bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Open Arctic Research Index: Final report and recommendations
Authors: Abu-Alam Tamer S.
Published: February 2019

Access research data and research documents (e.g. publications) and make it more visible and findable through the internet is coming up as one of the major challenges for future development of the next generation of Digital Libraries. This challenge becomes more complicated when data producers (e.g. research institutes) are not aware by the needs of the scientific community for visibility and findability of their data or when the data producers lack the technology or the motivation to make their data available online.Although the Open Arctic Research Index pilot project focused only on the open-access research data and the open-access research documents published on Polar regions, the OpenARI found 60% of these open-access records are unfindable through searchable platforms outside the institutional webpage itself. This raises an awareness sign of the need of the scientific community to harvest the metadata of these open-access records in a homogenous, seamless database and making this database available to researchers, students and publics through one search platform. At present, neither Google Scholar nor any other search platform provide this service.Based on the fact that around 60% of the open-access polar records are unfindable through one search platform, we strongly suggest launching a full-scale management service at the University of Tromsø – the Arctic University of Norway (UiT). This new service will be built on existing experiences from High North Research Documents (i.e. an existing service at the UiT). OpenARI has concluded fifteen needs that are required for the full-scale management model. In addition to the main service (i.e. make open-access polar records more visible and findable through one search platform), we suggest to add three new services: 1) hosting of original data from the Polar regions; 2) creating a research platform; 3) creating an education platform. A new process including four stages of filtration is suggested in order to reduce the time and the overhead costs of using the UiT’s server. End-users will be able to perform search using a map. In addition to the classical way of presenting the results of a search, the end-users will be able to see the search results on a map and/or as a timeline.
Incidence of acute kidney disease after receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Mima Akira , Tansho Kousuke , Nagahara Dai , Tsubaki Kazuo
Published: February 2019

Background

Previous reports have shown that acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which is a crucial treatment for patients with hematological disorders. AKI could increase mortality and induce adverse effects including the development of chronic kidney disease. The incidence of AKI in association with HSCT reportedly varies significantly because several definitions of AKI have been adopted. Acute kidney disease (AKD) is a new concept that can clinically define both AKI and persistent decreases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) state. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence of AKD after HSCT.

Methods

This study included 108 patients aged between 16 and 70 years undergoing HSCT. In this study, AKD included clinical condition of AKI or subacute decreases in GFR. AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines based on serum creatinine. However, urine output data were not included to define AKI because the database lacked some of these data. Comparisons were made between groups using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Acute kidney disease occurred in 17 patients (15.7%). There were significant differences between the AKD and non-AKD with respect to ABO-incompatible HSCT (p= 0.001) and incidence of acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) after HSCT (p< 0.001). The 100-day overall survival of patients with AKD and without AKD after HSCT was 70.6% and 79.8%, respectively (p= 0.409).

Discussion

ABO-incompatible HSCT and acute GVHD after HSCT were risk factors for the incidence of AKD. However, we could not find a significant association between AKD after HSCT and mortality.
TarSynFlow, a workflow for bacterial genome comparisons that revealed genes putatively involved in the probiotic character ofShewanella putrefaciensstrain Pdp11
Authors: Seoane Pedro , Tapia-Paniagua Silvana T. , Bautista Rocío , Alcaide Elena , Esteve Consuelo , Martínez-Manzanares Eduardo , Balebona M. Carmen , Claros M. Gonzalo , Moriñigo Miguel A.
Published: February 2019

Probiotic microorganisms are of great interest in clinical, livestock and aquaculture. Knowledge of the genomic basis of probiotic characteristics can be a useful tool to understand why some strains can be pathogenic while others are probiotic in the same species. An automatized workflow called TarSynFlow (Targeted Synteny Workflow) has been then developed to compare finished or draft bacterial genomes based on a set of proteins. When used to analyze the finished genome of the probiotic strain Pdp11 ofShewanella putrefaciensand genome drafts from seven known non-probiotic strains of the same species obtained in this work, 15 genes were found exclusive of Pdp11. Their presence was confirmed by PCR using Pdp11-specific primers. Functional inspection of the 15 genes allowed us to hypothesize that Pdp11 underwent genome rearrangements spurred by plasmids and mobile elements. As a result, Pdp11 presents specific proteins for gut colonization, bile salt resistance and gut pathogen adhesion inhibition, which can explain some probiotic features of Pdp11.
A novel and enigmatic two-holed shell aperture in a new species of suspension-feeding worm-snail (Vermetidae)
Authors: Bieler Rüdiger , Collins Timothy M. , Golding Rosemary , Rawlings Timothy A.
Published: February 2019

