bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“What Are You?” Conceptualizing the Complexities of Bicultural and Biracial College Student Experiences
Authors: West Michael T. , Maffini Cara S.
Published: July 2019

Reflecting the increasing diversity of the United States, universities are seeing growing rates of students from diverse cultural backgrounds. The authors present culturally responsive suggestions to facilitate conceptualization and counseling with biracial and bicultural college students, integrating cognitions, behaviors, emotions, and relationships associated with culture and cultural identity of both culture of origin and mainstream U.S. culture. Recommendations for counseling an increasingly diverse student body are presented.
Supporting International Students: Enhancing College Counselors’ Multicultural Counseling Competence
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Oh Seungbin , Mumbauer Jayna
Published: July 2019

International students experience significant difficulties as they adjust to the dominant culture in the United States. However, there is a substantial gap between the reported academic and sociological distress these students experience and their help‐seeking behaviors. This article reviews international students’ distinctive challenges in seeking professional help and proposes guidelines to effectively support these students by enhancing college counselors’ multicultural counseling competence.
Performance of Channel Catfish and Hybrid Catfish in Single-Batch, Intensively Aerated Ponds
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Li Menghe H , Wise David J , Mischke Charles C , Rutland Billy , Tiwari Ambika , Aarattuthodiyil Suja , Griffin Matt J , Khoo Lester H , Ott Brian , Torrans Les , Tucker Craig S
Published: July 2019

A pond production trial was conducted to evaluate the economics of raising Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus in intensively aerated ponds operated under the single-batch cropping system. Channel Catfish fingerlings averaging 0.09 lb were stocked at 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 fish/acre with six replicate ponds (1 acre) per treatment. A treatment of hybrid catfish (♀ Channel Catfish × ♂ Blue Catfish I. furcatus) fingerlings stocked into five replicate ponds at 12,000 fish/acre was concurrently evaluated to compare the economic performance of hybrids and that of Channel Catfish. All ponds were provided with a fixed-paddlewheel aerator (10 hp/acre) and were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 206 d. For Channel Catfish, the gross yield ranged from 6,562 to 9,039 lb/acre, showing nominally linear trends of increasing yield with stocking density. However, the same trend was not seen in the relationship between costs and stocking density: the highest breakeven price (US$1.07/lb) was associated with the lowest density treatment (6,000 fish/acre), and the least cost ($0.96/lb) was associated with the intermediate density of 8,000 fish/acre. Average annual net cash flows from all Channel Catfish treatments were insufficient to make the investment in intensive aeration profitable in the long run (10 years). The hybrid catfish treatment (12,000 fish/acre) outperformed all Channel Catfish treatments in terms of yield (17,542 lb/acre), which offset some of the fixed costs associated with intensively aerated ponds and resulted in a lower cost of production ($0.85/lb) and better long-term returns (17%). This study indicated that Channel Catfish do not perform well—either biologically or economically—at densities greater than 8,000 fish/acre in single-batch, intensively aerated ponds. The study reflects current industry trends, where integrated farms (farms with their own processing plants) with yield-maximizing business objectives prefer raising hybrid catfish in single-batch systems, while nonintegrated farms prefer raising Channel Catfish in multiple-batch systems.
Urethral diverticula in women are associated with increased urethra‐sphincter complex volumes: A potential role for high‐tone nonrelaxing sphincter in their etiology?
Authors: Mukhtar Bashir M. B. , Solomon Eskinder , Naaseri Sahar , Aughwane Paul , Pakzad Mahreen , Hamid Rizwan , Ockrim Jeremy L. , Greenwell Tamsin J.
Published: July 2019

Aims

Functional obstruction secondary to a high‐tone nonrelaxing sphincter (HTNRS) may lead to the formation of a proximal‐to‐mid‐urethral diverticulum (pmUD) in patients without a history of anatomical obstruction, vaginal delivery, vaginal and/or urethral surgery, or periurethral gland infection, that is, a functional pmUD (fpmUD). We used measurements of the urethra‐sphincter complex volume (USCv) as a proxy for the maximal urethral closure pressure to evaluate this potential etiological factor.

Methods

We compared 17 consecutive women with fpmUD (mean age ± SD of 49.4 ± 13.2 years) with a control group consisting of 24 age‐matched women (mean age: 50.8 ± 11.2 years) with no previous urological symptoms having MRI for posthysterectomy vesicovaginal fistula, and in all 71 women (mean age: 48.1 ± 11.6 years) with classical urethral diverticulum (cpmUD) referred in the same time period. The urethra‐sphincter complex was measured using T2‐weighted MRI and OsiriX© was then used to determine the USCv.

Results

The mean USCv of the fpmUD group was 10.01 ± 6.97 cm3. The mean USCv of the cpmUD was 5.19 ± 1.19 cm
3 and for the control group was 3.92 ± 1.60 cm
3. There was a high statistically significant (P = .01) difference between the USCv in the fpmUD group and the USCv of both the cpmUD and the control groups.

