bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improve your adult learners' earning potential through blocked scheduling, accelerated certificates
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: April 2018

Improve your adult learners' earning potential through blocked scheduling, accelerated certificates

Developing programs that meet the needs of your local workforce

Block schedules to accelerate graduation rates and decrease attrition rates
Age‐related differences when measuring political hypocrisy
Authors: Prete M. Irene , Guido Gianluigi , Pichierri Marco , Harris Phil
Published: April 2018

This article aims to develop a scale for measuring political hypocrisy (conceptualized as the inconsistency between values publicly expressed by politicians and the behavior they actually demonstrate) and to explore the role of age in voters' perceptions of politicians' hypocrisy, analyzing if citizens belonging to different age groups may identify politicians' hypocrisy with a different detail. Results show that the 19‐item scale of political hypocrisy—composed of three dimensions, called “ambiguity,” “slyness,” and “deceit”—has good psychometric properties, and that age‐related differences when measuring political hypocrisy do exist (young voters show a greater awareness of the hypocritical behavior held by politicians). Furthermore, results suggest that the perception of political hypocrisy may vary according both to voters' political orientation and voting intention.
Photochemical grafting of polysulfobetaine onto polyethylene and polystyrene surfaces and investigation of long‐term stability of the polysulfobetaine layer in seawater
Authors: Mosnáček Jaroslav , Osička Jozef , Popelka Anton , Zavahir Sifani , Ben‐Hamadou Radhouane , Kasák Peter
Published: April 2018

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) films with hydrophilic surface were prepared by photochemical grafting of sulfobetaine‐based copolymer containing photolabile moiety, and long‐term stability of the hydrophilic nature of the surfaces in seawater was proved. The sulfobetaine‐based copolymer was prepared by copolymerization of N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(3‐(methacryloylamino)propyl)‐N‐(3‐sulfopropyl) ammonium betaine with 2 or 5 mol% of N‐methacryloyl‐4‐azidoaniline, and the resulted polymers were grafted onto the plasma pretreated LDPE and PS films. The contact angle measurements were used to prove the modification as well as to follow the changes in the hydrophilicity during storage at room temperature under air atmosphere as well as in seawater at 32°C. The stability of the polymer layer was confirmed also by FTIR and AFM. Polysulfobetaine‐modified LDPE and PS surfaces exhibited significantly higher long‐term hydrophilicity compared with only plasma treated LDPE and PS surfaces.
Synthesis and properties of novel fluorinated polyurethane based on fluorinated gemini diol
Authors: Shi Xiang , Shi HongXin , Wu HongKe , Shen HaiMin , Cao Peng
Published: April 2018

In the current study, the novel fluorinated polyurethanes (FPUs) that contained the gemini branched fluoroether side groups on the hard segments were developed. In brief, to obtain these FPUs, a new class of fluorinated gemini diol with double‐branched fluoroether side groups was first synthesized and characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Subsequently, a series of FPUs were designed and prepared by using hexamethylene diisocyanate, poly (tetramethylene oxide glycol), 1,4‐butanediol, and fluorinated gemini diol. Analysis of the FPUs' surface properties from contact angle analysis indicated that the water contact angle increased from 81° to more than 120° when the content of fluorinated gemini diol was increased. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that introduction of fluorinated gemini dio decreased the Tg of FPUs, causing a better phase separation. Results from thermogravimetric analysis studies indicated the thermal stability of FPUs was improved. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy revealed that fluoroether groups migrate to and enrich on the outmost surface of FPUs.
A methodology to analyze photovoltaic tracker uptime
Authors: Ruth Dan , Muller Matthew
Published: April 2018

A metric is developed to analyze the daily performance of single‐axis photovoltaic (PV) trackers. The metric relies on comparing correlations between the daily time series of the PV power output and an array of simulated plane‐of‐array irradiances for the given day. Mathematical thresholds and a logic sequence are presented, so the daily tracking metric can be applied in an automated fashion on large‐scale PV systems. The results of applying the metric are visually examined against the time series of the power output data for a large number of days and for various systems. The visual inspection results suggest that overall, the algorithm is accurate in identifying stuck or functioning trackers on clear‐sky days. Visual inspection also shows that there are days that are not classified by the metric where the power output data may be sufficient to identify a stuck tracker. Based on the daily tracking metric, uptime results are calculated for 83 different inverters at 34 PV sites. The mean tracker uptime is calculated at 99% based on 2 different calculation methods. The daily tracking metric clearly has limitations, but as there is no existing metrics in the literature, it provides a valuable tool for flagging stuck trackers.
A comparative life cycle assessment of end‐of‐life treatment pathways for photovoltaic backsheets
Authors: Aryan Venkat , Font‐Brucart Mercè , Maga Daniel
Published: April 2018

