bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conducting polymerized high‐internal‐phase emulsion/single‐walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite foams: Effect of the aqueous‐phase surfactant type on the morphology and conductivity
Authors: Karimian Hossein , Moghbeli Mohammad Reza 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTPoly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene)/single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) polymerized high‐internal‐phase emulsion (polyHIPE) nanocomposite foams were successfully synthesized with various types of aqueous‐phase surfactants. The effects of anionic, cationic, nonionic, and mixed surfactants on the morphology and electrical conductivity of the resulting nanocomposite foams were investigated. The use of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylbenzesulfonate (SDBS), did not completely result in the typical polyHIPE nanocomposite foam microstructure because of the partial instability of the high‐internal‐phase emulsion. The nanocomposite foams synthesized by nonionic surfactants, that is, Pluronic F127 and Triton X‐100, and the cationic/anionic mixture, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/SDBS, exhibited the proper morphology, but the resulting nanocomposite foams were electrically insulators. Interestingly, the use of a Gemini‐like surfactant, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (SDOSS), significantly improved both the typical morphology and electrical properties of the resulting nanocomposite foams because of the probable stronger interactions of SDOSS molecules with SWCNTs. The typical morphology of the nanocomposite foam synthesized with the SDOSS/F127 mixed surfactant was significantly improved, but the electrical conductivity decreased to some extent compared with the SDOSS‐synthesized nanocomposite foams. This behavior was attributed to an increase in the tunneling length of the electrons between adjacent SWCNTs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43883.
Functional modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) by copolymerizing with a hydrophobic cationic double alkyl‐substituted monomer
Authors: Ma Jiaojiao , Yin Xiande , Xiao Hongqin , Li Ying , Bao Jianjun 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a hydrophobic monomer (HM) that has a cationic double alkyl‐substituted group bonded to the nitrogen atom was first synthesized. Then a hydrophobic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was prepared by a radical solution copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) with the HM followed by an alcoholysis reaction in alkaline conditions. The structures of HM and hydrophobically modified PVA (H‐PVA) were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. The effect of hydrophobic cationic segments on crystallization behaviors, mechanical properties, morphology, solution viscosity, and hydrophobic property were investigated. The results indicated that the crystallinity decreased from 37.2% of pure PVA to the minimum 23.2% of H‐PVA with the incorporation of 1.15 mol % HM. The thermal decomposition temperature of H‐PVA increased by about 50 °C compared with that of pure PVA. The viscosity of the H‐PVA solution was several times higher than that of the corresponding unmodified PVA solution over the whole shear rate range, which demonstrated that the H‐PVA had good shear‐resistance ability. Furthermore, the contact angle was significantly increased from 55.1° to 115° with the incorporation of only 0.83% HM, which illustrated that the H‐PVA had high hydrophobicity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 43888.
Enhancing the thermo‐oxidative stability of PLA through the use of hybrid organic–inorganic coatings
Authors: Toselli Maurizio , Saccani Andrea 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTPLA samples have been coated with organic–inorganic hybrid films containing SiO2 as inorganic phase and two different types of organic phase PEO or PCL. Sol–gel solutions, spin coating deposition, and mild thermal treatments have been used to form thin protective coatings. Coated and uncoated PLA samples have been submitted to accelerated thermo‐oxidative stresses at 120 °C in air up to about 400 h. The extent of the damage induced by this treatment has been evaluated by different techniques. Coated samples of both compositions are able to increase the resistance to thermo‐oxidation of PLA as proved by the smaller reduction of molecular weight. This effect is probably deriving from the reduced oxygen permeability, as well as from the constrained outward diffusion and recombination of the cyclic oligomers produced by intramolecular transesterification reactions of polyester chains. Data so far collected underline also a long‐term stability and adherence of the hybrid coatings during the entire aging process and hint at the possibility of using PLA in more demanding applications than that of packaging (i.e., electric industry, automotive field, or housewares). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43897.
