bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Creep response of a LDPE‐based nanocomposite
Authors: La Mantia F. P. , Mistretta M. C. , Rodonò L. , Ascione L. , Morreale M. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTPolymer nanocomposites and their behavior have been widely investigated by several paths, including mechanical, rheological, and permeability tests, finding that several parameters (such as the polymer matrix, the nanofiller, their amounts, the presence of compatibilizers, processing parameters, etc.) can influence the main properties. However, less information is available regarding the creep response of polymer nanocomposites; in particular, few or no data are reported about the combined effect of different loads and different temperatures. In this article, the creep behavior of a low density polyethylene/organomodified clay nanocomposite has been investigated. The characterization of viscoelastic response has taken into account both the effects of applied load and temperature, which are often considered separately. Dynamic–mechanical and structural analysis was also performed in order to get a deeper understanding of the involved phenomena. The nanocomposite showed lower creep deformations (up to ∼20%) and the relative differences with the neat polymer matrix were found to be increasing upon increasing the applied load (up to ∼24%) and the temperature (up to ∼38%). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44180.
Practical Robust Neural Path Following Control for Underactuated Marine Vessels with Actuators Uncertainties
Authors: Zhang Guoqing , Zhang Xianku 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis note tackles the problem of path‐following control for underactuated ships with actuators uncertainties and unknown environmental disturbances. A novel dynamical virtual ship (DVS) guidance principle is initially developed to deal with the assumption that “the reference path could be generated by a virtual ship”, which is normal but not workable in the current literature. In addition, a practical robust control scheme is proposed using feedforward approximation, dynamic surface control, and robust neural damping techniques. In the algorithm, the strong couplings among state variables, underactuated characteristic and the actuators uncertainties are considered to guarantee semiglobal uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop system. The outstanding advantages are that the control law has a concise form and is easy to implement in practice.The control inputs of interest are two actuator‐steerable variables: the main engine speed and the rudder angle. Although the uncertainties are compensated by NNs, no adaptive parameters are derived for merits of the robust neural damping technique. Finally, the experiment has demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, comparing with the LOS self‐tuning fuzzy control.
The genetic variations in DNA repair genes ERCC2 and XRCC1 were associated with the overall survival of advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Wang Suhan , Wang Jianzhong , Bai Yansen , Wang Qing , Liu Li , Zhang Kai , Hong Xiaohua , Deng Qifei , Zhang Xiaomin , He Meian , Wu Tangchun , Xu Ping , Guo Huan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt was reported that DNA repair can confer cancer cell resistance to therapeutic treatments by activating antiapoptotic cellular defense. We hypothesized that genetic variants of DNA repair genes may be associated with lung cancer prognosis. Seventeen tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphism (tagSNPs) selected from 12 DNA repair genes were genotyped in 280 advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by TaqMan assay. The associations of these SNPs and overall survival of advanced NSCLC patients were investigated. Advanced NSCLC patients carrying ERCC2 rs50872 CT+TT genotypes had significantly longer median survival time (MST) and decreased death risk than patients with rs50872 CC genotype [log‐rank P = 0.031; adjusted HR(95% CI) = 0.73 (0.55–0.98), P = 0.033]. These effects were mainly seen among younger patients (≤65 years old) [HR(95% CI) = 0.57 (0.37–0.87), P = 0.010], patients without surgery [HR(95% CI) = 0.68 (0.47–0.98), P = 0.036] but with chemotherapy [HR(95% CI) = 0.64 (0.46–0.91), P = 0.012] or radiotherapy [HR(95% CI) = 0.58 (0.38–0.89), P = 0.013]. Meanwhile, compared to advanced NSCLC patients with rs25487 GG genotype, patients carrying XRCC1 rs25487 GA+AA genotypes had significantly shorter MST (MST = 11.7 vs. 16.7, log‐rank P = 0.048). In addition, advanced NSCLC patients carrying the ERCC2 rs50872 CC in combination with XRCC1 rs25487 GA+AA genotype had the shortest MST (11.2 month) and highest death risk [HR(95% CI) = 1.70 (1.15–2.52), P = 0.008] when compared with those carrying rs50872 CT+TT and rs25487 GG genotype (MST = 22.0 month). The ERCC2 rs50872 T allele was associated with favorable but XRCC1 rs25487 A allele with bad survival for advanced NSCLC in Chinese population, which may offer novel biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes.