In light of growing photovoltaic (PV) installation capacities around the world, and with it the increasing number of decommissioned modules, it is vital that PV waste is duly treated to recover valuable materials as well as to comply with legislative requirements. The European Union (EU) directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances mandates manufacturers, retailers, and importers to collectively organise and finance the end‐of‐life (EoL) stage of electronic products in the EU. Using life cycle assessment, this study makes a comparative analysis of the environmental impacts stemming from the EoL treatment of fluorine‐free and fluorinated backsheet material present in PV modules. The 2 potential EoL treatment scenarios explored in this study are incineration and pyrolysis. In general, the life cycle assessment of fluorine‐free backsheet material shows better environmental performance than fluorinated backsheet material for both EoL scenarios. For incineration scenario, the environmental impact of fluorine‐free backsheet is evidently better than fluorinated backsheet across 11 out of 12 investigated impact categories. Similarly for pyrolysis scenario, fluorine‐free backsheets have better environmental performance than fluorinated backsheets in 8 out of 12 impact categories. Furthermore, because of the release of high amounts of hydrogen fluoride, as well as the presence of halogenated hydrocarbons and halogenated aromatics in pyrolysis products, it can be concluded that pyrolysis is not an environmentally feasible pathway for fluorinated backsheet.
Isobaric Tag‐Based Protein Profiling of a Nicotine‐Treated Alpha7 Nicotinic Receptor‐Null Human Haploid Cell Line
Authors: Paulo Joao A. , Gygi Steven P.
Published: April 2018

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), the primary cell surface targets of nicotine, have implications in various neurological disorders. Here we investigate the proteome‐wide effects of nicotine on human haploid cell lines (wildtype HAP1 and α7KO‐HAP1) to address differences in nicotine‐induced protein abundance profiles between these cell lines. We performed an SPS‐MS3‐based TMT10‐plex experiment arranged in a 2‐3‐2‐3 design with two replicates of the untreated samples and three of the treated samples for each cell line. We quantified 8775 proteins across all ten samples, of which several hundred differed significantly in abundance. Comparing α7KO‐HAP1 and HAP1wt cell lines to each other revealed significant protein abundance alterations; however, we also measured differences resulting from nicotine treatment in both cell lines. Among proteins with increased abundance levels due to nicotine treatment included those previously identified: APP, APLP2, and ITM2B. The magnitude of these changes was greater in HAP1wt compared to the α7KO‐HAP1 cell line, implying a potential role for the α7 nAChR in HAP1 cells. Moreover, the data revealed that membrane proteins and proteins commonly associated with neurons were predominant among those with altered abundance. This study, which is the first TMT‐based proteome profiling of HAP1 cells, defines further the effects of nicotine on non‐neuronal cellular proteomes.
Polymerized ionic liquids: Effects of counter‐anions on ion conduction and polymerization kinetics
Authors: Chen Mingtao , Dugger Jason W. , Li Xiuli , Wang Yangyang , Kumar Rajeev , Meek Kelly M. , Uhrig David W. , Browning James F. , Madsen Louis A. , Long Timothy E. , Lokitz Bradley S.
Published: April 2018

A novel imidazolium‐containing monomer, 1‐[ω‐methacryloyloxydecyl]‐3‐(n‐butyl)‐imidazolium (1BDIMA), was synthesized and polymerized using free radical and controlled free radical polymerization followed by post‐polymerization ion exchange with bromide (Br), tetrafluoroborate (BF4), hexafluorophosphate (PF6), or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf2N). The thermal properties and ionic conductivity of the polymers showed a strong dependence on the counter‐ions and had glass transition temperatures (Tg) and ion conductivities at room temperature ranging from 10 °C to −42 °C and 2.09 × 10−7S cm−1to 2.45 × 10−5S cm−1. In particular, PILs with Tf2N counter‐ions showed excellent ion conductivity of 2.45 × 10−5S cm−1at room temperature without additional ionic liquids (ILs) being added to the system, making them suitable for further study as electro‐responsive materials. In addition to the counter‐ions, solvent was found to have a significant effect on the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization (RAFT) for 1BDIMA with different counter‐ions. For example, 1BDIMATf2N would not polymerize in acetonitrile (MeCN) at 65 °C and only achieved low monomer conversion (< 5%) at 75 °C. However, 1BDIMA‐Tf2N proceeded to high conversion in dimethylformamide (DMF) at 65 °C and 1BDIMABr polymerized significantly faster in DMF compared to MeCN. NMR diffusometry was used to investigate the kinetic differences by probing the diffusion coefficients for each monomer and counter‐ion in MeCN and DMF. These results indicate that the reaction rates are not diffusion limited, and point to a need for deeper understanding of the role electrostatics plays in the kinetics of free radical polymerizations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2018,56, 1346–1357
A cross‐sectional study of agreement between the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patient‐ and radiation oncologist–reported single‐item assessment of depression and anxiety
Authors: Mackenzie Lisa , Carey Mariko , Suzuki Eiji , Yoshimura Michio , Toi Masakazu , D'Este Catherine , Sanson‐Fisher Rob
Published: April 2018

Objective

To describe among radiation oncology patients: (1) the proportion likely to be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety as identified by (a) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; standardised tool), (b) patient‐reported single items (ultrashort tool), and (c) radiation oncologist–reported single items (clinician judgement); (2) preferences for being offered psychological support; and (3) agreement between single‐item measures and the HADS.

