bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moisture‐mediated intrinsic self‐healing of modified polyurethane urea polymers
Authors: Wittmer Anastassija , Brinkmann Andreas , Stenzel Volkmar , Hartwig Andreas , Koschek Katharina 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTFunctional materials having the ability to self‐heal cracks or scratches after damage are of great interest for a huge scope of applications. Herein, we report a self‐healing polyurethane urea‐based material with implemented 1‐(2‐aminoethyl) imidazolidone (UDETA) as a chain terminating molecule and for hydrogen bond network formation. Both, UDETA content and moisture affected the self‐healing process. The reversible change in the materials properties was proven by detailed analyses of hardness and thermomechanical behavior in dependence of the water uptake of the samples. FT‐IR analysis revealed that water is able to act as a plasticizer interrupting hydrogen bonding interactions within the polymer network and thus, influencing glass transition temperature and hardness of the samples. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 537–548.
Tailoring 3D hydrogel systems for neuronal encapsulation in living electrodes
Authors: Aregueta‐Robles Ulises A. , Martens Penny J. , Poole‐Warren Laura A. , Green Rylie A. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTState‐of‐the‐art neurorprostheses rely on stiff metallic electrodes to communicate with neural tissues. It was envisioned that a soft, organic electrode coating embedded with functional neural cells will enhance electrode‐tissue integration. To enable such a device, it is necessary to produce a cell scaffold with mechanical properties matched to native neural tissue. A degradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel was tailored to have a range of compressive moduli through variation in macromer composition and initiator amount. A regression model was used to predict the amount of initiator required for hydrogel polymerization with nominal macromer content ranging between 5 and 20 wt %. Hydrogels at 5 and 10 wt % were reliably formed but 15 wt % and above were not able to be fabricated due to the light attenuation properties of the initiator ruthenium at increased concentration. Compressive modulus of hydrogels decreased upon incorporation of biomolecules (sericin and gelatin), however, the bulk stiffness spanned the range required to match neural tissue properties (0.04–20kPa). Neuroglia cells, such as Schwann cells survived and grew within the scaffold. The significant finding of this work is that the PVA‐tyramine system can be tuned to provide a soft degradable scaffold for neural tissue regeneration while presenting bioactive molecules for cellular expansion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 273–287
Myricetin attenuated LPS induced cardiac injury in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Zhang Nan , Feng Hong , Liao Hai‐Han , Chen Si , Yang Zheng , Deng Wei , Tang Qi‐Zhu 
Published: December 2017

Sepsis induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) is a common complication and leads to an increased mortality. SIMD is closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Myricetin exhibits strong capacities of anti‐inflammation and anti‐oxidative stress, but its pharmacological effects for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cardiac injury remains undefined. This study aimed to explore whether myricetin was efficient to alleviate SIMD in mice and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes injury. Mice administrated with myricetin (100 mg/kg, po, bid) or vehicle groups were challenged with LPS (10 mg/kg, ip), and cardiac functions examined by echocardiography after 12 hr LPS exposure. LPS markedly impaired mouse cardiac functions, which were significantly attenuated by myricetin administration. Myricetin significantly reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines both in serum and cardiac tissue. Myricetin could inhibit the nuclear translocation of p65, degradation of IκBα, and cellular apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Myricetin also prevented overexpression of iNOS and reduction of oxidoreductase (SOD and GPx) activity. Besides, Myricetin treatment could attenuate production of inflammatory cytokines of peritoneal macrophages stimulated with LPS in vitro. Thus we concluded that myricetin could attenuate the LPS induced cardiac inflammation injury in vivo and in vitro. Myricetin may be a potential therapy or adjuvant therapy for SIMD.
