bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface structure of cobalt, palladium, and mixed oxide‐based catalysts and their activity in methane combustion studied by means of micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Chlebda Damian K. , Jędrzejczyk Roman J. , Jodłowski Przemysław J. , Łojewska Joanna 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper reports the results of the study of surface properties and catalytic activity of cobalt, palladium, and mixed oxide catalysts supported on alumina. Catalytic materials were prepared by the wetness impregnation method directly from solutions of metal salts and using the ultrasound irradiation. The material surface was investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy, and the activity in methane combustion was monitored. The results indicated the presence of different metal oxides on the catalysts' surfaces. Cobalt spinel Co3O4 was the main phase of the cobalt catalysts as well as species resulted from interactions with alumina support. In the case of palladium catalysts, the PdO was most prevalent. The article also discusses the observed variation in band position in the Raman spectra and compares the band assignment with literature data. The palladium and mixed oxide catalysts showed average conversion higher than 50% for methane combustion at 673.15 K (400 °C) especially those after sonication.
Transcriptomic variation in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis pathway genes in soybean (Glycine spp.)
Authors: Ha Jungmin , Kim Myoyeon , Kim Moon Young , Lee Taeyoung , Yoon Min Young , Lee Jayern , Lee Yeong‐Ho , Kang Young‐Gyu , Park Jun Seong , Lee John Hwan , Lee Suk‐Ha 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDProanthocyanidins are oligomeric or polymeric end products of flavonoid metabolic pathways starting with the central phenylpropanoid pathway. Although soybean (Glycine spp.) seeds represent a major source of nutrients for the human diet, as well as components for the cosmetics industry as a result of their high levels of flavonoid metabolites, including isoflavonoids, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in soybean remain unclear.RESULTSWe evaluated interspecific and intraspecific variability in flavonoid components in soybean using 43 cultivars, landraces and wild soybean accessions. We performed transcriptomic profiling of genes encoding enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis using three soybean genotypes, Hwangkeum (elite cultivar), IT109098 (landrace) and IT182932 (wild accession), in seeds. We identified a Glycine max landrace, IT109098, with a proanthocyanidin content as high as that of wild soybean. Different homologous genes for anthocyanidin reductase, which is involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, were detected as differentially expressed genes between IT109098 and IT182932 compared to Hwangkeum.CONCLUSIONWe detected major differences in the transcriptional levels of genes involved in the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin among genotypes beginning at the early stage of seed development. The results of the present study provide insights into the underlying genetic variation in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis among soybean genotypes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Micro‐organisms growing on rapeseed during storage affect the profile of volatile compounds of virgin rapeseed oil
Authors: Wagner Claudia , Bonte Anja , Brühl Ludger , Niehaus Karsten , Bednarz Hanna , Matthäus Bertrand 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicro‐organisms populate on rapeseed after harvest during storage depending on the growing conditions. The composition of the bacterial colonization is unknown, although its contribution to the profile of volatile aroma‐active compounds determines the sensory quality of virgin cold‐pressed rapeseed oil.RESULTSFrom four rapeseed samples, 46 bacterial strains were isolated. By DNA‐sequencing, the identification of four bacteria species and 17 bacteria genera was possible. In total, 22 strains were selected, based on their typical off‐flavors resembling those of virgin sensory bad cold‐pressed rapeseed oils. The cultivation of these strains on rapeseed meal agar and examination of volatile compounds by solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry allowed the identification of 29 different compounds, mainly degradation products of fatty acids such as alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, ketones and alcohols and, in addition, sulfur‐containing compounds, including one terpene and three pyrazines. From these compounds, 19 are described as aroma‐active in the literature.CONCLUSIONMicro‐organisms populating on rapeseed during storage may strongly influence the sensory quality of virgin rapeseed oil as a result of the development of volatile aroma‐active metabolic products. It can be assumed that occurrence of off‐flavor of virgin rapeseed oils on the market are the result of metabolic degradation products produced by micro‐organisms populating on rapeseed during storage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of the quality consistency of powdered poppy capsule extractive by an averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method in combination with antioxidant activities and two compounds analyses