Shell aperture modifications are well known in terrestrial and aquatic gastropods, with apertural lip thickening and tooth development common in species with terminal (determinate) shell growth. In contrast, secondary shell openings are rare in snails and are largely limited to slit shells, keyhole limpets, and abalone of the Vetigastropoda. When such features occur in other groups, they are noteworthy and raise interesting questions concerning the functional/adaptive significance of these shell modifications. Here we report on one such modification in a newly described species of vermetid snail. Members of the worm-snail family Vermetidae are sessile, suspension-feeding caenogastropods found in warm temperate to tropical marine environments worldwide. As juveniles, vermetids permanently cement their shells to hard substrata and subsequently produce irregularly coiled polychaete-like shell tubes with indeterminate growth and typically a simple circular shell aperture. In one previously studied group (genusCupolaconcha), the aperture can be covered by a shell dome with a central slit that retains its widest opening in the center of the aperture. Vermetid specimens collected in the barrier reefs of Belize and the Florida Keys show an extreme aperture modification previously unknown in Gastropoda, in which the shell opening is covered by an apertural dome that leaves two equal-sized circular holes, each corresponding to the inflow and outflow water exchange currents of the animal’s mantle cavity. The function of this perforated apertural dome is unknown, and it is in some ways antithetical to the suspension feeding habit of these snails. Further field and laboratory-based studies will be needed to clarify the functional significance and trade-offs of this unique morphology. The new taxon, which is not closely related to the previously described dome-building cladeCupolaconcha, is described and named asVermetus biperforatusBieler, Collins, Golding & Rawlings n. sp.
Teachers' Acceptability and Use of Accommodations for Students with Special Needs In The General Education Classrooms
Authors: Acdal Mc Kerwin Niño
Published: February 2019

Education for all and other related inclusive education memoranda and policies paved the way of teaching students with special needs in general education classrooms. In this context, one of the biggest tasks of general education teachers is to provide relevant and appropriate accommodations to students with special needs in their classes. Hence, accommodation is an indicator of successful execution of inclusion in several schools. This study aimed to examine the significant degree of relationship between the teachers' acceptance and the use of accommodations for students with special needs in general education classrooms. Also, it employed a quantitative approach to research specifically the descriptive-correlational research design and adopted the Teacher Acceptability and Use Scale instrument Boulton, 2003. The data were obtained from the 70 teachers of Preschool to Grade 6 in Corpus Christi School- an institution that implemented a school-based policy on inclusive education. The results indicated assenting acceptance and use of accommodations in the general education classrooms. Also, it revealed a significant, strong, positive correlation between teachers' acceptability and the use of accommodations. Lastly, while the teachers' demographic profile is statistically controlled, it showed a significantly higher association between teachers' acceptability and the use of accommodations.
Colored Overlays: An Intervention Tool in Reading for the Grade Two Learners
Authors: Geonzon Tiffany Ivana
Published: February 2019

Reading is a foundation skill that plays a major role in a child's academic success. It is also an ability that unlocks the door of learning and success. At the same time, reading can be very challenging, especially when the materials are unfamiliar, technical, and complex. The researcher thought of a material that could alleviate reading difficulties particularly the reading rate of the learners. This material is called Color Overlays. It is a type of tinted filter and is a plastic reading sheet tinted with color and placed over text to eliminate a wide range of reading difficulties such as low reading rate, accuracy, and comprehension. This research investigated the effects of Irlen's Colored Overlays on reading rate as an intervention tool for the Grade Two Instructional Level of learners, with a class teacher initiating the study and a teacher-librarian conducting the assessment. All of the 52 learners were screened with a vision test. They were grouped into two wherein only the experimental group used the color overlays as their intervention. The result of the study implies that with or without the intervention, the reading rate of the learners is expected to increase. Therefore, color overlays made a difference in improving the reading rate of the learners.
Solid Waste Management and Disaster Preparedness of At-Risk Municipalities of Zamboanga Del Norte
Authors: Mansanadez Evangeline
Published: February 2019

The by-product of every human activity is waste. The government initiative of "Tapat ko, linis ko" and "Basura ko, tapon ko" calls for every Filipino to be responsible for managing their solid wastes to prevent disaster properly. This survey aimed to determine the solid waste management and disaster preparedness of at-risk municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte. A descriptive method of research using a questionnaire-checklist was employed to the respondents who were considered by the purposive sampling technique. Data gathered were treated using a frequency count. Findings revealed that household waste makes up the largest bulk of waste. The majority of households have compost pit dug in the backyards as a dumping site, while government sites were used as open dumping areas of wastes generated from business establishments and offices operating in the town commercial areas. The conduct of regular monitoring of garbage disposal, checking of municipal dump site condition, and unclogging of canals littered with dumped garbage is the common solid waste management practices and flash floods disaster preparedness. Their LDRRMC team and volunteers are prepared, equipped with the necessary facilities as well as functional equipment, and readily on-call in the event natural disaster occurs as perceived by all groups of respondents.
Effect Determination of Kaaraman Ko, Iwaras Ko: A Community Extension Program
Authors: Rubi Ronnie
Published: February 2019

