bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological novelty and modest developmental truncation in Barboides, Africa's smallest vertebrates (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Conway Kevin W. , Kubicek Kole M. , Britz Ralf 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMiniaturization, the evolution of extremely small adult body size, is widespread amongst animals and commonly associated with novel ecological, physiological, and morphological attributes. The phenotypes of miniaturized taxa are noteworthy because they combine reductions and structural simplifications with novel traits not developed in their larger relatives. Previous research on miniature cyprinid fishes (focused predominantly on South and South East Asian taxa of a single subfamily) has identified two distinct classes of miniature taxa: proportioned dwarves and developmentally truncated miniatures. Miniaturization has also occurred independently in the subfamily Cyprininae, particularly in African lineages. We investigate the skeletal anatomy of Barboides, a genus of miniature African cyprinids that includes Africa's smallest known species of vertebrates, to assess whether miniaturization has resulted in similar organismal outcomes in different lineages of the Cyprinidae. The skeleton of Barboides is characterized by the complete absence of a number of dermal and endochondral ossifications, and marked reduction in size and/or complexity of other skeletal elements, particularly those of the dermatocranium. Absent skeletal elements in Barboides include those which develop relatively late in the ossification sequence of the non‐miniature African relative ‘Barbus’ holotaenia suggesting that their absence in Barboides can be explained by a simple scenario of developmental truncation. In contrast to this theme of loss and reduction, the os suspensorium of Barboides is enlarged and the outer arm distally trifid and associated with a novel bulbous muscle in males. An evaluation of the skeleton of Barboides provides further evidence for a link between developmental truncation and evolutionary morphological novelty in Cyprinidae. In the spectrum of miniature cyprinids ranging from proportioned dwarves with few bones missing to highly progenetic taxa with dozens of missing bones, the two species of Barboides range roughly in the middle showing that the extremes are connected by intermediate levels of truncatedness.
Controllable Synthesis of Multiarm Star‐Shaped Copolymers Composed of Phosphoester Chains and Their Application on Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhang Li , Shi Dongjian , Shi Chunling , Dong Liangliang , Li Xiaojie , Chen Mingqing 
Published: March 2017

Novel biodegradable polymers with specific properties, structures, and tailorable designs or modifications are in great demand. Poly(phosphoester)s with good biocompatibility and degradability, as well as other adjustable properties have been studied widely because of their potential in biomedical applications. To meet more versatile and diverse biomedical applications, a novel multiarm star‐shaped phosphorester triblock copolymer poly(amido amine)‐block‐poly(2‐butynyl phospholane)‐block‐poly(2‐methoxy phospholane) (PAMAM‐PBYP‐PMP) is synthesized via organo‐catalyzed sequential ring‐opening polymerization. Supramolecular micelles with good architectural stability are self‐assembled into uniform spherical morphology in aqueous solution. Doxorubicin (DOX) can be encapsulated into the micelles with efficient loading capacity. A slow and sustained release in the environment of simulated intracellular lysosome (pH 5.0 with phosphodiesterase I) is observed. In addition, the copolymers and DOX‐loaded supramolecular micelles exhibit low cell‐toxicity and excellent anticancer activity toward HeLa cells. As a consequence, this multiarm star‐shaped PAMAM‐PBYP‐PMP has great potential in drug delivery system for tumor treatment.
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Physicochemical Characterization of the Shell Composition of PBCA‐Based Polymeric Microbubbles
Authors: Appold Lia , Shi Yang , Rütten Stephan , Kühne Alexander , Pich Andrij , Kiessling Fabian , Lammers Twan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMicrobubbles (MB) are routinely used as contrast agents for ultrasound (US) imaging. In recent years, MB have also attracted interest as drug delivery systems. Soft‐shelled lipidic MB tend to be more advantageous for US imaging, while hard‐shelled polymeric MB appear to be more suitable for drug delivery purposes because of their thicker shell and the resulting higher drug loading capacity. The physicochemical composition of the shell of polymeric MB, however, remains largely unknown. This study sets out to evaluate the molecular weight and polydispersity of the building blocks constituting the shell of poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) MB. Several different PBCA MB were synthesized, varying preparation parameters such as pH, surfactant, stirring speed, and stirring time. Using gel permeation chromatography, it is found that the number average molecular weight (M
n) of the polymer chains in the shell of PBCA MB is 4 kDa, and that >99% of the polymer chains are below 40 kDa. This demonstrates that virtually all polymeric building blocks in the shell of PBCA MB have a size which allows for renal excretion, thereby supporting their use for drug delivery applications.
