bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bismuth Interfacial Doping of Organic Small Molecules for High Performance n‐type Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Huang Dazhen , Wang Chao , Zou Ye , Shen Xingxing , Zang Yaping , Shen Hongguang , Gao Xike , Yi Yuanping , Xu Wei , Di Chong‐an , Zhu Daoben 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDevelopment of chemically doped high performance n‐type organic thermoelectric (TE) materials is of vital importance for flexible power generating applications. For the first time, bismuth (Bi) n‐type chemical doping of organic semiconductors is described, enabling high performance TE materials. The Bi interfacial doping of thiophene‐diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based quinoidal (TDPPQ) molecules endows the film with a balanced electrical conductivity of 3.3 S cm−1 and a Seebeck coefficient of 585 μV K−1. The newly developed TE material possesses a maximum power factor of 113 μW m−1 K−2, which is at the forefront for organic small molecule‐based n‐type TE materials. These studies reveal that fine‐tuning of the heavy metal doping of organic semiconductors opens up a new strategy for exploring high performance organic TE materials.
Bubble behaviors in a lab‐scale cyclonic‐static micro‐bubble flotation column
Authors: Yan Xiaokang , Shi Rui , Xu Yajun , Wang Ai , Liu Yu , Wang Lijun , Cao Yijun 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBubble behaviors in the gas–liquid and lab‐scale cyclonic‐static micro‐bubble flotation column (FCSMC) were investigated and optimized. By particle image velocimetry and charge‐coupled device camera, bubble velocity and migration under low and high gas holdup conditions were measured. The particle image velocimetry measurement under low gas holdup shows that the swirling was significantly stronger than the rising in the near‐axis area, and it declined as height increased. The central region contained high gas holdup and velocity. The bubble distribution under high gas holdup revealed that, in the column flotation unit, when water circulation rate (qw) increased, gas concentration moves toward the bottom. An excessively high qw drove gas downward and even caused the gas to be pulled into the pump. When aeration rate (qg) increased, the radial distribution improved but was not significant. If qg was excessive, the gas amount increased toward the top due to reflux when the rising bubbles met the free surface. Specifically, the greater bubble concentration in central region was observed under most test conditions. Additionally, an elongated ‘air column’ existed along the central axis and became more obvious with a high qw. The cyclonic inverted cone structure resulted in the gas gathering toward the center and the air column phenomena that deteriorate bubble mineralization. A non‐uniform filling method was proposed to optimize the flow field. Filling with non‐uniform sieve plates was proved to be more effective on bubble distribution equalization, air column inhabitation and non‐axial velocity decreasing. These results provide the basis for structure optimization and process regulation of cyclonic‐static micro‐bubble flotation column. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functionalized polyacrylonitrile‐nanofiber based immunosensor for Vibrio cholerae detection
Authors: Gupta Pramod K. , Gupta A. , Dhakate S. R. , Khan Zishan H. , Solanki Pratima R. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTPolyacrylonitrile nanofibers (PANnf's) were electrospun directly onto an indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass substrate. The PANnf/ITO electrode was partially hydrolyzed with an NaOH aqueous solution at ambient temperature to convert the nitrile groups of the PANnf's into carboxyl groups was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide–N‐hydroxy succinimide chemistry was used to activate the COOH groups of PANnf's for the covalent co‐immobilization of monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio cholerae and bovine serum albumin for V. cholerae toxin detection. Structural, functional, and electrochemical studies of the PANnf/ITO electrode and BSA/Ab/PANnf/ITO immunoelectrode were performed, and found a uniform distribution of nanofibers with diameter of 325 ± 7.7% nm. The electrochemical response studies showed an improved sensing performance of the immunoelectrode with a detection of 6.25–500 ng/mL, a low limit of detection of 0.22 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 90 nA ng−1 mL cm−2, an association constant of 45.2 ng/mL, and a dissociation constant of 8 ng/mL. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44170.
