bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface‐enhanced micro‐CARS mapping of a nanostructured cerium dioxide/aluminum film surface with gold nanoparticle‐bound organic molecules
Authors: Fabelinsky Viktor I. , Kozlov Dimitrii N. , Orlov Sergey N. , Polivanov Yury N. , Shcherbakov Ivan A. , Smirnov Valery V. , Vereschagin Konstantin A. , Arzumanyan Grigory M. , Mamatkulov Kahramon Z. , Afanasiev Konstantin N. , Lagarkov Andrey N. , Ryzhikov Ilya A. , Sarychev Andrey K. , Budashov Igor A. , Nechaeva Natalia L. , Kurochkin Ilya N. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHighly contrast epi‐surface‐enhanced coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (SECARS) microimages of Au‐nanoparticle‐bound organic reporter molecule distributions at a surface of novel surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐active metamaterial junctions, based on nanoparticles spread over a nanostructured CeO2 faceted dielectric film, deposited on an Al sublayer, were recorded at two‐color picosecond excitation of the surface in the near‐infrared spectral range. For this, a scanning confocal laser‐based micro‐CARS spectrometer was employed. The investigations showed that at Raman resonant laser excitation of the molecules/Au‐NP conjugates immobilized on the surface strong SECARS signals can be generated with laser powers not deteriorating the conjugates. Coupling CARS with the plasmonic metamaterial structures under investigation provided excellent chemical imaging contrast (up to 400) for biochemically relevant 5‐thio(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) and 4‐mercaptophenylboronic acid reporter molecules. Taking into account easy handling and utmost long‐term stability of the investigated metamaterial junction at ambient conditions, it might be considered as a promising perspective for a single‐molecule‐sensitivity surface‐enhanced Raman scattering or SECARS biosensor.
Current methods for mycotoxins analysis and innovative strategies for their reduction in cereals: an overview
Authors: Shanakhat Hina , Sorrentino Angela , Raiola Assunta , Romano Annalisa , Masi Paolo , Cavella Silvana 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by moulds in food that are considered a substantial issue in the context of food safety, due to their acute and chronic toxic effects on animals and humans. Therefore, new accurate methods for their identification and quantification are constantly developed in order to increase the performance of extraction, improve the accuracy of identification and reduce the limit of detection. At the same time, several industrial practices have shown the ability to reduce the level of mycotoxin contamination in food. In particular, a decrease in the amount of mycotoxins could result from standard processes naturally used for food processing or by procedures strategically introduced during processing, with the specific aim of reducing the amount of mycotoxins. In this review, the current methods adopted for accurate analyses of mycotoxins in cereals (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins) are discussed. In addition, both conventional and innovative strategies adopted to obtain safer finished products from common cereals intended for human consumption will be explored and analysed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Safety, tolerability, and efficacy evaluation of the SlimME device for circumference reduction
Authors: Ferrando Giovanni 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the short‐ and long‐term thermal impact of subclinical and clinical regimens of a single, non‐invasive uniform ultrasound treatment session on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).Study DesignProspective, open‐label, single‐arm, split‐side study.MethodsPatients (n = 17) were subjected to uniform ultrasound treatment, delivered in a single session with the SlimME device. The device was set to one of four treatment regimens, which differed in their durations and energy fluences during the raise and maintenance phases. Up to six abdominal regions were treated, with six patients receiving a different treatment on each side of the abdomen. Safety was assessed by measuring skin surface temperature, evaluating expected skin responses immediately and 30 min after treatment and via patient ratings of pain and discomfort. Efficacy of raising and then maintaining SAT temperatures at 48°C, was determined by routinely measuring SAT temperatures during the treatment session and by histological analysis of samples collected 7 (n = 13) or 90 (n = 4) days after treatment.ResultsTrace to mild erythema was observed in up to 48% of the treated zones, which, in most cases, resolved within 30 minutes. No significant rise in mean skin surface temperature (≤26.5°C) was recorded following any of the four tested regimens. Overall, patients reported tolerability to treatment, with the highest mean pain score registered for the moderate and high intensity regimens (4.4 ± 1.5 and 4.9 ± 1.4, respectively). Mean SAT temperatures did not exceed 48.4 ± 2.5°C and were effectively maintained throughout the maintenance phase of the treatment session. Low‐energy fluence led to localized fat coagulative necrotic lesions, surrounded by subacute rim of inflammation, while high‐energy fluence induced fat coagulative necrosis alongside granulomatous panniculitis, which resolved within 90 days.ConclusionThe tested uniform ultrasound regimens elicited SAT temperature elevations, with a subsequent energy‐dependent increase in degree of fat necrosis. At the same time, the unique design spared the surrounding tissue from thermal damage and was associated with minimal discomfort. Taken together, the SlimME device constitutes an effective tool for destruction of stubborn hypodermal fat deposits. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:745–754, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Water Soluble Antioxidant Dextran–Quercetin Conjugate with Potential Anticancer Properties
