bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2 for the Photoanodes in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Deka Juti Rani , Wang Hong Wen 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMesoporous TiO2 microspheres with high specific surface areas were synthesized by means of a facile one‐step microwave hydrothermal process without using any template. The mesoporous materials were rapidly achieved using TiCl4, urea and ammonium sulphate at comparatively low microwave power (400 W) for 8 min irradiation. The morphology and microstructure of the as‐prepared products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Structural characterization indicates that the TiO2 microspheres display mesoporous structure. The average pore sizes and BET surface areas of the spheres were 5.3 nm and 222 m2g−1, respectively. The mesoporous nanocrystals synthesized at 160 °C for 8 min were then used to prepare the photoanode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A high power conversion efficiency of 5.72% was achieved from the mesoporous TiO2 based photoanode, representing about 25.7% improvement over the efficiency of P25 photoanode.
An Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Method for Directly Converting Trityl and Benzyl Ethers to the Corresponding Acetates
Authors: Liu Ning‐ning , Yu Pan , Yuan Wei‐yuan , Zhang Qing‐shan , Wu Qin‐pei 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAcid sensitive benzyl and trityl ethers are frequently used as protecting groups to mask alcohols. They are also needed to be transformed into more stable ester groups toward acids in multistep synthesis. A mild and efficient one‐pot protocol for the selective transformation of benzyl and trityl ethers into their corresponding acetates was successfully developed. Several distinct advantages to this procedure include direct transformation, minimal generation of waste, a non‐aqueous workup and the recovery and recycling of the benzyl acetate and trityl alcohol by‐products, which were readily recovered in greater than 90% yields.
Dispersive Micro Solid‐phase Extraction Coupled with Ultrasound‐assisted Solvent Desorption for Determination of Synthetic Polycyclic and Nitro‐aromatic Musks in Aqueous Samples
Authors: Chung Wu‐Hsun , Tzing Shin‐Hwa , Huang Man‐Chun , Ding Wang‐Hsien 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn optimized method for the determination of five synthetic polycyclic: celestolide (ADBI), phantolide (AHMI), traseolide (ATII), galaxolide (HHCB), tonalide (AHTN), and two nitro‐aromatic musks: musk xylene (MX) and musk ketone (MK), in water samples is described. The method involves a dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction (D‐μ‐SPE) plus ultrasound‐assisted solvent desorption (UASD) prior to their determination by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) using the selected ion storage (SIS) mode. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the target analytes from water samples and ultrasound‐assisted solvent desorption were optimized by a Box‐Behnken design method. The optimal extraction conditions involved immersing 10.1 mg of a typical octadecyl (C18) bonded silica adsorbent (i.e., ENVI‐18) in a 50 mL water sample. After 10.4 min of extraction by vigorously shaking, the adsorbent was collected and dried on a filter, and the target musks were desorbed by ultrasound‐assisted for 38 sec with n‐hexane (200 μL) as the desorption solvent. A 10 μL aliquot was then directly determined by large‐volume injection GC‐MS. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 1.2 to 5 ng/L. The precision for these analytes, as indicated by relative standard deviations (RSDs), were less than 11% for both intra‐ and inter‐day analysis. Accuracy, expressed as the mean extraction recovery, was between 74% and 92%. A preliminary analysis of the effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTP) and river water samples revealed that HHCB and AHTN were the two most commonly detected synthetic musks; their concentration were determined to range from 88 to 690 ng/L for effluent samples, and 5 to 320 ng/L for river water samples. This is a simple, low cost, effective, and eco‐friendly analytical method.
Separation and Migration Behavior of Dichlorophenols in β‐Cyclodextrin‐Modified Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
Authors: Chen Chih‐Yu , Liu Yu‐Chih , Chien I‐Chin , Hsueh Chung‐Chuan , Lin Chen‐Hsing 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe separation and migration behavior of six isomeric dichlorophenols (DCPs) in cyclodextrin‐modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CD‐CZE) using a phosphate‐borate buffer at alkaline pH with β‐CD and hydroxypropyl‐β‐CD (HP‐β‐CD) as electrolyte modifiers were investigated. The influence of buffer pH and the concentration of β‐cyclodextrins were examined. The results indicate that baseline separation of six isomeric DCPs can be achieved with addition of β‐CD concentration in the range of 2.0‐10 mM or HP‐β‐CD concentration in the range of 4.0‐10 mM at pH 10.0. Binding constants of DCPs to β‐CDs were evaluated for a better understanding of the interaction of DCPs with β‐CDs.
