bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on paranasal physiology in simulated sinus cavities
Authors: Jain Ravi , Kumar Haribalan , Tawhai Merryn , Douglas Richard 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundSurgery improves symptoms for the majority of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients; however, physiological changes in the sinus cavities remain poorly characterized. Direct measurement of changes in airflow, pressure, temperature, humidity, and intranasal spray distribution following surgery is technically challenging. Accordingly, we have used computational fluid dynamic modeling to quantify how these parameters change postoperatively.MethodsComputed tomography images from a normal control, a patient with CRS preoperatively and postoperatively, and a patient following an endoscopic Lothrop procedure (ELP) were used to create 4 three‐dimensional models of the sinus cavities. Changes in physiologic parameters and topical drug distribution were modeled (inhaled air at 16°C and 10% humidity) at the maxillary ostium, frontal recess, and sphenoid ostium.ResultsLarge differences were seen between models. Following surgery, the maxillary ostia were found on average to be cooler (by 2.4°C), with an increased airflow (0.26 m/second; from 0 m/second), and a 9% reduction in absolute humidity. Sphenoid ostial parameters followed a similar trend. Significant changes in frontal recess physiology were seen following ELP in which the recess was 4.2°C cooler, had increased airflow (0.76 m/second) and a 17% reduction in absolute humidity. Topical drug distribution increased with surgery, particularly after ELP.ConclusionSurgery changes the geometry and physiology of the paranasal sinuses. These changes are likely to have an impact on wound healing, mucociliary function, and microbial ecology in postoperative cavities. Application of this model to further understand the effects of surgery may help to optimize surgical techniques and improve topical drug delivery.
Efficacy of olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1%, emedastine difumarate 0.05%, and loteprednol etabonate 0.5% for Chinese children with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: a randomized vehicle‐controlled study
Authors: Liu Rui‐fen , Wu Xiao‐xuan , Wang Xiao , Gao Jing , Zhou Jun , Zhao Qi 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundAllergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a disease of various agents that affects the physical and mental health of children. Although the most effective therapy has not been found so far, it is essential to explore the considerable therapeutic method. We compared the clinical efficacy of olopatadine, emedastine, loteprednol etabonate (LE), and vehicle for treating seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) in Chinese children.MethodsEighty cases of 160 eyes aged from 5 to 10 years with SAC were available and those subjects were randomly distributed into 4 groups. Both their eyes received olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% twice a day, emedastine difumarate 0.05% twice a day, or LE 0.5% 4 times a day, respectively, whereas those of the control group received artificial tears (AT) 0.5% 3 times a day. This study was conducted successfully and the observations were collected before treatment and on day 8 (±1 day) and day 15 (±2 days) afterward. The principal measurement of efficacy was focused on the signs and symptoms of the subjects, evaluated before and after treatment, in addition to visual acuity (VA) and fundus oculi.ResultsOn day 8 (±1 day) and day 15 (±2 days), all the antiallergic agents were found to be more effective than vehicle (p < 0.05) in terms of all the symptoms and signs. However, there was no statistical significance (p ≥ 0.05) shown among the treatment groups. There were no evident changes in VA and no clinically significant changes were observed in fundus oculi.ConclusionAfter the treatment, the efficacy presented a similar distribution among the trial groups.
Dose‐, time‐and lipophilicity‐dependent silver(I)–N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis, characterization and interaction with plasmid and Aedes albopictus DNA
Authors: Asekunowo Patrick O. , Haque Rosenani A. , Razali Mohd.R. , Avicor Silas W. , Wajidi Mustafa F.F. 
Published: November 2016

Four new Ag(I)–N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (5–8) bearing symmetrically substituted NHC ligands have been synthesized starting from the corresponding benzimidazolium bromide salts which are accessible in a single step from N‐substituted benzimidazoles (N‐alkyl and N‐aryl) and subsequently reacted with the basic metal source Ag2O in acetonitrile–methanol. These compounds were characterized using elemental analyses, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques, and molar conductivity. Single‐crystal structural studies for complex 5 show that the Ag(I) centre has a perfectly linear C–Ag–C coordination, with quasi‐parallel pairs of aromatic benzimidazole planes. All the complexes interact with Aedes albopictus DNA via intercalation mode by a large hypochromicity of 22 and 27% and smaller hypochromicity of 16 and 19%. Furthermore, all complexes exhibit efficient DNA cleavage activity via a non‐oxidative mechanistic pathway. The DNase activities of the test compounds revealed a time‐ and concentration‐dependent activity pattern. The Ag(I)–NHC complexes showed considerably higher DNA cleavage activity compared to their respective benzimidazolium salts at a lower concentration. The DNA cleavage of these complexes changed from a moderate effect to a good one, corresponding to the increasing lipophilicity order of the complexes as 5 < 6 < 7 < 8 (1.02, 1.05, 1.78 and 2.06 for 5–8, respectively). This order is further corroborated with the DNA binding study, but with the exception of complex 5, which shows a better binding ability for DNA (Kb = 3.367 × 106) than complexes 6–8 (6.982 × 105, 8.376 × 105 and 1.223 × 106, respectively).
Electrochemical and anti‐corrosion behaviors of water dispersible graphene/acrylic modified alkyd resin latex composites coated carbon steel
Authors: Zhu Ke , li Xiaorui , Wang Haihua , Li Jingyi , Fei Guiqiang 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTA type of water dispersible graphene (PG) has been synthesized by nucleophilic ring‐opening reaction of the primary amine group in 3‐(1‐(2‐aminopropoxy) propan‐2‐ylamino) propane‐1‐sulfonate sodium (PPS) with epoxy groups on the basal plane of graphene oxide (GO), followed by in situ reduction with hydrazine hydrate. The PG is employed as nanoscale reinforcement fillers in waterborne acrylic modified alkyd resin (AMAR) coatings. The stability and corrosion resistance of the waterborne PG/AMAR nanocomposite coatings are investigated. SEM and stability of nanocomposite indicated that the PG sheet is uniformly distributed in AMAR nano‐emulsion. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies indicated that the PG/AMAR composite coatings exhibit higher corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid (SBF) compared with pure AMAR coatings and GO/AMAR coatings. In addition, the stability and corrosion resistance of the composite materials reach optimum when the PG content is 1%. PPS functionalized graphene (PG) displays prospective application in anticorrosion field. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44445.
Hyperbranched‐modified epoxy thermosets: Enhancement of thermomechanical and shape‐memory performances
Authors: Santiago David , Fabregat‐Sanjuan Albert , Ferrando Francesc , De la Flor Silvia 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTIn this study a complete characterization of the thermomechanical and shape‐memory properties of epoxy shape‐memory polymers modified with hyperbranched polymer and aliphatic diamine was performed. Focusing on the mechanical properties that are highly desirable for shape‐memory polymers, tensile behavior until break was analyzed at different temperatures and microhardness and impact strength were determined at room temperature. As regards shape memory performance, the materials were fully characterized at different programming temperatures to study how this influenced the recovery ratio, fixity ratio, shape‐recovery velocity, and switching temperature. Tensile testing revealed a peak in deformability and in the stored energy density at the onset of the glass transition temperature, demonstrating that this is the best programming temperature for obtaining the best shape‐memory performances. The Young's moduli revealed more rigid structures in formulations with higher hyperbranched polymer content, while microhardness showed higher values with increasing hyperbranched polymer content due to the increased crosslinking density. Impact strength was greatly improved as the aliphatic diamine content increases due to the energy dissipation capability of its flexible structure. As regards the shape‐memory properties, increasing the programming temperature has a minor effect on formulations with a lower hyperbranched polymer content and worsens these properties when the hyperbranched polymer content is increased. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44623.
Properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and sunflower head residue biocomposites
Authors: Liu Wangcheng , Liu Tian , Liu Hang , Xin Junna , Zhang Jinwen , Muhidinov Zayniddin Kamarovich , Liu Linshu 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTUtilization of low‐value agricultural waste for polymer composite materials has great environmental and economical benefits. Sunflower head residue (SHR) as an agricultural waste may be used as a reinforcement in polymeric materials because of its fiber characteristics. In this work, composites of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and SHR were prepared via melt‐extrusion compounding. To improve interfacial compatibility, maleic anhydride (MA) grafted PBAT (PBAT‐g‐MA) was prepared and used as a compatibilizer for the PBAT/SHR composites. The effects of the concentrations of SHR and PBAT‐g‐MA on the morphology, mechanical properties, melt rheology, and water resistance of the composites were examined. Interfacial adhesion between phases in the PBAT/SHR composites was enhanced by the introduction PBAT‐g‐MA as interface‐strengthening agent, resulting in improved mechanical properties and moisture resistance of the composite. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44644.
Synthesis of Peptidoglycan Fragments from Enterococcus faecalis with Fmoc‐Strategy for Glycan Elongation
Authors: Wang Ning , Hasegawa Hiroki , Huang Cheng‐yuan , Fukase Koichi , Fujimoto Yukari 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPeptidoglycan (PGN) is an essential structural component of the bacterial cell wall conferring cell shape, which can be recognized by host‐recognition proteins and receptors as well as bacterial surface proteins. In this work, the PGN partial structures from Enterococcus faecalis that contain a tetrasaccharide and an octasaccharide with a unique heptapeptide were synthesized via an Fmoc‐strategy for elongation of the glycan chains. Namely, a 4′‐O‐Fmoc‐protected disaccharide was utilized as the key intermediate in this efficient synthetic pathway for preparing various PGN fragments. Both the tetrasaccharide and octasaccharide with the unique heptapeptide were successfully synthesized for the first time.
A genetic algorithm‐optimized fuzzy logic controller to avoid rear‐end collisions
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Meilian , Sui Jisheng , Wei Kangwen , Pei Qingqi 
Published: November 2016

SummaryIn this paper, a rear‐end collision control model is proposed using the fuzzy logic control scheme. Through detailed analysis of car‐following cases, our fuzzy control system is established with reasonable control rules. Furthermore, a genetic algorithm is introduced into the fuzzy rules refining process to reduce the computational complexity while maintaining accuracy. Numerical results indicate that our genetic algorithm‐optimized fuzzy logic controller outperforms the traditional fuzzy logic controller in terms of better safety guarantee and higher traffic efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Modeling access to public transport in urban areas
Authors: Saghapour Tayebeh , Moridpour Sara , Thompson Russell G. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryIt is important to measure public transport accessibility to help improve the sustainability of transport systems in metropolitan areas. Although many studies have defined different approaches for measuring public transport accessibility, there have been limited methods developed for measuring accessibility levels that incorporate spatial aspects. Population density is an important distributional indicator that has also been ignored in previous methods developed for quantifying accessibility. This paper outlines the research context for measurement of public transport accessibility and then describes a methodology developed as well as an application the Public Transport Accessibility Index in Melbourne area, Australia. Using the Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity dataset, we applied separate‐ordered logit regression models to examine how the new index performs with a series of predictor variables compared with two existing approaches. Key findings indicate that there is a higher probability of public transport patronage in areas with higher levels of accessibility. Furthermore, it was found using statistical modelling that the new index produces better results compared with previous approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die Sturzflut von Braunsbach – Ingenieuranalyse der Gebäudeschäden
Authors: Maiwald Holger , Schwarz Jochen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractEnde Mai bis Anfang Juni kam es im Süden Deutschlands zu einer Reihe extremer Niederschlagsereignisse, die lokal begrenzt einige schwere Sturzflutereignisse nach sich zogen. Diese verursachten z. T. erhebliche Bauwerksschäden in den betroffenen Gemeinden.Bei der verheerenden Sturzflut vom 29.05.2016 in Braunsbach im Landkreis Schwäbisch Hall in Baden‐Württemberg waren mehr als 130 Gebäude betroffen, von denen einige durch die extreme Einwirkungscharakteristik schwere strukturelle Schäden aufwiesen.Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die unmittelbar nach dem Ereignis vorgefundenen Schadensfälle an der Bebauung. Die beobachteten Schäden werden klassifiziert und in das Bewertungssystem des am Zentrum für die Ingenieuranalyse von Erdbebenschäden (EDAC) der Bauhaus‐Universität Weimar entwickelten Hochwasserschadensmodells eingeordnet. Die Auswertung verdeutlicht die Besonderheiten der Schadens bilder im Falle von Sturzfluten gegenüber herkömmlichen Flusshochwassern.