Authors: Oliver Susan , Yee Eugene , Kavallaris Maria , Vittorio Orazio , Boyer Cyrille 
Published: February 2018

AbstractQuercetin, a naturally occurring potent antioxidant, is limited in therapeutic use, owing to its poor water solubility and stability. Herein, a method of conjugating quercetin to an aldehyde functionalized dextran via an HCl catalyzed condensation reaction to yield a water soluble quercetin functionalized polymer is reported. The prepared conjugate is characterized by 1H and 1H‐13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) NMR, which demonstrate that conjugation occurs via both the A‐ and B‐rings of quercetin. The degree of quercetin functionalization can be tuned by varying the reaction temperature and/or the concentration of the HCl catalyst. However, as temperatures and HCl concentrations are increased above 40 °C and 2 m, respectively, the increase in functionalization is accompanied by an increase in the oxidation of the conjugated quercetin and a decrease in polymer yield. The prepared conjugate is shown to have improved stability compared with native quercetin while maintaining substantial free‐radical scavenging activity. Anticancer activity is evaluated in vitro in a neuroblastoma cell line. The dextran–aldehyde–quercetin conjugate prepared at 40 °C and 2 m HCl is shown to be cytotoxic to neuroblastoma cells (SH‐SY5Y–IC50 = 123 µg mL−1 and BE(2)‐C–IC50 = 380 µg mL−1) but shows no activity against nonmalignant MRC‐5 cells at concentrations up to 400 µg mL−1.
Thermoresponsive Microspheres as Smart Pore Plugs: Self‐Venting Clothing Membranes for Smart Outdoor Textiles
Authors: Stucki Mario , Stöckli Marco , Stark Wendelin J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRapidly changing temperature and precipitation conditions are challenging for clothing textiles when required to keep us warm under harsh weather. A smart functional outdoor membrane based on thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microspheres embedded into a polyurethane matrix is developed. Selective dissolution of two‐particle composite precursors affords porous membranes with PNIPAM microspheres located within the pore walls. Adjusting the mean size of the thermoresponsive microplug permits us to switch membrane breathability depending on outdoor temperature. In cold conditions, the textile fabric closes off pores and reduces heat loss, as to keep a person warmer. Under hot conditions, the PNIPAM microplugs open up, and self‐vent the jacket, allowing for high breathability and heat transfer. The resulting smart membranes are tested according to international standards. The principle of phase separation based microplug positioning within pores, and selective opening and closing of pores may enable other smart applications in material sciences, biology, and other consumer products.
Fibers with Hyper‐Crosslinked Functional Porous Frameworks
Authors: Sheng Yujie , Chen Qibin , Mahurin Shannon M. , Mayes Richard T. , Zhan Wangchen , Zhang Jinshui , Liu Honglai , Dai Sheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe incorporation of robust porous frameworks into polymer fibers with handleable morphologies and flexible chemical compositions exhibits significant advantages for device fabrication in a wide range of applications. However, the soft linear polymeric chains of the fibers make the generation of nanopores extremely challenging. Herein, a facile synthetic strategy based on a combination of functional monomer grafting and hyper‐crosslinking technology is developed for the porous engineering of polymeric fibers. In this methodology, the nanoporous framework originating from the hyper‐crosslinking of aromatic monomers is covalently grafted onto fibers, which is beneficial to retaining their unique fiber morphology and to preserving their excellent mechanical properties. Moreover, this promising protocol can be further extended to the porous functionalization of polymeric matrices with diverse morphologies for target‐specific applications.
Regulation of Molecular Weight Characteristics and Microtacticity of Polyhexene Produced over Highly Active Supported Titanium–Magnesium Catalysts
Authors: Echevskaya Ludmila , Zakharov Vladimir , Matsko Mikhail , Nikolaeva Marina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe data on the effect of polymerization temperature of 1‐hexene within the 30–70 °C range in the presence of a highly active supported titanium–magnesium catalyst on molecular weight characteristics and microtacticity of polyhexene, with cocatalyst composition being additionally varied (AlEt3 or Al(i‐Bu)3), in the absence and presence of an external stereoregulating electron‐donating compound and hydrogen, are reported. Polymerization conditions, making it possible to specifically regulate molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polyhexene over a broad range ((Mw = 7 × 104–2.2 × 106 g mol−1; Mw/Mn = 3.7–33) and regulate isotacticity of polyhexene (content of mmmm pentads from 56% to 96%), while retaining high catalyst activity, are determined.