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Sun Guoxiang , Hou Zhifei , Yan Bo , Zhang Jing 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA novel averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method was proposed and successfully applied to monitor the quality consistency of alkaloids in powdered poppy capsule extractive. Averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method provided accurate qualitative and quantitative similarities for chromatographic fingerprints of Chinese herbal medicines. The stability and operability of the averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method were verified by the parameter r. The average linear qualitative similarity (improved based on conventional qualitative “Similarity”) was used as a qualitative criterion in the averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method, and the average linear quantitative similarity was introduced as a quantitative one. was able to identify the difference in the content of all the chemical components. In addition, was found to be highly correlated to the contents of two alkaloid compounds (morphine and codeine). A simple flow injection analysis was developed for the determination of antioxidant capacity in Chinese Herbal Medicines, which was based on the scavenging of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical by antioxidants. The fingerprint–efficacy relationship linking chromatographic fingerprints and antioxidant activities was investigated utilizing orthogonal projection to latent structures method, which provided important pharmacodynamic information for Chinese herbal medicines quality control. In summary, quantitative fingerprinting based on averagely linear‐quantified fingerprint method can be applied for monitoring the quality consistency of Chinese herbal medicines, and the constructed orthogonal projection to latent structures model is particularly suitable for investigating the fingerprint–efficacy relationship.
Assessment of Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification and the Ultrasound Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Patients With Thyroid Nodules Referred for Biopsy
Authors: Mao Feng , Xu Hui‐Xiong , Zhou Hang , Bo Xiao‐Wan , Li Xiao‐Long , Li Dan‐Dan , Liu Bo‐Ji , Zhang Yi‐Feng , Xu Jun‐Mei , Qu Shen 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) in combination with the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS) for assessing thyroid nodules referred for biopsy.MethodsA total of 197 surgically or cytologically proven thyroid nodules in 187 patients were included. Nodules evaluated by conventional ultrasound (US) and VTIQ examinations were classified into US TI‐RADS categories. The shear wave velocity (SWV) on VTIQ was assessed, and the cutoff value was obtained from a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Diagnostic performances of conventional US, VTIQ, and their combination were compared.ResultsThere were 134 benign and 63 malignant nodules. The sensitivity and specificity for the US TI‐RADS were 98.4% and 20.1%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the mean, maximum, minimum, and ratio of the SWV were 0.818, 0.805, 0.799, and 0.728. With a cutoff value of 2.90 m/s, the sensitivity and specificity of the mean SWV were 71.4% and 82.8%. By applying this value or less as a standard for downgrading TI‐RADS category 4a to category 3 lesions, the specificity significantly rose from 20.1% to 47.0% (P < .001) without a loss of sensitivity.ConclusionsThe additional application of VTIQ can improve the specificity of the TI‐RADS for evaluating thyroid nodules without a loss of sensitivity.
A coupled metabolic‐hydraulic model and calibration scheme for estimating whole‐river metabolism during dynamic flow conditions
Authors: Payn R. A. , Hall R. O. , Kennedy T. A. , Poole G. C. , Marshall L. A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractConventional methods for estimating whole‐stream metabolic rates from measured dissolved oxygen dynamics do not account for the variation in solute transport times created by dynamic flow conditions. Changes in flow at hourly time scales are common downstream of hydroelectric dams (i.e., hydropeaking), and hydrologic limitations of conventional metabolic models have resulted in a poor understanding of the controls on biological production in these highly managed river ecosystems. To overcome these limitations, we coupled a two‐station metabolic model of dissolved oxygen dynamics with a hydrologic river routing model. We designed calibration and parameter estimation tools to infer values for hydrologic and metabolic parameters based on time series of water quality data, achieving the ultimate goal of estimating whole‐river gross primary production and ecosystem respiration during dynamic flow conditions. Our case study data for model design and calibration were collected in the tailwater of Glen Canyon Dam (Arizona, U.S.A.), a large hydropower facility where the mean discharge was 325 m3 s−1 and the average daily coefficient of variation of flow was 0.17 (i.e., the hydropeaking index averaged from 2006 to 2016). We demonstrate the coupled model's conceptual consistency with conventional models during steady flow conditions, and illustrate the potential bias in metabolism estimates with conventional models during unsteady flow conditions. This effort contributes an approach to solute transport modeling and parameter estimation that allows study of whole‐ecosystem metabolic regimes across a more diverse range of hydrologic conditions commonly encountered in streams and rivers.