Phytochemical Study of Juglans regia L. Pericarps from Greece with a Chemotaxonomic Approach
Authors: Tsasi Gerasimia , Milošević‐Ifantis Tanja , Skaltsa Helen 
Published: July 2016

Phytochemical research of different polarity extracts from green Juglans regia L. pericarps from Greece afforded 32 compounds: four pentacyclic triterpenes (1 – 4), three sesquiterpenes (5 – 7), four tetralones (8 – 11), two naphthoquinones (12 and 13), seven phenolic acids (14 – 20), one diarylheptanoid (21), one neo‐lignan (22), seven flavonoids (23 – 29), two phenylethanoids (30 and 31) and one hydrolysed tannin (32). Compounds 4 and 29 are isolated for the first time from the species, while compounds 3, 7, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30 are reported for the first time in Juglandaceae. Chemotaxonomic significance of isolated compounds into Junglandaceae family is thoroughly discussed.
Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion: Effect of device positioning on outcome
Authors: Wolfrum Mathias , Attinger‐Toller Adrian , Shakir Samera , Gloekler Steffen , Seifert Burkhardt , Moschovitis Aris , Khattab Ahmed , Maisano Francesco , Meier Bernhard , Nietlispach Fabian 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveThe study in patients with percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion investigates clinical outcomes according to the position of the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) disc.BackgroundThe ACP consists of a disc and an anchoring lobe. The disc is meant to cover the ostium of the LAA, but frequently retracts partially or completely into the neck of the LAA. It is not known whether a retracted disc affects outcome.MethodsOutcomes of 169 consecutive patients (age 73.1 ± 10.4 years; 76% male) with successful LAA closure were analyzed according to the position of the ACP disc: group A had complete coverage of the LAA ostium; in group B the disc prolapsed partially or completely into the LAA‐neck. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed 1‐6 months after ACP implantation. The safety endpoint was the composite of clinically significant pericardial effusion, device embolization, procedure‐related stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, or device thrombus. The efficacy endpoint was the composite of death, neurological events (ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, TIA), or systemic embolism during follow‐up.ResultsGroup A comprised 76 patients (age 73.0 ± 9.9 years; 74% male) and group B 93 patients (age 73.3 ± 10.9 years; 79% male). Mean CHA2DS2‐Vasc score and HASBLED score were 4.2 ± 1.7 (group A 4.3 ± 1.6; group B 4.2 ± 1.8) and 2.9 ± 1.1 (group A 2.9 ± 1.0; group B 3.0 ± 1.2), respectively. Mean follow‐up of the study population was 13.0 ± 10.4 months. Overall, the composite safety and efficacy endpoints occurred in 20 (12%) and 6 patients (4%), respectively. There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the occurrence of the safety endpoint (13% vs. 11%, P = 0.64), or the efficacy endpoint (4% vs. 3%, P = 1.0).ConclusionsNo evidence for a difference in the occurrence of the safety and efficacy endpoint was found between patients with complete vs. incomplete ACP disc coverage of the LAA ostium. The risk of repositioning attempts in case of incomplete coverage does not seem to be warranted. Current findings need further confirmation in a larger scale clinical trial. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis of Conjugated Polyenes
Authors: Balla Áron , Al‐Hashimi Mohammed , Hlil Antisar , Bazzi Hassan S. , Tuba Robert 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn the past decade, numerous examples of chemical technologies based on olefin metathesis have been developed to make olefin metathesis increasingly dominant in several sustainable and green chemical processes. In spite of the wide application profile, conjugated olefin metathesis, especially conjugated polyene metathesis, is an area of great interest with little exploration. The metathesis of conjugated polyenes is often cumbersome and requires a high catalyst loading, most probably because of the formation of poorly active or inactive ruthenium η3‐vinylcarbene intermediates. A mechanistic understanding and the development of a new highly active catalytic system for olefin metathesis will open new areas for exploration, such as the utilisation of cyclopentadiene and other petrochemical by‐products or a new way to use butadiene, isoprene and conjugated electron systems that contain natural products such as terpenes and polyunsaturated fatty acids. An understanding of the mechanism of ruthenium η1–η3‐vinylcarbene interconversion may open the way to the development of a new generation of Ru‐based latent metathesis catalyst systems. This review summarises the most relevant pioneering work focused on the metathesis of conjugated polyenes to open new ideas for the development of forthcoming latent metathesis catalysts and to explore different applications.
