bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrospinning of highly aligned and covalently cross‐linked hydrogel microfibers
Authors: Bassil Maria , AL Moussawel Judy , Ibrahim Michael , Azzi Georges , El Tahchi Mario 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTSmart polyelectrolyte hydrogels are increasingly studied toward the realization of soft microactuators. This study focuses on the fabrication of highly aligned and covalently cross‐linked polyacrylamide hydrogel microfibers by electrospinning technique following two‐stage polymerization. The engineering of the reaction timescale of the precursor, such that the material gels shortly after spinning, is described and the design of the electrospinning setup, to generate highly aligned fibers, is presented. In addition the effect of the operating parameters on the fibers average diameter is investigated. The generated fibers are 15 cm long with average diameter ranging between 100 nm and 1.10 μm. The fibers diameter is controlled by adjusting the thickener type and concentration in the precursor and the electrospinning processing parameters. Thinner fibers are generated at lower thickener molecular weights and concentrations as well at lower flow rate and higher voltage. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41092.
Preparation of Sodium carboxymethylcellulose/poly(methyl acrylate) IPN hydrogels and their application for adsorption
Authors: Qu Bing , Li Jun‐rong , Xiao Hui‐ning , He Bei‐hai , Qian Li‐ying 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSodium carboxymethylcellulose/poly(methyl acrylate) (NaCMC/PMA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared by fractional step in 40 wt % ethanol solution with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimeter were used to characterize the NaCMC/PMA IPN hydrogels and confirm the IPN structure as well. Simultaneously, adsorption of the obtained IPN hydrogels to methylene blue (MB) was also investigated. It was observed that the adsorption of MB onto the hydrogels was mainly dependent on the initial concentration of MB and the pH of the solution. Adsorption rate of MB was much higher in the first 9 h than that in the following period and saturated adsorption amount of MB was 2370 mg/g at the initial MB concentration of 100 mg/L. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of the IPN hydrogels at the neutral pH condition is much higher than those at acid or alkaline pH conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41101.
Anomalous impact strength for layered double hydroxide‐palmitate/poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanocomposites
Authors: Moyo Lumbidzani , Makhado Edwin , Sinha Ray Suprakas 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTInherent physical properties and commercial availability makes poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) very attractive as a potential substitute material for nondegradable polymers for commodity applications. However, a balance of toughness and stiffness is needed in order to transfer this potential into reality, particularly for short‐term packaging applications. In this context, layered double hydroxide modified with palmitic acid (LDH‐palmitate), was used as a nanoadditive to enhance the mechanical properties of PCL. Composites from PCL were prepared by melt‐blending with LDH‐palmitate loadings in the 1−10 wt % range. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were used to study the structure and morphology of the composites. The results showed homogeneous dispersion of clay particles in composites, but the degree of stacking of clay platelets was related to the LDH‐palmitate loadings. Charpy impact test measurements revealed an anomalous toughness improvement in the case of composite containing 5 wt % LDH‐palmitate, attributed to a combination of microcavitation and changes in crystallite sizes in the composite. The addition of LDH‐palmitate improved the water vapor barrier permeation of neat PCL film. In summary, LDH‐palmitate was shown to have potential as a nanoadditive to obtain tougher LDH‐PCL composite with improved barrier property. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41109.
Self‐assembled polymer nanocomposites and their networks
Authors: Patil Nitin , Kelsey Jarred , White Jeffery L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTSynthetic modifications to block‐copolymer structure‐directing agents lead to polymerizable macromers suitable for templating the growth of mesoporous silica particles, which can subsequently react in situ to form extended nanocomposites and nanocomposite networks. Suitably functionalized triblock polymers can preserve the structure‐directing capabilities of the triblock polymer for templating ordered mesoporous silica particle growth and also generate a reactive matrix for subsequent polymer network formation via the reactive end groups. The final self‐assembled products are polymer nanocomposites or novel crosslinked nanocomposite networks whose organic/inorganic composition ratios can vary systematically. The novel self‐assembly route described here should be generally applicable to the synthesis of intimately mixed nanocomposites and nanocomposite networks, starting from a wide variety of block polymeric template/macromer/ordered silica systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41111.
RMetS Special Interest Group Meeting: high resolution data assimilation
Authors: Browne P. A. , Charlton‐Perez C. , Dance S. L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractData assimilation (DA) systems are evolving to meet the demands of convection‐permitting models in the field of weather forecasting. On 19 April 2013 a special interest group meeting of the Royal Meteorological Society brought together UK researchers looking at different aspects of the data assimilation problem at high resolution, from theory to applications, and researchers creating our future high resolution observational networks. The meeting was chaired by Dr Sarah Dance of the University of Reading and Dr Cristina Charlton‐Perez from the MetOffice@Reading.The purpose of the meeting was to help define the current state of high resolution data assimilation in the UK. The workshop assembled three main types of scientists: observational network specialists, operational numerical weather prediction researchers and those developing the fundamental mathematical theory behind data assimilation and the underlying models. These three working areas are intrinsically linked; therefore, a holistic view must be taken when discussing the potential to make advances in high resolution data assimilation.
Efficient soybean regeneration and Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation using a whole cotyledonary node as an explant
Authors: Zhang Fuli , Chen Can , Ge Honglian , Liu Jinmei , Luo Yunling , Liu Kun , Chen Long , Xu Kedong , Zhang Yi , Tan Guangxuan , Li Chengwei 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAn optimized regeneration and Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation protocol based on whole cotyledonary node explants was developed in soybean (Glycine max) cultivar Zhong Huang 13. Adding 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP) in a germinating medium could significantly increase regeneration efficiency; the optimal BAP concentration for shoot formation was 0.5 mg/L. The concentrations of plant growth regulators in a shoot induction medium were optimized by the orthogonal test [L9(33)]. The best combination for shoot regeneration was a medium of Murashige & Skoog salts with B5 vitamins (MSB) supplemented with 3.5 mg/L BAP, 0.2 mg/L indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA), and 0.2 mg/L kinetin (KT). Under this favorable condition, one node could regenerate 28–30 shoots. Soybean whole cotyledonary nodes were transformed by inoculation with A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring a vector pBI121 containing a β‐glucuronidase gene (gus). GUS assay, polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blot analysis indicated that the gus gene was transformed into soybean plants with 23.1% transformation efficiency. Transgenic plants could be obtained within 5–6 weeks, which was about 4 weeks less than that of a traditional single cotyledonary node method.
A rapid and sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra method for the determination of quinolones in human urine and pharmaceutical preparation
Authors: Qiao Man , Wang Yaqiong , Liu Shaopu , Liu Zhongfang , Yang Jidong , Zhu Jinghui , Hu Xiaoli 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTA new method based on resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) was proposed for the determination of quinolones (QNS) at the nanogram level. In pH 3.3–4.4 Britton–Robinson buffer medium, quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, pipemidic acid (PIP), lomefloxacin (LOM), norfloxacin (NOR) and sarafloxacin (SAR) were protonated and reacted with methyl orange (MO) to form an ion‐pair complex, which then further formed a six‐membered ring chelate with Pd(II). As a result, new RRS spectra appeared and the RRS intensities were enhanced greatly. RRS spectral characteristics of the MO–QNS–Pd(II) systems, the optimum conditions for the reaction, and the influencing factors were investigated. Under optimum conditions, the scattering intensity (∆I) increments were directly proportional to the concentration of QNS with in certain ranges. The method had high sensitivity, and the detection limits (3σ) ranged from 6.8 to 12.6 ng/mL. The proposed method had been successfully applied for the determination of QNS in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples. In addition, the mechanism of the reaction system was discussed based on IR, absorption and fluorescence spectral studies. The reasons for the enhancement of scattering spectra were discussed in terms of fluorescence‐scattering resonance energy transfer, hydrophobicity and molecular size. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent advances in the understanding of biological implications and modulation methodologies of monoclonal antibody N‐linked high mannose glycans
Authors: Shi Helen H. , Goudar Chetan T. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTWith the prevalence of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the biopharmaceutical industry, the use of mammalian cell culture systems, particularly Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, has become the main method for the production of therapeutics. Despite their similarity to human cells, one major challenge of mammalian cell based biopharmaceutical production is controlling aberrant glycosylation, especially glycans with five to nine mannose residues—high mannose glycoforms. Glycosylation plays a critical role in determining the therapeutic profile of therapeutic glycoproteins; high mannose glycoforms in particular have been shown to have a significant impact on clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Thus, producing glycoform profiles with consistent levels of high mannose is necessary to reduce batch‐to‐batch therapeutic variability and to meet regulatory standards. Studies have shown that high mannose glycoforms can be modulated through the genetic engineering of cell lines, addition of inhibitors to key enzymes in the glycosylation pathways, and varying cell culture conditions. Focusing on these three types of techniques, this review will examine and critically assess current methods for high mannose glycosylation control and future developments in this area. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1907–1919. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cardiovascular risk in patients with small and medium abdominal aortic aneurysms, and no history of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Sohrabi S , Wheatcroft S , Barth J H , Bailey M A , Johnson A , Bridge K , Griffin K , Baxter P D , Scott D J A 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in people with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). There is little evidence that screening for AAA reduces all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the study was to assess whether subjects with a small or medium AAA (3·0–5·4 cm), without previous history of clinical CVD, had raised levels of CVD biomarkers or increased total mortality.MethodsThis prospective study included subjects with a small or medium AAA and controls, all without a history of clinical CVD. CVD biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP; heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, H-FABP) were measured, and survival was recorded.ResultsOf a total of 815 people, 476 with an AAA and 339 controls, a cohort of 86 with small or medium AAA (3–5·4 cm) and 158 controls, all with no clinical history of CVD, were identified. The groups were matched for age and sex. The AAA group had higher median (i.q.r.) levels of hs-CRP (2·8 (1·2–6·0) versus 1·3 (0·5–3·5) mg/l; P &lt; 0·001) and H-FABP (4·6 (3·5–6·0) versus 4·0 (3·3–5·1) µg/l; P = 0·011) than controls. Smoking was more common in the AAA group; however, hs-CRP and H-FABP levels were not related to smoking. Mean survival was lower in the AAA group: 6·3 (95 per cent confidence interval (c·i.) 5·6 to 6·9) years versus 8·0 (7·6 to 8·1) years in controls (P &lt; 0·001). Adjusted mortality was higher in the AAA group (hazard ratio 3·41, 95 per cent c·i. 2·11 to 9·19; P &lt; 0·001).ConclusionPeople with small or medium AAA and no clinical symptoms of CVD have higher levels of hs-CRP and H-FABP, and higher mortality compared with controls. They should continue to receive secondary prevention against CVD.
Kidney injury and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a routine clinical cohort
Authors: Schnabel Renate B. , Seiffert Moritz , Wilde Sandra , Schirmer Johannes , Koschyk Dietmar H. , Conradi Lenard , Ojeda Francisco , Baldus Stephan , Reichenspurner Hermann , Blankenberg Stefan , Treede Hendrik , Diemert Patrick 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesWe aimed at identifying predictors of renal impairment and its impact on long‐term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).BackgroundRenal impairment is common in mostly elderly, multimorbid patients undergoing TAVI. The risk of periprocedural renal function impairment and its association with outcome is incompletely understood.MethodsIn 458 consecutive patients (mean age, 80.6 ± 7.0 years, 52.2% women) who underwent routine TAVI procedures, we assessed estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline, during 72‐hr postprocedure and at discharge. Over a median follow‐up of 0.96 years, we observed 142 deaths. Results: In multivariable‐adjusted models, predictors of renal function deterioration within 72 hr were baseline eGFR (β = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76/0.91; P < 0.0001), body mass index (β = −1.20, 95% CI = 1.77/−0.62; P < 0.0001), and major access site complications (β = −14.82, 95% CI = −26.52/−3.11; P = 0.013) including bleeding (β = −11.97, 95% CI = −21.05/−2.89; P = 0.0099). Strongest renal function predictor of 1‐year mortality in risk factor adjusted analyses was the change of eGFR within 72 hr (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96/0.98; P < 0.0001). The addition of information on the change of eGFR increased the C‐statistic of the logistic EuroSCORE (P = 0.021).ConclusionsIn our routine TAVI sample, baseline eGFR, body mass index, and major access site complications mainly owing to bleeding were correlates of acute kidney injury after TAVI. Acute renal impairment was a risk factor for mortality and adverse cardiovascular events which provided risk information beyond the EuroSCORE. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeat coronary angiography with previously normal arteries: A futile exercise?
Authors: Rowe Rebecca , Parviz Yasir , Iqbal Javaid , Heppenstall James , Teare Dawn , Gunn Julian 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesUp to 20% of coronary angiograms reveal normal arteries. How long they stay normal is poorly understood. This study investigated the fate of normal coronary arteries and determined the rate of development of coronary artery disease.MethodsWe interrogated the angiographic archive of the South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre between 2004 and 2013 to identify patients with truly normal coronary arteries who underwent repeat coronary angiography more than 1 year later. Follow up angiograms were scored for the severity and extent of CAD (graded per segment as 0%, 1–50%, >50%). Risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease were documented. Univariate predictors of disease development were identified and entered into a logistic regression model to identify independent predictors.ResultsOut of over 25,000 angiographic procedures in the archives we found 6068 patients reported to have normal coronary arteries. Of these, 162 patients had also undergone subsequent repeat coronary angiography. Of these, 97 had truly normal (smooth) coronary arteries at baseline and had undergone repeat angiography >1 year later. At a median 51 months, 87 continued to have normal arteries, and all the remaining 10 had mild disease only (average 37% stenosis in an average 1.2 segments). No patients developed any significant (>50% stenosis) disease. Advanced age, time between angiograms, and smoking status were identified as independent predictors of development of CAD.ConclusionsTruly normal coronary arteries do not progress to significant disease within a time frame of 4 years. Repeat coronary angiography within that period is probably not indicated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrochemical Grignard Reagent Synthesis for Ionic‐Liquid‐Based Magnesium–Air Batteries
Authors: Luder Daniel , Ein‐Eli Yair 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMetal–organic compounds are widely used in the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical agents. On large scales, the chemical production of Grignard reagents (GRs) with ether solvents is difficult. The electrochemical synthesis of GRs in ionic‐liquid‐based electrolytes is reported herein. The electrochemical synthesis and presence of the GR product are demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by comparing the measured passing charge to the final GR concentration. Additionally, the high‐boiling ether tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether is shown to be a suitable substitute for volatile tetrahydrofuran ether, which is currently used. A mechanism for the electrochemical synthesis of the GR is suggested and discussed, and the potential importance of the process for high‐energy‐density applications is demonstrated with a magnesium–air cell. Electropolishing of the Mg anode is also observed and discussed.
Fluorescence of New o‐Carborane Compounds with Different Fluorophores: Can it be Tuned?
Authors: Ferrer‐Ugalde Albert , González‐Campo Arántzazu , Viñas Clara , Rodríguez‐Romero Jesús , Santillan Rosa , Farfán Norberto , Sillanpää Reijo , Sousa‐Pedrares Antonio , Núñez Rosario , Teixidor Francesc 
Published: June 2014

AbstractTwo sets of o‐carborane derivatives incorporating fluorene and anthracene fragments as fluorophore groups have been successfully synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical properties studied. The first set, comprising fluorene‐containing carboranes 6–9, was prepared by catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of ethynylfluorene with appropriate carboranylsilanes. The compound 1‐[(9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorene‐2‐yl)ethynyl]carborane (11) was synthesized by the reaction of 9,9‐dioctyl‐2‐ethynylfluorene and decaborane (B10H14). Furthermore, reactions of the lithium salt of 11 with 1 equivalent of 4‐(chloromethyl)styrene or 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene yielded compounds 12 and 13. Members of the second set of derivatives, comprising anthracene‐containing carboranes, were synthesized by reactions of monolithium or dilithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C2B10H11, 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C2B10H11, and 1,2‐C2B10H12 with 1 or 2 equivalents of 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene, respectively, to produce compounds 14–16. In addition, 2 equivalents of the monolithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C2B10H11 (Me‐o‐carborane) and 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C2B10H11 (Ph‐o‐carborane) were reacted with 9,10‐bis(chloromethyl)anthracene to produce compounds 17 and 18, respectively. Fluorene derivatives 6–9 exhibit moderate fluorescence quantum yields (32–44 %), whereas 11–13, in which the fluorophore is bonded to the Ccluster (Cc), show very low emission intensity (6 %) or complete fluorescence quenching. The anthracenyl derivatives containing the Me‐o‐carborane moiety exhibit notably high fluorescence emissions, with ϕF=82 and 94 %, whereas their Ph‐o‐carborane analogues are not fluorescent at all. For these compounds, we have observed a correlation between the CcCc bond length and the fluorescence intensity in CH2Cl2 solution, comparable to that observed for previously reported styrene‐containing carboranes. Thus, our hypothesis is that for systems of this type the fluorescence may be tuned and even predicted by changing the substituent on the adjacent Cc.
Photoionization and Pyrolysis of a 1,4‐Azaborinine: Retro‐Hydroboration in the Cation and Identification of Novel Organoboron Ring Systems
Authors: Holzmeier Fabian , Lang Melanie , Hemberger Patrick , Bodi Andras , Schäfer Marius , Dewhurst Rian D. , Braunschweig Holger , Fischer Ingo 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe photoionization and dissociative photoionization of 1,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐azaborinine by means of synchrotron radiation and threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy is reported. The ionization energy of the compound was determined to be 7.89 eV. Several low‐lying electronically excited states in the cation were identified. The various pathways for dissociative photoionization were modeled by statistical theory, and appearance energies AE0K were obtained. The loss of isobutene in a retro‐hydroboration reaction is the dominant pathway, which proceeds with a reverse barrier. Pyrolysis of the parent compound in a chemical reactor leads to the generation of several yet unobserved boron compounds. The ionization energies of the C4H6BN isomers 1,2‐ and 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐azaborinine and the C3H6BN isomer 1,2‐dihydro‐1,3‐azaborole were determined from threshold photoelectron spectra.
Gold‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Synthesis of Alkylidenecyclopropanes through Catalytic Allene Activation
Authors: Sabbatani Juliette , Huang Xueliang , Veiros Luís F. , Maulide Nuno 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA stereoselective gold(I)‐catalyzed intermolecular cyclopropanation of allenamides with stabilized sulfonium ylides is reported. This transformation enables the direct synthesis of diacceptor alkylidenecyclopropanes and proceeds under very mild conditions through allene activation.
Photoinduced Reduction of PtIV within an Anti‐Proliferative PtIV–Texaphyrin Conjugate
Authors: Thiabaud Grégory , Arambula Jonathan F. , Siddik Zahid H. , Sessler Jonathan L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Jonathan Sessler at The University of Texas at Austin and Zahid Siddik at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. The cover picture depicts a tumor‐targeting texaphyrin platinum(IV) conjugate that undergoes controlled reduction and subsequent release of the platinum moiety that can then bind DNA. This conjugate is found to inhibit cell proliferation in ovarian cancer cell lines. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201403094.