bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of a Small Amorphous PdMo/C Nanocatalyst and Pd Nanocubes Enclosed within (100) Planes and Their Use for Ethylene Glycol Electro–oxidation
Authors: Ambriz‐Peláez Oscar , Álvarez‐Contreras Lorena , Guerra‐Balcázar Minerva , Ledesma‐García Janet , Arriaga Luis Gerardo , Arjona Noé 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn this work, PdMo/C and Pd/C nanocubes were synthesized and used for the electro‐oxidation of ethylene glycol. The XRD patterns revealed that the Pd/C nanocubes had an average crystallite size of 10.9 nm, whereas the PdMo/C nanoparticles were amorphous. HRTEM images indicated the presence of only cubic‐shaped nanoparticles for Pd/C nanocubes and semispherical nanoparticles for PdMo/C with sizes of 9 and 2 nm, respectively. XPS and line‐scan EDX spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Pd and Mo in the PdMo/C nanocatalyst, and Mo was determined to be incorporated with Pd in the form MoO3. The Pd/C nanocubes exhibited a current density that was 9.3 times higher than commercial Pd/C, demonstrating the superior activity of the (100) facet. The combined effects of the amorphous structure and the presence of molybdenum oxides enhanced the activity of PdMo/C, which demonstrated a 1.5‐fold increase current density with respect to the Pd/C nanocubes and a 12‐fold increase compared to commercial Pd/C.
Photoantimicrobial Biohybrids by Supramolecular Immobilization of Cationic Phthalocyanines onto Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Anaya‐Plaza Eduardo , van de Winckel Eveline , Mikkilä Joona , Malho Jani‐Markus , Ikkala Olli , Gulías Oscar , Bresolí‐Obach Roger , Agut Montserrat , Nonell Santi , Torres Tomás , Kostiainen Mauri A. , de la Escosura Andrés 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe development of photoactive and biocompatible nanostructures is a highly desirable goal to address the current threat of antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe a novel supramolecular biohybrid nanostructure based on the non‐covalent immobilization of cationic zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives onto unmodified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), following an easy and straightforward protocol, in which binding is driven by electrostatic interactions. These non‐covalent biohybrids show strong photodynamic activity against S. aureus and E. coli, representative examples of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, respectively, and C. albicans, a representative opportunistic fungal pathogen, outperforming the free ZnPc counterparts and related nanosystems in which the photosensitizer is covalently linked to the CNC surface.
Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of isoflavone from soybean meal
Authors: Lummaetee Kanjana , Ku Hong‐Ming , Wongrat Wongphaka , Elkamel Ali 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study aims at developing a mathematical model to predict the yield of isoflavone from soybean meal in a supercritical extraction process using carbon dioxide and aqueous methanol as a co‐solvent and to optimize the process using a genetic algorithm. In the model, a partial differential equation based conservation of mass was solved to predict the yield of isoflavone extraction. The model parameters such as densities of carbon dioxide and co‐solvent methanol, the mixture viscosity, the binary diffusion coefficient of isoflavone in the supercritical solvents, the film mass transfer coefficient, effective diffusivity, and axial dispersion coefficient were estimated using available correlations, and the solubility was estimated using the Mohsen‐Nia‐Moddaress‐Mansoori equation of state. The model was successfully validated with experimental data. In the optimization, the operating conditions of the isoflavone extraction process were identified as decision variables and a profit function was maximized. The optimum was found under the condition in which the carbon dioxide flow rate was 5.88 kg/h and the particle diameter was 0.68 mm, when the temperature was 323.15 K, the pressure was 59.45 MPa, and the extraction time was 283 min. The maximum profit found under these optimum conditions was 46.18 $ per batch.
Old Drug Scaffold, New Activity: Thalidomide‐Correlated Compounds Exert Different Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Progression
Authors: Iacopetta Domenico , Carocci Alessia , Sinicropi Maria Stefania , Catalano Alessia , Lentini Giovanni , Ceramella Jessica , Curcio Rosita , Caroleo Maria Cristina 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThalidomide was first used for relief of morning sickness in pregnant women and then withdrawn from the market because of its dramatic effects on normal fetal development. Over the last decades, it has been used successfully for the treatment of several pathologies, including cancer. Many analogues with improved activity have been synthesized and tested. Herein we report some effects on the growth and progression of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells by a small series of thalidomide‐correlated compounds, which are very effective at inducing cancer cell death by triggering TNFα‐mediated apoptosis. The most active compounds are able to drastically reduce the migration of breast cancer cells by regulation of the two major proteins involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): vimentin and E‐cadherin. Moreover, these compounds diminish the intracellular biosynthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is primarily involved in the promotion of angiogenesis, sustaining tumor progression. The multiple features of these compounds that act on various key points of the tumorigenesis process make them good candidates for preclinical studies.
Method for the unique identification of hyperelastic material properties using full‐field measures. Application to the passive myocardium material response
Authors: Perotti Luigi E. , Ponnaluri Aditya V. S. , Krishnamoorthi Shankarjee , Balzani Daniel , Ennis Daniel B. , Klug William S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractQuantitative measurement of the material properties (eg, stiffness) of biological tissues is poised to become a powerful diagnostic tool. There are currently several methods in the literature to estimating material stiffness, and we extend this work by formulating a framework that leads to uniquely identified material properties. We design an approach to work with full‐field displacement data—ie, we assume the displacement field due to the applied forces is known both on the boundaries and also within the interior of the body of interest—and seek stiffness parameters that lead to balanced internal and external forces in a model. For in vivo applications, the displacement data can be acquired clinically using magnetic resonance imaging while the forces may be computed from pressure measurements, eg, through catheterization. We outline a set of conditions under which the least‐square force error objective function is convex, yielding uniquely identified material properties. An important component of our framework is a new numerical strategy to formulate polyconvex material energy laws that are linear in the material properties and provide one optimal description of the available experimental data. An outcome of our approach is the analysis of the reliability of the identified material properties, even for material laws that do not admit unique property identification. Lastly, we evaluate our approach using passive myocardium experimental data at the material point and show its application to identifying myocardial stiffness with an in silico experiment modeling the passive filling of the left ventricle.
Facile Morphology‐Controlled Synthesis of Organolead Iodide Perovskite Nanocrystals Using Binary Capping Agents
Authors: Debroye Elke , Yuan Haifeng , Bladt Eva , Baekelant Wouter , Van der Auweraer Mark , Hofkens Johan , Bals Sara , Roeffaers Maarten B. J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractControlling the morphology of organolead halide perovskite crystals is crucial to a fundamental understanding of the materials and to tune their properties for device applications. Here, we report a facile solution‐based method for morphology‐controlled synthesis of rod‐like and plate‐like organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals using binary capping agents. The morphology control is likely due to an interplay between surface binding kinetics of the two capping agents at different crystal facets. By high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, we show that the obtained nanocrystals are monocrystalline. Moreover, long photoluminescence decay times of the nanocrystals indicate long charge diffusion lengths and low trap/defect densities. Our results pave the way for large‐scale solution synthesis of organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals with controlled morphology for future device applications.
European Banks' Reputation for Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Forcadell Francisco Javier , Aracil Elisa 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) members are considered top sustainable companies within each sector. Thus, DJSI inclusion signals a reputation for strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement, which should contribute to enhanced firm performance. This paper examines the performance of the European banks listed in the DJSI for the period 2003–2013 and analyzes the effect of having a reputation for CSR on performance during a period of economic crisis. A vast amount of literature links CSR, reputation and performance, but few studies have examined the banking sector and the impact of the last recession. Our results suggest that banks' efforts to build a reputation for CSR benefits performance. Nevertheless, in periods of crisis, these efforts do not contribute to improved returns. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Authorship verification using deep belief network systems
Authors: Brocardo Marcelo Luiz , Traore Issa , Woungang Isaac , Obaidat Mohammad S. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThis paper explores the use of deep belief networks for authorship verification model applicable for continuous authentication (CA). The proposed approach uses Gaussian units in the visible layer to model real‐valued data on the basis of a Gaussian‐Bernoulli deep belief network. The lexical, syntactic, and application‐specific features are explored, leading to the proposal of a method to merge a pair of features into a single one. The CA is simulated by decomposing an online document into a sequence of short texts over which the CA decisions happen. The experimental evaluation of the proposed method uses block sizes of 140, 280, 500 characters, on the basis of the Twitter and Enron e‐mail corpuses. Promising results are obtained, which consist of an equal error rate varying from 8.21% to 16.73%. Using relatively smaller forgery samples, an equal error rate varying from 5.48% to 12.3% is also obtained for different block sizes.
Ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis in response to SGLT2 inhibitors: Basic mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Qiu Hongyu , Novikov Aleksandra , Vallon Volker 
Published: January 2017

SummaryInhibitors of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter SGLT2 are a new class of antihyperglycemic drugs that have been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These drugs inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubules of the kidney thereby enhancing glucosuria and lowering blood glucose levels. Additional consequences and benefits include a reduction in body weight, uric acid levels, and blood pressure. Moreover, SGLT2 inhibition can have protective effects on the kidney and cardiovascular system in patients with T2DM and high cardiovascular risk. However, a potential side effect that has been reported with SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM and particularly during off‐label use in patients with type 1 diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis. The US Food and Drug Administration recently warned that SGLT2 inhibitors may result in euglycemic ketoacidosis. Here, we review the basic metabolism of ketone bodies, the triggers of diabetic ketoacidosis, and potential mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors may facilitate the development of ketosis or ketoacidosis. This provides the rationale for measures to lower the risk. We discuss the role of the kidney and potential links to renal gluconeogenesis and uric acid handling. Moreover, we outline potential beneficial effects of modestly elevated ketone body levels on organ function that may have therapeutic relevance for the observed beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the kidney and cardiovascular system.
