bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A large‐scale double‐stage‐screw 3D printer for fused deposition of plastic pellets
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Chi Baihong , Jiao Zhiwei , Tan Jing , Liu Fengfeng , Yang Weimin 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTFused deposition molding (FDM) is the most popular technology in the fields of three‐dimensional printing, but it is hard to use a variety of plastic materials due to the limitation of filament form of material. Using plastic pellets as printing materials gives advantages in cost, processing speed, and available materials. In this work, a large‐scale double‐screw FDM three‐dimensional printer based on plastic pellets has been designed. It is capable of printing large plastic products at a low cost and high speed. Using ABS + 10%GF as printing material, this work is first focused on the effects of the pressure and speed of the metering screw on the flowrate of melt. The equation for the relationship of these three parameters was established as well. Based on this equation, the effects of melt flow, printing speed, and layer thickness on the width of fused filament were investigated with experiments. Furthermore, the effects of printing spacing between fused filaments on surface accuracy and bonding strength were also explored. By printing models, it was revealed that the designed printer is able to print products with plastic pellets. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45147.
Chemogenetic Inhibition of Pain Neurons in a Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Miller Rachel E. , Ishihara Shingo , Bhattacharyya Bula , Delaney Ada , Menichella Daniela M. , Miller Richard J. , Malfait Anne‐Marie 
Published: April 2017

ObjectiveTo determine the ability of drugs that activate inhibitory G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in peripheral voltage‐gated sodium channel 1.8 (NaV1.8)–positive sensory neurons to control osteoarthritis (OA)–associated pain.MethodsWe used designer receptors exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD) technology, which employs engineered GPCRs to activate or inhibit neurons upon binding the synthetic ligand clozapine N‐oxide (CNO). NaV1.8‐Pdi C57BL/6 mice were generated to express the inhibitory DREADD receptor Pdi in NaV1.8‐expressing sensory neurons. Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery was performed in 10‐week‐old male mice. Four, 8, 12, or 16 weeks after surgery, knee hyperalgesia or hind paw mechanical allodynia was tested. Subsequently, CNO or vehicle was administered, and the effect on pain‐related behaviors was measured by a blinded observer. Morphine was used as a control.ResultsImmunohistochemistry and electrophysiology confirmed functional expression of the inhibitory DREADD receptor Pdi by NaV1.8‐positive sensory neurons. Acute inhibition of NaV1.8‐expressing neurons in mice treated with CNO reduced knee hyperalgesia 4 weeks after DMM surgery and reduced mechanical allodynia 8 weeks after DMM surgery. Inhibition had no effect on pain‐related behaviors 12 and 16 weeks after DMM surgery. Morphine, a drug that activates GPCRs in the peripheral and central nervous systems, was still effective in the later stage of experimental OA.ConclusionChemogenetic inhibition of NaV1.8‐expressing neurons blocks knee hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in early experimental OA, but is no longer efficacious in the later stages. These data indicate that activation of inhibitory GPCRs located solely outside the central nervous system may be ineffective in treating chronic OA pain.
Highly Efficient, Green, and Scalable β‐Cyclodextrin‐Assisted Aqueous Exfoliation of Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenides: MoS2 and ReS2 Nanoflakes
Authors: Zhao Wancheng , Tan Xingxing , Jiang Jingyun , Liu Feijie , Mu Tiancheng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe β‐cyclodextrin‐assisted aqueous‐exfoliation method was used to prepare transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets, in a cheap, highly efficient, scalable and environmentally friendly manner. As study cases, MoS2 and ReS2 nanoflakes were prepared according to this method. Particularly, the effective exfoliation of ReS2 crystals in an aqueous environment was observed for the first time. Moreover, exfoliated nanomaterials can be readily utilized in hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) as noble‐metal‐free catalysts. This work provides new opportunities for highly efficient exfoliation of TMDs and other 2D nanomaterials into few‐layer nanosheets in aqueous media. Their production process showed high biocompatibility, broad applicability and excellent sustainability.
