bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wavy Ribbons of Carbon Nanotubes for Stretchable Conductors
Authors: Xu Feng , Wang Xin , Zhu Yuntian , Zhu Yong 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWavy ribbons of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are embedded in elastomeric substrates to fabricate stretchable conductors that exhibit excellent performance in terms of high stretchability and small resistance change. A CNT ribbon with a thin layer of sputtered Au/Pd film is transferred onto a prestrained poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate and buckled out‐of‐plane upon release of the prestrain. Embedded in PDMS, the wavy CNT ribbon is able to accommodate large stretching (up to the prestrain) with little change in resistance. For a prestrain of 100%, the resistance increases only about 4.1% when the wavy CNT ribbon is stretched to the prestrain. A simple stretchable circuit consisting of a light‐emitting diode and two wavy ribbons is demonstrated and shows constant response on significant twisting, folding, or stretching. Fabricated with a simple buckling approach, the wavy CNT‐ribbon‐based stretchable conductors (e.g., interconnects and electrodes) could play an important role in stretchable electronics, sensors, photovoltaics, and energy storage.
Highly Efficient and Fully Solution‐Processed White Electroluminescence Based on Fluorescent Small Molecules and a Polar Conjugated Polymer as the Electron‐Injection Material
Authors: Xue Shanfeng , Yao Liang , Shen Fangzhong , Gu Cheng , Wu Hongbin , Ma Yuguang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHighly efficient and fully solution‐processed white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs) based on fluorescent small molecules and a polar conjugated polymer as electron‐injection material are reported. The emitting layer in the WOLEDs is a blend of new blue‐, green‐, and red‐fluorescent small molecules, with a blending ratio of 100:0.4:0.8 (B/G/R) by weight, and a methanol/water soluble conjugated polymerpoly[(9,9‐bis(30‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)] (PFN) acts as the electron‐injection layer (EIL). All the organic layers are spin‐coated from solution. The device exhibits pure white emission with a maximum luminous efficiency of 9.2 cd A−1 and Commission Internationale d'Eclairage Coordinates of (0.35, 0.36). PFN acting as the EIL material plays a key role in the improvement of the device performance when used in solution‐processed small‐molecule WOLEDs.
Paleolithic diets as a model for prevention and treatment of western disease
Authors: Lindeberg Staffan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives:To explore the possibility that a paleolithic‐like diet can be used in the prevention of age‐related degenerative Western disease.Methods:Literature review of African Paleolithic foods in relation to recent evidence of healthy nutrition.Results and Discussion:Available evidence lends weak support in favor and little against the notion that lean meat, fish, vegetables, tubers, and fruit can be effective in the prevention and treatment of common Western diseases. There are no obvious risks with avoiding dairy products, margarine, oils, refined sugar, and cereal grains, which provide 70% or more of the dietary intake in northern European populations. If stroke, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer are preventable by dietary changes, an ancestral‐like diet may provide an appropriate template. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anesthetics isoflurane and desflurane differently affect mitochondrial function, learning, and memory
Authors: Zhang Yiying , Xu Zhipeng , Wang Hui , Dong Yuanlin , Shi Hai Ning , Culley Deborah J. , Crosby Gregory , Marcantonio Edward R. , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Xie Zhongcong 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:There are approximately 8.5 million Alzheimer disease (AD) patients who need anesthesia and surgery care every year. The inhalation anesthetic isoflurane, but not desflurane, has been shown to induce caspase activation and apoptosis, which are part of AD neuropathogenesis, through the mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis pathway. However, the in vivo relevance, underlying mechanisms, and functional consequences of these findings remain largely to be determined.Methods:We therefore set out to assess the effects of isoflurane and desflurane on mitochondrial function, cytotoxicity, learning, and memory using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, and the fear conditioning test.Results:Here we show that isoflurane, but not desflurane, induces opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), increase in levels of reactive oxygen species, reduction in levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate, activation of caspase 3, and impairment of learning and memory in cultured cells, mouse hippocampus neurons, mouse hippocampus, and mice. Moreover, cyclosporine A, a blocker of mPTP opening, attenuates isoflurane‐induced mPTP opening, caspase 3 activation, and impairment of learning and memory. Finally, isoflurane may induce the opening of mPTP via increasing levels of reactive oxygen species.Interpretation:These findings suggest that desflurane could be a safer anesthetic for AD patients as compared to isoflurane, and elucidate the potential mitochondria‐associated underlying mechanisms, and therefore have implications for use of anesthetics in AD patients, pending human study confirmation. ANN NEUROL 2012;
Reprogramming the Genetic Code: From Triplet to Quadruplet Codes
Authors: Wang Kaihang , Schmied Wolfgang H. , Chin Jason W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe genetic code of cells is near‐universally triplet, and since many ribosomal mutations are lethal, changing the cellular ribosome to read nontriplet codes is challenging. Herein we review work on the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins in response to quadruplet codons, and the creation of an orthogonal translation system in the cell that uses an evolved orthogonal ribosome to efficiently direct the incorporation of unnatural amino acids in response to quadruplet codons. Using this system multiple distinct unnatural amino acids have been incorporated and used to genetically program emergent properties into recombinant proteins. Extension of approaches to incorporate multiple unnatural amino acids may allow the combinatorial biosynthesis of materials and therapeutics, and drive investigations into whether life with additional genetically encoded polymers can evolve to perform functions that natural biological systems cannot.