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Synthesis of Syndiotactic Macrocyclic Poly(methyl methacrylate) via Transformation of the Growing Terminal in Stereospecific Anionic Polymerization
Authors: Usuki Naoya , Satoh Kotaro , Kamigaito Masami 
Published: March 2017

In this study, the synthesis of well‐defined cyclic syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (st‐PMMA) is investigated by transformation of the growing terminal in stereospecific anionic polymerization. st‐PMMA is first synthesized by living syndiospecific anionic polymerization in tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature, which is started with a protected‐alkyne initiator prepared in situ by metal‐halogen exchange reaction of an α‐haloester bearing a pendent protected‐alkyne with 1,1‐diphenylhexyl lithium. The anionic polymerization is terminated with halogenation of the growing enolate terminal by CBrCl3. The terminal halogen of the obtained st‐PMMA is further converted into azide group, which is subsequently employed in the intramolecular copper‐catalyzed click reaction in high dilution with the alkyne‐initiating terminal after deprotection. The macrocyclic st‐PMMA is confirmed by 1H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and MALDI‐TOF MS analyses.
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Bandgap‐Tuning in Triple‐Chalcogenophene Polymer Films by Thermal Annealing
Authors: González Daniel Moseguí , Raftopoulos Konstantinos N. , He Gang , Papadakis Christine M. , Brown Alex , Rivard Eric , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter 
Published: March 2017

The authors study adjustable bandgap properties of the novel triple chalcogenophene‐based polymer poly‐(3‐hexyl‐2(3‐(4‐hexylthiophene‐2‐yl)‐4,5‐butylselenophene‐1‐yl)‐5‐(4,5‐butyltellurophene‐1‐yl)thiophene) through a combination of morphological, spectroscopic, and computational techniques. The bandgap can be tuned after polymerization by means of mild temperature annealing, which will allow for a partnership with a broader range of donor/acceptor molecules, a property that makes it potentially suitable for organic photovoltaic implementation. The bandgap is modified by selection of the annealing temperatures, and the process is arguably related to the aggregation of tellurophene units, as similar effects are observed in polytellurophenes. Moreover, adequate chemistry engineering ensures easy solution processability and attainment of homogeneous films, which is also essential for applications.
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Optimal division of inventory between depot and bases
Authors: Amrani Hadar , Khmelnitsky Eugene 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe consider a problem of optimal division of stock between a logistic depot and several geographically dispersed bases, in a two‐echelon supply chain. The objective is to minimize the total cost of inventory shipment, taking into account direct shipments between the depot and the bases, and lateral transshipments between bases. We prove the convexity of the objective function and suggest a procedure for identifying the optimal solution. Small‐dimensional cases, as well as a limit case in which the number of bases tends to infinity, are solved analytically for arbitrary distributions of demand. For a general case, an approximation is suggested. We show that, in many practical cases, partial pooling is the best strategy, and large proportions of the inventory should be kept at the bases rather than at the depot. The analytical and numerical examples show that complete pooling is obtained only as a limit case in which the transshipment cost tends to infinity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 64: 3–18, 2017
Noninvasive evaluation of renal pH homeostasis after ischemia reperfusion injury by CEST‐MRI
Authors: Longo Dario Livio , Cutrin Juan Carlos , Michelotti Filippo , Irrera Pietro , Aime Silvio 
Published: March 2017

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice caused by sustained ischemia followed by reperfusion is associated with acute tubular necrosis and renal dysfunctional blood flow. Although the principal role of the kidney is the maintenance of acid–base balance, current imaging approaches are unable to assess this important parameter, and clinical biomarkers are not robust enough in evaluating the severity of kidney damage. Therefore, novel noninvasive imaging approaches are needed to assess the acid–base homeostasis in vivo. This study investigates the usefulness of MRI‐chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) pH imaging (through iopamidol injection) in characterizing moderate and severe AKI in mice following unilateral ischemia reperfusion injury. Moderate (20 min) and severe (40 min) ischemia were induced in Balb/C mice, which were imaged at several time points thereafter (Days 0, 1, 2, 7). A significant increase of renal pH values was observed as early as one day after the ischemia reperfusion damage for both moderate and severe ischemia. MRI‐CEST pH imaging distinguished the evolution of moderate from severe AKI. A recovery of normal renal pH values was observed for moderate AKI, whereas a persisting renal pH increase was observed for severe AKI on Day 7. Renal filtration fraction was significantly lower for clamped kidneys (0.54–0.57) in comparison to contralateral kidneys (0.84–0.86) following impairment of glomerular filtration. The severe AKI group showed a reduced filtration fraction even after 7 days (0.38 for the clamped kidneys). Notably, renal pH values were significantly correlated with the histopathological score. In conclusion, MRI‐CEST pH mapping is a valid tool for the noninvasive evaluation of both acid–base balance and renal filtration in patients with ischemia reperfusion injury.
Boys have caught up, family influences still continue: Influences on executive functioning and behavioral self‐regulation in elementary students in Germany
Authors: Gunzenhauser Catherine , Saalbach Henrik , von Suchodoletz Antje 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe development of self‐regulation is influenced by various child‐level and family‐level characteristics. Previous research focusing on the preschool period has reported a female advantage in self‐regulation and negative effects of various adverse features of the family environment on self‐regulation. The present study aimed to investigate growth in self‐regulation (i.e., executive functioning and behavioral self‐regulation) over 1 school year during early elementary school and to explore the influences of child sex, the level of home chaos, and family educational resources on self‐regulation. Participants were 263 German children (51% boys; mean age 8.59 years, SD = 0.56 years). Data were collected during the fall and spring of the school year. A computer‐based standardized test battery was used to assess executive functioning. Caregiver ratings assessed children's behavioral self‐regulation and information on the family's home environment (chaotic home environment and educational resources). Results suggest growth in elementary school children's executive functioning over the course of the school year. However, there were no significant changes in children's behavioral self‐regulation between the beginning and the end of Grade 3. Sex differences in executive functioning and behavioral self‐regulation were found, suggesting an advantage for boys. Educational resources in the family but not chaotic family environment were significantly related to self‐regulation at both time‐points. Children from families with more educational resources scored higher on self‐regulation measures compared to their counterparts from less advantaged families. We did not find evidence for child‐level or family‐level characteristics predicting self‐regulation growth over time. Findings suggest that the male disadvantage in self‐regulation documented in previous studies might be specific to characteristics of the sample and the context in which the data were collected. Adequate self‐regulation skills should be fostered in both girls and boys. Results also add to the importance of supporting self‐regulation development in children from disadvantaged family backgrounds early in life.
Cognitive self‐regulation and social functioning among French children: A longitudinal study from kindergarten to first grade
Authors: Hubert Blandine , Guimard Philippe , Florin Agnès 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study adds to the body of research examining the links between two components of cognitive self‐regulation (inhibitory control and verbal working memory) and social functioning (social integration, social problem solving, and prosocial skills) and focuses on children's sex as a moderator of the association between cognitive self‐regulation and social functioning. The participants (N = 131) were French schoolchildren followed from kindergarten (Mage = 68.36 months, SD = 3.33 months) through Grade 1. Using hierarchical regression analyses, three major findings were revealed: (1) inhibitory control was a better predictor than verbal working memory of prosocial skills assessed by peers using the sociometric technique as well as by teachers using questionnaires, after controlling for sex, mother's education, and verbal and non‐verbal IQ; (2) the prosocial skills assessed by teachers in kindergarten contributed more to explaining the prosocial skills and peer acceptance assessed in Grade 1 than cognitive self‐regulation; and (3) sex did not moderate the relationship between cognitive self‐regulation and social functioning. These results suggest that developing strong cognitive self‐regulation, especially inhibitory control and prosocial skills, in young children schooled in France could be beneficial for their social development.