Clickable 4‐Oxo‐β‐lactam‐Based Selective Probing for Human Neutrophil Elastase Related Proteomes
Authors: Ruivo Eduardo F. P. , Gonçalves Lídia M. , Carvalho Luís A. R. , Guedes Rita C. , Hofbauer Stefan , Brito José A. , Archer Margarida , Moreira Rui , Lucas Susana D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHuman neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease associated with several inflammatory processes such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The precise involvement of HNE in COPD and other inflammatory disease mechanisms has yet to be clarified. Herein we report a copper‐catalyzed alkyne–azide 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC, or ′click′ chemistry) approach based on the 4‐oxo‐β‐lactam warhead that yielded potent HNE inhibitors containing a triazole moiety. The resulting structure–activity relationships set the basis to develop fluorescent and biotinylated activity‐based probes as tools for molecular functional analysis. Attaching the tags to the 4‐oxo‐β‐lactam scaffold did not affect HNE inhibitory activity, as revealed by the IC50 values in the nanomolar range (56–118 nm) displayed by the probes. The nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)‐based probe presented the best binding properties (ligand efficiency (LE)=0.31) combined with an excellent lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE=4.7). Moreover, the probes showed adequate fluorescence properties, internalization in human neutrophils, and suitable detection of HNE in the presence of a large excess of cell lysate proteins. This allows the development of activity‐based probes with promising applications in target validation and identification, as well as diagnostic tools.
Contributors to Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction Activity and Stability in a Nanostructured Au Electrocatalyst
Authors: Kim Haeri , Jeon Hyo Sang , Jee Michael Shincheon , Nursanto Eduardus Budi , Singh Jitendra Pal , Chae Keunhwa , Hwang Yun Jeong , Min Byoung Koun 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe formation of a nanostructure is a popular strategy for catalyst applications because it can generate new surfaces that can significantly improve the catalytic activity and durability of the catalysts. However, the increase in the surface area resulting from nanostructuring does not fully explain the substantial improvement in the catalytic properties of the CO2 electroreduction reaction, and the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. Here, based on a combination of extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy, we observed a contracted Au−Au bond length and low work function with the nanostructured Au surface that had enhanced catalytic activity for electrochemical CO2 reduction. The results may improve the understanding of the enhanced stability of the nanostructured Au electrode based on the resistance of cation adhesion during the CO2 reduction reaction.
Improvement of Aluminum–Air Battery Performances by the Application of Flax Straw Extract
Authors: Grishina Ekaterina , Gelman Danny , Belopukhov Sergey , Starosvetsky David , Groysman Alec , Ein‐Eli Yair 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe effect of a flax straw extract on Al corrosion inhibition in a strong alkaline solution was studied by using electrochemical measurements, weight‐loss analysis, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Flax straw extract added (3 vol %) to the 5 m KOH solution to act as a mixed‐type Al corrosion inhibitor. The electrochemistry of Al in the presence of a flax straw extract in the alkaline solution, the effect of the extract on the Al morphology and surface films formed, and the corrosion inhibition mechanism are discussed. Finally, the Al–air battery discharge capacity recorded from a cell that used the flax straw extract in the alkaline electrolyte is substantially higher than that with only a pure alkaline electrolyte. This improved sustainability of the Al anode is attributed to Al corrosion inhibition and, consequently, to hydrogen evolution suppression.
Ag‐Promoted ZrBEA Zeolites Obtained by Post‐Synthetic Modification for Conversion of Ethanol to Butadiene
Authors: Sushkevich Vitaly L. , Ivanova Irina I. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract1,3‐Butadiene was synthesized from ethanol using zirconium‐containing zeolite beta (ZrBEA) catalysts doped with 1 wt % silver. The Zr was planted using post‐synthesis modification by dealumination of the parent zeolite followed by treatment with ZrOCl2in a DMSO solution. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the planting process by preparing materials with different Si/Al ratios and crystal sizes. The results showed preferential grafting of Zr to the terminal silanols present on the external surface of the zeolite crystals instead of incorporation of Zr into silanol nests. The grafting yielded highly accessible Zr(OSi)3OH open sites with high Lewis acidity, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. These sites are shown to be extremely active for the conversion of ethanol to butadiene. Ag/ZrBEA catalysts prepared using the post‐synthesis method showed significant advantages compared with Ag/ZrBEA catalysts synthesized using a conventional hydrothermal procedure. The best catalyst performance in terms of butadiene formation rate (3 μmol g−1 s−1) was observed over Ag/Zr(3.5)BEA(75) (containing 3.5 wt % Zr), which had the smallest crystal size and the highest content of Zr open sites of the prepared catalysts.
Urea‐ and Thiourea‐Catalyzed Aminolysis of Carbonates
Authors: Blain Marine , Yau Honman , Jean‐Gérard Ludivine , Auvergne Rémi , Benazet Dominique , Schreiner Peter R. , Caillol Sylvain , Andrioletti Bruno 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe aminolysis of (poly)carbonates by (poly)amines provides access to non‐isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) that are toxic‐reagent‐free analogues of polyurethanes (PUs). Owing to their low reactivity, the ring opening of cyclic carbonates requires the use of a catalyst. Herein, we report that the more available and cheaper ureas could advantageously be used for catalyzing the formation of NIPUs at the expense of the thiourea analogues. In addition, we demonstrate a medium‐range pKa of the (thio)urea and an unqeual substitution pattern is critical for controlling the efficiency of the carbonate opening.
Aggregation and a strongAllee effect in a cooperative outbreak insect
Authors: Goodsman D. W. , Koch D. , Whitehouse C. , Evenden M. L. , Cooke B. J. , Lewis M. A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMost species that are negatively impacted when their densities are low aggregate to minimize this effect. Aggregation has the potential to change how Allee effects are expressed at the population level. We studied the interplay between aggregation and Allee effects in the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins), an irruptive bark beetle that aggregates to overcome tree defenses. By cooperating to surpass a critical number of attacks per tree, the mountain pine beetle is able to breach host defenses, oviposit, and reproduce. Mountain pine beetles and Hymenopteran parasitoids share some biological features, the most notable of which is obligatory host death as a consequence of parasitoid attack and development. We developed spatiotemporal models of mountain pine beetle dynamics that were based on the Nicholson–Bailey framework but which featured beetle aggregation and a tree‐level attack threshold. By fitting our models to data from a local mountain pine beetle outbreak, we demonstrate that due to aggregation, attack thresholds at the tree level can be overcome by a surprisingly low ratio of beetles per susceptible tree at the stand level. This results confirms the importance of considering aggregation in models of organisms that are subject to strong Allee effects.