Targeted integration of genes in Xenopus tropicalis
Authors: Shi Zhaoying , Tian Dandan , Xin Huhu , Lian Jingru , Guo Xiaogang , Chen Yonglong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWith the successful establishment of both targeted gene disruption and integration methods in the true diploid frog Xenopus tropicalis, this excellent vertebrate genetic model now is making a unique contribution to modelling human diseases. Here, we summarize our efforts on establishing homologous recombination‐mediated targeted integration in Xenopus tropicalis, the usefulness, and limitation of targeted integration via the homology‐independent strategy, and future directions on how to further improve targeted gene integration in Xenopus tropicalis.
Evaluating the responses of forest ecosystems to climate change and CO2 using dynamic global vegetation models
Authors: Song Xiang , Zeng Xiaodong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe climate has important influences on the distribution and structure of forest ecosystems, which may lead to vital feedback to climate change. However, much of the existing work focuses on the changes in carbon fluxes or water cycles due to climate change and/or atmospheric CO2, and few studies have considered how and to what extent climate change and CO2 influence the ecosystem structure (e.g., fractional coverage change) and the changes in the responses of ecosystems with different characteristics. In this work, two dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs): IAP‐DGVM coupled with CLM3 and CLM4‐CNDV, were used to investigate the response of the forest ecosystem structure to changes in climate (temperature and precipitation) and CO2 concentration. In the temperature sensitivity tests, warming reduced the global area‐averaged ecosystem gross primary production in the two models, which decreased global forest area. Furthermore, the changes in tree fractional coverage (ΔFtree; %) from the two models were sensitive to the regional temperature and ecosystem structure, i.e., the mean annual temperature (MAT; °C) largely determined whether ΔFtree was positive or negative, while the tree fractional coverage (Ftree; %) played a decisive role in the amplitude of ΔFtree around the globe, and the dependence was more remarkable in IAP‐DGVM. In cases with precipitation change, Ftree had a uniformly positive relationship with precipitation, especially in the transition zones of forests (30% < Ftree < 60%) for IAP‐DGVM and in semiarid and arid regions for CLM4‐CNDV. Moreover, ΔFtree had a stronger dependence on Ftree than on the mean annual precipitation (MAP; mm/year). It was also demonstrated that both models captured the fertilization effects of the CO2 concentration.
The effect of tree genetic diversity on insect herbivory varies with insect abundance
Authors: Fernandez‐Conradi Pilar , Jactel Hervé , Hampe Arndt , Leiva Maria José , Castagneyrol Bastien 
Published: January 2017

AbstractVariance in edibility among plant genotypes is expected to be a key driver of plant genetic diversity (PGD) effects on abundance of insect herbivores and resulting herbivory. Yet, herbivore foraging behavior and leaf consumption may be also context‐dependent and, in particular, influenced by herbivore density, which remains unexplored. We used a combination of field and laboratory experiments with saplings from four half‐sib families (henceforth, families) of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) to test how PGD and herbivore density interactively affect herbivory. Insect herbivory was assessed in a common garden experiment with plots containing all possible combinations of individuals from one to four oak families. Herbivore density was manipulated by spraying insecticide in a factorial design. Complementary feeding trials with gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar) were used to further explore the mechanisms underlying observed patterns in the field. Herbivory decreased with increasing PGD under normal herbivore density, but not under reduced herbivore abundance. The most damaged oak family in the field was also the most consumed in non‐choice tests and was consistently preferred over other families in choice tests. Trials showed that the presence of less edible families in the diet reduced overall consumption by gypsy moth larvae. Under field conditions, the most edible family consistently benefited most from being associated with less edible, neighboring genotypes. Our results demonstrate that small‐scale PGD can provide associational resistance to insect herbivory, probably through change in herbivore foraging activity. Importantly, they also reveal that the magnitude of genetic diversity effect depends on herbivore density.
Voltammetric Separation and Determination of Glutathione and L‐tyrosine with Chlorogenic Acid as an Electrocatalytic Mediator
Authors: Huang Ying , Chen Mei , Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Cuiyun 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA novel and sensitive voltammetric method was proposed for separation and determination of glutathione (GSH) and L‐tyrosine (Tyr) at acetylene black and chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode (AB‐CS/GCE). By introducing chlorogenic acid (CGA) as a new electrocatalytic mediator, GSH could be detected at much lower potential with symmetric peak shape. Acetylene black and chitosan composite served as current signal amplifier for sensitive detection. The electrochemical behavior of GSH and Tyr in the presence of CGA was studied at AB‐CS/GCE and complete separation of anodic peaks was achieved. Under the optimum conditions, the electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of GSH showed a linear dependence on its concentration in the ranges of 2.0×10−7‐4.0×10−5 M with the detection limit of 5.8×10−8 M (S/N=3), while the oxidation peak current of Tyr was linear to its concentration from 2.5×10−6 to 4.3×10−4 M with the detection limit of 9.2×10−7 M (S/N=3) by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The established method has been applied to the simultaneous determination of GSH and Tyr in human urine with satisfactory results.
Comparative Study on Electroanalysis of Fenthion Using Silver Amalgam Film Electrode and Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Smarzewska Sylwia , Metelka Radovan , Festinger Natalia , Guziejewski Dariusz , Ciesielski Witold 
Published: January 2017

AbstractOxidation and reduction processes of the insecticide fenthion was comparatively investigated at a reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (RGO‐GCE) and a cyclic renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) using square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). The influence of pH and SW parameters was investigated. The linear concentration ranges were found to be 1 × 10−6 – 2 × 10−5 and 1 × 10−7 – 2 × 10−5 mol L−1 for Hg(Ag)FE and RGO‐GCE, respectively. The detection and quantification limits were calculated as 1.3 × 10−7 and 4.5 × 10−7 mol L−1 for Hg(Ag)FE and 7.6 × 10−9 and 2.5 × 10−8 mol L−1 for RGO‐GCE. Both of the developed electroanalytical methods offer rapid and simple detection of fenthion and were used on spiked tap and river water and apple juice samples. Scanning electron microscopy was used for RGO‐GCE surface characterization.
Retrospective cohort study of prophylactic intraoperative uterine artery embolization for abnormally invasive placenta
Authors: Pan Yi , Zhou Xin , Yang Zhengqiang , Cui Shudong , De Wei , Sun Lizhou 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of prophylactic intraoperative uterine artery embolization (UAE) during cesarean delivery as conservative treatment for patients with abnormally invasive placenta.MethodsA retrospective cohort study enrolled patients surgically diagnosed with abnormally invasive placenta who underwent cesarean delivery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, between February 1, 2012, and February 28, 2015. Postpartum estimated blood loss, blood transfusions, hysterectomy, and adverse events were compared between patients who underwent cesarean delivery only (control group) and those who underwent concurrent prophylactic intraoperative UAE (UAE group).ResultsThere were 45 patients included in the study; 26 and 19 in the UAE and control groups, respectively. Among patients who did not undergo hysterectomy owing to placenta accreta, the mean estimated blood loss was lower among patients in the UAE group (P=0.005); however, among patients who did undergo hysterectomy for placenta increta or percreta, no difference in mean estimated blood loss was observed (P=0.973). There were no differences in the hysterectomy rate (P=0.639) or incidence of requiring massive blood transfusion (P=0.050) between the groups. Only one patient in the UAE group experienced uterine necrosis.ConclusionProphylactic intraoperative UAE was relatively safe and effective for reducing postpartum hemorrhage among patients with placenta accreta. The potential benefits could be lower among patients with placenta increta or percreta.
Partial purification, characterisation and thermal inactivation kinetics of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase isolated from Kalipatti sapota (Manilkara zapota)
Authors: Vishwasrao Chandrahas , Chakraborty Snehasis , Ananthanarayan Laxmi 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe extraction, purification, and characterisation of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were studied for Kalipatti sapota fruit. The crude enzyme extract was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by BioGel P100 size exclusion and Unosphere Q anion‐exchange chromatography.RESULTSMolecular weights of 20 kDa (POD) and 24 kDa (PPO) were indicated by SDS‐PAGE. A single band was observed on SDS‐PAGE with a fold purity of 10.38 and 7.42 for POD and PPO, respectively. Michaelis–Menten constants for POD and PPO were 22.3 and 23.0 mmol L−1 using guaiacol and catechol as substrates. Thermal inactivation kinetics was studied in the temperature range of 60–95 °C. The crude extract of POD and PPO showed D‐values of 2.2–60.2 and 1.0–35.2 min; Z‐values of 18.7 ± 0.4 and 16.0 ± 0.3 °C; and activation energies (Ea) of 128.6 and 151.0 kJ mol−1, respectively.CONCLUSIONPOD and PPO showed good stability over a wide range of pH and temperature. As reflected by Z and Ea values, the fruit matrix had no significant influence towards enzyme stability. Designing of thermal process should take into consideration D‐ and Z‐values of the enzymes along with D‐ and Z‐values of microorganisms to obtain a product with better shelf life. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry