bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coating of 3D‐printed poly (ε‐caprolactone) scaffolds with silk protein sericin enhances the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Iranpour Soodeh , Attari Farnoosh , Seyedjafari Ehsan , Nourmohammadi Jhamak 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPoly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) as a biodegradable polymer is widely employed in scaffold fabrication. Nonetheless, PCL is a hydrophobic polymer and biologically inactive, which is considered a drawback for cell attachment and tissue engineering. Thus, some surface modifications are necessary to enhance its bioactivity. Here, NaOH‐treated scaffolds were immersed in (N‐morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid solution containing N‐hydroxysuccinimide and 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide followed by incubation in sericin solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrated 0/900 strand orientation and well‐defined interconnected pores. The presence of sericin on the treated scaffold was manifested as a light nanoscale roughness compared to the raw PCL scaffold. The average porosity percentage in PCL scaffold equaled 67.9%. The presence of bands at 1538 and 1650 cm−1 in Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the sericin‐coated scaffold was attributed to Amide II and Amide I, indicative of sericin presence on PCL scaffold. The water contact angle in the PCL scaffold was 1050, where sericin coating combined with NaOH treatment decreased contact angle and increased the hydrophilicity. SEM images, EDX mapping, and X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of calcium and phosphate on sericin‐coated scaffolds as a sign of apatite formation. SEM images demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion on sericin‐coated scaffold compared to pure PCL, and cells could penetrate interconnected pores. Viability assay proved that sericin did not induce any cytotoxic effect. Also, alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition assays demonstrated that sericin‐coated scaffolds effectively improved osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Therefore, sericin as a biomaterial is expected to have promising potentials in orthopedic applications.
Design and characterization of high‐performance epoxy adhesive with block copolymer and alumina nanoparticles in aluminum‐aluminum bonded joints: Mechanical properties, lap shear strength, and thermal stability
Authors: Fallahi Mohsen , Moini Jazani Omid , Molla‐Abbasi Payam 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this research, phenolic resin and poly (butyl‐acrylate‐block‐styrene) copolymer were used in the formulation of epoxy adhesive to improve its thermal stability and toughness. Also, in order to improve the mechanical properties such as the modulus and tensile strength, aluminum oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were added to the epoxy based resin. Effects of different factors such as percent contents of phenolic resin, toughening agent, and aluminum oxide NPs on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the epoxy‐based adhesives were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the prepared epoxy adhesive samples. In addition, the curing kinetics of the optimal specimens was studied based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental results indicated that the phenolic decreased strength of dog‐bone samples, while increased the adhesion strength in metal‐to‐metal single‐lap strength. On the other hand, addition of block‐copolymers as toughening agent led to a consistent decrease in the modulus as well as increasing the tensile strength. Also, results of single‐lap strength tests showed that, in the optimal quad system, the four components exhibit synergetic effects and show a single‐lap strength that is 152% higher than that of pure epoxy. The DSC analysis indicated that the presence of alumina NPs and block‐copolymers tend to reduce the initial curing temperature while increasing the curing reaction heat.
Evaluation of mechanical, morphological, and biodegradation properties of natural fiber reinforced nano‐biocomposites
Authors: Behera Ajaya Kumar , Das Nigamananda , Manna Suvendu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNanoclay modified bio resin‐based jute composites were prepared by thermopressing method to examine the effect of nanoclay on physical, mechanical, and biodegradation properties of jute‐soy composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of composite was carried out to study the chemical interactions between jute‐soy‐nanoclay, whereas, x‐ray diffractogram and transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed the formation of nanostructure at the composite interface. With 5 wt.% of clay contents, the tensile strength of the composite was 59.2 MPa, which is 65.4% higher than that of the clay‐free jute‐soy composite. The developed composite is thermally stable up to 280°C and increased in weight by only 41.66% after 24‐h water immersion. Inclusion of 5 wt.% nanoclay enhanced storage modulus of nanocomposite from 1170 to 4136 MPa. Evaluation of degradability of composites under compost condition in terms of weight and tensile loss indicated that clay reinforced composites are more durable than jute‐soy composite. Overall, a biodegradable composite material was developed which may be applied as nondegradable plastic alternate in packaging, railway coach, decorating materials, furniture, transport, and construction sector.
