bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon nanotube size effect on the mechanical properties and toughness of nanocomposites
Authors: Hsieh Tsung‐Han , Huang Yau‐Shian , Shen Ming‐Yuan 
Published: July 2017

To evaluate the nanotube size effect on the material properties of nanotube‐modified nanocomposites, two types of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes with various dimensions were used to form nanocomposites, and then the mechanical properties and the toughness were measured. The well‐known issue of nanotube dispersion was examined using various microscopic observations, and an ideal dispersion process was identified. The results revealed that adding nanotubes led to increases in the Young's modulus and toughness of the nanocomposites. A maximum measured value of the fracture energy was recorded at 237 J m−2 for the nanocomposite toughened with 0.5 wt% of the longer nanotubes. This is ∼90% higher than the unmodified epoxy, and a 40% increase in the fracture energy compared with the sample containing the shorter nanotubes under identical nanotube loading. This indicated that the length of the nanotubes severely affected the toughness of the nanotube‐modified polymers. However, the increased moduli, triggered by the addition of the various types of carbon nanotubes, were similar. The toughening mechanisms were identified via studying the fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1072–E1086, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
A computational method for selecting short peptide sequences for inorganic material binding
Authors: Nayebi Niloofar , Cetinel Sibel , Omar Sara Ibrahim , Tuszynski Jack A. , Montemagno Carlo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDiscovering or designing biofunctionalized materials with improved quality highly depends on the ability to manipulate and control the peptide‐inorganic interaction. Various peptides can be used as assemblers, synthesizers, and linkers in the material syntheses. In another context, specific and selective material‐binding peptides can be used as recognition blocks in mining applications. In this study, we propose a new in silico method to select short 4‐mer peptides with high affinity and selectivity for a given target material. This method is illustrated with the calcite (104) surface as an example, which has been experimentally validated. A calcite binding peptide can play an important role in our understanding of biomineralization. A practical aspect of calcite is a need for it to be selectively depressed in mining sites.
Protein features as determinants of wild‐type glycoside hydrolase thermostability
Authors: Geertz‐Hansen Henrik Marcus , Kiemer Lars , Nielsen Morten , Stanchev Kiril , Blom Nikolaj , Brunak Søren , Petersen Thomas Nordahl 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThermostable enzymes for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels have significant advantages over enzymes with more moderate themostability due to the challenging application conditions. Experimental discovery of thermostable enzymes is highly cost intensive, and the development of in‐silico methods guiding the discovery process would be of high value. To develop such an in‐silico method and provide the data foundation of it, we determined the melting temperatures of 602 fungal glycoside hydrolases from the families GH5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 43, and AA9 (formerly GH61). We, then used sequence and homology modeled structure information of these enzymes to develop the ThermoP melting temperature prediction method. Futhermore, in the context of thermostability, we determined the relative importance of 160 molecular features, such as amino acid frequencies and spatial interactions, and exemplified their biological significance. The presented prediction method is made publicly available at http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/ThermoP.
Polymeric Schiff Base Metal Complexes Based on Thermo‐Responsive PNIPAM: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Ghasemi Soheila , Andami Zahra 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe preparation and characterization of some polymeric Schiff base‐metal complexes based on thermo‐responsive copolymer composed of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrylamide (poly (NIPAM‐co‐AAM)) is explained. Poly (NIPAM‐co‐AAM) was produced via conventional radical polymerization method with phase transition around 35 °C. The copolymer was amino modified followed by reaction with different aldehydes to produce polymeric Schiff‐bases and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals. The polymeric complexes were used in the role of catalyst for hydrogen peroxide decomposition as a sample reaction. The significant characteristic of these thermo‐responsive copolymers is facilitating the catalyst recovery from the reaction components by heating above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The effect of different parameters such as ligand and metal ion type and reaction temperature was explored on the activity of these polymeric metal catalysts.