Impact of the amino acid sequence on the conformation of side chain lactam‐bridged octapeptides
Authors: Neukirchen Saskia , Krieger Viktoria , Roschger Cornelia , Schubert Mario , Elsässer Brigitta , Cabrele Chiara 
Published: March 2017

Synthetic helical peptides are valuable scaffolds for the development of modulators of protein–protein interactions involving helical motifs. Backbone‐to‐side chain or side chain‐to‐side chain constraints have been and still are intensively exploited to stabilize short α‐helices. Very often, these constraints have been combined with backbone modifications induced by Cα‐tetrasubstituted, β‐, or γ‐amino acids, which facilitate the α‐peptide or α/β/γ‐peptide adopting an α‐helical conformation. In this work, we investigated the helical character of octapeptides that were cyclized by a Lys‐Asp‐(i,i + 4)‐lactam bridge. We started with two sequences extracted from the helix–loop–helix region of the Id proteins, which are inhibitors of cell differentiation during development and in cancer. Nineteen analogs containing the lactam bridge at different positions and displaying different amino acid core triads (i + 1,2,3) as well as outer residues were prepared by solid‐phase methodology. Their conformation in water and water/2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol mixtures was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The cyclopeptides could be grouped in helix‐prone and non‐helix‐prone structures. Both the amino acid core triad (i + 1,2,3) and the pendant residues positively or negatively affected the formation of a helical structure. Computational studies based on the NMR‐derived helical structure of a cyclopeptide containing Aib at position (i + 2) of the triad were generally in agreement with the secondary structure propensity of the cyclopeptides observed by CD spectroscopy. In conclusion, the Lys‐Asp‐(i,i + 4)‐lactam bridge may succeed or fail in the stabilization of short helices, depending on the primary structure. Moreover, computational methods may be valuable tools to discriminate helix‐prone from non‐helix‐prone peptide‐based macrolactams. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cluster synchronization of coupled systems with nonidentical linear dynamics
Authors: Liu Zhongchang , Wong Wing Shing , Cheng Hui 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThis paper considers the cluster synchronization problem of generic linear dynamical systems whose system models are distinct in different clusters. These nonidentical linear models render control design and coupling conditions highly correlated if static couplings are used for all individual systems. In this paper, a dynamic coupling structure, which incorporates a global weighting factor and a vanishing auxiliary control variable, is proposed for each agent and is shown to be a feasible solution. Lower bounds on the global and local weighting factors are derived under the condition that every interaction subgraph associated with each cluster admits a directed spanning tree. The spanning tree requirement is further shown to be a necessary condition when the clusters connect acyclically with each other. Simulations for two applications, cluster heading alignment of nonidentical ships and cluster phase synchronization of nonidentical harmonic oscillators, illustrate essential parts of the derived theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing Operating Room Turnover Time for Robotic Surgery Using a Motor Racing Pit Stop Model
Authors: Souders Colby P. , Catchpole Ken R. , Wood Lauren N. , Solnik Jonathon M. , Avenido Raymund M. , Strauss Paul L. , Eilber Karyn S. , Anger Jennifer T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundOperating room (OR) turnover time, time taken between one patient leaving the OR and the next entering, is an important determinant of OR utilization, a key value metric for hospital administrators. Surgical robots have increased the complexity and number of tasks required during an OR turnover, resulting in highly variable OR turnover times. We sought to streamline the turnover process and decrease robotic OR turnover times and increase efficiency.MethodsDirect observation of 45 pre‐intervention robotic OR turnovers was performed. Following a previously successful model for handoffs, we employed concepts from motor racing pit stops, including briefings, leadership, role definition, task allocation and task sequencing. Turnover task cards for staff were developed, and card assignments were distributed for each turnover. Forty‐one cases were observed post‐intervention.ResultsAverage total OR turnover time was 99.2 min (95% CI 88.0–110.3) pre‐intervention and 53.2 min (95% CI 48.0–58.5) at 3 months post‐intervention. Average room ready time from when the patient exited the OR until the surgical technician was ready to receive the next patient was 42.2 min (95% CI 36.7–47.7) before the intervention, which reduced to 27.2 min at 3 months (95% CI 24.7–29.7) post‐intervention (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsRole definition, task allocation and sequencing, combined with a visual cue for ease‐of‐use, create efficient, and sustainable approaches to decreasing robotic OR turnover times. Broader system changes are needed to capitalize on that result. Pit stop and other high‐risk industry models may inform approaches to the management of tasks and teams.
