bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure–Property Relationships of Nanocomposites Based on Polylactide and Layered Double Hydroxides – Comparison of MgAl and NiAl LDH as Nanofiller
Authors: Leng Jing , Kang Nianjun , Wang De‐Yi , Falkenhagen Jana , Thünemann Andreas F. , Schönhals Andreas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNanocomposites based on poly(l‐lactide) (PLA) and organically modified Ni/Al layered double hydroxides (NiAl/LDHs) are prepared by melt blending and investigated by a combination of size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. A detailed comparison to the behavior of the corresponding MgAl/LDH–PLA nanocomposites is made. SAXS investigations show that the morphology of the NiAl/LDH–PLA nanocomposites is more intercalated compared to the MgAl/LDH based PLA nanocomposite, which is more exfoliated. The DSC investigation gives a different dependence of the degree of crystallization on the concentration of LDH for NiAl/LDH–PLA than for MgAl/LDH–PLA nanocomposite system. These differences are discussed taking the differences of the morphologies of both systems into account. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy reveals information about the molecular dynamics where essential differences are observed for all relaxation processes taking place in both systems which were related to the different morphologies.
Effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation on polyphenolic content and bioactivity of brown seaweed phlorotannin‐rich extracts
Authors: Corona Giulia , Coman Maria Magdalena , Guo Yuxuan , Hotchkiss Sarah , Gill Chris , Yaqoob Parveen , Spencer Jeremy P. E. , Rowland Ian 
Published: July 2017

ScopeUnlike other classes of polyphenols, there is a lack of knowledge regarding brown seaweed phlorotannins and their bioactivity. We investigated the impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation on the bioactivity of a seaweed phlorotannin extract from Ascophyllum nodosum and its high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) fractions.Methods and ResultsThe highest phlorotannin and total polyphenol (TP) concentration was observed in the HMW fraction. Antioxidant capacity broadly followed phlorotannin and TP levels, with HMW having the highest activity. Both gastrointestinal digestion (GID) and colonic fermentation (CF) significantly affected phlorotannin and TP levels, and antioxidant capacity of the extract and fractions. Despite this, in HT‐29 cells, all GID extracts significantly inhibit cell growth, whereas CF extracts effectively counteracted H2O2 induced DNA damage.ConclusionAlthough phlorotannins, TP levels and antioxidant power of the extracts were strongly reduced after in vitro digestion and fermentation, their anti‐genotoxic activity and cell growth inhibitory effect in colon HT‐29 cells was maintained and enhanced. HMW was the most effective fraction, indicating that the high molecular weight phlorotannins potentially exert a stronger beneficial effect in the colon.
Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Cyclization of o‐Aminobenzylamines and Aldehydes to Quinazolines in Water Catalyzed by a Water‐Soluble Metal‐Ligand Bifunctional Catalyst
Authors: Fan Hongjun , Zhang Weikang , Zhao Wei , Li Feng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe construction of quinazolines via acceptorless dehydrogenative cyclization of o‐aminobenzylamines and aldehydes in water has been accomplished. In the presence of a water‐soluble metal‐ligand bifunctional catalyst [Cp*Ir(6, 6’‐(OH)2bpy)(H2O)][OTf]2 (2 mol %), reactions were carried out at 130 °C for 12 h in water to afford the desired products in 52–83 % yields. Apparently, OH units in the bpy ligand are crucially important for the enhancement of the catalytic activity. The liberation of hydrogen gas in the process of the cyclization was also confirmed. The protocol is highly attractive because of high atom efficiency and environmental friendliness. Notably, this research would facilitate the progress of acceptorless dehydrogenative reactions in water.