Conclusions

Women with fpmUD demonstrated USCv that were significantly higher than those in women with cpmUD and the control group. These findings suggest that high pressure in the proximal urethra during voiding secondary to a HTNRS may contribute to the formation of urethral diverticula.
Prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria from amniotic fluid using genetic and biochemical approaches
Authors: Ji Xing , Wang Huanhuan , Ye Jun , Qiu Wenjuan , Zhang Huiwen , Liang Lili , Xiao Bing , Dai Mengyao , Xu Yan , Chen Ting , Xu Feng , Chen Yingwei , Ye Weiping , Gu Xuefan , Wang Lei , Han Lianshu
Published: July 2019

Objectives

This study reported the clinical prenatal diagnosis experience of families affected by methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) evaluated at a single prenatal diagnosis center over 8 years, and the reliability of a biochemical approach for prenatal diagnosis was analyzed.

Methods

Prenatal diagnosis data for 187 MMA families referred to our center from 2009 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. The results of the genetic analysis and biochemical approach were compared.

Results

A total of 41 MMA‐affected pregnancies (21%) were identified. The biochemical analysis could identify the true status of 99.5% of fetuses. The diagnostic sensitivities of the propionylcarnitine (C3) level, the C3 to acetylcarnitine (C2) ratio (C3/C2), the methylmalonic acid, and methylcitrate levels in the amniotic fluid were 95.1%, 100%, 100%, and 82.9%, respectively, and the specificities were 98.7%, 99.3%, 97.4%, and 96.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

The biochemical analysis could be optionally used in the prenatal diagnosis of MMA, especially in cases where the genetic results are inconclusive. Among the four tested biochemical markers, C3/C2 appeared to be the most reliable.
High‐dose Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Janzen Kristin M. , Sakon Colleen , Lehman Angela , Sommer Bekah , Brown Cynthia
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Despite the availability of consensus guidelines for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, prospective trials are lacking to examine alternative dosing strategies for adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not meet therapeutic goals with standard regimens.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of high‐dose cholecalciferol supplementation in increasing serum vitamin D (25‐OHD) levels in adult patients with CF.

Methods

Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were 18 years or older, had baseline 25‐OHD levels lower than 30 ng/ml, and were diagnosed with CF and pancreatic insufficiency. Patients were given a single dose of cholecalciferol 300,000 or 500,000 IU based on baseline 25‐OHD levels. Response was defined by 25‐OHD and ionized calcium levels at 3 months. At 6 months, responders received a second dose of the same strength, and nonresponders were given a weekly supplement of cholecalciferol 50,000 IU in addition to cholecalciferol 500,000 IU. A second 25‐OHD level was obtained at 9 months.

Results

Of the 46 patients enrolled, 32 patients (70%) completed the study. Baseline levels of 25‐OHD significantly increased over time in the per protocol population at 3 and 9 months. A total of 16 patients (50%) were considered nonresponders and required weekly supplementation.

Conclusion

A protocol using high‐dose cholecalciferol or high‐dose plus weekly cholecalciferol is safe and effective in treating adult patients with CF and pancreatic insufficiency.
Association between First Trimester Antidepressant Use and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Wu Pingsheng , Velez Edwards Digna R. , Gorrindo Phillip , Sundermann Alexandra C. , Torstenson Eric S. , Jones Sarah H. , Chan Ronna L. , Hartmann Katherine E.
Published: July 2019

Study Objective

The potential for maternal antidepressant use to influence the risk of spontaneous abortion, one of the most important adverse pregnancy outcomes, is not clear. We aimed to assess whether first trimester antidepressant exposure was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.

Design

Community‐based prospective cohort study (Right from the Start).

Setting

Eight metropolitan areas in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Participants

A total of 5451 women (18 years of age or older) who were planning to conceive or were pregnant (before 12 weeks of completed gestation) and were enrolled in the study between 2000 and 2012; of those women, 223 used antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs] only [170],SSRIs and non‐SSRIs [9], and non‐SSRIs only [44]) during their first trimester, and 5228 did not (never users).

Measurements and Main Results

First trimester antidepressant use was determined during a first trimester telephone interview. Spontaneous abortion was self‐reported and verified by medical records. The association of first trimester antidepressant use and spontaneous abortion was assessed by using Cox proportional hazard regression. Among the 5451 women enrolled, 223 (4%) reported first trimester antidepressant use, and 659 (12%) experienced a spontaneous abortion.SSRIs were the most common class of antidepressants used (179 [80%]). Compared with women who never used antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy, women who reported antidepressant use were 34% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–1.85) more likely to experience a spontaneous abortion after adjusting for covariates. Women who reported ever usingSSRIs were 45% (aHR1.45, 95%CI1.02–2.06) more likely to experience a spontaneous abortion compared with never users. When time of loss relative to the time of interview was taken into consideration, the association between first trimesterSSRIuse and spontaneous abortion was significant only among those with losses before the interview (aHR1.49, 95%CI1.04–2.13) but was not significant among those with losses after the interview (aHR0.43, 95%CI0.06–3.15).

Conclusion

The association between use of first trimester antidepressants, particularlySSRIuse, and spontaneous abortion was significant only among women whose exposure status was assessed after loss. In this instance, reporting bias may create a spurious association. Future studies should take the timing of data collection relative to the timing of loss into consideration.
High‐Dose Gabapentin for the Treatment of Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Levine Alexander R. , Carrasquillo Lorna , Mueller Jane , Nounou Mohamed Ismail , Naut Edgar R. , Ibrahim Danyal
Published: July 2019

Study Objective

Gabapentin has been proved to be beneficial in promoting abstinence, decreasing alcohol cravings, and improving mood and sleep quality when given at higher doses; however, data are limited regarding the efficacy and safety of using high‐dose gabapentin as part of the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high‐dose gabapentin on benzodiazepine requirements, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and hospital length of stay in patients hospitalized with AWS.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Large academic medical center.

Patients

All adults presenting to the emergency department between January 2015 and April 2018 with a diagnosis of severe AWS (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised [CIWA‐Ar] score ≥ 15) and prescribed the institution's alcohol withdrawal agitated delirium protocol were eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 50 patients who received high‐dose gabapentin (≥ 1800 mg/day) in the first 48 hours of hospital admission (treatment group) were propensity score–matched to 50 patients who did not receive gabapentin (control group).

Measurements and Main Results

Patients who received high‐dose gabapentin required a significantly lower overall amount of benzodiazepines (mean ± SD 109.5 ± 53.4 mg vs 88.5 ± 35.6 mg [lorazepam equivalents], p=0.023) and had a significantly lower mean CIWA‐Ar score (10.1 ± 4.7 vs 7.7 ± 3.9, p=0.010) and maximum CIWA‐Ar score (16.0 ± 7.0 vs 12.6 ± 6.1, p=0.016) on day 3 of hospitalization. The high‐dose gabapentin regimen was well tolerated, without an increased risk of oversedation, compared with the control group (Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale score < −1: 34% in the treatment group vs 20% in the control group, p=0.115). Patients receiving high‐dose gabapentin had a shorter length of hospital stay (7.4 ± 4.0 days vs 6.0 ± 2.6 days, p=0.034) and increased likelihood of being discharged home (66% vs 88%, p=0.009) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Early initiation of high‐dose gabapentin was associated with a significant reduction in benzodiazepine exposure, faster stabilization of alcohol withdrawal–related symptoms, and shorter hospital length of stay. Future studies evaluating gabapentin's effect on long‐term safety and hospital readmission are warranted.
Bio‐based Mg(OH)2@M‐Phyt: improving the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of flexible poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Meng Weihua , Wu Weihong , Zhang Weiwei , Cheng Luyao , Han Xiangzhuo , Xu Jianzhong , Qu Hongqiang
Published: July 2019

Two novelty bio‐based multifunctional metallic phytate coated (M‐Phyt, M ≡ Cu, Zn) Mg(OH)2 (MH@M‐Phyt) were designed and incorporated into flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). MH@M‐Phyt was incorporated into PVC materials in a powder form. The morphology of the interface between MH and M‐Phyt and their binding states were characterized by TEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The TEM images of MH@M‐Phyt indicated that M‐Phyt was successfully coated on the MH surface. Additionally, from the XPS spectra M‐Phyt and MH were connected by Mg–O–P bonds. The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the PVC composites were investigated through the limiting oxygen index, cone calorimetry and mechanical tests. The char residues were analyzed by SEM. The results revealed that the MH@M‐Phyt powder functioned well in PVC, with a flame retardancy, smoke density, tensile strength and elongation at break better than those of PVC/MH. With 10 phr loading, the peak heat release rate of PVC/MH@Zn‐Phyt and PVC/MH@Cu‐Phyt decreased by 33.5% and 24.6%, respectively, benefitting from the formation of firmer and denser char layers on the char residues. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the annealing procedure and the molecular weight on the crystalline phase morphology and thermal properties of polylactide
Authors: Hortós Martí , Anakabe Jon , Arrillaga Alex , Espino Sebastián , Bou Jordi J
Published: July 2019

The thermomechanical properties of poly(lactide) (PLA) are strongly related to its semicrystalline microstructure and morphology. Thermal annealing is a strategy to improve the crystallinity of PLA. However, the different techniques and specimen types needed for each kind of characterization could lead to misleading conclusions. In this work, annealed samples of three PLA grades with different molecular weights were studied by DSC, wide angle X‐ray scattering and polarized optical microscopy (POM) and the results are related to their thermomechanical and impact properties. Special focus is put on the POM results obtained by different approaches and the suitability of each of them to be related to the thermomechanical properties. By annealing medium molecular weight PLA specimens at 140 °C an important increase of the heat distortion temperature was obtained, which was not related to the spherulite size but to the combination of high crystallinity degree together with high α/α′ crystal type ratio. However, the impact properties of annealed PLA decreased with increase in the annealing temperature according to an increment in crystallinity and in the α/α′ crystal ratio. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Systematic Development of Sandwich Immunoassays for the Plasma Secretome
Authors: Häussler Ragna S. , Bendes Annika , Iglesias MariaJesus , Sanchez‐Rivera Laura , Dodig‐Crnković Tea , Byström Sanna , Fredolini Claudia , Birgersson Elin , Dale Matilda , Edfors Fredrik , Fagerberg Linn , Rockberg Johan , Tegel Hanna , Uhlén Mathias , Qundos Ulrika , Schwenk Jochen M.
Published: July 2019

The plasma proteome offers a clinically useful window into human health. Recent advances from highly multiplexed assays now call for appropriate pipelines to validate individual candidates. Here, a workflow is developed to build dual binder sandwich immunoassays (SIA) and for proteins predicted to be secreted into plasma. Utilizing suspension bead arrays, ≈1800 unique antibody pairs are first screened against 209 proteins with recombinant proteins as well as EDTA plasma. Employing 624 unique antibodies, dilution‐dependent curves in plasma and concentration‐dependent curves of full‐length proteins for 102 (49%) of the targets are obtained. For 22 protein assays, the longitudinal, interindividual, and technical performance is determined in a set of plasma samples collected from 18 healthy subjects every third month over 1 year. Finally, 14 of these assays are compared with with SIAs composed of other binders, proximity extension assays, and affinity‐free targeted mass spectrometry. The workflow provides a multiplexed approach to screen for SIA pairs that suggests using at least three antibodies per target. This design is applicable for a wider range of targets of the plasma proteome, and the assays can be applied for discovery but also to validate emerging candidates derived from other platforms.
Phenol Neurolysis for Management of Focal Spasticity in the Distal Upper Extremity
Authors: Karri Jay , Zhang Bei , Li Sheng
Published: July 2019

Background

When managing patients with focal spasticity, phenol neurolysis is often avoided largely because of its presumed poor adverse effect profile. It is suggested that dysesthesias may be more common with phenol neurolysis of the mixed sensorimotor nerves (eg, radial, median, and ulnar nerves) compared to neurolysis of pure motor nerves. However, these risks may be mitigated with precise localization of pure motor branches by ultrasound and electrical stimulation (EStim).

Objective

To explore practice patterns of phenol neurolysis to distal upper extremity mixed sensorimotor nerves with ultrasound and EStim guidance.

Design

A retrospective analysis of all neurolysis procedure records at a single institution from January 2013 to February 2018. Demographic and clinical variables including primary neurological diagnosis, concurrent spasticity treatments, nerves injected, phenol dosage and adverse events were abstracted from the electronic medical records.

Participants

57 patients who received phenol neurolysis with ultrasound and EStim guidance for spasticity management to radial, median, or ulnar nerves.

Main Outcome Measures

Reported adverse effects.

Results

A total of 57 patients who collectively received neurolysis to 139 nerves across 102 encounters, met inclusion criteria. Most prevalent diagnoses included traumatic brain injury (N = 27, 47.4%) and stroke (N = 18, 31.6%), with a smaller subset having spinal cord injury (N = 10, 17.5%). Most patients received concomitant chemodenervation with botulinum toxin (N = 44, 77.2%). The average phenol dosage per nerve was 1.8 mL, with a range of 0.5‐9.0 mL. Reported adverse effects included three cases of prolonged pain, but no dysesthesias were reported during the follow‐up period (>40 days).

Conclusions

Phenol neurolysis with ultrasound and EStim guidance was successfully and safely used to manage focal spasticity in the distal upper extremity.

Level of Evidence

III.
The role of social support in physical activity for cancer survivors: A systematic review
Authors: McDonough Meghan H. , Beselt L. Jayne , Daun Julia T. , Shank Jena , Culos‐Reed S. Nicole , Kronlund Liam J. , Bridel William
Published: July 2019

Objective

Social support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies.

Results

Fifty studies representing 28 366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others' PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA.

Conclusions

While results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.
Structural and functional studies of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain by NMR
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Ding Yiluan , Zhou Chen , Wen Yi , Zhang Naixia
Published: July 2019

Deubiquitinase USP20/VDU2 has been demonstrated to play important roles in multiple cellular processes by controlling the life span of substrate proteins including hypoxia‐inducible factor HIF1α, and so forth. USP20 contains four distinct structural domains including the N‐terminal zinc‐finger ubiquitin binding domain (ZnF‐UBP), the catalytic domain (USP domain), and two tandem DUSP domains, and none of the structures for these four domains has been solved. Meanwhile, except for the ZnF‐UBP domain, the biological functions for USP20's catalytic domain and tandem DUSP domains have been at least partially clarified. Here in this study, we determined the solution structure of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain and investigated its binding properties with mono‐ubiquitin and poly‐ubiquitin (K48‐linked di‐ubiquitin) by using NMR and molecular modeling techniques. USP20's ZnF‐UBP domain forms a spherically shaped fold consisting of a central β‐sheet with either one α‐helix or two α‐helices packed on each side of the sheet. However, although having formed a canonical core structure essential for ubiquitin recognition, USP20 ZnF‐UBP presents weak ubiquitin binding capacity. The structural basis for understanding USP20 ZnF‐UBP's ubiquitin binding capacity was revealed by NMR data‐driven docking. Although the electrostatic interactions between D264 of USP5 (E87 in USP20 ZnF‐UBP) and R74 of ubiquitin are kept, the loss of the extensive interactions formed between ubiquitin's di‐glycine motif and the conserved and non‐conserved residues of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain (W41, E55, and Y84) causes a significant decrease in its binding affinity to ubiquitin. Our findings indicate that USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain might have a physiological role unrelated to its ubiquitin binding capacity.
Metal‐dependent assembly of a protein nano‐cage
Authors: Cristie‐David Ajitha S. , Marsh E. Neil G.
Published: July 2019

Short, alpha‐helical coiled coils provide a simple, modular method to direct the assembly of proteins into higher order structures. We previously demonstrated that by genetically fusing de novo–designed coiled coils of the appropriate oligomerization state to a natural trimeric protein, we could direct the assembly of this protein into various geometrical cages. Here, we have extended this approach by appending a coiled coil designed to trimerize in response to binding divalent transition metal ions and thereby achieve metal ion‐dependent assembly of a tetrahedral protein cage. Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions were evaluated, with Ni2+ proving the most effective at mediating protein assembly. Characterization of the assembled protein indicated that the metal ion–protein complex formed discrete globular structures of the diameter expected for a complex containing 12 copies of the protein monomer. Protein assembly could be reversed by removing metal ions with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or under mildly acidic conditions.
High‐Rate Growth of Single‐Crystalline Diamond (100) Films by Hot‐Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition with Tantalum Filaments at 3000 °C
Authors: Tabakoya Taira , Kanada Shohei , Wakui Yusuke , Takamori Yue , Yamada Tatsuki , Nagai Masatsugu , Kojima Yoshiyasu , Ariyada Osamu , Yamasaki Satoshi , Nebel Christoph E. , Matsumoto Tsubasa , Inokuma Takao , Tokuda Norio
Published: July 2019

Single‐crystalline (100) diamond films are grown using hot‐filament chemical vapor deposition at 3000 °C for the first time, which is achieved using tantalum filaments. A high growth rate of 10 μm h−1 is achieved, which is ≈50 times faster than that achieved at 2000 °C. The Raman spectrum of the diamond film grown at high rate shows a peak at 1333 cm−1 with a full‐width at half‐maximum of 2.8 cm−1, which is comparable with that of the seed substrate (2.7 cm−1). The surfaces of grown films are smooth, without hillocks or nonepitaxial crystallites.
ZnO Thin Films Grown by Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition: Material Properties Within and Outside the “Atomic Layer Deposition Window”
Authors: Pilz Julian , Perrotta Alberto , Leising Günther , Coclite Anna Maria
Published: July 2019

ZnO thin films and nanostructures are applied in various devices due to their interesting optical and electrical properties. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO offers unique advantages such as precise thickness control, uniformity, and conformality. Using reactive plasma species as the co‐reactant (PE‐ALD) allows further enhancement of the material characteristics and tunable properties. The substrate temperature has been reported to be the most influential parameter in this technique, as it affects the growth per cycle (GPC) and material properties. However, an investigation on how the film properties are linked to the GPC is lacking in the literature. Herein, the temperature dependence of several material properties is found closely related to the GPC. The preferential crystal orientation switches from (100) to (002) up to the constant region of the GPC versus temperature, the so‐called ALD window. Refractive index and mass density show different slopes in temperature regions outside and within the ALD window. Excitonic absorption is only found for films prepared within the ALD window, and the resistivity drops rapidly above the ALD window. Following these results, more insights can be gained on the ALD growth (especially the role of the ALD window) and ideal temperature ranges for specific applications.
Irradiated Single Crystal Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamond Characterized with Various Ionizing Particles
Authors: Naaranoja Tiina , Golovleva Maria , Gädda Akiko , Martikainen Laura , Ott Jennifer , Berretti Mirko , Garcia Francisco , Luukka Panja , Tuuva Tuure , Österberg Kenneth
Published: July 2019

The radiation hardness of diamond at the sensor level is studied by irradiating five sensors and studying them with various particle sources, without making any modifications to the sensors in between. The electronics used in the characterization is not irradiated to ensure that any observed effect is merely due to the sensor. Three sensors have received a fluence of 1014 protons cm−2 and two 5⋅1015 protons cm−2. At the lower fluence, the impact on the charge collection efficiency is very small, when the applied bias voltage is above 1 V μm−1. For the higher fluence, the charge collection efficiency is lower than expected based on earlier studies of diamond radiation hardness on the substrate level. Furthermore, it is noticed that the irradiation has a stronger impact on the signal amplitude recorded with a fast timing than with a charge sensitive amplifier.
A simple ensemble approach for more robust process‐based sensitivity analysis of case studies in convection‐permitting models
Authors: Flack David L. A. , Gray Suzanne L. , Plant Robert S.
Published: July 2019

Case studies remain an important method for meteorological parameter sensitivity process studies. However, these types of study often use just a few case studies (typically up to three) and are not tested for statistical significance. This approach can be problematic at the convective scales, since uncertainty in the representation of an event increases, and the variability in the atmosphere arising from convective‐scale noise is not routinely taken into account. Here we propose a simple ensemble method for performing more robust sensitivity analysis without the need for an operational‐style ensemble prediction system and demonstrate it using a case study from the 2005 Convective Storm Initiation Project. Boundary‐layer stochastic potential temperature perturbations with Gaussian spatial structure are used to create small ensembles to examine the impact of increasing cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) on precipitation. Whilst there is a systematic difference between the experiments, such that increasing the CDNC reduces the precipitation, there is also an overlap between the different ensembles implying that convective‐scale variability should be taken into account in case study process‐based sensitivity studies.
Relative contribution of soil moisture, boundary‐layer and microphysical perturbations on convective predictability in different weather regimes
Authors: Keil Christian , Baur Florian , Bachmann Kevin , Rasp Stephan , Schneider Linda , Barthlott Christian
Published: July 2019

The relative contributions of soil moisture heterogeneities, a stochastic boundary‐layer perturbation scheme and varied aerosol concentrations representing microphysical uncertainties on the diurnal cycle of convective precipitation and its spatial variability are examined conditional on the prevailing weather regime. To achieve this, separate perturbed‐parameter ensemble simulations are performed with the Consortium for Small‐scale Modeling (COSMO) model at convection‐permitting horizontal grid spacing for 10 days during a high‐impact weather episode in 2016 in Central Europe. We consider hourly precipitation amounts and their spatial distribution, focus on ensemble mean and spread aggregated over strong and weak forcing conditions, and employ spatial evaluation techniques. The convective adjustment time‐scale diagnostic is used to distinguish the different precipitation regimes. While the total amount of daily precipitation is hardly changed by the different perturbation approaches (less than 5%), the spatial variability of precipitation exhibits clear differences. Soil moisture heterogeneity primarily introduces variability during convection initiation causing a steeper increase in normalized rainfall spread prior to the onset of afternoon precipitation. The stochastic boundary‐layer perturbations lead to the largest spatial variability impacting precipitation from initial time onwards with an amplitude comparable to the operational ensemble spread. Similarly, perturbed aerosol concentrations impact spatial precipitation variability from the model start onwards, but to a smaller degree. Soil moisture heterogeneity shows the strongest weather regime dependence, with the greatest impact on convection during weak synoptic forcing. All types of perturbation increase dispersion of precipitation while maintaining the domain‐averaged precipitation rates.
Polar low variability and future projections for the Nordic and Barents Seas
Authors: Landgren Oskar A. , Batrak Yurii , Haugen Jan Erik , Støylen Eivind , Iversen Trond
Published: July 2019

Polar lows are intense mesoscale cyclones occurring during winter over open sea areas in certain polar sub‐regions. Due to their small size, they are not explicitly represented in present global climate models or Earth system models. In this study 18 members of the CESM Large Ensemble were dynamically downscaled to ∼12 km
horizontal mesh width using the quasi‐hydrostatic ALARO model within the HARMONIE script system in climate mode (HCLIM‐ALARO). The domain covers the Nordic and Barents Seas. One historical and two future time‐periods were selected. For validation, the ERA‐Interim reanalysis was also downscaled. A cyclone‐tracking algorithm was used to identify tracks of individual polar lows. Their frequency of occurrence, lifetime, and maximum relative vorticity were estimated. Relative to ERA‐Interim, the historical frequency of occurrence of polar lows was slightly overestimated in the Nordic Seas and underestimated in the Barents Sea, which is likely due to positive biases in sea‐surface temperature and sea‐ice concentration. For future climate projections, the regions of polar low genesis are diagnosed to move northwards in accordance with the sea‐ice retreat. In the Nordic Seas, the number of polar lows decreases at the beginning of the season, while there is an increase in March. In the Barents Sea, a February–April increase in the occurrence of polar lows is seen.
Summertime midlatitude weather and climate extremes induced by moisture intrusions to the west of Greenland
Authors: Baggett Cory , Lee Sukyoung
Published: July 2019

The summer of 2010 was characterized by weather and climate extremes such as the western Russia heatwave and the Pakistan floods. A recent study found that summer was dominated by a particular 200 hPa geopotential height pattern featuring an anomalous Rossby wave train with ridges centred over Greenland, Europe and Russia. The daily frequency of this pattern has dramatically increased recently and closely resembles the mean‐state difference in 200 hPa geopotential height fields between 1998–2014 (P2) and 1979–1997 (P1). Because anomalous wave trains are often driven by localized diabatic heating, it is tested in this study whether the P2 minus P1 pattern is caused by diabatic heating anomalies near Greenland. While it is found that sea ice concentrations declined and sea‐surface temperatures rose over Baffin Bay to the west of Greenland during P2, surface latent heat fluxes actually increased downward, indicating that surface processes were likely not the source of diabatic heating. Rather, an increase in vertically integrated horizontal latent‐heat flux convergence over Baffin Bay was observed in P2, which led to the condensation of water vapour and latent heating. Thus, the mid‐tropospheric circulation established the diabatic heating. A set of initial‐value calculations with idealized heating over Baffin Bay show solutions that remarkably resemble the P2 minus P1 pattern and provide a plausible explanation as to why the pattern has been occurring more frequently. This study demonstrates that changes in the Arctic can arise from moisture transport from the midlatitudes, and, in turn, these changes can induce weather and climate extremes in distant midlatitude regions.
Assay determination by mass spectrometry for oligonucleotide therapeutics
Authors: Madsen Mark , Roussis Stilianos , Schniepp Eric , Rentel Claus , Capaldi Daniel
Published: July 2019

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotide drugs typically contain product‐related impurities that are difficult to resolve chromatographically from the parent oligonucleotide due to the size of these compounds and the large number of stereoisomers that comprise the parent. The presence of co‐eluting impurities hinders the process of determining assay based on chromatographic separation alone. A mass spectrometry‐based purity assessment of the main chromatography peak can be used to quantify co‐eluting impurities and enable the accurate determination of assay, but a more direct measure of assay was desired due to the complexity of measuring all co‐eluting impurities by mass spectrometry. Therefore, we developed an assay method that utilizes the specificity of mass spectrometry to measure the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient in a sample, which eliminates the need for chromatographic separation of impurities from the product. This procedure uses a single quadrupole mass spectrometer and incorporates an internal standard that is co‐sprayed with the analyte to compensate for the drift commonly associated with mass spectrometry‐based quantitation. Using the mass spectrometry response ratio for sample to internal standard enables the method to achieve excellent linearity (R2 = 0.998), repeatability (relative standard deviation = 0.5%), intermediate precision (0.6%), and accuracy, with measured assay values consistently within 2.0% of expected. The results indicate the method possesses the accuracy and precision required for measuring assay in clinical and commercial stage pharmaceutical products. Since the method is based on the specificity of the mass spectrometer, and does not rely on chromatographic separation of impurities, the procedure should be applicable to a wide variety of oligonucleotide therapeutics regardless of sequence or chemical modifications.
Financial statement change and equity risk
Authors: Senteney Michael H. , Stowe David L. , Stowe John D.
Published: July 2019

While financial statement analysis is a rich tool, there is no widely used holistic measure of the amount of change in corporate financial statements. Statistical decomposition analysis has been employed as an index of the amount of change, but has fallen into disuse because it does not allow negative accounting numbers. As a remedy, this paper suggests three distance measures adapted from cluster analysis that avoid this critical data limitation. We successfully apply these proposed distance measures to explain the total and systematic risk of stock returns (in the CAPM and Fama–French model), corporate bond ratings, and corporate distress.
Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells with a Novel Aggregation‐Induced Emission Molecule as Hole‐Transport Material
Authors: Cao Yulin , Chen Wei , Sun Huiliang , Wang Dong , Chen Peng , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , Zhu Yudong , Tu Bao , Guo Xugang , Tang Ben-Zhong , He Zhubing
Published: July 2019

Organic hole‐transport materials (HTMs) are very promising for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) because the molecule structure is engineered via facile chemical routes. Herein, an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecule, 2‐(2,7‐bis(4‐(bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐ylidene)malononitrile (TFM), is successfully employed for the first time as a HTM in an inverted planar PSC, obtaining a promising device performance superior to that of the control device with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) HTM. An optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.03% is obtained for the TFM‐based PSCs with a Jsc of 22.68 mA cm−2, Voc of 0.97 V and FF of 72.9%, while that of the control PEDOT:PSS‐based device is 14.95%. Steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence results reveal suppressed nonradiative recombination at the TFM/perovskite interface that is attributed to the effective passivation of the uncoordinated Pb at the perovskite surface by the CN− groups of TFM molecules, as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectronic spectroscopy measurements. In addition to the passivation, the hydrophobic character of TFM films also contributes to the improved device stability. The findings demonstrate the potential of AIE molecules in PSCs and also paves a novel way to improve device performance and stability by molecular structure engineering of AIE molecules in the future.
Potassium Hydroxide Mixed with Lithium Hydroxide: An Advanced Electrolyte for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Han Tingting , Shi Yuanyuan , Yu Zhouchangwan , Shin Byungha , Lanza Mario
Published: July 2019

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices have attracted lots of interest in academia and industry as an environmentally friendly approach to generate clean hydrogen fuels. However, the stability of the PEC water splitting devices is still a huge challenge in this field. Herein, the effect of different alkaline electrolytes on 5 nm Ni/SiOX/n‐Si/Ti photoanodes by PEC, chemical, and morphologic characterizations is studied. Although the photoanode at 1 m potassium hydroxide (KOH) (pH 14) shows low onset potential, it starts to decay after ≈141 h PEC tests due to the formation of pinholes. However, PEC tests in the mixture electrolyte of KOH and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) (pH 12.5) or the mixture electrolyte of K‐borate and Li‐borate (pH 9.5) show a stability of >264 h due to the presence of lithium ions. Compared with the measurement at pH 9.5 with the Li ions electrolyte, a 5 nm Ni/SiOX/n‐Si/Ti photoanode tested at pH 12.5 shows a lower onset potential of 1.254 V versus that with the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for water oxidation, indicating an overpotential of 0.024 V. The pH 12.5 solution made of KOH and LiOH can be an attractive electrolyte to enhance the activity and lifetime of silicon‐based photoanodes for PEC water splitting devices.
Simultaneous Cesium and Acetate Coalloying Improves Efficiency and Stability of FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cell with an Efficiency of 21.95%
Authors: Yuan Shihao , Cai Yuan , Yang Shaomin , Zhao Huan , Qian Fang , Han Yu , Sun Jie , Liu Zhike , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: July 2019

A simple coalloying strategy is applied to improve the efficiency and stability of FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by using cesium acetate (CsAc) as an additive. It is found that the simultaneous incorporation of cation (Cs+) and anion (Ac−) into the FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 film is an effective approach to realize lattice contraction, grain size enlargement, photoelectric properties improvement, band structure modulation, and therefore the optimization of the efficiency and stability of PSCs. At optimal CsAc alloying, the FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 PSCs achieve a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.95% and an average of over 21%. In addition, the alloyed PSCs retain 97% of their initial PCE values after aging for 55 days in air without encapsulation.
Design Principles of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells with Dopant‐Free Interdigitated Back Contacts
Authors: Yang Zhenhai , Lin Hao , Sheng Jiang , Yang Xi , Wang Wei , Chee Kuan W. A. , Gao Pingqi , Ye Jichun
Published: July 2019

Silicon (Si) heterojunction (HJ) solar cells (SCs) with dopant‐free interdigitated back contacts (IBCs) for both polarities have attracted considerable attention because of their potential for high‐efficiency performance combined with a simplified process flow. However, the lack of a thorough understanding of this type of SCs is restraining a plethora of screening opportunities for functional materials and HJ design. Here, experiments and simulations are conducted to explore the mechanisms of charge carrier transport/recombination and formulate design principles for a dopant‐free IBC‐HJ SC. The roles of the IBC area fill ratio, device pitch, and interface passivation are addressed and optimized. With a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene (PEDOT:PSS)/magnesium oxide thin film as the hole‐transport layer (HTL)/electron‐transport layer (ETL), the bulk of photoelectric loss is understood to stem from recombination at the ETL/n‐Si interface in our case study. The simulated hole (minority carrier) current flow distributions clearly demonstrate the benefits of interfacial passivation on the photovoltaic performance, and a remarkable efficiency above 24% is anticipated in an optimal design for the conditions studied so far. The results presented in this article have wide applicability, providing valuable guidance for the development of a high‐efficiency IBC‐HJ SC with fully dopant‐free contacts.
Fabrication of Ag/h‐MoO3 with Surface Plasmon Resonances for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Liu Wei , Xu Qun
Published: July 2019

Semiconductors with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are promising in next‐generation photocatalysts for the application of visible and near‐infrared (Vis–NIR) light. Herein, plasmonic h‐MoO3 realizing light absorption in the Vis–NIR regions is fabricated via the supercritical CO2 method. By in situ reduction, the as‐prepared Ag/h‐MoO3 photocatalyst can be further obtained, and it reaches a current density of 20 uA cm−2 for photoelectrochemical (PEC) response, ten times the enhancement of the photoelectronic response. Such an enhanced PEC performance is attributed to the superposition of the enhanced light absorption in Vis–NIR and the efficient separation of electrons and holes.
Recent Advances in Cu‐Based Cocatalysts toward Solar‐to‐Hydrogen Evolution: Categories and Roles
Authors: Zhu Jiaxin , Cheng Gang , Xiong Jinyan , Li Weijie , Dou Shixue
Published: July 2019

Solar‐to‐hydrogen production is one of the most promising solutions for global energy shortages and the environmental crisis because it utilizes solar energy to the fullest extent. Photocatalytically splitting water to hydrogen involves three crucial processes: solar light harvesting, charge separation/migration, and the catalytic H2 production reaction. In the past few years, much attention is paid to investigating noble metal cocatalysts for solar photoreduction, but much less attention is paid to transition metal‐based cocatalysts. Nevertheless, great and significant advances are achieved using a copper‐based cocatalyst for solar‐to‐hydrogen evolution, as it possesses a suitable binding energy for the hydrogen intermediate according to density functional theory calculations. This review summarizes recent studies and progress on the copper‐based cocatalytic materials as well as discusses the roles and functional mechanisms for photocatalytic H2 evolution. It begins with discussing basic principles for the use of cocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and points out opportunities to use non‐noble metal cocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. Then, it explains the construction and structural features of a photocatalysis system with semiconductor‐Cu‐based cocatalyst, and how the functional mechanisms work to enhance the hydrogen‐production‐related reactions. Finally, some challenges and perspectives are also given to promote further exploration of this emerging research area.