bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microenvironment Remodeling Micelles for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy by Early Modulation of Activated Microglia
Authors: Lu Yifei , Guo Zhongyuan , Zhang Yujie , Li Chao , Zhang Yu , Guo Qin , Chen Qinjun , Chen Xinli , He Xi , Liu Lisha , Ruan Chunhui , Sun Tao , Ji Bin , Lu Weigen , Jiang Chen 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCurrent strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments focus on pathologies in the late stage of the disease progression. Poor clinical outcomes are displayed due to the irreversible damages caused by early microglia abnormality which triggers disease development before identical symptoms emerge. Based on the crosstalk between microglia and brain microenvironment, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive polymeric micelle system (Ab‐PEG‐LysB/curcumin (APLB/CUR)) is reported to normalize the oxidative and inflammatory microenvironment and reeducate microglia from an early phase of AD. Through an β‐amyloid (Aβ) transportation‐mimicked pathway, the micelles can accumulate into the diseased regions and exert synergistic effects of polymer‐based ROS scavenging and cargo‐based Aβ inhibition upon microenvironment stimuli. This multitarget strategy exhibits gradual correction of the brain microenvironment, efficient neuroprotection, and microglia modulation, leading to decreased Aβ plaque burdens and consequently enhanced cognitive functions in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 model mice. The results indicate that microglia can be exploited as an early target for AD treatment and their states can be controlled via microenvironment modulation.
161Dy Time‐Domain Synchrotron Mössbauer Spectroscopy for Investigating Single‐Molecule Magnets Incorporating Dy Ions
Authors: Scherthan Lena , Schmidt Sebastian F. M. , Auerbach Hendrik , Hochdörffer Tim , Wolny Juliusz A. , Bi Wenli , Zhao Jiyong , Hu Michael Y. , Toellner Tom , Alp E. Ercan , Brown Dennis E. , Anson Christopher E. , Powell Annie K. , Schünemann Volker 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTime‐domain synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy (SMS) based on the Mössbauer effect of 161Dy has been used to investigate the magnetic properties of a DyIII‐based single‐molecule magnet (SMM). The magnetic hyperfine field of [Dy(Cy3PO)2(H2O)5]Br3⋅2 (Cy3PO)⋅2 H2O⋅2 EtOH is with B0=582.3(5) T significantly larger than that of the free‐ion DyIII with a 6H15/2 ground state. This difference is attributed to the influence of the coordinating ligands on the Fermi contact interaction between the s and 4f electrons of the DyIII ion. This study demonstrates that 161Dy SMS is an effective local probe of the influence of the coordinating ligands on the magnetic structure of Dy‐containing compounds.
Activating Inert Metallic Compounds for High‐Rate Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Through In Situ Etching of Extrinsic Metal
Authors: Zhao Meng , Peng Hong‐Jie , Zhang Ze‐Wen , Li Bo‐Quan , Chen Xiao , Xie Jin , Chen Xiang , Wei Jun‐Yu , Zhang Qiang , Huang Jia‐Qi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSurface reactions constitute the foundation of various energy conversion/storage technologies, such as the lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. To expedite surface reactions for high‐rate battery applications demands in‐depth understanding of reaction kinetics and rational catalyst design. Now an in situ extrinsic‐metal etching strategy is used to activate an inert monometal nitride of hexagonal Ni3N through iron‐incorporated cubic Ni3FeN. In situ etched Ni3FeN regulates polysulfide‐involving surface reactions at high rates. Electron microscopy was used to unveil the mechanism of in situ catalyst transformation. The Li‐S batteries modified with Ni3FeN exhibited superb rate capability, remarkable cycling stability at a high sulfur loading of 4.8 mg cm−2, and lean‐electrolyte operability. This work opens up the exploration of multimetallic alloys and compounds as kinetic regulators for high‐rate Li‐S batteries and also elucidates catalytic surface reactions and the role of defect chemistry.
Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) for Small‐Molecule Structure Determination
Authors: Kunde Tom , Schmidt Bernd M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe development of new methods to analyze and determine molecular structures parallels the ability to accelerate synthetic research. For many decades, single‐crystal analysis by X‐ray diffraction (SXRD) has been the definitive tool for structural analysis at the atomic level; the drawback, however, is that a suitable single crystal of the analyte needs to be grown. The recent innovation of the crystalline sponge (CS) method allows the microanalysis of compounds simply soaked in a readily prepared CS crystal, thus circumventing the need to screen crystallization conditions while also using only a trace amount of the sample. In this context, electron diffraction for the structure determination of small molecules is discussed as potentially the next big development in this field.
Vapor liquid equilibrium prediction of methanol–ionic liquid systems using UNIFAC model to select alternative working fluids of absorption cycle
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Keliang , Lian Minglei , Li Zhi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to study the working fluids in absorption cycle containing methanol (CH3OH) as the refrigerant and the imidazolium ionic liquid (IL) as the absorbent. The UNIFAC model was implemented to correlate the published experimental vapor liquid equilibrium data of CH3OH–IL working fluids and 14 new group interaction parameters between CH3OH and ILs were obtained. Method reliability and applicability were evaluated by calculating the vapor pressures of five CH3OH–IL working fluids. The ILs contained 1‐methyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([Dmim][DMP]), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ([Emim][ES]), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([Emim][DEP]), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dibutylphosphate ([Bmim][DBP]), and 1‐ethyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([Eeim][DEP]). The average absolute relative deviations for the vapor pressures between the calculated results and the experimental data were 0.91%, 1.67%, 0.66%, 0.75%, and 2.1%, respectively. Then, the CH3OH–IL systems without experimental data were predicted. Comparisons of the vapor pressure and excess Gibbs function of the studied CH3OH–IL systems, CH3OH‐[Hmim][DEP] (1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium diethylphosphate) system, as an alternative working fluid, was found to have potential to improve the absorption cycle performance upon more research work.
Polymer matrix composites as broadband radar absorbing structures for stealth aircrafts
Authors: Jayalakshmi C. G. , Inamdar A. , Anand A. , Kandasubramanian B. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTStealth or low observable technology has been one of the most critical requirements for military aviation sector to counter the ever‐advancing target detection technologies worldwide. Among many, Radar, which operates in the broadband spectrum, is one of the principal threats, which measures the radar cross section (RCS) of the aircraft. Hence, researchers are putting immense efforts to develop low RCS materials based on polymer matrix composites (PMCs) called as radar absorbing structures (RAS), to replace highly reflective conventional metallic aircraft structures. Though many researchers have been successful in RAS realization using radar absorbing materials (RAMs) as fillers, this review article reckons the state‐of‐the‐art advanced research on the realization of RAS using a combination of RAMs and multilayered grid devices such as, frequency selective surfaces, circuit analog absorbers, metamaterials, and so on, and their effect on mechanical properties to deliver superior performance RAS for stealth aircrafts. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47241.
Effects of carbon fiber modification with multiwall CNT on the electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness of polycarbonate/carbon fiber/CNT composites
Authors: Jang Myung Geun , Ryu Seung Chan , Juhn Kyu Jin , Kim Sung Kyu , Kim Woo Nyon 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThe effect of carbon fiber (CF) modification with multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) on the electrical, mechanical, and rheological properties of the polycarbonate (PC)/CF/CNT composite was investigated. The CF and multiwall CNT (MWCNT) were treated with sulfuric acid and nitric acid (3:1 wt %) mixture, to modify the CF with the CNT. For the PC with acid‐treated CNT (a‐CNT) modified acid‐treated CF (a‐CF) (PC/a‐CF/a‐CNT) composite, the electrical conductivity, and the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) showed the highest values, compared with those of the PC/a‐CF and PC/a‐CF/CNT composites. The EMI SE of the PC/a‐CF (10 wt %)/a‐CNT (0.5 wt %) composite was found to be 26 (dB at the frequency of 10.0 GHz, and the EMI SE was increased by 91.2%, compared to that of the PC/a‐CF composite at the same amount of total filler content. Among the composites studied in this work, the PC/a‐CF/a‐CNT composite also showed the highest values of relative permittivity (εr) and dielectric loss factor. The above results suggest that the CF modification with the a‐CNT significantly affected the electrical conductivity and EMI SE of the composite, and the hybrid fillers of the a‐CNT and a‐CF resulted in good electrical pathways in the PC/a‐CF/a‐CNT composite. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47302.
Polydopamine‐coated poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes with high ultraviolet resistance and antifouling properties for a photocatalytic membrane reactor
Authors: Muchtar Syawaliah , Wahab Mukramah Yusuf , Fang Li‐Feng , Jeon Sungil , Rajabzadeh Saeid , Takagi Ryosuke , Mulyati Sri , Arahman Nasrul , Riza Medyan , Matsuyama Hideto 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTWe modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes with a polydopamine (PDA) coating for photocatalytic membrane reactor application with appropriate UV resistance and studied the effects of the PDA coating conditions (i.e., coating time and dopamine concentration) and UV irradiation time on the modified PVDF membrane properties. The PVDF membrane that was surface‐coated with the appropriate dopamine solution concentration and coating time played a key role in controlling the membrane properties and in protecting the modified membrane against UV radiation. The optimization of the coating condition not only completely protected the modified membrane from free‐radical attack initiated through UV irradiation but also improved the membrane hydrophilicity, antifouling properties, filtration performance, and mechanical strength of the membrane. UV irradiation of the membrane that was surface‐coated with a high‐concentration dopamine solution for a long coating time resulted in a higher mechanical strength than that of the membrane without the application of UV irradiation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47312.