Kaaraman Ko, Iwaras Ko is a community-based technology education extended by the college anchored to the CMO 52 s. 2016. This study is an assessment of the aforementioned program. Kaaraman Ko, Iwaras Ko was aimed to educate and capacitate the beneficiaries with applied technology skills in (a) food processing, bread, and pastry production, (b) garment technology and (c) household wiring and electrical installation. The study determined the effect of the program on the beneficiaries' personal development, on the beneficiaries' adoption of the skills they acquired from the training, and on augmenting the family income of the beneficiaries. Mixed-method of research was utilized in the study. Surveys and focus group discussion (FGD) was used to collect data. Results show that of the 70 beneficiaries that adopted the skills they learned from the program, four (4) started a small business, eleven (11) used the skills they learned to seek employment and fifty-five (55) applied it at home or in personal use. On average, the participants agree (3.52) that the program has helped them to have a better personality development and they also agree (3.29) that their stress was reduced. The participants strongly agree (3.51) that the program has helped increase their family's income.
Shelf Life Assessment of Picralima nitida and Glibenclamide Using Bio-Based Dose-Response Relationship Method
Authors: Onyechi Kenechukwu Keluo , Igwegbe Chinenye Adaobi
Published: February 2019

Stability testing confirms the safety and quality of an active pharmaceutical ingredient or product. The shelf life of Picralima nitida (herbal drug) and glibenclamide were evaluated using the bio-based dose-response relationship method by the use of animal model based on their pharmacological activity. Glibenclamide was used as the comparative drug for the assessment of the specifications for Picralima nitida. Their shelf life was estimated by means of accelerated stability testing on the basis of the first-order kinetics of degradation and the time required to degrade 10% of a drug at 27°C (t10%). The influence of storage time (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) and temperature (45, 60, and 70 °C) on the stability of the drug samples were studied. Their half-life (t1/2) and the toxicity level (LD50) were also estimated. The concentrations of the drugs were found to decline with an increase in storage time and temperature. The shelf life of glibenclamide and Picralima nitida were found to be 10.54 and 3.15 weeks, respectively; the half-life of glibenclamide and Picralima nitida were found to be 70 and 20.94 weeks, respectively. Their pharmacological activity varied due to the pharmacokinetic profile of the animal models. Also, Picralima nitida extract was found to be practically nontoxic on the tested animals (LD50 = 14.97 g/kg). From the study, it was observed that glibenclamide (used as a comparative drug) aided in the estimation of the capacity of Picralima nitida to retain its specification (quality and safety) for treatment under the influence of environmental conditions.
Leadership Personality and Social Dis-integration in Somalia
Authors: Hassan Abdisamad , Zain Zawiyah Mohd , Ajis Mohd Na’iem
Published: February 2019

The study seeks to explore the impact of leadership personalities of previous Somali political leaders on social integration. As Somalia now transit into post conflict reconstruction, there is the need to explore how previous flaws in leadership personalities resulted into social disintegration of the Somali society. To achieve this objective, qualitative interviews were held with 13 respondents across Somali elite in Mogadishu. Using the Big Five personality framework, the results revealed that previous Somali leadership personalities were deeply flawed due to colonial legacy and influence of clannism. In addition, fear of losing and retaining power at all cost instituted clannism as a means on obtaining and retaining political power, thereby compromising unity and social integration. The result also depicted that a significant number of Somali leaders were generally low in conscientiousness as a necessary leadership quality within the Big Five framework.  The study maintains that the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction is unlikely to succeed unless leadership personality adapts properly to the prevailing situation of social integration. Moreover, the study recommends that leadership in Somalia should prioritize the restoration of social trust so that Somalia’s reconstruction process can succeed.
Effects of Temperature on Seed Germination of Invasive Plant Rorippa amphbia (L.) Besser
Authors: Xu Yufeng , Liu Miao , Lv Yuanhao , Wang Qiuli , Qu Bo , Shao Meini
Published: February 2019

Aims: Global warming and biological invasion are major environmental issues faced in the world. In the study, Rorippa amphibia, a perennial invasive clone plant in northern China, was used as a material to study the germination characteristics of the seeds at different temperatures.

Study Design: Germination test of R. amphibia seeds at different temperature was studied by means of laboratory culture. The germination percentage, germination index, germination potential, bud height and root length of the seeds were determined.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from the west side of the swimming pool of Shenyang Agricultural University of Liaoning Province in August 2017. Experiments were done in the College of Biological Science and Technology, between October 2017 and June 2018.

Methodology: The petri dish method was used in the experiment. Fifty seeds were randomly selected and soaked in distilled water for 12h. The seeds were placed in a petri dish covered with double filter paper, cultured at 10℃, 15℃, 20℃, 25℃, 30℃, 35℃ and 40℃ in light incubators for 12h darkness and 12h light (4000lux), with 3 repeats per processing. Seed germination was based on embryo root breakthrough seed coat ≥ 1 mm. During the experiment, the numbers of seed germination were recorded every day, and the filter paper was kept moist until there was no new seed germination for 2 consecutive days, which was regarded as the end of germination. The numbers of seed germination should be counted regularly every day, and the beginning and duration of germination should be recorded. The germination rate, daily germination rate, germinating potential, germinating index and vigor index of R. amphibia seeds at different temperature were calculated by measuring bud height and radicle length on the 10th day after germination.