Effect of Chinese Medicine Danshen and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine Bark of Arjuna Tree on a Relatively New LOCI Digoxin Assay for Application on the Vista 1500 Analyzer
Authors: Dasgupta Amitava , Sengupta Tamal K. , Johnson Myrtle 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundDanshen is a traditional Chinese medicine and bark of Arjuna tree is an Ayurvedic medicine both indicated as heart tonic. Interference of Danshen in serum digoxin immunoassays has been reported but potential interference of extract of bark of Arjuna tree has not been reported. We studied potential interferences of Danshen and bark of Arjuna tree on a relatively new LOCI digoxin assay for application on the Vista 1500 analyzer (Siemens Diagnostics).MethodsAliquots of drug‐free serum were supplemented with ethyl acetate extract of Danshen (two different brands studied) or aqueous or ethyl alcohol extract of bark of Arjuna tree and apparent digoxin concentrations were measured by the LOCI digoxin assay. In another experiment, aliquots of serum pool containing digoxin were further supplemented with Danshen or bark of Arjuna tree extract and digoxin concentrations were measured again using LOCI digoxin assay.ResultsLittle apparent digoxin concentration was observed when aliquots of drug‐free serum pools were supplemented with Danshen or bark of Arjuna tree extract. When aliquots of serum digoxin pool were further supplemented with these extract, we observed statistically significant negative interference but such differences may not be clinically significant.ConclusionWe conclude that LOCI digoxin assay is virtually free from interferences of Danshen and extract of bark of Arjuna tree.
Rainbow Numbers for Cycles in Plane Triangulations
Authors: Horňák Mirko , Jendrol′ Stanislav , Schiermeyer Ingo , Soták Roman 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn the article, the existence of rainbow cycles in edge colored plane triangulations is studied. It is shown that the minimum number of colors that force the existence of a rainbow C3 in any n‐vertex plane triangulation is equal to . For a lower bound and for an upper bound of the number is determined.
Inter‐annual variability of aerosols and its relationship with regional climate over Indian subcontinent
Authors: Sanap S. D. , Pandithurai G. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThe spatio‐temporal variability of aerosols over Indian subcontinent is mainly due to transported dust from adjacent deserts (Thar and Middle East deserts), local emission due to anthropogenic activities and prevailing meteorological conditions. On large scale, the quantification of transported and locally emitted aerosol from these regions is complicated. Here, we used empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to identify these regions and their variability by using 33 years of Total Ozone Monitoring Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite data. The maximum variability in aerosol is explained by first two EOF modes (70.31 and 20.57%) over Indian subcontinent. The major aerosol, i.e. transported dust from adjacent deserts confined to NW India and Pakistan, is observed in first leading mode, whereas biomass burning, industrial and dense populated region of southeast and eastern region of the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) are revealed in the second dominant mode. The EOF analysis is carried out specifically for the pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons over Indian subcontinent as maximum aerosol loading is observed during this period. The region of NW India, IGP, Pakistan and northern Arabian Sea explains maximum variability in both seasons. The first three leading modes and their relationship with different atmospheric and surface variables are carried out for pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons. This study explains the potential role of aerosols on reduction in cloudiness, increased shortwave at the ground, land‐surface tropospheric warming and its feedback to other related processes. This study strongly suggests that there is a need for further appropriate observational as well as modelling study on the role of semi‐direct aerosol effect over Indian subcontinent.