N‐doped cycloparaphenylenes: Tuning electronic properties for applications in thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Graham Christina , Moral Mónica , Muccioli Luca , Olivier Yoann , Pérez‐Jiménez Ángel J. , Sancho‐García Juan‐Carlos 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe theoretically characterize a series of substituted cycloparaphenylene nanohoops to study the effect of incorporating an electron‐withdrawing group into their cyclic structure. We systematically vary the nature, position, and number of nitrogen‐containing acceptor groups in both neutral (pyridine) and charged forms (pyridinium and methylpyridinium) to provide insights into how this functionalization affects the structural, electronic, and optical properties of these systems. We focus also on the singlet‐triplet energy difference, with low values found, which might pave the way to further applications in the field of devices for light‐emitting applications providing a potential class of TADF‐based emitters.
Actuator and sensor fault detection and isolation for nonlinear systems subject to uncertainty
Authors: Shahnazari Hadi , Mhaskar Prashant 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis work addresses the problem of simultaneous actuator and sensor fault detection and isolation (FDI) for control affine nonlinear uncertain systems in the absence of measurement noise. The FDI is achieved by using a bank of filters, which utilize a subset of the measurements along with prescribed values of the control actuators to estimate states and compute expected process behavior. Residuals are next defined as the difference between the observed and expected behavior. Detectability conditions are developed, which, upon satisfaction, ensure that each residual remains sensitive to a subset of fault scenarios in the presence of uncertainty. To this end, first the ability of observers in providing bounded estimation error for a generalized class of nonlinear uncertain systems is rigorously established. These bounds allow determining thresholds that account for the impact of uncertainty on each residual. Finally, the ability of the proposed framework to achieve FDI by ensuring a unique residual breaching pattern for each fault scenario is established. The efficacy of the FDI framework subject to uncertainty and measurement noise is illustrated using a chemical reactor example.
Multirate sampled‐data stabilization for a class of low‐order lower‐triangular nonlinear systems
Authors: Jia Jinping , Chen Weisheng , Dai Hao 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis paper investigates the problem of sampled‐data controller design for a class of lower‐triangular systems in the p‐normal form (0<p<1). A multirate digital feedback control scheme is proposed to achieve the global strong stabilization of the sampled‐data closed‐loop system under some assumptions. In the design of the controller, the input‐Lyapunov matching strategy and multirate control approach are combined to obtain better stabilizing performance. Unlike the design method based on the approximate discrete‐time model, our controller is obtained from the exact discrete‐time equivalent model, which does not need to be computed completely. The approximate multirate digital controllers are proved to be effective in the practical implementation. It is shown that, compared with the emulated control scheme, our controller may provide faster decrease of Lyapunov function for each subsystem. This will lead to allow large sampling periods. An illustrative example is provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
The pursuit of a “better” explanation as an organizing framework for science teaching and learning
Authors: Papadouris Nicos , Vokos Stamatis , Constantinou Constantinos P. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article seeks to make the case for the pursuit of a “better” explanation being a productive organizing framework for science teaching and learning. Underlying this position is the idea that this framework allows promoting, in a unified manner, facility with the scientific practice of constructing explanations, appreciation of its epistemic underpinnings and understanding of its outcome (i.e., conceptual understanding). The effective enactment of this framework in the classroom needs to be guided by a theoretically sound perspective into what counts as a “good” explanation. This is currently an underdeveloped area within science education, toward which we seek to contribute by elaborating a theoretical account. This account capitalizes on three key epistemological features of explanation for the purposes of science teaching and learning, namely empirical validity, interpretive power, and generalizability. Drawing on these features, we then set out to identify certain epistemological orientations, which could be usefully promoted among the students to support productive engagement with the pursuit of a “better” explanation. The ideas addressed in this article could serve to inform attempts to develop teaching innovations centered on the notion of explanation but also educational materials for teacher professional education and development.
