bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of bio‐based thermosetting resins from lactic acid and glycerol
Authors: Bakare Fatimat Oluwatoyin , Skrifvars Mikael , Åkesson Dan , Wang Yanfei , Afshar Shahrzad Javanshir , Esmaeili Nima 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTA bio‐based thermoset resin has been synthesized from glycerol reacted with lactic acid oligomers of three different chain lengths (n): 3, 7, and 10. Lactic acid was first reacted with glycerol by direct condensation and the resulting branched molecule was then end‐functionalized with methacrylic anhydride. The resins were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), by 13C‐NMR spectroscopy to confirm the chemical structure of the resin, and by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) to obtain the thermal properties. The resin flow viscosities were also measured using a rheometer with different stress levels for each temperature used, as this is an important characteristic of resins that are intended to be used as a matrix in composite applications. The resin with a chain length of three had better mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties than the resins with chain lengths of seven and 10. Also, its bio‐based content of 78% and glass transition temperature of 97°C makes this resin comparable to commercial unsaturated polyester resins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40488.
Water‐compatible imprinted polymers based on CS@SiO2 particles for selective recognition of naringin
Authors: Ma Xiuling , Zhang Zhangjing , Zheng Ying , Chen Zhen , Xiang Shengchang 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTMolecularly imprinted polymers are being proposed for the development of novel biorecognition elements for active components. In this study, an imprinted chitosan coated silica nanoparticles (I‐CS@SiO2) polymer was prepared by a simple procedure, in which, naringin (NG) with antioxidant activity, acted as a template, silica as a matrix and CS as a functional polymer. The binding properties were discussed by the equilibrium binding experiment method. Experiments show that the adsorption characteristics of I‐CS@SiO2 are better than that of nonimprinted polymer. It exhibited high selectivity for NG when compared with the nonimprinted polymer, with an imprinting factor α of 1.74. Scatchard analysis of the I‐CS@SiO2 indicated that there was a class of binding sites during the I‐CS@SiO2 recognizing NG: The dissociation constant of KD is 0.016 mmol L−1, the maximum apparent binding capacity of Bmax is 6.56 μmol g−1. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40491.
Exploring suitable traffic conditions for intermittent bus lanes
Authors: Qiu Feng , Li Wenquan , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xuechi , Xie Qiufeng 
Published: February 2014

SummaryAs one of the most promising bus priority techniques, the innovative intermittent bus lane (IBL) strategy has drawn more attention in the past few years. In this paper, some improvements on the operation of the IBL strategy are proposed, and two cellular automaton models for a roadway section with two lanes, one with no bus priority and the other with an intermittent bus lane, are built to study the characteristics of urban traffic flow. Computer simulations and analytical models are developed to conduct quantitative research on the influence of IBL on the traffic density distribution, traffic velocity, and traffic capacity of the roadway section. By comparing the average paces in the two cases, this paper proposes a methodology to determine suitable traffic conditions for the IBL strategy implementation. The results indicate that for the designed scenarios, the IBL strategy is effective only when the traffic density is in the range of 25 to 74 pcu/km, which suggests that level of service C is the inflection point for implementing the IBL strategy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐throughput biosensor discriminates between different algal H2‐photoproducing strains
Authors: Wecker Matt S.A. , Ghirardi Maria L. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTA number of species of microalgae and cyanobacteria photosynthetically produce H2 gas by coupling water oxidation with the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen, generating renewable energy from sunlight and water. Photosynthetic H2 production, however, is transitory, and there is considerable interest in increasing and extending it for commercial applications. Here we report a Petri‐plate version of our previous, microplate‐based assay that detects photosynthetic H2 production by algae. The assay consists of an agar overlay of H2‐sensing Rhodobacter capsulatus bacteria carrying a green fluorescent protein that responds to H2 produced by single algal colonies in the bottom agar layer. The assay distinguishes between algal strains that photoproduce H2 at different levels under high light intensities, and it does so in a simple, inexpensive, and high‐throughput manner. The assay will be useful for screening both natural populations and mutant libraries for strains having increased H2 production, and useful for identifying various genetic factors that physiologically or genetically alter algal hydrogen production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1332–1340. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Manufacturing of bioreactive nanofibers for bioremediation
