bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite‐Time Stabilization of Coupled Systems on Networks with Time‐Varying Delays via Periodically Intermittent Control
Authors: Wu Yongbao , Liu Yuntao , Li Wenxue 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper, finite‐time stabilization of coupled systems on networks with time‐varying delays (CSNTDs) via periodically intermittent control is studied. Both delayed subsystems and delayed couplings are considered; the self‐delays of different subsystems in delayed couplings are not identical. A periodically intermittent controller is designed to stabilize CSNTDs within finite time, and the stabilization duration is closely related to the topological structures of networks. Furthermore, two sufficient criteria are developed to ensure CSNTDs under periodically intermittent control can be stabilized within finite time by using an approach that combines the Lyapunov method with Kirchhoff's Matrix Tree Theorem. Then finite‐time stabilization of coupled oscillators with time‐varying delays is given as a practical application and sufficient criteria is obtained. Finally, a numerical simulation is proposed to support our results and show the effectiveness of the controller.
Finite‐Time Stability of Linear Caputo‐Katugampola Fractional‐Order Time Delay Systems
Authors: Ben Makhlouf Abdellatif , Nagy A. M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a finite‐time stability procedure is suggested for a class of Caputo‐Katugampola fractional‐order time delay systems. Sufficient conditions are derived to prove this fact. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the validity of our theoretical results.
Two colorimetric fluorescent turn‐on chemosensors for detection of Al3+and N3−: Synthesis, photophysical and computational studies
Authors: Abebe Fasil , Sutton Treshaun , Perkins Pierce , Shaw Roosevelt 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTwo new rhodamine derivative L1 and L2 bearing 2‐methoxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde and 5‐bromo‐3‐methoxy salicylaldehyde units were designed and synthesized using microwave‐assisted organic synthesis and utilized towards sequential fluorescence detection of aluminum ion (Al3+) and azide (N3−) in aqueous acetonitrile solution. Aluminum ion (Al3+) triggers the formation of highly fluorescent ring‐open spirolactam. The fluorescence and colorimetric response of the L1‐Al3+ and L2‐Al3+ complexes were quenched by the addition of N3−, which extracting the Al3+ from the complexes and turn‐off the sensors, confirming that the recognition process is reversible. The recognition ability of the sensors was investigated by fluorescence titration, Job's plot, 1H‐NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
MyMOOCSpace: Mobile cloud‐based system tool to improve collaboration and preparation of group assessments in traditional engineering courses in higher education
Authors: Ramírez‐Donoso Luis , Pérez‐Sanagustín Mar , Neyem Andrés 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAssessments in traditional university courses continue to be an accepted tool for validating the knowledge acquired in the different subjects. It is in this context that students use a variety of practices to prepare assessments and exams appropriately. On the other hand, in recent years, higher education institutions have been using the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as an alternative to expand and innovate their traditional classroom practices. In this field, some alternatives have been generated in these platforms to extend their functions beyond the courses proposed. MyMOOCSpace is a cloud‐based tool that improves the interaction of students participating in a MOOC course. However, a variation of this tool allows for improved collaboration and preparation of assessments and/or tests for students in a traditional higher education class. This article presents a study using the MyMOOCSpace tool as an alternative to encourage collaboration and preparation of students to take traditional tests or assessments in the field of higher education. To evaluate this application and demonstrate the impact on the results of the evaluations, a case study is presented in which 40 computer engineering students from a Chilean university participated. The results show that MyMOOCSpace generates a positive increase in student interaction regarding the subjects covered in the course, and that it helped them to study and prepare for the final exam of the subject.
Carbaboranylation of Truncated C‐Terminal Neuropeptide Y Analogue Leads to Full hY1 Receptor Agonism
Authors: Hofmann Sven , Lindner Josephin , Beck‐Sickinger Annette G. , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie , Bellmann‐Sickert Kathrin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe human Y1 receptor is overexpressed in breast tumour cells and is, therefore, a valuable target for site‐selective drug delivery. The well‐established hY1R‐selective ligand [Phe7,Pro34]NPY has been used to couple to drugs but its length of 36 amino acids also implies complex synthesis and high production costs. Therefore, shorter ligands are desirable. However, truncated versions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) usually result in reduced binding, antagonists, or only partial G‐protein‐biased agonists. Herein, we report on a nonamer peptide derived from the C terminus of NPY that is modified by a carbaborane, which is able to activate hY1R fully in terms of G‐protein activation but also arrestin recruitment and internalisation. We provide evidence that this unique behaviour is due to the bulky nature of the carbaborane cluster, which might address a specific second binding pocket in hY1R that is crucial for arrestin recruitment. Thus, this study helps in deciphering ligand‐induced onset of different pathways in hY1R mediated signalling.
