bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The unique morphology role of thorn surface in determining electrochemical performance of polyaniline nano‐fibers via one‐step method
Authors: Wang Hai‐yan , Li Lan , Zhang Long , Ran Fen 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTPolyaniline nano‐fibers with thorn surface morphology (T‐PANI) were synthesized by one‐step polymerization with adding additional aniline at later stage of chemical oxidation synthesis. In order to investigate the morphology role in determining electrochemical performance, the nano‐fibers PANI without thorn (PANI) was synthesized by the same polymerization process but at different time to add additional aniline. Material structures were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller method, and electrochemical performance was tested through cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge‐discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The data showed that the specific capacitance of T‐PANI was 443 F g−1 at 5 mA cm−2, which was much more than that of PANI (338 F g−1 at 5 mA cm−2). The solution resistance, charge transfer resistance, and diffuse resistance of T‐PANI were also lower than these of PANI. The results indicate that the thorn surface structure plays an important role in determining the electrochemical performance of polyaniline, which attribute to the improvements in pore size, pore distribution, special surface area, and conductivity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42266.
Interaction of dendronized polymeric nanocomposites with isomeric cyclohexanediols
Authors: Alvarado Nancy , Fuentes Irma , Alegría Luz , Leiva Angel , Kortaberría Galder , Eceiza María Arantxa , Gargallo Ligia , Radić Deodato 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTDendronized poly(diethylaminoethyl methacrylamide) (PEAM) was studied in blends containing isomeric cyclic dialcohols. Monomers and polymers were characterized by spectroscopic measurements. The phase behaviors of blends of PEAM with 1,2‐, 1,3‐ and 1,4‐cyclohexanediols (1,2‐CHD, 1,3‐CHD and 1,4‐CHD, respectively) were established. Transparent films of the blends exhibited a single glass‐transition temperature (Tg). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed the temperature at which the polymer releases the small molecules. UV‐vis spectra of 1,3‐CHD and 1,4‐CHD derivatives showed an isosbestic point that indicated the association of the alcohols. FT‐IR measurements showed shifts in several absorption bands. The results were analyzed in terms of the side‐chain structure and the interactions involved. AFM measurements revealed differences between the polymer and the blends. Compatibilization of blends of PEAM/CHDs occurred via the formation of hydrogen bonds, although hydrophobic interactions could not be disregarded. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42267.
Study of the Function of G‐Rich Aptamers Selected for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hu Jun , Zhao Zilong , Liu Qiaoling , Ye Mao , Hu Bingqiang , Wang Jing , Tan Weihong 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGuanine (G)‐rich oligonucleotides have attracted considerable interest as therapeutic agents. Two G‐rich aptamers were selected against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐transfected A549 cells, and their G‐rich domains (S13 and S50) were identified to account for the binding of parental aptamers. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra showed that S13 and S50 bound to their targets by forming parallel quadruplexes. Their binding, internalization, and antiproliferation activity in cancer and noncancer cells were investigated by flow cytometry and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium(MTS) assay, and compared with those of nucleolin‐binding AS1411 and thrombin‐binding aptamer. The two truncated aptamers (S13 and S50) have good binding and internalization in cancer cells and noncancer cells; however, only S50, similar to AS1411, shows potent antiproliferation against cancer cells. Our data suggest that tumor‐selective antiproliferation of G‐rich oligonucleotides does not directly depend on the binding of the G‐rich aptamer to cells.
Improving protein production of indigenous microalga Chlorella vulgaris FSP‐E by photobioreactor design and cultivation strategies
Authors: Chen Chun‐Yen , Lee Po‐Jen , Tan Chung Hong , Lo Yung‐Chung , Huang Chieh‐Chen , Show Pau Loke , Lin Chih‐Hung , Chang Jo‐Shu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFish meal is currently the major protein source for commercial aquaculture feed. Due to its unstable supply and increasing price, fish meal is becoming more expensive and its availability is expected to face significant challenges in the near future. Therefore, feasible alternatives to fish meal are urgently required. Microalgae have been recognized as the most promising candidates to replace fish meal because the protein composition of microalgae is similar to fish meal and the supply of microalgae‐based proteins is sustainable. In this study, an indigenous microalga (Chlorella vulgaris FSP‐E) with high protein content was selected, and its feasibility as an aquaculture protein source was explored. An innovative photobioreactor (PBR) utilizing cold cathode fluorescent lamps as an internal light source was designed to cultivate the FSP‐E strain for protein production. This PBR could achieve a maximum biomass and protein productivity of 699 and 365 mg/L/day, respectively, under an optimum urea and iron concentration of 12.4 mM and 90 μM, respectively. In addition, amino acid analysis of the microalgal protein showed that up to 70% of the proteins in this microalgal strain consist of indispensable amino acids. Thus, C. vulgaris FSP‐E appears to be a viable alternative protein source for the aquaculture industry.
Conserved lamin A protein expression in differentiated cells in the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae
Authors: Kalidas Ramamoorthy M. , Raja Subramanian Elaiya , Mydeen Sheik Abdul Kader Nagoor Meeran , Samuel Selvan Christyraj Johnson Retnaraj , Durairaj Selvan Christyraj Jackson , Nino Gopi D. , Palanichelvam Karuppaiah , Vaithi Arumugaswami , Sudhakar Sivasubramaniam 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLamin A is an intermediate filament protein found in most of the differentiated vertebrate cells but absent in stem cells. It shapes the skeletal frame structure beneath the inner nuclear membrane of the cell nucleus. As there are few studies of the expression of lamin A in invertebrates, in the present work, we have analyzed the sequence, immunochemical conservation and expression pattern of lamin A protein in the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae, a model organism for tissue regeneration. The expression of lamin A has been confirmed in E. eugeniae by immunoblot. Its localization in the nuclear membrane has been observed by immunohistochemistry using two different rabbit anti‐sera raised against human lamin A peptides, which are located at the C‐terminus of the lamin A protein. These two antibodies detected 70 kDa lamin A protein in mice and a single 65 kDa protein in the earthworm. The Oct‐4 positive undifferentiated blastemal tissues of regenerating earthworm do not express lamin A, while the Oct‐4 negative differentiated cells express lamin A. This pattern was also confirmed in the earthworm prostate gland. The present study is the first evidence for the immunochemical identification of lamin A and Oct‐4 in the earthworm. Along with the partial sequence obtained from the earthworm genome, the present results suggest that lamin A protein and its expression pattern is conserved from the earthworm to humans.
Ligninver“wert”ung
Authors: Jaenicke Lothar 
Published: April 2015

AbstractÜber ein Viertel des organisch gebundenen Kohlenstoffs auf Erden besteht aus dem äußerst inerten, aber zugleich biotechnisch attraktiven Biopolymer Lignin. Es ist der ökonomisch fast unverwertbare Anteil der Lignobiozellulose‐Biomasse (Zellulose, Hemizellulosen, Lignin), aus der die verholzte Stützsubstanz der Bäume und der dauerhafteren Kräuter besteht. Obwohl Lignin die wichtigste Quelle aromatischer chemischer Stoffe sein könnte, wird es wegen seiner innewohnenden chemisch‐technischen und biologischen Unangreifbarkeit kaum zu brauchbaren Grund‐ und Wertstoffen rezyklisiert, sondern in der Holz‐ und Papierindustrie einfach als Abfall und Energiequelle verfeuert. Es wäre vernünftiger, gezielten Gebrauch von diesem komplexen und innerlich werthaltigen Naturstoff mit seinen aromatischen Bausteinen zu machen. Erfindungsreiche sind also aufgerufen, Zukunftsträchtigeres damit anzufangen und mühen sich.