Edge Stitching of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GnPs) and Their Effectiveness as a Filler for Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Bose Saswata , Das Arit , Basu Sankhadeep , Drzal Lawrence T. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe objective of this work was to stitch the edges of GnPs and utilization of the edge‐stitched GnP towards the improvement in the thermal and mechanical performance of epoxy nanocomposite prepared using edge‐stitched GnP as fillers.The edge stitching had been carried out via the covalent interaction of amine groups with the acid group present at the edges of GnPs. The successful functionalization of the GnP at the edges had been validated by Raman and X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The performance of the nanocomposite had been evaluated by Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) and Flexural studies which revealed promising results. The prepared nanocomposite showed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 163.8 °C and additionally exhibited a 19.2 % increase in flexural modulus compared to neat epoxy.
Our Contributions in Nanochemistry for Antibiosis, Electrocatalyst and Energy Storage Materials
Authors: Zhang Jian , Xu Jing , Wang Yan , Xue Huaiguo , Pang Huan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis account mainly introduces and reviews our recent progress in three projects: antibacterial nanomaterial, electrocatalyst for detecting and electrode nanomaterial of energy storage device, especially the supercapacitor. Besides, our thought and idea about the design, fabrication and application of corresponding nanomaterials are sketched throughout the whole article in order to reveal the structure‐function relationship and corresponding mechanism. In the end, we tend to attach importance to the bottleneck of nanomaterial's development and put forward our understanding in this field.
Plant viral and bacteriophage delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics
Authors: Lam Patricia , Steinmetz Nicole F. 
Published: July 2017

Nucleic acid therapeutics have emerged as a powerful method for treatment of many diseases. However, the challenge lies in safe and efficient delivery of nucleic acids to their target site, as they need to cross various extracellular and intracellular barriers. Mammalian viruses have initially been favored for delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics, but safety concerns regarding their immunogenicity and potential of integration have fueled the search for alternative delivery strategies. For example, chemistry and bioengineering have led to advances in the use of nonviral vectors composed of lipids and other polymers; nevertheless, the synthetic systems often do not match the efficiency achieved using the biological systems. More recently, researchers have turned toward the development of plant viruses and bacteriophages and virus‐like particles as an alternative or complementary approach. These systems unite the properties of both the viral and nonviral systems and as such are a new exciting avenue toward nucleic acid delivery. This review highlights the benefits of plant viral and bacteriophage delivery of nucleic acids and provides a summary of the current progress in research in this field. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1487. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1487This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
Exegesis of Sect. II and III.A from “Fundamentals of the Mechanics of Continua” by E. Hellinger
Authors: Eugster Simon R. , dell'Isola Francesco 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis is a second exegetic essay on the fundamental review article DIE ALLGEMEINEN ANSÄTZE DER MECHANIK DER KONTINUA in the Encyklopädie der mathematischen Wissenschaften mit Einschluss ihrer Anwendungen, Bd. IV‐4, Hft. 5 (1913) by Ernst Hellinger which concerns the translation and the commentary of pp. 629–662. Within these pages, the setting of the basic constitutive equations for field theories, whose formulations are based on the principle of virtual work or on the principle of stationary action, are discussed. The interest for a contemporary reader for the herein presented subject is still substantial, as this article clearly contains some considerations and visions being still topical. However, there is also an epistemological interest in examining it from the point of view of a historian of science. Indeed, it represents an available but forgotten source of an important piece of mechanical sciences. Available, because it is still present in our libraries in its complete form, but forgotten because, being written in German by a Jewish refugee escaped to the United States, has been ignored by the main stream of the dominant groups in continuum mechanics. The ideas by Hellinger and the German school of continuum mechanics (remark that this school includes, as we have discovered reading this article, even Gauss himself!) were lost or dramatically deformed in translation. We believe that the destiny of Hellinger's paper is an evidence supporting Lucio Russo's view about history of science. Our aim is to trace the origins of current ideas of mechanical sciences to their original sources.