Synchronization Control for a Swarm of Unicycle Robots: Analysis of Different Controller Topologies
Authors: Gutiérrez H. , Morales A. , Nijmeijer H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper proposes a nonlinear synchronization controller for a swarm of unicycle robots performing a cooperative task, i.e., following a desired trajectory per robot while maintaining a prescribed formation. The effect of communication between robots is analyzed and several network topologies are investigated, e.g., all‐to‐all, ring type, undirected, among others. The stability analysis of the closed loop system is provided using the Lyapunov method. Experiments with four unicycle robots are presented to validate the control law and communication analysis. Accumulated errors over the experiment time are presented in order to determine which topology is most efficient.
A dynamical evolution study of 40 2MASS open clusters
Authors: Güneş Orhan , Karataş Yüksel , Bonatto Charles 
Published: April 2017

We investigate the dynamical evolution of 40 open clusters (OCs) by means of their astrophysical parameters derived from field‐decontaminated 2MASS photometry. We find a bifurcation in the planes' core radius versus age and cluster radius versus age, in which part of the clusters appear to expand with time probably due to the presence of stellar black holes while others seem to shrink due to dynamical relaxation.Mass functions (MFs) are built for three‐fourth of the sample (31 OCs), which are used to search for indications of mass segregation and external dynamical processes by means of relations between astrophysical, structural, and evolutionary parameters. We detect a flattening of MF slopes occurring at the evolutionary parameters τcore ≤ 32 and τoverall ≤ 30, respectively.Within the uncertainties involved, the overall MF slopes of 14 out of 31 OCs with moverall > 500 M⊙ are consistent with Kroupa's initial mass function, implying little, or no dynamical evolution for these clusters. The remaining 17 OCs with MF slopes departing from that of Kroupa show mild/large‐scale mass segregation due to dynamical evolution.
Pharmacokinetic analysis of inhaled salmeterol in asthma patients: Evidence from two dry powder inhalers
Authors: Soulele Konstantina , Macheras Panos , Karalis Vangelis 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSalmeterol (SAL) is a long‐acting β2‐adrenergic agonist, which is widely used in the therapy of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of inhaled salmeterol in asthma patients using two different dry powder inhalers. This analysis was based on data from 45 subjects who participated in a two‐sequence, four‐period crossover bioequivalence (BE) study after single administration of the test (T) and reference (R) products. In order to mimic more closely the real treatment conditions, activated charcoal was not co‐administered. Plasma concentration–time (C–t) data were initially analysed using classic non‐compartmental PK approaches, while the main objective of the study was to apply population PK modeling. The relative fraction of the dose absorbed via the lungs (RL) was set as a parameter in the structural model. The plasma C–t profiles of salmeterol showed a biphasic time course indicating a parallel pulmonary and gastrointestinal (GI) absorption. A two‐compartment disposition model with first order absorption from the GI and very rapid absorption from lungs (like an i.v. bolus) was found to describe successfully the C–t profiles of salmeterol. The estimated RL value was 13% suggesting a high gut deposition of inhaled salmeterol. Women were found to exert less capability to eliminate salmeterol than men, while body weight (in allometric form) was found to be an important covariate on the peripheral volume of distribution.
Einfluss der Stahlfaserzugabe auf die Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Linie von Beton unter Druckbeanspruchung
Authors: Müller Corinna 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAus zahlreichen Forschungsarbeiten ist bekannt, dass sich durch die Zugabe von Stahlfasern die Verformungseigenschaften und der Bruchmechanismus von Beton unter Druckbeanspruchung beeinflussen lassen (u. a. [1–3]). Um zukünftig die Eigenschaften von Stahlfaserbeton bei der Entwicklung robuster druckbeanspruchter Stahlbetonbauteile berücksichtigen zu können, ist ein Ansatz zur Beschreibung der Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Linie von Stahlfaserbeton erforderlich. Am iBMB der Technischen Universität Braunschweig wurden experimentelle Untersuchungen durchgeführt, auf Basis derer ein für die praxisüblichen Stahlfasertypen geeigneter Ansatz zur Beschreibung der Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Linie von Stahlfaserbeton unter Druckbeanspruchung entwickelt worden ist. Der neuartige Ansatz berücksichtigt die Stahlfasertragwirkung über materialspezifische Kennwerte in Anlehnung an die DAfStb‐Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton” [4].
Bemessung von Industrieböden aus Beton
Authors: Schwabach Enrico 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDer Deutsche Beton‐ und Bautechnik‐Verein E.V. (DBV) hat sein Merkblatt „Industrieböden aus Beton für Frei‐ und Hallenflächen” aus dem Jahre 2004 komplett überarbeitet und ergänzt. Das neue Merkblatt „Industrieböden aus Beton” (Fassung Februar 2017) behandelt die Besonderheiten von Industrieböden aus Beton für Hallen‐ und Freiflächen bei Entwurf, Bemessung und Konstruktion sowie der Ausführung. Es wartet beispielsweise mit wesentlichen Neuerungen im Hinblick auf die Bemessung mit reduzierten Teilsicherheitsbeiwerten bzw. das Sicherheitskonzept für nicht tragende und nicht aussteifende Industrieböden auf. Zudem werden sogenannte Entwurfsgrundsätze eingeführt, wie mit der Rissbildung bei Industrieböden umgegangen werden sollte. Die im Merkblatt empfohlenen Regeln sollen allen am Bau Beteiligten, dem Planer, dem Bauausführenden und auch dem Bauherrn eine Hilfe sein, um Industrieböden so zu planen und herzustellen, dass der Bedarf des Bauherrn bzw. des Nutzers im Rahmen der technischen Machbarkeit und der Wirtschaftlichkeit erfüllt wird. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden einige Neuerungen hinsichtlich der Bemessungs‐ und Konstruktionsregeln für nicht tragende und nicht aussteifende Industrieböden aus Beton vorgestellt.
Evaluating the efficacy of the Headsprout© reading program with children who have spent time in care
Authors: Storey Catherine , McDowell Claire , Leslie Julian C. 
Published: April 2017

This study investigated whether Headsprout©, an internet‐based phonics program designed on behavioral principles, is an effective supplementary tool to improve literacy skills of children who have spent time in care and are at risk of reading failure. Participants were 8 children (aged 5 to 10) who had spent over 3 years in care and were fully adopted at the time of the study. Participants' literacy skills were assessed prior to intervention using 2 standardized reading attainment tests. Participants were then randomly assigned to either treatment or a waiting list comparison group. There were 2 Headsprout© treatments, but all participants in the treatment group completed 1 HeadsproutStartCopTextStartCopText© lesson 4 times per week, under the supervision of the first author, while participants in the comparison group interacted with the first author 4 times per week engaging in nonliteracy‐based computer activities. Results from 2 standardized reading attainment tests showed an improvement in word recognition age and oral reading fluency for the HeadsproutStartCopTextStartCopText© learners but scores either remained the same or decreased over a 4‐month period for participants in the comparison group. The findings support the wider use of HeadsproutStartCopTextStartCopText© with at‐risk children though more research is clearly warranted at this time.
Binding of fluphenazine with human serum albumin in the presence of rutin and quercetin: An evaluation of food‐drug interaction by spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Jing Jiao‐Jiao , Liu Bin , Wang Xin , Wang Xin , He Ling‐Ling , Guo Xue‐Yuan , Xu Ming‐Ling , Li Qian‐Yu , Gao Bo , Dong Bo‐Yang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe interactions between human serum albumin (HSA) and fluphenazine (FPZ) in the presence or absence of rutin or quercetin were studied by fluorescence, absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The results showed that the fluorescence quenching mechanism was static quenching by the formation of an HSA–FPZ complex. Entropy change (ΔS0) and enthalpy change (ΔH0) values were 68.42 J/(mol⋅K) and −4.637 kJ/mol, respectively, which indicated that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds played major roles in the acting forces. The interaction process was spontaneous because the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG0) values were negative. The results of competitive experiments demonstrated that FPZ was mainly located within HSA site I (sub‐domain IIA). Molecular docking results were in agreement with the experimental conclusions of the thermodynamic parameters and competition experiments. Competitive binding to HSA between flavonoids and FPZ decreased the association constants and increased the binding distances of FPZ binding to HSA. The results of absorption, synchronous fluorescence, three‐dimensional fluorescence, and CD spectra showed that the binding of FPZ to HSA caused conformational changes in HSA and simultaneous effects of FPZ and flavonoids induced further HSA conformational changes.
Genetic engineering of the branched fatty acid metabolic pathway of Bacillus subtilis for the overproduction of surfactin C14 isoform
Authors: Dhali Debarun , Coutte François , Arias Anthony Argüelles , Auger Sandrine , Bidnenko Vladimir , Chataigné Gabrielle , Lalk Michael , Niehren Joachim , de Sousa Joana , Versari Cristian , Jacques Philippe 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSurfactin, a lipopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis, is one of the most powerful biosurfactants known. This molecule consists of a cyclic heptapeptide linked to a β‐hydroxy fatty acid chain. The isomery and the length of the fatty acid (FA) chain are responsible for the surfactin's activities. In this study, the gene codY, which encode for the global transcriptional regulator and the gene lpdV, located in the bkd operon (lpdV, bkdAA, bkdAB and bkdB genes), which is responsible for the last step of the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation in acyl‐CoA were deleted. The influence of these deletions on the quantitative and qualitative surfactin production was analysed. The surfactin production was quantified by RP‐HPLC and the surfactin isoforms were characterized using LC‐MS‐MS and GC‐MS analysis. The results obtained in the mutants showed an enhancement of surfactin specific production by a factor of 5.8 for the codY mutant and 1.4 for lpdV mutant. Moreover qualitative analysis of the lpdV mutant reveals that it mainly produced surfactin C14 isoform (2 fold more than the wild type) with linear FA chain. Complete analysis of the extracellular metabolites using 1H quantitative NMR reveals a reduced production of acetoin in this mutant. This work demonstrates for the first time an original approach to overproduce specifically surfactin with C14 FA chain.
Population-based study demonstrating an increase in colorectal cancer in young patients
Authors: Gandhi J , Davidson C , Hall C , Pearson J , Eglinton T , Wakeman C , Frizelle F 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundNew Zealand has among the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world and is an unscreened population. The aim of this study was to determine the trends in incidence and tumour location in the New Zealand population before the introduction of national colorectal cancer screening.MethodsData were obtained from the national cancer registry and linked to population data from 1995 to 2012. Incidence rates for colorectal cancer by sex, age (less than 50 years, 50–79 years, 80 years or more) and location (proximal colon, distal colon and rectum) were assessed by linear regression.ResultsAmong patients aged under 50 years, the incidence of distal colonic cancer in men increased by 14 per cent per decade (incidence rate ratio (IRR 1·14), 95 per cent c.i. 1·00 to 1·30; P = 0·042); the incidence of rectal cancer in men increased by 18 per cent (IRR 1·18, 1·06 to 1·32; P = 0·002) and that in women by 13 per cent (IRR 1·13, 1·02 to 1·26; P = 0·023). In those aged 50–79 years, there was a reduction in incidence per decade of proximal, distal and rectal cancers in both sexes. In the group aged 80 years and over, proximal cancer incidence per decade increased by 19 per cent in women (IRR 1·19, 1·13 to 1·26; P &lt; 0·001) and by 25 per cent in men (IRR 1·25, 1·18 to 1·32; P &lt; 0·001); among women, the incidence of distal colonic cancer decreased by 8 per cent (IRR 0·92, 0·86 to 0·98); P = 0·012), as did that of rectal cancer (IRR 0·92, 0·86 to 0·97; P = 0·005).ConclusionThe increasing incidence of rectal cancer among younger patients needs to be considered when implementing screening strategies.
Brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging differentiates between inflammatory neuropathies and does not predict disease course
Authors: Jongbloed Bas A. , Bos Jeroen W. , Rutgers Dirk , van der Pol Willem Ludo , van den Berg Leonard H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the distribution of brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities and clinical weakness, and to evaluate the value of brachial plexus MRI in predicting disease course and response to treatment in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), Lewis‐Sumner syndrome (LSS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).MethodsSixty‐seven patients with an inflammatory neuropathy diagnosed at our tertiary referral center for neuromuscular diseases had undergone bilateral T2‐weighted short tau inversion recovery (STIR) MRI of the brachial plexus. We obtained clinical follow‐up data and scored all MRIs for abnormalities and the symmetry of their distribution.ResultsBrachial plexus MRI abnormalities were detected in 45% of the patients. An abnormal MRI did not predict disease course in terms of patterns of weakness, sensory disturbances or response to treatment. Within the spectrum of radiological abnormalities, asymmetrical clinical syndromes, MMN and LSS were significantly associated with asymmetrical radiological abnormalities, whereas symmetrical abnormalities predominated in CIDP (p < .001, phi 0.791).ConclusionT2 STIR brachial plexus MRI abnormalities correspond with the distribution of neurological deficits in inflammatory neuropathies, but do not correlate with specific clinical characteristics, response to treatment or disease course.
Valence and magnitude ambiguity in feedback processing
Authors: Gu Ruolei , Feng Xue , Broster Lucas S. , Yuan Lu , Xu Pengfei , Luo Yue‐jia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundOutcome feedback which indicates behavioral consequences are crucial for reinforcement learning and environmental adaptation. Nevertheless, outcome information in daily life is often totally or partially ambiguous. Studying how people interpret this kind of information would provide important knowledge about the human evaluative system.MethodsThis study concentrates on the neural processing of partially ambiguous feedback, that is, either its valence or magnitude is unknown to participants. To address this topic, we sequentially presented valence and magnitude information; electroencephalography (EEG) response to each kind of presentation was recorded and analyzed. The event‐related potential components feedback‐related negativity (FRN) and P3 were used as indices of neural activity.ResultsConsistent with previous literature, theFRNelicited by ambiguous valence was not significantly different from that elicited by negative valence. On the other hand, theFRNelicited by ambiguous magnitude was larger than both the large and small magnitude, indicating the motivation to seek unambiguous magnitude information. The P3 elicited by ambiguous valence and ambiguous magnitude was not significantly different from that elicited by negative valence and small magnitude, respectively, indicating the emotional significance of feedback ambiguity. Finally, the aforementioned effects also manifested in the stage of information integration.ConclusionThese findings indicate both similarities and discrepancies between the processing of valence ambiguity and that of magnitude ambiguity, which may help understand the mechanisms of ambiguous information processing.
Resting state and personality component (BIS/BAS) predict the brain activity (EEG and fNIRS measure) in response to emotional cues
Authors: Balconi Michela , Vanutelli Maria E. , Grippa Elisabetta 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe present study explored the role of resting state and personality component (BIS/BAS measure) on prefrontal cortical responsiveness to emotional cues. Indeed, we supposed that lateralized resting activity (right vs. left) and approach (BAS) versus avoidance (BIS) attitude may explain the successive emotional processing within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) based on the stimulus valence (positive and negative emotional cues).MethodsHemodynamic (functional near‐infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS) and electroencephalographic (EEG) measures were considered. The resting and experimental brain activity were registered when subjects (N = 21) viewed emotional positive versus negative stimuli (International Affective Picture System, IAPS). LIReeg and LIRnirs (lateralized Index Response) during resting state, and LIeeg and LInirs during emotional processing were acquired.ResultsA set of regression analyses was applied to the multiple measures. The predictive effect of resting activity and approach/avoidance dichotomy were elucidated. Indeed, more left/right resting activity (for both LIReeg and LIRnirs) predicted the successive more brain left/right response (LIeeg and LInirs) to emotional cues. Second, significant effects were revealed as a function of valence (increased right response to negative stimuli; increased left response to positive stimuli) during emotion processing. Third, higher BAS values explained an increased left cortical activity in resting state and in experimental condition for positive cues. In contrast, higher BIS values marked an increased right activity in resting state and in experimental condition in response to negative cues.ConclusionThe significance of trait component for both resting and emotional cue processing was discussed at light of the present results.