Enhancement of human neural stem cell self‐renewal in 3D hypoxic culture
Authors: Ghourichaee Sasan Sharee , Powell Elizabeth M. , Leach Jennie B. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTThe pathology of neurological disorders is associated with the loss of neuronal and glial cells that results in functional impairments. Human neural stem cells (hNSCs), due to their self‐renewing and multipotent characteristics, possess enormous tissue‐specific regenerative potential. However, the efficacy of clinical applications is restricted due to the lack of standardized in vitro cell production methods with the capability of generating hNSC populations with well‐defined cellular compositions. At any point, a population of hNSCs may include undifferentiated stem cells, intermediate and terminally differentiated progenies, and dead cells. Due to the plasticity of hNSCs, environmental cues play crucial roles in determining the cellular composition of hNSC cultures over time. Here, we investigated the independent and synergistic effect of three important environmental factors (i.e., culture dimensionality, oxygen concentration, and growth factors) on the survival, renewal potential, and differentiation of hNSCs. Our experimental design included two dimensional (2D) versus three dimensional (3D) cultures and normoxic (21% O2) versus hypoxic (3% O2) conditions in the presence and absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2). Additionally, we discuss the feasibility of mathematical models that predict hNSC growth and differentiation under these culture conditions by adopting a negative feedback regulatory term. Our results indicate that the synergistic effect of culture dimensionality and hypoxic oxygen concentration in the presence of growth factors enhances the proliferation of viable, undifferentiated hNSCs. Moreover, the same synergistic effect in the absence of growth factors promotes the differentiation of hNSCs. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1096–1106. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of animation controller and avatar on player perceptions
Authors: Normoyle Aline , Jörg Sophie 
Published: November 2016

AbstractReal‐time animation controllers are fundamental for animating characters in response to player input in digital games. However, the design of such controllers requires making trade‐offs between the naturalness of the character's motions and the promptness of the character's response. In this paper, we investigate the effects of such trade‐offs on the players' enjoyment, control, satisfaction, and opinion of the character in a simple platform game. In our first experiment, we compare three controllers having the same responsiveness, but varying levels of naturalness. In the second experiment, we compare three controllers having increasing realism at the expense of responsiveness. In our third experiment, we keep motion naturalness and responsiveness constant but vary the avatar. Not surprisingly, our least responsive controller negatively affects players' performance and perceived ability to control the character. However, we also find that players are most satisfied with their own performance using our least natural controller, that differences in animation can significantly alter players' enjoyment with responsiveness being equal, that players do not report increased motion quality with our most natural controller, although viewers outside of the game context do, and that the avatar model affected the perception of the character but not players' enjoyment or perceived realism.
Coiled‐Coil‐Mediated Activation of Oligoarginine Cell‐Penetrating Peptides
Authors: Bode Saskia A. , Kruis Ilmar C. , Adams Hans P. J. H. M. , Boelens Wilbert C. , Pruijn Ger J. M. , van Hest Jan C. M. , Löwik Dennis W. P. M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA supramolecular approach was undertaken to create functionally activatable cell‐penetrating peptides. Two tetra‐arginines were assembled into an active cell‐penetrating peptide by heterodimerizing leucine zippers. Three different leucine‐zipper pairs were evaluated: activation was found to depend on the association constant of the coiled‐coil peptides. The weaker‐binding peptides required an additional disulfide linkage to induce cell‐penetrating capability, whereas for the most‐stable coiled‐coil no additional stabilization was needed. The latter zipper pair was used to show that the induced formation of the coiled coils allows control over the uptake of an oligoarginine CPP‐conjugated cargo protein.