Prediction of diffusion in a ternary solvent–solvent–polymer blend by means of binary diffusion data: Comparison of experimental data and simulative results
Authors: Siebel David , Scharfer Philip , Schabel Wilhelm 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTMulticomponent diffusion of solvents in polymeric systems is not completely understood, despite many scientific contributions to the topic. Literature scarcely offers measurement data on diffusion for model validation in such systems. In this work, the ternary systems consisting of poly(vinyl acetate) and the solvents toluene and methanol was investigated experimentally and numerically. By means of inverse micro Raman spectroscopy (IMRS) concentration gradients in drying thin films have been measured. Initial composition of the samples has been varied systematically in order to detect mutual influence of the solvents' diffusive behavior. It was shown that the mobility of the different species is increased in the presence of other solvents as predicted by theory. This experimental data is provided for model validation. A new expression to calculate the diffusion coefficients in ternary mixtures is proposed which only requires binary data. This expression is tested by means of a model‐based simulation to predict the drying of ternary polymer solutions in terms of concentration profiles and residual solvent content. The results are in very good agreement with the experiments. Cross terms diffusion coefficients and thermodynamic factors were not found to be necessary for a satisfying prediction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43899.
Recent Advances in Transition‐Metal‐Free Oxygenation of Alkene C=C Double Bonds for Carbonyl Generation
Authors: Wan Jie‐Ping , Gao Yong , Wei Li 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCarbonyl‐forming reactions are a class of fundamental transformations in organic chemistry. Guided by the current importance of environmentally benign metal‐free catalysis and synthesis, herein we review recent advances in carbonyl‐generation reactions based on alkene C=C double oxygenation as well as related cascade reactions in the synthesis of diverse organic products. The content of this focus review consists of two important but different reaction models: oxygenation based on full C=C double‐bond cleavage and oxygenation based on partial C=C double‐bond cleavage.
Fault‐Tolerant Control for Flutter of Airfoil Subject to Input Saturation
Authors: Luo Mengxiang , Gao Mingzhou , Cai Guoping 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a fault tolerant control is studied for a two‐dimensional airfoil with input saturation and actuator fault. The dynamic equation of airfoil flutter is firstly established, in which the cubic hard spring nonlinearity of pitch stiffness is considered. Then, an adaptive sliding mode fault tolerant control is derived by using an on‐line updating law to estimate the bound of the actuator fault such that no information about the fault is needed. Furthermore, an auxiliary design system is introduced to resolve actuator saturation in control. Next, Lyapunov stability analysis is carried out to prove that the system is asymptotically stable. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed controller is verified through numerical simulations. Simulation results indicate that the adaptive sliding mode fault tolerant controller is effective in suppressing airfoil flutter under partial loss of actuator effectiveness performance and input saturation.
Exponential Stability Analysis for Stochastic Delayed Differential Systems with Impulsive Effects: Average Impulsive Interval Approach
Authors: Yao Fengqi , Cao Jinde , Qiu Li , Cheng Pei 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the exponential stability analysis of stochastic delayed systems with impulsive effects. By using the average impulsive interval approach, and together with comparison lemma and Razumikhin techniques, sufficient conditions ensuring the moment exponential stability of the systems under consideration are established. A stability criterion for non‐delayed stochastic systems with impulses is also derived as a corollary. Compared with the existing stability results in the literature, which are usually based on the supremum or infimum of impulsive intervals, the results reported in this paper are less conservative. Two illustrative examples are provided to validate the effectiveness and advantages of our theoretical results.
Biologically Inspired Control Of A Fleet Of Uavs With Threat Evasion Strategy
Authors: El Ferik Sami , Thompson Olapido Raphael 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn this paper, navigation algorithms for a fleet of multiple nonholonomic UAVs capable of evading a chasing predator and also pursuing a desired target are proposed. The proposed biologically‐inspired navigation algorithms are used to define path planning trajectories which are tracked by a designed backstepping tracking controller. We implement the group of nonholonomic UAVs in an adaptive network, specifically inspired by the relationship between a school of fish and a predator. This approach approximately simulates an air combat field. To put this in context, the aim is to use a biologically inspired algorithm along with a designed controller to achieve both target pursuance and effective evasion from a predator. This is equivalent to having multiple UAVs on the same mission of attacking a target, while also aware of a predator on pursuit. The UAVs aim to maneuver and evade the predator while also coordinating their movement and behaviors in a cooperative and coherent manner.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia OleC‐Catalyzed ATP‐Dependent Formation of Long‐Chain Z‐Olefins from 2‐Alkyl‐3‐hydroxyalkanoic Acids
Authors: Kancharla Papireddy , Bonnett Shilah A. , Reynolds Kevin A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe bacterial pathway of olefin biosynthesis starts with OleA catalyzed “head‐to‐head” condensation of two CoA‐activated long‐chain fatty acids to generate (R)‐2‐alkyl‐3‐ketoalkanoic acids. A subsequent OleD‐catalyzed reduction generates (2R,3S)‐2‐alkyl‐3‐hydroxyalkanoic acids. We now show that the final step in the pathway is an OleC‐catalyzed ATP‐dependent decarboxylative dehydration to form the corresponding Z olefins. Higher kcat/Km values were seen for substrates with longer alkyl chains. All four stereoisomers of 2‐hexyl‐3‐hydroxydecanoic acid were shown to be substrates, and GC‐MS and NMR analyses confirmed that the product in each case was (Z)‐pentadec‐7‐ene. LC‐MS analysis supported the formation of AMP adduct as an intermediate. The enzymatic and stereochemical course of olefin biosynthesis from long‐chain fatty acids by OleA, OleD and OleC is now established.
Mutations Closer to the Active Site Improve the Promiscuous Aldolase Activity of 4‐Oxalocrotonate Tautomerase More Effectively than Distant Mutations
Authors: Rahimi Mehran , van der Meer Jan‐Ytzen , Geertsema Edzard M. , Poddar Harshwardhan , Baas Bert‐Jan , Poelarends Gerrit J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe enzyme 4‐oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4‐OT), which catalyzes enol–keto tautomerization as part of a degradative pathway for aromatic hydrocarbons, promiscuously catalyzes various carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. These include the aldol condensation of acetaldehyde with benzaldehyde to yield cinnamaldehyde. Here, we demonstrate that 4‐OT can be engineered into a more efficient aldolase for this condensation reaction, with a >5000‐fold improvement in catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) and a >107‐fold change in reaction specificity, by exploring small libraries in which only “hotspots” are varied. The hotspots were identified by systematic mutagenesis (covering each residue), followed by a screen for single mutations that give a strong improvement in the desired aldolase activity. All beneficial mutations were near the active site of 4‐OT, thus underpinning the notion that new catalytic activities of a promiscuous enzyme are more effectively enhanced by mutations close to the active site.
Preparation of Silver‐Modified Nickel Foams by Galvanic Displacement and Their Use as Cathodes for the Reductive Dechlorination of Herbicides
Authors: Verlato Enrico , He Wenyan , Amrane Abdeltif , Barison Simona , Floner Didier , Fourcade Florence , Geneste Florence , Musiani Marco , Seraglia Roberta 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNew 3D electrodes are prepared and tested in reductive herbicide dechlorination as the first step of an environmental remediation process. Commercial nickel foams are modified through the spontaneous deposition of silver nanoparticles. Some of the solutions of Ag+ ions employed in the galvanic displacement reactions contain complexing agents, such as thiosulfate or thiocyanate, and a capping agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which influences the morphology and growth kinetics of the silver deposits. Modified foams are used as cathodes for the reductive dechlorination of AlachlorTM, a common chloroacetanilide herbicide, in a series of tests that confirm the catalytic activity of silver. Electrodes prepared in a thiosulfate solution containing PVP allow extensive reduction of AlachlorTM to give deschloroalachlor as the only dechlorinated product.
β,β‐(1,4‐Dithiino)subporphyrin Dimers Capturing Fullerenes with Large Association Constants
Authors: Yoshida Kota , Osuka Atsuhiro 
Published: May 2016

Abstractβ,β‐(1,4‐Dithiino)subporphyrin dimers 7‐syn and 7‐anti were synthesized by the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 2‐bromo‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenylsulfonyl)subporphyrin 4 with 2,3‐dimercaptosubporphyrin 5 under basic conditions followed by axial arylation. Additions of C60 or C70 to a dilute solution of 7‐anti (ca. 10−6 m) in toluene did not cause appreciable UV/Vis spectral changes, while similar additions to a concentrated solution (ca. 10−3 m) resulted in precipitation of complexes. In contrast, dimer 7‐syn captured C60 and C70 in different complexation stoichiometries in toluene; a 1:1 manner and a 2:1 manner, respectively, with large association constants; Ka=(1.9±0.2)×106 m−1 for C60@7‐syn, and K1=(1.6±0.5)×106 and K2=(1.8±0.9)×105 m−1 for C70@(7‐syn)2. These association constants are the largest for fullerenes‐capture by bowl‐shaped molecules reported so far. The structures of C60@7‐anti, C70@7‐anti, C60@7‐syn, and C70@7‐syn have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Generalization of the Copper to Late‐Transition‐Metal Transmetallation to Carbenes beyond N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Bidal Yannick D. , Santoro Orlando , Melaimi Mohand , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Bertrand Guy , Cazin Catherine S. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCarbene transition‐metal complexes have become a prevalent family of catalysts enabling numerous organic transformations. Their facile synthetic access is a matter of great importance. To this end, the CuI‐NHC transfer methodology has emerged as a powerful alternative presenting attractive advantages over other methods. Herein, we report the remarkable ability of copper to transfer not only NHCs but also other types of carbenes such as abnormal NHCs (aNHCs), cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs), and mesoionic carbenes (MICs) to various transition metal precursors.
Herstellung von Wirkstoffnanosuspensionen in Blasensäulen bei gleichzeitiger Partikel‐Abscheidung und Agglomeration
Authors: Weber Alfred P. , Stender Mathias , Koch Dagmar , Türk Michael 
Published: May 2016

AbstractStabile Nanosuspensionen können durch Abscheidung von gasgetragenen organischen Wirkstoffpartikeln in Blasensäulen mit tensidhaltigen Lösungen hergestellt werden. Bei hohen Konzentrationen, wie sie beim RESSAS‐Prozess (rapid expansion of supercritical solution into aqueous solution) vorliegen, wird der Transfer der Nanopartikeln vom Gas in die Suspension von der Agglomeration in der Gasphase überlagert. Ein Modell zur Erfassung der beiden Vorgänge und ein Ansatz für dessen Übertragung auf die komplexe Strömung in einer RESSAS‐Anlage für die Herstellung von Naproxen‐Nanosuspensionen werden vorgestellt.
Group‐Based Compassion‐Focused Therapy as an Adjunct to Outpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kelly Allison Catherine , Wisniewski Lucene , Martin‐Wagar Caitlin , Hoffman Ellen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe current study sought to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) group as an adjunct to evidence‐based outpatient treatment for eating disorders, and to examine its preliminary efficacy relative to treatment as usual (TAU). Twenty‐two outpatients with various types of eating disorders were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of TAU (n = 11) or TAU plus weekly CFT groups adapted for an eating disorder population (CFT + TAU; n = 11). Participants in both conditions completed measures of self‐compassion, fears of compassion, shame and eating disorder pathology at baseline, week 4, week 8 and week 12. Additionally, participants receiving the CFT group completed measures assessing acceptability and feasibility of the group. Results indicated that the CFT group demonstrated strong acceptability; attendance was high and the group retained over 80% of participants. Participants rated the group positively and indicated they would be very likely to recommend it to peers with similar symptoms. Intention‐to‐treat analyses revealed that compared to the TAU condition, the CFT + TAU condition yielded greater improvements in self‐compassion, fears of self‐compassion, fears of receiving compassion, shame and eating disorder pathology over the 12 weeks. Results suggest that group‐based CFT, offered in conjunction with evidence‐based outpatient TAU for eating disorders, may be an acceptable, feasible and efficacious intervention. Furthermore, eating disorder patients appear to see benefit in, and observe gains from, working on the CFT goals of overcoming fears of compassion, developing more self‐compassion and accessing more compassion from others. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in Object Relations over the Course of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Authors: Mullin A. S. J. , Hilsenroth M. J. , Gold J. , Farber B. A. 
Published: May 2016

This study explores whether object relations (OR) functioning improves over the course of psychodynamic psychotherapy, and whether this improvement is related to symptom decrease as well as therapist technique. The sample consisted of 75 outpatients engaged in short‐term psychodynamic psychotherapy at a university‐based psychological service clinic. OR functioning was assessed pre‐ and post‐treatment by independent raters using the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale from in‐session patient relational narratives. The Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale was used to assess therapist activity and psychotherapy techniques early in treatment. Independent clinical ratings of global OR and psychotherapy techniques were conducted, and rater agreement was found to be in the excellent range. Regarding the results, global OR (overall quality and level of interpersonal functioning) significantly improved with large effect size after psychodynamic therapy. Change in global OR functioning was significantly and positively related to the incidence of psychodynamic techniques in early sessions, as were number of psychotherapy sessions attended. Patient self‐reported reliable change in symptomatology and reliable change in global OR were significantly related as well. Multilevel model analyses confirmed pairwise correlations accounting for therapist effects on a variety of process–outcome measures, number of sessions attended, initial levels of psychiatric symptoms, employment of therapeutic techniques as well overall OR functioning at outcome. Limitations of the present study, future research directions and implications for clinical practice are also discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message

Psychodynamic psychotherapy seems to be effective in improving object relations functioning.
Consider use of psychodynamic techniques early in treatment with patients expressing more pathological object representations.
Improvements in object relations functioning during psychodynamic psychotherapy are also related to adaptive changes in patient self‐reported symptomatology.
Therapist effects were also present for the study. As such therapists should be mindful to assess patient change and their use of technique at several points in treatment and flexibly adjust their approach as necessary.
Residential yards as designer ecosystems: effects of yard management on land snail species composition
Authors: Bergey Elizabeth A. , Figueroa Laura L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractResidential yards comprise the majority of green space in urban landscapes, yet are an understudied system because of access issues and because yards may be considered biologically depauperate. Yards are purposely created and managed and, hence, qualify as designer ecosystems, a term borrowed from restoration ecology. We investigated whether yard management (watering regime, mulching, and chemical use) or dog presence affected land snail assemblage composition and described the pattern of native vs. nonnative species among yards. Land snails form an appropriate model system for yard‐scale studies because snails are speciose, common, and have limited mobility. We found 32 land snail species in our survey of 61 yards in Norman, Oklahoma, USA (population size of 118,000). Snail richness in individual yards averaged nine species, with a range of three to 14 species. Native snails were found in all yards and nonnative snails were found in all but one yard. Although some of the nine nonnative species were rare, the most frequently encountered species was the nonnative Triodopsis hopetonensis. All encountered nonnative species also occur in Oklahoma plant nurseries, indicating possible introduction through the plant trade. Yard‐scale watering regime and the presence of dogs were associated with differences in snail species composition but not species richness. Pesticide use and mulch type had little, if any, association with snail composition. Effects may have been diluted by treating yards as units, whereas snails were concentrated in specific microhabitats, such as under shrubs. Soil type also influenced snail assemblages and acted at a scale larger than individual yards. Considering yards as designer ecosystems facilitates investigation of how local variation in management affects biota within yards and across the residential landscape, and highlights the importance of variation among residential yards in understanding patterns of urban biodiversity.