bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alkaline–Acid Zn–H2O Fuel Cell for the Simultaneous Generation of Hydrogen and Electricity
Authors: Cai Pingwei , Li Yan , Wang Genxiang , Wen Zhenhai 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn alkaline–acid Zn–H2O fuel cell is proposed for the simultaneous generation of electricity with an open circuit voltage of about 1.25 V and production of H2 with almost 100 % Faradic efficiency. We demonstrate that, as a result of harvesting energy from both electrochemical neutralization and electrochemical Zn oxidation, the as‐developed hybrid cell can deliver a power density of up to 80 mW cm−2 and an energy density of 934 Wh kg−1 and maintain long‐term stability for H2 production with an output voltage of 1.16 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2.
Study of the chemical structure and the microbial effect of iron(III) metal ions with four consecutive generations of quinolones in a nanometric form for the purpose of increasing the efficacy of antibacterial and antifungal drugs
Authors: Refat Moamen S. , El‐Sayed Mohamed Y. , Hassan Reham F. 
Published: January 2018

A new series of iron(III) complexes with different fourth generation of quinolone drugs of the type [Fe(L)n(Cl)x]⋅yH2O ((1) L: nalidixic acid, n = 3, x = 3, y = 3; (2) L: oxolonic acid, n = 3, x = 3, y = 0; (3) L: pipemidic acid, n = 3, x = 3, y = 2; (4) L: lomefloxacin, n = 3, x = 3, y = 0; (5) L: pefloxacin mesylate, n = 3, x = 3, y = 2; (6) L: levofloxacin, n = 3, x = 3, y = 6) were synthesized and identified using microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, conductance data, effective magnetic moments and electronic UV–visible spectra. In these six complexes, the quinolone drug chelates act in a unidentate manner via nitrogen atom of pyridone/piperazyl moiety. Electronic spectroscopic data are in agreement with an octahedral geometrical structure. Thermal degradation analyses in nitrogen gas were used to investigate the number and location of water molecules. The thermal decomposition process is completed in 3−5 steps, the first step being responsible for loss of uncoordinated water molecules and the steady state of all complexes occurs at around 500 °C with oxide forms as residual products. The stabilities of iron(III) complexes 1–6 were studied in terms of activation energy E*, entropy ΔS*, enthalpy ΔH* and Gibbs free energy ΔG* that were estimated using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger non‐isothermal methods. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding between some of the quinolone drugs and the receptor of prostate cancer 2q7k hormone.
Shear test method for and mechanical characteristics of short basalt fiber reinforced polymer composite materials
Authors: Chen Jinxiang , Tuo Wanyong , Wan Chunfeng , Zhang Xiaoming 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIn this work, an experimental study was performed to investigate the shearing mechanical properties of short basalt fiber‐reinforced polymer composite materials (SBFRP), and an optimized test method was developed. The following findings were obtained: (1) The optimized V‐notched rail shear device and test method are reliable and valid, enabling the effective shear testing of samples similar to those tested in this study in the future. (2) The shearing failure cracks of SBFRPs can be classified into three types, namely, main cracks, coupling cracks, and micro‐cracks. The micro‐cracks, which originate from micro‐slippage at the interfaces between the short fibers and the epoxy resin, initiate prior to the main cracks. (3) The existence of a critical value of the fiber volume fraction is proposed, above which a sample possesses a nonlinear deformation capacity by virtue of the initial micro‐slippage at the fiber/matrix interfaces. Furthermore, a higher fiber volume fraction gives rise to a stronger nonlinear deformation capacity. (4) The shearing mechanical properties and other basic material attributes of SBFRPs with a fiber length of 3 mm are presented, thereby establishing a foundation for the theoretical study, finite‐element analysis, and application and dissemination of SBFRPs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46078.
Simple method for preparation of thermally expandable microspheres of PMMA encapsulating NaHCO3via thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Zhou Shuqian , Li Zheng , Zhou Zhengfa , Xu Weibing , Ma Haihong , Ren Fengmei 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) employing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as shell and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as core were prepared by a simple method of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The addition of NaHCO3improved the foaming properties of TEMs. The effects of preparation parameters on the morphology, amount of encapsulated NaHCO3, and foaming properties of TEMs were studied; the parameters investigated included the quench rate, the molecular weight (Mw) and amount of PMMA, and the amount of NaHCO3. The results show that when 0.5 g of PMMA 50k, 3 g of NaHCO3, and 50 g of ethanol were used, with quenching temperature at 0 °C, the TEMs were fully spherical and the maximum expansion volume of TEMs was about 3.8 times the original volume. The expansion volume of TEMs increased with increasing amount of encapsulated NaHCO3, and the foaming onset temperature and temperature of complete bursting of TEMs were related to theMwof PMMA. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46179.
Aloe vera gel influence on the micellization behavior of copolymer Pluronic F127: A potential photosensitizer carrier for topical application
Authors: Dantas Silva Luis Alberto Soto , da Cruz de Jesus Rafael Leone , Fiuza‐Junior Raildo Alves , Andrade Heloysa Martins Carvalho , Rigoli Isabel Cristina , de Assunção Rosana Maria Nascimento , Barichello José Mario , de Lima Renata Galvão 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis work describes the influence of aloe vera gel on Pluronic F127 triblock copolymer (F127) micellization behavior. Aloe vera gel was obtained from aloe vera mucilage found in leaf pulp. F127 (20% w/w) gel and the aloe vera/F127 blend gel were obtained by using the cold method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses of lyophilized samples did not show any important copolymer interaction between aloe vera gel and F127. However, in aqueous medium, the dynamic light scattering data showed that there was an important reduction in micelle size with increasing temperature of the aloe vera/F127 blend hydrogel. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the aloe vera/F127 blend has a higher micellization temperature, affected by the lower dehydrating effect of the poly(propylene oxide) blocks during the micelle formation in comparison to F127 gel. The texture analyses (hardness and adhesiveness) showed that the addition of aloe vera gel did not change the Pluronic F127 gel texture properties. The photosensitizer zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPC) was incorporated into the aloe vera/F127 blend, and the results suggest that this formulation is suitable as a ZnPC delivery system for photodynamic therapy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46191.
Investigation of the mechanical, thermal, and anticorrosion properties of epoxy nanocomposite coatings: Effect of synthetic hardener and nanoporous graphene
Authors: Naderi Mehdi , Hoseinabadi Morteza , Najafi Mohammad , Motahari Siamak , Shokri Mohammad 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIn the present study, epoxy samples containing nanoporous graphene (NPG) were synthesized and analyzed in terms of mechanical, morphological, thermal, adhesion, and anticorrosion properties. To this end, the employed curing agents (hardeners) were synthesized and NPG content was varied from 0 to 1 wt %. By using a hardener with aliphatic side chains, the toughness of the nanocomposite was improved without a decrease in the modulus. Adding 1 wt % NPG increased the modulus of the nanocomposite by about 30%. The dynamic mechanical results showed an increment in the glass transition of the samples containing 1 wt % NPG. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images were used to observe the fracture surface of the nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis analysis also confirmed that using synthetic hardener and NPG as the nanofiller enhanced the thermal resistance of the samples. The images of the protected metal panel surfaces and their coatings were used to study adhesion and anticorrosion properties. These results indicated that the hardener synthesized in this work along with NPG improved the mechanical, thermal, adhesion, and anticorrosion properties of the epoxy nanocomposites effectively. The specific characteristic of the synthetic hardener was its chemical structure including both aliphatic and cyclic polyamines as the side groups. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46201.
The temporal occurrence and possible uses of obsidian mata'a on Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile)
Authors: STEVENSON CHRISTOPHER M. , WILLIAMS CAITLIN 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTOne of the more visible tools in the Rapa Nui archaeological record is a large flake modified to form a broad blade and tang. Referred to as mata'a, these implements have conventionally been interpreted as “spear points”, or weapons of war, which are proposed to have been made in large numbers during a period of internal conflict in the late seventeenth century. Obsidian hydration dating of 63 mata'a fragments from the southern coast of Rapa Nui indicates that their usage peaked in the sixteenth century, declined in frequency afterwards, and briefly spiked in the early AD 1700s. This non‐convergence with the period of warfare recorded in the oral history, and the decline in frequency of the tool within the lithic assemblage, argues for an alternative interpretation. The results of previous experimental archaeology focusing on tool breakage patterns and micro‐wear studies, coupled to island deforestation, suggests that the tool had a role to play in forest clearance.