Ageing effects on the creep‐recovery behavior of blown extruded low density polyethylene film
Authors: Benmiloud N. H. , Sebaa M. , Chabira S. F. , Poncot M. , Royaud I. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTLow density polyethylene films used for greenhouse covering were naturally weathered for 6 months in sub‐Saharan region (Algeria). The microstructural and morphological changes have been checked by infrared spectroscopy. The changes of the mechanical properties have been followed by tensile and creep‐recovery tests. The measurements were carried out in the two main directions of the film plane. Besides oxidation, chain scission and crosslinking are competing during all the ageing protocol, affecting thereby, the mechanical properties as well as the viscoelastic behavior revealed by creep‐recovery curves. The anisotropic character of the film is preserved during ageing. The improvement of the creep resistance via crosslinking in both directions, affects the different deformations. The short chain segments coming from chain scissions increase the crystallinity ratio (via a chemo‐crystallization process) lowering by consequence each of the minimum strain rate (
), the instantaneous (
), and delayed recoveries (
) as well. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44209.
Zum Tragverhalten von Stützen semi‐integraler Brücken
Authors: Stümpel Marina , von der Haar Christoph , Marx Steffen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDie Berechnung integraler Brücken ist aufgrund ihres komplexen und interaktiven Tragverhaltens aufwendiger als bei Brücken, deren Unterbauten vom Überbau entkoppelt sind. Scheinbar auf der „sicheren Seite” liegende Bewehrungsmengen führen zu einer erhöhten Steifigkeit der Pfeiler und somit zu erhöhten Zwangsschnittgrößen. Ein höherer Bewehrungsgrad ist deshalb nicht zwingend mit einer verbesserten Tragsicherheit der Stütze verbunden. Um das Tragverhalten integraler Brücken besser zu verstehen, ist eine Berechnung unter Berücksichtigung der physikalischen Nichtlinearitäten notwendig. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird das nichtlineare Tragverhalten integraler Brückenpfeiler unter Variation der Querschnitts abmessungen und des Bewehrungsgrads untersucht. Die erzielten Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich der Pfeilerduktilität und der Zwangsschnittgrößen ausgewertet, sodass konzeptionelle Vorschläge bereitgestellt werden, die im Rahmen der Bemessung integraler Brücken herangezogen werden können.
Kontinuierliche faseroptische Dehnungsmessung im Stahlbetonbau
Authors: Schmidt‐Thrö Gerald , Scheufler Wolfgang , Fischer Oliver 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDas Verfahren der kontinuierlichen faseroptischen Messung bietet eine Reihe von neuen Möglichkeiten bei der messtechnischen Begleitung von Versuchen und erlaubt eine detailliertere Auswertung und Interpretation. Auf der anderen Seite stellt die Technik auch erhöhte Anforderungen an die Expertise und Erfahrung der Beteiligten. Das Messverfahren wird im vorliegenden Beitrag kurz vorgestellt und es werden das Potenzial sowie die Herausforderungen und Grenzen aus Sicht der Autoren anhand von zwei einfachen Versuchen aufgezeigt und erläutert.