An open‐label positron emission tomography study to evaluate serotonin transporter occupancy following escalating dosing regimens of (R)‐(–)‐O‐desmethylvenlafaxine and racemic O‐desmethylvenlafaxine
Authors: Frankle W. Gordon , Robertson Brigitte , Maier Gary , Paris Jennifer , Asmonga Deanna , May Maureen , Himes Michael L. , Mason N. Scott , Mathis Chester A. , Narendran Rajesh 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSEP‐227162 [R(–)‐O‐desmethylvenlafaxine] is an enantiomer of the venlafaxine metabolite O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV, Pristiq™, Wyeth). This study compared the serotonin transporter (SERT) occupancy achieved by SEP‐227162 and ODV, at daily doses of 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg using [11C]DASB positron emission tomography (PET). Sixteen healthy male subjects participated in one of four dose groups (N = 4 per group) during which they were administered two doses of the study drug (SEP‐227162 or ODV). For each study drug, total daily doses of 25, 50, 100, and150 mg were studied. Subjects underwent three PET scans with [11C]DASB. A baseline, off‐medication, scan was performed prior to dosing and a [11C]DASB PET scan was performed after 72 hr at each dose level. [11C]DASB binding potential (BPND) was calculated using the simplified reference tissue method. SERT occupancy was calculated as the change in BPND (ΔBPND) from baseline scan to the on‐medication scan relative to the baseline BPND value. SEP‐227162 and ODV significantly reduced regional distribution volumes and region BPND values in a dose‐dependent manner. Across all doses ODV produced significantly greater SERT occupancy than SEP‐227162 (ANOVA F = 21.8, df = 1,23, p < .001). The total daily dose required to provide 50% SERT occupancy was 24.8 mg for SEP‐227162 and 14.4 mg for ODV. In vitro data suggests a ratio of 3.3:1 for binding at human SERT for SEP‐227162 relative to ODV. Our study suggests a ratio of 1.7:1, highlighting the value of in vivo imaging in the drug development process.
Bisphenol A is an exogenous toxin that promotes mitochondrial injury and death in tubular cells
Authors: Bosch‐Panadero Enrique , Mas Sebastian , Civantos Esther , Abaigar Pedro , Camarero Vanesa , Ruiz‐Priego Alberto , Ortiz Alberto , Egido Jesus , González‐Parra Emilio 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundUremic toxins that accumulate in chronic kidney disease (CKD) contribute to CKD complications, such as CKD progression. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin, structurally related with p‐cresol, that accumulates in CKD. Our aim was to characterize the nephrotoxic potential of BPA. Specifically, we addressed BPA toxicity over energy‐demanding proximal tubular cells.MethodsCell death and oxidative stress were evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in HK‐2 human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Functional assays tested ATP, intracellular Ca2+, mitochondrial function (tetramethylrhodamine methyl [TMRM]), oxygen consumption, Nrf2‐binding, MitoSOX, and NADPH oxidase activity. Gene expression was assessed by qRT‐PCR.ResultsFollowing acute exposure (24 hours), proximal tubular cell viability was decreased by BPA concentrations ≥50 μM while a seven‐day exposure resulted in a progressive loss of cell viability at a nanomolar range. Within 24 hours, BPA promoted mitochondrial dysfunction leading to energy depletion and increased mitochondrial and cytoplasmic oxidative stress and apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner. An antioxidant response was observed manifested by nuclear Nrf2 translocation and increased expression of the Nrf2 target genes Heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO‐1).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates for the first time that BPA causes mitochondrial injury, oxidative stress and apoptotic death in tubular cells. These results characterize BPA as an exogenous toxin that, similar to uremic toxins, may contribute to CKD progression.
A Preliminary Comparison Suggests Poor Performance of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Versus Titanium Plates in Distal Femoral Osteotomy
Authors: Fragomen Austin T. , McCoy Thomas H. , Fragomen Fiona R. 