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of New Multifused Anthradithiophene‐Based Narrow‐Bandgap D–A Copolymers
Authors: Liu Qi‐Da , Peng Rui‐Xiang , Chen Shao‐Jie , Ai Ling , Wang She‐Yu , Liu Zhi‐Yang , Ge Zi‐Yi 
Published: May 2014

Three structurally novel donor–acceptor copolymers are synthesized and fully characterized using an anthradithiophene (ADT) derivative as the donor block. All of them exhibit broad absorption ranges and moderate hole and electron mobilities. The multifused ADT donor block makes them exhibit lower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels than many reported benzodithiophene‐based polymers. Copolymer blends with [6,6]‐phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as active layers are used to fabricate polymer solar cells (PSCs) and a variety of post‐treatment methods are employed to optimize the device performance. The conventional and inverted configuration devices are prepared to evaluate the photovoltaic properties. A maximum power conversion efficiency of 1.66% is achieved for the inverted‐configuration device. The improved efficiency is caused by the close energy alignment between the work function of MoO3 and the HOMO energy levels of the copolymers, facilitating better charge transport and increased short‐circuit current density (Jsc) with the inverted devices.
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Understanding the Chemical and Physical Transformations of a Ziegler–Natta Catalyst at the Initial Stage of Polymerization Kinetics: The Key Role of Alkylaluminum in the Catalyst Activation Process
Authors: Dwivedi Sumant , Taniike Toshiaki , Terano Minoru 
Published: May 2014

An improved stopped‐flow (SF) technique is employed to clarify the origin of kinetics in propylene polymerization with a Mg(OEt)2‐based Ziegler–Natta catalyst. Polymerization in the range of 0.1–5 s exhibits a kinetic transition from a linear development to a build‐up‐type development of the yield. It is found that a lower alkylaluminum concentration leads to a lower activity in the linear regime, whereas the extent of the activation becomes greater in the build‐up regime. The origin of these kinetic behaviors is studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for catalyst/polymer particles and cross‐fractionation analyses for polymer structures. It is found that the kinetic transition mainly arises from the fragmentation of the catalyst particles and resultant increase in the active site concentration. The fragmentation manner strongly depends on the alkylaluminum concentration, which affects not only the amount, but also the placement of initial polymer formation. The nature of the active sites varies as a result of an aging effect with alkylaluminum: their stereospecificity, propagation rate constant, and tolerance for chain transfer reaction increase as the polymerization progresses.
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Colloidal Interactions of Inorganic Nanoparticles Grafted with Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes and Gels by Surface‐Mediated Seeded Polymerization
Authors: An Soyoun , Choi Sang Koo , Cho Jang Woo , Kim Hyun Tae , Kim Jin Woong 
Published: May 2014

A robust and straightforward approach is introduced to synthesize inorganic nanoparticles chemically grafted with a zwitterionic poly(2‐methacryroyloxyethylphosphorylcholine) (PMPC) thin layers. The synthesis method is based on the surface‐mediated seeded polymerization. In order to observe how the polymer chain architectures affect colloidal interactions, the zinc oxide nanoparticles are grafted with linear brushes and with a thin hydrogel layer, respectively. The thickness of PMPC shell layers spans a few nanometers. The studies on suspension rheology for the nanoparticles show that the nanoparticles with PMPC brushes show the stronger repulsive force than those with the PMPC gel shell due to the entropic stabilization. When the shear force is applied to the Pickering emulsion produced by assembly of the nanoparticles, it is noticeable that the presence of PMPC brushes on the particles rather enhances the drop‐to‐drop attraction, which presumably stems from the entanglement of polymer chains between the contacted interfacial planes of the emulsion droplets during shearing.
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Comparison of DNA extraction kits and modification of DNA elution procedure for the quantitation of subdominant bacteria from piggery effluents with real‐time PCR
Authors: Desneux Jérémy , Pourcher Anne‐Marie 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFour commercial DNA extraction kits and a minor modification in the DNA elution procedure were evaluated for the quantitation of bacteria in pig manure samples. The PowerSoil®, PowerFecal®, NucleoSpin® Soil kits and QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini kit were tested on raw manure samples and on lagoon effluents for their ability to quantify total bacteria and a subdominant bacteria specific of pig manure contamination: Lactobacillus amylovorus. The NucleoSpin® Soil kit (NS kit), and to a lesser extent the PowerFecal® kit were the most efficient methods. Regardless of the kit utilized, the modified elution procedure increased DNA yield in the lagoon effluent by a factor of 1.4 to 1.8. When tested on 10 piggery effluent samples, compared to the QIAamp kit, the NS kit combined with the modified elution step, increased by a factor up to 1.7 log10 the values of the concentration of L. amylovorus. Regardless of the type of manure, the best DNA quality and the highest concentrations of bacteria were obtained using the NS kit combined with the modification of the elution procedure. The method recommended here significantly improved quantitation of subdominant bacteria in manure.
Post‐Traumatic Shoulder Movement Disorders: A Challenging Differential Diagnosis Between Organic and Functional
Authors: Pandey Sanjay , Nahab Fatta , Aldred Jason , Nutt John , Hallett Mark 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPeripheral trauma may be a trigger for the development of various movement disorders, though the pathophysiology remains controversial and some of these patients have a functional (psychogenic) disorder. We report on 3 cases of shoulder movement disorders subsequent to trauma to the shoulder region. Physiology was done in all the patients to extend the physical examination. Two patients had a history of recurrent shoulder dislocation and were diagnosed with Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome. One patient had shoulder injury after repeated falls while performing as a cheerleader. In 2 patients, there were some clinical features suggesting a functional etiology, but physiological studies in all 3 failed to produce objective evidence of a functional nature. Shoulder movement after trauma is uncommon. Diagnosis in such cases is challenging, considering the complex pathophysiology. The movements can be associated with prolonged pain and handicap, and once established, they appear resistant to treatment.
Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging detection of temporal lobes and hippocampal anomalies in hypochondroplasia
Authors: Cesaretti Claudia , Spaccini Luigina , Rustico Mariangela , Parazzini Cecilia , Doneda Chiara , Re Thomas J. , Righini Andrea 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTHypochondroplasia (HCH) is a genetic skeletal dysplasia, inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. About 50–70% of HCH patients have a mutation in FGFR3 gene and in the majority of cases it is a de novo mutation. Recent magnetic resonance imaging studies on relative large cohorts of HCH patients have showed a central nervous system involvement with a high incidence of characteristic temporal lobe and hippocampal abnormalities. To the best of our knowledge, this report shows the first magnetic resonance imaging prenatal detection of characteristic brain anomalies in a case of HCH, molecularly confirmed through postnatal FGFR3 analysis. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aging of ADN Rocket Propellant Formulations with Desmophen®‐Based Elastomer Binder
Authors: Cerri Sara , Bohn Manfred A. , Menke Klaus , Galfetti Luciano 
Published: May 2014

AbstractDesmophen® binder‐based rocket propellant formulations containing ammonium dinitramide (ADN) and different fuel filler types (Al, HMX) were manufactured and investigated. Desmophen® D2220 is a polyesterpolyol. Polyesters are seen as a binder possibility, because of the relatively low temperature of the glass transition region compared to polyether‐based prepolymers such as GAP. The analogous formulations with AP instead of ADN were also included for comparison. The aging was followed by SEM, DSC, and DMA measurements. The accelerated aging program was developed on the principle of thermal equivalent load and the generalized van’t Hoff rule with a scaling factor equal to F=2.9. The aging was performed in air (RH<10 %) at temperature values between 65 and 85 °C and aging times adjusted to a thermal equivalent load of 15 years at 25 °C. DMA measurements of the aged ADN/Desmophen®‐based propellants identified changes in the loss factor curve. In contrast to HTPB‐Al‐AP rocket propellant formulations, the loss factor curve of the ADN formulations with Desmophen®‐based elastomer binder shows only one main apparent peak. The loss factor curves were modeled with exponentially modified Gaussian functions, which have revealed the presence of a second hidden peak. It was found that the aging could be characterized by the time‐temperature dependence of the areas of the hidden peak. The area increased with aging, which is explained by scissioning of the polymer in the shell around the ADN particles. By this process the strength is reduced, which was recognized by the decrease in storage shear modulus.