House of Cards Nanostructuring of Graphene Oxide and Montmorillonite Clay for Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Mangadlao Joey Dacula , Lim Kramer Joseph , Danda Chaitanya , Dalida Maria Lourdes , Advincula Rigoberto C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNoncovalent interactions are ubiquitous in our daily living. Nature employs hydrophobic effects, π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic interactions in many biological processes such as protein folding. In the same manner, scientists exploit this plethora of inherently reversible noncovalent interactions as dials to design robust and smart materials. Electrostatic interaction is particularly interesting due to the simplicity of its concept, i.e., opposite charges attract. However, to our knowledge, the electrostatic interaction between two different 2D nanomaterials has not been investigated in literature. A myriad of natural and synthetic 2D nanomaterials should be explored for what may be an exciting cocktail of synergistic and tunable properties brought about by their charges and physical properties. This contribution highlights an interesting phenomena when organic, negatively charged graphene oxide and inorganic, positively charged montmorillonite (MMT) clay edges are brought into contact.
Tunable Dual‐Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Nanogels Exhibiting UCST and LCST Behavior
Authors: Rajan Robin , Matsumura Kazuaki 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThermoresponsive polymers change their physical properties as the temperature is changed and have found extensive use in a number of fields, especially in tissue engineering and in the development of drug delivery systems. The synthesis of a novel core–shell nanogel composed of N‐isopropylacrylamide and sulfobetaine by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is reported. The core–shell architecture of the nanogels is confirmed using energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy. These nanogels exhibit dual thermoresponsive behavior, i.e., the core of the nanogel exhibits lower critical solution temperature, while the shell displays upper critical solution temperature behavior. Transition temperatures can be easily tuned by changing the molecular weight of the constituent polymer. These nanogels can be efficiently used in temperature‐triggered delivery of therapeutic proteins and drugs.
Dynamic Docking and Undocking Processes Addressing Selectively the Outside and Inside of Polymersomes
Authors: Iyisan Banu , Siedel Anna Charlott , Gumz Hannes , Yassin Mohamed , Kluge Jörg , Gaitzsch Jens , Formanek Petr , Moreno Silvia , Voit Brigitte , Appelhans Dietmar 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIncreasing complexity and diversity of polymersomes and their compartments is a key issue for mimicking cellular functions and protocells. Thus, new challenges arise in terms of achieving tunable membrane permeability and combining it with control over the membrane diffusion process, and thus enabling a localized and dynamic control of functionality and docking possibilities within or on the surface of polymeric compartments. This study reports the concept of polymersomes with pH‐tunable membrane permeability for controlling sequential docking and undocking processes of small molecules and nanometer‐sized protein mimics selectively on the inside and outside of the polymersome membrane as a further step toward the design of intelligent multifunctional compartments for use in synthetic biology and as protocells. Host–guest interactions between adamantane and β‐cyclodextrin as well as noncovalent interactions between poly(ethylene glycol) tails and β‐cyclodextrin are used to achieve selective and dynamic functionalization of the inner and outer spheres of the polymersome membrane.