Methods

Adult cancer patients (n = 152; consent rate 58%) receiving radiotherapy completed a touchscreen tablet survey assessing symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS and a single‐item tool) and support preferences. Each participant's treating radiation oncologist completed a survey assessing his or her perception of whether the patient was anxious or depressed.

Results

Prevalence estimates for likely depression (6.9‐18%) and anxiety (17‐33%) overlapped across the 3 measures. Overall, only 9.9% of patients (95% CI, 5.6%‐16%) wanted to be offered psychological support. For depression, agreement between the HADS and ultrashort tool was fair (κ = 0.37, P < 0.0001); agreement between the HADS and clinician judgement was slight (κ = 0.14, P < 0.05). For anxiety, agreement between the HADS and clinician judgement was not significantly greater than chance alone (κ = 0.04, P = 0.33), and agreement between the HADS and ultrashort tool was moderate (κ = 0.49, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the important role that oncology consultations play in interpreting assessment tool results and responding to individual patient's history and preferences for psychological support.
Sleep and mood during hospitalization for high‐dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic rescue in pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Graef Danielle M. , Crabtree Valerie McLaughlin , Srivastava Deo Kumar , Li Chenghong , Pritchard Michele , Hinds Pamela S. , Mandrell Belinda
Published: April 2018

Objective

Disrupted sleep is common in pediatric cancer, which is associated with psychological distress and may impact neural recovery. Information regarding sleep during pediatric brain tumor treatment is limited. This study aimed to describe objective sleep‐wake patterns and examine the sleep‐mood relation in youth hospitalized for intensive chemotherapy and stem cell rescue.

Methods

Participants included 37 patients (M age = 9.6 ± 4.2 years) enrolled on a medulloblastoma protocol (SJMB03) and their parents. Respondents completed a mood disturbance measure on 3 days, and patients wore an actigraph for 5 days as an objective estimate of sleep‐wake patterns. General linear mixed models examined the relation between nocturnal sleep and next‐day mood, as well as mood and that night's sleep.

Results

Sleep duration was deficient, sleep efficiency was poor, and daytime napping was common, with large between‐subjects variability. There were minimal mood concerns across all days. The sleep and next‐day mood relationship was nonsignificant (P > .05). Greater parent‐reported child mood disturbance on day 2 was associated with decreased same‐night sleep (P < .001) and greater patient‐reported mood disturbance was associated with greater same‐night sleep latency (P = .036).

Conclusions

Patients with medulloblastoma are vulnerable to disturbed sleep during hospitalization, and mood may be an important correlate to consider. Sleep and mood are modifiable factors that may be targeted to maximize daytime functioning.
Psychiatric disorders among children of parents with cancer: A Swedish register‐based matched cohort study
Authors: Chen Ruoqing , Regodón Wallin Amanda , Norén Selinus Eva , Sjölander Arvid , Fall Katja , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur , Czene Kamila , Fang Fang
Published: April 2018

Objective

To investigate the risk of psychiatric disorders among children of parents with cancer in a nationwide population‐based setting.

Methods

Based on Swedish national registers, the study included 101 339 children with parental cancer diagnosed either during pregnancy (N = 1047) or after birth (N = 100 292) that were born during 1983 to 2000. For each exposed child, we randomly selected 10 unexposed children from the general population after individual matching by year of birth and sex. The matched cohort was followed during 2001 to 2010. Clinical diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and use of prescribed psychiatric medications were identified for all children. Cox regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations of parental cancer with psychiatric disorder diagnosis and psychiatric medication use, respectively.

Results

Parental cancer during pregnancy was not associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders overall, although paternal cancer during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of psychiatric medication use among females. Parental cancer after birth was associated with higher risks of psychiatric disorder diagnoses, particularly stress reaction and adjustment disorders (males: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08‐1.43; females: HR: 1.27, 95% CI, 1.14‐1.41), and use of psychiatric medication (males: odds ratio [OR]: 1.09, 95% CI, 1.04‐1.13; females: OR: 1.14, 95% CI, 1.10‐1.18). The positive associations were stronger for parental cancer with poor expected survival and for parental death after cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions

Parental cancer, primarily the life‐threatening cancer, might confer a higher risk of psychiatric disorders among children. These findings have potential implications for health care professionals in providing targeted support to children living with a parent with cancer.
Interleukin‐13 associates with life‐threatening rhinovirus infections in infants and young children
Authors: Caballero Mauricio T. , Hijano Diego R. , Acosta Patricio L. , Mateu Cecilia G. , Marcone Débora N. , Linder Jodell E. , Talarico Laura B. , Elder John M. , Echavarria Marcela , Miller Eva Kathryn , Polack Fernando P. ,   the INFANT Respiratory Network
Published: April 2018

Objective

Delineate risk factors associated with severe hypoxemia (O2 sat ≤87%) in infants and children younger than 2 years hospitalized with single pathogen HRV infection.

Study Design

Prospective study in a yearly catchment population of 56 560 children <2 years old between 2011 and 2013 in Argentina. All children with respiratory signs and O2 sat <93% on admission were included. HRV infections were identified by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Epidemiologic, clinical, viral, and immunological risk factors were assessed.

Results

Among 5012 hospitalized patients, HRV was detected as a single pathogen in 347 (6.92%) subjects. Thirty‐two (9.2%) had life‐threatening disease. Traditional risk factors for severe bronchiolitis did not affect severity of illness. HRV viral load, HRV groups, and type II and III interferons did not associate with severe hypoxemia. Interleukin‐13 Levels in respiratory secretions at the time of admission (OR = 7.43 (3‐18.4); P < 0.001 for IL‐13 >10 pg/mL) predisposed to life‐threatening disease.

Conclusions

Targeted interventions against IL‐13 should be evaluated to decrease severity of HRV illness in infancy and early childhood.
Energetic Materials Derived from 4,4’,5,5’‐tetranitro‐1H,1’H‐2,2’‐biimidazole
Authors: Lewczuk Rafał
Published: April 2018

In the group of energetic diazoles, 4,4’,5,5’‐tetranitro‐1H,1’H‐2,2’‐biimidazole (TNBI) have attracted much attention in the past few years. Although the compound suffers from hygroscopicity, it is a useful substrate for the synthesis of new high energy materials. The review summarizes published data on the methods of preparation, structure, properties and energetic characteristics of TNBI, its salts and N‐substituted derivatives. This class of compounds contains mainly nitrogen rich molecules with potential to become future propellants and explosives.
Dehydroleucodine inhibits mitotic clonal expansion during adipogenesis through cell cycle arrest
Authors: Abood S. , Veisaga M. L. , López L. A. , Barbieri M. A.
Published: April 2018

Aberrant levels of preadipocyte differentiation, triggered by adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy, results in the obesogenic phenotype. Obesity is a risk factor for several metabolic disorders. In this paper, dehydroleucodine inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased the elevations of triglycerides, and this inhibitory effect occurred during the early stage of adipogenesis. Thus, not only did dehydroleucodine downregulate the expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ, it also strongly blocked the expression of C/EBPβ, an early stage biomarker of early adipogenesis, in a concentration‐dependent manner. The proliferation of preadipocytes was dramatically suppressed when dehydroleucodine was added to the medium as early as 24 hr. These results indicate that dehydroleucodine may specifically affect mitotic clonal expansion to inhibit preadipocyte differentiation. Dehydroleucodine arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, increased p27 and decreased both cyclins A and D and their partners (e.g., CDK2 and CDK4). Additionally, dehydroleucodine decreased phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt. Furthermore, dehydroleucodine downregulated expression of histone demethylase JMJD2B as well as repressed the expression of histone methyltransferase MLL4, which in turn diminished the expression of C/EBPβ and PPARγ, respectively. Collectively, our results indicate that dehydroleucodine inhibits preadipocyte differentiation by blocking mitotic clonal expansion via cell cycle arrest, which may be mediated by regulation of selective histone methylation/demethylation in transcription activation during the early step of adipogenesis.
Revisiting the foundations of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules: Some open problems
Authors: Shahbazian Shant
Published: April 2018

In a series of papers in the last 10 years, various aspects of the mathematical foundations of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules have been considered by this author and his coworkers in some details. Although these considerations answered part of the questions raised by some critics on the mathematical foundations of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, however, new mathematical problems also emerged during these studies that were reviewed elsewhere [Sh. ShahbazianInt. J. Quantum Chem.2011,111, 4497.]. Beyond mathematical subtleties of the formalism that were the original motivation for initial exchanges and disputes, the questions raised by critics had a constructive effect and prompted the author to propose a novel extension of the theory, now called the multi‐component quantum theory of atoms in molecules [M. Goli, Sh. ShahbazianTheor. Chem. Acc.2013,132, 1365.]. Taking this background into account, in this paper a new set of open problems is put forward that the author believes proper answers to these questions, may open new doors for future theoretical developments of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. Accordingly, rather than emphasizing on the rigorous mathematical formulation, the practical motivations behind proposing these questions are discussed in detail and the relevant literature are reviewed while when possible, evidence and routes to answers are also provided. The author hopes that proposing these open questions as a compact package may motivate more mathematically oriented people to participate in future developments of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and its multi‐component version.
Management of adenovirus infection in patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: State‐of‐the‐art and real‐life current approach
Authors: Hiwarkar Prashant , Kosulin Karin , Cesaro Simone , Mikulska Malgorzata , Styczynski Jan , Wynn Robert , Lion Thomas
Published: April 2018