The Neglected Significant Role for Graphene‐Based Acetylene Hydrochlorination Catalysts — Intrinsic Graphene Defects
Authors: Zhao Fei , Kang Lihua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn the present work, density functional theory(DFT) calculations at M062X/cc‐pVDZ level were performed aim to investigate the activity of defective graphenes catalyze acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. Owing to the narrowed HOMO‐LUMO energy gaps, the adsorption ability of C2H2 and HCl on three kind of defective graphenes(mono‐vacancy graphene(MVG), di‐vacancy graphene(DVG) and Stone‐wales defect graphene(SWDG)) were all enhanced compared with perfective graphene(PG). Meanwhile, the adsorption strength of the two adsorbates decreased followed by the order of DVG > MVG > SWDG, and the strength of C2H2 is tougher than HCl adsorb on MVG and DVG, but opposite in SWDG. The reaction mechanisms are similar and reacted at the site of the mutual bond C5‐C6 which belongs to 5‐MR and 6‐MR. MVG possess the lowest activation barrier of 39.46 kcal/mol, lower than DVG and SWDG. Hence, the catalytic contribution of graphene defects for acetylene hydrochlorination reaction should not be ignored.
Graphene Derivatives Doped with Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles as Excellent Microwave Absorbers in Soft Nanocomposites
Authors: Pawar Shital Patangrao , Gandi Mounika , Arief Injamamul , Krause Beate , Pötschke Petra , Bose Suryasarathi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHerein, we report the development of soft polymeric composites containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs, 1–3 wt%) and graphene derivatives doped with nickel ferrite nanoparticles (rGO@NF, 10 wt%) as lightweight microwave absorbers. The soft nanocomposites were designed using melt‐mixed blends of varying compositions of PC (polycarbonate) and SAN (poly styrene acrylonitrile) by compartmentalized functional nanoparticles in one of the components of the blend (here PC). Maximum attenuation of the incoming electromagnetic (EM) radiation mainly through absorption was achieved. The hetero‐dielectric media at microscopic length scale in the PC component provided large interfaces which facilitated multiple scattering thereby attenuating the incoming EM radiation. This strategy of positioning the functional nanoparticles in one of the components in the blends resulted in significantly enhanced shielding effectiveness (SE), at any given concentration of MWNTs, in contrast to PC based composites. This enhancement in SE was realized in the special morphology of the bicomponent PC/SAN=60/40 wt% blends where both the components are continuous. The enhanced SE in co‐continuous blends is due to combined effect of enhanced electrical conductivity (more precisely due to interconnected network of the nanoparticles) and the presence of a hetero‐dielectric media generating large scattering interfaces. For instance, the PC/SAN (60/40 wt%) co‐continuous blend containing 3 wt% MWNTs and 10 wt% rGO@NF manifested in a total shielding effectiveness (SET) of −32.3 dB (i. e. more than 99.9 % attenuation of incoming EM radiation) mainly through absorption.
Modified Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids With Improved Chemical Stability Against Lithium Metal
Authors: Schmitz Paulo , Kolek Martin , Pyschik Marcelina , Jalkanen Kirsi , Nowak Sascha , Winter Martin , Bieker Peter 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChemical instability against metallic lithium of imidazolium cation‐based ionic liquids (ILs) such as 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C4MIm]TFSI) has been reported in literature previously. In this work, modified imidazolium cation‐based ionic liquids are shown, in which the acidic proton at the C‐2 position of the imidazolium ring is replaced by methyl groups. 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C4MMIm]TFSI) and 1‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C44MIm]TFSI) are found to prevent the formation of N‐heterocyclic carbenes and thus improve the electrochemical performance of electrolytes including these ILs. Furthermore, possible decomposition products of the modified imidazolium cations are characterized.