Characterization of voiding function and structural bladder changes in a rat model of neurogenic underactive bladder disease
Authors: Weyne Emmanuel , Dewulf Karel , Deruyer Yves , Rietjens Roma , Everaerts Wouter , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , De Ridder Dirk , Van der Aa Frank , Albersen Maarten 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesTo create an animal model for neurogenic underactive bladder disease (UAB) and identify markers to describe secondary myogenic changes in the bladder wall.Materials and MethodsMale rats underwent either bilateral pelvic nerve injury or sham surgery. Four weeks after surgery functional evaluation was performed and tissue was harvested. Functional evaluation consisted of analysis of voiding pattern, 24‐h urine collection in a metabolic cage, in vivo cystometry and in‐vitro contractile function assessment. PCR and immunohistochemical localization of different smooth muscle cell and extracellular matrix markers was performed on bladder strips.ResultsAfter pelvic nerve injury, dry bladder weight increased and voiding contractions were absent, resulting in overflow incontinence. In‐vitro contractile response to carbachol was decreased. This was paired with an upregulation of synthetic smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers mRNA expression such as retinol binding protein 1 (RBP1), myosin 10 (MYH10) and osteopontin (OPN), and a downregulation of contractile SMC marker smoothelin (SMTL). The SMTL/OPN mRNA ratio was 50 times higher in sham bladders compared to PNI bladders.ConclusionsThe loss of in‐vivo and in‐vitro contractile function following pelvic nerve transection is characterized by a switch from a contractile to synthetic SMC phenotype, which is best characterized by the ratio SMTL/OPN mRNA expression. Modulating this phenotypical switch is a potential target for the development of UAB therapy. We suggest for the first time a set of markers that may be useful to evaluate therapeutic strategies on improvements in bladder wall structure.
Staggered discontinuous Galerkin methods for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations: Spectral analysis and computational results
Authors: Dumbser M. , Fambri F. , Furci I. , Mazza M. , Serra‐Capizzano S. , Tavelli M. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe goal of this paper is to create a fruitful bridge between the numerical methods for approximating PDEs in fluid dynamics and the (iterative) numerical methods for dealing with the resulting large linear systems. Among the main objectives are the design of new, efficient iterative solvers and a rigorous analysis of their convergence speed. The link we have in mind is either the structure or the hidden structure that the involved coefficient matrices inherit, both from the continuous PDE and from the approximation scheme; in turn, the resulting structure is used for deducing spectral information, crucial for the conditioning and convergence analysis and for the design of more efficient solvers.As a specific problem, we consider the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations; as a numerical technique, we consider a novel family of high‐order, accurate discontinuous Galerkin methods on staggered meshes, and as tools, we use the theory of Toeplitz matrices generated by a function (in the most general block, the multilevel form) and the more recent theory of generalized locally Toeplitz matrix sequences. We arrive at a somehow complete picture of the spectral features of the underlying matrices, and this information is employed for giving a forecast of the convergence history of the conjugate gradient method, together with a discussion on new and more advanced techniques (involving preconditioning, multigrid, multi‐iterative solvers). Several numerical tests are provided and critically illustrated in order to show the validity and the potential of our analysis.
Professional development to increase teacher behavior‐specific praise: A single‐case design replication
Authors: Gage Nicholas A. , Grasley‐Boy Nicolette M. , MacSuga‐Gage Ashley S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEffective classroom instruction is contingent upon successful classroom management. Unfortunately, not all teachers successfully manage classroom behavior and need in‐service professional development. In this study, we replicated a targeted professional development approach that included a brief one‐on‐one training session and emailed visual performance feedback to increase novice teachers’ use of behavior‐specific praise, an evidence‐based classroom management skill. Dependent variables collected through direct observation included teachers’ behavior‐specific praise along with average student engagement and disruptions. Four elementary teachers participated and, based on a multiple‐baseline single‐case design, we found a functional relationship between the targeted professional development and teachers’ increased use of behavior‐specific praise. However, because of variability and one teacher's limited response, effect sizes were small for behavior‐specific praise and little change was observed in student behaviors. These findings warrant further research to determine which classroom management skills affect student behaviors overall, as well as continued evaluation of this professional development model and using school‐based coaches.