Expert Insight into the Assessment of Competence in Cognitive–Behavioural Therapy: A Qualitative Exploration of Experts' Experiences, Opinions and Recommendations
Authors: Muse Kate , McManus Freda 
Published: April 2015

To offer insight into how cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) competence is defined, measured and evaluated and to highlight ways in which the assessment of CBT competence could be further improved, the current study utilizes a qualitative methodology to examine CBT experts' (N = 19) experiences of conceptualizing and assessing the competence of CBT therapists. Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore participants' experiences of assessing the competence of CBT therapists. Interview transcripts were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis in order to identify commonalities and differences in the way CBT competence is evaluated. Four superordinate themes were identified: (i) what to assess, the complex and fuzzy concept of CBT competence; (ii) how to assess CBT competence, selecting from the toolbox of assessment methods; (iii) who is best placed to assess CBT competence, expertise and independence; and (iv) pitfalls, identifying and overcoming assessment biases. Priorities for future research and ways in which the assessment of CBT competence could be further improved are discussed in light of these findings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message:

A qualitative exploration of experts' experiences, opinions and recommendations for assessing the competence of CBT therapists.
Semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Themes identified shed light on (i) what to assess; (ii) how to assess; (iii) who is best placed to assess; and (iv) common pitfalls.
Priorities for future research and ways in which the assessment of CBT competence could be further improved are discussed in light of these findings.
An eigen‐select denoising threshold for channel estimation in OFDM systems
Authors: Sure Pallaviram , Bhuma Chandra Mohan 
Published: April 2015

SummaryIn reliable orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems, channel estimator (CE) plays a crucial role. A pilot‐aided orthogonal frequency division multiplexing CE often employs denoising thresholds to identify significant and noisy channel impulse response taps. When the knowledge of channel statistics (KCS) is completely unavailable, the existing suboptimal thresholds require consistent estimation of one or more KCS parameters. In this paper, the effect of noise variance parameter estimation on CE's mean square error (MSE) performance is characterized analytically by computing threshold's tap‐detection probability. To mitigate MSE degradation due to KCS estimation, an eigen‐select threshold, which does not require any KCS estimation, is proposed. It utilizes eigen values of the auto‐covariance matrix formed by estimated channel impulse response. The proposed threshold is compared with existing state‐of‐art alternatives, for CE's MSE performance and system's BER performance, in correlated Rayleigh fading channel environments. Results reveal that, with the proposed threshold, performance plots converge to optimal solution more closely than the others. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary mRNA levels of ELR‐negative CXC chemokine ligand and extracellular matrix in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Wang Gang , Lai Fernand Mac‐Moune , Chow Kai‐Ming , Kwan Bonnie Ching‐Ha , Pang Wing‐Fai , Luk Cathy Choi‐Wan , Leung Chi‐Bon , Li Philip Kam‐Tao , Szeto Cheuk‐Chun 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundInflammation and fibrosis play important roles in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We determine the urinary mRNA levels of ELR‐CXC chemokine ligand and extracellular matrix in diabetic nephropathy.MethodsWe studied 26 patients with biopsy‐proven diabetic nephropathy, 15 with hypertensive nephrosclerosis and 10 healthy controls. Urinary mRNA levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, collagen I A1 chain, collagen IV A3 chain and fibronectin were measured. Patients were followed for 36.9 ± 7.4 months to determine the rate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline.ResultsUrinary mRNA levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 are decreased, and those of collagen I A1 chain and fibronectin are increased in diabetic nephropathy. Baseline estimated GFR correlates with urinary mRNA level of CXCL9 (r = 0.583, p = 0.002) and CXCL11 (r = 0.703, p < 0.0001), respectively. The rate of GFR decline significantly correlates with urinary CXCL9 (r = −0.618, p = 0.0008) and CXCL11 mRNA levels (r = −0.726, p < 0.0001). Multivariate linear regression analysis confirms that urinary CXCL9 mRNA level is independently associated with the rate of GFR decline, while the correlation with urinary CXCL11 mRNA level has borderline significance.ConclusionUrinary CXCL9 and CXCL11 mRNA levels correlate with baseline renal function. The rate of renal function decline correlates with urinary CXCL9 mRNA level. Our results suggest that urinary CXCL9 mRNA levels may be used for risk stratification of diabetic nephropathy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining associations between negative urgency and key components of objective binge episodes
Authors: Racine Sarah E. , Burt S. Alexandra , Keel Pamela K. , Sisk Cheryl L. , Neale Michael C. , Boker Steven , Klump Kelly L. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveNegative urgency (NU; tendency to act impulsively when experiencing negative emotions) is a risk factor for binge eating, although few studies have examined interviewer‐assessed objective binge episodes (OBEs). Moreover, research has not investigated how NU relates to the core components of OBEs: loss of control (LOC) eating and objective overeating (OO). Understanding the relationship between NU and these core components will enhance etiologic models of eating disorder development. Thus, the current study examined the associations between NU, OBEs, and the components of OBEs by comparing levels of NU in women with OBEs, LOC eating only, and OO only to women with no pathological eating.MethodParticipants were 612 women who endorsed lifetime OBEs (5.4%), LOC eating outside of OBEs (5.7%), OO only (2.8%), or none of these eating episodes (85.9%).ResultsWomen with OBEs, LOC only, and OO only had significantly higher levels of NU than women without these episodes, suggesting that NU is associated with both the LOC and OO components of OBEs.DiscussionNU relates to the spectrum of pathology present in women with OBEs. Future research should examine the mechanisms underlying these associations, including impaired behavioral/psychological control and/or increased reward sensitivity in response to negative affect. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:527–531).