Published: December 2017

Background Carbon fiber-reinforced (CFR) polymer implants have theoretical advantages over titanium plates. Questions/Purposes The aim of the present study was to assess our early outcomes with CFR plates in lateral opening-wedge distal femoral osteotomy to correct valgus lower limb malalignment. We asked the following: (1) Did the CFR polymer implant change time to union when compared with the titanium implant? (2) Did the incidence of displacement of medial cortical fractures differ between the implants? (3) Did the incidence of complications differ between the two techniques, and did other factors, such as bone graft material used, affect healing? Methods A retrospective review of 16 limbs treated with an opening-wedge distal femoral osteotomy for genu valgum using either titanium ( n = 10) or CFR plates ( n = 6) was performed. Patient and clinical covariates as well as the primary outcome of time to union and secondary outcome of fracture displacement were collected and analyzed. Results Those treated with CFR plates had longer times to union than did those in the titanium-treated group (median, 121.5 vs 81.5 days, respectively). The incidence of fracture displacement was higher in the CFR plate-treated group (CFR, n = 5/6; titanium, n = 1/10). Although the CFR plate-treated group had a 33% nonunion incidence while the titanium group had no nonunions, the study lacked the power to show significance. Bone graft material used did not affect outcome. Complication rates were higher in the CFR plate-treated patients. Conclusion The CFR plate was associated with a longer time to unite and higher fracture displacement rate than the titanium plate. As this is a retrospective case series, further research is required to confirm these results and clarify best practices in plating of distal femoral osteotomy for deformity correction.
Forecasting the prevalence of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease in the United States
Authors: Brookmeyer Ron , Abdalla Nada , Kawas Claudia H. , Corrada María M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionWe forecast the prevalence of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and evaluated potential impacts of primary and secondary preventions in the United States.MethodsWe used a multistate model incorporating biomarkers for preclinical AD with US population projections.ResultsApproximately 6.08 million Americans had either clinical AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD in 2017 and that will grow to 15.0 million by 2060. In 2017, 46.7 million Americans had preclinical AD (amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, or both), although many may not progress to clinical disease during their lifetimes. Primary and secondary preventions have differential impact on future disease burden.DiscussionBecause large numbers of persons are living with preclinical AD, our results underscore the need for secondary preventions for persons with existing AD brain pathology who are likely to develop clinical disease during their lifetimes as well as primary preventions for persons without preclinical disease.
Sideritic ironstones as indicators of depositional environments in the Weald Basin (Early Cretaceous) SE England
Authors: AKINLOTAN OLADAPO 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Lower Cretaceous Wealden sideritic ironstones have a wide occurrence and great potential to aid the reconstruction of the depositional environments of the Weald Basin in SE England. However, mineralogical and geochemical datasets on the ironstones are scarce in the literature. Geochemical and mineralogical data on the sideritic ironstones are presented from the Wadhurst Clay Formation within the Weald Basin. The mineralogy of the ironstones was examined using a PANalytical X'Pert Pro X-ray diffractometer and PANalytical's HighScore Plus software. Elemental composition of the ironstones was measured using a PANalytical MiniPal2 ED-XRF (benchtop X-ray spectrometer). The examination of the mineralogy of the Wealden ironstones confirms the presence of early diagenetic siderites. The trace-element assemblage shows that the sideritic ironstones are chemically pure pointing to a freshwater origin. The sideritic ironstones reveal anoxic conditions and palaeo-salinity in the basin. More generally, it is suggested that the composition of the host rocks has significant controls on the composition of sideritic ironstones in sedimentary basins. This work reinforces the importance of the composition of sideritic ironstones as useful non-traditional data for understanding the depositional settings of sedimentary basins, especially when traditional datasets are not readily available or insufficient.
Fertilizer value and greenhouse gas emissions from solid fraction pig slurry compost pellets
Authors: PAMPURO N. , BERTORA C. , SACCO D. , DINUCCIO E. , GRIGNANI C. , BALSARI P. , CAVALLO E. , BERNAL M. P. 