Exploring determinants of agonist efficacy at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor: Analogues of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist EG‐018
Authors: Finlay David B. , Nguyen Thuy , Gamage Thomas F. , Chen Shuli , Barrus Daniel G. , Patel Purvi R. , Thomas Brian F. , Wiley Jenny L. , Zhang Yanan , Glass Michelle 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNeutral antagonists of GPCRs remain relatively rare—indeed, a large majority of GPCR antagonists are actually inverse agonists. The synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) EG‐018 was recently reported as a low efficacy cannabinoid receptor agonist. Here we report a comparative characterization of EG‐018 and 13 analogues along with extant putative neutral antagonists of CB1. In HEK cells stably expressing human CB1, assays for inhibition of cAMP were performed by real‐time BRET biosensor (CAMYEL), G protein cycling was quantified by [35S]GTPγS binding, and stimulation of pERK was characterized by AlphaLISA (PerkinElmer). Signaling outcomes for the EG‐018 analogues were highly variable, ranging from moderate efficacy agonism with high potency, to marginal agonism at lower potency. As predicted by differing pathway sensitivities to differences in ligand efficacy, most EG‐018‐based compounds were completely inactive in pERK alone. The lowest efficacy analogue in cAMP assays, 157, had utility in antagonism assay paradigms. Developing neutral antagonists of the CB1 receptor has been a long‐standing research goal, and such compounds would have utility both as research tools and in therapeutics. Although these results emphasize again the importance of system factors in determining signaling outcomes, some compounds characterized in this study appear among the lowest efficacy agonists described to date and therefore suggest that development of neutral antagonists is an achievable goal for CB1.
An overview of the therapeutic effects of curcumin in reproductive disorders with a focus on the antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities
Authors: Saifi Bita , Haftcheshmeh Saeed Mohammadian , Feligioni Marco , Izadpanah Esmael , Rahimi Kaveh , Hassanzadeh Kambiz , Mohammadi Asadollah , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCurcumin, the polyphenolic compound obtained from turmeric, has several pharmacological properties. These properties include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐angiogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of this substance has been largely investigated for curing numerous disorders. Based on a growing body of literature, this review aimed to investigate curcumin's molecular and clinical effects on reproduction and related disorders. Curcumin in the female reproductive system attenuates folliculogenesis, promotes apoptosis of oocytes and blastocyst, and decreases embryo implantation and survival. Curcumin at <100 mg concentration shows protective effects against testicular injury. The concentration of >250 mg of curcumin exhibits immobilizing action on sperms, and at 500 mg concentration completely blocks pregnancy. Curcumin inhibits vaginal infections, attenuates the severity of the premenstrual syndrome, ameliorates inflammatory conditions in polycystic ovary syndrome, improves preeclampsia, and prevents ectopic endometrial lesions. Taken together, curcumin, because of the numerous biological activities, low level of toxicity, and lower adverse effects compared to the synthetic drugs, could be considered as a protective agent for preserving the semen quality parameters, a contraceptive, and chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agent, as well as an appropriate agent for the treatment of female reproductive disorders.
Emerging therapies: The potential roles SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, and ARNI therapy for ARNI pulmonary hypertension
Authors: King Nicholas E. , Brittain Evan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a highly morbid condition. PH due to left heart disease (PH‐LHD) has no specific therapies and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has substantial residual risk despite several approved therapies. Multiple lines of experimental evidence link metabolic dysfunction to the pathogenesis and outcomes in PH‐LHD and PAH, and novel metabolic agents hold promise to improve outcomes in these populations. The antidiabetic sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP1) agonists targeting metabolic dysfunction and improve outcomes in patients with LHD but have not been tested specifically in patients with PH. The angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) produce significant improvements in cardiac hemodynamics and may improve metabolic dysfunction that could benefit the pulmonary circulation and right ventricle function. On the basis of promising preclinical work with these medications and clinical rationale, we explore the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, and ARNIs as therapies for both PH‐LHD and PAH.
Intrinsic reactivity of [OUCH]+: Apparent synthesis of [OUS]+ by reaction with CS2
Authors: Metzler Luke J. , Farmen Christopher T. , Fry Allison N. , Seibert Mark P. , Massari Kayla A. , Corcovilos Theodore A. , van Stipdonk Michael J. 
Published: January 2022

RationaleBuilding on our report that collision‐induced dissociation (CID) can be used to create the highly reactive U‐alkylidyne species [O=U≡CH]+, our goal was to determine whether the species could be as an intermediate for synthesis of [OUS]+ by reaction with carbon disulfide (CS2).MethodsCationic uranyl‐propiolate precursor ions were generated by electrospray ionization, and multiple‐stage CID in a linear trap instrument was used to prepare [O=U≡CH]+. Neutral CS2 was admitted into the trap through a modified He inlet and precision leak valves.ResultsThe [O=U≡CH]+ ion reacts with CS2 to generate [OUS]+. CID of [OUS]+ causes elimination of the axial sulfide ligand to generate [OU]+. Using isotopically labeled reagent, we found that [OUS]+ reacts with O2 to create [UO2]+.Conclusions[O=U≡CH]+ proves to be a useful reagent ion for synthesis of [OUS]+, a species that to date has only been created by gas‐phase reactions of U+ and U2+. Dissociation of [OUS]+ to create [OU]+, but not [US]+, and the efficient conversion of the species into [UO2]+, is consistent with the relative differences in U–O and U–S bond energies.
