bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Functionalization of Ordered Large‐Pore Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Chiu Hsin‐Yi , Leonhardt Heinrich , Bein Thomas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA dual surfactant synthetic approach was employed for the synthesis of large‐pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The as‐synthesized mesoporous silica exhibited not only 2D hexagonal mesostructure with an average pore size of about 7 nm but also a spherical nanoparticulate morphology. A delayed co‐condensation synthesis method was further employed to create site‐specific core‐shell bifunctional MSNs. These core‐shell large‐pore MSNs are biocompatible and can be efficiently taken up by cells. They are therefore promising nanocarriers for cellular delivery purposes.
Telomere dynamics in a lizard with morph‐specific reproductive investment and self‐maintenance
Authors: Rollings Nicky , Friesen Christopher R. , Sudyka Joanna , Whittington Camilla , Giraudeau Mathieu , Wilson Mark , Olsson Mats 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTelomeres in human fibroblasts shorten progressively during in vitro culturing and trigger replicative senescence. Furthermore, shortened telomeres can be used as biomarkers of disease. These observations have led to the suggestion that telomere dynamics may also be associated with viability and selection for life history variation in non‐human taxa. Model systems to examine this suggestion would particularly benefit from the coexistence of multiple phenotypes within the same species with different life history trade‐offs, since those could be compared in terms of telomere characteristics. This scenario also provokes the classic question of why one morph does not have marginally higher fitness and replaces the others. One explanation is that different morphs have different reproductive tactics with equal relative fitness. In Australian painted dragons (Ctenophorus pictus), males differ in head color, the presence or absence of a gular bib, and reproductive expenditure. Red males out‐compete yellow males in dominance contests, while yellow males copulate quickly and have higher success in sperm competition than red males. Males with bibs better defend partners against rival matings, at the cost of loss of body condition. We show that yellow‐headed and bib‐less males have longer telomeres than red, blue and bibbed males, suggesting that telomere length is positively associated with higher investment into self‐maintenance and less reproductive expenditure.
Stocking activities for the Arctic charr in Lake Geneva: Genetic effects in space and time
Authors: Savary Romain , Dufresnes Christophe , Champigneulle Alexis , Caudron Arnaud , Dubey Sylvain , Perrin Nicolas , Fumagalli Luca 
Published: June 2017

AbstractArtificial stocking practices are widely used by resource managers worldwide, in order to sustain fish populations exploited by both recreational and commercial activities, but their benefits are controversial. Former practices involved exotic strains, although current programs rather consider artificial breeding of local fishes (supportive breeding). Understanding the complex genetic effects of these management strategies is an important challenge with economic and conservation implications, especially in the context of population declines. In this study, we focus on the declining Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) population from Lake Geneva (Switzerland and France), which has initially been restocked with allochtonous fishes in the early eighties, followed by supportive breeding. In this context, we conducted a genetic survey to document the evolution of the genetic diversity and structure throughout the last 50 years, before and after the initiation of hatchery supplementation, using contemporary and historical samples. We show that the introduction of exotic fishes was associated with a genetic bottleneck in the 1980–1990s, a break of Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE), a reduction in genetic diversity, an increase in genetic structure among spawning sites, and a change in their genetic composition. Together with better environmental conditions, three decades of subsequent supportive breeding using local fishes allowed to re‐establish HWE and the initial levels of genetic variation. However, current spawning sites have not fully recovered their original genetic composition and were extensively homogenized across the lake. Our study demonstrates the drastic genetic consequences of different restocking tactics in a comprehensive spatiotemporal framework and suggests that genetic alteration by nonlocal stocking may be partly reversible through supportive breeding. We recommend that conservation‐based programs consider local diversity and implement adequate protocols to limit the genetic homogenization of this Arctic charr population.
Electrochemically Prepared Three‐dimensional Porous Nitrogen‐doped Graphene Modified Electrode for Non‐enzymatic Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Qi Yamin , Bai Jie , Ding Xiaoteng , Zhang Hui‐Min 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA facile and green electrochemical method for the fabrication of three‐dimensional porous nitrogen‐doped graphene (3DNG) modified electrode was reported. This method embraces two consecutive steps: First, 3D graphene/polypyrrole (ERGO/PPy) composite was prepared by electrochemical co‐deposition of graphene and polypyrrole on a gold foil. Subsequently, the ERGO/PPy composite modified gold electrode was annealed at high temperature. Thus 3DNG modified electrode was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the electrode. The electrode exhibits excellent electroanalytical performance for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). By linear sweep voltammetric measurement, the cathodic peak current was linearly proportional to H2O2 concentration in the range from 0.6 μM to 2.1 mM with a sensitivity of 1.0 μA μM−1 cm−2. The detection limit was ascertained to be 0.3 μM. The anti‐interference ability, reproducibility and stability of the electrode were carried out and the electrode was applied to the detection of H2O2 in serum sample with recoveries from 98.4 % to 103.2 %.