Published: December 2017

SUMMARYConversion of pig slurry to pellets is a desirable fertilizer option for farmers who want to mitigate environmental pollution from slurry accumulation. The goals of the current investigation were to determine the fertilizer properties of pig slurry solid fraction (SF) pellets and to assess its potential to enhance soil properties in order to reduce ammonia (NH3) volatilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Various parameters influence SF-based pellet fertilizer effectiveness: bulking agent use during composting, pellet diameter sizing and soil application type (superficially or incorporated into the soil). Two composts from the same pig slurry SF obtained from a screw press separator were prepared: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as the bulking agent (wood chip compost (WCC)). For each compost type, pellets of two different diameters (6 and 8 mm) were produced. A mesocosm experiment, conducted with maize plants, was used to test the fertilizer value of the considered pellets. In total, three compost fertilizers – SSFC, WCC and nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium mineral fertilizer 15 : 15 : 15, plus one unfertilized control treatment – were applied at the same N rate (equivalent to 200 kg/ha) using two different methods (surface and soil incorporation). After 65 days, above-ground biomass, roots and soil samples were collected and analysed. Subsequently, a second mesocosm study was undertaken to measure NH3and GHG emissions released from pellet fertilization. Ammonia volatilization was determined immediately after pellet application, while carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were monitored for 57 days. Study results indicated that both pellet types were effective slow-release fertilizers for maize. Additionally, three actions seemed to make the nutrients contained in pig SF compost pellets more available to plants: addition of a bulking agent before composting, use of small diameter pellets and soil incorporation of the fertilizer.
Crosstalk between Entamoeba histolytica and the human intestinal tract during amoebiasis
Authors: Labruyère Elisabeth , Thibeaux Roman , Olivo-Marin Jean-Christophe , Guillén Nancy 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the microbial agent of amoebiasis – an infection that is endemic worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. As the disease develops, virulent E. histolytica deplete the mucus layer, interact with the intestinal epithelium, and then degrade the colonic mucosa and disrupt the extracellular matrix (ECM). Our research demonstrated that virulent parasites with an invasive phenotype display rapid, highly specific changes in their transcriptome (notably for essential factors involved in carbohydrate metabolism and the processing of glycosylated residues). Moreover, combined activation of parasite and host lytic enzymes leads to the destruction of the intestinal parenchyma. Together, these enzymes degrade the mucus layer and the ECM, and trigger the inflammatory response essential to the development of amoebiasis.
Decomposing environmental unpredictability in forecasting adolescent and young adult development: A two-sample study
Authors: Hartman Sarah , Sung Sooyeon , Simpson Jeffry A. , Schlomer Gabriel L. , Belsky Jay 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo illuminate which features of an unpredictable environment early in life best forecast adolescent and adult functioning, data from two longitudinal studies were examined. After decomposing a composite unpredictability construct found to predict later development, results of both studies revealed that paternal transitions predicted outcomes more consistently and strongly than did residential or occupational changes across the first 5 years of a child's life. These results derive from analyses of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, which included diverse families from 10 different sites in the United States, and from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation, whose participants came from one site, were disproportionately economically disadvantaged, and were enrolled 15 years earlier than the NICHD Study sample. The finding that results from both studies are consistent with evolutionary, life history thinking regarding the importance of males in children's lives makes this general, cross-study replication noteworthy.
Compulsory Organ Retrieval: Morally, But Not Socially, Justified
Authors: ROSOFF PHILIP M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract:The number of patients with organ failure who could potentially benefit from transplantation continues to exceed the available supply of organs. Despite numerous efforts to increase the number of donors, there remains an enormous mismatch between demand and supply. Large numbers of people still die with potentially transplantable organs remaining in situ, most frequently as a result of family objections. I argue that there are no persuasive moral arguments against mandated organ retrieval from all dead individuals who meet clinical criteria. However, because of continuing endemic prejudice in United States society and its healthcare system and the distrust this engenders, I conclude that proceeding with a policy of compulsory organ retrieval, even if morally unobjectionable, would not be warranted.