bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Impeller Diameter on Crystal Growth Kinetics of Borax in a Mixed Dual‐Impeller Batch‐Cooling Crystallizer
Authors: Čelan Antonija , Ćosić Marija , Pehnec Igor , Kuzmanić Nenad
Published: January 2019

The influence of impeller diameter on crystal growth kinetics of borax decahydrate in a batch‐cooling crystallizer of non‐standard aspect ratio was evaluated. The dual‐impeller configuration consisted of a pitched‐blade turbine which was mounted below a straight‐blade turbine on a single shaft. Three different impeller‐to‐tank diameter ratios were investigated. In all experiments, mixing was conducted at just‐suspended impeller speed. To examine hydrodynamic conditions, mixing times were measured. The fluid flow pattern and velocity distribution were determined by computational fluid dynamics. Results showed that the smallest but also more regularly shaped crystals were produced in a system with standard diameter impellers. Product yield and power consumption were highest in this case.
Synthesis of Boron‐Doped Graphene by Supercritical Fluid Processing and its Application in Symmetric Supercapacitors using Various Electrolytes
Authors: Balaji S. Suresh , Karnan M. , Kamarsamam J. , Sathish M.
Published: January 2019

Doping of heteroatoms on graphene networks is an efficient way of modifying both, chemical and electrochemical properties of graphene. Here, the preparation of boron doped graphene was achieved by supercritical fluid processing using sodium tetraborate as a boron source. The phase purity, structure and surface morphology of all the prepared materials were characterised by XRD, Raman spectra, FE‐SEM and HR‐TEM. The presence of boron bearing functionalities and type of B‐doping are determined by FT‐IR spectroscopy and XPS, respectively. From the different weight combination of B‐source along with graphene oxide, the B‐doped graphene obtained from B‐source and graphene oxide are in 1 : 2 weight ratio showed an enhanced capacitive behaviour over reduced graphene oxide with an improved specific capacitance value of 270 F/g at 1 A/g and revealed a superior cycling stability of 93 % retention over 10000 cycles at 10 A/g. To appreciate the device performance, the full cell studies was performed in three different electrolytes and the energy density obtained using 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF4) as ionic liquid electrolyte is found to be 39.3 Wh/kg which is higher than both 20 % KOH solution (5.1 Wh/kg) and 1 M TEABF4 in acetonitrile (18.6 Wh/kg).
Von Industrie 4.0, Hackern und Cybersecurity
Authors: Böck Barbara
Published: January 2019

No abstract.
Laboratory measurements of solubility and swelling factor for CO2/Brine and CO2/heavy oil binary systems under low‐medium pressure and temperature
Authors: Jamshidi Tayebeh , Zeng Fanhua , Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon , Torabi Farshid
Published: January 2019

An extensive experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of various parameters such as temperature, pressure, and crude oil API gravity on the fluid interactions in the binary systems of brine‐CO2 and two heavy oil‐CO2 systems. The solubility of CO2 in 20 000 ppm brine solution was measured at various experimental conditions. The solubility of CO2 and swelling factor, due to the CO2 dissolution, of two heavy crude oil samples (type‐I: °API = 20.44 and type‐II: °API = 15.49) were experimentally measured at various operating conditions.

Results showed that the solubility of CO2 in heavy oil increased when the experimental pressure increased, and when the experimental temperature decreased. At a constant pressure of Pexp = 3.44 MPa, the solubility of the CO2 was measured to be 10.13, 5.72 g CO2/100 g oil in the type‐I crude oil when the temperature increased from T = 21 to 45 °C. Increasing the experimental pressure from Pexp = 1.38 MPa to 3.44 MPa at a constant temperature of T = 21 °C increased the solubility of the CO2 from 2.37 to 7.84 g CO2/100 g oil in the type‐II crude oil. The reduction in the oil API gravity had an adverse effect on the CO2 solubility. At a temperature of T = 21 °C and a pressure of Pexp = 3.44 MPa, the CO2 solubility decreased from ∼10.13 in the type‐I oil to 7.84 g CO2/100 g oil in the type‐II oil. The measured values of the swelling factor showed that the type‐I and type‐II crude oils could exhibit a maximum swelling factor of 1.079 and 1.052 at a temperature of T = 21 °C and a pressure of Pexp = 3.44 MPa.
Synthesis, Structures and Properties of C(sp2)‐Centered Homo‐ and Hetero‐Nuclear Gold Complexes
Authors: Li Cui‐Cui , Zhao Liang
Published: January 2019

C(sp2)‐centered homo‐ and hetero‐nuclear gold complexes have attracted widespread interests in recent decades. Studies of this type of complexes may deepen the understandings of the intermediates in Au‐catalyzed organic reactions and explore new applications in catalytic and material science. The focuses of this review include the synthesis, structural characteristics, properties and applications of C(sp2)‐centered homo‐ and hetero‐nuclear gold complexes according to different structural classifications.
Pseudo[n,m]rotaxanes of Cucurbit[7/8]uril and Viologen‐Naphthalene Derivative: A Precise Definition of Rotaxane
Authors: Zhang Beilin , Dong Yunhong , Li Jie , Yu Yang , Li Chenyang , Cao Liping
Published: January 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Rotaxane is a kind of classic supramolecule, which is usually constructed from a number of macrocycles and one axis molecule. Herein, we have expanded the supramolecular structure of [n]rotaxane to offer a precise definition of (pseudo)[n,m]rotaxane for accurately describing the two kinds of (pseudo)rotaxanes structures, which are self‐assembled from cucurbit[7/8]uril (CB[7/8]) and viologen‐naphthalene derivative, respectively. Furthermore, these CB‐based pseudorotaxanes exhibit varied photophysical properties, stimuli‐responsive behavior triggered by competitive guest, and self‐sorting behavior.
Multivariate association test for rare variants controlling for cryptic and family relatedness
Authors: Sun Jianping , Oualkacha Karim , Greenwood Celia M.T. , Lakhal‐Chaieb Lajmi
Published: January 2019

In genetic studies of complex diseases, multiple measures of related phenotypes are often collected. Jointly analyzing these phenotypes may improve statistical power to detect sets of rare variants affecting multiple traits. In this work, we consider association testing between a set of rare variants and multiple phenotypes in family‐based designs. We use a mixed linear model to express the correlations among the phenotypes and between related individuals. Given the many sources of correlations in this situation, deriving an appropriate test statistic is not straightforward. We derive a vector of score statistics, whose joint distribution is approximated using a copula. This allows us to have closed‐form expressions for the p‐values of several test statistics. A comprehensive simulation study and an application to Genetic Analysis Workshop 18 data highlight the gains associated with joint testing over univariate approaches, especially in the presence of pleiotropy or highly correlated phenotypes. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 47: 90–107; 2019 © 2018 Statistical Society of Canada
Negative predictive value and sensitivity of urine cytology prior to implementation of The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology
Authors: McIntire Patrick J. , Khan Reema , Hussain Hamad , Pambuccian Stefan E. , Wojcik Eva M. , Barkan Güliz A.
Published: January 2019

Background

Urinary tract cytology (UTCy) is used for screening urothelial carcinoma (UC) and it must have a high negative predictive value (NPV) to be an effective test. To the authors’ knowledge, the literature regarding the NPV of UTCy provides little information regarding the risk of malignancy, especially for patients with high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC).

Methods

Patients with negative UTCy specimens were identified in the pathology files at the study institution for the years 2012 through 2013. Cases were deemed true‐negative cases if there was at least 1 subsequent negative specimen or negative clinical follow‐up within 6 months of the index case. False‐negative cases were defined as HGUC or carcinoma in situ by surgical biopsy and/or any UTCy with suspicious for HGUC or HGUC follow‐up.

Results

A total of 2614 UTCy specimens from 2089 patients were identified. There was a disease prevalence of 6.5%. There were 87 false‐negative results for HGUC, which corresponded to an overall NPV of 96.7%. When categorized by clinical indication, hematuria resulted in the highest NPV of 99.5% followed by other indications (97.7%) and a history of UC (90.1%). When categorized by the specimen type, voided urine specimens were found to have the highest NPV of 98.7% followed by other indications (96.9%) and washing specimens (96.2%). Of the 717 patients with a history of UC, the NPV was lower for washing specimens (89.8%) than for voided urine specimens (96.2%). When including either low‐grade urothelial carcinoma or HGUC as a positive follow‐up, the NPV dropped to 93.3% from 96.7% (HGUC only). The sensitivity of the diagnostic category of atypical urothelial cells or higher was 93.0%.

Conclusions

Overall, UTCy appears to have a good NPV and a high sensitivity for HGUC. The clinical indication had a greater impact on NPV compared with the specimen type.
An investigation into the impact of daylight on perceived color of façade: Understanding the role of chromaticness
Authors: Asarzadeh Karim , Madani Ramin , Nilforoushan Mohammad Reza , Mahyar Forough
Published: January 2019

Color selection has always been a classic problem in exterior color design for the simple reason that façade color is commonly chosen at the architect's office, regardless of different external conditions affecting color perception. This issue often leads to an apparent discrepancy between the selected color and the perceived color of façade. So far, extensive research has been carried out to identify, classify, and study the influence of these conditions on perceived color. However, little attention has been paid to the importance of color attributes. Hence, this article attempts to grasp better the significance of chromaticness, as briefly discussed in earlier studies, in the variation pattern of perceived color while daylight condition differs. In order to determine perceived color, each test subject was asked to compare the color seen on the façade to the standard color samples of natural color system index and choose the matching one, using a designed color‐measuring device. The results obtained from 93 participants demonstrate 3 things: First, they further support the belief that perceived color is influenced in both hue and nuance under varied daylight circumstances. Second, they confirm previous findings that indicated chromaticness would affect the extent of color shifts. And above all, a comparison of the results reveals that façade colors of higher chromaticness values have had less shifts in hue, yet greater shifts in whiteness. Finally, the findings suggest that chromaticness together with the external conditions, under which the color is to be seen, should be carefully considered when selecting the façade color.
Parallel pairwise learning to rank for collaborative filtering
Authors: Yağcı A. Murat , Aytekin Tevfik , Gürgen Fikret S.
Published: January 2019

Pairwise learning to rank is known to be suitable for a wide range of collaborative filtering applications. In this work, we show that its efficiency can be greatly improved with parallel stochastic gradient descent schemes. Accordingly, we first propose to extrapolate two such state‐of‐the‐art schemes to the pairwise learning to rank problem setting. We then show the versatility of these proposals by showing the applicability of several important extensions commonly desired in practice. Theoretical as well as extensive empirical analyses of our proposals show remarkable efficiency results for pairwise learning to rank in offline and stream learning settings.
Highly Resolved Pure‐Shift Spectra on a Compact NMR Spectrometer
Authors: Castaing‐Cordier Thomas , Bouillaud Dylan , Bowyer Paul , Gonçalves Olivier , Giraudeau Patrick , Farjon Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Benchtop NMR spectrometers experience a great success for a wide range of applications. However, their performance is highly limited by peak overlaps. Emerging “pure‐shift NMR” (PS NMR) methods have been intensively used at high field to enhance the resolution by homodecoupling strategies. Here, different PS methods have been implemented on a compact NMR spectrometer operating at 43 MHz. Among the PS methods, the recent PSYCHE scheme appears more sensitive than Zangger‐Sterk (ZS) experiments and offers a substantial resolution improvement as compared to 1D 1H. On the other hand, despite their slightly lower sensitivity, ZS methods are more efficient to reduce broad signals and are more immune to strong couplings. Finally, the classical J‐resolved pulse sequence is more efficient to reduce larger signals for bigger‐sized molecules. The three approaches appear relevant for benchtop NMR and their combination forms an efficient toolbox to analyze a great diversity of samples.
High salivary levels of JP2 genotype of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is associated with clinical attachment loss in Moroccan adolescents
Authors: Ennibi Oum Keltoum , Claesson Rolf , Akkaoui Sanae , Reddahi Sarah , Kwamin Francis , Haubek Dorte , Johansson Anders
Published: January 2019

It has previously been shown that the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival plaque is significantly associated with increased risk for clinical attachment loss. The highly leukotoxic JP2 genotype of this bacterium is frequently detected in adolescents with aggressive forms of periodontitis. The aims of the study were to quantify the levels of JP2 and non‐JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans in saliva of Moroccan adolescents with the JP2 genotype earlier detected in the subgingival plaque. The salivary concentrations of inflammatory proteins were quantified and linked to the clinical parameters and microbial findings. Finally, a mouth rinse with leukotoxin‐neutralizing effect was administrated and its effect on the levels the biomarkers and A. actinomycetemcomitans examined. The study population consisted of 22 adolescents that previously were found to be positive for the JP2 genotype in subgingival plaque. Periodontal registration and sampling of stimulated saliva was performed at baseline. A mouth rinse (active/placebo) was administrated, and saliva sampling repeated after 2 and 4 weeks rinse. The salivary levels of JP2 and non‐JP2 were analyzed by quantitative PCR and inflammatory proteins by ELISA. Both the JP2 and the non‐JP2 genotype were detected in all individuals with significantly higher levels of the non‐JP2. Enhanced levels of the JP2 genotype of A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly correlated to the presence of attachment loss (≥3 mm). Salivary concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers did not correlate to periodontal condition or levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The use of active or placebo leukotoxin‐neutralizing mouth rinse did not significantly interfered with the levels of these biomarkers. Saliva is an excellent source for detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans on individual basis, and high levels of the JP2 genotype were significantly associated with the presence of clinical attachment loss.
Non‐insulin‐dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) in Japan
Authors: Akanuma Y.
Published: January 2019

Before the 1980s, only limited community‐based data were available on the prevalence of diabetes in Japan. The prevalence of diabetes in subjects older than 40 years was 25 %. In many surveys carried out in the 1990s, all subjects were examined using the 75 g glucose tolerance test and diabetes was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. Diabetes was found in about 10 % of the population older than 40 years. A higher prevalence in Japanese immigrants in the United States suggests that change of environmental factors, such as increased intake of animal fat, might further increase the prevalence of diabetes in Japan in the future. The mean BMI of NIDDM patients at their initial visit to our hospital is 22.9 + 3.4 kg m−2, compared to patients in many other developed countries and diabetic Japanese Americans. Regarding causes of death in Japanese diabetic patients, the most frequent causes were vascular diseases including renal failure 11.2 %, ischaemlc heart diseases 14.6 %, and cerebrovascular diseases 13.5 %, thus atherosclerotic diseases were less frequent compared to the data in the United States. Each year, approximately 6000 diabetic patients start haemodialysis, and diabetic retinopathy is the main cause of acquired blindness in Japan.
Natural History of Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Follow‐up at Joslin Clinic
Authors: Warram J.H. , Sigal R.J. , Martin B.C. , Krolewski A.S. , Soeldner J.S.
Published: January 2019

The goal of this study was to examine follow‐up data on the offspring of two parents with NIDDM who have IGT to identify predictors of progression to NIDDM. The study group consisted of 80 individuals with IGT (WHO criteria), 28 of whom had IGT at baseline, and 52 who developed it during follow‐up. Both an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) were performed at baseline. After a median follow‐up interval of 8 years, 35 % had progressed to NIDDM, 37% had reverted to normal glucose tolerance, and 29% still had IGT. Those who progressed were younger and more obese than non‐progressors. Glucose and insulin values from the OGTT that established the diagnosis of IGT were analysed by multiple logistic regression to determine which time points best discriminated between progressors and non‐progressors. High insulin, but not glucose, values at 0 and 120 min distinguished progressors from non‐progressors. Values at other sample times that were significantly different (p < 0.05) in progressors were: higher glucose values at 30, 45, and 60 min and higher insulin values at 90 and 180 min. Multiple logistic regression analysis of Bergman's minimal model parameters obtained from the IVGTTs performed at baseline demonstrated that, once JGf is established, low acute phase insulin secretion as well as low insulin sensitivity are significant predictors of progression to NIDDM.
Proinsulin Levels Predict the Development of Non‐insulin‐dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) in Japanese‐American Men
Authors: Kahn S.E. , Leonetti D.L. , Prigeon R.L. , Boyko E.J. , Bergstom R.W. , Fujimoto W.Y.
Published: January 2019

Disproportionate hyperproinsulinaemia is a manifestation of the β‐cell dysfunction observed in NIDDM. However, it is unclear when this abnormality develops and whether it predicts the development of the disease. To examine whether changes in proinsulin levels predict the development of NIDDM, baseline measurements of proinsulin and immunoreactive insulin levels were made in 87 second‐generation Japanese‐American men, a population at high risk for the subsequent development of NIDDM. Subjects were categorized at baseline using WHO criteria as having normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 49) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 38). After a 5‐year follow‐up period, subjects were recategorized as having NGT, IGT or NIDDM using the same criteria. During follow‐up, 16 subjects developed NIDDM while 71 were NGT or IGT. At baseline, individuals who subsequently developed NIDDM were more obese as measured by intra‐abdominal fat area on computed tomography (p = 0.046), had higher fasting glucose (p = 0.0042), 2‐h glucose (p = 0.0002), fasting C‐peptide (p = 0.0011 ), fasting proinsulin levels (p = 0.0033), and had disproportionate hyperproinsulinaemia (p = 0.056) when compared to those who remained NGT or IGT after 5 years of follow‐up. These findings suggest that alterations in proinsulin levels may also predict the subsequent development of NIDDM.
Toward an Integrated Phenotype in Pre‐NIDDM
Authors: Bergman R.N. , Watanabe R. , Rebrin K. , Ader M. , Steil G.
Published: January 2019

The search for the genetic basis of NIDDM has magnified the need for an efficient representation of the pre‐NIDDM phenotype. The overall goal is to relate specific mutations on the genome to specific changes in physiologic function which lead to NIDDM. Unfortunately, there is still not a clear understanding of the molecular cause of NI.DDM in most individuals. Therefore, one must take an alternative approach: to express in quantitative terms the various tissue processes which determine the ability to regulate the blood glucose in fasting and after carbohydrate administration. A minimal list of such processes includes the provision of glucose by the liver, insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and glucose effectiveness. The latter function is the ability of glucose per se to enhance glucose disappearance from blood, independent of a dynamic insulin response. Approaches to measuring the list of functions which determine the glucose tolerance are reviewed: they include the minimal model method, which quantitates insulin sensitivity (S1) and glucose effectiveness (SG) and a combined model approach, which ·measures insulin secretion. These methods are being developed for large populations. Such a development is important for elucidating the causes of reduced glucose tolerance in populations, and examining the relation between such causes and outcomes including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Of particular importance for diabetes development is the characteristic hyperbolic relationship between insulin secretion and insulin action. This relationship, the 'hyperbolic law of glucose tolerance' indicates that insulin secretion can only be assessed in terms of the ainbient degree of insulin sensitivity. By applying this principle, it is clear that latent pancreatic islet‐cell dysfunction has been underestimated, and may be significant even in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Finally, new explorations of insulin control of liver glucose output indicate that this process may be under the control of free fatty acids. The latter realization indicates that the insulin effect on lipolysis is what is critical for determination of glucose output in the fasting state, and that insulin resistance at the level of the adipocyte may determine the extent of fasting hyperglycaemia, and may be an important factor.in the overall phenotype in prediabetic and NIDDM individuals.
Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Swedish Subjects
Authors: Arner P.
Published: January 2019

Insulin resistance and secretory defects seem to be present in Swedish obese elderly, NIDDM subjects. A defect in insulin secretion seems to dominate in lean elderly male Swedish subjects with NIDDM. Furthermore, TNFa expression and secretion are increased in adipose tissue from obese subjects and correlates with insulin resistance roughly measured as elevated fasting plasma insulin in spite of normal fasting blood glucose.
Public Comments on the Proposed Common Rule Mandate for Single‐IRB Review of Multisite Research
Authors: Taylor Holly A. , Ehrhardt Stephan , Ervin Ann‐Margret
Published: January 2019

We reviewed the public comments submitted in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS’s) original and revised proposal for mandated single‐IRB review of federally funded multisite research to see who responded to the proposed mandate and to determine what they said and how the agency addressed the public comments in its revised proposal. Our analysis indicates that support for the single‐IRB mandate was limited. The most common argument against the proposed mandate came from those concerned with the loss of site‐specific institutional review board (IRB) review of the protocol for a multisite study to address issues relevant to local context. Concerns were also raised that the single‐IRB approach would replace one inefficient system (that entails, for example, multiple reviews of a single study) with another potentially inefficient system (involving the negotiation and management of multiple interinstitutional agreements). Empirical research about the implementation of DHHS’s final rule—and the separate rule of the National Institutes of Health—mandating single‐IRB review is needed to determine whether the single‐IRB model achieves the stated goals.
Using otolith chronologies to understand long‐term trends and extrinsic drivers of growth in fisheries
Authors: Martino Jasmin C. , Fowler Anthony J. , Doubleday Zoë A. , Grammer Gretchen L. , Gillanders Bronwyn M.
Published: January 2019

Identifying trends and drivers of fish growth in commercial species is important for ongoing sustainable management, but there is a critical shortage of long‐term datasets in marine systems. Using otolith (ear bone) sclerochronology and mixed‐effects modeling, we reconstructed nearly four decades (37 yr) of growth across four oceanographically diverse regions in an iconic fishery species, snapper (Chrysophrys auratus). Growth was then related to environmental factors (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll‐a, and Southern Oscillation Index) and population performance indicators (recruitment and commercial catch). Across the decades, growth rates declined in the two most productive fishery regions. Chlorophyll‐a (a measure of primary productivity) was the best predictor of growth for all regions, but direction and magnitude of the relationships varied, indicating regional‐specific differences in intra‐specific competition. Sea surface temperature was positively correlated with fish growth, but negatively correlated after temperature reached optimum thermal maxima, which suggests individuals in warmer regions may be under thermal stress. Growth also decreased at the extremes of the Southern Oscillation Index, indicating fish growth is impeded in significant climatic events. Contrasting relationships between growth, catch, and recruitment indicated regional‐specific density‐dependent effects, with growth positively correlated with population size in one region but negatively correlated in another. Our results indicate that under future ocean warming and increased frequency of extreme climate events, fish growth and fisheries productivity are likely to be affected. Furthermore, the interactive effects of extrinsic factors also indicated that stressors on fisheries should be managed collectively. We show that otolith chronologies are an effective method to assess long‐term trends and drivers of growth in fishery species. Such informed ecological predictions will help shape the sustainable management of fisheries under future changing climates.
Efficiency improvement of high‐frequency inverter for wireless power transfer system using series compensator
Authors: Osawa Jun , Isobe Takanori , Tadano Hiroshi
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a wireless power transfer system using a series compensator GCSC (gate‐controlled series capacitor) as a primary side capacitor. The GCSC is a circuit module that functions as a series variable capacitor by controlling semiconductor switches. The advantage of applying the GCSC to the primary side capacitor is that it provides controllability of the output power factor for a high‐frequency inverter. Therefore, optimum operation of the high‐frequency inverter can be achieved irrespective of the coil parameters by controlling the output power factor. Experimental results with a 1 kW laboratory prototype confirmed that the proposed system can achieve optimum operation and high efficiencies of the high‐frequency inverter.
Air‐Stable Carbon‐Fe Based Magnetic Nanostructures
Authors: Amsarajan Subbiah , Jagirdar Balaji R.
Published: January 2019

Herein, we report a simple solid state synthetic route to prepare carbon‐Fe based magnetic nanoparticles with different compositions and morphologies through annealing of amorphous Fe nanoparticles under appropriate conditions. Tri‐n‐octylphosphine (TOP) capped amorphous Fe nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 3.2 nm were synthesized using solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) method. Annealing of as‐prepared Fe nanoparticles at 300 °C produced carbon encapsulated crystalline bcc‐Fe nanoparticles, whereas at higher temperatures i.e., 400 °C and 500 °C, spherical Fe3C/C core‐shell nanoparticles were obtained. Annealing of as‐prepared Fe nanoparticles in the presence of tri‐n‐octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) ligand under optimized conditions yielded rod shaped Fe3C/C core‐shell morphology. The size, composition and particle morphology of these magnetic nanoparticles could be controlled by changing the reaction time, temperature and the concentration of the TOPO ligand. Magnetic measurements show that rod shaped Fe3C nanoparticles exhibit enhanced coercivity (Hc) values compared with spherical Fe3C nanoparticles, which is due to shape anisotropy.
Analysis, economical and technical enhancement of an organic Rankine cycle recovering waste heat from an exhaust gas stream
Authors: Shams Ghoreishi Seyed Milad , Akbari Vakilabadi Moslem , Bidi Mokhtar , Khoeini Poorfar Alireza , Sadeghzadeh Milad , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Ming Tingzhen
Published: January 2019

Any effort with the aim of increasing the total electrical power generation (EPG) due to the existed constraints in vessels is desired in power plants. Using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for recovering waste heat of an exhausting gas is considered as an auxiliary way for improving EPG value. In this study, four ORC arrangements were first modeled for six refrigerants by EES software and the first and second laws of thermodynamics efficiency (ηI and ηII, respectively) and mass flow rate were studied for these cycles. Based on modeling results, the best arrangement was selected for each refrigerant such as; F‐type (Reference cycle+ Intermediate recuperator+ Final recuperator) for R123, H‐type (Reference cycle+ Intermediate recuperator) for R114 and n‐butane and R‐type (Reference cycle + Final recuperator) for n‐pentane, n‐heptane, and toluene. The ηI value as a technical objective function was then optimized for the above cycles by Aspen HYSYS. n‐heptane and toluene cycles were chosen due to higher first‐law efficiency value and then were studied under different source temperature condition and n‐heptane cycle showed better adaptability. Afterward, exergoeconomic was applied on n‐heptane cycle and maximum cycle pressure was chosen as a design variable for economically optimizing net final income (NFI). Finally, NFI value is increased from 423.1$/kW·h to 609.9$/kW·h about 44.2%, while the second‐law efficiency value is just decreased from 25.6% to 20.6% about 5%.
The beneficial effects of Moringa oleifera leaf on reproductive performance in mice
Authors: Zeng Bin , Luo Junyi , Wang Peng , Yang Lin , Chen Ting , Sun Jiajie , Xie Meiying , Li Meng , Zhang Haojie , He Jiajian , Zhang Yongliang , Xi Qianyun
Published: January 2019

Moringa oleifera is a tropical plant with high nutritional and medicinal value. Recent studies have reported its remarkable effects in inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti‐diabetes modulations, but there was no significant report on its role in animal breeding. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) on reproductive performances in mice. We studied the reproductive performance of mice for six consecutive gestations. Mice fed with 4% MOL diet showed improved litter size, litter birth weight, and litter survivals until weaning age compared to control mice fed with normal diet (p < 0.05). Mice fed with MOL diet did not change weight and organ coefficients. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in both male and female mice were significantly decreased by dietary MOL (p < 0.05), but glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were unchanged. For male, dietary MOL significantly reduced sperm abnormality rate (p < 0.05) and Bcl2‐associated X protein (Bax) expression in testis (p < 0.05), but did not affect serum testosterone and the expression levels of androgen receptor (AR), phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (Pgk2), protamine2 (Prm2), and B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) in testis. For female, dietary MOL did not change serum estradiol and the expressions of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), Bcl2, Bax, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) in ovary. In summary, MOL increased litter size and antioxidant ability, reduced the rate of sperm abnormality and the expression of Bax. Therefore, MOL may serve as a functional feed addictive for improving animal reproductive performance.
Evolution of white matter tract microstructure across the life span
Authors: Slater David A. , Melie‐Garcia Lester , Preisig Martin , Kherif Ferath , Lutti Antoine , Draganski Bogdan
Published: January 2019

The human brain undergoes dramatic structural change over the life span. In a large imaging cohort of 801 individuals aged 7–84 years, we applied quantitative relaxometry and diffusion microstructure imaging in combination with diffusion tractography to investigate tissue property dynamics across the human life span. Significant nonlinear aging effects were consistently observed across tracts and tissue measures. The age at which white matter (WM) fascicles attain peak maturation varies substantially across tissue measurements and tracts. These observations of heterochronicity and spatial heterogeneity of tract maturation highlight the importance of using multiple tissue measurements to investigate each region of the WM. Our data further provide additional quantitative evidence in support of the last‐in‐first‐out retrogenesis hypothesis of aging, demonstrating a strong correlational relationship between peak maturational timing and the extent of quadratic measurement differences across the life span for the most myelin sensitive measures. These findings present an important baseline from which to assess divergence from normative aging trends in developmental and degenerative disorders, and to further investigate the mechanisms connecting WM microstructure to cognition.
Morbidity and mortality among patients with head and neck cancer in the emergency department: A national perspective
Authors: Kligerman Maxwell P. , Sethi Rosh K. V. , Kozin Elliott D. , Gray Stacey T. , Shrime Mark G.
Published: January 2019

Background

Emergency departments are playing an increasing role in cancer management. Emergency department utilization by patients with head and neck cancer, however, is unknown.

Methods

The 2009‐2011 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was queried for patients with a principle diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Descriptive analysis was performed to characterize patient and hospital characteristics, outcomes, and charges. Logistic regression identified predictors of admission and mortality.

Results

A total of 31 390 patients were seen in the emergency department with head and neck cancer: 72.8% were admitted, 0.5% died in the emergency department, and 5.0% died during admission. Patients with cancer of unknown primary site had the greatest odds of admission (odds ration [OR]: 2.83; P < 0.0001). Privately insured patients (OR: 1.78; P = 0.001), those from higher income zip codes (OR: 1.56; P = 0.008), and those with oropharyngeal cancer (OR: 2.02; P = 0.0003) had the greatest odds of death.

Conclusion

These findings have direct implications for preventing unnecessary and costly emergency department visits, improving hospital and physician preparedness, and improving patient outcomes.
A Large‐Scale Multicenter Study Validates Aldo‐Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B10 as a Prevalent Serum Marker for Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ye Xu , Li Cunyan , Zu Xuyu , Lin Minglin , Liu Qiang , Liu Jianghua , Xu Guoguo , Chen Zhiyong , Xu Yongliang , Liu Long , Luo Diteng , Cao Zhe , Shi Guiyuan , Feng Zirui , Deng Hongyu , Liao Qianjin , Cai Chuan , Liao Duan‐Fang , Wang Jing , Jin Junfei , Cao Deliang
Published: January 2019

Aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a secretory protein overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate AKR1B10 as a serum marker for detection of HCC. Herein, we conducted a cohort study that consecutively enrolled 1,244 participants from three independent hospitals, including HCC, healthy controls (HCs), benign liver tumors (BLTs), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and liver cirrhosis (LC). Serum AKR1B10 was tested by time‐resolved fluorescent assays. Data were plotted for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was analyzed for comparison. An exploratory discovery cohort demonstrated that serum AKR1B10 increased in patients with HCC (1,567.3 ± 292.6 pg/mL; n = 69) compared with HCs (85.7 ± 10.9 pg/mL; n = 66; P < 0.0001). A training cohort of 519 participants yielded an optimal diagnostic cutoff of serum AKR1B10 at 267.9 pg/mL. When ROC curve was plotted for HCC versus all controls (HC + BLT + CHB + LC), serum AKR1B10 had diagnostic parameters of the area under the curve (AUC) 0.896, sensitivity 72.7%, and specificity 95.7%, which were better than AFP with AUC 0.816, sensitivity 65.1%, and specificity 88.9%. Impressively, AKR1B10 showed promising diagnostic potential in early‐stage HCC and AFP‐negative HCC. Combination of AKR1B10 with AFP increased diagnostic accuracy for HCC compared with AKR1B10 or AFP alone. A validation cohort of 522 participants confirmed these findings. An independent cohort of 68 patients with HCC who were followed up showed that serum AKR1B10 dramatically decreased 1 day after operation and was nearly back to normal 3 days after operation. Conclusion: AKR1B10 is a potent serum marker for detection of HCC and early‐stage HCC, with better diagnostic performance than AFP.
Levocarnitine Use Is Associated With Improvement in Sarcopenia in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Hiramatsu Akira , Aikata Hiroshi , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Ohya Kazuki , Kodama Kenichiro , Nishida Yuno , Daijo Kana , Osawa Mitsutaka , Teraoka Yuji , Honda Fumi , Inagaki Yuki , Morio Kei , Morio Reona , Fujino Hatsue , Nakahara Takashi , Murakami Eisuke , Yamauchi Masami , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Miki Daiki , Tsuge Masataka , Imamura Michio , Tanaka Junko , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: January 2019

Although the effect of levocarnitine (L‐carnitine) on hyperammonemia has been reported in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), its effect on sarcopenia remains to be elucidated. We assessed the effects of L‐carnitine on sarcopenia in patients with LC. We retrospectively evaluated 52 patients with LC who were treated with L‐carnitine for more than 3 months between February 2013 and June 2017. Computed tomography was used to measure the cross‐sectional area of the skeletal muscles at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. The relative change in skeletal muscle index (SMI) per year (ΔSMI/year) was computed in each patient. We evaluated the relationship between ΔSMI/year and various parameters, such as age, sex, liver functional reserve, and dose of L‐carnitine. The median ΔSMI/year for all patients was −0.22%. The ΔSMI/year values in Child‐Pugh classes A, B, and C were not significantly different among the three groups. There was no significant relationship between ΔSMI/year and sex, age, body mass index, and sarcopenia. Multivariate analysis showed that only a high dose of L‐carnitine (odds ratio [OR], 4.812; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.233‐18.784; P = 0.024) was associated with increased muscle mass. The L‐carnitine high‐dose group included a significantly larger number of patients with increased muscle mass compared with the low‐dose group (OR, 3.568; 95% CI, 1.138‐11.185; P = 0.027). Administration of L‐carnitine led to a significant and gradual reduction in serum ammonia levels. Conclusion: L‐carnitine seems to suppress the progression of sarcopenia dose dependently, and this was noted to be associated with the improvement of hyperammonemia in patients with LC.
Adult neurogenesis in the mouse dentate gyrus protects the hippocampus from neuronal injury following severe seizures
Authors: Jain Swati , LaFrancois John J. , Botterill Justin J. , Alcantara‐Gonzalez David , Scharfman Helen E.
Published: January 2019

Previous studies suggest that reducing the numbers of adult‐born neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the mouse increases susceptibility to severe continuous seizures (status epilepticus; SE) evoked by systemic injection of the convulsant kainic acid (KA). However, it was not clear if the results would be the same for other ways to induce seizures, or if SE‐induced damage would be affected. Therefore, we used pilocarpine, which induces seizures by a different mechanism than KA. Also, we quantified hippocampal damage after SE. In addition, we used both loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function methods in adult mice. We hypothesized that after loss‐of‐function, mice would be more susceptible to pilocarpine‐induced SE and SE‐associated hippocampal damage, and after gain‐of‐function, mice would be more protected from SE and hippocampal damage after SE. For loss‐of‐function, adult neurogenesis was suppressed by pharmacogenetic deletion of dividing radial glial precursors. For gain‐of‐function, adult neurogenesis was increased by conditional deletion of pro‐apoptotic gene Bax in Nestin‐expressing progenitors. Fluoro‐Jade C (FJ‐C) was used to quantify neuronal injury and video‐electroencephalography (video‐EEG) was used to quantify SE. Pilocarpine‐induced SE was longer in mice with reduced adult neurogenesis, SE had more power and neuronal damage was greater. Conversely, mice with increased adult‐born neurons had shorter SE, SE had less power, and there was less neuronal damage. The results suggest that adult‐born neurons exert protective effects against SE and SE‐induced neuronal injury.
Perceived human resource system strength and employee reactions toward change: Revisiting human resource's remit as change agent
Authors: Alfes Kerstin , Shantz Amanda D. , Bailey Catherine , Conway Edel , Monks Kathy , Fu Na
Published: January 2019

Although scholars have highlighted human resource's (HR's) important role as a change agent, we know little about the extent to which HR influences the change context to foster positive employee responses and support organizational changes. This study positions perceived HR system strength as an important internal context factor that influences employees' reactions toward change. Drawing on emotion theory and social exchange theory, we analyze the mechanisms through which employees' perceptions of HR system strength lead to positive employee responses to organizational change. Data from 704 employees in a UK police force showed that employees' perceptions of HR system strength were positively related to their ability to cope with organizational change and that this relationship was simultaneously mediated by state positive affect and perceived organizational support. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that coping with organizational change was positively related to employees' change‐supportive behavior. This study is important because it broadens the remit of HR's role as change agent and provides valuable insight into how HR positively influences employee outcomes during organizational change.
Environmental effects of the technology transformation from hard-disk to solid-state drives from resource depletion and toxicity management perspectives
Authors: Kim Se-Hee , Lee Su-Jin , Kim Sang-Ho , Kang Sung-Eun , Lee Dae Sung , Lim Seong-Rin
Published: January 2019

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are used as data storage systems in various electronic devices in place of hard-disk drives (HDDs) due to their higher speed and durability and lower noise and power consumption. Although SSDs have these advantages, the environmental consequences of the technology transformation from HDD to SSD need to be examined from resource depletion and toxicity management perspectives because most electronic components and devices contain rare, precious, and toxic metals. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess and compare resource depletion and toxicity potentials from metals in an HDD and an SSD on a same capacity basis. The environmental impact potentials were evaluated based on the metal contents and masses of the drives and environmental impact characterization factors used in life cycle impact assessments. The SSD had 86% to 94% lower resource depletion potentials than the HDD, due primarily to the lower contents of Au, Cu, Pd, Ru, and Pt, whereas the SSD had 33% higher potential for only In. The SSD also had 87% to 94% lower toxicity potentials due primarily to the lower contents of Ni, Pb, Cu, and Cr. Thus, this study showed that the technology transformation is environmentally desirable to conserve resources and to protect human and ecological health. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:292–298. © 2019 SETAC
Effects of offshore oil exploration and development in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea: Long-term patterns of hydrocarbons in sediments
Authors: Durell Gregory S , Neff Jerry M
Published: January 2019

The United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has sponsored 4 major monitoring projects in the oil and gas development area of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea since the 1980s, the last being the Arctic Nearshore Impact Monitoring in the Development Area III (ANIMIDA III) Project (2014–2017). These studies were conducted to better understand the physical, chemical, and biological environments and how oil and gas activities may impact them. This paper focuses on monitoring sediment hydrocarbon chemistry. The projects included measuring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n-alkanes and isoprenoids (SHCs), and sterane/triterpene (S/T) geochemical biomarkers and determining their distribution, possible sources, and environmental significance in the sediments of the Beaufort Sea and rivers emptying into it. Concentrations of hydrocarbons in sediments were variable on both spatial and temporal scales; surface sediment concentrations of total PAHs (TPAHs), the class of hydrocarbons of greatest environmental interest, averaged between 300 and 700 μg/kg in different years of monitoring between 1985 and 2015. The concentrations were similar to those measured in other marine regions of Alaska where oil activities have not occurred. Sediment TPAH concentrations were below sediment quality guidelines values, indicating a low risk of harm to benthic marine communities. The hydrocarbons in the Beaufort Sea sediments are primarily from non-oil petrogenic and biogenic sources, with small amounts of pyrogenic hydrocarbons. Most of the hydrocarbons are carried to the Beaufort Sea in coastal erosion and river inputs of hydrocarbon-rich materials, such as peat and shale. The majority of the Beaufort Sea Development Area, including near production facilities, contains uncontaminated sediments with only a few small areas near (<100 m) some exploratory wells where petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations are above regional background. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:224–236. © 2019 SETAC