bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binding Interaction of Gemini Surfactants with Nanotubes of β‐Cyclodextrin and Controlled Release of Guest Molecules: Effect of Spacer Chain Length and Concentration of Surfactants
Authors: Kumari Sunita , Sundar Ganapathisubramanian , Saha Subit K. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe formation of guest molecule (Coumarin 485, C‐485) induced nanotubes by β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and their interactions with cationic gemini surfactants (12‐n‐12, where n=3, 6, and 12) have been explored by means of UV‐visible absorption, steady‐state fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy, time‐resolved fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. β‐CD at its high concentration form extended nanotubes and secondary aggregates of nanotubes. A gemini surfactant has a significant role in binding interactions between C‐485 and nanotubes of β‐CD. In a low concentration range, surfactant molecules are co‐associated with the guest molecules, C‐485, however, at high concentrations, they are capable of pushing C‐485 out of the nanotubular cavities. A gemini molecule with a comparatively longer spacer chain is more efficient in removing the guest molecules out of the nanotubular cavities. Also, the rate of release of guest molecules increases with increasing concentration of surfactants. Release of guest molecules from the nanotubes can be tuned by changing the spacer chain length and concentration of gemini surfactants. Guest molecules after coming out of the nanotubular cavities, get solubilized in the micelles formed by surfactant molecules in the solution. The results of the present work suggest potential application in the development of promising drug delivery systems.
Rice Husk Lignin‐Derived Porous Carbon Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Yi , Huang Yan , Song Kexian , Wang Xiaofeng , Yu Kaifeng , Liang Ce 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLignin carbonaceous is extracted from alkali‐treated rice husk waste liquid through an acid precipitation process, and used as carbon source to prepare porous carbon in one‐step and two‐step methods with zinc chloride as activator at different temperatures. Then the obtained rice husk lignin‐derived porous carbon has been used as anode materials for the lithium‐ion batteries. After comparison, the material obtained by calcination at 500 °C (one‐step method) has displayed excellent cycle stability and high cycle specific capacity (469 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles), much higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite. Good electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique porous structure of lignin‐derived carbon material, which can shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions and increase the contact area between electrode and electrolyte. This work provides an effective method to rationally utilize biomass waste materials, and supplies a new kind of biomass carbon anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Preparation and Thermal Properties of Stearic Acid/n‐Octadecane Binary Eutectic Mixture as Phase Change Materials for Energy Storage
Authors: Shen Jianfen , Hu Zhanjiang , Wang Chaoming , Chen Ke , Cai Zhengyu , Wang Tingjun 
Published: April 2019

AbstractStearic acid/n‐octadecane (SA‐ODE) binary eutectic mixture was made by simple melt blending method and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize the thermal properties of SA, ODE, and their binary mixtures. The phase diagram of SA‐ODE binary system displays a eutectic behavior and the corresponding mass percentage of SA at eutectic point is 4 wt%. The onset melting temperature (Ton) of binary eutectic mixture is 27.4°C, and the latent heat (ΔfusH) is 227 J g−1. The solid‐liquid phase transition temperature and the latent heat of fusion of SA‐ODE binary eutectic mixture have no obvious change after 100 repeated thermal cycles, which suggests the SA‐ODE binary eutectic mixture has good thermal durability and has potential as phase change materials for thermal energy storage.
Cationic‐Polymer‐Functionalized Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots: Preparation and Application to Iron(II) Ion Detection
Authors: Laopa Praethong , Vilaivan Tirayut 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis research focuses on the synthesis of ZnO quantum dots with a cationic polymer coating consisting of poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐ammonium chloride–co‐poly(poly‐ethyleneglycol methyl methacrylate (p(METAC‐PEOMEMA)) for Fe2+ detection. The copolymers of p(METAC‐PEOMEMA) at various molar ratios of METAC/PEOMEMA (100/0, 38/62, and 9/91) were synthesized by RAFT polymerization. The p(METAC‐PEOMEMA) capped trisodium citrate‐ZnO quantum dot (p(METAC‐PEOMEMA)‐ZnO QDs) were prepared via ionic interaction of trisodium citrate‐ZnO QDs and p(METAC‐PEOMEMA). The optical properties of the polymer‐capped ZnO QDs were studied by UV‐Vis and fluororescence spectrophotometry. The p(METAC‐PEOMEMA)‐ZnO QDs exhibited excellent properties such as high monodispersity in particle sizes, good stability, excellent water dispersibility, and good quantum yield of 27–32%. The p(METAC9‐PEOMEMA91)‐ZnO QDs is quenched by Fe2+ with a good selectivity over other metal ions such as Fe3+, Hg2+, Co2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Cu2+, and Na+. A good linear relationship between relative fluorescence intensity and the concentration of Fe2+ ion was observed over an Fe2+ concentration range from 0.47 μM to 5.6 μM, with a limit of detection and limit of quantitation at 0.34 μM and 0.51 μM, respectively. Its application for the detection of Fe2+ ion in drinking water samples was demonstrated.
A Convenient Synthetic Route towards 3,5‐Bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolizidines: Stereoselective Synthesis of Unnatural (–)‐Hyacinthacine B2
Authors: Malatinský Tomáš , Otočková Barbora , Dikošová Lívia , Fischer Róbert 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA convenient synthetic route towards structurally intriguing hyacinthacines bearing an additional hydroxymethyl substituent at the C‐5 position is described. The strategy relies on syn‐stereoselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of D‐mannose‐derived nitrone, which provides the required stereochemistry at the A‐ring and at the bridgehead C‐7a carbon atom in target pyrrolizidines. Consecutive Horner‐Wadsworth‐Emmons olefination and intramolecular reductive amination cyclization are employed for the B‐ring construction with an emphasis on the stereochemistry of the newly formed stereocenter at C‐5. The simplicity of this method is exemplified by effective and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of the unnatural (–)‐enantiomer of hyacinthacine B2.
Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Modified 2D N‐Doped Porous Graphene‐like Carbon as an Efficient and Robust Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Ye Yuzhen , Wang Bin , Liu Gaopeng , Xu Li , Xia Jiexiang , Li Huaming 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAs the high expense and poor stability of Pt‐based catalysts have severely limited the commercial applications of cathodic catalysts in fuel cells, the steps towards developing low‐cost and stable catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have never stopped. In this work, we designed a Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated 2D N‐doped porous graphene‐like carbon material (Fe(1.0)–N/C‐800) from the one‐step pyrolysis of low‐cost and abundant substrates (β‐cyclodextrin, urea and FeCl3) under N2 atmosphere. The doped N can change the charge distribution of C atoms around N atoms and offer active N species such as pyridinic‐N and graphitic‐N to provide more ORR active sites. The appropriate Fe2O3 nanoparticles encapsulated in the graphene‐like carbon layer can enhance the electron and O2 transfer and boost the ORR process. Therefore, the synergetic effect of Fe2O3 nanoparticles modifying and N doping can greatly promote the ORR process. The study on the poisoning of Fe3+ by SCN– further reveals that the Fe2O3 nanoparticles wrapped in the carbon layer will coordinate with N to form Fe–Nx active sites, which can further enhance ORR activity. Thus, the obtained Fe(1.0)–N/C‐800 electrocatalyst possesses excellent ORR catalytic performance in alkaline media (Eonset=0.937 V, E1/2=0.832 V) as well as a superior methanol tolerance and long‐term test stability both in alkaline and acidic media. This work leads a simple and cost‐efficient way to fabricate high‐performance ORR catalysts.
One‐Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Elements (B, N, P)‐Doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Cell Labelling, Differentiation and Outgrowth of Neuronal Cells
Authors: Kumar Vijay B. , Kumar Raj , Friedman Ofir , Golan Yuval , Gedanken Aharon , Shefi Orit 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHere, we report the use of the chemically modified one‐step facile hydrothermal process to develop Boron (B), Nitrogen (N), and Phosphorous (P) doped carbon dots (E@CDs). The chemical characterization of the E@CDs was systematically studied by several analytical techniques that confer doping of elements by known characteristics. The obtained E@CDs had observed very homogeneous size distribution and displayed excitation dependent fluorescence properties, and high quantum yield (QY) was measured in case of B and N doping. Excellent cell viability and good cellular uptake was observed for all E@CDs. Finally, E@CDs were compared with pristine CDs on their effect on cell labelling, neural differentiation process and outgrowth of neurite network. By manipulating the doping of CDs, we can control the branching pattern and outgrowth of neuronal developments. The E@CDs are capable due to their photostability biocompatibility, and possible selective affinity towards nanomedicine applications.
Specific K+ Binding Sites as CO2 Traps in a Porous MOF for Enhanced CO2 Selective Sorption
Authors: Li Na , Chang Ze , Huang Hongliang , Feng Rui , He Wei‐Wei , Zhong Ming , Madden David G. , Zaworotko Michael J. , Bu Xian‐He 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can be fine‐tuned to boost sorbent‐sorbate interactions in order to improve gas sorption and separation performance, but the design of MOFs with ideal structural features for gas separation applications remains a challenge. Herein it is reported that unsaturated alkali metal sites can be immobilized in MOFs through a tetrazole based motif and that gas affinity can thereby be boosted. In the prototypal MOF of this type‐NKU‐521 (NKU denotes Nankai University), K+ cations are effectively embedded in a trinuclear Co2+‐tetrazole coordination motif. The embedded K+ sites are exposed to the pores of NKU‐521 through water removal, and the isosteric heat (Qst) for CO2 is boosted to 41 kJ mol‐1. The nature of the binding site is validated by molecular simulations and structural characterization. The K+ cations in effect serve as gas traps and boost the CO2‐framework affinity, as measured by the Qst, by 24%. In addition, the impact of unsaturated alkali metal sites upon the separation of hydrocarbons is evaluated for the first time in MOFs using ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) calculations and column breakthrough experiments. The results reveal that the presence of exposed K+ sites benefits gas sorption and hydrocarbon separation performances of this MOF.
Recent Progress in Three‐Terminal Artificial Synapses: From Device to System
Authors: Han Hong , Yu Haiyang , Wei Huanhuan , Gong Jiangdong , Xu Wentao 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSynapses are essential to the transmission of nervous signals. Synaptic plasticity allows changes in synaptic strength that make a brain capable of learning from experience. During development of neuromorphic electronics, great efforts have been made to design and fabricate electronic devices that emulate synapses. Three‐terminal artificial synapses have the merits of concurrently transmitting signals and learning. Inorganic and organic electronic synapses have mimicked plasticity and learning. Optoelectronic synapses and photonic synapses have the prospective benefits of low electrical energy loss, high bandwidth, and mechanical robustness. These artificial synapses provide new opportunities for the development of neuromorphic systems that can use parallel processing to manipulate datasets in real time. Synaptic devices have also been used to build artificial sensory systems. Here, recent progress in the development and application of three‐terminal artificial synapses and artificial sensory systems is reviewed.
FE‐Berechnungen mit Fließzonen für Tragfähigkeitsnachweise nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐1
Authors: Kindmann Rolf , Kraus Matthias 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHerrn Univ.‐Prof. Dr.‐Ing. habil. Frank Werner zur Vollendung seines 70. Lebensjahres gewidmetTragfähigkeitsnachweise für stabilitätsgefährdete Stäbe werden nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 [1] in der Regel mit Abminderungsfaktoren oder geometrischen Ersatzimperfektionen geführt. Prinzipiell ist dies auch mit FE‐Berechnungen nach der Fließzonentheorie möglich, jedoch bisher aus verschiedenen Gründen nicht üblich. Im Folgenden werden Nachweise mit FE‐Berechnungen nach der Fließzonentheorie behandelt, da die Tragfähigkeit auf dieser Grundlage genauer und in vielen Fällen auch schneller ermittelt werden kann als mit den o. g. Methoden. Der entscheidende Vorteil liegt auch in der realitätsnahen Beschreibung des tatsächlichen Tragverhaltens, das Erkenntnisse zur Ursache für das Erreichen von Grenztragfähigkeiten liefert und damit das Verständnis zum Tragverhalten stabilitätsgefährdeter Bauteile entscheidend fördert. Da in der Baupraxis häufig Nachweise zum Biegeknicken und Biegedrillknicken von Bauteilen mit doppeltsymmetrischen I‐Querschnitten aus Baustahl S 235 und S 355 geführt werden müssen, wird im Folgenden eine auf diese Anwendungsfälle zugeschnittene Lösung vorgestellt. Ziel des vorliegenden Aufsatzes ist es, Nachweise mit FE‐Berechnungen nach der Fließzonentheorie mittelfristig als Standardverfahren zu etablieren.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells: From Roots to Boost
Authors: Andrzejewska Anna , Lukomska Barbara , Janowski Miroslaw 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIt was shown as long as half a century ago that bone marrow is a source of not only hematopoietic stem cells, but also stem cells of mesenchymal tissues. Then the term “mesenchymal stem cells” (MSCs) was coined in the early 1990s, and more than a decade later, the criteria for defining MSCs have been released by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. The easy derivation from a variety of fetal and adult tissues and undemanding cell culture conditions made MSCs an attractive research object. It was followed by the avalanche of reports from preclinical studies on potentially therapeutic properties of MSCs, such as immunomodulation, trophic support and capability for a spontaneous differentiation into connective tissue cells, and differentiation into the majority of cell types upon specific inductive conditions. Although ontogenesis, niche, and heterogeneity of MSCs are still under investigation, there is a rapid boost of attempts at clinical applications of MSCs, especially for a flood of civilization-driven conditions in so quickly aging societies, not only in the developed countries, but also in the populous developing world. The fields of regenerative medicine and oncology are particularly extensively addressed by MSC applications, in part due to the paucity of traditional therapeutic options for these highly demanding and costly conditions. There are currently almost 1,000 clinical trials registered worldwide at ClinicalTrials.gov, and it seems that we are starting to witness the snowball effect with MSCs becoming a powerful global industry; however, the spectacular effects of MSCs in the clinic still need to be shown. Stem Cells 2019;37:855–864
Loss of the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Glypican5 Facilitates Long-Range Sonic Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Guo Wei , Roelink Henk 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
As a morphogen, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) mediates signaling at a distance from its sites of synthesis. After secretion, Shh must traverse a distance through the extracellular matrix (ECM) to reach the target cells and activate the Hh response. ECM proteins, in particular, the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) of the glypican family, have both negative and positive effects on Shh signaling, all attributed to their ability to bind Shh. Using mouse embryonic stem cell-derived mosaic tissues with compartments that lack the glycosyltransferases Exostosin1 and Exostosin2, or the HSPG core protein Glypican5, we show that Shh accumulates around its source cells when they are surrounded by cells that have a mutated ECM. This accumulation of Shh is correlated with an increased noncell autonomous Shh response. Our results support a model in which Shh presented on the cell surface accumulates at or near ECM that lacks HSPGs, possibly due to the absence of these Shh sequestering molecules. Stem Cells 2019;37:899–909
Energy recovery from municipal solid waste in Nigeria and its economic and environmental implications
Authors: Yusuf R. O. , Adeniran J. A. , Mustapha S. I. , Sonibare J. A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAn assessment of potential biomass resources in Nigeria for the production of methane and power generation is presented in this paper. Nigeria, as an underdeveloped and populous country, needs an uninterrupted source of energy. The country's energy problems have crippled large sectors of the economy. The percentage of people connected to the national grid is 40%. These 40% experience electricity supply failure on average 10–12 hours daily. Energy generation from municipal solid waste (MSW) is an effective MSW management strategy. Yearly waste generation has increased from 6,471 gigagrams (Gg) in 1959 to 26,600 Gg in 2015. This amount is projected to reach 36,250 Gg per year by 2030. Methane emission for 2015 was 491 Gg, and it is projected to reach 669 Gg in 2030. These values translate to 3.48 × 109 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity for 2015, with a projected 4.74 × 109 kWh by 2030. The revenue to be derived from the electricity that is generated could have been US$365.04 × 106 for 2015, and it is estimated that it will reach US$473.82 × 106 by 2030. It was found that methane emissions from MSW increased with time, and capturing this gas for energy production will lead to a sustainable waste management.
Outcome of fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction and normal amniotic fluid volume in second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Nassr A. A. , Shamshirsaz A. A. , Erfani H. , Espinoza J. , Sanz Cortes M. , Koh C. J. , Roth D. R. , Angelo J. R. , Mandy G. T. , Braun M. C. , Ruano R. , Belfort M. A. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTObjectiveCongenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is a rare condition with high perinatal mortality and morbidity when associated with severe oligohydramnios or anhydramnios in the second trimester of pregnancy. Severe pulmonary hypoplasia and end‐stage renal disease are the underlying causes of poor neonatal outcome in these cases. However, little is known about the subset of fetal LUTO that is associated with a normal volume of amniotic fluid at midgestation. The objective of the current study was to describe the natural history, underlying causes, survival and postnatal renal function outcomes in pregnancies with fetal LUTO and normal amniotic fluid volume during the second trimester of pregnancy.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of all pregnancies with fetal LUTO and normal amniotic fluid volume in the second trimester that received prenatal and postnatal care at our quaternary care institution between 2013 and 2017. Data on demographic characteristics, fetal interventions, perinatal survival, need for neonatal respiratory support, postnatal renal function and need for dialysis at the age of 1 and 24 months were analyzed.ResultsOf the 18 fetuses that met the study criteria, 17 (94.4%) survived the perinatal period. Eleven (61.1%) pregnancies developed oligohydramnios in the third trimester, six of which were eligible for and underwent fetal intervention with vesicoamniotic shunt placement, which was performed successfully in all six cases. Two (11.1%) neonates required respiratory support owing to pulmonary hypoplasia. At the age of 2 years, 14 children had follow‐up information available, two (14.3%) of whom had normal renal function, eight (57.1%) had developed some degree of chronic kidney disease (Stage 1–4) and four (28.6%) had developed end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), including two who had already manifested ESRD in the neonatal period.ConclusionsMost fetuses diagnosed prenatally with LUTO that is associated with a normal volume of amniotic fluid at midgestation will have a favorable outcome in terms of perinatal survival and few will need long‐term respiratory support. However, these children are still at increased risk for chronic renal disease, ESRD and need for renal replacement therapy. Larger multicenter studies are needed to characterize the prenatal factors associated with postnatal renal function, and to investigate the role of fetal intervention in the group of fetuses that present with late‐onset oligohydramnios and evidence of preserved fetal renal function. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Ultrasonographic soft markers for detection of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis
Authors: Guerriero S. , Ajossa S. , Pascual M. A. , Rodriguez I. , Piras A. , Perniciano M. , Saba L. , Paoletti A. M. , Mais V. , Alcazar J. L. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound (US) soft markers as a first‐line imaging tool to raise suspicion of rectosigmoid (RS) involvement in women suspected of having deep endometriosis.MethodsWe included in this prospective observational study all patients with clinical suspicion of deep endometriosis who underwent diagnostic transvaginal US evaluation at our unit from January 2016 to February 2017. Several US soft markers were evaluated for prediction of RS involvement (presence of US signs of uterine adenomyosis, presence of an endometrioma, adhesion of the ovary to the uterus (reduced ovarian mobility), presence of ‘kissing ovaries’ (KO) and absence of the ‘sliding sign’), using as the gold standard expert US examination for the presence of RS endometriosis.ResultsIncluded were 333 patients with clinical suspicion of deep endometriosis. Of these, 106 had an US diagnosis of RS endometriosis by an expert. The only significant variables found in the prediction model were absence of the sliding sign (odds ratio (OR), 13.95; 95% CI, 7.7–25.3), presence of KO (OR, 22.5; 95% CI, 4.1–124.0) and the interaction between these two variables (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.004–0.28). Regarding their interaction, RS endometriosis was present when KO was absent and the sliding sign was present in 10% (19/190) of cases, when both KO and the sliding sign were present in 71.4% (5/7) of cases, when both KO and the sliding sign were absent in 60.8% (76/125) of cases and when KO was present and the sliding sign was absent in 54.5% (6/11) of cases. Thus, when the sliding sign was absent and/or KO was present, transvaginal US showed a specificity of 75% (95% CI, 69–80%) and a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI, 73–88%).ConclusionsUS findings of absence of the sliding sign and/or presence of KO in patients with clinical suspicion of endometriosis should raise suspicion of RS involvement and indicate referral for expert US examination, with a low rate of false‐negative diagnosis. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.