Self‐Assembly Drug Delivery System Based on Programmable Dendritic Peptide Applied in Multidrug Resistance Tumor Therapy
Authors: Chen Si , Fan Jin‐Xuan , Qiu Wen‐Xiu , Liu Li‐Han , Cheng Han , Liu Fan , Yan Guo‐Ping , Zhang Xian‐Zheng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn recent decades, diverse drug delivery systems (DDS) constructed by self‐assembly of dendritic peptides have shown advantages and improvable potential for cancer treatment. Here, an arginine‐enriched dendritic amphiphilic chimeric peptide CRRK(RRCG(Fmoc))2 containing multiple thiol groups is programmed to form drug‐loaded nano‐micelles by self‐assembly. With a rational design, the branched hydrophobic groups (Fmoc) of the peptides provide a strong hydrophobic force to prevent the drug from premature release, and the reduction‐sensitive disulfide linkages formed between contiguous peptides can control drug release under reducing stimulation. As expected, specific to multidrug resistance (MDR) tumor cells, the arginine‐enriched peptide/drug (PD) nano‐micelles show accurate nuclear localization ability to prevent the drug being pumped by P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) in vitro, as well as exhibiting satisfactory efficacy for MDR tumor treatment in vivo. This design successfully realizes stimuli‐responsive drug release aimed at MDR tumor cells via an ingenious sequence arrangement.
Impulse control disorders in advanced Parkinson's disease with dyskinesia: The ALTHEA study
Authors: Biundo Roberta , Weis Luca , Abbruzzese Giovanni , Calandra‐Buonaura Giovanna , Cortelli Pietro , Jori Maria Cristina , Lopiano Leonardo , Marconi Roberto , Matinella Angela , Morgante Francesca , Nicoletti Alessandra , Tamburini Tiziano , Tinazzi Michele , Zappia Mario , Vorovenci Ruxandra Julia , Antonini Angelo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundImpulse control disorders and dyskinesia are common and disabling complications of dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson's disease. They may coexist and are possibly related. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency and severity of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease patients with dyskinesia.MethodsThe ALTHEA study enrolled 251 Parkinson's disease patients with various degrees of dyskinesia severity from 11 movement disorders centers in Italy. Each patient underwent a comprehensive assessment including Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale and the Questionnaire for Impulsive Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson Disease‐Rating Scale.ResultsThere was an overall 55% frequency of impulse control disorder and related behaviors (36% were clinically significant). The positive patients were younger at disease diagnosis and onset and had higher Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale historical and total score (P= 0.001 andP= 0.02, respectively, vs negative). There was an increased frequency of clinically significant impulse control disorders in patients with severe dyskinesia (P= 0.013), a positive correlation between the questionnaire total score and dopamine agonist dose (P= 0.018), and a trend with levodopa dose.ConclusionsMore than half of Parkinson's disease patients with dyskinesia have impulse control disorders and related behaviors, which are frequently clinically significant. Dopaminergic therapy total dose is associated with their severity. Clinicians should carefully assess patients with maladaptive behaviors and dyskinesia because they do not properly evaluate their motor and nonmotor status. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A holistic approach to mitigating DoS attacks in SDN networks
Authors: Dridi Lobna , Zhani Mohamed Faten 
Published: September 2017

SummarySoftware‐defined networking (SDN) has recently emerged as a new networking technology offering an unprecedented programmability that allows network operators to dynamically manage their infrastructures. However, despite these benefits, deny‐of‐service (DoS) attacks are considered a major threat to such networks, as they can easily overload the SDN controller and flood switch forwarding tables, resulting in a critical degradation of the network performance. To address this issue, we propose SDN‐Guard, a novel holistic approach to protect SDN networks against DoS attacks. Software‐defined networking–Guard leverages an intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect potential DoS attacks and then efficiently mitigate their impact by dynamically (1) rerouting malicious traffic, (2) adjusting flow time‐outs, and (3) aggregating flow rules. This paper extends our previous work by proposing solutions to minimize the switch‐to‐IDS traffic without impacting the IDS accuracy. We hence propose to use sampling techniques and devise an integer linear program to find the optimal placement for the IDS and to determine the switches that should mirror the flows towards it so as to minimize network bandwidth consumption. Extensive experiments using Mininet show that SDN‐Guard maintains network performance during DoS attacks and succeeds in reducing by up to 32% their impact on controller performance, usage of switch forwarding tables, and control plane bandwidth. Furthermore, our results show that carefully placing the IDS and selecting the switches mirroring, the traffic can reduce by up to 90% the switch‐to‐IDS traffic. They also show that the IDS accuracy remains at 100% by analyzing only 11% of the network traffic.
