bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined therapy of pulsed radiofrequency and nerve block in postherpetic neuralgia patients: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Dan , Sun Guohua , Sun Hanzhe , Wang Yanjuan , Wang Zhiping , Yang Jianping 
Published: June 2018

Caused by viral infection, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common chronic neuropathic pain. Various treatment modalities such as early use of nerve block therapy (NBT) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) have been studied in reducing pain, however, no consistent success was achieved in all the patients treated with single regimen. The combined therapy of PRF and NBT with different targeting mechanism are of interest and remains to be determined. Here we investigated the combined effects of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) with nerve block therapy (NBT) in PHN patients in a prospective randomized clinical trial. Sixty PHN patients were divided into four groups (n = 15 each): the conventional puncture group (group CP), the nerve block therapy group (group NB), the PRF group (group PRF), and the combined treatment group (PRF combined with nerve block therapy (group CT). To evaluate the extent of remission of hyperalgesia, we recorded the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores during cotton swab reaction before and after treatment and in the resting and active pain states. In addition, blood samples were collected and plasma cytokine and neuropeptides such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), substance P (SP), and β-endorphin (β-EP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the admission (basic state), before the operation, and at 12 h postoperatively. The number of adverse events (nausea, vomiting, constipation, puncture point hemorrhage, swelling and redness) within 12 h of the treatment were also documented. Our results showed that VAS scores during cotton swab reaction decreased after treatment in all patients (p < 0.05). Compared to group CP, plasma IL-6 and SP levels decreased (p < 0.05) and β-EP levels increased (p < 0.05) in groups NB, PRF, and CT. There were no significant differences in adverse events among groups (p > 0.05). We found that PRF in combination with NBT increased β-EP levels and decreased plasma IL-6 and SP, thereby alleviating pain and hyperalgesia in PHN patients. Taken together, our data suggest combined therapy of PRF and NBT is effective and safe for PHN patients.
Antibiotic Treatment of Mucodegeneration and Positive Buoyancy in a Chambered Nautilus Nautilus pompilius
Authors: Morpurgo Massimo , Barord Gregory J. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
The correct diagnosis and treatment of disease in chambered nautiluses Nautilus pompilius are difficult. The basic morphology and natural behaviors of the species tend to mask the initial onset of a disease or infection, and by the time it is observable, mortality usually occurs. A single specimen of chambered nautilus at the Museum of Nature South Tyrol, Italy, exhibited symptoms of an infection, including mucus production, abnormal buoyancy, irregular hood appearance, and inconsistent tentacle movement. Soon after, tetracycline hydrochloride was administered in bath form at 25 mg/L in seawater daily for 30 min over six consecutive days. The specimen regained normal buoyancy after the fifth day. After the 6-d treatment, the specimen regained all normal behaviors and appearance within 2 weeks. More than 1 year after treatment, the specimen was exhibiting normal behaviors with no adverse reactions. When administered soon after symptoms of an infection were observed, tetracycline was effective at halting the progression of symptoms and led to the full recovery of the chambered nautilus.
Association of severity between carotid and intracranial artery atherosclerosis
Authors: Xu Yilan , Li Dongye , Yuan Chun , Zhou Zechen , He Le , Li Rui , Cui Yuanyuan , Li Qing , Zheng Zhuozhao , Zhao Xihai 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the relationship of atherosclerosis between intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries using three‐dimensional multicontrast magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging.MethodsPatients with recent cerebrovascular symptoms in anterior circulation were recruited and underwent MR vessel wall imaging for intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries. The plaque burden, including maximum wall thickness (Max WT) and stenosis, and presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) were assessed. The correlation of the plaque characteristics between intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries was determined.ResultsIn total, 107 patients (mean age: 57.0 ± 11.1 years, 69 males) were recruited. In discriminating intracranial severe stenosis (≥50% stenosis), the odds ratio (OR) of Max WT of extracranial carotid arteries was 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–2.11, P = 0.095) and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.04–2.83, P = 0.034) before and after adjusting for confounding factors, respectively. The OR of stenosis of extracranial carotid arteries with increment of 10% was 1.26 (95% CI, 0.99–1.60, P = 0.054) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03–1.82, P = 0.033) before and after adjusting for confounding factors, in discriminating intracranial severe stenosis respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) of Max WT, stenosis, and IPH of extracranial carotid artery plaques was 0.641, 0.605, and 0.603 in discriminating intracranial severe stenosis, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the AUC of Max WT, stenosis, and presence of IPH in extracranial carotid artery plaques increased to 0.812, 0.817 and 0.781, respectively.InterpretationCarotid artery plaque burden is significantly associated with severe intracranial artery stenosis, suggesting that extracranial carotid plaque burden might be an independent indicator for severity of intracranial artery atherosclerosis.
