bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strong and tough hydrogels crosslinked by multi‐functional polymer colloids
Authors: Fu Jun 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTTough polymer hydrogels have great potential applications in soft actuators, artificial muscles, tissue engineering, and so forth. To improve the strength and toughness of hydrogels, numerous strategies have been developed to integrate efficient energy dissipation mechanisms into the hydrophilic networks. Among them, the use of macro‐crosslinkers to replace conventional chemical ones has become promising to develop tough hydrogels. Polymer colloids—including nano‐/microparticles, nano‐/microgels, hydrophobic associates, and block copolymer assemblies—have been employed in literature as multi‐functional macro‐crosslinkers that link polymer chains through covalent bonds or noncovalent interactions. The dislocation, deformation, desociation, and rupture of polymer colloids upon loadings are the major mechanisms to dissipate energy. This article provides a comprehensive account of most recent progresses on tough hydrogels crosslinked by polymer colloids, and explores the toughening mechanisms. It aims to inspire novel designs of tough hydrogels with multi‐functionalities. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1336–1350
Combining Higher Efficiency with Lower Costs: an Alternative Hexamine‐Based White Smoke Signal
Authors: Küblböck Teresa , Klapötke Thomas M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe effect of applying hexamine as main fuel in terephthalic acid‐based white smoke formulations is discussed. For this reason, a simple four ingredients mixture only consisting of terephthalic acid, hexamine, potassium chlorate and a magnesium carbonate derivative was introduced. We started from a minimum amount of dye and constantly increased the dye percentage in 5.0 wt‐% steps to investigate the influence on emerging smoke properties. This procedure ensures that the amount of dye present in the aerosol can be optimized to obtain the most persistent, thick white smoke cloud. Previous research on white smokes in our group indicated an overall higher smoke performance in terms of efficiency and advanced persistence by using 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazole as main fuel instead of sugar. From a costs point of view, hexamine would be favored, since it offers a low‐cost alternative to 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazole.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their response to pesticides
Authors: Hage‐Ahmed Karin , Rosner Kathrin , Steinkellner Siegrid 
Published: September 2018

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with the majority of plant species and can provide multiple benefits to the host plant. In agro‐ecosystems, the abundance and community structure of AMF are affected by agricultural management practices. This review describes and discusses current knowledge on the effects of inorganic and organic chemical pesticides on AMF in the conflicting area between agricultural use and environmental concerns. Variable effects have been reported following chemical pesticide use, ranging from neutral to positive and negative. Moreover, a species‐specific reaction has been documented. The reported effects of pesticides on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis are very diverse, and even when the same substance is investigated, the results are often contradictory. These effects depend on many parameters, such as the active substance, the mode of action, the mode of application and the dosage. In the field, determinants such as the physico‐chemical behavior of the active substances, the soil type and other soil microorganisms contribute to the fate of pesticides and thus the amount of active substances to which AMF are exposed. This review highlights that the fate of AMF following pesticide use needs to be addressed in a broader agro‐ecosystem context. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Long‐term monitoring and characterization of resistance to chlorfenapyr in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from China
Authors: Wang Xingliang , Wang Jing , Cao Xiaowei , Wang Falong , Yang Yihua , Wu Shuwen , Wu Yidong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPlutella xylostella (L.) is a worldwide pest of crucifer crops. Chlorfenapyr has been used extensively to manage several insect pests in vegetables, including P. xylostella. In this study, 48 field populations were collected from 11 geographic locations of China from 2008 to 2017 for resistance monitoring to chlorfenapyr. Inheritance and synergism of chlorfenapyr resistance were characterized in a field‐derived population.RESULTSCompared with the susceptible SZ strain, 33 of 39 populations collected from Eastern China were susceptible or developed low levels of resistance to chlorfenapyr (< 10‐fold), five populations developed mid‐level resistance (11–33‐fold), and only one population had high level resistance (208‐fold). However, seven of nine populations sampled from Southern China evolved 136–334‐fold resistance. Interestingly, the dynamic of the median lethal concentration (LC50) values from four