Chitosan‐graft‐poly(vinyl acetate) for hemodialysis applications
Authors: Radhakumary C. , Nair Prabha D. , Reghunadhan Nair C. P. , Mathew Suresh 
Published: January 2012

AbstractChitosan was graft copolymerized with vinyl acetate using ceric ammonium nitrate as the initiator. The chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl acetate) (chitosan‐g‐PVAc) membranes were found to be blood compatible, noncytotoxic, and biodegradable. The physicochemical characterization of the membranes revealed that the membranes possess the synergistic effect of the natural‐synthetic hybrids of chitosan and PVAc with excellent mechanical stability and tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics. The permeation characteristics of chitosan‐g‐PVAc membranes for four different solutes creatinine, urea, glucose, and albumin was studied in vitro at 37°C for assessment of the suitability of them as hemodialysis membranes. The studies showed that the membranes exhibit higher permeability to creatinine, urea, and glucose compared with the commercial cellulose membrane and are impermeable to the essential nutrient albumin. Hence, the need for the development of biocompatible, mechanically strong dialysis membranes could be addressed with the modification of chitosan through grafting with PVAc. Potential applications like artificial kidney, artificial pancreas, and so forth, are envisaged from these membranes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Investigation of curing and thermal behavior of benzoxazine and lignin mixtures
Authors: Nour‐Eddine El Mansouri , Yuan Qiaolong , Huang Farong 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article describes the synthesis and characterization of two types of benzoxazine monomers based on phenol or bisphenol, aniline, and formaldehyde. Their characterization was achieved by Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Lignin polymer was characterized by infrared, DSC, and TGA. The curing behavior of mixtures of benzoxazine monomers and lignin was investigated by DSC. The mass ratios of benzoxazine monomers/lignin of a series of samples were 100 : 0, 95 : 05, 90 : 10, 85 : 15, 80 : 20, 75 : 25, and 70 : 30. The results indicate that the maximum curing temperatures of the mixtures were lower than that of the pure benzoxazine monomers, and that they decreased with increasing contents of lignin in the mixture. The heat of polymerization (ΔH) of the benzoxazine monomers and lignin mixtures as a function of the mass ratio and the structure of the benzoxazine monomers shows no definite trend. The samples were cured according to the following conditions: 170°C/2h + 200°C/2h and analyzed by DSC and TGA. In all the samples, the glass transition temperature of the benzoxazines increased upon mixing with increasing amounts of lignin. The changes may be due to the formation of a more compact network structure in the mixtures. The thermal stability of the isothermally cured resins is found to be dependent on the mass ratio of benzoxazine/lignin and structure of the benzoxazine monomers. The more lignin in the mixture, the higher is the char yield in the mixture. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of new polystyrene‐bound Schiff bases and their some complexes
Authors: Nartop Dilek , Sarı Nurşen , Altundaş Aliye , Öğütcü Hatice 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study investigated the antimicrobial properties of polymer‐bound Schiff bases and their Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes. Novel polystyrene oligomer‐bound Schiff bases (FMPS‐Sch) were prepared from (4‐formyl‐3‐methoxyphenoxymethyl)polystyrene (FMPS) with cycloalkylaminothiophene derivatives and their Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. All these substances have been examined for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains; Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas putida, Escherichia coli,
Salmonella typhi H, Brucella abortus, Shigella
dysenteria type 10, Micrococcu.luteus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Most of the studied compounds were found effective against bacteria studied and yeast. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation and properties of PET/SiO2 composite micro/nanofibers by a laser melt‐electrospinning system
Authors: Li Xiuyan , Liu Huichao , Wang Jiaona , Li Congju 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPoly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/SiO2 composite micro/nanofibers were successfully prepared by a laser melt‐electrospinning system. The fibers with diameter ranging from 500 nm to 7 μm were obtained. The effect of laser current and applied voltage on the fibers morphologies was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that the relationship of process parameters and fibers diameter was complicated. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of SiO2 in the PET fibers matrix. The crystallization behavior of the electrospun PET/SiO2 micro/nanofibers was investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and it was found that the as‐electrospun fibers exhibited an amorphous phase. After heat‐treatment at 120 and 160°C for 1 h, respectively, the fibers showed a high crystallinity. The thermal properties of fibers were studied using thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), and showed the electrospun PET/SiO2 composite fibers was not effective difference of thermostability compared with PET fibers when used for fibers materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Wettability and interfacial phenomena investigations on high‐density polyethylene and petroleum coke
Authors: Shahnaz Sharifah , Khanna Rita , Hussin Kamarudin , Sahajwalla Veena 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAn in‐depth wettability and interfacial phenomena investigation was carried out to study interactions between high density polyethylene (HDPE) and petroleum coke. The aim is to investigate the effect of temperature and contact times on possible interactions and adhesion characteristics for partially substituting coal‐tar pitch binder with waste polymers. Using a sessile drop arrangement, experimental assemblies consisting of ground HDPE and a petroleum coke substrate were heat treated in the temperature range of 150–350°C for 15–60 min. Contact angles between molten HDPE and petroleum coke surface and depth of penetration of HDPE into petroleum coke substrate were measured. The highest contact angle (131.5°) was observed at 250°C after 15 min. and lowest contact angle (30.9°) was observed at 350°C after 60 min. Highest penetration depth (75 μm) was observed at 350°C after 60 min and lowest penetration (13 μm) at 200°C after 15 min. Analysis of results showed that increasing time and temperature of heat treatment had a significant impact on the interactions of molten HDPE with petroleum coke. Longer residence time and higher temperatures increased the extent of melting of HDPE, which in turn resulted in improved wettability and deeper penetration into petroleum coke substrate. HDPE was found to bind and adhere strongly with petroleum coke. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Copolymerization of ethylene with α‐olefins over supported titanium–magnesium catalysts. I. Effect of polymerization duration on comonomer content and the molecular weight distribution of copolymers
Authors: Nikolaeva Marina I. , Matsko Mikhail A. , Mikenas Tatiana B. , Echevskaya Ludmila G. , Zakharov Vladimir A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe data on the effect of polymerization duration on molecular weight (MW), molecular weight distribution (MWD), and content of α‐olefin were obtained for ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers produced on a supported titanium–magnesium catalyst (TMC) upon polymerization in the absence and presence of hydrogen. An increase in MW, narrowing of the MWD, and a decrease in 1‐hexene content in the copolymer takes place with increasing polymerization duration. It was shown by molecular weight fractionation of copolymers obtained at different polymerization duration followed by analysis of narrow fractions to determine the butyl branching content that the decrease comonomer content in copolymers with increasing polymerization duration is accounted for by the decrease in the share of low molecular weight fractions with an increased butyl branch content. These data, in combination with the data concerning the narrowing of the MWD of copolymers and the decrease in activity with polymerization duration allow arriving at conclusion that active sites producing low molecular weight polymer with an increased butyl branching content is predominantly deactivated with polymerization. Active sites producing high molecular weight polymer has a low ability to copolymerize ethylene with α‐olefins; however, these sites show higher stability during copolymerization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
The Interactions of Spore‐Coat Morphogenetic Proteins Studied by Single‐Molecule Recognition Force Spectroscopy
Authors: Qiao Haiyan , Krajcikova Daniela , Liu Caisheng , Li Yongjun , Wang Hongda , Barak Imrich , Tang Jilin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBacillus subtilis can form a spore, which is a dormant type of cell, when its external environment becomes unsuitable for vegetative growth. The spore is surrounded by a multilayered proteinaceous shell called a spore coat, which plays a crucial role in dormancy and germination. Of the over 70 proteins that form the spore coat, only a small subset of them affect its morphogenesis; they are referred to as morphogenetic proteins. How these morphogenetic proteins interact, and furthermore, how they build the ordered, functional coat layers is not well understood. Elucidating the self‐assembly mechanism of individual proteins into such a complex structure may contribute to its potential use in nano‐biotechnology applications for preparing highly organized, robust, and resistant proteinaceous layers. Herein, direct, noncovalent, low‐affinity interactions between the spore‐coat morphogenetic proteins SpoIVA, SpoVID, and SafA were studied by using single‐molecule recognition force spectroscopy in vitro for the first time. Based on the real‐time examination of interactions between these three proteins, a series of dynamic kinetic data were obtained. It was also observed that the SafA–SpoVID interaction was stronger than that of SafA–SpoIVA.