Results: The temperature range of seed germination of R. amphibia was wide, which could germinate at 15 - 40℃. Lower temperature delayed the peak period of seed germination at some extent and the germination rates of R. amphibia peak at 30 - 35℃, which were 44.67% and 50% respectively. At 35℃, germination potential and germination index were 25.33% and 29.46, reaching the maximum value.

Conclusion: The reason for the wide temperature range of seed germination and the low germination rate might be the candidate method for clonal plant population establishment in temperate zone. The higher germination rate of high temperature condition suggested that clone invasive plants in temperate regions were more invasive during global warming.
Human-Baboon Conflict on Resettled Farms in Zimbabwe: Attitudes and Perceptions among Local Farmers
Authors: Ndava Jenias , Nyika Edmore Huge
Published: February 2019

As human populations expand into areas where wildlife exists, competition for resources and confrontation arises as a result. Some parts of rural Zimbabwe are typical of this problem especially in newly resettled areas. The aim of this survey was to examine the impact of crop raiding and livestock depredation by baboons (Papio ursinus Kerr) on farmers living around the edge of Makumbiri mountains in Concession, Mazowe District in Mashonaland Province of Zimbabwe. The survey was conducted from January to mid-April 2018 using a set of structured questionnaires complemented with field survey, focus group discussion and in-depth interviews. Fifty-nine crop fields were surveyed and forty newly resettled farmers within the five villages surrounding the mountains were interviewed. The purpose was to elicit information on their experiences with crop/livestock losses incurred from baboons, and to quantify these losses as well as to evaluate their attitudes and perceptions towards the baboons and their mitigation strategies towards their losses. Apart from maize, some respondents (20%) reported that other crops raided were vegetables and other small grains such as rapoko (30%). About 62.9% of the respondents indicated livestock losses by baboons during the 2017 cropping season. The total maize crop destroyed in each field was compared with the total estimate of the crops grown in that field producing an average percentage loss of 0.11%. The χ2 test showed that there was no relationship between the level of crop destruction and the distance from the edge of the forest (χ2= 4110, df = 58, p= 0.086). Many (62.5%) farmers felt that baboons were retarding their success as a community but many opted to coexist with baboons. Although baboons are vermin in a society relying on subsistence agriculture, their impact is perceived to be overly moderate. Peaceful coexistence between humans and baboons seems to be the favoured conservation strategy.
Nitrogen Nutrition in Dry Tropical Forest at Different Times of Regeneration
Authors: Silva Ágatha Maria de Oliveira , Freire Fernando José , Barbosa Mozart Duarte , Ferreira Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo , Freire Maria Betânia Galvão Dos Santos , Júnior Francisco Tarcísio Alves , Freire Clarissa Soares , Silva Ane Cristine Fortes da
Published: February 2019

The management of forest species requires the quantification of various nutrients flows in the ecosystem. Specifically for N this aspect is even more important because many species in dry forests, as Brazilian Caatinga, are legumes and in symbiotic association with diazotrophic bacteria, fix N2 from the atmosphere. This study aimed to evaluate the N nutrition of forest species in Caatinga fragments with different regeneration times in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The study areas had different historical uses: the first one (53 ha) had no exploitation in the last 44 years; the second (32 ha) was in regeneration for 25 years; and the third (25 ha) had been in regeneration for five years. Four common tree species were evaluated in the three evaluated areas. Leaves were collected from each species to determine N contents. The legume species in the preserved area presented higher N content, decreasing with the regeneration time. The results showed a greater ecological balance in the most preserved sites, favoring the biological N fixation. N acquisition by legumes was not influenced by the disturbance of the site, suggesting the recommendation of these species as restorers of degraded areas.
Analgesic Effect of Pre-Emptive Gabapentin on Knee Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ahn Eun Jin , Lee Jeong Wook , Choi Hey Ran , Kim Kyoung Woo , Bang Si Ra , Kim Hyun Jung
Published: February 2019

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preemptive oral gabapentin on postoperative analgesia after knee surgery. Gabapentin is widely known to reduce postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements following a variety of surgeries. We searched MEDLINE (January 1, 1976 to April 30, 2014), EMBASE (January 1, 1985 to April 30, 2014), the Cochrane Library (January 1, 1987 to April 30, 2014), and KoreaMed (June 1, 1958 to April 30, 2014). A total of 225 patients in 4 studies were included in the study. The overall pooled results from meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with placebo, pre-emptive analgesia could significantly reduce the postoperative pain score [mean difference (MD) −6.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) −10.17 to −2.42; P = 0.001; random-effect model]. The subgroup analyses found that gabapentin significantly reduced the postoperative pain score in patients who underwent general anesthesia (MD, −17.82; 95% CI, −21.82 to −13.81; P = 0.47; fixed-effect model). The subgroup analyses could not clarify the effectiveness of gabapentin on reducing postoperative pain in patients who underwent regional anesthesia (MD, 2.43; 95% CI, −1.14 to 6.00; P = 0.78; fixed-effect model). Pre-emptive gabapentin reduced early postoperative pain scores. However, it was unclear whether gabapentin reduces postoperative pain score in the setting of regional anesthesia or multimodal analgesic regimen.
A report from a conference jointly organised by the European Academy of Cancer Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, The Vatican, November 16–17, 2018
Authors:   European Academy of Cancer Sciences
Published: February 2019

Cancer is a massive challenge with a significant impact on society, healthcare systems, the economy and an increasing number of patients and their families. To help meet this societal challenge, the European Commission has recently proposed a mission‐oriented approach to cancer in Horizon Europe, and about 60 participants met at the Vatican to discuss a mission‐oriented approach to cancer in Europe, as documented in this report.
LiFePO4 Particles Embedded in Fast Bifunctional Conductor rGO&C@Li3V2(PO4)3 Nanosheets as Cathodes for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Zihe , Tang Yakun , Jia Dianzeng , Huang Yudai , Pang Weikong , Guo Zaiping , Zhou Zhen
Published: February 2019

The sluggish kinetics of Faradaic reactions in bulk electrodes is a significant obstacle to achieve high energy and power density in energy storage devices. Herein, a composite of LiFePO4 particles trapped in fast bifunctional conductor rGO&C@Li3V2(PO4)3 nanosheets is prepared through an in situ competitive redox reaction. The composite exhibits extraordinary rate capability (71 mAh g−1 at 15 A g−1) and remarkable cycling stability (0.03% decay per cycle over 1000 cycles at 10 A g−1). Improved extrinsic pseudocapacitive contribution is the origin of fast kinetics, which endows this composite with high energy and power density, since the unique 2D nanosheets and embedded ultrafine LiFePO4 nanoparticles can shorten the ion and electron diffusion length. Even applied to Li‐ion hybrid capacitors, the obtained devices still achieve high power density of 3.36 kW kg−1 along with high energy density up to 77.8 Wh kg−1. Density functional theory computations also validate that the remarkable rate performance is facilitated by the desirable ionic and electronic conductivity of the composite.
Vertical Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Liu Jinyu , Qin Zhengsheng , Gao Haikuo , Dong Huanli , Zhu Jia , Hu Wenping
Published: February 2019

Field‐effect transistors are the fundamental building blocks for electronic circuits and processors. Compared with inorganic transistors, organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), featuring low cost, low weight, and easy fabrication, are attractive for large‐area flexible electronic devices. At present, OFETs with planar structures are widely investigated device structures in organic electronics and optoelectronics; however, they face enormous challenges in realizing large current density, fast operation speed, and outstanding mechanical flexibility for advancing their potential commercialized applications. In this context, vertical organic field‐effect transistors (VOFETs), composed of vertically stacked source/drain electrodes, could provide an effective approach for solving these questions due to their inherent small channel length and unique working principles. Since the first report of VOFETs in 2004, impressive progress has been witnessed in this field with the improvement of device performance. The aim of this review is to give a systematical summary of VOFETs with a special focus on device structure optimization for improved performance and potential applications demonstrated by VOFETs. An overview of the development of VOFETs along with current challenges and perspectives is also discussed. It is hoped that this review is timely and valuable for the next step in the rapid development of VOFETs and their related research fields.
Diatom Frustule‐Inspired Metamaterial Absorbers: The Effect of Hierarchical Pattern Arrays
Authors: Li Aobo , Zhao Xiaoguang , Duan Guangwu , Anderson Stephan , Zhang Xin
Published: February 2019

Diatoms are photosynthetic algae that exist ubiquitously throughout the planet in water environments. Over the preceding decades, the diatom exoskeletons, termed frustules, featuring abundant micro‐ and nanopores, have served as the source material and inspiration for myriad research efforts. In this work, it is demonstrated that frustule‐inspired hierarchical nanostructure designs may be utilized in the fabrication of metamaterial absorbers, thereby realizing a broadband infrared (IR) absorber with excellent performance in terms of absorption. In an effort to investigate the origin of this absorption characteristic, numerical models are developed to study these structures, revealing that the hierarchical organization of the constituent nanoparticulate metamaterial unit cells introduce an additional resonance mode to the device, broadening the absorption spectrum. It is further demonstrated that the resonant peaks shift linearly as a function of inter‐unit‐cell spacing in the metamaterial, which is attributed to the induced collective dipole mode by the nanoparticles. Ultimately, the work herein represents an innovative perspective in terms of the design and fabrication of IR absorbers inspired by naturally occurring biomaterials, offering the potential to lead to advances in metamaterial absorber technology.
Binder‐Free Electrodes for Advanced Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jin Ting , Han Qingqing , Jiao Lifang
Published: February 2019

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have recently emerged as one of the favored contenders for use in medium and large‐scale stationary energy storage owing to the abundance of the resources required to fabricate them, their low cost, and the fact that have properties similar to equivalent Li batteries. However, their development also faces challenges such as poor cycling stability and unsatisfying rate performance. In traditional electrodes, binders are commonly used to integrate individual active materials with conductive additives. Unfortunately, binders are generally electrochemically inactive and insulating, which reduces the overall energy density and leads to poor cycling stability. Therefore, binder‐free electrodes provide great opportunity for high‐performance SIBs in terms of both improved electronic conductivity and electrochemical reaction reversibility. This Progress Report provides an overview of the recent progress in binder‐free electrodes for SIBs. It focuses on the current challenges of binder‐free electrodes and provides an outlook for their future in energy conversion and storage.
Low‐Temperature Conversion of Alcohols into Bulky Nanoporous Graphene and Pure Hydrogen with Robust Selectivity on CaO
Authors: Han Gao‐Feng , Chen Zhi‐Wen , Jeon Jong‐Pil , Kim Seok‐Jin , Noh Hyuk‐Jun , Shi Xiang‐Mei , Li Feng , Jiang Qing , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: February 2019

The direct conversion of biorenewable alcohols into value‐added graphene and pure hydrogen (H2) at benign conditions is an important challenge, especially, considering the open carbon‐reduced cycle. In this study, it is demonstrated that inexpensive calcium oxide (CaO, from eggshells) can transform alcohols into bulky nanoporous graphene and pure hydrogen (≈99%) with robust selectivity at the temperature as low as 500 °C. Consequently, the growth of graphene can follow the direction of alcohol flow and uniformly penetrate into bulky nanoporous CaO platelets longer than 1 m without clogging. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that alcohol molecules can be catalytically carbonized on the surface of CaO at low temperature. The concept of the comprehensive utilization of biomass‐derived alcohols offers a carbon‐negative cycle for mitigating global warming and the energy demand.
Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Carbocyclization of 2‐Alkynyl Biaryls
Authors: Gicquiaud Julien , Hacıhasanoğlu Antoine , Hermange Philippe , Sotiropoulos Jean‐Marc , Toullec Patrick Y.
Published: February 2019

Ortho‐alkynyl biaryls react in the presence of catalytic amount of Brønsted acids to give phenanthrenes in high yields under mild conditions. The activity and selectivity of this transformation are governed by the substitution pattern of the diarylalkyne moiety. Selectivity shifts are observed between the carbophilic Lewis and Brønsted acid‐catalyzed cycloisomerization involving alkyne activation.

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Conformational Control of Tetrahydropyran‐Based Hybrid Dipeptide Catalysts Improves Activity and Stereoselectivity
Authors: Borges‐González Jorge , García‐Monzón Irma , Martín Tomás
Published: February 2019

Herein, we introduce and demonstrate how carbohydrates can be used as conformational control units of organocatalysts to tune their catalytic properties. New hybrid dipeptide‐like organocatalysts based on ζ‐sugar aminoacids and proline were prepared and tested for the asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to β‐nitrostyrenes. Taking full advantage of the modular nature of the carbohydrate motif, both reactivity and stereoselectivity were significantly improved. By simple structural changes, such as the elimination of the methoxy group in the C4 position of the tetrahydropyran ring, we obtained two complementary catalysts that allow access to both enantiomers of the γ‐nitroaldehydes with excellent yields, diastereoselectivity, and enantiomeric excesses between 97 and 99%, using a catalytic load even below 1 mol%.

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Engineering Biomaterials to Direct Innate Immunity
Authors: Oakes Robert S. , Froimchuk Eugene , Jewell Christopher M.
Published: February 2019

Small alterations during early stages of innate immune response can drive large changes in how adaptive immune cells develop and function during protective immunity or disease. Controlling these events creates exciting potential in the development of immune engineered vaccines and therapeutics. This progress report discusses recent biomaterial technologies exploiting innate immunity to dissect immune function and to design new vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmunity. Across these examples, an important idea is the possibility to co‐opt innate immune mechanisms to enhance immunity during infection and cancer. During inflammatory or autoimmune disease, some of these same innate immune mechanisms can be manipulated in different ways to control excess inflammation by promotion of immunological tolerance.
Intrinsic and Extrinsically Limited Thermoelectric Transport within Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks
Authors: Blackburn Jeffrey L. , Kang Stephen D. , Roos Michael J. , Norton‐Baker Brenna , Miller Elisa M. , Ferguson Andrew J.
Published: February 2019

Doped networks of semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes (s‐SWCNTs) have recently demonstrated high thermoelectric (TE) power factors and figures of merit. Efforts to further improve the TE performance of s‐SWCNT networks hinge upon deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying charge transport. This study explores the dependence of conductivity, thermopower, and resulting TE power factor on carrier density and temperature in s‐SWCNT networks. Careful control of charge‐carrier density illustrates a distinct transition between transport that is limited by energetic barriers between nanotube bundles to an “intrinsic” regime where these barriers are small enough to reveal the intrinsic transport mechanism of the nanotubes. Transport is activated in the s‐SWCNT networks, although a critical survey of the literature demonstrates that the activation energies in s‐SWCNT networks are appreciably smaller than typical semiconducting polymers. At high conductivity, transport behavior is consistent with deformation potential scattering. The analysis demonstrates that mitigation of the “extrinsic” limitations to transport (e.g., inter‐nanotube junctions), and the concomitant reduction of conductivity activation energies, can lead to at least a doubling of the TE power factor. Further comparison to prototypical semiconducting polymers demonstrates that this strategy likely represents a general design principle for improving the TE performance of organic materials.
High‐Fluorinated Electrolytes for Li–S Batteries
Authors: Zheng Jing , Ji Guangbin , Fan Xiulin , Chen Ji , Li Qin , Wang Haiyang , Yang Yong , DeMella Kerry C. , Raghavan Srinivasa R. , Wang Chunsheng
Published: February 2019

Rechargeable Li–S batteries are regarded as one of the most promising next‐generation energy‐storage systems. However, the inevitable formation of Li dendrites and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides significantly weakens electrochemical performance, preventing its practical application. Herein, a new class of localized high‐concentration electrolyte (LHCE) enabled by adding inert fluoroalkyl ether of 1H,1H,5H‐octafluoropentyl‐1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethyl ether into highly‐concentrated electrolytes (HCE) lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide/dimethoxyether (DME) system is reported to suppress Li dendrite formation and minimize the solubility of the high‐order polysulfides in electrolytes, thus reducing the amount of electrolyte in cells. Such a unique LHCE can achieve a high coulombic efficiency of Li plating/stripping up to 99.3% and completely suppressing the shuttling effect, thus maintaining a S cathode capacity of 775 mAh g−1 for 150 cycles with a lean electrolyte of 4.56 g A−1 h−1. The LHCE reduces the solubility of lithium polysulfides, allowing the Li/S cell to achieve super performance in a lean electrolyte. This conception of using inert diluents in a highly concentrated electrolyte can accelerate commercialization of Li–S battery technology.
Loss of bone mineral density following sepsis using Hounsfield units by computed tomography
Authors: Hongo Takashi , Kotake Kazumasa , Muramatsu Hirotada , Omura Daisuke , Yano Yudai , Hasegawa Daisuke , Momoki Noriya , Takahashi Kenji , Nozaki Satoshi , Fujiwara Toshifumi
Published: February 2019

Aim

To examine the change in vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) using abdominal computed tomography in patients treated for sepsis.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective, observational study was undertaken to evaluate BMD after critical care at Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital (Okayama, Japan) from January 2016 to April 2018. Sepsis was defined as an absolute increase of ≥2 in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in the intensive care unit or high care unit. Bone mineral density was evaluated in Hounsfield units (HU) by computed tomography. Patients were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of osteoporosis, which was defined as average vertebral body HU <110. Paired t‐tests were used to compare the mean BMD of each vertebra between before and after critical care. We also analyzed accidental bone fracture events after discharge. The survival rate was analyzed as an outcome using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Fifty‐two of 188 patients met the inclusion criteria. We found significant differences between admission and follow‐up vertebral BMD values in the spine at the thoracic 12, lumbar 1–5, and sacrum 1 levels (P < 0.05), especially in the non‐osteoporosis groups. No difference in mortality was observed between patients with osteoporosis and those without. Two of 19 patients with osteoporosis developed a bone fracture.

Conclusion

We found that sepsis was associated with loss in BMD following critical care.
Rhodium‐katalysierte Anellierung von Benzoesäuren mit α,β‐ungesättigten Ketonen durch C‐H‐, CO‐OH‐ und C‐C‐ Bindungsspaltung
Authors: Zhang Guodong , Hu Zhiyong , Belitz Florian , Ou Yang , Pirkl Nico , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: February 2019

In Gegenwart eines [Cp*RhCl2]2‐Katalysators, der Lewis‐Säure In(OTf)3 und der milden Base Na2CO3, durchlaufen aromatische Carboxylate und α,β‐ungesättigte Ketone einen einzigartigen Hydroarylierungs/Claisen/retro‐Claisen‐Prozess um die entsprechenden Indanone zu bilden. Während dieser Carboxylat‐dirigierten ortho‐C‐H‐Anellierung wird sowohl die C‐COR‐Bindung des Ketons, als auch die CO‐OH‐Gruppe der aromatischen Carbonsäure, gespalten und die Hydroxylgruppe vom aromatischen Acylrest auf den aliphatischen übertragen. Besonderen Nutzen hat diese Reaktion für zyklische Ketone. Hierbei werden Indanone mit aliphatischen carboxylattragenden Seitenketten gebildet, wodurch die molekulare Komplexität aromatischer Carbonsäuren in einem einzigen Schritt bedeutend erhöht werden kann.
The Effect of an Undergraduate Perioperative Nursing Course on Safety Knowledge
Authors: Danko Cynthia L.
Published: February 2019

Despite national initiatives and ongoing efforts, keeping patients safe remains a challenge. Education is the key to preparing health care professionals to be able to prevent errors and provide safe patient care. In the past three decades, perioperative courses have been removed from nearly every nursing program in the United States, thereby eliminating the chance for students to learn nursing skills and concepts related to safety in the perioperative environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a perioperative nursing course on junior baccalaureate nursing students’ safety knowledge by testing students before and after they completed the course. Safety knowledge increased among the 44 student participants. Nursing program faculty members are encouraged to explore teaching opportunities beyond the traditional nursing educational model and include perioperative courses as part of the baccalaureate nursing curriculum to enhance patient safety.
Regenerative Wound Surgery: Practical Application of Regenerative Medicine in the OR
Authors: Gillette Brian , Criscitelli Theresa , Howell Raelina , Woods Jon , Acerra Michael , Gorenstein Scott
Published: February 2019

Chronic nonhealing wounds cause significant morbidity and mortality and remain a challenging condition to treat. Regenerative wound surgery involves operative debridement of wounds to remove dead and healing‐impaired tissue and bacterial contamination and, subsequently, the application of regenerative medicine treatments to accelerate healing. Regenerative treatments aim to restore native tissue structure and function by targeting biological mechanisms underlying impaired healing. A wide range of regenerative modalities are used for treating chronic and complex wounds, including decellularized scaffolds, living engineered donor tissues, autologous stem cells, and recombinant growth factors. Each of these modalities has specific and sometimes complex requirements for implementation. The advanced wound care team, including OR staff members, should be aware of how these products are used and regulated. This article highlights some of the common and emerging regenerative treatments that are applied in wound surgery and focuses on how the products are used practically in the OR.
Characterization of enhanced liquid mixing in T‐T mixer at various Reynolds numbers
Authors: Dundi Manoj , V.R.K Raju , V.P Chandramohan
Published: February 2019

Passive mixers of planar geometry are most preferred for micro total analysis systems (μTAS) due to their low cost, ease of integration, and robustness. They are also widely employed chemical processing field as they incur very low processing costs. A simple passive T‐mixer has been studied by many authors and used for various applications poor mixing at low Re (Re < 200) (laminar regime) and high Re (Re > 400) (pulsating vortex regime) is its main disadvantage respectively. This limitation is shown to be overcome here by employing a simple design called T‐T mixer. The results show significant increase of mixing quality with T‐T mixer at low Re (Re < 200) (hydrodynamic focusing effect) and at high Re (Re > 400) (overlapping of vortices). This remarkable improvement with T‐T mixer is obtained at the expense of very small rise in pressure drop compared with T‐mixer. The gap between two Ts of T‐T mixer is optimized, and found that lower gap (5 to 20 μm) T‐T mixer is more preferable. The effect of dissimilar inlet velocitieshas also been studied. Present study characterizes the flow and mixing behavior of optimized T‐T mixer in the Re range of 0 to 750.
Outstanding cavitation erosion resistance of hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane‐based polyurethane coatings
Authors: Qiao Xingnian , Chen Rongrong , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Jingyuan , Liu Qi , Yu Jing , Liu Peili , Wang Jun
Published: February 2019

Cavitation erosion will create shock waves and water jets in turbulent flows. These impact pressures will affect the surface, which will lead to crack propagation and severe material degradation. In this study, we have developed hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane‐based polyurethanes (Si‐PUx) with hydroxypropyl polydimethylsiloxane (H‐PDMS) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) as mixed soft segments and 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate, 1,4‐butanediol, triethanolamine as hard segments via a polycondensation reaction and studied its properties. The cavitation wear experiment showed that the cavitation erosion resistance of Si‐PUx coating continuously improved with the increase of H‐PDMS content, while the adhesion force of Si‐PUs reduced with the increasing of H‐PDMS content. The surface of Si‐PUx coating after cavitation test was observed using an optical microscope and three‐dimensional profiler. The cumulative mass loss of Si‐PUx with 12.5 wt % H‐PDMS was only 2.96 mg and the surface showed no obvious holes and cracks after 80 h cavitation. The results showed that cavitation resistance had a correlation with degree of water resistance, hardness, adhesion strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of coating. It seemed that the Si‐PUx coating could withstand a longer period cavitation erosion resistance compared to high strength epoxy, which could be used as protective coating for flow components under water. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47668.