Sensitivity Analyses on the Impact of Air Contaminants on Automotive Fuel Cells
Authors: Misz U. , Talke A. , Heinzel A. , Konrad G. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt is known that traffic related air contaminants cause power loss, decreasing lifetime or a complete failure of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Therefore, the present study aims for a better understanding and the development of a data basis for further decisions in dealing with air contaminants for automobile applications. The first section provides an overview of scientific literature about the influence of important air contaminants on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The second section describes an extensive study of air contaminants at possible automotive operating conditions using a full factorial matrix test. The specific variation of temperature, cell potential and harmful gas concentration resulted in 27 operating points for each used air contaminant. The gases NO, NO2, SO2, NH3, toluene and ethane were used. The results indicate significant degradation but as well the possibility of regeneration. The degradation caused by different harmful gases is both, dependent on temperature and potential. Furthermore, a clear difference of the influence of NO and NO2 at low concentrations could be shown. The experiments give an overview of the cathode harming potential of relevant air contaminants. Hence, the work provides a basis for the development of cathode air filter and regeneration techniques for automotive applications.
Disrupted structural and functional rich club organization of the brain connectome in patients with generalized tonic‐clonic seizure
Authors: Li Rong , Liao Wei , Li Yibo , Yu Yangyang , Zhang Zhiqiang , Lu Guangming , Chen Huafu 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNetwork studies have demonstrated that a small set of highly connected regions may play a central role in global information integration, together forming a rich club organization. Given that generalized tonic‐clonic seizure (GTCS) has been conceptualized as a network disorder, we hypothesized that the rich club disturbances may be related to the network abnormalities of GTCS. Here, we used graph theoretical analysis to investigate the rich club organization of both structural and functional connectome in patients with GTCS (n = 50) and healthy controls (n = 60). We further measured the level of global efficiency and clustering in rich club and non‐rich club organization. We, respectively, identified a small number of highly connected hubs as rich club organization from structural and functional networks. Patients were found to exhibit significantly reduced rich club connectivity among the central hubs. Meanwhile, both structural and functional network showed changed levels of global efficiency and clustering of rich club organization in GTCS. Furthermore, in patients, lower levels of rich club connectivity were found to be correlated with longer duration of illness and seizure frequency. Together, these findings suggest that GTCS is characterized by a selective disruption of rich club organization due to the long‐term injurious effects of epileptic actions on the central hub regions, which potentially contribute to a reduced level of brain integration capacity among different functional domains and an added effect of illness on a preexisting vulnerability. Our findings emphasize a central role for abnormal rich club organization in the pathophysiological mechanism underlying GTCS. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4487–4499, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing structural neural networks in de novo Parkinson disease patients using diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Nigro S. , Riccelli R. , Passamonti L. , Arabia G. , Morelli M. , Nisticò R. , Novellino F. , Salsone M. , Barbagallo G. , Quattrone A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractParkinson disease (PD) can be considered as a brain multisystemic disease arising from dysfunction in several neural networks. The principal aim of this study was to assess whether large‐scale structural topological network changes are detectable in PD patients who have not been exposed yet to dopaminergic therapy (de novo patients). Twenty‐one drug‐naïve PD patients and thirty healthy controls underwent a 3T structural MRI. Next, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and graph theoretic analyses to compute individual structural white‐matter (WM) networks were combined. Centrality (degree, eigenvector centrality), segregation (clustering coefficient), and integration measures (efficiency, path length) were assessed in subject‐specific structural networks. Moreover, Network‐based statistic (NBS) was used to identify whether and which subnetworks were significantly different between PD and control participants. De novo PD patients showed decreased clustering coefficient and strength in specific brain regions such as putamen, pallidum, amygdala, and olfactory cortex compared with healthy controls. Moreover, NBS analyses demonstrated that two specific subnetworks of reduced connectivity characterized the WM structural organization of PD patients. In particular, several key pathways in the limbic system, basal ganglia, and sensorimotor circuits showed reduced patterns of communications when comparing PD patients to controls. This study shows that PD is characterized by a disruption in the structural connectivity of several motor and non‐motor regions. These findings provide support to the presence of disconnectivity mechanisms in motor (basal ganglia) as well as in non‐motor (e.g., limbic, olfactory) circuits at an early disease stage of PD. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4500–4510, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.