Advanced fluorescence technologies help to resolve long‐standing questions about microbial vitality
Authors: Roche Yann , Cao‐Hoang Lan , Perrier‐Cornet Jean‐Marie , Waché Yves 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAdvances in fundamental physical and optical principles applied to novel fluorescence methods are currently resulting in rapid progress in cell biology and physiology. Instrumentation devised in pioneering laboratories is becoming commercially available, and study findings are now becoming accessible. The first results have concerned mainly higher eukaryotic cells but many more developments can be expected, especially in microbiology. Until now, some important problems of cell physiology have been difficult to investigate due to interactions between probes and cells, excretion of probes from cells and the inability to make in situ observations deep within the cell, within tissues and structures. These technologies will enable microbiologists to address these topics. This Review aims at introducing the limits of current physiology evaluation techniques, the principles of new fluorescence technologies and examples of their use in this field of research for evaluating the physiological state of cells in model media, biofilms or tissue environments. Perspectives on new imaging technologies, such as super‐resolution imaging and non‐linear highly sensitive Raman microscopy, are also discussed. This review also serves as a reference to those wishing to explore how fluorescence technologies can be used to understand basic cell physiology in microbial systems.
Simultaneous analysis of mitotane and its main metabolites in human blood and urine samples by SPE‐HPLC technique
Authors: Mornar Ana , Sertić Miranda , Turk Nikša , Nigović Biljana , Koršić Mirko 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with an incompletely understood pathogenesis and a poor prognosis. The adrenalytic activity of mitotane has made it the most important single drug in the treatment of ACC. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of mitotane action is still unknown. It is believed that mitotane belongs to the class of drugs that require metabolic transformation by cytochrome P450 for therapeutic action; therefore determination of plasma levels of not only mitotane but also its metabolites would help in carrying out the treatment. The objective of this work was to develop and validate an SPE‐HPLC method for simultaneous determination of mitotane and its metabolites in different biological fluids. The sample preparation consisted of a solid‐phase extraction on a Discovery DSC18 cartridge, while analysis of extracts was performed on a Symmetry C18 column. The usefulness of the proposed method was confirmed by analysis of plasma, red cell and urine samples from patient chronically treated with 1.5 g of mitotane. The patient involved in this study had a high plasma concentration of mitotane and none of the investigated metabolites were found. In order to investigate whether the polymorphism of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 enzymes could be related to the metabolism of mitotane, RT‐PCR analysis was performed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of aripiprazole in rat plasma and brain using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liang Feng , Terry Alvin V. , Bartlett Michael G. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTAripiprazole is an important antipsychotic drug. A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of this compound in rat plasma and brain homogenate. The analyte was extracted from rat plasma and brain homogenate using a weak cation exchange mixed‐mode resin‐based solid phase extraction. The compound was separated on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 µm) column using a mobile phase of (A) 0.1% formic acid aqueous and (B) acetonitrile with gradient elution. The analyte was detected in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The method was validated and the specificity, linearity, limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision, accuracy, recoveries and stability were determined. The LOQ was 0.5 ng/mL for aripiprazole in plasma and 1.5 ng/g in brain tissue. The MS response was linear over the concentration range 0.5–100 ng/mL for aripiprazole in plasma and 1.5–300 ng/g in brain tissue. The precision and accuracy for intra‐day and inter‐day were better than 14%. The relative and absolute recoveries were above 72% and the matrix effects were low. This validated method was successfully used to quantify the rat plasma and brain tissue concentrations of the analyte following chronic treatment with aripiprazole. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A teaching–learning method based on CFD assisted with matlab programming for hydraulic machinery courses
Authors: Vicéns J. L. , Zamora B. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThis article presents a teaching–learning methodology for the course “Hydropower and Ocean Power” in the Master of Renewable Energy Program at the Technical University of Cartagena (Spain). In line with the famous “Bologna Declaration,” a new teaching approach is proposed, in order to ensure that students acquire skills related to the ability of analyzing and designing Hydraulic Machinery. The roles of the tutor facilitator, as well as the use of freehand sketches and the Matlab programming to optimize the management of commercial CFD packages, are some specific features of the project.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:630–638, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21554
Supermolecular Chiral Mesogenic Tripedes
Authors: Belaissaoui Abdelhak , Saez Isabel M. , Cowling Stephen J. , Zeng Xiangbing , Goodby John W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA novel series of chiral liquid crystalline tripedes Glucoside and Mannoside derivatives Gn and Mn (n=1–3) have been synthesised. The inner cores consist of methyl α‐D‐Glucoside G or methyl α‐D‐Mannoside M, regioselectively functionalised at the less hindered position C6, with tert‐butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), hydroxyl or carboxylic acid moieties. The cores, which can acquire several flexible conformations, are attached to rod‐like smectogenic‐preferring cyanobiphenyl units, by means of a flexible hexanoyl spacer. These Glyco‐Supermolecules exhibit chiral nematic (N*) and smectic A (SmA) phases. The combined effects of core chirality and functional groups on thermal and mesomorphic characteristics are discussed.