Emerging technologies for protease engineering: New tools to clear out disease
Authors: Guerrero Jennifer L. , Daugherty Patrick S. , O'Malley Michelle A. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTProteases regulate many biological processes through their ability to activate or inactive their target substrates. Because proteases catalytically turnover proteins and peptides, they present unique opportunities for use in biotechnological and therapeutic applications. However, many proteases are capable of cleaving multiple physiological substrates. Therefore their activity, expression, and localization are tightly controlled to prevent unwanted proteolysis. Currently, the use of protease therapeutics has been limited to a handful of proteases with narrow substrate specificities, which naturally limits their toxicity. Wider application of proteases is contingent upon the development of methods for engineering protease selectivity, activity, and stability. Recent advances in the development of high‐throughput, bacterial and yeast‐based methods for protease redesign have yielded protease variants with novel specificities, reduced toxicity, and increased resistance to inhibitors. Here, we highlight new tools for protease engineering, including methods suitable for the redesign of human secreted proteases, and future opportunities to exploit the catalytic activity of proteases for therapeutic benefit. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 33–38. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrated molecular and bioprocess engineering for bacterially produced immunogenic modular virus‐like particle vaccine displaying 18 kDa rotavirus antigen
Authors: Tekewe Alemu , Fan Yuanyuan , Tan Emilyn , Middelberg Anton P.J. , Lua Linda H.L. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTA high global burden of rotavirus disease and the unresolved challenges with the marketed rotavirus vaccines, particularly in the developing world, have ignited efforts to develop virus‐like particle (VLP) vaccines for rotavirus. While rotavirus‐like particles comprising multiple viral proteins can be difficult to process, modular VLPs presenting rotavirus antigenic modules are promising alternatives in reducing process complexity and cost. In this study, integrated molecular and bioprocess engineering approaches were used to simplify the production of modular murine polyomavirus capsomeres and VLPs presenting a rotavirus 18 kDa VP8* antigen. A single construct was generated for dual expression of non‐tagged murine polyomavirus capsid protein VP1 and modular VP1 inserted with VP8*, for co‐expression in Escherichia coli. Co‐expressed proteins assembled into pentameric capsomeres in E. coli. A selective salting‐out precipitation and a polishing size exclusion chromatography step allowed the recovery of stable modular capsomeres from cell lysates at high purity, and modular capsomeres were successfully translated into modular VLPs when assembled in vitro. Immunogenicity study in mice showed that modular capsomeres and VLPs induced high levels of VP8*‐specific antibodies. Our results demonstrate that a multipronged synthetic biology approach combining molecular and bioprocess engineering enabled simple and low‐cost production of highly immunogenic modular capsomeres and VLPs presenting conformational VP8* antigenic modules. This strategy potentially provides a cost‐effective production route for modular capsomere and VLP vaccines against rotavirus, highly suitable to manufacturing economics for the developing world. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 397–406. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Process performance and product quality in an integrated continuous antibody production process
Authors: Karst Daniel J. , Steinebach Fabian , Soos Miroslav , Morbidelli Massimo 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTContinuous manufacturing is currently being seriously considered in the biopharmaceutical industry as the possible new paradigm for producing therapeutic proteins, due to production cost and product quality related benefits. In this study, a monoclonal antibody producing CHO cell line was cultured in perfusion mode and connected to a continuous affinity capture step. The reliable and stable integration of the two systems was enabled by suitable control loops, regulating the continuous volumetric flow and adapting the operating conditions of the capture process. For the latter, an at‐line HPLC measurement of the harvest concentration subsequent to the bioreactor was combined with a mechanistic model of the capture chromatographic unit. Thereby, optimal buffer consumption and productivity throughout the process was realized while always maintaining a yield above the target value of 99%. Stable operation was achieved at three consecutive viable cell density set points (20, 60, and 40 × 106 cells/mL), together with consistent product quality in terms of aggregates, fragments, charge isoforms, and N‐linked glycosylation. In addition, different values for these product quality attributes such as N‐linked glycosylation, charge variants, and aggregate content were measured at the different steady states. As expected, the amount of released DNA and HCP was significantly reduced by the capture step for all considered upstream operating conditions. This study is exemplary for the potential of enhancing product quality control and modulation by integrated continuous manufacturing. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 298–307. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modification of the AMX membrane surface by polyethyleneimine: Effect of ionic strength on the membrane ion exchange selectivity
Authors: Louati Islem , Guesmi Fatma , Hannachi Chiraz , Hamrouni Béchir 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn order to improve the selectivity of the AMX membrane, a polyethyleneimine (PEI) layer was adsorbed on its surface by the immersion of the considered membrane in a solution of PEI. The adsorption process of PEI was studied and the results were well correlated with the Langmuir model and with Lagergren's pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model.Equilibrium ion exchange isotherms of , , and systems, using modified AMX membrane, were established at various ionic strengths from 0.1 to 0.5 mol/L and at constant temperature of 298 K.The results obtained with the modified membrane, in this range of ionic strengths, showed that the affinity order was: at I = 0.1 mol/L and I = 0.2 mol/L and it was for I = 0.3 mol/L and I = 0.5 mol/L. The ion exchange selectivity coefficients , thermodynamic ion exchange equilibrium constants , and the standard free enthalpies of the ion exchange reactions were determined for the three binary systems. These results were compared with those obtained with the unmodified membrane. It was observed that for the modified membrane the ion exchange selectivity towards sulphate ions decreased and increased towards monovalent anions.
Production of carbon negative precipitated calcium carbonate from waste concrete
Authors: Van der Zee Sterling , Zeman Frank 
Published: August 2016

Mineral carbonation can contribute to climate change mitigation through the production of synthetic limestone (CaCO3) from calcium silicate minerals and gaseous CO2. Some carbonates, such as Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC), have industrial applications and may provide sufficient economic incentive for sequestering CO2 should the product be a marketable commodity. Cement is a suitable source of calcium and can be recovered from waste concrete. The production of cement accounts for 9.5 % of global CO2 emissions, however up to 50 % of the manufacturing emissions can be mitigated at the end of the materials service life through mineral carbonation.The objective here is to sequester CO2 through the production of PCC via the recovery and carbonation of calcium from waste cement. The calcium is suitable for mineral carbonation and can be effectively leached using an acid (e.g. HCl). When calcium is completely leached, the solution will be slightly acidic and contain impurities such as iron and silica. The impurities can be removed by adding alkalinity prior to CaCO3 precipitation, via reaction with Na2CO3 in a separate reactor. The Na2CO3 is produced by the absorption of CO2 using NaOH, while the resulting NaCl solution is recycled via bipolar membrane electrodialysis. Overall transportation emissions and costs are reduced and the process could enhance current waste concrete recycling practices. Furthermore, the low carbon intensity of electricity generation in Eastern Canada allows for capture of 444 kg CO2 per tonne of PCC.
Effects of infrared laser moxibustion on cancer‐related fatigue: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Mao Huijuan , Mao Jun J. , Guo Menghu , Cheng Ke , Wei Jianzi , Shen Xubo , Shen Xueyong 
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUNDFatigue is the most common symptom negatively affecting the quality of life of patients with cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of 10.6‐μm infrared laser moxibustion for cancer‐related fatigue (CRF).METHODSThe authors conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial among 78 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with CRF. The group treated with infrared laser moxibustion received 10.6 μm of infrared laser moxibustion on the ST36 (bilateral), CV4, and CV6 acupoints. Each participant received a 20‐minute treatment session 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The sham group received the same treatment duration on the same acupoints, but without infrared laser output. The outcome was change in fatigue as measured by the Chinese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory between groups at week 4 with additional evaluation at week 8 for durability of treatment effects. A mixed effects model was used to evaluate the difference in treatment effect over time.RESULTSAmong those randomized, 61 patients (78%) completed the entire study. At the end of the intervention, the individuals in the group treated with the laser were found to have significantly less fatigue than those in the sham group (3.01 vs 4.40; P = .002). The improvement in fatigue persisted to week 8, favoring the group treated with laser moxibustion (3.03 vs 4.26; P = .006). Laser moxibustion was safe, with 3 cases of mild local erythema that resolved without medical intervention reported.CONCLUSIONSInfrared laser moxibustion appeared to be safe and efficacious for improving CRF in a Chinese patient population. Larger studies in more racial/ethnically diverse populations are needed to confirm the benefit of this technique for fatigue in patients with cancer. Cancer 2016;122:3667‐72. © 2016 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Trophic positioning of meiofauna revealed by stable isotopes and food web analyses
Authors: Schmid‐Araya Jenny M. , Schmid Peter E. , Tod Steven P. , Esteban Genoveva F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDespite important advances in the ecology of river food webs, the strength and nature of the connection between the meio‐ and macrofaunal components of the web are still debated. Some unresolved issues are the effects of the inclusion of meiofaunal links and their temporal variations on the overall river food web properties, and the significance of autochthonous and allochthonous material for these components. In the present study, we conducted analyses of gut content of macro‐ and meiofauna and stable isotope analyses of meiofauna to examine seasonal food webs of a chalk stream. The results of the gut content analyses, confirmed by the δ13C signatures, revealed a seasonal shift from a dependence on autochthonous (biofilm) to allochthonous food sources. Here, we demonstrate that aggregating basal or meiofaunal species into single categories affects key web properties such as web size, links, linkage density, and predator–prey ratios. More importantly, seasonal variation in attributes characterized the entire web and these changes persist regardless of taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, our analyses evidenced discrete variations in δ15N across the meiofauna community with a trophic structure that confirms gut content analyses, placing the meiofauna high in the food web. We, therefore, conclude that small‐body‐sized taxa can occur high in dynamic river food webs, questioning assumptions that trophic position increases with body size and that webs are static.
Experimental reduction in interaction intensity strongly affects biotic selection
Authors: Sletvold Nina , Ågren Jon 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe link between biotic interaction intensity and strength of selection is of fundamental interest for understanding biotically driven diversification and predicting the consequences of environmental change. The strength of selection resulting from biotic interactions is determined by the strength of the interaction and by the covariance between fitness and the trait under selection. When the relationship between trait and absolute fitness is constant, selection strength should be a direct function of mean population interaction intensity. To test this prediction, we excluded pollinators for intervals of different length to induce five levels of pollination intensity within a single plant population. Pollen limitation (PL) increased from 0 to 0.77 across treatments, accompanied by a fivefold increase in the opportunity for selection. Trait–fitness covariance declined with PL for number of flowers, but varied little for other traits. Pollinator‐mediated selection on plant height, corolla size, and spur length increased by 91%, 34%, and 330%, respectively, in the most severely pollen‐limited treatment compared to open‐pollinated plants. The results indicate that realized biotic selection can be predicted from mean population interaction intensity when variation in trait–fitness covariance is limited, and that declines in pollination intensity will strongly increase selection on traits involved in the interaction.
Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium‐sized seeds
Authors: Cao Lin , Wang Zhenyu , Yan Chuan , Chen Jin , Guo Cong , Zhang Zhibin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRodent preference for scatter‐hoarding large seeds has been widely considered to favor the evolution of large seeds. Previous studies supporting this conclusion were primarily based on observations at earlier stages of seed dispersal, or on a limited sample of successfully established seedlings. Because seed dispersal comprises multiple dispersal stages, we hypothesized that differential foraging preference on seed size by animal dispersers at different dispersal stages would ultimately result in medium‐sized seeds having the highest dispersal success rates. In this study, by tracking a large number of seeds for 5 yr, we investigated the effects of seed size on seed fates from seed removal to seedling establishment of a dominant plant Pittosporopsis kerrii (Icacinaceae) dispersed by scatter‐hoarding rodents in tropical forest in southwest China. We found that small seeds had a lower survival rate at the early dispersal stage where more small seeds were predated at seed stations and after removal; large seeds had a lower survival rate at the late dispersal stage, more large seeds were recovered, predated after being cached, or larder‐hoarded. Medium‐sized seeds experienced the highest dispersal success. Our study suggests that differential foraging preferences by scatter‐hoarding rodents at different stages of seed dispersal could result in conflicting selective pressures on seed size and higher dispersal success of medium‐sized seeds.