz–carbonate, with salinities of 0.71 to 32.66 wt% NaCl equivalent and homogenization temperatures of 169°C to 250°C. Inclusions are characterized by coexistence of low‐salinity aqueous solution inclusions and high‐salinity inclusions, containing halite daughter minerals. The δ34S values of sulphides range from 4.0‰ to 6.1‰, and the 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204 ratios range from 16.641 to 16.798, 15.366 to 15.590, and 36.972 to 37.696, respectively, showing that ore‐forming materials were mainly from deep‐source magmas, and fluid mixing may be the main ore‐forming mechanism. The deposit formed through mixing of metal‐bearing high‐salinity fluid and cold groundwater at the ore precipitation site, followed by precipitation and enrichment of metals.
Spatial interrelationship of landslides, litho‐tectonics, and climate regime, Satluj valley, Northwest Himalaya
Authors: Kumar Vipin , Gupta Vikram , Sundriyal Y.P. 
Published: April 2018

Landslides have been considered widely as principal mass wasting agents in the valleys experiencing varied influence of tectonics and climate. However, pattern of landslides is rarely addressed in the literature that may act as a surface manifestation of interrelationship of tectonics, climate, and lithology. Here, we have attempted to understand such interrelationship in the context of landslide distribution pattern in the Satluj valley, Northwest Himalaya. Geomorphic indices such as steepness index, valley floor width to valley height ratio, and topographic swath profile were used for tectonic inference. Daily rainfall data of the year 2000–2016, using 5 rain‐gauge stations and swath profile of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, were used to deduce spatial variability of climate. Influence of lithological variability and regional faults; Sangla Detachment, Main Central Thrust, and Munsiari Thrust on the landslide distribution are also inferred. A total of 55 landslides (20 rock avalanche, 19 debris slides, and 16 rockfalls) are found to exist in 6 clusters along 130 km stretch of the Satluj valley. These landslides, covering a total area (A) and volume (V) of 1.05 × 107 m2 and 4.4 × 107 m3, respectively, are also noted to follow a power law (R2 = 0.8) and result in a scaling relationship of V = (0.180)A1.208.
Detrital zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes study of the Lower Carboniferous Anjihai Formation from the northern margin of the Yili Block, NW China
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhang Jinjiang , Pei Xianzhi , Zhang Bo , Chen Youxin , Xiao Zhibin , Zheng Yanrong 
Published: April 2018

The North Tianshan Accretionary Complex represents a Late Palaeozoic suture between the Junggar Terrane and the Yili Block. We report detrital zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotope results for a sandstone from the Lower Carboniferous Anjihai Formation in the northern margin of the Yili Block, to reveal the geochronological framework of the northern Yili Block, and discuss the subduction process of the North Tianshan Ocean (NTO). The detrital zircon ages were divided into 2 clusters, namely, the Precambrian and Palaeozoic ones. The Palaeozoic age group can be further divided into 3 subgroups, that is, 472–461 Ma, 448–423 Ma, and 406–335 Ma, with peaks at 465, 436, and 346 Ma, respectively. All the Palaeozoic zircons have oscillatory zoning textures and high Th/U ratios, showing an igneous provenance. The zircon Ti‐temperatures are between 584 and 809 °C, suggesting that their source rocks were I‐ or S‐type granitic rocks. In addition, most of the Palaeozoic zircons have positive εHf(t) values, indicating that the source rocks of the Palaeozoic zircons are derived from not only Mesoproterozoic continental crust but also involved depleted mantle components, which matched well with the Hf isotopic signatures of magmatic rocks from the northern Yili Block. Based on the regional geology, these zircons were thought to be sourced from magmatic rocks that were related to the subduction of the NTO. Taking into consideration the Middle–Late Ordovician arc‐type granitoids in the Wenquan area, we conclude that the northern margin of the Yili Block was a unified active continental margin in the Palaeozoic, and the subduction of the NTO started at least from the Middle Ordovician.
Neuroplasticity and network connectivity of the motor cortex following stroke: A transcranial direct current stimulation study
Authors: Hordacre Brenton , Moezzi Bahar , Ridding Michael C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that has potential for clinical utility in neurorehabilitation. However, recent evidence indicates that the responses to tDCS are highly variable. This study investigated whether electroencephalographic (EEG) measures of functional connectivity of the target network were associated with the response to ipsilesional anodal tDCS in stroke survivors. Ten chronic stroke patients attended two experimental sessions in a randomized cross‐over trial and received anodal or sham tDCS. Single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to quantify change in corticospinal excitability following tDCS. At the beginning of each session, functional connectivity was estimated using the debiased‐weighted phase lag index from EEG recordings at rest. Magnetic resonance imaging identified lesion location and lesion volume. Partial least squares regression identified models of connectivity which maximally accounted for variance in anodal tDCS responses. Stronger connectivity of a network with a seed approximating the stimulated ipsilesional motor cortex, and clusters of electrodes approximating the ipsilesional parietal cortex and contralesional frontotemporal cortex in the alpha band (8–13 Hz) was strongly associated with a greater increase of corticospinal excitability following anodal tDCS. This association was not observed following sham stimulation. Addition of a structural measure(s) of injury (lesion volume) provided an improved model fit for connectivity between the seed electrode and ipsilesional parietal cortex, but not the contralesional frontotemporal cortex. TDCS has potential to greatly assist stroke rehabilitation and functional connectivity appears a robust and specific biomarker of response which may assist clinical translation of this therapy.
Gold‐Catalyzed Migration of Propargyl Acetate as an Entry into the Total Synthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Mouriès‐Mansuy Virginie , Fensterbank Louis 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGold catalysis has emerged over the last two decades as a protocole of choice for the efficient and selective activation of a variety of organic functional groups. This has served to the total synthesis of natural products at several occasions. In this context, the gold‐catalyzed migration (1,2‐ or 1,3‐) of propargyl acetates has been particularly used. This review highlights these different synthetic developments which are presented according to the involved mechanisms.
A randomized trial of adjunct testosterone for cancer‐related muscle loss in men and women
Authors: Wright Traver J. , Dillon E. Lichar , Durham William J. , Chamberlain Albert , Randolph Kathleen M. , Danesi Christopher , Horstman Astrid M. , Gilkison Charles R. , Willis Maurice , Richardson Gwyn , Hatch Sandra S. , Jupiter Daniel C. , McCammon Susan , Urban Randall J. , Sheffield‐Moore Melinda 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundCancer cachexia negatively impacts cancer‐related treatment options, quality of life, morbidity, and mortality, yet no established therapies exist. We investigated the anabolic properties of testosterone to limit the loss of body mass in late stage cancer patients undergoing standard of care cancer treatment.MethodsA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase II clinical trial was undertaken to assess the potential therapeutic role of adjunct testosterone to limit loss of body mass in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix or head and neck undergoing standard of care treatment including chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Patients were randomly assigned in blocks to receive weekly injections of either 100 mg testosterone enanthate or placebo for 7 weeks. The primary outcome was per cent change in lean body mass, and secondary outcomes included assessment of quality of life, tests of physical performance, muscle strength, daily activity levels, resting energy expenditure, nutritional intake, and overall survival.ResultsA total of 28 patients were enrolled, 22 patients were studied to completion, and 21 patients were included in the final analysis (12 placebo, nine testosterone). Adjunct testosterone increased lean body mass by 3.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0–7%) whereas those receiving placebo lost 3.3% (95% CI, −7% to 1%, P = 0.015). Although testosterone patients maintained more favourable body condition, sustained daily activity levels, and showed meaningful improvements in quality of life and physical performance, overall survival was similar in both treatment groups.ConclusionsIn patients with advanced cancer undergoing the early phase of standard of care therapy, adjunct testosterone improved lean body mass and was also associated with increased quality of life, and physical activity compared with placebo.