Impact of simulated MitraClip on forward flow obstruction in the setting of mitral leaflet tethering: An in vitro investigation
Authors: Bloodworth Charles H. , Pierce Eric L. , Kohli Keshav , Deaton Nancy J. , Jones Kaitlin J. , Duvvuri Radhika , Kamioka Norihiko , Babaliaros Vasilis C. , Yoganathan Ajit P. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate diastolic leaflet tethering as a factor that may cause mitral stenosis (MS) after simulated MitraClip implantation, using an in vitro left heart simulator.BackgroundLeaflet tethering commonly seen in functional mitral regurgitation may be a significant factor affecting the severity of MS after MitraClip implantation.MethodsA left heart simulator with excised ovine mitral valves (N = 6), and custom edge‐to‐edge clip devices (GTclip) was used to mimic implantation of MitraClip in a variety of positions. Anterior mitral leaflet (AML) tethering severity was varied for each case (leaflet excursion of 75°, 60°, and 45°, consistent with mild, moderate and severe tethering), and the baseline mitral annular area (MAA) was varied across samples (3.6–4.8 cm2). The resulting mitral valve area (MVA), and peak/mean mitral valve gradient (MVG) were measured in each case.ResultsAML tethering severity was a highly significant factor increasing MVG and decreasing MVA (P < 0.001). When GTclip placement was simulated with severe AML tethering, mean MVG >5 mmHg resulted more frequently than with GTclip placement alone (46% vs. 4%, respectively). However, severe AML tethering alone significantly reduced baseline MVA to 3.6 ± 0.2 cm2, and increased baseline MVG to 3.0 ± 0.4 mmHg. At MAA above 4.7 cm2, severe AML tethering did not cause moderate MS, even with placement of two GTclips (95% confidence).ConclusionsOur results show that diastolic AML tethering may predispose to MS after clip placement, however, MS was not observed when baseline MVA was above 4.0 cm2. Severity of AML tethering may be an important criterion in selecting patients for edge‐to‐edge repair.
Massive air embolism as a complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A case report illustrating a stroke mimic, literature review, and suggested management
Authors: Kjellberg Anders , Nyström Harriet , Söderberg Martin , Dlugosz Aldona , Jörnvall Henrik , Steinberg Anna 
Published: August 2018

Key Clinical MessageCerebral air embolism should be considered in case of stroke symptoms during any invasive procedure. Transport to a hospital with neurosurgical/hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) facility could improve the outcome for the patient. Absence of air on computed tomography (CT) scan should not disqualify a patient from HBOT if air embolism is suspected.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Oxidation of Organic Chlorides Using Air and an Inorganic‐Ligand Supported Nickel‐Catalyst Without Photosensitizers
Authors: Yu Han , Wang Jingjing , Zhai Yongyan , Zhang Mengqi , Ru Shi , Han Sheng , Wei Yongge 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEngineering photoredox‐triggered chemical transformation via visible light has been an emerging area in organic synthesis. However, most of the well‐established photocatalysts are based upon either transition metal complexes involved with noble metals and organic ligands or photosensitive organic dyes, the development of pure inorganic molecular photocatalysts that could provide better stability and durability is greatly retarded. Herein we discover that the Anderson polyoxometalate (POM) Na4[NiMo6O18(OH)6] (1), which consists of pure inorganic framework built from a central NiII core supported by six MoVIO6 inorganic scaffold/ligands, can be used as a powerful photocatalyst. Upon irradiation with visible light (>400 nm), the compound can catalyze, in high efficiency, a wide range of reactions, including the oxidative cross‐coupling reaction of chlorides with amines, as well as oxidation of chlorides using molecular oxygen, affording various imines, aldehydes, and ketones, respectively in high selectivity and good yields. Owing to the robust inorganic framework, this catalyst exhibits excellent stability during the catalysis and reusability with little loss of the catalytic activity, thus providing an alternative without use of complicated organic ligands and expensive noble metal‐based photosensitizers.
Ceria‐Zirconia/Zeolite Bifunctional Catalyst for Highly Selective Conversion of Syngas into Aromatics
Authors: Huang Zhen , Wang Sheng , Qin Feng , Huang Liang , Yue Yinghong , Hua Weiming , Qiao Minghua , He Heyong , Shen Wei , Xu Hualong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCeria‐zirconia solid solutions with tunable surface oxygen vacancy have been used in the direct conversion of syngas into aromatics after coupling with ZSM‐5 zeolite. A high selectivity of 83.1 % to aromatics has been achieved from syngas with low H2/CO ratio over Ce0.2Zr0.8O2/ZSM‐5 bifunctional catalyst. The surface oxygen vacancy of Ce0.2Zr0.8O2 is supposed to facilitate the formation of oxygenates which act as intermediates for C−C coupling and aromatization on ZSM‐5, and thus contribute to the well kinetic matching between C−O activation and C−C coupling over these two components of catalyst. The ceria‐zirconia with abundant surface oxygen vacancies and enhanced lattice oxygen mobility intimately mixed with ZSM‐5 zeolite with moderate acidity and crystal size play an important role in the catalytic performance.
Aminal‐based Hypercrosslinked Polymer Modified with Small Palladium Nanoparticles for Efficiently Catalytic Reduction of Nitroarenes
Authors: Xu Dan , Wang Fushan , Yu Guiqin , Zhao Hong , Yang Jing , Yuan Man , Zhang Xiaoyun , Dong Zhengping 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFabrication of heterogeneous catalysts with excellent activity, selectivity and stability is significant for various catalytic applications. Here, we prepared a hypercrosslinked polymer (HCP) via a facile and cost‐effective strategy using ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and melamine as building blocks. Then, the HCP was modified with highly dispersed ultrafine Pd nanoparticles (Pd/HCP). The obtained Pd/HCP shows excellent catalytic activity in the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes under mild reaction conditions. It′s worth mentioning that the N atoms in the HCP can efficiently coordinate Pd ions to form small Pd nanoparticles (NPs) and subsequently prevent the aggregation and leaching of Pd NPs during the reaction, so the Pd/HCP catalyst is highly stable and can be reused at least eight cycles without loss of catalytic activity. Therefore, this work may provide possibilities for using HCPs as ideal supporting materials for fabricating highly stable and efficient heterogeneous catalysts.
Low‐Cost Aqueous Magnesium‐Ion Battery Capacitor with Commercial Mn3O4 and Activated Carbon
Authors: Cao Xi , Wang Lulu , Chen Jitao , Zheng Junrong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this work, an aqueous rechargeable magnesium‐ion battery capacitor with low cost and great application potential is constructed for the first time by using commercial spinel Mn3O4 as the cathode, coupling with activated carbon as the anode. Spinel Mn3O4 experiences a phase transformation to layered Birnessite nanoflakes during the electrochemical process in aqueous MgSO4 electrolyte, which acts as the actual cathode material. By decreasing the particle size of commercial Mn3O4 from several micrometers to about 50–100 nm through a facile milling method, the nanoparticles can more easily experience the phase transformation, which results in significantly enhanced electrochemical properties, with a high reversible capacity of about 81 mAh⋅g‐1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 after 300 cycles in a three‐electrode system. For comparison, the Mn3O4 without milling exhibits only 33 mAh g−1. Coupling with activated carbon, the full cell also exhibits excellent rate and cycle performance; for example, even after 6000 cycles at the rate of 0.5 A g−1, it still delivers a high capacity of about 81 mAh g−1. Such outstanding electrochemical properties are obtained without adding high cost components such as graphene or forming complex nanostructures. Its low cost and scalable preparation procedure make this approach very promising for safe energy storage.
Why Do B–P and Al–P Polymers Differ? Structures, Stability, and Electronic Properties of Chain and Ring [H2PEH2]n Oligomers (E=B, Al; n=1–15)
Authors: Pomogaeva Anna V. , Scheer Manfred , Timoshkin Alexey Y. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChain and ring [H2PEH2]n oligomers (E=B, Al; n=2–15) have been computationally studied at the B3LYP/def2‐TZVP level of theory. A strong tendency to cyclization was found for the chain Al–P oligomers with n>7, whereas analogous long B–P oligomers can exist as chain structures. Subsequent oligomerization enthalpies approach each other very closely for the ring and chain oligomers with an increase of n. However, these oligomers have very different electronic properties with band gaps below 0.2 eV for the chain [H2PBH2]15 and more than 5 eV for the ring isomer [H2PEH2]15. The molecular orbitals in the ring oligomers are highly delocalized, whereas for the chain isomers, the HOMO and LUMO are localized at the different ends of the oligomeric chain.
Phase 1 Single‐ and Multiple‐Ascending‐Dose Randomized Studies of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of AG‐348, a First‐in‐Class Allosteric Activator of Pyruvate Kinase R, in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Yang Hua , Merica Elizabeth , Chen Yue , Cohen Marvin , Goldwater Ronald , Kosinski Penelope A. , Kung Charles , Yuan Zheng (Jason) , Silverman Lee , Goldwasser Meredith , Silver Bruce A. , Agresta Sam , Barbier Ann J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPyruvate kinase deficiency is a chronic hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in PK‐R, a key glycolytic enzyme in erythrocytes. These 2 phase 1 randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind healthy‐volunteer studies assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of AG‐348, a first‐in‐class allosteric PK‐R activator. Twelve sequential cohorts were randomized 2:6 to receive oral placebo or AG‐348, respectively, as a single dose (30‐2500 mg) in the single‐ascending‐dose (SAD) study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02108106) or 15‐700 mg every 12 hours or 120 mg every 24 hours, for 14 days in the multiple‐ascending‐dose (MAD) study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02149966). All 48 subjects completed the fasted SAD part; 44 of 48 completed the MAD (2 discontinued because of adverse events [AEs], 2 withdrew consent). The most common treatment‐related AEs in AG‐348‐treated subjects were headache (16.7% [SAD] and 13.9% [MAD]) and nausea (13.9%, both studies). AE frequency increased at AG‐348 doses ≥ 700 mg (SAD) and at 700 mg every 12 hours (MAD); 1 grade ≥ 3 AE occurred in the latter cohort. Pharmacokinetics were favorable with low variability. Dose‐dependent changes in blood glycolytic intermediates consistent with glycolytic pathway activation were observed at all MAD doses, supporting future trials investigating the potential of AG‐348 for treating PK deficiency or other anemias.
SDN‐based resource allocation in MPLS networks: A hybrid approach
Authors: Tajiki Mohammad Mahdi , Akbari Behzad , Mokari Nader , Chiaraviglio Luca 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe highly dynamic nature of the current network traffics makes the network managers to exploit the flexibility of the state‐of‐the‐art paradigm called SDN. In this way, there has been an increasing interest in hybrid networks of SDN‐MPLS. In this paper, a new traffic engineering architecture for SDN‐MPLS network is proposed. To this end, OpenFlow‐enabled switches are applied over the edge of the network to improve flow‐level management flexibility while MPLS routers are considered as the core of the network to make the scheme applicable for existing MPLS networks. The proposed scheme re‐assigns flows to the Label‐Switched Paths (LSPs) to highly utilize the network resources. In the cases that the flow‐level re‐routing is insufficient, the proposed scheme re‐computes and re‐creates the undergoing LSPs. To this end, we mathematically formulate two optimization problems, ie, i) flow re‐routing and ii) LSP re‐creation, and propose a heuristic algorithm to improve the performance of the scheme. Our experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed hybrid SDN‐MPLS architecture in traffic engineering superiors traditionally deployed MPLS networks.
Cation−Anion−CO2 Interactions in Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquid Sorbents
Authors: Simon Nathalia M. , Zanatta Marcileia , Neumann Jessé , Girard Anne‐Lise , Marin Graciane , Stassen Hubert , Dupont Jairton 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA series of functionalized N‐alkylimidazolium based ionic liquids (ImILs) were designed, through anion (carboxylates and halogenated) and cation (N‐alkyl side chains) structural modifications, and studied as potential sorbents for CO2. The sorption capacities of as prepared bare ImILs could be enhanced from 0.20 to 0.60 molar fraction by variation of cation‐anion‐CO2 and IL‐CO2‐water interaction. By combining NMR spectroscopy with molecular dynamics simulations, a good description of interactions between ImIL and CO2 can be obtained. Three types of CO2 sorption modes have been evidenced depending on the structure of the ImIL ion pair: Physisorption, formation of bicarbonate, and covalent interaction through the nucleophilic addition of CO2 to the cation or anion. The highest CO2 sorption capacity was observed with the ImIL containing the 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation associated with the carboxylate anions (succinate and malonate). This study provides helpful clues for better understanding the structure‐activity relationship of this class of materials and the ion pair influence on CO2 capture.
Acid Pretreatment to Enhance Proton Transport of a Polysulfone‐Polyvinylpyrrolidone Membrane for Application in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Wu Chunxiao , Zhang Jin , Lu Shanfu , Xiang Yan , Jiang San Ping 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAn acid pretreatment strategy is developed to enhance the proton transport of polysulfone‐polyvinylpyrrolidone (PSF‐PVP) membranes for application in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB). The acid pretreatment leads to the formation of ionic conducting clusters with a size of around d=15.41 nm in the membrane (p‐PSF‐PVP). As a result, the proton conductivity and proton/vanadium ion selectivity of the p‐PSF‐PVP membrane increases to 6.60×10−2 S cm−1 and 10.63×107 S min cm−3, respectively, values significantly higher than 2.30×10−2 S cm−1 and 6.67×107 S min cm−3 of the pristine PSF‐PVP membrane. Moreover, a VRFB assembled with the p‐PSF‐PVP membrane exhibits a high coulombic efficiency of 98.6 % and an outstanding energy efficiency of 88.5 %. The results indicate that treatment with either sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid leads to an improvement of membrane properties, and the acid pretreatment is a promising strategy to significantly enhance the performance of the PSF‐PVP membrane for VRFB application.
Molecular Wires with Controllable π‐Delocalization Incorporating Redox‐Triggered π‐Conjugated Switching Units
Authors: Nojo Wataru , Tamaoki Hitomi , Ishigaki Yusuke , Katoono Ryo , Fujiwara Kenshu , Fukushima Takanori , Suzuki Takanori 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA perfluorobiphenyl‐2,2′‐diyl dication and its corresponding dihydrophenanthrene‐type electron donor are interconvertible upon two‐electron transfer. Redox‐triggered C−C bond‐formation/cleavage caused a drastic change in the torsion angle of the biphenyl unit. Thus, π‐delocalization ON/OFF switching was observed as a change in the UV absorption upon electrolysis of the linearly extended analogue with two phenylethynyl groups. A further extended π‐system with a molecular length of ca. 3.5 nm, which has two switching units, was synthesized. Spectroelectrograms as well as voltammetric analyses showed that the two units act nearly simultaneously because of the very small inter‐unit electrostatic repulsion in the tetracationic state. Thus, the present pair is a promising candidate as a switching unit for “molecular wires” with controllable π‐delocalization, in which a higher ON/OFF ratio of delocalization could be realized by incorporating multiple switching units.
A Galactose Dendritic Silicon (IV) Phthalocyanine as a Photosensitizing Agent in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Bispo Mafalda , Pereira Patrícia M. R. , Setaro Francesca , Rodríguez‐Morgade M. Salomé , Fernandes Rosa , Torres Tomás , Tomé João P. C. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTwo protected galacto‐dendritic units have been axially coordinated to the central ion of a silicon(IV) phthalocyanine to afford SiPcPGal4 containing four units of galactose per macrocycle. These biological moieties provided better solubility in aqueous medium and a sensitizer with higher absorption peaks at 680–690 nm. The photodynamic activity of SiPcPGal4 was evaluated against UM‐UC‐3 human bladder cancer cell line and the results were compared with the activity of the reported SiPcPGal2 and SiPc(OH)2. SiPcPGal4 had a better uptake and it was a better toxicity inducer than SiPcPGal2 and SiPc(OH)2 owing to its four galactose units, protected by isopropylidene groups, which can act as targeted micelles.