Connection bridge effect on a DNA‐like two‐spiral‐up‐tower building
Authors: Nie Xin , Xiao Congzhen , Du Yixin , Kang Zhihong , Yang Yue 
Published: July 2017

SummaryIn the recent years, more and more great ideas about architectural design were inspired from bionics, that is, the China National Stadium, Taipei 101, and India Lotus Temple were first inspired from bird's nest, bamboo, and blooming lotus, respectively. However, being a feast to the eyes, those innovative architectures with complex structural behavior and unknown seismic performance are always being a challenge to structural engineers. Hereinafter, a DNA‐like high‐rise building with two separate spiral‐up towers was first outlined, in which each of the tower consist of an interior reinforced concrete core with inserted steel columns and an exterior composite frame made of steel beams and steel pipe–concrete columns. To study the influence of the connection bridges on the seismic performance under different level of earthquake excitation and torsional effect under gravity load, the load transfer mechanism of vertical force and lateral force was conducted, and a finite element model was built with parametrical studies. It can be concluded from the results from the parametrical studies that the drift angle was sharply decreased at the locations where the connection bridges combines two single towers, indicating that the lateral confinement effect of the connection bridges not only strengthen the whole structure but also leads to a discontinuity of the structural stiffness.
Characterizing teacher attention to student thinking: A role for epistemological messages
Authors: Russ Rosemary S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAlthough research and policy suggest science and mathematics teachers should attend to their student's thinking during instruction, our field has inadequately defined what that means in relation to our ultimate goals for the practice. Here I present a theoretical argument that, in making their definitions, researchers should leverage the ways students understand such attention by characterizing teacher attention based on the epistemological messages it sends students about the nature of knowledge and learning in the classroom. Using data collected from high school science and mathematics teachers with a new video‐capture methodology, I present an analysis of variability in epistemological messages of teacher attention to illustrate work could unfold if we as researchers took up the theoretical claims made in this work. In doing so, I endeavor to draw the construct of epistemological messages into our collective conversations about teacher attention, and provide a starting point for our field to begin debating the most productive ways to study and unpack the epistemological messages we value in that teacher attention. I conclude by demonstrating the feasibility of using these messages to distinguish the types of teacher attention our field wants to develop and encourage in teacher education. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 55: 94–120, 2018
Identifying Symptoms of Distress in Youth Living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
Authors: Wiener Lori , Battles Haven , Bedoya Sima Zadeh , Baldwin Andrea , Widemann Brigitte C. , Pao Maryland 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChildren and adolescents with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for wide‐ranging behavioral, developmental, and cognitive impairments and decreased quality of life. To date, no psychosocial screening tool has been developed to quickly assess the symptoms that 1) can be addressed during routine medical appointments in children with NF1, 2) can produce interpretable and actionable results, 3) can be integrated into medical care, and 4) can quickly identify patients at risk in order to better address that the provision of appropriate care are available. This study was conducted to test the overall usability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and symptom checklist and concordance of DT ratings between pediatric patients, their caregivers and medical providers. Eighty youth (ages 7–21) living with NF1 completed the DT and an accompanying checklist. The findings of this study suggest the DT and symptom checklist was acceptable and feasible to complete in a clinic setting. A small subset reported high distress that required further assessment and intervention. Significant discordance between distress ratings of caregivers and children and healthcare providers was also found. Overall, the DT and accompanying symptom checklist provide important information to identify the presence of distress and contextualize the child's distress but is limited by not assessing whether these symptoms interfere with the child's daily life.
Biolytic Effect of Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant and Dodecyl Sulfate Against Phagotrophic Alga Ochromonas danica
Authors: Invally Krutika , Ju Lu‐Kwang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSurfactants can affect biological activities and pose serious threats to the aquatic ecosystem if discharged without proper treatment. Rhamnolipid is a biosurfactant with promising agricultural, industrial and biomedical applications. It is important to assess the risks posed by rhamnolipid before it is adopted for large scale use. In this study, toxicity of rhamnolipid was estimated with the effects of motility loss, membrane permeability, and cell lysis using a phagotrophic alga Ochromonas danica. O. danica is a sensitive algal species without a protective cell wall and it represents a group of phagotrophic flagellates ecologically important in the aquatic ecosystem. A common synthetic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was used for comparison. Results suggested that rhamnolipid is significantly less biolytic than SDS and the effects required longer exposure. Lysis of O. danica cells by rhamnolipid was serious only at concentrations over its critical micelle concentration. Motility loss was, however, significantly more sensitive; about 75% loss after 20 min exposure to 50 mg/L rhamnolipid.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Stearidonic Acid Mediated by Suppression of NF‐κB and MAP‐Kinase Pathways in Macrophages
Authors: Sung Jeehye , Jeon Heemang , Kim In‐Hwan , Jeong Heon Sang , Lee Junsoo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractStearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n‐3) is an omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid present in oils derived from plants of the Boraginaceae family. In this study, we determined the anti‐inflammatory effects of SDA isolated from echium oil on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages. SDA significantly downregulated the levels of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein, thereby suppressing the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, SDA inhibited the nuclear translocation and promoter activity of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) such as extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2, c‐jun N terminal kinase, and p38 in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Our results showed that SDA exerted anti‐inflammatory effects by suppressing iNOS‐mediated NO production via inactivation of NFκB and MAPK signaling pathways.
Experiencing early life maternal separation increases pain sensitivity in adult offspring
Authors: Vilela Fabiana Cardoso , Vieira Jádina Santos , Giusti‐Paiva Alexandre , da Silva Marcelo Lourenço 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMaternal separation is a widely accepted model for studying long‐term behavioral changes produced by events during early life and its association with changes in pain sensitivity. Thus, our objective was to evaluate sensitivity to pain, under different stimuli in adult male and female rats that had undergone early life maternal separation. Animals were subjected to maternal separation from postnatal day (PND) 2–15. Maternal behavior and litter weight were evaluated during this period. Sensitivity to pain was assessed in offsprings during adulthood by exposing them to stimuli, including formalin (5%; 20 μl), a hot plate, and the electronic von Frey test, 4, 7, 10, and 24 h after the administration of saline or Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) injection. Maternal separation did not affect maternal behavior or litter weight during PND 2–15. However, experiencing maternal separation increased pain sensitivity in the rats subjected to formalin by increasing number of flinches and licking time Further, females appeared more sensitive than males to thermal stimuli, as they showed a decrease in latency in the hot plate test. In this test, male and female offsprings that were exposed to early life maternal separation and received the CFA injection also showed a reduction in latency to react to the painful stimuli. In the von Frey test, there was a reduction in withdrawal threshold in maternal separation animals injected with CFA, thus demonstrating a greater sensitivity to the mechanical stimuli. In conclusion, experiencing early life maternal separation increased pain sensitivity in adult offsprings. Thus, our data are important to understand the impact of environmental influences, such as stressful life events during critical developmental periods, on pain vulnerability.
Presymptomatic atrophy in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease: A serial magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Kinnunen Kirsi M. , Cash David M. , Poole Teresa , Frost Chris , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Ahsan R. Laila , Leung Kelvin K. , Cardoso M. Jorge , Modat Marc , Malone Ian B. , Morris John C. , Bateman Randall J. , Marcus Daniel S. , Goate Alison , Salloway Stephen P. , Correia Stephen , Sperling Reisa A. , Chhatwal Jasmeer P. , Mayeux Richard P. , Brickman Adam M. , Martins Ralph N. , Farlow Martin R. , Ghetti Bernardino , Saykin Andrew J. , Jack Clifford R. , Schofield Peter R. , McDade Eric , Weiner Michael W. , Ringman John M. , Thompson Paul M. , Masters Colin L. , Rowe Christopher C. , Rossor Martin N. , Ourselin Sebastien , Fox Nick C. ,   Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN)
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionIdentifying at what point atrophy rates first change in Alzheimer's disease is important for informing design of presymptomatic trials.MethodsSerial T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of 94 participants (28 noncarriers, 66 carriers) from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network were used to measure brain, ventricular, and hippocampal atrophy rates. For each structure, nonlinear mixed‐effects models estimated the change‐points when atrophy rates deviate from normal and the rates of change before and after this point.ResultsAtrophy increased after the change‐point, which occurred 1–1.5 years (assuming a single step change in atrophy rate) or 3–8 years (assuming gradual acceleration of atrophy) before expected symptom onset. At expected symptom onset, estimated atrophy rates were at least 3.6 times than those before the change‐point.DiscussionAtrophy rates are pathologically increased up to seven years before “expected onset”. During this period, atrophy rates may be useful for inclusion and tracking of disease progression.
Comparison of EMG signals recorded by surface electrodes on endotracheal tube and thyroid cartilage during monitored thyroidectomy
Authors: Chiang Feng‐Yu , Lu I‐Cheng , Chang Pi‐Ying , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Randolph Gregory W. , Sun Hui , Lee Kang‐Dae , Tae Kyung , Ji Yong Bae , Kim Sung Won , Lee Hyoung Shin , Wu Che‐Wei 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA variety of electromyography (EMG) recording methods were reported during intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in thyroid surgery. This study compared two surface recording methods that were obtained by electrodes on endotracheal tube (ET) and thyroid cartilage (TC). This study analyzed 205 RLNs at risk in 110 patients undergoing monitored thyroidectomy. Each patient was intubated with an EMG ET during general anesthesia. A pair of single needle electrode was inserted obliquely into the TC lamina on each side. Standard IONM procedure was routinely followed, and EMG signals recorded by the ET and TC electrodes at each step were compared. In all nerves, evoked laryngeal EMG signals were reliably recorded by the ET and TC electrodes, and showed the same typical waveform and latency. The EMG signals recorded by the TC electrodes showed significantly higher amplitudes and stability compared to those by the ET electrodes. Both recording methods accurately detected 7 partial loss of signal (LOS) and 2 complete LOS events caused by traction stress, but only the ET electrodes falsely detected 3 LOS events caused by ET displacement during surgical manipulation. Two patients with true complete LOS experienced temporary RLN palsy postoperatively. Neither permanent RLN palsy, nor complications from ET or TC electrodes were encountered in this study. Both electrodes are effective and reliable for recording laryngeal EMG signals during monitored thyroidectomy. Compared to ET electrodes, TC electrodes obtain higher and more stable EMG signals as well as fewer false EMG results during IONM.
Blood Hemostatic Changes During an Ultraendurance Road Cycling Event in a Hot Environment
Authors: Kupchak Brian R. , Kazman Josh B. , Vingren Jakob L. , Levitt Danielle E. , Lee Elaine C. , Williamson Keith H. , Armstrong Lawrence E. , Deuster Patricia A. 
Published: July 2017

Objective This study aims to examine blood hemostatic responses to completing a 164-km road cycling event in a hot environment. Methods Thirty-seven subjects (28 men and 9 women; 51.8±9.5 [mean±SD] y) completed the ride in 6.6±1.1 hours. Anthropometrics (height, body mass [taken also during morning of the ride], percent body fat [%]) were collected the day before the ride. Blood samples were collected on the morning of the ride (PRE) and immediately after (IP) the subject completed the ride. Concentrations of platelet, platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolytic markers (platelet factor 4, β-thromboglobulin, von Willebrand factor antigen, thrombin-antithrombin complex, thrombomodulin, and D-Dimer) were measured. Associations between changes from PRE- to IP-ride were examined as a function of event completion time and subject characteristics (demographics and anthropometrics). Results All blood hemostatic markers increased significantly ( P < .001) from PRE to IP. After controlling for PRE values, finishing time was negatively correlated with platelet factor 4 ( r = 0.40; P = .017), while percent body fat (%BF) was negatively correlated with thrombin-antithrombin complex ( r = –0.35; P = .038) and to thrombomodulin ( r = –0.36; P = .036). In addition, male subjects had greater concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (d = 0.63; P < .05) and natural logarithm thrombomodulin (d = 6.42; P < .05) than female subjects. Conclusion Completing the 164-km road cycling event in hot conditions resulted in increased concentrations of platelet, platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolytic markers in both men and women. Although platelet activation and coagulation occurred, the fibrinolytic system markers also increased, which appears to balance blood hemostasis and may prevent clot formation during exercise in a hot environment.