bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niobium(V) Saponite Clay for the Catalytic Oxidative Abatement of Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: Carniato Fabio , Bisio Chiara , Psaro Rinaldo , Marchese Leonardo , Guidotti Matteo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractA NbV‐containing saponite clay was designed to selectively transform toxic organosulfur chemical warfare agents (CWAs) under extremely mild conditions into nontoxic products with reduced environmental impact. Thanks to the insertion of NbV sites within the saponite framework, a bifunctional catalyst with strong oxidizing and acid properties was obtained. Remarkable activity and high selectivity were observed for the oxidative abatement of (2‐chloroethyl)ethyl sulfide (CEES), a simulant of sulfur mustard, at room temperature with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. This performance was significantly better compared to a conventional commercial decontamination powder.
Aligning Electronic and Protonic Energy Levels of Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer in Water Oxidation on Aqueous TiO2
Authors: Cheng Jun , Liu Xiandong , Kattirtzi John A. , VandeVondele Joost , Sprik Michiel 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe high overpotential in water oxidation on anodes is a limiting factor for the large‐scale application of photoelectrochemical cells. To overcome this limitation, it is essential to understand the four proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) steps in the reaction mechanism and their implications to the overpotential. Herein, a simple scheme to compute the energies of the PCET steps in water oxidation on the aqueous TiO2 surface using a hybrid density functional is described. An energy level diagram for fully decoupled electron‐ and proton‐transfer reactions in which both electronic and protonic levels are placed on the same potential scale is also described. The level diagram helps to visualize the electronic and protonic components of the overpotential, and points out what are needed to improve. For TiO2, it is found that its catalytic activity is due to aligning the protonic energy levels in the PCET steps, while improving the activity requires also aligning the electronic levels.
Catalytic Enantioselective CH Functionalization of Alcohols by Redox‐Triggered Carbonyl Addition: Borrowing Hydrogen, Returning Carbon
Authors: Ketcham John M. , Shin Inji , Montgomery T. Patrick , Krische Michael J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe use of alcohols and unsaturated reactants for the redox‐triggered generation of nucleophile–electrophile pairs represents a broad, new approach to carbonyl addition chemistry. Discrete redox manipulations that are often required for the generation of carbonyl electrophiles and premetalated carbon‐centered nucleophiles are thus avoided. Based on this concept, a broad, new family of enantioselective CC coupling reactions that are catalyzed by iridium or ruthenium complexes have been developed, which are summarized in this Minireview.
Thermosetting polyurethane‐multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Thermomechanical properties and nanoindentation
Authors: Lopes Magnovaldo Carvalho , de Castro Vinicius Gomide , Seara Luciana Moreira , Diniz Vitor Perige Almeida , Lavall Rodrigo Lassarote , Silva Glaura Goulart 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTIn this study, composites based on a thermoset polyurethane elastomer (PU) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the case of a PU of high elastic modulus (>200 MPa) are analyzed for the first time. As‐grown and modified nanotubes with 4 wt % of oxygenated functions (MWCNT‐ox) were employed to compare their effect on composite properties and maxima mechanical properties (elastic modulus and tensile strength) were reached at 0.5 wt % of MWCNT‐ox. Furthermore, by examining the morphology using optical and electron microscopies better dispersion and interaction of the nanotube‐matrix was observed for this material. DMTA data supports the observation of an increase in the glass transition temperature of ∼20°C in the nanocomposites compared with the thermoset PU, which is an important result because it shows extended reliability in extreme environments. Finally, nanoindentation tests allowed a comparison with the conventional mechanical tests by measuring the elastic modulus and hardness at the subsurface of PU and the nanocomposites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41207.
Polyols and polyurethanes prepared from epoxidized soybean oil ring‐opened by polyhydroxy fatty acids with varying OH numbers
Authors: Chen Ruqi , Zhang Chaoqun , Kessler Michael R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBio‐based polyols from epoxidized soybean oil and different fatty acids were successfully prepared using a solvent‐free method in order to investigate the effect of the polyols' OH numbers on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polyurethanes prepared using them. Epoxidized soybean oil/epoxidized linseed oil was ring‐opened by methanol/glycol followed by saponification to prepare polyhydroxy fatty acids. These fatty acids and epoxidized soybean oil were then used for further solvent‐free ring‐opening reactions with DBU as catalyst, which facilitated the carboxylic ring‐opening. Gel permeation chromatography revealed that a molar ratio of carboxylic acid from polyhydroxy fatty aicds and epoxy group of 0.5 : 1 resulted in optimized polyols containing the smallest amounts of residual starting materials. The obtained polyols had varying OH numbers and the acquired polyurethane films were comprehensively characterized. With increasing OH number of the polyols the PUs displayed an increase in crosslinking density, glass transition temperature (Tg), tensile strength and Young's modulus, and a decrease in elongation and toughness. This work provides Supporting Information on the effect of OH number of polyols obtained via a solvent‐free ring‐opening method on the mechanical and thermal properties of polyurethanes, of particular interest when designing PU products for specific purposes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41213.
A New Robust Adaptive Control of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems and Pendulum Application
Authors: Liu Zhitao , Su Hongye , Pan Shuwen 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTA new robust adaptive control of uncertain nonlinear systems is proposed in this paper. The proposed method combines sliding mode control with the immersion and invariance (I&I) adaptive scheme, and it has more available degrees of freedom than using the backstepping scheme. Via the proposed method, a class of nonlinear systems with mismatched parametric perturbations can be rendered asymptotically stable and the performance of the system can also be improved. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a simple pendulum with motor dynamics, and simulation results show the effectiveness and performance of the proposed method.
pTH Moment Exponential Stability of Stochastic Partial Differential Equations with Poisson Jumps
Authors: Yang Xuetao , Zhu Quanxin 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we study a class of stochastic partial differential equations with Poisson jumps, which is more realistic for establishing mathematical models since it has been widely applied in many fields. Under a reasonable condition, we not only establish the existence and uniqueness of the mild solution for the investigated system but also prove that it is pth moment exponentially stable by using the fixed point theory. Then, based on the well‐known Borel‐Cantelli lemma, further, we prove that the mild solution is almost surely pth moment exponentially stable. Our results improve and generalize those given in the previous literature, in particular, the Lyapunov direct method and successive approximation method. Finally, we give an example to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Passivity, Feedback Equivalence and Global Stabilization of Nonlinear Markovian Jump Systems
Authors: Lin Zhongwei , Liu Jizhen , Niu Yuguang 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThis paper combines the passivity theory with geometric control theory for nonlinear Markovian jump systems. The key point concentrates on taking the appropriate coordinate changes following with the Markovian switchings. Based on this concept, we investigate the passivity, feedback equivalence and global stabilization problems, which implies that under a proposed strongly minimum‐phase condition, the nonlinear Markovian jump system is feedback equivalent to a passive system. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Delay‐ and Packet‐Disordering‐Dependent H∞ Output Tracking Control for Networked Control Systems
Authors: Song Yan , Wang Jingcheng 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the problem of H∞ output tracking control for networked control systems (NCSs) with network‐induced delay and packet disordering. Different from the results in existing literature, the controller design in this paper is both delay‐ and packet‐disordering‐dependent. Based on the different cases of consecutive predictions, the networked output tracking system is modeled into a switched system. Moreover, by the corresponding switching‐based Lyapunov functional approach, a linear matrix inequality (LMI)‐based procedure is proposed for designing state‐feedback controllers, which guarantees that the output of the closed‐loop NCSs tracks the output of a given reference model well in the H∞ sense. In addition, the proposed method can be applied variously due to all kinds of prediction numbers of the consecutive disordering packet have been considered, and the designed controller is based on the prediction case in the last transmission interval, which brings about less conservatism. Finally numerical examples and simulations are used to illustrate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed switching‐based method and the delay‐ and packet‐disordering‐dependent H∞ output tracking controller design.
Fuzzy Interval TSK Type‐2 Modeling with Parameterized Conjunctors
Authors: Aras Ayse Cisel , Kaynak Okyay 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn this study, a novel approach is described to the design of an interval type‐2 fuzzy neural system (IT2 FNS). It differs from the classical IT2 FNS in its use of parameterized conjunctors. In the optimization of the IT2 FNS, the membership functions are kept fixed and only the parameters of the conjunctors and the parameters in the consequent are tuned. In this study, the gradient based learning algorithm is used. The approach is tested for the modeling of a benchmark nonlinear function and for the wheel slip control of a quarter car model (QCM). In the stated applications, in the absence of any expert knowledge, some knowledge about the system is gained by the use of the interval type‐2 fuzzy c‐means (IT2 FCM) clustering algorithm. Nevertheless, this requires the number of classes to be known beforehand. To alleviate this problem, some validity indices that have been suggested in the literature and a novel validity index that carries less computational burden are considered to determine the number of classes and the number of fuzzy rules. Simulation studies are presented and compared with the results from the literature.
Biomarker-based treatment selection in early-stage rectal cancer to promote organ preservation
Authors: Leong K J , Beggs A , James J , Morton D G , Matthews G M , Bach S P 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

Background
Total mesorectal excision (TME) remains commonplace for T1–2 rectal cancer owing to fear of undertreating a small proportion of patients with node-positive disease. Molecular stratification may predict cancer progression. It could be used to select patients for organ-preserving surgery if specific biomarkers were validated.

Methods
Gene methylation was quantified using bisulphite pyrosequencing in 133 unirradiated rectal cancer TME specimens. KRAS mutation and microsatellite instability status were also defined. Molecular parameters were correlated with histopathological indices of disease progression. Predictive models for nodal metastasis, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and distant metastasis were constructed using a multilevel reverse logistic regression model.

Results
Methylation of the retinoic acid receptor β gene, RARB, and that of the checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger gene, CHFR, was associated with tumour stage (RARB: 51·9 per cent for T1–2 versus 33·9 per cent for T3–4, P &lt; 0·001; CHFR: 5·5 per cent for T1–2 versus 12·6 per cent for T3–4, P = 0·005). Gene methylation associated with nodal metastasis included RARB (47·1 per cent for N− versus 31·7 per cent for N+; P = 0·008), chemokine ligand 12, CXCL12 (12·3 per cent for N− versus 8·9 per cent for N+; P = 0·021), and death-associated protein kinase 1, DAPK1 (19·3 per cent for N− versus 12·3 per cent for N+; P = 0·022). RARB methylation was also associated with LVI (45·1 per cent for LVI− versus 31·7 per cent for LVI+; P = 0·038). Predictive models for nodal metastasis and LVI achieved sensitivities of 91·1 and 85·0 per cent, and specificities of 55·3 and 45·3 per cent, respectively.

Conclusion
This methylation biomarker panel provides a step towards accurate discrimination of indolent and aggressive rectal cancer subtypes. This could offer an improvement over the current standard of care, whereby fit patients are offered radical surgery.
Surgical treatment of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas and risk factors for malignancy
Authors: Kim M J , Choi D W , Choi S H , Heo J S , Sung J-Y 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of malignancy and surgical strategies for pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) by analysis of surgical outcomes at a single institution.

Methods
All patients who underwent surgery for SPN between 1995 and 2010 were identified. Histopathology slides of all patients were reviewed by a specialized pathologist and the neoplasms were classified according to the criteria of the World Health Organization 2010.

Results
Of the 106 patients identified, 85 (80·2 per cent) were female, and the median age was 36 (range 10–65) years. Median tumour size was 4·5 (range 1·0–15·0) cm. Some 17 patients (16·0 per cent) were classified as having a high-grade malignant SPN. Tumour size of at least 5 cm was associated with high-grade malignant potential (P = 0·022). Although lymph nodes were removed from 40 patients (37·7 per cent), there were no nodal metastases. A total of five patients underwent en bloc resection of adjacent structures, including two with portal vein involvement. After a median follow-up of 56·9 months, two patients with high-grade malignant SPN had evidence of tumour recurrence in the lymph nodes and liver.

Conclusion
SPN with a diameter of 5 cm or more is associated with a high-grade malignant phenotype. Complete surgical removal is associated with low recurrence rates.
Scientific writing: Strategies and tools for students and advisors
Authors: Singh Vikash , Mayer Philipp 
Published: July 2014

AbstractScientific writing is a demanding task and many students need more time than expected to finish their research articles. To speed up the process, we highlight some tools, strategies as well as writing guides. We recommend starting early in the research process with writing and to prepare research articles, not after but in parallel to the lab or field work. We suggest considering scientific writing as a team enterprise, which needs proper organization and regular feedback. In addition, it is helpful to select potential target journals early and to consider not only scope and reputation, but also decision times and rejection rates. Before submission, instructions to authors and writing guides should be considered, and drafts should be extensively revised. Later in the process editor's and reviewer's comments should be followed. Our tips and tools help students and advisors to structure the writing and publishing process, thereby stimulating them to develop their own strategies to success. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(5):405–413, 2014.
Roles of resolvins in the resolution of acute inflammation
Authors: Qu Qing , Xuan Wenjuan , Fan Guo‐Huang 
Published: July 2014

AbstractResolution is an active process that terminates inflammatory response to maintain health. Acute inflammation and its timely resolution are important in host response to danger signals. Unresolved inflammation is associated with widely recurrent diseases. Resolvins, including the D and E series, are endogenous lipid mediators generated during the resolution phase of acute of inflammation from the ω‐3 PUFAs, DHA, and EPA. They have anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolving properties that have been determined in many inflammation studies in animal models. In this review, we provide an updated overview of biosynthesis, actions, and signaling pathways of resolvins, thereby underscoring their diverse protective roles and introducing novel therapeutic strategies for inflammation‐associated diseases.
Growth factors have a protective effect on neomycin‐induced hair cell loss
Authors: Lou Xiangxin , Yuan Huihua , Xie Jing , Wang Xianliu , Yang Liangliang , Zhang Yanzhong 
Published: July 2014

AbstractWe have demonstrated that selected growth factors are involved in regulating survival and proliferation of progenitor cells derived from the neonatal rat organ of Corti (OC). The protective and regenerative effects of these defined growth factors on the injured organ of Corti were therefore investigated. The organ of Corti dissected from the Wistar rat pups (P3‐P5) was split into apical, middle, and basal parts, explanted and cultured with or without neomycin and growth factors. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) protected the inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) from neomycin ototoxicity. Using EGF, IGF‐1, and FGF‐2 alone induced no protective effect on the survival of auditory hair cells. Combining 2 growth factors (EGF + IGF‐1, EGF + FGF‐2, or IGF‐1 + FGF‐2) gave statistically protective effects. Similarly, combining all three growth factors effectively protected auditory hair cells from the ototoxic insult. None of the growth factors induced regeneration of hair cells in the explants injured with neomycin. Thus various combinations of the three defined factors (IGF‐1, FGF‐2, and EGF) can protect the auditory hair cells from the neomycin‐induced ototoxic damage, but no regeneration was seen. This offers a possible novel approach to the treatment of hearing loss.
Role of miR‐34c in ketamine‐induced neurotoxicity in neonatal mice hippocampus
Authors: Cao Shu‐e , Tian Jianmin , Chen Shengyang , Zhang Xiaoran , Zhang Yongqiang 
Published: July 2014

AbstractKetamine is a commonly used pediatric anesthetic, but it might affect development, or even induce neurotoxicity in the neonatal brain. We have used an in vivo neonatal mouse model to induce ketamine‐related neurotoxicity in the hippocampus, and found that miR‐34c, a microRNA associated with pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, was significantly upregulated during ketamine‐induced hippocampal neurodegeneration. Functional assay of silencing miR‐34c demonstrated that downregulation of miR‐34c activated PKC‐ERK pathway, upregulated anti‐apoptotic protein BCL2, and ameliorated ketamine‐induced apoptosis in the hippocampus. Cognitive examination with the Morris water maze test showed that ketamine‐induced memory impairment was significantly improved by miR‐34c downregulation. Thus, miR‐34c is important in regulating ketamine‐induced neurotoxicity in hippocampus.
Enhanced AuPd Activity in the Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide using Nanostructured Titanate Nanotube Supports
Authors: Torrente‐Murciano Laura , He Qian , Hutchings Graham J. , Kiely Christopher J. , Chadwick David 
Published: July 2014