Densely Interconnected Porous BN Frameworks for Multifunctional and Isotropically Thermoconductive Polymer Composites
Authors: Xue Yanming , Zhou Xin , Zhan Tianzhuo , Jiang Baozhen , Guo Quansheng , Fu Xiuwei , Shimamura Kiyoshi , Xu Yibin , Mori Takao , Dai Pengcheng , Bando Yoshio , Tang Chengchun , Golberg Dmitri 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIdeal materials for modern electronics packaging should be highly thermoconductive. This may be achieved through designing multifunctional polymer composites. Such composites may generally be achieved via effective embedment of functional inorganic fillers into desirable polymeric bodies. Herein, two types of high‐performance 3Dh‐BN porous frameworks (3D‐BN), namely,h‐BN nanorod‐assembled networks and nanosheet‐interconnected frameworks, are successfully created via an in situ carbothermal reduction chemical vapor deposition substitution reaction using carbon‐based nanorod‐interconnected networks as templates. These 3D‐BN porous materials with densely interlinked frameworks, excellent mechanical robustness and integrity, highly isotropous and multiple heat transfer paths, enable reliable fabrications of diverse 3D‐BN/polymer porous composites. The composites exhibit combinatorial multifunctional properties, such as excellent mechanical strength, light weight, ultralow coefficient of thermal expansion, highly isotropic thermal conductivities (≈26–51 multiples of pristine polymers), relatively low dielectric constants and super‐low dielectric losses, and high resistance to softening at elevated temperatures. In addition, the regarded 3D‐BN frameworks are easily recycled from their polymer composites, and may be reliably reutilized for multifunctional reuse. Thus, these materials should be valuable for new‐era advanced electronic packaging and related applications.
Thin, Millimeter Scale Fingernail Sensors for Thermal Characterization of Nail Bed Tissue
Authors: Li Yajing , Ma Yinji , Wei Chen , Luan Haiwen , Xu Shuai , Han Mengdi , Zhao Hangbo , Liang Cunman , Yang Quansan , Yang Yiyuan , Crawford Kaitlyn E. , Feng Xue , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThin, flexible, body‐worn technologies that allow precise, quantitative monitoring of physiological status are of broad current interest due to their potential to improve the cost and effectiveness of healthcare. Although the surface of the skin represents one of the most widely explored points of integration, recently developed millimeter scale wireless sensor platforms allow deployment on alternative surfaces of the body, such as the finger/toenails and the teeth. The work described here introduces a collection of ideas in materials science, device engineering and computational techniques that enables precise characterization of the thermal transport characteristics of the nail bed tissue from measurements on the surface of the nail. Systematic in vitro studies demonstrate the underlying measurement principles, the theoretical models for optimized sensor design and the associated experimental procedures for determining the thermal conductivity of the tissue. Measurements performed on human subjects highlight capabilities in tracking changes in perfusion of the nail bed tissues in response to various external stimuli.
p‐Doping of Copper(I) Thiocyanate (CuSCN) Hole‐Transport Layers for High‐Performance Transistors and Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wijeyasinghe Nilushi , Eisner Flurin , Tsetseris Leonidas , Lin Yen‐Hung , Seitkhan Akmaral , Li Jinhua , Yan Feng , Solomeshch Olga , Tessler Nir , Patsalas Panos , Anthopoulos Thomas D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe ability to tune the electronic properties of soluble wide bandgap semiconductors is crucial for their successful implementation as carrier‐selective interlayers in large area opto/electronics. Herein the simple, economical, and effective p‐doping of one of the most promising transparent semiconductors, copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN), using C60F48 is reported. Theoretical calculations combined with experimental measurements are used to elucidate the electronic band structure and density of states of the constituent materials and their blends. Obtained results reveal that although the bandgap (3.85 eV) and valence band maximum (−5.4 eV) of CuSCN remain unaffected, its Fermi energy shifts toward the valence band edge upon C60F48 addition—an observation consistent with p‐type doping. Transistor measurements confirm the p‐doping effect while revealing a tenfold increase in the channel's hole mobility (up to 0.18 cm2 V−1 s−1), accompanied by a dramatic improvement in the transistor's bias‐stress stability. Application of CuSCN:C60F48 as the hole‐transport layer (HTL) in organic photovoltaics yields devices with higher power conversion efficiency, improved fill factor, higher shunt resistance, and lower series resistance and dark current, as compared to control devices based on pristine CuSCN or commercially available HTLs.
Hollow Multivoid Nanocuboids Derived from Ternary Ni–Co–Fe Prussian Blue Analog for Dual‐Electrocatalysis of Oxygen and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions
Authors: Ahn Wook , Park Moon Gyu , Lee Dong Un , Seo Min Ho , Jiang Gaopeng , Cano Zachary P. , Hassan Fathy Mohamed , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHydrogen generation from electrochemical water‐splitting is an attractive technology for clean and efficient energy conversion and storage, but it requires efficient and robust non‐noble electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Nonprecious transition metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the most promising precursors for developing advanced functional catalysts with high porosity and structural rigidity. Herein, a new transition metal‐based hollow multivoid nanocuboidal catalyst synthesized from a ternary Ni–Co–Fe (NCF)‐MOF precursor is rationally designed to produce dual‐functionality toward OER and HER. Differing ion exchanging rates of the ternary transition metals within the prussian blue analog MOF precursor are exploited to produce interconnected internal voids, heteroatom doping, and a favorably tuned electronic structure. This design strategy significantly increases active surface area and pathways for mass transport, resulting in excellent electroactivities toward OER and HER, which are competitive with recently reported single‐function nonprecious catalysts. Moreover, outstanding electrochemical durability is realized due to the unique rigid and interconnected porous structure which considerably retains initial rapid charge transfer and mass transport of active species. The MOF‐based material design strategy demonstrated here exemplifies a novel and versatile approach to developing non‐noble electrocatalysts with high activity and durability for advanced electrochemical water‐splitting systems.
Quasiparticle Interference Studies of Quantum Materials
Authors: Avraham Nurit , Reiner Jonathan , Kumar‐Nayak Abhay , Morali Noam , Batabyal Rajib , Yan Binghai , Beidenkopf Haim 
Published: June 2018

AbstractExotic electronic states are realized in novel quantum materials. This field is revolutionized by the topological classification of materials. Such compounds necessarily host unique states on their boundaries. Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of these surface states have provided a wealth of spectroscopic characterization, with the successful cooperation of ab initio calculations. The method of quasiparticle interference imaging proves to be particularly useful for probing the dispersion relation of the surface bands. Herein, how a variety of additional fundamental electronic properties can be probed via this method is reviewed. It is demonstrated how quasiparticle interference measurements entail mesoscopic size quantization and the electronic phase coherence in semiconducting nanowires; helical spin protection and energy‐momentum fluctuations in a topological insulator; and the structure of the Bloch wave function and the relative insusceptibility of topological electronic states to surface potential in a topological Weyl semimetal.
Rational Design of Conjugated Photosensitizers with Controllable Photoconversion for Dually Cooperative Phototherapy
Authors: Ye Shuyue , Rao Jiaming , Qiu Shihong , Zhao Jinglong , He Hui , Yan Ziling , Yang Tao , Deng Yibin , Ke Hengte , Yang Hong , Zhao Yuliang , Guo Zhengqing , Chen Huabing 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHigh‐performance photosensitizers are highly desired for achieving selective tumor photoablation in the field of precise cancer therapy. However, photosensitizers frequently suffer from limited tumor suppression or unavoidable tumor regrowth due to the presence of residual tumor cells surviving in phototherapy. A major challenge still remains in exploring an efficient approach to promote dramatic photoconversions of photosensitizers for maximizing the anticancer efficiency. Here, a rational design of boron dipyrromethene (BDP)‐based conjugated photosensitizers (CPs) that can induce dually cooperative phototherapy upon light exposure is demonstrated. The conjugated coupling of BDP monomers into dimeric BDP (di‐BDP) or trimeric BDP (tri‐BDP) induces photoconversions from fluorescence to singlet‐to‐triplet or nonradiative transitions, together with distinctly redshifted absorption into the near‐infrared region. In particular, tri‐BDP within nanoparticles shows preferable conversions into both primary thermal effect and minor singlet oxygen upon near‐infrared light exposure, dramatically achieving tumor photoablation without any regrowth through their cooperative anticancer efficiency caused by their dominant late apoptosis and moderate early apoptosis. This rational design of CPs can serve as a valuable paradigm for cooperative cancer phototherapy in precision medicine.
Unsymmetrical Disulfide Synthesis through Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Dethe Dattatraya H. , Srivastava Aparna , Dherange Balu D. , Kumar B. Vijay 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA facile and eco‐friendly visible light‐mediated synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical disulfides using tris[2‐phenylpyridinato‐C2,N]iridium(III) under additive and oxidant free conditions has been disclosed. The developed method is very mild, several functional group tolerant and highly atom economical requiring extremely low amount of catalyst loading (0.5 mol%).magnified image
Copper/Persulfate‐Promoted Oxidative Decarboxylative C−H Acylation of Pyrazolones with α‐Oxocarboxylic Acids: Direct Access to 4‐Acylpyrazolones under Mild Conditions
Authors: Kittikool Tanakorn , Thupyai Akkharaphong , Phomphrai Khamphee , Yotphan Sirilata 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA facile and efficient oxidative C−H acylation of N‐substituted pyrazolones using α‐oxocarboxylic acids as an acyl group source was developed. A combination of Cu(OAc)2 and K2S2O8 enables the reaction to proceed smoothly under air and provides a wide array of 4‐acylpyrazolone products in moderate to excellent yields. The mechanism of this transformation is believed to proceed via a copper‐induced decarboxylation to form the acyl‐copper species. This method provides a convenient and useful route for a direct installation of an acyl moiety into bioactive pyrazolone derivatives, which can be further utilized in many applications.magnified image
Oxadiazepine Synthesis by Formal [4+3] Cycloaddition of o‐Chloromethyl Arylsulfonamides with Nitrones Promoted by NaHCO3
Authors: Zhang Xiaoke , Pan Yang , Liang Peng , Pang Lu , Ma Xiaofeng , Jiao Wei , Shao Huawu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAn effective and facile method for the synthesis of highly substituted 1,2,3,5‐tetrahydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]‐oxadiazepines is described. A formal [4+3] cycloaddition of N‐(2‐(chloromethyl) phenyl) amides with nitrones afforded benzo[e][1,2,4]‐oxadiazepine derivatives with high atom economy and excellent yields (up to 97%).magnified image
Experimental investigations on biopolymer in enhancing the liquid flow in microchannel
Authors: Abdulbari Hayder A. , Ling Fiona W. M. , Hassan Zulkafli , Thin Heng J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDrag reduction has been incorporated in various industrial fields. Most of the works proved that drag reduction is efficient in turbulent flow. It is also observed that polymers can enhance the laminar flow which could be a milestone in medical field. In this work, five straight microchannels with fixed depth of 100, 50, and 60 μm in width and 200, 300, 400, and 500 μm in length were designed and fabricated using direct writing method. Xanthan gum as bio‐based drag reducing additive was chosen and diluted with deionized water to investigate its feasibility in enhancing the laminar flow in the microchannel. Eight different concentrations of xanthan gum ranging from 20 to 500 ppm were used to evaluate the effect of concentration on drag reduction performance using pressure measurement. The maximum flow increment of 34.90% was achieved by utilizing 500 ppm of xanthan gum at an operating pressure of 100 mbar in the microchannel with a width of 500 μm.
The formation of cross‐linking networks in a fluorinated polymer composite system by electron beam irradiation
Authors: Qian Jing , Fu Chao , Wang Xuemei , Li Weiyan , Chu Huiying , Ran Xianghai , Nie Wei 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this article, a cross‐linking network in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(ethylene‐tetrafluoroethylene) copolymer (ETFE) blends was successfully created by electron beam irradiation. Thermal stability, mechanical properties, chemical structure, rheology properties, and crystallization behavior of irradiated samples were investigated. In particular, the PVDF/ETFE (10/90 wt%) blend irradiated with different dose exhibited better thermal stability and mechanical properties than pure ETFE. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results demonstrated that the fluorinated composite system underwent cross‐linking and degradation reactions as a result of HF elimination and the formation of unsaturated structures and hydroperoxide species. Furthermore, the melting property of irradiated samples changed from liquid‐like behavior to pseudo‐solid‐like behavior. The degree of crystallinity of irradiated samples was found to increase at the range of 0–30 kGy and then clearly decreases with further increase in the irradiation dose. In general, our findings suggest that PVDF/ETFE blends treated with electron beam irradiation provide an opportunity to exploit their stability and durability for mechanically challenging applications.
Gold‐Catalyzed C−H Imidation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Yip Shu Jan , Kawakami Takahiro , Murakami Kei , Itami Kenichiro 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAmino group is one of the most ubiquitous functional groups, and therefore the direct introduction of amino groups into arenes has gained much attention. Methods for installing amino groups into organic molecules are highly sought after. Herein, a direct C−H imidation under gold(I) chloride catalysis has been developed with N‐fluorobenzenesulfonimide as the imine source. The choice of ligand plays an important role where 2,2′‐biquinoline was found to be most efficient. Various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were directly imidated under the newly established protocol.
Potent Th2 Cytokine Bias of Natural Killer T Cell by CD1d Glycolipid Ligands: Anchoring Effect of Polar Groups in the Lipid Component
Authors: Inuki Shinsuke , Kashiwabara Emi , Hirata Natsumi , Kishi Junichiro , Nabika Etsuko , Fujimoto Yukari 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTh2‐biasing CD1d ligands are attractive potential candidates for adjuvants and therapeutic drugs. However, the number of potent ligands is limited, and their biasing mechanism remain unclear. Herein, a series of novel Th2‐biasing CD1d glycolipid ligands, based on modification of their lipid part, have been identified. These have shown high binding affinities and efficient Th2 cytokine production. Importantly, the truncated acyl chain containing variants still retain their binding affinities and agonistic activities, which can be associated with an “anchoring effect,” that is, formation of a buried hydrogen bond between a polar group on the acyl chain and the CD1d lipid‐binding pocket. The analysis indicated that the appearance rates of ligand–CD1d complexes on the cell surface were involved in Th2‐biasing responses. The designed ligands, having the anchor in the shorter lipid part, are one of the most potent Th2‐biasing ligands among the known ligands.
Lithiation of Copper Selenide Nanocrystals
Authors: Banerjee Progna , Jain Prashant K. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe search for ion‐conductive solid electrolytes for Li+ batteries is an important scientific and technological challenge with economic and sustainable energy implications. In this study, nanocrystals (NCs) of the ion conductor copper selenide (Cu2−ySe) were doped with Li by the process of cation exchange. Li2xCu2−2xSe alloy NCs were formed at intermediate stages of the reaction, which was followed by phase segregation into Li2Se and Cu2Se domains. Li‐doped Cu2−ySe NCs and Li2Se NCs exhibit a possible SI phase at moderately elevated temperatures and warrant further ion‐conductance tests. These findings may guide the design of nanostructured super‐ionic electrolytes for Li+ transport.
A Heterogeneous Metal‐Free Catalyst for Hydrogenation: Lewis Acid–Base Pairs Integrated into a Carbon Lattice
Authors: Ding Yuxiao , Huang Xing , Yi Xianfeng , Qiao Yunxiang , Sun Xiaoyan , Zheng Anmin , Su Dang Sheng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDesigning heterogeneous metal‐free catalysts for hydrogenation is a long‐standing challenge in catalysis. Nanodiamond‐based carbon materials were prepared that are surface‐doped with electron‐rich nitrogen and electron‐deficient boron. The two heteroatoms are directly bonded to each other to form unquenched Lewis pairs with infinite π‐electron donation from the surrounding graphitic structure. Remarkably, these Lewis pairs can split H2 to form H+/H− pairs, which subsequently serve as the active species for hydrogenation of different substrates. This unprecedented finding sheds light on the uptake of H2 across carbon‐based materials and suggests that dual Lewis acidity–basicity on the carbon surface may be used to heterogeneously activate a variety of small molecules.