Synthesis and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of thermoplastic polyamide‐6 elastomers
Authors: Huang Juncheng , Lan Jianwu , Lin Shaojian , Li Guo , Gu Long 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThree kinds of thermoplastic polyamide‐6 elastomers (TPAEs) with varying polytetramethyleneglycol (PTMG) contents of 10, 20, and 30 wt % were prepared via a one‐pot polymerization synthetic route and named as TPAE1, TPAE2, and TPAE3, respectively. First, their structures were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and X‐ray diffraction. The obtained results confirmed that targeted TPAEs were successfully synthesized and the unit cell of crystallization in TPAEs with α form was confirmed. Subsequently, the thermal properties of prepared TPAEs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements, respectively. DSC curves showed that melting points of synthesized TPAEs were in the range of 209.2–215.9 °C. Moreover, TGA results showed TPAEs possess good thermal stability and cannot be decomposed under 300 °C. Additionally, the modified Avrami's equation, Ozawa's theory, and Mo's method were employed to investigate the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of prepared TPAEs. It is found that the Mo's method exhibited great advantages in treating the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of prepared TPAEs. Meanwhile, the crystallization kinetics and halftime are influenced by the contents of PTMG and follows a nonlinear fashion in agreement with the trend inactivation energies calculated by the Kissinger method. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47388.
Side chain dynamics in semiconducting polymer MEH‐PPV
Authors: Osti Naresh C. , Mamontov Eugene , Daemen Luke , Browning James F. , Keum Jong , Ho Hoi Chun , Chen Jihua , Hong Kunlun , Diallo Souleymane O. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThe characteristic nanoscale dynamics of the alkyl side groups in the light‐emitting polymer poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethyl‐hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] have been investigated using quasi‐elastic neutron scattering (QENS). The measurements were taken below the polymer's glass transition (T ≤ Tg ≃ 353 K), where the main backbone is in a rigid state and does not contribute to the broadening of the QENS signal. An analytical diffusion model consisting of a static term and two dynamical components, characterizing the flexible side groups, provide an excellent fit to the experimental data. The two observed dynamical processes are all localized in character, with no meaningful dependence on temperature. The faster process, with characteristic timescale of ∼18 ps at room temperature (RT), can be linked to the average mobility of the terminal protons of the alkyl chain, while the slower process, with characteristic timescale of ∼170 ps at RT, to those protons at the other end of the alkyl chain, closest to the backbone. While the fraction of mobile protons contributing to the QENS signal increases with increasing temperature, the characteristic timescale and confining volume within which the protons are able to move locally depend chiefly on the polymer conformational state. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47394.
State and Unknown Input H∞ Observers for Discrete‐Time LPV Systems
Authors: Meyer Luc , Ichalal Dalil , Vigneron Vincent 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes state and unknown input (UI) observers for linear parameter varying (LPV) systems affected by UI and perturbations in both state and measurement equations. The estimation is done by minimizing the L2 transfer between the perturbations and the state estimation error (H∞‐observation). The originality of the paper is to provide a generalization of existing works, specially by relaxing an assumption on systems matrices, widely used for UI decoupling. After giving the main results, some examples illustrate the theoretical contributions and give comparisons to former publications.
Numerical solution of optimal control problems governed by integro‐differential equations
Authors: Marzban Hamid Reza 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this paper, an efficient hybrid approximation scheme for solving optimal control problems governed by integro‐differential equations is proposed. The current approach is based on a generalization of the hybrid of block‐pulse functions and Legendre's polynomials. An upper bound for the generalized hybrid functions with respect to the maximum norm is acquired and its convergence is demonstrated. The optimal control problem under study is transcribed to a mathematical programming one. Two illustrative examples are considered to verify the capability and reliability of the proposed procedure.
Impacts of characteristics of grass silage and cattle slurry feedstocks on the cost of methane production
Authors: Himanshu Himanshu , Murphy Jerry D. , Lenehan James J. , O'Kiely Padraig 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFeedstocks characteristics and their provision cost can have a significant impact on the cost of methane production in an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility. This study investigated the impacts of changing grass silage characteristics, grass silage and cattle slurry provision costs and their binary mixing ratios on the cost of methane production from an on‐farm AD facility. The feedstock provision cost contributed about half of the total cost of methane production when the AD facility solely operated on grass silage. The total cost of methane production from mono‐digestion of cattle slurry, compared to grass silage, was 87% higher when it was supplied free of cost and was 42% higher when a gate fee of €70 t−1 total solids was charged. For co‐digestion of grass silage and cattle slurry, the total cost of methane production progressively increased as the proportion of slurry in the co‐digested feedstocks mixture increased. Antagonistic and synergistic methanogenesis resulted in a corresponding 6% higher and 5% lower total cost of methane production during co‐digestion, at silage:slurry volatile solids ratio of 0.8:0.2, compared to the binary mixture without these effects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Analysis of carbenoxolone by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in mouse brain and blood after systemic administration
Authors: Poklis Justin L. , Gonek Maciej M. , Wolf Carl E. , Akbarali Hamid I. , Dewey William L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCarbenoxolone is a derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid found in the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, colloquially known as licorice. It has been used as a treatment for peptic and oral ulcers. In recent years, carbenoxolone has been utilized in basic research for its ability to block gap junctional communication. Better understanding the distribution of carbenoxolone after systemic administration can lead to a better understanding of its potential sites of action. Presented is an ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC–MS/MS) method for the identification and quantification of carbenoxolone in mouse blood and brain tissue. Twenty mice were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg carbenoxolone and brain tissue and blood were collected for analysis. Blood concentrations (mean ± SD) at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min were determined to be (n = 5) 5394 ± 778, 2636 ± 836, 1564 ± 541 and 846 ± 252 ng/mL, respectively. Brain concentrations (mean ± SD) at 15, 30, 60 and 120 mins were determined to be (n = 5) 171 ± 62, 102 ± 35, 55 ± 10 and 27 ± 9 ng/g, respectively. The analysis of these specimens at the four different time points resulted in blood and brain half‐lives in mice of ~43 and 41 min, respectively. The UHPLC–MS/MS method was determined to be sensitive and robust for quantification of carbenoxolone.
Brain iron deposition in primary insomnia—An in vivo susceptibility‐weighted imaging study
Authors: Chen Lin , Wei Xin , Liu Chen , Li Chuanming , Zhou Zhenhua 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo study the brain iron deposition and its relationships with cognitive impairment and sleep quality in primary insomnia (PI).MethodsThirty‐five patients with PI and 35 volunteers underwent MRI scanning using high‐resolution susceptibility‐weighted imaging sequence. Bilateral anterior cingulate cortices, posterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, thalamus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, parietal cortex, and frontal white matter were selected as regions of interest. The phase shift values of the above areas were compared between the two groups. Partial correlations between phase shifts values and neuropsychological scale scores including Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Clinical Dementia Rating of the PI patients were analyzed.ResultsCompared with the normal controls, the PI patients showed significant lower MMSE and MoCA scores and increased phase shift values in the left caudate nucleus, left putamen, left hippocampus, and bilateral thalamus (p < 0.05). Close correlation was found between the phase shift value of the left hippocampus and the MMSE scores of the PI patients (R = −0.447, p < 0.01).ConclusionThe PI patients exhibited significant cognitive impairment and increased iron deposition in several brain regions. The iron concentration of the left hippocampus is a biomarker of cognitive impairment and may play an important role in the pathophysiological mechanism.
Development of application‐oriented competency frameworks: Empirical findings from the validation of such a framework by means of an employer survey
Authors: Baumgartner Alexander , Müller Claude , Fengler Reinhild , Javet Fabienne 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper describes the development of application‐oriented competency frameworks using the example of a project to develop such a framework for existing study programs in the domain of business and law at a Swiss university of applied sciences. Competency frameworks define study program goals on different achievement levels. Using analysis of typical work scenarios for graduates and employer expectations as a starting point, competencies were formulated that represent what students should be able to demonstrate by the end of their studies. A series of structured interviews were conducted with employers to validate the competency frameworks. The findings show that both professional and generic competencies are central to the employability of graduates. While professional competency is regarded as a basic requirement, generic competency allows graduates to distinguish themselves from other candidates both when starting their work life and later when pursuing and advancing their career. The development of competency frameworks forms the basis for the assessment of four dimensions: professional, methodological, social, and self‐competencies; an additional aim is the further development of teaching and learning activities.