Self‐management as a class‐wide intervention: An evaluation of the “Self & Match” system embedded within a dependent group contingency
Authors: Bulla Andrew J. , Frieder Jessica E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTeachers are responsible for providing an education to students of all ability levels. Recent data suggest that roughly 95% of students with a disability are receiving some form of education in their general education setting. Individuals with disabilities tend to engage in higher levels of disruptive behaviors (e.g., talking out in class, noncompliance, throwing materials) than peers without disabilities. With an increase in the number of students with disabilities receiving some form of education in their general education setting, teachers may be spending more time managing disruptive behaviors and less time teaching. Research suggests a strong relationship between classroom‐management techniques and academic achievement. These data highlight the importance of classroom‐management interventions that promote the learning of all students in the classroom. Despite the importance of classroom‐management techniques, a lack of training, as well as the feasibility of the interventions may prevent the ultimate adoption and long‐term success of effective techniques. Self‐management is a potential solution, as self‐management techniques can be easily trained and implemented.
The influence of test‐based accountability policies on early elementary teachers: School climate, environmental stress, and teacher stress
Authors: Saeki Elina , Segool Natasha , Pendergast Laura , von der Embse Nathaniel 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study examined the potential influence of test‐based accountability policies on school environment and teacher stress among early elementary teachers. Structural equation modeling of data from 541 kindergarten through second grade teachers across three states found that use of student performance on high‐stakes tests to evaluate teachers indirectly was related to teachers’ professional investment via test stress in the environment. Although students in kindergarten through second grade do not take high‐stakes assessments, early elementary teachers reported high levels of stress associated with test‐based accountability policies. This study provides data across multiple states that test‐based accountability policies may have negative influences on school environment and teacher stress among early elementary teachers. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Deformation of elastomeric pyramid pen arrays in cantilever‐free scanning probe lithography
Authors: Liu Shuangping , Olvera de la Cruz Monica 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTCantilever‐free scanning probe lithography (SPL) employs soft elastomeric pen arrays to deliver material or energy to a surface to achieve a high‐resolution, high‐throughput, and low‐cost nanopatterning. In particular, microscale elastomeric pyramid pen arrays are often adopted as the cantilever‐free architecture owing to their distinct structural and mechanical properties. To better understand the mechanical behavior of the elastomeric pyramid pen array during the lithographic printing process, we numerically investigate the compression of an elastomeric pyramid array in a nonadhesive and frictionless contact with a rigid substrate. Simple scaling laws of the width of the contact surface with respect to the compression displacement and force are found and compared with previous models and experiments. By changing the interpyramid distance or the thickness of the base of the pyramid array, increasing deviations from the established scaling laws are observed and explained. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the unique morphology of a compressed pyramid primarily determines the unusual shape of the features fabricated by a specific cantilever‐free SPL technique. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 731–738
Explicitly correlated variational estimates of the energy levels of negative hydrogen ion under spatial confinement
Authors: Chandra Reet , Dutta Bibhas , Saha Jayanta K. , Bhattacharyya Sukhamoy , Mukherjee Tapan K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractComprehensive investigations on the structural modifications of negative hydrogen ion within an impenetrable spherical domain has been performed in the framework of Ritz variational method. Electron correlation plays a major role in the formation of H– ion. The Hylleraas‐type basis set expansion of wave function considered here incorporates the effect of electron correlation in an explicit manner. Energy values of
and 1sn
states
of H– ion within confined domain have been calculated. Although the singly excited states do not exist for a “free” H– ion, well converged energy values of such states have been found within a wide range of confinement radius. The thermodynamic pressure felt by the ion inside the sphere is also estimated. The general trend shows successive destabilization of the excited energy levels with increase of pressure. The contribution of angular correlation in the energy values have been estimated. Evolution of
and
energy levels of H– ion as quasi‐bound states are being reported.
Spatially resolved characterization of electron localization and delocalization in molecules: Extending the Kohn‐Resta approach
Authors: Astakhov Andrey A. , Tsirelson Vladimir G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this work, the electron organization of many‐electron systems is considered in a context of the linear response theory extending the Kohn‐Resta view on electron localization phenomenon. The variances of the local electronic position and momentum operators are linked via the fluctuation‐dissipation theorem to the optical conductivity tensor, that is, to observable spectroscopic properties. It is demonstrated that the electron position variance density quantifies a degree of electron delocalization in each point of position space and distinguishes between metallic and insulating character of electronic states. The momentum variance density estimates a degree of electron localization and is immediately related to electronic kinetic energy density in the Ghosh‐Berkowitz‐Parr form giving a physical interpretation to the later. We show that electron localization and delocalization phenomena in atoms and molecules can be probed by external electric field. This approach provides new electronic descriptors distinguishing and quantifying chemical bonds of different types.