A Wavelet Packet Tree Denoising Algorithm for Images of Atomic‐Force Microscopy
Authors: Schimmack Manuel , Mercorelli Paolo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA threshold‐free denoising procedure of acquired discrete Atomic‐force microscopy (AFM) signals using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method is presented in this article. The integration of a denoising procedure into a control structure is extremely important for each kind of system to be controlled. The detection of unavoidable measurement noise in the acquired data of the AFM signal is done by using orthogonal wavelets (Daubechies and Symmlet) and with different polynomial approximation order for each family. The proposed denoising algorithm, based on the free wavelet toolboxes from the WaveLab 850 library of the Stanford University (USA), compares the usefulness of Daubechies and Symmlet wavelets with different vanishing moments. With the help of a seminorm the noise of a sequence is defined as a coherent and incoherent part of the AFM signal. In the first step of the procedure the algorithm analyzes the frequency subspaces of the wavelet packets tree and searches for small or opposing components in the wavelet domains. In the second step of the procedure the incoherent components in the low‐ and high frequency domains are localized and the incoherent is then removed from the AFM signal. The proposed algorithm structure is used to improve the quality of the AFM signals and it can be easily integrated into the existing AFM control hard‐ and software structures. The effectiveness of the proposed denoising algorithm is validated with real measurements.
Luminescence properties of Tm3+ ions single‐doped YF3 materials in an unconventional excitation region
Authors: Chen Yuan , Liu Qing , Lin Han , Yan Xiaohong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAccording to the spectral distribution of solar radiation at the earth's surface, under the excitation region of 1150 to 1350 nm, the up‐conversion luminescence of Tm3+ ions was investigated. The emission bands were matched well with the spectral response region of silicon solar cells, achieved by Tm3+ ions single‐doped yttrium fluoride (YF3) phosphor, which was different from the conventional Tm3+/Yb3+ ion couple co‐doped materials. Additionally, the similar emission bands of Tm3+ ions were achieved under excitation in the ultraviolet region. It is expected that via up‐conversion and down‐conversion routes, Tm3+‐sensitized materials could convert photons to the desired wavelengths in order to reduce the energy loss of silicon solar cells, thereby enhancing the photovoltaic efficiency.
Luminescence of lemon‐derived carbon quantum dot and its potential application in luminescent probe for detection of Mo6+ ions
Authors: Hoan Bui Thi , Van Huan Pham , Van Hoang Nhu , Nguyen Duy Hung , Tam Phuong Dinh , Nguyen Khoi Thi , Pham Vuong‐Hung 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article reports on the first attempt of a systematic study on the synthesis of carbon dots (C‐dots) for the potential applications in labeling and detection of molybdenum ion (Mo6+). Carbon dots (C‐dots) were synthesized directly via a simple hydrothermal method using lemon juices as carbon precursor with different temperatures to control the luminescence of C‐dots. The obtained C‐dots had strong green light emission and the ability to use its luminescence properties as probes for Mo6+ detection application, which is based on Mo6+ induced luminescence quenching of C‐dots. This analysis system exhibits strong sensitivity and good selectivity for Mo6+ ion, and a detection limit as low as 20 ppm is achieved. These results suggest that the present C‐dots have potential application in optoelectronic, labeling and luminescent probing of Mo6+ ions.