The Synthesis of Chiral Benzothiazine and Thiazinoquinoline Derivatives
Authors: Wang Long , Priebbenow Daniel L. , Chen Xiao Yun , Pan Fang‐Fang , Bolm Carsten 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe syntheses of a series of enantiopure conformationally restricted benzothiazine and thiazinoquinoline derivatives are presented. Key starting materials are 3‐aminoacetophenone and (S)‐S‐methyl‐S‐phenylsulfoximine. By using a short reaction sequence, the 8‐amino‐2,1‐benzothiazine derivative was readily prepared, which served as a valuable intermediate for the synthesis of additional derivatives. Initial experiments show that employing such compounds in copper‐catalyzed asymmetric Mukaiyama‐type aldol reactions provided products with moderate enantioselectivity.
Porous Carbon as Anode Catalyst Support to Improve Borohydride Utilization in a Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell
Authors: Li G. R. , Wang Q. Q. , Liu B. H. , Li Z. P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractOur study explores the use of porous carbon as anode catalyst support to improve borohydride utilization in a direct borohydride fuel cell. Pt catalysts supported by carbon aerogel (CA) and macroporous carbon (MPC) are synthesized by template method. The pores in porous carbon materials catch hydrogen bubbles to regulate the contact of anolyte with catalytic sites, and this leads to the depression of hydrogen evolution during BH4− electrooxidation. However, the hydrogen bubbles in the pores simultaneously deteriorate charge carrier transport and thus increase anode polarization. The CA‐supported Pt catalyst improves the coulombic efficiency of BH4− electrooxidation. However, the MPC‐supported Pt catalyst performed better than the CA‐supported Pt catalyst. MPC also has a good pore distribution, which improves the coulombic efficiency of BH4− electrooxidation without decreasing anode performance.
Challenges Associated with Measuring the Intrinsic Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Paper Diffusion Media
Authors: Aydin Ö. , Zedda M. , Zamel N. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this work, an overview of three different through‐plane resistivity measurement methods accompanied with the in‐plane resistivity measurement method is given and the methods thoroughly evaluated. It is found that the accuracy of the results is highly dependent on the measurement method. The gold coated electrodes reduce the electrical contact resistance (ECR) emerging between the electrodes and the GDL samples; however, it does not completely eliminate it. Measurement of the voltage drop across the GDLs directly on the GDL surfaces excludes contact resistances to the electrode. On the other hand, we find that the difference in the isolation area around the direct voltage‐sense‐probes in combination with the in‐plane resistivity of the GDLs impacts the accuracy of the experimental results. Consequently, implementation of the direct voltage‐sense‐probes is recommended for accurate measurements with an isolation area as small as possible.
Accounting for the Political Uncertainty Factor
Authors: Scheffel Eric M. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryWe build our analysis upon previous work by Bloom et al. (Measuring the Effect of Political Uncertainty. Working Paper, Stanford University, 2012) and Baker et al. (Political Uncertainty: A New Indicator. CentrePiece 2012; 16(3): 21–23), who estimate the dynamic effects of a shock to a newly constructed surrogate measure of political uncertainty (PU) on the US economy. Comparable to their results we demonstrate that a shock to PU has pervasive effects on the dynamic evolution of the US economy. Using an estimated structural dynamic factor model we find that more globally integrated markets exhibit significantly more pronounced responses than other measures of real economic activity. Impulse responses reveal a small but statistically significant ‘flight‐to‐safety’ effect, depressing government bond yields across the entire term structure following a shock to PU. Forecast error variance decompositions are predominantly composed of supply, demand, and PU shocks over all horizons, with PU shocks contributing less and supply shocks contributing more to forecast errors at longer horizons. Technology shocks, by contrast, are found to affect forecast accuracy closer to impact with quickly decaying contributions over extended forecast horizons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On Choosability with Separation of Planar Graphs with Forbidden Cycles
Authors: Choi Ilkyoo , Lidický Bernard , Stolee Derrick 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe study choosability with separation which is a constrained version of list coloring of graphs. A ‐list assignment L of a graph G is a function that assigns to each vertex v a list of at least k colors and for any adjacent pair , the lists and share at most d colors. A graph G is ‐choosable if there exists an L‐coloring of G for every ‐list assignment L. This concept is also known as choosability with separation. We prove that planar graphs without 4‐cycles are (3, 1)‐choosable and that planar graphs without 5‐ and 6‐cycles are (3, 1)‐choosable. In addition, we give an alternative and slightly stronger proof that triangle‐free planar graphs are (3, 1)‐choosable.
Deregulation and Access to Medicines: the Peruvian Experience
Authors: Costa Font Joan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHow does the deregulation of medicine influence access to drugs? This paper provides an economic policy assessment of the effects of medicine deregulation drawing on the Peruvian experience between 1991 and 2006. As in other low‐income countries, health insurance development is inadequate, drug expenditure is mostly paid out‐of‐pocket and approximately one third of the Peruvian population has limited access to ‘essential medicines’. Market deregulation in this context could have exerted an impact on prices and hence reduce access to medicines. Based on this evidence, we find that product and price deregulation of the medicines market appears to have reduced consumer trust of locally produced medicines and incentivised a switch to branded and more expensive drugs. The latter resulted in a drug price spike, which in turn further decreased access to medicines. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Long‐term Fertiliser Applications on Soil Organic Carbon and Hydraulic Properties of a Loess Soil in China
Authors: Shi Yinguang , Zhao Xining , Gao Xiaodong , Zhang Shulan , Wu Pute 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBased on a 28‐yearin situexperiment, this paper investigated the impacts of organic and inorganic fertiliser applications on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil hydraulic properties of the silt loam (Eumorthic Anthrosols) soils derived from loess soil in the Guanzhong Plain of China. There were two crop (winter wheat and summer maize) rotations with conventional tillage. The treatments included control without fertiliser application, organic manure application (M), chemical fertiliser application (NP), and the application of organic manure with chemical fertiliser (MNP). The results showed that the 28‐year organic manure applications (M and MNP) significantly (p < 0·05) increased SOC content at surface layer (0–10 cm), but the effect of chemical fertilisers alone on SOC was not significant. Organic manure treatments (M and MNP) apparently improved soil hydraulic properties. Compared with control, field capacity and total porosity significantly (p < 0·05) increased while soil bulk density significantly (p < 0·05) decreased for organic manure applications. The M and MNP treatments increased soil water retentions by 3·2–10·8%, which was dependent of suction tensions. However, the NP treatment had no significantly impact on soil water retention compared with control. Neither organic nor inorganic fertiliser applications significantly changed saturated hydraulic conductivity. However, a clear difference was observed for unsaturated hydraulic conductivity between the M and the control at 0–5 cm. Overall, long‐term applications of organic manuring increased SOC content and amended soil hydraulic properties. However, the effects of chemical fertilisers on these soil properties were limited. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.