AbstractNanostructured supports with tubular morphologies can impose one dimensional external constraints to supported metal nanoparticles affording small sizes (<2 nm) with high dispersion. Specifically, the curvature and chemical environment of the external nanotube surface appears to play a key role in determining the morphology and stability of the supported AuPd nanoparticles. This strategy is presented as an alternative nanoparticle stabilisation approach rather than encapsulation within porous structures or the use of organic capping agents with associated diffusional limitations. Here, we report the enhancement achieved in the AuPd alloy reactivity for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide when supported on titanate nanotubes (Ti‐NT) with a productivity above 11 600 mol kgmetal−1 h−1 afforded by the high metal–support interaction.
The Electrochemical Behavior of Phosphoric‐Acid‐Doped Poly(perfluorosulfonic Acid) Membranes
Authors: Aili David , Savinell Robert F. , Jensen Jens Oluf , Cleemann Lars N. , Bjerrum Niels J. , Li Qingfeng 
Published: July 2014

AbstractHighly conductive phosphoric‐acid‐doped poly(perfluorosulfonic acid) membranes have long been known to malfunction in fuel cells. This is investigated and found to be due to failure of the anode, in which a limiting current is observed in the very low current‐density range. It is proposed that the strongly acidic sulfonic acid groups protonate the phosphoric acid under anhydrous conditions, forming excess proton defects that are involved in proton conduction by means of the vehicle mechanism. The slow back‐diffusion of phosphoric acid molecules as proton carriers thus limits the long‐range conductivity of the membranes during fuel cell operation. The hypothesis is experimentally verified using a specially designed half‐cell test.
t‐Na2(VO)P2O7: A 3.8 V Pyrophosphate Insertion Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Barpanda Prabeer , Liu Guandong , Avdeev Maxim , Yamada Atsuo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPyrophosphate oxyanionic framework compounds offer a great platform to investigate new battery materials. In our continuing effort to explore pyrophosphate cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries, we report, for the first time, the synthesis and use of tetragonal Na2(VO)P2O7 as a potential sodium‐ion insertion material. This material can be easily prepared by using a conventional solid‐state route at a relatively low temperature of 400 °C. Stabilizing as a tetragonal structure with an open framework, the material offers pathways for Na+ diffusion. The as‐synthesized material, with no further cathode optimization, yields a reversible capacity (Q) approaching 80 mAh g−1 (QTheoretical=93.4 mAh g−1) involving a one electron V5+/V4+ redox potential located at 3.8 V (vs. Na/Na+). Furthermore, the material exhibits decent rate kinetics and reversibility. Combining green synthesis and moderate electrochemical properties, t‐Na2(VO)P2O7 is reported as a new addition to the growing family of pyrophosphate cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries.
Photochemical Transformations Accelerated in Continuous‐Flow Reactors: Basic Concepts and Applications
Authors: Su Yuanhai , Straathof Natan J. W. , Hessel Volker , Noël Timothy 
Published: July 2014

AbstractContinuous‐flow photochemistry is used increasingly by researchers in academia and industry to facilitate photochemical processes and their subsequent scale‐up. However, without detailed knowledge concerning the engineering aspects of photochemistry, it can be quite challenging to develop a suitable photochemical microreactor for a given reaction. In this review, we provide an up‐to‐date overview of both technological and chemical aspects associated with photochemical processes in microreactors. Important design considerations, such as light sources, material selection, and solvent constraints are discussed. In addition, a detailed description of photon and mass‐transfer phenomena in microreactors is made and fundamental principles are deduced for making a judicious choice for a suitable photomicroreactor. The advantages of microreactor technology for photochemistry are described for UV and visible‐light driven photochemical processes and are compared with their batch counterparts. In addition, different scale‐up strategies and limitations of continuous‐flow microreactors are discussed.