bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compressed Collagen Enhances Stem Cell Therapy for Corneal Scarring
Authors: Shojaati Golnar , Khandaker Irona , Sylakowski Kyle , Funderburgh Martha L. , Du Yiqin , Funderburgh James L. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Stem cells from human corneal stroma (CSSC) suppress corneal stromal scarring in a mouse wound-healing model and promote regeneration of native transparent tissue (PMID:25504883). This study investigated efficacy of compressed collagen gel (CCG) as a vehicle to deliver CSSC for corneal therapy. CSSC isolated from limbal stroma of human donor corneas were embedded in soluble rat-tendon collagen, gelled at 37°C, and partially dehydrated to a thickness of 100 µm by passive absorption. The CCG disks were dimensionally stable, easy to handle, and could be adhered securely to de-epithelialized mouse cornea with fibrin-based adhesive. CSSC in CCG maintained &gt;80% viability for &gt;1 week in culture media and could be cryopreserved in 20% fetal bovine serum-10%DMSO in liquid nitrogen. CCG containing as few as 500 CSSC effectively prevented visible scarring and suppressed expression of fibrotic Col3a1 mRNA. CSSC in CCG were more effective at blocking scarring on a per-cell basis than CSSC delivered directly in a fibrin gel as previously described. Collagen-embedded cells retained the ability to suppress corneal scarring after conventional cryopreservation. This study demonstrates use of a common biomaterial that can facilitate storage and handling of stem cells in a manner that may provide off-the-shelf delivery of stem cells as a therapy for corneal scarring.
Sustainable development indicators: Conceptual frameworks of comparative indicators sets for local administrations in Japan
Authors: Hatakeyama Takehiro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractComparative indicators, with which local governments monitor and evaluate policy progress, help effective implementation of public policy toward sustainable development (SD). However, such policy tools have been less developed at the local level. This study proposes conceptual frameworks of sustainable development indicators (SDIs) taking Japanese municipal governments as examples. The results illustrated five SDIs thereby indicating four approaches, and highlighted the most feasible and optimal frameworks. The former, supported by the vast majority of local governments, had a strong predilection for socioeconomic policies while disregarding environmental aspects despite their holistic aim, reflecting the current trend of sustainability at the local level in Japan. In contrast, the latter tended to encompass three dimensions of SD in a balanced manner, focusing largely on well‐being. Hence, this framework helped complement the lack of environmental orientation and potentially maintain the consistency of public policy.
Governance strategy for sustainable land management and water reuse: Challenges for transdisciplinary research
Authors: Nölting Benjamin , Mann Carsten 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSustainability research often recommends the application of integrated and system‐based management approaches for overcoming complex problems of land and natural resource use. This paper poses four major governance challenges for sustainable land management as its point of departure: (i) fragmented knowledge and expertise, (ii) heterogeneous actors, (iii) institutional diversity and (iv) inadequate processes for coordination, adaptation and learning. Taking these challenges for conceptual orientation, we analyze a process for designing a governance strategy for treated wastewater uses. Drawing on a transdisciplinary research project that empirically explored the potential of water reuse in two case study regions in north‐east Germany, the paper reflects upon the project's experiences to arrive at practicable governance solutions. Our conclusions are intended to provide insights regarding challenges facing transdisciplinary research, acting on the science–policy–practice interface for dealing with such complex land and water management problems, and the coproduction of accepted governance solutions.
Supply constraints and waitlists in new product diffusion
Authors: Keith David R. , Sterman John D. , Struben Jeroen 
Published: April 2018

AbstractConstraints on production capacity adjustment present a strategic and operational problem for managers launching products when demand is uncertain. Stock‐outs can be costly if demand exceeds available product supply, as sales are deferred or lost when prospective customers are waitlisted. Recent research on diffusion under supply constraints has analyzed launch strategies to minimize the chance of stock‐outs. Others suggest that waitlisted buyers generate social exposure that can boost customer demand and shape the diffusion process. We develop a generalized model of new product diffusion under supply constraints that explicitly accounts for endogenous customer waitlisting and waitlist‐generated word‐of‐mouth. We estimate the model for a prominent example of waitlisting, the launch of the Toyota Prius hybrid‐electric vehicle in the U.S.A., finding evidence of positive word‐of‐mouth from waitlisted buyers. Inclusion of endogenous supply constraints and waitlisting also alters the estimated contribution of marketing and adopter word‐of‐mouth.Copyright © 2018 System Dynamics Society
Synthesis of Mn3O4 Nanoparticles for Catalytic Application via Ultrasound‐Assisted Ball Milling
Authors: Chen Ding , Yang Bing , Jiang Yong , Zhang Ying‐zhe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this present study, tetragonal manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticle was successfully prepared using Mn(CH3COO)2⋅4H2O as raw material by the ultrasound‐assisted ball milling at a low temperature. The as‐prepared Mn3O4 was characterized by XRD, SEM and N2 absorption‐desorption. The research results confirmed that the ball milling product was single phase Mn3O4. The catalytic activity of the as‐prepared sample was testified by quantifying the degradation of the Methyl blue and Rhodamine B aqueous solution with the assistance of H2O2. It shows the degradation efficiency of Mn3O4 nanoparticle can reach up to 100% within 40 min and 50 min for the Methyl blue and Rhodamine B respectively.
Access to 3‐Aroylchromanones from Dibenzoylmethanes via an Iron‐Catalyzed α‐Methylenation Reaction
Authors: Gouveia Ana Paula A. , Taylor Jason Guy 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA simple and straightforward synthesis of 3‐aroylchromanones based on a tandem iron catalyzed α‐methylenation – intramolecular oxy‐Michael addition reaction of dibenzoylmethanes with N,N‐dimethylacetamide is described. The reaction employs FeCl3 as catalyst under aerobic conditions to afford the corresponding 3‐aroylchromanones and tolerates a variety of substituents on both aromatic rings.
Enantioselective α‐Arylation of Cyclic β‐Ketoamides with a Quinone Monoimine
Authors: Hu Xiao‐Yan , Hu Fang‐Zhi , Chen Hui , Xu Xiao‐Ying , Yuan Wei‐Cheng , Zhang Xiao‐Mei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA facile and direct method for the construction of enantioenriched α‐arylated quaternary β‐ketoamides was developed. By employing a chiral bifunctional thiourea‐tertiary amine as catalyst, enantioselective α‐arylation of cyclic β‐ketoamides with a quinone monoimine proceeded smoothly to afford various α‐arylated quaternary β‐ketoamides in good yields (up to 97%) with moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 85% ee). Generally, benzo six‐membered cyclic β‐ketoamides exhibited better enantioselection than benzo five‐membered cyclic β‐ketoamides.
Synthesis, Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant, and Anti‐Aflatoxigenic Activity of Novel Coumarin Carbamate Derivatives
Authors: Kurt Belma Zengin , Gazioglu Isil , Kandas Nur Ozten , Sonmez Fatih 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNew coumarin derivatives with the carbamate moiety were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were evaluated. 4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐7‐yl cycloheptylcarbamate (4 h) showed the strongest inhibition against AChE with IC50 values of 2.30 μM, and 2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐7‐yl‐(cyclohexylmethyl)carbamate (4 c) and 4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐7‐yl‐(cyclohexylmethyl)carbamate (4 g) were found to be the most potent BuChE inhibitors with IC50 value of 0.003 μM and 0.004 μM, respectively. Moreover antioxidant, anti‐aflatoxigenic activities, protective effects against aflatoxin‐B1 (AFB1) in H4IIE−C3 cells and effects on glutathione s‐transferase of the synthesized compounds were investigated. The synthesized coumarin carbamates inhibited AFB1 in H4IIE−C3 cells. Western blot analyses confirmed that GSTα protein was induced in cells treated with coumarin carbamates and AFB1. These results showed that the synthesized coumarin carbamates possess a potent protective effect against AFB1.
Organomagnesiate‐Promoted Enantioselective Cascade Process: Straightforward Access to Chiral 3‐Substituted Isobenzofuranones
Authors: Touchet Sabrina , Kommidi Sai Shradha Reddy , Gros Philippe C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe bimetallic organomagnesiate ate complex (S)‐(BIPHEN)BuMgLi is reported here as a dual efficient halogen‐metal exchange and chirality transfer agent in the reaction of ethyl‐2‐iodobenzoate with aldehydes leading to the formation of various chiral 3‐substituted isobenzofuranones in good yields and enantiomeric ratios.
Synthesis of Peptide Nucleic Acid Monomers via N‐Alkylation of Nosyl‐protected Amino Acids with N‐Boc Bromoethyl Amine
Authors: Malamgari Sudhakar Reddy , Manikandan Priyadharshini , Ramani Prasanna , Katta Vishweshwar Rao 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe have developed an alternate and effective pathway for completely protected peptide nucleic acid (PNA) monomer synthesis. The process involves alkylation of nosyl protected amino acids with N‐Boc protected bromoethyl amine followed by deprotection of the nosyl group and condensation of thymine‐1‐acetic acid which was chosen as a nucleobase. The key intermediates, chiral/achiral PNA backbone, were obtained with an average overall yield of 50–60%. The glycine, valine, alanine and serine derived PNA monomers were prepared in four steps, starting from readily available materials and this result suggests that our approach is executable in all amino acids.
Green Synthesis of Sodium Cholate Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles: An Effective Colorimetric Sensor for Hg2+ and Pb2+ Ions
Authors: Marimuthu Vanitha , Chandirasekar Shanmugam , Rajendiran Nagappan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this study, we have reported a facile, cost‐effective and green approach for the preparation of AgNPs in aqueous medium using sodium cholate (NaC) as a reducing and stabilizing agent under sunlight exposure. The synthesized AgNPs were thoroughly characterized using UV‐visible spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) techniques. The anisotropic and spherical shaped NPs were prepared by varying the concentration of NaC from below to above critical micellar concentration (CMC) at neutral pH and showed very good stability for more than one year without any noticeable aggregation. Kinetics of the formation of anisotropic and spherical shaped NPs were monitored using UV‐visible spectroscopy. The synthesized AgNPs showed excellent selective towards Hg2+ and Pb2+ ions that could be monitored by UV‐visible spectrophotometer and naked eyes, with lowest detection limit (LOD) of 12 and 60 nM for Hg2+ and Pb2+ respectively. The AgNPs embedded in the gel network was confirmed by FE‐SEM image. The reported sensor showed rapid and sensitive detection of Hg2+ and Pb2+ ions at nM level in water samples, indicating its potential applicability for detection of the metal ions in real samples such as tap and drinking water.
Highly (110)‐Oriented Co1‐xS Nanosheet Arrays on Carbon Fiber Paper as High‐Performance and Binder‐Free Electrodes for Oxygen Production
Authors: Zhu Weikang , Chen Rui , Yin Yan , Zhang Junfeng , Wang Qingfa 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOrdered (110)‐oriented Co1‐xS nanosheet arrays on carbon fiber paper (CFP) are prepared by a one‐step electrodeposition. The Co1‐xS/CFP electrode not only enhances the oxygen evolution reaction performance, η=0.328 V (10 mA cm−2) and Tafel slope at about 48.5 mV dec−1, but also has excellent durability. Due to its high activity and facile preparation, the binder‐free Co1‐xS/CFP electrode shows great potential in replacing noble metal catalysts for water splitting.
Ensemble Effect of Ni in Bimetallic PtNi on Reduced Graphene Oxide Support for Temperature‐Dependent Formic Acid Oxidation
Authors: Saquib Mohammad , Halder Aditi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEasy transportability, safety storage and low temperature operating conditions make direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) suitable alternatives to high temperature solid oxide fuel cells. These low temperature fuel cells generally use platinum or platinum‐based electrocatalysts. However detrimental effect of poisonous intermediates formed during formic acid and methanol oxidations makes platinum vulnerable and led to the development of platinum based bimetallic alloy and composite electrocatalysts. In this work, we have prepared graphene supported platinum and platinum‐nickel bimetallic electrocatalyst to study the catalytic activity towards formic acid oxidation. Further, we have also carried out the temperature‐dependent kinetic studies of these catalysts to understand the mechanism of formic acid oxidation at various temperatures. Our findings confirmed that the ensemble effect of Ni in platinum‐nickel bimetallic catalysts shows the higher catalytic activity by using a lesser amount of expensive platinum.
Ca2+‐Assisted DOSY NMR: An Unexpected Tool for Anomeric Identification for d‐Glucopyranose
Authors: Ning Caifang , Ge Wenzhi , Lyu Zexiang , Luo Dan , Shi Kemeng , Pedersen Christian Marcus , Nielsen Michael Martin , Qiao Yan , Wang Yingxiong 
Published: April 2018

Abstractd‐glucopyranose undergoes mutarotation into a mixture of anomers, α‐ and β‐d‐glucopyranose, once it is dissolved in an aqueous solution. Distinguishing the two anomers by routine NMR methods are difficult because of their similarity and hence overlapped 1H‐NMR spectra. In this paper, we demonstrate that the DOSY technique can be used to discern the two anomers of the d‐glucopyranose. This is possible when taking advantage of a matrix effect of Ca2+, which separate the α‐ and β‐ anomers of d‐glucopyranose by their differences in diffusion. The effect of Ca2+ was further supported by DFT calculations. Our results demonstrate the power of DOSY NMR to gain a deeper understanding of the interactions between carbohydrates and metal ions.
Multicomponent Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Dihydropyran‐bis Coumarins
Authors: Kalalbandi Veerendra Kumar A. , Bijjaragi Subhas C. , Seetharamappa Jaldappagari 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA synthetic route for the synthesis of biscoumarin fused with dihydropyran ring via one pot multicomponent reaction using hydroxy coumarins, formyl coumarins and malononitrile as precursors is proposed. A plausible mechanistic pathway for the formation of biscoumarin fused with dihydropyran ring is suggested. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR,1H NMR,13C NMR and mass spectral data. Among the synthesized compounds, single crystals of 2‐amino‐5‐oxo‐4‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐6‐yl)‐4,5‐dihydropyrano[3, 2‐c]chromene‐3‐carbonitrile were obtained and their crystal parameters were discussed. Further, antimicrobial activities of all the synthesized compounds against microbial pathogens were investigated by broth micro dilution method. Majority of the compounds exhibited promising antimicrobial activities.
Enantioselective Separation of Racemic Tryptophan with Sonochemically Prepared Egg Albumin Microspheres
Authors: Mutalikdesai Amruta , Zoabi Amani , Kumar Vijay Bhooshan , Abu‐Reziq Raed , Hassner Alfred , Gedanken Aharon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNew approaches for chiral resolution are gaining importance and are of economic interest for the development of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, chiral sensors and food additives. Herein we disclose the first examples in which sonochemically prepared egg albumin microspheres (EAMs) were used for chiral resolution of an amino acid. When EAMs were in contact with an aqueous solution of racemic tryptophan (Trp) they selectively interacted with L‐Trp leading to 94% enantiomeric excess (ee) of D‐Trp. In a control experiment in which the egg protein, without applying ultrasonic waves to form microspheres, was dissolved and exposed to racemic Trp, no chiral resolution was observed. The effects of temperature and concentration were studied in detail. These preliminary results show that EAMs produced by sonication may provide a simple, cost‐effective an unconventional way to chiral separation of racemic amino acids.
Optoelectronic Properties of Supramolecular Aggregates of Phenylalanine Conjugated Perylene Bisimide
Authors: Chal Pousali , Shit Arnab , Nandi Arun K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPerylene derivatives exhibit good optoelectronic properties and in order to augment it, the self‐assembly of phenyl alanine conjugated with perylene bisimide (PBI) would be a good motif because of excellent self‐organizing power of both the components. So we have synthesized N, N’‐di((S)‐1‐carboxylphenylalanine)‐3,4:9,10‐ perylenetetracarboxyl bisimide (PPA) and have studied its self‐organization in different organic solvents. Microscopic images reveal the formation of vesicles cast from chloroform. There is a gradual change in color from green to yellow to orange to red under UV light with increasing PPA concentration. The emission maximum for the lowest energy peak gradually increases with increase in PPA concentration and the emission intensity shows a maximum at a 4–8 mM concentration due to variation of self‐aggregation nature. Fluorescence of PPA in other solvents also varies in a similar fashion indicating dynamic nature of the self‐assembly with concentration. The current voltage (I−V) property of the dried ensemble from chloroform exhibit negative differential resistance with rectification property indicating co‐existence of holes and electrons. On application of electric field the holes and electrons of the system become recombined generating luminescence, which peak position and intensity vary with increasing applied voltage.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation and Docking Study of Some Pyrazole Bearing [1, 2,4]Triazolo[3, 4‐b][1, 3,4]thiadiazole Derivatives
Authors: Shingare Ramesh M. , Patil Yogesh S. , Sangshetti Jaiprakash N. , Damale Manoj G. , Rajani Dhanji P. , Madje Balaji R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA novel series of pyrazole bearing[1, 2,4]triazolo[3, 4‐b][1, 3,4]thiadiazole derivatives (6 a‐l) such as 3‐(5‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐6‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐[1, 2,4]triazolo[3, 4‐b][1, 3,4]thiadiazole were synthesized by cyclo‐condensation of 4‐amino‐5‐[5‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐methoxy‐phenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]‐4H‐[1, 2,4]triazole‐3‐thiol (5) with substituted benzoic/pyridinyl acids in phosphorus oxychloride giving good yields and purity. IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and LCMS/MS spectroscopy were used to characterise all the synthesized compounds. All the new derivatives were appraised for their antimicrobial activity, antifungal assay against C. Albicans, A. Niger and A. Clavatus along with Nystatin and Griseofulvin as standard drug and antibacterial assay against E. Coli, P. Aeruginosa, S. Aureus, S. Pyogenus along with Ampicillin as standard drug. Compounds (6 b) and (6 j) displayed excellent antifungal activity whereas compound (6 d) and (6 e) displayed excellent antibacterial activity. Molecular modelling and adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion‐toxicity (ADMET) prediction data clearly shows that 1,2,4‐triazolo[3, 4‐b][1, 3,4] thiadiazole derivatives (6 a‐l) have potential to explore in the drug discovery pipeline as antifungal agents.
Deciphering the Role of Bilayer of a Niosome towards Controlling the Entrapment and Release of Dyes
Authors: Damera Deepthi Priyanka , Venuganti Venkata Vamsi Krishna , Nag Amit 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNiosomes are self‐assemblies of non‐ionic surfactants into vesicular structures, which mimic cell membranes in several aspects and potentially used as transdermal carriers for hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs. However, controlling the amount of prescribed drug is absolutely important during transdermal delivery. The drug entrapment in a niosome, depends on several factors such as the bilayer arrangement, size and surface charge of a particular niosome. Hence, a systematic synthetic and spectroscopic study will convey the important information about drug entrapment and even controlling the entrapment, upon structural variation of the niosomes. In this report, we show that how the hydrophobic bilayer arrangement can be crucial to alter the molecular entrapment inside the niosome. For such study, niosomes are synthesized, which contain bilayers of different capacities. Entrapment and release studies are performed subsequently using common fluorophores: coumarin‐153 (a hydrophobic dye) and rhodamine 6G (a water loving dye). Raman Spectroscopy is extensively used to characterize the bilayer disorderness for the synthesized niosomes. Our study reveals, that the niosome with ordered bilayer can entrap the hydrophobic dye coumarin‐153 significantly more than the niosome containing a disordered bilayer. However, we have also identified that these entrapment efficiencies of the niosomes are reversed in a substantial way by the addition of ionic surfactants like CTAB, to the niosome.
Optimization of SnO2 Nanoparticles Confined in a Carbon Matrix towards Applications as High‐Capacity Anodes in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wei Shenying , Chu Shiyong , Lu Qian , Zhou Wei , Cai Rui , Shao Zongping 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSnO2/carbon composites including amorphous carbon and graphene or carbon nanotubes are synthesized by a gas‐liquid interfacial approach and subsequent annealing process. The effect of the carbon source and the conductive additive on the electrochemical performance is investigated by galvanostatic charge‐discharge tests. SnO2@Glucose/Graphene (SnO2@Glu/G) composites as anodes of sodium‐ion batteries show the best electrochemical performance, delivering 306 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 between 0.01‐3 V, while exhibiting 278 and 226 mA h g−1 at 1 and 2 A g−1, respectively. The mechanism of improved electrochemical performance for graphene is researched in detail. The results reveal a porous structure with fine SnO2 particles due to the introduction of graphene oxide, and an effective electron charge transfer network from the graphene increases its reversible capacity, rate performance and cycling performance.
Zinc‐Catalyzed Etherification Reaction of Aryl Iodides with Phenols
Authors: Krishnan K. Keerthi , Harry Nissy Ann , Ujwaldev Sankuviruthiyil M. , Anilkumar Gopinathan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA novel and efficient Zinc‐catalyzed C−O cross‐coupling reaction have been developed using phenols with activated iodoarenes to afford diaryl ether derivatives in moderate to good yields under moderate reaction conditions. The reaction proceeds through an in situ generated Zn/L‐proline complex. The use of relatively nontoxic and ecofriendly Zn, cheap and easily available amino acid ligand L‐proline makes a better alternative for the synthesis of diaryl ethers. The main advantage of our protocol is that we could activate a d10 metal for the cross‐coupling reaction. The scope and limitations of this protocol are also investigated.