The Influence and Removability of Colloidal Capping Agents on Carbon Monoxide Hydrogenation by Zirconia‐Supported Rhodium Nanoparticles
Authors: van Hoof Arno J. F. , Michel‐Ligthart D. A. J. , Friedrich Heiner , Hensen Emiel J. M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBy using wet‐chemical methods, cubic, tetrahedral, and randomly shaped Rh nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface terminations were synthesized and subsequently deposited on ZrO2 supports. To guide the NP shape, three capping agents were used during the synthesis: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), trimethyl(tetradecyl)ammonium bromide (TTAB), and oleylamine (OAm). TTAB and PVP could not be completely removed from the final catalyst, leaving a capping residue as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In contrast, OAm could be fully removed. The influence of the NP shape and the influence of the capping agents were evaluated under CO hydrogenation conditions. Both the PVP and TTAB residues blocked parts of the Rh surface and dominated catalytic activity beyond the effects from NP shape and surface termination. OAm could be successfully removed. The extent of metal surface blocking by the capping residue, probed by chemisorption, is larger than the observed reduction in CO hydrogenation activity. This suggests that a majority of less‐active sites are being blocked by the capping residue and that successful removal of the residue from the most active sites is possible.
Nontraditional π Gelators Based on β‐Iminoenolate and Their Difluoroboron Complexes: Effect of Halogens on Gelation and Their Fluorescent Sensory Properties Towards Acids
Authors: Wu Zhu , Sun Jingbo , Zhang Zhenqi , Yang Hao , Xue Pengchong , Lu Ran 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe have synthesized a series of new β‐iminoenolates and their corresponding difluoroboron complexes without any traditional gelation moieties, and some of them were able to gelatinize organic solvents. It was found that the presence of halogen atoms as substituents had a significant effect on gelation ability. In particular, bromo‐containing compounds 4 A and 4 B exhibited excellent gelation abilities compared with other halogen‐substituted gelators. By analyses of the single‐crystal structure, the PXRD pattern of the xerogel, and electronic spectral changes during gelation, we deemed that π–π, C−H⋅⋅⋅F, and C−H⋅⋅⋅Br interactions were the driving forces for the gelation of 4 B. Interestingly, (Z)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐(3‐methylpyrazin‐2‐yl)ethen‐1‐ol (8 A), prepared in this work, is the lowest‐molecular‐weight organogelator to have been reported. It should be noted that although β‐iminoenolates 3 A–5 A are nonemissive in solution, they emit strong yellow light in organogels, which suggests aggregation‐induced emissive activity, whereas the difluoroboron complexes 3 B–5 B show strong fluorescence in solutions, organogels, and xerogel‐based films. Moreover, we found that the emission of 4 B in a nanofiber‐based film could be quenched significantly upon exposure to gaseous trifluoroacetic acid and that the decay time and detection limit were 0.5 s and 0.17 ppm, respectively. Thus, through this work we have provided a new strategy for the design of nontraditional π gelators by introducing halogen atoms into π‐conjugated systems with moderate polarities.
Dual 5′ Cap Labeling Based on Regioselective RNA Methyltransferases and Bioorthogonal Reactions
Authors: Holstein Josephin M. , Muttach Fabian , Schiefelbein Stephan H. H. , Rentmeister Andrea 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe ability to detect and localize defined RNA strands inside living cells requires probes with high specificity, sensitivity, and signal‐to‐background ratio. To track low‐abundant biomolecules, such as strands of regular mRNA, and distinguish fluorescence signal from the background after bioorthogonal reactions in cells, it is imperative to employ turn‐on concepts. Here, we have presented a straightforward enzymatic approach to allow site‐specific modification of two different positions on the 5′ cap of eukaryotic mRNA with either identical or different small functional groups. The approach relies on two methyltransferases and analogues of their natural co‐substrate, and it can be extended to a three‐enzyme cascade reaction for their in situ production. Subsequent labeling by using bioorthogonal click reactions provided access to double labeling with identical fluorophores or dual labeling with two different reporter groups, as exemplified by a Cy5 dye, a FRET pair, and a fluorophore/biotin combination. Our dual‐labeling strategy addresses the need for increased sensitivity and should improve the signal‐to‐background ratio after bioorthogonal reactions in cells.