The important insights gained over the past years in diagnosis and treatment of invasive adenoviral infections provide new paradigms for the monitoring and clinical management of these life‐threatening complications. A meeting was held to discuss and subsequently disseminate the current advances in our understanding of the aetiology/pathogenesis and future treatment options facilitating effective control or prevention of adenovirus‐related diseases in the allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant setting. Invited experts in the field discussed recent progress with leading members of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation at the “State‐of‐the‐art” Meeting in Poznan, Poland, in October 2017. In this review article, the panel of experts presents a concise summary of the current evidence based on published data from the last 15 years and on recent achievements resulting from real‐life practice. The present position statement reflects an expert opinion on current approaches to clinical management of adenovirus infections in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant and provides graded recommendations of the panel for diagnostic approaches and preemptive therapy reflecting the present state of knowledge.
Output feedback semiglobal practical consensus of linear systems with relative state‐dependent uncertainties
Authors: Zhao Yadong , Zhang Weidong
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes an output feedback consensus control law for linear multiagent systems with relative state‐dependent uncertainties. To achieve output feedback control and uncertainty attenuation, the theories of extended high‐gain observer and structural decomposition are employed. Under the proposed control scheme, semiglobal practical consensus is achieved in the sense that the synchronization errors are ultimately bounded. Besides, the synchronization errors can be kept arbitrarily small by a proper choice of tuning parameters. Finally, a simulation example is provided to verify the theoretical results.
Study of the Au‐Cr bilayer system using X‐ray reflectivity, GDOES, and ToF‐SIMS
Authors: Jonnard Philippe , Modi Mohammed H. , Le Guen Karine , Aneshwari Nargish , Sinha Mangalika , Idir Mourad , Chapon Patrick , Galtayries Anouk
Published: April 2018

We study a Au (25 nm)/Cr (10 nm) bilayer system as a model of mirror for the soft X‐ray energy range. The Au and Cr thin films are a few nanometer thick and are deposited on a float glass substrate. The sample is characterized by using 3 complementary techniques: soft X‐ray reflectivity, glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES), and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF‐SIMS). Soft X‐ray reflectivity provides information about the thickness and roughness of the different layers, while GDOES is used to obtain the elemental depth profile of the stack and ToF‐SIMS to obtain the elemental and chemical depth profiles. GDOES and ToF‐SIMS have both a nanometer depth resolution. A coherent description of the bilayer stack is obtained through the combination of these techniques. It consists in 5 layers namely a surface contamination layer, a principal gold layer, a Au‐Cr mixed layer, a Cr layer, and another contamination layer at the top of the substrate.
Pathway aggregation for survival prediction via multiple kernel learning
Authors: Sinnott Jennifer A. , Cai Tianxi
Published: April 2018

Attempts to predict prognosis in cancer patients using high‐dimensional genomic data such as gene expression in tumor tissue can be made difficult by the large number of features and the potential complexity of the relationship between features and the outcome. Integrating prior biological knowledge into risk prediction with such data by grouping genomic features into pathways and networks reduces the dimensionality of the problem and could improve prediction accuracy. Additionally, such knowledge‐based models may be more biologically grounded and interpretable. Prediction could potentially be further improved by allowing for complex nonlinear pathway effects. The kernel machine framework has been proposed as an effective approach for modeling the nonlinear and interactive effects of genes in pathways for both censored and noncensored outcomes. When multiple pathways are under consideration, one may efficiently select informative pathways and aggregate their signals via multiple kernel learning (MKL), which has been proposed for prediction of noncensored outcomes. In this paper, we propose MKL methods for censored survival outcomes. We derive our approach for a general survival modeling framework with a convex objective function and illustrate its application under the Cox proportional hazards and semiparametric accelerated failure time models. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed MKL‐based prediction methods work well in finite sample and can potentially outperform models constructed assuming linear effects or ignoring the group knowledge. The methods are illustrated with an application to 2 cancer data sets.
Predictive probability methods for interim monitoring in clinical trials with longitudinal outcomes
Authors: Zhou Ming , Tang Qi , Lang Lixin , Xing Jun , Tatsuoka Kay
Published: April 2018

In clinical research and development, interim monitoring is critical for better decision‐making and minimizing the risk of exposing patients to possible ineffective therapies. For interim futility or efficacy monitoring, predictive probability methods are widely adopted in practice. Those methods have been well studied for univariate variables. However, for longitudinal studies, predictive probability methods using univariate information from only completers may not be most efficient, and data from on‐going subjects can be utilized to improve efficiency. On the other hand, leveraging information from on‐going subjects could allow an interim analysis to be potentially conducted once a sufficient number of subjects reach an earlier time point. For longitudinal outcomes, we derive closed‐form formulas for predictive probabilities, including Bayesian predictive probability, predictive power, and conditional power and also give closed‐form solutions for predictive probability of success in a future trial and the predictive probability of success of the best dose. When predictive probabilities are used for interim monitoring, we study their distributions and discuss their analytical cutoff values or stopping boundaries that have desired operating characteristics. We show that predictive probabilities utilizing all longitudinal information are more efficient for interim monitoring than that using information from completers only. To illustrate their practical application for longitudinal data, we analyze 2 real data examples from clinical trials.
Periodical 2D Photonic–Plasmonic Au/TiOx Nanocavity Resonators for Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Fu Baihe , Zhang Zhonghai
Published: April 2018

Effective light trapping at the nanoscale is vital for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications. Photonic and plasmonic resonators are the two most promising approaches for this purpose, and the synergetic combination of these two resonators will tail the propagation lengths of incident light along with field enhancements, and thus presents further enhanced light‐trapping activity. Herein, a new hybrid photonic–plasmonic resonator is proposed through sputtering plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NPs) into the 2D photonic TiOx nanocavity. Through facile control of the size of Au NPs, the matching of resonant wavelength of plasmonic Au NPs and photonic nanocavities maximize the light‐trapping intensity and thus further improve the PEC performance. Furthermore, for expanding the PEC applications, after functionalization of Au NPs with aptamer as a biomolecular recognition unit, a PEC aptasensor is also proposed and presents the highest sensitivity for antibiotic detection.
Effects of Conformal Nanoscale Coatings on Thermal Performance of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Silvestri Cinzia , Riccio Michele , Poelma René H. , Jovic Aleksandar , Morana Bruno , Vollebregt Sten , Irace Andrea , Zhang Guo Qi , Sarro Pasqualina M.
Published: April 2018

The high aspect ratio and the porous nature of spatially oriented forest‐like carbon nanotube (CNT) structures represent a unique opportunity to engineer a novel class of nanoscale assemblies. By combining CNTs and conformal coatings, a 3D lightweight scaffold with tailored behavior can be achieved. The effect of nanoscale coatings, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and nonstoichiometric amorphous silicon carbide (a‐SiC), on the thermal transport efficiency of high aspect ratio vertically aligned CNTs, is reported herein. The thermal performance of the CNT‐based nanostructure strongly depends on the achieved porosity, the coating material and its infiltration within the nanotube network. An unprecedented enhancement in terms of effective thermal conductivity in a‐SiC coated CNTs has been obtained: 181% compared to the as‐grown CNTs and Al2O3 coated CNTs. Furthermore, the integration of coated high aspect ratio CNTs in an epoxy molding compound demonstrates that, next to the required thermal conductivity, the mechanical compliance for thermal interface applications can also be achieved through coating infiltration into foam‐like CNT forests.
Nitrogen, Fluorine, and Boron Ternary Doped Carbon Fibers as Cathode Electrocatalysts for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Yueqing , Wu Mingguang , Wei Zengxi , Cui Chunyu , Mao Minglei , Zhang Jintao , Han Xiaopeng , Liu Quanhui , Ma Jianmin
Published: April 2018

Zinc–air batteries with high‐density energy are promising energy storage devices for the next generation of energy storage technologies. However, the battery performance is highly dependent on the efficiency of oxygen electrocatalyst in the air electrode. Herein, the N, F, and B ternary doped carbon fibers (TD‐CFs) are prepared and exhibited higher catalytic properties via the efficient 4e− transfer mechanism for oxygen reduction in comparison with the single nitrogen doped CFs. More importantly, the primary and rechargeable Zn–air batteries using TD‐CFs as air–cathode catalysts are constructed. When compared to batteries with Pt/C + RuO2 and Vulcan XC‐72 carbon black catalysts, the TD‐CFs catalyzed batteries exhibit remarkable battery reversibility and stability over long charging/discharging cycles.
Cloud simulators in the implementation and evaluation of virtual machine placement algorithms
Authors: Mann Zoltán Ádám
Published: April 2018

In recent years, many algorithms have been proposed for the optimized allocation of virtual machines in cloud data centers. Such algorithms are usually implemented and evaluated in a cloud simulator. This paper investigates the impact of the choice of cloud simulator on the implementation of the algorithms and on the evaluation results. In particular, we report our experiences with porting an algorithm and its evaluation framework from one simulator (CloudSim) to another (DISSECT‐CF). Our findings include limitations in the design of the simulators and in existing algorithm implementations. Based on this experience, we propose architectural guidelines for the integration of virtual machine allocation algorithms into cloud simulators.
Server consolidation techniques in virtualized data centers of cloud environments: A systematic literature review
Authors: Mohamadi Bahram Abadi Reza , Rahmani Amir Masoud , Alizadeh Sasan H.
Published: April 2018

At the virtualized data centers, services are presented by active virtual machines (VMs) in physical machines (PMs). The manner in which VMs are mapped to PMs affects the performance of data centers and the energy efficiency. By employing the server consolidation technique, it is possible to configure the VMs on a smaller number of PMs, while the quality of service is guaranteed. In this way, the rate of active PM utilization increases and fewer active PMs would be required. Moreover, the server consolidation technique reacts to the management of underloaded and overloaded PMs by using the VM migration technology. Considering the capabilities of the server consolidation technique and its role in developing the cloud computing infrastructure, many researches have been conducted in this context. Still, a comprehensive and systematic study has not yet been performed on various consolidation techniques to check the capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages of current approaches. In this paper, a systematic study is conducted on a number of credible researches related to server consolidation techniques. In order to do so and by studying the selected works, proposed solutions are categorized based on the type of decision for running the consolidation algorithm in 4 groups of static method, dynamic method, prediction‐based dynamic method, and hybrid method. Thereafter, the advantages and disadvantages of suggested approaches are studied and compared in each research by specifying the technique and idea applied therein. In addition, by categorizing aims of researches and specifying assessment parameters, optimization approaches and type of architecture, a possibility has been provided to get familiarized with the views of the researchers.
Solution Space Exploration to Design Ladle Refining Operation for Desired Downstream Requirements Using Operability Framework
Authors: Mondi Jayanth , Shukla Rishabh , Subramanian Sivakumar
Published: April 2018

Deeper understanding of each process step involved in the manufacturing of steel products will be of immense value to process engineers. In this work, the authors explore the flexibilities in a key process step called ladle refining using the operability framework of Vinson and Georgakis (doi:/10.1016/S0959‐1524(99)00045‐1). The methodology systematically uncovers the process behavior using its mathematical model. The RSM model presented by Shukla et al. (doi:10.1002/srin.201500392) for ladle refining is utilized here. Typically, operating windows for a given process requirement are determined after conducting several plant trials or experiments. These can be time consuming and expensive. The quantitative approach presented in this work can help the operator to identify best possible regions to work with. For example, the authors are able to answer questions such as, in what part of input space should the process be operated to achieve inclusion removal efficiency better than 70% with melt exit temperature in the range of 1825–1850 K? Identifying operating points with certain desired conditions such as maximum inclusion removal efficiency becomes a straightforward search among the computed points. The methodology can be extended to include other unit operations in the process chain.
Sulfide Capacities in the Al2O3–CaO–MgO–SiO2 System
Authors: Condo Adolfo Firmino Timóteo , Qifeng Shu , Sichen Du
Published: April 2018

In the present study, the sulfide capacities of the slags in the ternary Al2O3–CaO–SiO2 system at 1873 K, and in the quaternary system Al2O3–CaO–MgO–SiO2 at 1823 and 1873 K are experimentally measured using copper–slag equilibrium at controlled oxygen partial pressure. The experimental data, which has been unavailable, are needed for the improvement of a sulfide capacity model. An assessment of the available data for sulfide capacities in the Al2O3–CaO–MgO–SiO2 system and its sub lower‐order systems are made. Based on this assessment and the present experimental results, the model parameters of the existing sulfide capacity model are re‐optimized. The sulfide capacity model can be successfully used in the prediction of the sulfide capacities of multicomponent slags with satisfactory accuracy.
Sandwich panels with folded plate and doubly curved UHPFRC facings
Authors: Stark Alexander , Classen Martin , Knorrek Christian , Camps Benjamin , Hegger Josef
Published: April 2018

Sandwich‐structured composites represent an efficient method to establish building envelopes which concurrently satisfy several demands. Besides low self‐weight with high load‐bearing capacity, sandwich panels provide sufficient physical properties, such as heat and sound insulation. In general, sandwich panels for applications in building industry are made of flat or thin profiled metal sheets or thick concrete facings. However, standard elements are limited to short spans. In contrast, spatially shaped concrete structures with folded plate or curved geometry provide high stiffness and load‐carrying capacity even for thin elements. The application of folded plate and curved concrete structures to sandwich panels combines the advantages of both construction methods. To realize thin facings in various shapes, high performance cementitious composites are advantageous. Ultra‐high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) provides high compressive and tensile strengths with ductile material behavior. The application of non‐corrosive reinforcement, for example, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), allows for filigree concrete elements with a thin concrete cover to only fulfill bond requirements. For sandwich panels with folded plate or curved facings, new production methods are necessary to account for cross‐sections in various shapes. This paper introduces the basic ideas of non‐planar concrete sandwich elements for long‐span roof structures and the developed production methods.
Chemistry of Cyanide Adducts of Aldimines from Aniline Derivatives
Authors: Park Eunjoon , Jeon Jiye , Cheon Cheol‐Hong
Published: April 2018

The chemistry of hydrogen cyanide adducts of imines is well‐developed, but that of cyanide adducts remains unexplored. This is presumably because these cyanide adducts are not stable and thus not readily available in their isolated forms. In this personal account, we present the progress made in our research program towards the development of novel organic transformations utilizing cyanide adducts of imines as key intermediates. We also report the application of these methodologies to the total synthesis of natural products including indole alkaloids.
Butylidenephthalide abrogates the myofibroblasts activation and mesenchymal transdifferentiation in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Su Tzu‐Rong , Liao Yi‐Wen , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Tsai Lo‐Lin , Fang Chih‐Yuan , Lin Taichen , Lee Yu‐Hsien , Harn Horng‐Jyh , Yu Cheng‐Chia
Published: April 2018

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant disorder in the oral cavity, and areca nut chewing habit has been implicated in the persistent activation of myofibroblasts and the subsequent fibrosis. Therefore, it is critical to ameliorate the excessive activities of myofibroblasts prior to the malignant transformation of OSF. In the current study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of butylidenephthalide (BP), a major phthalide ingredient of Angelica sinensis, in fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) as well as various myofibroblast hallmarks, including the phenotypical characteristics and fibrosis‐related markers. Our results demonstrated that myofibroblast activities, including collagen gel contraction, migration, invasion and wound healing abilities were inhibited in response to BP. The expression levels of myofibroblast marker, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), fibronectin and type 1 collagen A1 were decreased after exposure of BP. Moreover, we found that the EMT‐related markers, Twist, Snail and ZEB1 were all downregulated after BP treatment. Most importantly, our findings demonstrated that BP impeded the binding of Snail to the E‐box region in the α‐SMA promoter, which may lead to inhibition of the arecoline‐induced myofibroblast activities. Collectively, our data indicated that BP reduced numerous myofibroblast features in fBMFs and hindered the binding of Snail to α‐SMA, thereby may function as an effective and natural antifibrosis compound.
Die Vakuumsysteme des European XFEL
Authors: Dommach Martin , Lederer Sven , Lilje Lutz
Published: April 2018

The Vacuum Systems for the European XFEL

Vacuum is a pre‐requisite for the successful operation of the European XFEL. Apart of the need to specify pressure levels a large variety of other requirements have to be fulfilled. Specifically, the cleanliness level is noteworthy, as it has to be established in a large system. The respective parts of the particle accelerator and the X‐ray optics are of kilometer length in total. Many of the vacuum components have been developed for the European XFEL to enable the transport of a high quality electron beam. Redundancy and segmentation have been instrumental for the very fast commissioning of the system. The first experiments with X‐ray laser light have been performed successfully.
Mit dünnen Schichten durch vier Jahrzehnte
Authors: Bräuer Günter
Published: April 2018

Thin films through four decades – How they changed the world

The 30th anniversary of the journal “Vacuum in research and practice” is accompanied by a brief journey through the world of thin films and their impact on our life during the past decades. Around 40 years ago coating processes had been ready to find their way into mass markets related to large areas and quantity of substrates. Reduction of friction, wear and corrosion on tools and machine components, architectural glass, optical and magnetic data storage media, displays, touch panels and solar cells have been the most important application areas during the past four decades. Often ecxiting new products (like the CD) caused a paradigm change in the design of coating machines, or a milestone in process technology (like Pulse Magnetron Sputtering) enabled new applications. In this contribution several decades of thin film technology will pass in fast motion. The article reflects the perception of someone having experienced 35 very exciting years in industrial development as well as applied research related to thin films and their deposition. Certainly this perception is subjective and incomplete.
Die Geschichte der Gasentladungsphysik
Authors: Cipo Julia , Kersten Holger
Published: April 2018

The History of Gas Discharge Physics

Observation and study of the impressive polar lights marks the beginning of the gas discharge physics. Even though a remarkable progress was reached by the improvement of gas discharge tubes. The first constructed tube goes back to the Englishman Hauksbee. After that the German glassblower Heinrich Geißler developed more innovative discharge tubes by reducing the gas pressure and by using electrodes of aluminium. The Geißler tubes enabled a lot of scientists such as Plücker, Hittorf and Tesla to study the properties of glow discharges in more detail. At the same time Sir William Crookes developed similar tubes, which found a use in the laboratories of English physicists. Ultimately there were more seminal insights which led to the development of plasma physics as a seperate field and as foundation for many industrial applications.
International cooperation in meteorology, part 1: origin and early years
Authors: Zillman John W.
Published: April 2018

International cooperation in meteorology was one of the great success stories of the second half of the twentieth century. This article reviews the precursors to that success in the pioneering role of the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) established in 1873 and the early work of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which replaced it in 1950.
Rare, anomalous non‐transient lights associated with cumulonimbus clouds
Authors: Hale Rodney B.
Published: April 2018

Rare, anomalous non‐transient lights associated with cumulonimbus clouds are described, and current theories are discussed. An alternative theory is put forward.
The elastic wave equation and the stable numerical coupling of its interior and exterior problems
Authors: Eberle Sarah
Published: April 2018

We consider the elastic wave equation in three dimensions with transparent boundary conditions on a bounded, not necessarily convex domain. This leads to a coupling of the elastic wave equation in the interior domain with time‐dependent boundary integral equations. This coupled system is to be solved numerically. The major theoretical result of this paper shows a coercivity property of a Calderón operator for the elastic Helmholtz equation, which is valid for all complex frequencies in a half‐plane. Combining Laplace transform and energy techniques, this coercivity in the frequency domain is used to prove the stability of the fully discrete numerical method in the time domain. The considered numerical method couples finite elements and explicit leapfrog time‐stepping in the interior with boundary elements and convolution quadrature on the boundary. We present convergent error bounds for the semi‐ and full discretization.