Model‐free incremental adaptive dynamic programming based approximate robust optimal regulation
Authors: Li Cong , Wang Yongchao , Liu Fangzhou , Liu Qingchen , Buss Martin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis article presents a new formulation for model‐free robust optimal regulation of continuous‐time nonlinear systems. The proposed reinforcement learning based approach, referred to as incremental adaptive dynamic programming (IADP), utilizes measured input‐state data to allow the design of the approximate optimal incremental control strategy, stabilizing the controlled system incrementally under model uncertainties, environmental disturbances, and input saturation. By leveraging the time delay estimation (TDE) technique, we first use sensor data to reduce the requirement of a complete dynamics, where input‐state data is adopted to construct an incremental dynamics which reflects the system evolution in an incremental form. Then, the resulting incremental dynamics serves to design the approximate optimal incremental control strategy based on adaptive dynamic programming, which is implemented as a simplified single critic structure to get the approximate solution to the value function of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. Furthermore, for the critic neural network, experience data are used to design an off‐policy weight update law with guaranteed weight convergence. Rather importantly, we incorporate a TDE error bound related term into the cost function, whereby the unintentionally introduced TDE error is attenuated during the optimization process. The proofs of system stability and weight convergence are provided. Numerical simulations are conducted to validate the effectiveness and superiority of our proposed IADP, especially regarding the reduced control energy expenditure and the enhanced robustness.
Initial configurations‐independent predefined performance control of robotic manipulator with input saturation
Authors: Zhai Di‐Hua , Xia Yuanqing 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis article develops a guaranteed predefined performance control scheme for a class of robotic manipulators with input saturation and unknown uncertainties. The main advantage is that it can provide convenient and quantifiable predefined performance control, by integrating the ‐class performance function in the prescribed performance control framework and designing an adaptive anti‐saturation compensator. The maximum overshoot, the settling time, and the steady‐state error can be specified independently and are not limited by the initial configurations of the robotic system, where the introduction of ‐class performance function simplifies the control design. By introducing the adaptive neural network estimator and anti‐saturation compensator, the proposed robust controller is also available in the presence of dynamic uncertainties, external disturbance, and actuator saturation. The proposed adaptive anti‐saturation compensator can be easily incorporated into the guaranteed predefined performance control, which simplifies the stability analysis. Numerical results based on simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
When Teachers Lose Loved Ones: Affective Practices in Teachers’ Accounts of Addressing Loss in Literature Instruction
Authors: Dunn Mandie Bevels 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTeachers’ efforts to build literacy classrooms inclusive of experiences of trauma and loss require attending to affective sensations and displayed emotions as culturally constructed and socially produced. Yet teachers’ personal loss experiences and their influence on literature instruction remain understudied, with literacy scholarship in this area typically focusing on students’ loss experiences. Using in‐depth interviews with secondary English teachers who had lost a loved one, I analyzed how affect and emotion moved through teachers’ understandings of teaching literature following loss. Teachers’ accounts made visible their interpretations of emotional rules for addressing loss, including responsibility for students’ needs, care for students, and uncertainty surrounding emotions in the classroom. Teachers described emotions as attaching to particular bodies according to their understanding of their identities as teachers. This paper explains how teachers navigate the many sensations present when teachers and students read literature together, as human beings who also lose people they love.
In Silico and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity Assessment of New Schiff Bases
Authors: Kökbudak Zülbiye , Akkoç Senem , Karataş Halis , Tüzün Burak , Aslan Güzin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this study, a series of new Schiff bases, based on a pyrimidine core, were synthesized in two steps. The structures of these newly synthesized Schiff bases were completely characterized. The presence of characteristic ‐N=CH proton peaks proving the formation of imine supports the structures of the compounds. The cytotoxic activity studies were done towards human cancer cell lines. The results show that the related molecules had antiproliferative activity on cancerous cells. To compare the chemical and biological activities of pyrimidine derivatives were performed using Gaussian software and Maestro Molecular modeling platform by Schrödinger, respectively. Afterwards, ADME/T analysis was performed to examine the possibility of pyrimidine derivatives being drugs.