Effect of Self‐Assemblies on the Dynamics of the Briggs–Rauscher Reaction
Authors: Dar Nisar Ahmad , Peerzada G. M. , Bashir Nadeem , Rashid Shagufta , Rashid Sna , Akhoon Showket Ahmad 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe study involves the dynamic evolution of the Briggs–Rauscher (BR) reaction in the presence of various surfactants—SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) as anionic, CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) as cationic and TritonX‐100 [4‐(1,1,3,3‐(tetramethylbutyl) phenyl polyethylene glycol] as a neutral one in single as well as mixed mode conditions (SDS + TX‐100 and CTAB + TX‐100). The reaction has been monitored potentiometrically at 30 °C under CSTR conditions. These surfactants affect the reaction dynamics to an extent which depends on the nature and concentration of the surfactant and the formation of their self‐assemblies. The experimental findings indicate that the oscillatory behavior of the BR reaction in the presence of surfactants is due to the efficacy of organized surfactant assemblies to selectively distribute the key species involved in the reaction, and their interaction with the counter ions in cases of ionic micelles. The study reveals that the evolution of oscillatory behavior is a characteristic feature of the surfactant.
Influence of Design Parameters on the Air/Liquid Ratio of an Air Induction Nozzle
Authors: Vashahi F. , Ra S. , Choi Y. , Lee J. K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA two-phase flow parametric study on an air induction nozzle with water and air as the working fluids is presented. Liquid was supplied at the pre-orifice with various inlet pressures ranging from 3 to 6 bar. The interaction between air and water at the molecular level at the orifice exit leads to formation of a strong shear layer that is intensified with the increase in inlet pressure. Thus, it is vital to regulate the ratio of the intake air to the supplied liquid so that the generated micro bubbles fit the design criteria. CFD analysis was conducted using the commercial software STAR CCM+ from Siemens and validated against experimental data to investigate the design parameters and their effect on the ALR. A volume of fluid (VOF) method of the RANS models was used to undertake the air-water interaction. Parameters such as the throat, air orifice, and air inlet diameter, along with the diffuser angle, were investigated. It was found that certain parameters such as the throat diameter have a more significant effect on the air/liquid entrainment ratio than other parameters.
FIELD EFFICACY OF SOME INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF BOLLWORMS AND IMPACT ON NON-TARGET BENEFICIAL ARTHROPODS IN COTTON
Authors: ABUDULAI MUMUNI , SEINI SHAIBU SEIDU , NBOYINE JERRY , SEIDU AHMED , IBRAHIM YUSSIF JNR. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYLarvae of bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Earias sp., Diparopsis watersii (Rothschild) and Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)) feed on cotton flower buds (squares) and developing bolls causing severe yield losses. While endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide was the most effective and widely used insecticide for bollworm control in Ghana, it has been banned due to abuse and hazard to the environment. Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2012 and 2013 to determine the efficacy of foliar insecticides tihan (spirotetramat + flubendiamide), thunder (imidacloprid + betacyfluthrin), belt expert (flubendiamide +thiaclopride), dursban 4EC (chlorpyrifos-ethyl), lambda super 2.5EC (lambda cyhalothrin) and polytrin C (profenophos + cypermethrin) for control of bollworms and their impact on non-target beneficial organisms in Ghana. All the insecticides tested lowered bollworm densities and boll damage but applications of tihan or belt expert alternated with thunder resulted in the highest seed cotton yield. The treatments generally did not lower populations of predators such as ladybird beetles and lacewings and could be included in an integrated pest management programme for bollworms in cotton. These results suggest that alternate applications of tihan or belt expert with thunder can be recommended as a replacement for endosulfan for control of cotton bollworms and improvement of cotton yield in Ghana.