Role of respiratory terminal oxidases in the extracellular electron transfer ability of cyanobacteria
Authors: Sekar Narendran , Wang Jian , Zhou Yan , Fang Yi , Yan Yajun , Ramasamy Ramaraja P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCyanobacteria are used as anode catalysts in photo‐bioelectrochemical cells to generate electricity in a sustainable, economic, and environmental friendly manner using only water and sunlight. Though cyanobacteria (CB) possess unique advantage for solar energy conversion by virtue of its robust photosynthesis, they cannot efficiently perform extracellular electron transfer (EET). The reasons being, unlike dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria (that are usually exploited in microbial fuel cells to generate electricity), (1) CB do not possess any special features on their outer membrane to carry out EET and, (2) the electrons generated in photosynthetic electron transport chain are channeled into competing respiratory pathways rather than to the anode. CB, genetically engineered to express outer membrane cytochrome S (OmcS), was found to generate ∼nine‐fold higher photocurrent compared to that of wild‐type cyanobacterium in our previous work. In this study, each of the three respiratory terminal oxidases in Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 namely bd‐type quinol oxidase, aa3‐type cytochrome oxidase, and cbb3‐type cytochrome oxidase was knocked‐out one at a time (cyd‐, cox‐, and cco‐ respectively) and its contribution for extracellular ferricyanide reduction and photocurrent generation was investigated. The knock‐out mutant lacking functional bd‐type quinol oxidase (cyd‐) exhibited greater EET by reducing more ferricyanide compared to other single knock‐out mutants as well as the wild type. Further, cyd‐omcs (the cyd‐ mutant expressing OmcS) was found to generate more photocurrent than the corresponding single knock out controls and the wild‐type. This study clearly demonstrates that the bd‐quinol oxidase diverted more electrons from the photosynthetic electron transport chain towards respiratory oxygen reduction and knocking it out had certainly enhanced the cyanobacterial EET.
Using extensional flow to reveal diverse aggregation landscapes for three IgG1 molecules
Authors: Willis Leon F. , Kumar Amit , Dobson John , Bond Nicholas J. , Lowe David , Turner Richard , Radford Sheena E. , Kapur Nikil , Brockwell David J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) currently dominate the biopharmaceutical sector due to their potency and efficacy against a range of disease targets. These proteinaceous therapeutics are, however, susceptible to unfolding, mis‐folding, and aggregation by environmental perturbations. Aggregation thus poses an enormous challenge to biopharmaceutical development, production, formulation, and storage. Hydrodynamic forces have also been linked to aggregation, but the ability of different flow fields (e.g., shear and extensional flow) to trigger aggregation has remained unclear. To address this question, we previously developed a device that allows the degree of extensional flow to be controlled. Using this device we demonstrated that mAbs are particularly sensitive to the force exerted as a result of this flow‐field. Here, to investigate the utility of this device to bio‐process/biopharmaceutical development, we quantify the effects of the flow field and protein concentration on the aggregation of three mAbs. We show that the response surface of mAbs is distinct from that of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and also that mAbs of similar sequence display diverse sensitivity to hydrodynamic flow. Finally, we show that flow‐induced aggregation of each mAb is ameliorated by different buffers, opening up the possibility of using the device as a formulation tool. Perturbation of the native state by extensional flow may thus allow identification of aggregation‐resistant mAb candidates, their bio‐process parameters and formulation to be optimized earlier in the drug‐discovery pipeline using sub‐milligram quantities of material.
Enrichment of high affinity subclasses and glycoforms from serum‐derived IgG using FcγRs as affinity ligands
Authors: Boesch Austin W. , Kappel James H. , Mahan Alison E. , Chu Thach H. , Crowley Andrew R. , Osei‐Owusu Nana Y. , Alter Galit , Ackerman Margaret E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAs antibodies continue to gain predominance in drug discovery and development pipelines, efforts to control and optimize their activity in vivo have matured to incorporate sophisticated abilities to manipulate engagement of specific Fc binding partners. Such efforts to promote diverse functional outcomes include modulating IgG‐Fc affinity for FcγRs to alternatively potentiate or reduce effector functions, such as antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis. While a number of natural and engineered Fc features capable of eliciting variable effector functions have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, elucidation of these important functional relationships has taken significant effort through use of diverse genetic, cellular and enzymatic techniques. As an orthogonal approach, we demonstrate use of FcγR as chromatographic affinity ligands to enrich and therefore simultaneously identify favored binding species from a complex mixture of serum‐derived pooled polycloncal human IgG, a load material that contains the natural repertoire of Fc variants and post‐translational modifications. The FcγR‐enriched IgG was characterized for subclass and glycoform composition and the impact of this bioseparation step on antibody activity was measured in cell‐based effector function assays including Natural Killer cell activation and monocyte phagocytosis. This work demonstrates a tractable means to rapidly distinguish complex functional relationships between two or more interacting biological agents by leveraging affinity chromatography followed by secondary analysis with high‐resolution biophysical and functional assays and emphasizes a platform capable of surveying diverse natural post‐translational modifications that may not be easily produced with high purity or easily accessible with recombinant expression techniques.