srcSlice: very efficient and scalable forward static slicing
Authors: Alomari Hakam W. , Collard Michael L. , Maletic Jonathan I. , Alhindawi Nouh , Meqdadi Omar 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTA highly efficient lightweight forward static slicing approach is presented and evaluated. The approach does not compute the program/system dependence graph but instead dependence and control information is computed as needed while computing the slice on a variable. The result is a list of line numbers, dependent variables, aliases, and function calls that are part of the slice for all variables (both local and global) for the entire system. The method is implemented as a tool, called srcSlice, on top of srcML, an XML representation of source code. The approach is highly scalable and can generate the slices for all variables of the Linux kernel in approximately 20 min on a typical desktop. Benchmark results are compared with the CodeSurfer slicing tool from GrammaTech Inc., and the approach compares well with regard to accuracy of slices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential Pain Management: An Educational Program for Health Care Workers
Authors: Goucke C. Roger , Jackson Tracy , Morriss Wayne , Royle Jane 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundEducation for health care workers on pain‐related topics is not always readily available, and this is especially so in low and middle income countries (LMICs). The Essential Pain Management program (EPM) has been developed to offer a simple interactive educational opportunity for health care workers in LMICs.MethodsFollowing a needs analysis in Papua New Guinea, an 8 h educational program with the aims of improving pain knowledge and providing a simple pain management framework was developed. An evaluation of the program using the Kirkpatrick model is being used. The program has a “teach the teachers” component to encourage sustainability.ResultsThe program has been run in 30 countries, delivered to 1,600 participants, and 340 instructors have been trained. Feedback has been positive, pre post testing in 27 sites showed a mean pre score of 65.89 % rising to 75.23 % (n = 581 respondents). A subanalysis demonstrates doctors and nurses improving by similar degrees. When local instructors have delivered the program after attending the trainer’s session the participant test results were comparable to the results seen when the overseas instructors taught the course.DiscussionThe widespread adoption of the EPM program suggests there is a need for pain education in LMICs. The teach the teachers component of the program and the comparable results from their teaching should contribute to sustainability. Further support and mentoring using electronic systems such as Facebook, text messaging, and a website may also contribute to sustainability.
Mg-chelatase I subunit 1 and Mg-protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase affect the stomatal aperture in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tomiyama Masakazu , Inoue Shin-ichiro , Tsuzuki Tomo , Soda Midori , Morimoto Sayuri , Okigaki Yukiko , Ohishi Takaya , Mochizuki Nobuyoshi , Takahashi Koji , Kinoshita Toshinori 
Published: May 2014

AbstractTo elucidate the molecular mechanisms of stomatal opening and closure, we performed a genetic screen using infrared thermography to isolate stomatal aperture mutants. We identified a mutant designatedlow temperature with open-stomata 1(lost1), which exhibited reduced leaf temperature, wider stomatal aperture, and a pale green phenotype. Map-based analysis of theLOST1locus revealed that thelost1mutant resulted from a missense mutation in theMg-chelatase I subunit 1(CHLI1) gene, which encodes a subunit of the Mg-chelatase complex involved in chlorophyll synthesis. Transformation of the wild-typeCHLI1gene intolost1complemented alllost1phenotypes. Stomata inlost1exhibited a partial ABA-insensitive phenotype similar to that ofrtl1, aMg-chelatase H subunitmissense mutant. TheMg-protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase(CHLM) gene encodes a subsequent enzyme in the chlorophyll synthesis pathway. We examined stomatal movement in aCHLMknockdown mutant,chlm, and found that it also exhibited an ABA-insensitive phenotype. However,lost1andchlmseedlings all showed normal expression of ABA-induced genes, such asRAB18andRD29B, in response to ABA. These results suggest that the chlorophyll synthesis enzymes, Mg-chelatase complex and CHLM, specifically affect ABA signaling in the control of stomatal aperture and have no effect on ABA-induced gene expression.