continuous sampling sites (NJ, HF, JN and KS) showed a sharp increase in 2009, which implies that adults may have immigrated from chlorfenapyr‐resistant regions. A highly resistant field population (GZ15) was further studied. By crossing the GZ15 and susceptible SZ strains we showed that resistance to chlorfenapyr was autosomally inherited and incompletely dominant. Synergism bioassays revealed that metabolic detoxification might not be responsible for chlorfenapyr resistance in the GZ15 population.CONCLUSIONSSome field populations of P. xylostella from China have evolved high levels of resistance to chlorfenapyr. Field‐evolved resistance to chlorfenapyr is autosomal and dominant in the GZ15 population. These findings provide useful information for the design of effective resistance management strategies against P. xylostella in the field. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An accurate analytical formula for the van der Waals potentials of homonuclear rare‐gas dimers with one adjustable parameter
Authors: Sheng Xiaowei , Zhu Hongjuan , Zhang Zixuan , Zhang Danyang , Lu Jingyang , Xiao Jianping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the present article, the Tang–Toennies–Yiu (TTY) potential model is modified by introducing one adjustable parameter. Then, the van der Waals potentials of He2, Ne2, Ar2, Kr2, and Xe2 are calculated by this model with the adjustable parameter being determined by the well determined well depth De of these systems. Based on the derived potentials, the vibrational energy spacings of these systems are also calculated. It is shown that the present derived potentials and vibrational energy spacings agree well with experiment and other theoretical calculations. Finally, the normalization constant A in the asymptotic wave function of rare‐gas atoms is estimated. The present derived normalization constant A is very close to the one by calculating the ratio between the Hartree–Fock function and the asymptotic wave function. The results confirm that absorbing the first‐order polarization energy into the exchange energy expression is a well approximation for the present systems.
Fixed‐time stabilization of uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems via a bi‐limit–like strategy
Authors: Yang Haijiao , Ye Dan 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThis paper concerns the fixed‐time stabilization problem for uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems. Generally, the so‐called fixed‐time stabilization is an extended concept of global finite‐time stabilization. By using fixed‐time controller, the convergence time of the closed‐loop system can be pre‐set by adjusting design parameters, which has more practical application values. The idea of bi‐limit homogeneity has been introduced to design the fixed‐time controller with two terms, whose orders are tuning by a bi‐limit–like strategy. That is the orders of the two terms are less than 1 and more than 1, respectively. Meanwhile, by utilizing power integral terms in the controller, the problem arising from the growth rates of uncertain nonlinear functions can also be solved. Based on appropriate Lyapunov function and backstepping technology, the parameters of the controller are finally determined, and the developed controller ensures the stabilization of system within a fixed time. Stability analysis and simulation results are respectively given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Higher Pericyte Content and Secretory Activity of Microfragmented Human Adipose Tissue Compared to Enzymatically Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction
Authors: Vezzani Bianca , Shaw Isaac , Lesme Hanna , Yong Li , Khan Nusrat , Tremolada Carlo , Péault Bruno 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAutologous adipose tissue is used for tissue repletion and/or regeneration as an intact lipoaspirate or as enzymatically derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which may be first cultured into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Alternatively, transplant of autologous adipose tissue mechanically fragmented into submillimeter clusters has recently showed remarkable efficacy in diverse therapeutic indications. To document the biologic basis of the regenerative potential of microfragmented adipose tissue, we first analyzed the distribution of perivascular presumptive MSCs in adipose tissue processed with the Lipogems technology, observing a significant enrichment in pericytes, at the expense of adventitial cells, as compared to isogenic enzymatically processed lipoaspirates. The importance of MSCs as trophic and immunomodulatory cells, due to the secretion of specific factors, has been described. Therefore, we investigated protein secretion by cultured adipose tissue clusters or enzymatically derived SVF using secretome arrays. In culture, microfragmented adipose tissue releases many more growth factors and cytokines involved in tissue repair and regeneration, noticeably via angiogenesis, compared to isogenic SVF. Therefore, we suggest that the efficient tissue repair/regeneration observed after transplantation of microfragmented adipose tissue is due to the secretory ability of the intact perivascular niche.
Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyridines and Indoles by a Palladium‐Catalyzed Catellani‐type Alkylation‐Alkenylation Sequence
Authors: Fu Jingjing , Gao Yadong , Qi Xiangbing , Jiang Chao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe C−H functionalization of heterocycles has attracted extensive attention recently due to the ubiquity of substituted heterocycles in natural products, drugs, and other bioactive molecules. The Catellani‐type C−H functionalization, which is a palladium‐catalyzed and norbornene‐mediated coupling process, can properly overcome the metal poisoning between hetero atoms and metal catalyst. Based on this fact, we developed a method to efficiently build multiple C−C bonds on the pyridine and indole substrates by one‐pot process and finally achieved ortho‐alkylation/ipso‐alkenylation in moderate to good yields.
Investigation of Detergent‐Modified Enzymomimetic Activities of TEMED‐Templated Nanoceria Towards Fluorescent Detection of Their Cellular Uptake
Authors: Peskova Marie , Heger Zbynek , Dostalova Simona , Fojtu Michaela , Castkova Klara , Ilkovics Ladislav , Vykoukal Vit , Pekarik Vladimir 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCeria nanoparticles can catalyze many redox reactions that resemble reactions catalyzed by naturally occurring enzymes, such as peroxidase, catalase, haloperoxidase or phosphatase. This makes nanoceria an attractive material for biomedical and sensing applications. Presence of detergents dramatically affects the catalytic activity of nanoceria. The catalytic activity is also strongly influenced by biogenic compounds present in the sample. Furthermore, biomedical applications are hindered by the difficulties to detect nanoceria uptake by cells. Therefore, we have developed a new fast and sensitive fluorescent haloperoxidase assay based on fluorescein bromination in presence of CTAB to detect uptake of CeO2 nanoparticles by cells in vitro. Moreover, catalytic activities of standard nanoceria (CeO2) were compared to nanoceria hydrates (CeO2.xH2O) that are easier for preparation and might be stabilized by biologically relevant molecules allowing for a specific targeting to cells or tissues. We have developed a new approach to produce CeO2.xH2O in presence of TEMED and analyzed whether the presence of H2O2 during the synthesis influences the catalytic activity of produced particles.
Context‐dependent regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases: Insights from systems biology approaches
Authors: Lam Inez , Pickering Christina M. , Mac Gabhann Feilim 
Published: September 2018

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell membrane proteins that provide cells with the ability to sense proteins in their environments. Many RTKs are essential to development and organ growth. Derangement of RTKs—by mutation or by overexpression—is central to several developmental and adult disorders including cancer, short stature, and vascular pathologies. The mechanism of action of RTKs is complex and is regulated by contextual components, including the existence of multiple competing ligands and receptors in many families, the intracellular location of the RTK, the dynamic and cell‐specific coexpression of other RTKs, and the commonality of downstream signaling pathways. This means that both the state of the cell and the microenvironment outside the cell play a role, which makes sense given the pivotal location of RTKs as the nexus linking the extracellular milieu to intracellular signaling and modification of cell behavior. In this review, we describe these different contextual components through the lens of systems biology, in which both computational modeling and experimental “omics” approaches have been used to better understand RTK networks. The complexity of these networks is such that using these systems biology approaches is necessary to get a handle on the mechanisms of pathology and the design of therapeutics targeting RTKs. In particular, we describe in detail three concrete examples (involving ErbB3, VEGFR2, and AXL) that illustrate how systems approaches can reveal key mechanistic and therapeutic insights.This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Cell Signaling
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Therapeutic Methods
The mammalian mycobiome: A complex system in a dynamic relationship with the host
Authors: Lai Ghee Chuan , Tan Tze Guan , Pavelka Norman 
Published: September 2018

Mammalian barrier surfaces are densely populated by symbiont fungi in much the same way the former are colonized by symbiont bacteria. The fungal microbiota, otherwise known as the mycobiota, is increasingly recognized as a critical player in the maintenance of health and homeostasis of the host. Here we discuss the impact of the mycobiota on host physiology and disease, the factors influencing mycobiota composition, and the current technologies used for identifying symbiont fungal species. Understanding the tripartite interactions among the host, mycobiota, and other members of the microbiota, will help to guide the development of novel prevention and therapeutic strategies for a variety of human diseases.This article is categorized under:

Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organismal Models
PlaD: A Transcriptomics Database for Plant Defense Responses to Pathogens, Providing New Insights into Plant Immune System
Authors: Qi Huan , Jiang Zhenhong , Zhang Kang , Yang Shiping , He Fei , Zhang Ziding 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
High-throughput transcriptomics technologies have been widely used to study plant transcriptional reprogramming during the process of plant defense responses, and a large quantity of gene expression data have been accumulated in public repositories. However, utilization of these data is often hampered by the lack of standard metadata annotation. In this study, we curated 2444 public pathogenesis-related gene expression samples from the model plant Arabidopsis and three major crops (maize, rice, and wheat). We organized the data into a user-friendly database termed as PlaD. Currently, PlaD contains three key features. First, it provides large-scale curated data related to plant defense responses, including gene expression and gene functional annotation data. Second, it provides the visualization of condition-specific expression profiles. Third, it allows users to search co-regulated genes under the infections of various pathogens. Using PlaD, we conducted a large-scale transcriptome analysis to explore the global landscape of gene expression in the curated data. We found that only a small fraction of genes were differentially expressed under multiple conditions, which might be explained by their tendency of having more network connections and shorter network distances in gene networks. Collectively, we hope that PlaD can serve as an important and comprehensive knowledgebase to the community of plant sciences, providing insightful clues to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immune responses. PlaD is freely available at http://systbio.cau.edu.cn/plad/index.php or http://zzdlab.com/plad/index.php.
The positive effects of an antimicrobial stewardship program targeting outpatient hemodialysis facilities
Authors: D’Agata Erika M. C. , Lindberg Curt C. , Lindberg Claire M. , Downham Gemma , Esposito Brandi , Shemin Douglas , Rosen Sophia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundAntimicrobial stewardship programs are effective in optimizing antimicrobial prescribing patterns and decreasing the negative outcomes of antimicrobial exposure, including the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. In dialysis facilities, 30%–35% of antimicrobials are either not indicated or the type of antimicrobial is not optimal. Although antimicrobial stewardship programs are now implemented nationwide in hospital settings, programs specific to the maintenance dialysis facilities have not been developed.ObjectiveTo quantify the effect of an antimicrobial stewardship program in reducing antimicrobial prescribing.Study design and settingAn interrupted time-series study in 6 outpatient hemodialysis facilities was conducted in which mean monthly antimicrobial doses per 100 patient months during the 12 months prior to the program were compared to those in the 12-month intervention period.ResultsImplementation of the antimicrobial stewardship program was associated with a 6% monthly reduction in antimicrobial doses per 100 patient months during the intervention period (P=.02). The initial mean of 22.6 antimicrobial doses per 100 patient months decreased to a mean of 10.5 antimicrobial doses per 100 patient months at the end of the intervention. There were no significant changes in antimicrobial use by type, including vancomycin. Antimicrobial adjustments were recommended for 30 of 145 antimicrobial courses (20.6%) for which there were sufficient clinical data. The most frequent reasons for adjustment included de-escalation from vancomycin to cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infections and discontinuation of antimicrobials when criteria for presumed infection were not met.ConclusionsWithin 6 hemodialysis facilities, implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship was associated with a decline in antimicrobial prescribing with no negative effects.
A two-dimensional glacier–fjord coupled model applied to estimate submarine melt rates and front position changes of Hansbreen, Svalbard
Authors: DE ANDRÉS E. , OTERO J. , NAVARRO F. , PROMIŃSKA A. , LAPAZARAN J. , WALCZOWSKI W. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTWe have developed a two-dimensional coupled glacier–fjord model, which runs automatically using Elmer/Ice and MITgcm software packages, to investigate the magnitude of submarine melting along a vertical glacier front and its potential influence on glacier calving and front position changes. We apply this model to simulate the Hansbreen glacier–Hansbukta proglacial–fjord system, Southwestern Svalbard, during the summer of 2010. The limited size of this system allows us to resolve some of the small-scale processes occurring at the ice–ocean interface in the fjord model, using a 0.5 s time step and a 1 m grid resolution near the glacier front. We use a rich set of field data spanning the period April–August 2010 to constrain, calibrate and validate the model. We adjust circulation patterns in the fjord by tuning subglacial discharge inputs that best match observed temperature while maintaining a compromise with observed salinity, suggesting a convectively driven circulation in Hansbukta. The results of our model simulations suggest that both submarine melting and crevasse hydrofracturing exert important controls on seasonal frontal ablation, with submarine melting alone not being sufficient for reproducing the observed patterns of seasonal retreat. Both submarine melt and calving rates accumulated along the entire simulation period are of the same order of magnitude, ~100 m. The model results also indicate that changes in submarine melting lag meltwater production by 4–5 weeks, which suggests that it may take up to a month for meltwater to traverse the englacial and subglacial drainage network.
In-site pollen record from the Dadiwan archaeological site and the human-environment relationship during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3
Authors: Peng Wei , Huang Xiaozhong , Zhang Dongju , Storozum Michael J. , Chen Fahu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractClimatic change that affects biological productivity is often argued to be a primary force influencing human activities during the glacial period. To test this assumption, we combine in-site pollen, paleoclimatic, and archaeological data from the Dadiwan site and nearby areas on the western Loess Plateau (WLP) that date to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. Our comparison of multiple datasets suggests that regional human activities increased when the vegetation around the Dadiwan area shifted from forest steppe in the early MIS 3 (59–46.7 ka) to steppe in the middle to late MIS 3 (46.7–29.5 ka). Our results indicate that regional human activities increased again during the late MIS 3 when the amount of precipitation was higher, as indicated by the lowerArtemisiaproportion. We suggest that increased precipitation on the WLP enhanced the above-ground biomass production and may be responsible for an increase in human activity and population in this region.
Kurzer Entscheidungs-Test Online (KETO) zur Erfassung des Entscheidungsverhaltens unter Unsicherheit und der Höhe der angestrebten Urteilssicherheit (HAUS)
Authors: Hausmann Daniel , Stoll Julia 
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Viele Menschen treffen ihre Entscheidungen, wenn sie sich subjektiv sicher genug sind. Der Kurze Entscheidungs-Test Online (KETO) wurde als attraktives, komplexes und für die Teilnehmenden nicht einfach zu durchschauendes Verhaltensspiel im Sinne eines objektiven Persönlichkeitstests entwickelt, um die individuelle Höhe der angestrebten Urteilssicherheit (HAUS) prozentgenau zu erfassen. In 22 vergleichbaren Durchgängen soll eine von vier zur Auswahl stehenden Optionen gewählt werden. Dabei können auf einem Information Board 0 bis maximal 5 probabilistische Cue-Informationen aufgedeckt werden. Die individuelle HAUS wird aufgrund der probabilistischen Erstinformation und dem weiteren Suchverhalten experimentell eingegrenzt und anhand des vollständigen Informationssuchmusters post-hoc nachberechnet. Mehrere Validierungschritte wurden mit 1 008 Versuchspersonen durchgeführt und umfassten die konvergente und divergente Validität, eine Extremgruppen- und Kriteriumsvalidierung, sowie Retest-Reliabilität und Stabilität. Die HAUS korrelierte positiv mit der Risikoeinstellung und negativ mit dem Risikoverhalten (kleine Effektstärke). Die HAUS ist unter anderem unabhängig von der Teilnahmemotivation, von der Maximierungstendenz und den 5 Faktoren des NEO-FFI.