Data pre‐treatment and choice of resemblance metric affect how fatty acid profiles depict known dietary origins
Authors: Happel Austin , Czesny Sergiusz , Rinchard Jacques , Hanson S. Dale 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFatty acids (FA) are increasingly being used in ecology to qualitatively infer diets of consumers. Analysis of FA data requires standardization to express FAs either in mg g−1 lipids, mg g−1 tissue, or as percentages of the total mass of FAs. Additionally, various transformations [square root, arcsin, log(X + 1), log‐ratio, etc.] are often used to differentially weight the contribution of less abundant FAs. The choice of standardization unit and transformation can affect interpretations of results and ultimately our understanding of trophic relationships. Data from published feeding experiments were analyzed with visualization (i.e., nMDS) and multivariate rank‐based methods (i.e. Mantel Tests) to evaluate how choice of standardization, transformation, and resemblance metric (i.e., Euclidean distance, Bray–Curtis similarities, etc.) reflects known dietary treatment groups. Our results indicate that diet interpretations were best inferred from data standardized to the total mass of FAs quantified. We found transforming data provided only weak advantages for discriminating among diet groups. Euclidean distances between FA proportions represented the known dietary differences to a high degree, are relatively easily interpretable, are applicable to a wide variety of statistical techniques, and are thus a reasonable choice of metric when analyzing FA proportions.
Validación de un cuestionario en castellano basado en el Modelo de Stanford para evaluar docentes clínicos
Authors: Bitran Marcela , Torres-Sahli Manuel , Padilla Oslando 
Published: July 2017

Introducción: Aunque existen instrumentos en español para evaluar el desempeño docente durante el ciclo básico o la especialización médica, faltan instrumentos para evaluar la docencia en los años iniciales del entrenamiento clínico, en que el profesor cumple un rol fundamental facilitando el aprendizaje experiencial. MEDUC30 es un cuestionario en español desarrollado por la Escuela de Medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Católica para este efecto. Se construyó con base en el modelo educacional del Programa de Desarrollo Docente de la Universidad de Stanford (SFDP) y ha sido usado desde 2004 en la Pontificia Universidad Católica y validado previamente con métodos exploratorios.
Objetivo: Proveer evidencia de validez y confiabilidad de MEDUC30 que avale su utilidad en contextos hispanohablantes, usando métodos analíticos confirmatorios.
Método: Este es un estudio de carácter analítico, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Se analizaron 24,681 cuestionarios que evaluaban 579 docentes clínicos. Éstos fueron completados por estudiantes de medicina entre tercer y séptimo año, entre 2004 y 2015. Los datos se analizaron mediante análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) y confirmatorio (AFC), y se evaluó la invariancia de medición con AFC multi-grupo.
Resultados: Se compararon cuatro modelos, de los cuales un modelo bi-factor fue el que mejor dio cuenta de los datos. Este modelo está compuesto de un factor general y seis específicos: [i] Enseñanza centrada en el paciente, [ii] Comunicación de objetivos, [iii] Evaluación y retroalimentación, [iv] Promoción de la comprensión, la retención y el aprendizaje auto-dirigido, [v] Control de la sesión, y [vi] Clima de aprendizaje. La confiabilidad general fue excelente (α Cronbach= .98, ω McDonald = .98) y la de los seis factores, muy buena (α Cronbach =.88-.95, ω McDonald = .78-.94). La invarianza de medición se sostuvo para sexo del docente, fecha, semestre, curso, campo clínico, y duración de la rotación. Todas estas variables mostraron ser fuentes de heterogeneidad poblacional.
Conclusiones: MEDUC30 es un instrumento en español válido y confiable para proveer retroalimentación a los docentes clínicos tanto de su efectividad docente general como de seis dominios educacionales específicos. Además, puede proporcionar información útil para jefes de programas y autoridades para mejorar la calidad de la docencia clínica.
Ensemble statistics of a geometric glacier length model
Authors: Herla Florian , Roe Gerard H. , Marzeion Ben 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
A third-order linear glacier length model is used to analyze if the retreat of Hintereisferner in the Austrian Alps over the past 160 years is exceptional, or lies within the range of the natural variability inherent to a stationary climate. A detailed uncertainty analysis takes into account glacier geometry, model parameters and initial conditions. A Monte Carlo ensemble strengthens the result that the observed retreat cannot be explained by natural variability and therefore affirms regional climate change. Finally the observed temperature trend at Hintereisferner lies outside the range of natural variability from an ensemble of climate models, but is consistent with the modeled range of responses to anthropogenic forcing.
A Critical Analysis of Conditionalities in the Generalized System of Preferences
Authors: KISHORE PALLAVI 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis article examines conditionalities in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in light of the European Communities – Conditions for the Granting of Tariff Preferences to Developing Countries (EC – Tariff Preferences) case at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The article largely undertakes this examination from the point of view of developing countries. It mainly examines the issue of discrimination in conditionalities since this was the principal question raised in the EC – Tariff Preferences case and makes suggestions regarding the regulation of conditionalities. In doing so, the article follows two trajectories: first, it makes suggestions for the WTO panels and Appellate Body, and, second, it makes suggestions for GSP donors, by analyzing the new European GSP + Scheme and by drawing inspiration from conditionalities in the loans granted by the World Bank.
Post-adenoidectomy quality of life in children with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Bettadahalli V , Chakravarti A 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to evaluate post-adenoidectomy quality of life in children with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis.Methods:A prospective interventional study of children aged 4–12 years with chronic refractory rhinosinusitis was conducted. A total of 60 children completed follow up. Nasal endoscopy and non-contrast computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses were performed, and both symptoms and their effects on patient quality of life pre- and post-adenoidectomy were evaluated.Results:The most frequent symptoms were nasal obstruction, cough, fever and fatigue, which were experienced by 100 per cent, 90 per cent, 85 per cent and 81.7 per cent of children, respectively. Nasal endoscopy showed oedema and discharge were present in all children. A statistically significant post-operative improvement in sinus and nasal quality of life was seen in 53 children (88.3 per cent).Conclusion:Adenoidectomy is a simple, first-line surgical procedure for managing paediatric chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to maximal medical therapy and leads to an improved quality of life.
Collagen matrix as an inlay in endoscopic skull base reconstruction
Authors: Oakley G M , Christensen J M , Winder M , Jonker B P , Davidson A , Steel T , Teo C , Harvey R J 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackground:Multi-layer reconstruction has become standard in endoscopic skull base surgery. The inlay component used can vary among autografts, allografts, xenografts and synthetics, primarily based on surgeon preference. The short- and long-term outcomes of collagen matrix in skull base reconstruction are described.Methods:A case series of patients who underwent endoscopic skull base reconstruction with collagen matrix inlay were assessed. Immediate peri-operative outcomes (cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, ventriculitis, intracranial bleeding, epistaxis, seizures) and delayed complications (delayed healing, meningoencephalocele, prolapse of reconstruction, delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak, ascending meningitis) were examined.Results:Of 120 patients (51.0 ± 17.5 years, 41.7 per cent female), peri-operative complications totalled 12.7 per cent (cerebrospinal fluid leak, 3.3 per cent; meningitis, 3.3 per cent; other intracranial infections, 2.5 per cent; intracranial bleeding, 1.7 per cent; epistaxis, 1.7 per cent; and seizures, 0 per cent). Delayed complications did not occur in any patients.Conclusion:Collagen matrix is an effective inlay material. It provides robust long-term separation between sinus and cranial cavities, and avoids donor site morbidity, but carries additional cost.
Cohesion policy after Brexit: the economic, social and institutional challenges
Authors: BACHTLER JOHN , BEGG IAIN 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSince 1988, when the current EU Cohesion Policy was introduced, it has played an influential role in setting priorities for policies aimed at dealing with the effects of European economic integration on regional and social disparities. Although, latterly, the amount of money spent in the UK through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) has declined, EU programmes have had a disproportionate effect on the design and implementation of UK policies shaping regional and local economic and social development. This paper starts by recalling how EU Cohesion Policy has functioned in the UK, then considers how Brexit may affect regional and social development and the need for a corresponding policy response, focusing on the sorts of policies currently supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The paper shows that filling the policy vacuum will be far from straightforward because complementary national policies and institutional frameworks have lacked consistency or coherence. It concludes by examining the wider policy issues arising from rethinking domestic policy outside the ESIF framework. The sub-national level, in particular, will need a fresh approach following Brexit.
Embedded authority: a relational network approach to hierarchy in world politics
Authors: MacDonald Paul K. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRelations of sovereign inequality permeate international politics, and a growing body of literature grapples with the question of how states establish and sustain hierarchy amidst anarchy. I argue that existing literature on hierarchy, for all its diverse insights, misses what makes hierarchy unique in world politics. Hierarchy is not simply the presence of inequality or stratification among actors, but rather an authority relationship in which a dominant actor exercises some modicum of control over a subordinate one. This authority relationship, moreover, is dramatically different than ones found in domestic hierarchies. It is shaped less by written laws or formal procedures, than by subtle forms of manipulation and the development of informal practices. For this reason, hierarchy cannot simply be reduced the to the dynamics of anarchy, and must be viewed as a relational phenomenon. Ties between actors create positions that permit dominant actors to appropriate and orchestrate the sharing of authority with subordinate intermediaries. This article develops this relational network approach, highlighting how concepts such as access, brokerage, and yoking can illuminate the processes by which authority is enlisted and appropriated in world politics.
Prior-knowledge Fitting of Accelerated Five-dimensional Echo Planar J-resolved Spectroscopic Imaging: Effect of Nonlinear Reconstruction on Quantitation
Authors: Iqbal Zohaib , Wilson Neil E. , Thomas M. Albert 
Published: July 2017

Abstract1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic imaging (SI) is a powerful tool capable of investigating metabolism in vivo from mul- tiple regions. However, SI techniques are time consuming, and are therefore difficult to implement clinically. By applying non-uniform sampling (NUS) and compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction, it is possible to accelerate these scans while re- taining key spectral information. One recently developed method that utilizes this type of acceleration is the five-dimensional echo planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging (5D EP-JRESI) sequence, which is capable of obtaining two-dimensional (2D) spectra from three spatial dimensions. The prior-knowledge fitting (ProFit) algorithm is typically used to quantify 2D spectra in vivo, however the effects of NUS and CS reconstruction on the quantitation results are unknown. This study utilized a simulated brain phantom to investigate the errors introduced through the acceleration methods. Errors (normalized root mean square error >15%) were found between metabolite concentrations after twelve-fold acceleration for several low concentra- tion (<2 mM) metabolites. The Cramér Rao lower bound% (CRLB%) values, which are typically used for quality control, were not reflective of the increased quantitation error arising from acceleration. Finally, occipital white (OWM) and gray (OGM) human brain matter were quantified in vivo using the 5D EP-JRESI sequence with eight-fold acceleration.
Promoting Singlet/triplet Exciton Transformation in Organic Optoelectronic Molecules: Role of Excited State Transition Configuration
Authors: Chen Runfeng , Tang Yuting , Wan Yifang , Chen Ting , Zheng Chao , Qi Yuanyuan , Cheng Yuanfang , Huang Wei 
Published: July 2017

AbstractExciton transformation, a non-radiative process in changing the spin multiplicity of an exciton usually between singlet and triplet forms, has received much attention recently due to its crucial effects in manipulating optoelectronic properties for various applications. However, current understanding of exciton transformation mechanism does not extend far beyond a thermal equilibrium of two states with different multiplicity and it is a significant challenge to probe what exactly control the transformation between the highly active excited states. Here, based on the recent developments of three types of purely organic molecules capable of efficient spin-flipping, we perform ab initio structure/energy optimization and similarity/overlap extent analysis to theoretically explore the critical factors in controlling the transformation process of the excited states. The results suggest that the states having close energy levels and similar exciton characteristics with same transition configurations and high heteroatom participation are prone to facilitating exciton transformation. A basic guideline towards the molecular design of purely organic materials with facile exciton transformation ability is also proposed. Our discovery highlights systematically the critical importance of vertical transition configuration of excited states in promoting the singlet/triplet exciton transformation, making a key step forward in excited state tuning of purely organic optoelectronic materials.