Potentiometric PVC Membrane Sensor for the Determination of Anti‐Epileptic Drug Levetiracetam in Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Özbek Oguz , Isildak Ömer 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane potentiometric sensor was developed for the determination of anti‐epileptic drug levetiracetam. For this purpose, levetiracetam‐tetraphenylborate (LEV‐TPB) ion‐pair was synthesized and the synthesized ion‐pair was used as ionophore in PVC membrane structures. The membrane composed of 3.0 % (w/w) LEV‐TPB ion‐pair, 32.0 % (w/w) PVC, and 65.0 % (w/w)o‐nitrophenyloctylether (o‐NPOE) was determined as the membrane with the best potentiometric properties. The developed sensor exhibited a linear response in the concentration range from 1.0×10−5to 1.0×10−1 mol L−1and had a detection limit of 6.31×10−6 mol L−1. For this sensor, pH working range and response time were determined as 6.0–8.0 and ≈25 s, respectively. The sensor displayed a good selectivity for levetiracetam in the presence of a number of common ionic species and some anti‐epileptic drug. The proposed levetiracetam‐selective sensor was successfully applied for the determination of levetiracetam in pharmaceutical drug samples which is used in the treatment of epilepsy.
Copper nanowire with enriched high‐index facets for highly selective CO2 reduction
Authors: Han Lu , Tian Benqiang , Gao Xiangxiang , Zhong Yang , Wang Shengnan , Song Shuchang , Wang Zhili , Zhang Ying , Kuang Yun , Sun Xiaoming 
Published: January 2022

AbstractElectroreduction of carbon dioxide into fuels and feedstocks with renewable energy is an attractive route to mitigate carbon emission and solve energy crisis. However, how to improve the selectivity of high‐value multicarbon products is still challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the high‐index crystalline surface of copper could be designed and obtained through a simple square‐wave potential treatment on copper nanowires, which is beneficial to improve the selectivity of multi‐carbon products, especially the reaction route towards ethylene. The Faradaic efficiency of C2+ products can reach nearly 60%, and hydrogen can be suppressed to below 20%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that (311) high‐index facet can activate CO2 effectively and promote adsorption of the *COCOH intermediate on copper for ethylene formation, therefore improves the selectivity of ethylene and inhibits the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. This method can be extended to the design of other catalytic systems and has inspirations for other electrochemical catalytic reactions.
Dissimilarity‐based test case prioritization through data fusion
Authors: Huang Rubing , Towey Dave , Xu Yinyin , Zhou Yunan , Yang Ning 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTest case prioritization (TCP) aims at scheduling test case execution so that more important test cases are executed as early as possible. Many TCP techniques have been proposed, according to different concepts and principles, with dissimilarity‐based TCP (DTCP) prioritizing tests based on the concept of test case dissimilarity: DTCP chooses the next test case from a set of candidates such that the chosen test case is farther away from previously selected test cases than the other candidates. DTCP techniques typically only use one aspect/granularity of the information or features from test cases to support the prioritization process. In this article, we adopt the concept of data fusion to propose a new family of DTCP techniques, data‐fusion‐driven DTCP (DDTCP), which attempts to use different information granularities for prioritizing test cases by dissimilarity. We performed an empirical study involving 30 versions of five subject programs, investigating the testing effectiveness and efficiency by comparing DDTCP against DTCP techniques that use a dissimilarity granularity. The experimental results show that not only does DDTCP have better fault‐detection rates than single‐granularity DTCP techniques, but it also appears to only incur similar prioritization costs. The results also show that DDTCP remains robust over multiple system releases.
Does the Reuse of Constructions Promote Fluency Development in Task Repetition? A Usage‐Based Perspective
Authors: Suzuki Yuichi , Eguchi Masaki , de Jong Nel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this task‐repetition intervention study, L2 learners’ reuse of linguistic constructions was analyzed to investigate to what extent recurring reliance on specific constructions during the same task repetition predicts fluency development. English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) learners performed oral narrative tasks three times per day under two task repetition schedules: blocked (Day 1: Prompt A‐A‐A, Day 2: B‐B‐B, Day 3: C‐C‐C) versus interleaved (Day 1: Prompt A‐B‐C, Day 2: A‐B‐C, Day 3: A‐B‐C). From a usage‐based perspective, their reuse of constructions across the same prompt was examined at both concrete (lexical unigram [e.g., “bicycle”] and trigram [e.g., “behind the bicycle”]) and abstract (parts of speech trigram [e.g., “preposition determiner noun”]) level. Subsequent analyses revealed that blocked practice led to higher reuse of both concrete and abstract constructions than interleaved practice. Reuse frequency was correlated with during‐training and pretest–posttest fluency changes. Particularly, greater reuse of lexical and abstract trigrams during interleaved practice led to improvements in speed and breakdown fluency (i.e., shorter mean syllable duration and fewer mid‐clause pauses) after the intervention, albeit with higher effort (indicated by longer mid‐clause and clause‐final pauses). Taken together, these findings indicate that manipulating task‐repetition schedule may systematically induce reuse of linguistic constructions, which may promote proceduralization (entrenchment) of constructional knowledge at both concrete and abstract levels.