How can Public Professional Services be Restored in a Weak State? Options for Animal Health in Congo's South Kivu
Authors: Leonard David K. , Mushi Mugumo F. , Robinson Timothy P. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryHow does one deal with a shortcoming in a public service when even a state “pocket of effectiveness” is unlikely to fill it directly? In the Belgian colonial era, South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had a vibrant animal production system, which then was shattered by successive wars. The regeneration of Kivu's livestock industry is greatly constrained by the unreliability of the province's state and private animal health services, which have become commercialized and are unable to overcome the asymmetric information problem inherent to the professions and provide the trustworthy effectiveness farmers need to use them effectively. The Congolese state is unlikely to be able to fill this gap itself. Nonetheless, it can be an architect of solutions to the problem. We were able to identify in the local institutional repertoire at least four possible ways policy‐makers could use non‐governmental organizations to provide missing trustworthiness to the market. This conclusion is hopeful for places with development potential that have weak states and imperfect markets. © 2017 International Livestock Research Institute. Public Administration and Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chitosan‐based composite membranes containing chitosan‐coated carbon nanotubes for polymer electrolyte membranes
Authors: Ou Ying , Tsen Wen‐Chin , Gong Chunli , Wang Jie , Liu Hai , Zheng Genwen , Qin Caiqin , Wen Sheng 
Published: September 2017

Considering the poor dispersion and inert ionic conduction ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalization of CNTs is a critical issue for their application in polymer electrolyte membranes. Herein, CNTs were functionalized by the polyelectrolyte, chitosan (CS), via a facile noncovalent surface‐deposition method. The obtained CS‐coated CNTs (CS@CNTs) were then incorporated into the CS matrix and fabricated composite membranes. The CS coating can enhance the compatibility between CNTs and the matrix, thus ensuring the homogenous dispersion of CS@CNTs and effectively improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Moreover, the CS coating can make CS@CNTs act as an additional proton‐conducting pathway through the membranes. The CS/CS@CNTs‐1 composite shows the highest proton conductivity of 3.46 × 10−2 S cm−1at 80°C, which is about 1.5‐fold of the conductivity of pure CS membrane. Consequently, the single cell equipped with CS/CS@CNTs‐1 membrane exhibits a peak power density of 47.5 mW cm−2, which is higher than that of pure CS (36.1 mW cm−2).
The exchangeability of brief intelligence tests for children with intellectual giftedness: Illuminating error variance components’ influence on IQs
Authors: Irby Sarah M. , Floyd Randy G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study examined the exchangeability of total scores (i.e., intelligent quotients [IQs]) from three brief intelligence tests. Tests were administered to 36 children with intellectual giftedness, scored live by one set of primary examiners and later scored by a secondary examiner. For each student, six IQs were calculated, and all 216 values were submitted to a generalizability theory analysis. Despite strong convergent validity and reliability evidence supporting brief IQs, the resulting dependability coefficient was only .80, which indicates relatively low exchangeability across tests and examiners. Although error variance components representing the effects of the examiner, examiner‐by‐examinee interaction, the examiner‐by‐test interaction, and the test contributed little to IQ variability, the component representing the test‐by‐examinee interaction contributed about one‐third of the variance in IQs. These findings hold implications for selecting and interpreting brief intelligence tests and general testing for intellectual giftedness.