Electrochemical Properties of Highly Sensitive and Selective CuO Nanostructures Based Neurotransmitter Dopamine Sensor
Authors: Yadav Pankaj , Manivannan Shanmugam , Kim Hong‐Sik , Pandey Kavita , Kim Kyuwon , Kim Joondong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this article, electrochemical properties of CuO nanostructures based dopamine (DA) sensor was investigated. The morphology, structure, optical, and compositional properties of the CuO nanostructures were characterized by using SEM, XRD, UV‐Vis, and XPS techniques. The electrochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The CV results indicate that biosensors based on CuO nanostructures exhibit a high selectivity and sensitivity of 0.1975 μA μM–1 toward DA and effectively avoids the interference of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The obtained EIS spectra for CuO sensors were analysed using an electrical equivalent circuit to understand the bulk and surface response via the capacitive and resistive parameters. The EIS measurement also leads to the direct determination of parameters like series resistance and ion diffusion phenomena at electrode‐electrolyte interface. The experimental CV and EIS results along with their analysis will have a significant impact on understanding the mechanism of high sensitivity and selectivity performance of CuO based sensors. This study may also lay the basis for efficient characterization of biosensors by coupling both the CV and EIS characterization techniques.
4′‐Chlorochalcone‐Assisted Electroactive Polyvinylidene Fluoride Film‐Based Energy‐Storage System Capable of Self‐Charging Under Light
Authors: Khatun Farha , Hoque Nur Amin , Thakur Pradip , Sepay Nayim , Roy Swagata , Bagchi Biswajoy , Kool Arpan , Das Sukhen 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA simple photovoltaically self‐charging energy‐storage system (PSESS) has been fabricated as an effective solar energy‐storage power cell. The PSESS is capable of the in situ storage of visible light energy in the form of electrical energy. The PSESS is assembled on a photoelectrode (fluorine‐doped tin oxide) that contained a dye‐sensitized and hole‐trapping phenosafranine–polyvinylpyrrolidone film in association with an electroactive and highly dielectric chlorochalcone–polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film, in which photogenerated electrons are stored. Here, chlorochalcone particles act as a catalytic agent for electroactive β crystal nucleation, visible‐light emission, and the improved dielectric value of the composite thin films. A proportion of 85 % electroactive β phase nucleation and a high dielectric constant (≈60) are achieved by incorporating 20 mass % chlorochalcone in PVDF. The self‐charging capability of the PSESS was verified under a light illumination intensity of 110 mW cm−2. The PSESS was charged up to 0.95 V under light illumination. Moreover, the device wass discharged with a constant current density 1.25 mA g−1 for a long time (≈560 min) after the light was switched off. The photogenerated energy and charge density of the PSESS are approximately 5.25 mWh g−1 and 42 C g−1, respectively. The maximum capacitance attained under the light illumination is approximately 44 F g−1, which is many times greater than two‐electrode self‐charged photovoltaic cells reported previously. A blue light‐emitting diode can be driven by using the PSESSs as a power bank.
A cell-free testing platform to screen chemicals of potential neurotoxic concern across twenty vertebrate species
Authors: Arini Adeline , Mittal Krittika , Dornbos Peter , Head Jessica , Rutkiewicz Jennifer , Basu Niladri 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

There is global demand for new in vitro testing tools for ecological risk assessment. The objective of the present study was to apply a set of cell-free neurochemical assays to screen many chemicals across many species in a relatively high-throughput manner. The platform assessed 7 receptors and enzymes that mediate neurotransmission of γ-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, glutamate, and acetylcholine. Each assay was optimized to work across 20 vertebrate species (5 fish, 5 birds, 7 mammalian wildlife, 3 biomedical species including humans). We tested the screening assay platform against 80 chemicals (23 pharmaceuticals and personal care products, 20 metal[loid]s, 22 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated organic compounds, 15 pesticides). In total, 10 800 species–chemical–assay combinations were tested, and significant differences were found in 4041 cases. All 7 assays were significantly affected by at least one chemical in each species tested. Among the 80 chemicals tested, nearly all resulted in a significant impact on at least one species and one assay. The 5 most active chemicals were prochloraz, HgCl2, Sn, benzo[a]pyrene, and vinclozolin. Clustering analyses revealed groupings according to chemicals, species, and chemical–assay combinations. The results show that cell-free assays can screen a large number of samples in a short period of time in a cost-effective manner in a range of animals not easily studied using traditional approaches. Strengths and limitations of this approach are discussed, as well as next steps. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3081–3090. © 2017 SETAC
Ultrasound‐Guided Subgluteal Sciatic Nerve Perineural Injection: Report on Safety and Efficacy at a Single Institution
Authors: Nwawka O. Kenechi , Meyer Russell , Miller Theodore T. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo determine the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US)‐guided subgluteal sciatic nerve injections.MethodsA retrospective chart review of US‐guided subgluteal sciatic nerve injections at our institution was performed.ResultsOf 221 US‐guided subgluteal sciatic nerve injections, 100% achieved technical success, with no postprocedure complications. Sixty‐eight percent of patients with follow‐up reported symptom relief. Most patients with no relief had suboptimal preprocedure screening.ConclusionsWith appropriate screening, our technique of US‐guided subgluteal sciatic nerve injection is safe and effective.
Quest for the ultimate cardiac CT scanner
Authors: FitzGerald Paul , Edic Peter , Gao Hewei , Jin Yannan , Wang Jiao , Wang Ge , Man Bruno De 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo quantitatively evaluate and compare six proposed system architectures for cardiac CT scanning.MethodsStarting from the clinical requirements for cardiac CT, we defined six dedicated cardiac CT architectures. We selected these architectures based on a previous screening study and defined them in sufficient detail to comprehensively analyze their cost and performance. We developed rigorous comparative evaluation methods for the most important aspects of performance and cost, and we applied these evaluation criteria to the defined cardiac CT architectures.ResultsWe found that CT system architectures based on the third‐generation geometry provide nearly linear performance improvement versus the increased cost of additional beam lines (i.e., source–detector pairs), although similar performance improvement could be achieved with advanced motion‐correction algorithms. The third‐generation architectures outperform even the most promising of the proposed architectures that deviate substantially from the traditional CT system architectures.ConclusionThis work confirms the validity of the current trend in commercial CT scanner design. However, we anticipate that over time, CT hardware and software technologies will evolve, the relative importance of the performance criteria will change, the relative costs of components will vary, some of the remaining challenges will be addressed, and perhaps new candidate architectures will be identified; therefore, the conclusion of a comparative analysis like this may change. The evaluation methods that we used can provide a framework for other researchers to analyze their own proposed CT architectures.
Analysis for Decomposition Characteristics and Piecewise Thermokinetics of Nitramine Modified Double‐base Propellant with High Solid Content
Authors: Wu Xiaojuan , Rao Guoning , Chen Liping , Chen Wanghua , Wang Jiangning , Zhang Caixing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe thermal stability and decomposition characteristic of nitramine modified double‐base propellant (RDX‐CMDB propellant) with high solid content and its components were investigated under dynamic and isothermal conditions by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the mixture of nitrocellulose (NC) and nitroglycerin (NG) had a promote effect on the decomposition of RDX. The activation energy (E) and the pre‐exponential factor (A) of two obviously exothermic processes were obtained by Friedman iso‐conversional method. The screening method suggested by ICTAC was used to determine the most probable mechanism functions and kinetic parameters of the two processes which are corresponding to the deceleration model and the autocatalytic model. The theoretical value was consistent with the experiment result.
A comparison of explicit and semi‐implicit finite volume schemes for viscous compressible flows in elastic pipes in fast transient regime
Authors: Ioriatti Matteo , Dumbser Michael , Iben Uwe 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper compares the accuracy and computational efficiency of fully explicit and semi‐implicit 1D and 2D finite volume schemes for the simulation of highly unsteady viscous compressible flows in laminar regime in axially symmetric compliant tubes. There are essentially two main classes of mathematical models that can be used to predict the pressure and velocity distribution along the tube: one class is based on the full compressible Navier‐Stokes equations in an axially symmetric geometry, leading to a two‐dimensional governing PDE system with moving boundaries, and the other class uses a simpler, cross‐sectionally averaged version of the Navier‐Stokes equations, which leads to a non‐conservative PDE system in only one space dimension along the axial direction of the tube. Within the first class of models, the influence of the wall friction on the flow field is directly obtained from first principles, without any further modelling assumptions and is thus valid even for highly unsteady flows. In the second case, only averaged flow quantities are available, and it is well known from previous studies published in the literature that the correct representation of the wall friction needs to be frequency dependent, since the use of a simple steady friction model, like the classical Darcy‐Weisbach law, is not sufficient to reproduce the wall friction effects in highly transient flows. For the cross‐sectionally averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, there are again two main classes of frequency‐dependent wall friction models: convolution integral (CI) models and instantaneous acceleration (IA) models.In this paper we provide a very thorough and critical comparison of all the above‐mentioned methods for the simulation of highly oscillatory flows in rigid and compliant tubes concerning accuracy and computational efficiency. From our numerical results we can conclude that the convolution integral models are significantly superior to instantaneous acceleration models concerning accuracy. Furthermore, the CI models require only a slight computational overhead if they are properly implemented by solving a set of additional ODEs for appropriate auxiliary variables, instead of directly computing the convolution integrals. We also find that semi‐implicit finite volume methods are clearly superior to conventional explicit finite volume schemes concerning computational efficiency, however, providing the same level of accuracy.
Study on Wettability Variation for Removing Liquid Block in Condensate Gas Reservoir
Authors: Zhou Ming , Hou Liutong , Nie Xingcheng , Zhou Lei , Zhao Jinzhou , Guo Xiao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCondensate liquid in porous media can prevent gas from exiting when the pressure is lower than the dew point pressure in the condensate gas reservoir. This can lead to liquid block and sharp decreases in gas yield. In this work, super‐amphiphobic materials were used to remove the liquid block and recover the product. The experiments indicated that this method can effectively remove the damage of liquid block and improve the productivity of the gas well.
Using an artificial neural network to predict the optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of apple pomace
Authors: Gama Repson , Van Dyk J. Susan , Burton Mike. H. , Pletschke Brett I. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic biomass such as apple pomace is a complex process influenced by a number of hydrolysis conditions. Predicting optimal conditions, including enzyme and substrate concentration, temperature and pH can improve conversion efficiency. In this study, the production of sugar monomers from apple pomace using commercial enzyme preparations, Celluclast 1.5L, Viscozyme L and Novozyme 188 was investigated. A limited number of experiments were carried out and then analysed using an artificial neural network (ANN) to model the enzymatic hydrolysis process. The ANN was used to simulate the enzymatic hydrolysis process for a range of input variables and the optimal conditions were successfully selected as was indicated by theR2value of 0.99 and a small MSE value. The inputs for the ANN were substrate loading, enzyme loading, temperature, initial pH and a combination of these parameters, while release profiles of glucose and reducing sugars were the outputs. Enzyme loadings of 0.5 and 0.2 mg/g substrate and a substrate loading of 30% were optimal for glucose and reducing sugar release from apple pomace, respectively, resulting in concentrations of 6.5 g/L glucose and 28.9 g/L reducing sugars. Apple pomace hydrolysis can be successfully carried out based on the predicted optimal conditions from the ANN.
Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind via monoaminergic pathway
Authors: Dhamija Isha , Parle Milind , Kumar Sandeep 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Depression and anxiety are the most crippling neuropsychiatric disorders of this modern era. These mostly occur as anxiety followed by depression or in mixed state. Therefore, there is an urgent need of a safe and effective treatment, which proves its worth in this ailment. What else than a conventional food would be a better choice for a convenient therapy. Therefore, Garcinia indica, commonly known as Kokam, fruit rind has been used in the present study to investigate its antidepressant and anti-anxiety potential using forced swim test, tail suspension test, and reserpine-induced hypothermia; and elevated plus maze, hole-board test, and light dark model, respectively. Garcinia indica fruit rind given to mice with food for consecutive 14 days at 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w significantly (p < 0.05) reduced despair behavior in forced swim test, immobility duration in tail suspension test, and also switched the hypothermia (reserpine induced) to normal temperature significantly (p < 0.05). Garcinia indica significantly (p < 0.05) raised the time elapsed and count of entries in open arms of elevated plus maze, enhanced incidence of head dipping in holes of hole board along with duration of expending time in lit compartment of light dark model, exhibiting its anti-anxiety effect. Garcinia indica significantly reduced monoamine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels providing support to neuroprotective potential of fruit rind. The mechanistic study showed the participation of G. indica at α1-adrenoceptor and D2-dopamine receptor, by attenuating prazosin and sulpiride-induced increase in immobility duration. Garcinia indica fruit rind showed a significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effect while no effect on locomotor activity, i.e., no psycho-stimulation.