Outcomes of intermediate‐risk patients treated with transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System: A single center 20‐year experience
Authors: Garcia Santiago , Kelly Rosemary , Mbai Mackenzie , Gurevich Sergey , Oestreich Brett , Yannopoulos Demetris , Adabag Selcuk 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundTransfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was superior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in the placement of aortic transcatheter valves (PARTNER) 2A trial (P2). The generalizability of the trial results to the broader population of patients with intermediate surgical risk remains unknown.ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of SAVR and TAVR among patients with intermediate surgical risk treated in the VA Healthcare System.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes on all SAVR (1987–2014) and TAVR procedures (2015–2017) performed at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System. Patients were divided into three groups based on their estimated 30‐day mortality risk. The primary outcome was a composite of death or stroke at 30‐days.ResultsA total of 1,049 patients underwent SAVR with (n = 468, 45%) or without CABG (n = 581, 55%) and 110 underwent TAVR during the study period. Intermediate‐risk patients represented 29.4% and 40% of patients undergoing SAVR and TAVR, respectively. The predicted 30‐day mortality risk of intermediate‐risk patients was 5.5% for the SAVR group and 5.2% for the TAVR group (P = 0.54). The observed combined rate of stroke or death at 30‐days for intermediate‐risk patients treated with SAVR and TAVR was 11% and 2.2%, respectively (P = 0.05). The results for SAVR and TAVR at the VA were comparable to the P2 trial and STS database (all P = NS). The results did not change when the analysis was restricted to a more contemporary (2005–2014) surgical cohort or isolated SAVR. The number needed to treat to prevent one death/stroke with TAVR was 10.ConclusionsAdoption of TAVR as the preferred treatment modality in intermediate‐risk patients may result in significant improvements in morbidity and mortality.
Comparison of rheological properties of dough and antistaling characteristics of Chinese Steamed Bread containing β‐glucan from yeast or oat
Authors: Pan Li‐Hua , Luo Shui‐Zhong , Liu Fei , Luo Jian‐ping 
Published: January 2018

Background and objectivesThe effects of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) flour fortification with β‐glucan (1%–5% of wheat flour) from yeast and oat (YβG, 7.4 × 106 and OβG, 1.3 × 107) on the rheological properties of dough and specific volume, texture, and staling characteristics of CSB, a kind of traditional fermented food but it lacks dietary fiber, have been compared.FindingsThe addition of β‐glucan to the dough formula increased the farinograph water absorption, dough development time, and the resistance to deformation but decreased the dough stability, dough weakening degree, extensibility, peak, hold, final and setback viscosity, and retrogradation value; OβG exerted a greater effect than did YβG. Chinese steamed bread (CSB) with 1%–2% OβG or YβG addition possessed the higher specific volume and resilience and showed the similar hardness, springness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness compared to the control; while, CSB with 4%–5% OβG or YβG addition exhibited a smaller specific volume, a larger hardness and the similar springness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience than did the control. β‐glucan addition resulted in the higher freezable and unfreezable water content and in the lower firmness and amylopectin retrogradation during storage at 25°C, thus retarded CSB staling.Conclusionsβ‐glucan at 1%–2% addition levels was more effective in helping to soften CSB and preventing CSB staling.Significance and noveltyConditions that β‐glucans incorporation increased the water‐holding capacity of CSB, restricted water migration, and retarded the long‐term starch retrogradation, thus softening CSB and preventing CSB staling.