Authors: Tong Ho‐Wang , Mutlu Baris R. , Wackett Lawrence P. , Aksan Alptekin 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTRecombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells were successfully encapsulated in reactive membranes comprised of electrospun nanofibers that have biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based cores entrapping the E. coli and silica‐based, mechanically sturdy porous shells. The reactive membranes were produced in a continuous fashion using a coaxial electrospinning system coupled to a microfluidic timer that mixed and regulated the reaction time of the silica precursor and the PVA solution streams. A factorial design method was employed to investigate the effects of the three critical design parameters of the system (the flow rate of the core solution, protrusion of the core needle, and the viscosity of the core solution) and to optimize these parameters for reproducibly and continuously producing high‐quality core/shell nanofibers. The feasibility of using the reactive membranes manufactured in this fashion for bioremediation of atrazine, a herbicide, was also investigated. The atrazine degradation rate (0.24 µmol/g of E. coli/min) of the encapsulated E. coli cells expressing the atrazine‐dechlorinating enzyme AtzA was measured to be relatively close to that measured with the free cells in solution (0.64 µmol/g of E. coli/min). We show here that the low cost, high flexibility, water insolubility, and high degradation efficiency of the bioreactive membranes manufactured with electrospinning makes it feasible for their wide‐spread use in industrial scale bioremediation of contaminated waters. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1483–1493. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of liquid overlay technique to formulate heterogenic 3D co‐cultures models
Authors: Costa Elisabete C. , Gaspar Vítor M. , Coutinho Paula , Correia Ilídio J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThree‐dimensional (3D) cell culture models of solid tumors are currently having a tremendous impact in the in vitro screening of candidate anti‐tumoral therapies. These 3D models provide more reliable results than those provided by standard 2D in vitro cell cultures. However, 3D manufacturing techniques need to be further optimized in order to increase the robustness of these models and provide data that can be properly correlated with the in vivo situation. Therefore, in the present study the parameters used for producing multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) by liquid overlay technique (LOT) were optimized in order to produce heterogeneous cellular agglomerates comprised of cancer cells and stromal cells, during long periods. Spheroids were produced under highly controlled conditions, namely: (i) agarose coatings; (ii) horizontal stirring, and (iii) a known initial cell number. The simultaneous optimization of these parameters promoted the assembly of 3D characteristic cellular organization similar to that found in the in vivo solid tumors. Such improvements in the LOT technique promoted the assembly of highly reproducible, individual 3D spheroids, with a low cost of production and that can be used for future in vitro drug screening assays. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1672–1685. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HPLC‐fluorescence determination of thiol compounds in the serum of human male and female subjects using HILIC‐mode column
Authors: Kono Yumiko , Iizuka Hideaki , Isokawa Muneki , Tsunoda Makoto , Ichiba Hideaki , Sadamoto Kiyomi , Fukushima Takeshi 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTHigh‐performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection using a hydrophilic interaction chromatography‐mode column (ZIC®‐HILIC) was used to determine four kinds of thiol compounds in human serum. Sera were obtained from 34 subjects for this study (17 male subjects aged 22–38 years and 17 female subjects aged 18–38 years). Serum cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione, and γ‐glutamylcysteine, derivatized with ammonium 7‐fluoro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole‐4‐sulfonate, were separated on the ZIC®‐HILIC column and quantified. The serum concentrations of cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and γ‐glutamylcysteine were 226 ± 4.7, 23.4 ± 1.3, 3.7 ± 0.2 and 3.2 ± 0.1 μm, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of serum thiol compounds from male subjects were significantly higher than those of the female subjects (p < 0.05). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tri‐cobalt Carboxylate as a Catalyst and Catalyst Precursor in the Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Fischer N. , van Steen E. , Claeys M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn recent years, several groups have invested significant research capacity to investigate the effect of the metal crystallite size on the various primary and secondary reactions taking place during the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Most publications agree that with decreasing crystallite size (dcryst<10 nm) the surface‐specific CO hydrogenation activity (turnover frequency) decreases. In parallel, an increased selectivity to the undesired methane was observed. In the present study we combined and extended previously published data on alumina‐supported cobalt nanocrystallites with observations on an alumina‐supported cobalt carbonyl complex ((CO)9Co3CCOOH) and its decomposition products under Fischer–Tropsch reaction conditions. We could show that with an increased degree of sintering of the complex, that is, a larger cobalt crystallite size, the turnover frequency increased and the tendency to form methane decreased. The results connect seamlessly with those obtained for the nanocrystallites suggesting that the catalyst performance features extend into the sub‐2 nm range.
A New Application of Acetate‐Based Ionic Liquids: Potential Usage as Drying Materials
Authors: Chen Yu , Cao Yuanyuan , Mu Tiancheng 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAcetate‐based ionic liquids (AcILs) are green and designable solvents applied in many fields. However, AcILs are found to be highly hygroscopic. On the one hand, the high hygroscopicity of AcILs influences their properties and structures. On the other hand, this hygroscopic property renders AcILs, and especially [EMIM][Ac], potentially useful as drying materials, a new application of AcILs proposed in this paper. These two traits could be interconnected, interdependent, and interconvertible, which implies that a shortcoming of AcILs, i.e., their hygroscopicity, leading to changes in their physical properties, could be turned into a useful feature, e.g., the potential usage as drying material, if it is dealt with properly.
Mini Liquid‐Liquid Extractor without Moving Parts Based on the Coanda Effect
Authors: Wang Jiao , Xu Cong 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA mini liquid‐liquid extractor was designed based on a feedback fluidic oscillator. According to the Coanda effect, the designed oscillator with two feedback channels enables good mixing of the aqueous and organic phases. Co‐current liquid‐liquid extraction was performed in the mini extractor, and it was visually observed that the aqueous phase was dispersed into small droplets because of fluidic oscillation and vortex formation. The aqueous phase was more effectively dispersed at the stage near the outlet and with increasing flow. Several tests were performed for evaluating the extraction performance of the extractor using 30 % tributyl phosphate‐kerosene and 3 M HNO3 solutions as the organic and aqueous phases, respectively. The obtained extraction efficiency was close to the equilibrium efficiency, indicating that this extractor has the potential for liquid‐liquid extraction of hazardous liquids.
Graphene Defects as Active Catalytic Sites that are Superior to Platinum Catalysts in Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction
Authors: Kamiya Kazuhide , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Nakanishi Shuji 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report that graphene defects serve as active catalytic sites for the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NRR). A defective graphene (without foreign elements) electrode exhibits an onset potential of 0.95 V versus Ag/AgCl for the electrochemical NRR in 5 MHNO3, which is 200 mV more positive than that exhibited by a platinum electrode. In addition, although the cathodic current of the platinum electrode during nitrate reduction decreases by 70 % upon the addition of 100 mMmethanol, the graphene electrode does not show any poisoning effects. The NRR on the graphene electrode shows autocatalytic behavior, including an induction period prior to the onset of the cathodic current. Moreover, the reduction reaction is accelerated by the addition of nitrite ions, and this indicates that nitrite is a key intermediate species in the autocatalytic mechanism. Density functional theory calculations reveal that a nitrosonium ion, which is an essential electrochemically active intermediate for the NRR, can strongly adsorb on the defect sites of a graphene sheet with electronic interaction, which indicates that the defect site can act as the active center for the NRR.
Wetting Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Dresel Alexander , Teipel Ulrich 
Published: February 2014

AbstractKohlenstoffnanoröhren (CNTs) sind Partikel mit grafitartig strukturierten Hüllen und nanoskaligen Durchmessern. Die Partikel/Fluid‐Interaktionen der CNTs sind wichtige Produkteigenschaften, da sie oft in niedrigviskosen Fluiden dispergiert werden. Die Charakterisierung der Benetzungseigenschaften von dispersen Systemen ist jedoch häufig problematisch, da direkte Methoden zur Kontaktwinkelbestimmung kaum angewendet werden können. Hier werden Untersuchungen zum Benetzungsverhalten nicht‐modifizierter und funktionalisierter, mehrwandiger CNT‐Materialien mit der Sorptionsmethode nach Washburn vorgestellt.
Central projections of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the macaque monkey
Authors: Hannibal J. , Kankipati L. , Strang C.E. , Peterson B.B. , Dacey D. , Gamlin P.D. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTCircadian rhythms generated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are entrained to the environmental light/dark cycle via intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) expressing the photopigment melanopsin and the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP). The ipRGCs regulate other nonimage‐forming visual functions such as the pupillary light reflex, masking behavior, and light‐induced melatonin suppression. To evaluate whether PACAP‐immunoreactive retinal projections are useful as a marker for central projection of ipRGCs in the monkey brain, we characterized the occurrence of PACAP in melanopsin‐expressing ipRGCs and in the retinal target areas in the brain visualized by the anterograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (CtB) in combination with PACAP staining. In the retina, PACAP and melanopsin were found to be costored in 99% of melanopsin‐expressing cells characterized as inner and outer stratifying melanopsin RGCs. Two macaque monkeys were anesthetized and received a unilateral intravitreal injection of CtB. Bilateral retinal projections containing colocalized CtB and PACAP immunostaining were identified in the SCN, the lateral geniculate complex including the pregeniculate nucleus, the pretectal olivary nucleus, the nucleus of the optic tract, the brachium of the superior colliculus, and the superior colliculus. In conclusion, PACAP‐immunoreactive projections with colocalized CtB represent retinal projections of ipRGCs in the macaque monkey, supporting previous retrograde tracer studies demonstrating that melanopsin‐containing retinal projections reach areas in the primate brain involved in both image‐ and nonimage‐forming visual processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:2231–2248, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metallaboranes from Metal Carbonyl Compounds and Their Utilization as Catalysts for Alkyne Cyclotrimerization
Authors: Anju V. P. , Barik Subrat Kumar , Mondal Bijnaneswar , Ramkumar V. , Ghosh Sundargopal 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe photolysis of [M2(CO)10] (M=Re or Mn) with BH3⋅thf at room temperature yields arachno‐1 and 2, [(CO)8M2B2H6] (1: M=Re, 2: M=Mn). Both the compounds show a butterfly structure with seven skeletal electron pairs and 42 valence electrons. This result presents a new method for general access to low‐boron‐content metal–boron compounds without the cyclopentadienyl ligand at the metal centers. This new synthetic route is superior to the existing procedures because it avoids the use of [LiBH4] and metal polychlorides, for which the synthesis is very tedious. Compound 1 catalyzes the cyclotrimerization of a series of internal and terminal alkynes to yield mixtures of 1,3,5‐ and 1,2,4‐substituted benzenes. The reactivity of 1 with alkynes demonstrates for the first time that the introduction of the [B2H6] moiety into the [Re2(CO)10] framework significantly enhances the catalytic activity. Note that [Re2(CO)10] catalyzes the same set of alkynes under harsh conditions over a prolonged period of time. Quantum‐chemical calculations using DFT methods are applied to afford further insight into the electronic structure, stability, and bonding of 1 and 2. All the compounds are characterized by IR and 1H, 11B, and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and the geometry of 1 is established unambiguously through crystallographic analysis.
Revisiting Chronic Pain Patient Profiling: An Acceptance‐based Approach in an Online Sample
Authors: Payne‐Murphy Jessica C. , Beacham Abbie O. 
Published: February 2014

Over 116 million Americans experience chronic pain, incurring an annual cost of $635bn in healthcare and lost work. Acceptance‐based therapies have gained increasing recognition for improving functional outcomes. In our online chronic pain sample, we predicted that (1) patients would cluster into low, medium and high groups of chronic pain acceptance and (2) positive affect, negative affect and perceived disability scores would differ overall by cluster, with the most positive outcomes found in the high cluster and the least found in the low cluster. Participants completed the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Scales and the Pain Disability Index. A k‐means cluster analysis was conducted using activity engagement (AE) and pain willingness (PW) totals from the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire. As predicted, cluster analysis specified three groups: low AE/low PW, high AE/high PW and medium AE/medium PW. Significant multivariate analysis of covariance results were obtained according to Wilks' λ (0.55), F(6,266) = 15.39, p < 0.01, and indicated differences in positive affect, negative affect and perceived disability within each cluster. Follow‐up analyses of covariance revealed mean differences in the predicted directions: the high‐high group showed the most positive affect and the least negative affect and perceived disability. Conversely, the low‐low group displayed the least positive affect (M = 20.28, SD = 7.86), the most negative affect (M = 28.05, SD = 9.33) and perceived disability (M = 49.57, SD = 9.46). The presence of these clusters introduces key questions about the possibility of creating tailored interventions based on cluster profiles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message

Higher levels of Acceptance are associated with better functional and affective outcomes for chronic pain patients.
Lower Acceptance is associated with poorer functional and affective outcomes.
Tailoring interventions using Acceptance‐based profiling may improve chronic pain therapies.
Ageing is a risk factor in imatinib mesylate cardiotoxicity
Authors: Maharsy Wael , Aries Anne , Mansour Omar , Komati Hiba , Nemer Mona 
Published: February 2014

AimsChemotherapy‐induced heart failure is increasingly recognized as a major clinical challenge. Cardiotoxicity of imatinib mesylate, a highly selective and effective anticancer drug belonging to the new class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, is being reported in patients, some progressing to congestive heart failure. This represents an unanticipated challenge that could limit effective drug use. Understanding the mechanisms and risk factors of imatinib mesylate cardiotoxicity is crucial for prevention of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients.Methods and resultsWe used genetically engineered mice and primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes to analyse the action of imatinib on the heart. We found that treatment with imatinib (200 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks) leads to mitochondrial‐dependent myocyte loss and cardiac dysfunction, as confirmed by electron microscopy, RNA analysis, and echocardiography. Imatinib cardiotoxicity was more severe in older mice, in part due to an age‐dependent increase in oxidative stress. Mechanistically, depletion of the transcription factor GATA4 resulting in decreased levels of its prosurvival targets Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL was an underlying cause of imatinib toxicity. Consistent with this, GATA4 haploinsufficient mice were more susceptible to imatinib, and myocyte‐specific up‐regulation of GATA4 or Bcl‐2 protected against drug‐induced cardiotoxicity.ConclusionThe results indicate that imatinib action on the heart targets cardiomyocytes and involves mitochondrial impairment and cell death that can be further aggravated by oxidative stress. This in turn offers a possible explanation for the current conflicting data regarding imatinib cardiotoxicity in cancer patients and suggests that cardiac monitoring of older patients receiving imatinib therapy may be especially warranted.
Preparation of Ag‐Modified (B,P)‐Codoped TiO2 Hollow Spheres with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Yu Shuohan , Li Bin , Luo Yidan , Dong Lihui , Fan Minguang , Zhang Feiyue 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA series of TiO2 hollow sphere catalysts with or without nonmetal (B,P) dopants and Ag‐modification were prepared through a sol–gel process with styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymer (PSMMA) microspheres as the template. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/Vis DRS), and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB). Both B and P dopants could narrow the band gap of the TiO2 catalyst, and the loaded Ag only played the role of photoelectron transmitter. The two effects of the nonmetal dopants and the loaded Ag improved the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 hollow spheres. Moreover, the hollow sphere structure and oxygen vacancies were beneficial to photocatalysis. Among all the catalysts prepared, Ag‐modified (B,P)‐codoped TiO2 hollow spheres exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity.