bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Program Development for Detention Pond Sizing Based on Excel Using SWMM Engine
Authors: Jeong Yonggil , Kang Taeuk
Published: May 2020

In this study, we developed a program for detention pond sizing based on Excel in order to improve user convenience. The program includes a function for the derivation of flood hydrograph that was embodied by using the rational method hydrograph for connecting the design of the stormwater pipe. The design method of a permeable detention pond that is a kind of low impact development (LID) technique was also implemented. In addition, the operation of the program was found to be stable, and various discharge structures such as weir, pump, and pipe could be easily conducted using the engine of the stormwater management model (SWMM). The developed detention pond sizing program was applied to the actual design. Subsequently, similar results were derived by comparing with the actual design, and it was found that the program was appropriate.
Onsite Disaster Response System for an Inclusive Society and Social Safety Net by Types of Disabilities: Focusing on the Welfare Facilities for the Disabled in "D City"
Authors: Myeong Jiyeon , Kim Hongjik
Published: May 2020

As the types of disaster diversity and the occurrence of disaster became more frequent, complex damage is also increasing. The nation is making various efforts, including creating an emergency management system and supporting crisis management research, to minimize damage to property, facilities and lives that are caused by disasters. However, the practical system for those who have a disadvantage in terms of disaster awareness and early evacuation due to their physical limitations is still insufficient. In this study, the vulnerability of people with disabilities when it comes to disaster safety was analyzed by visiting the living facilities tailored for each type of disability by examing each facility's disaster resonse manual and observing the facilities. In addition, through surveying and interviewing employees and users of facilities, we analyzed the recognition of evacuation. Finally, this study proposed strengthening related disaster response policies to establish an inclusive society and a social safety net by analyzing behavioral patterns for each type of disability in the initial disaster situation.
Study on Spontaneous Combustion Risk of Coin Plating Experiment Residue
Authors: Ko Gi-Bong , Lee Si-Young , Kim Hyeong-Do
Published: May 2020

This study examines the risk of spontaneous combustion caused by the residue of the coin plating experiment. In this study, three cases of recent fires due to the unauthorized disposal of the residues left from coin plating experiments in middle and high schools of the Gangwon-do Province (2017～2018) were analyzed and an experiment to recreate the fire was conducted. As a result of the analysis of the three cases of school fires, it was shown that the students who participated in the coin plating experiment wiped the aqueous solution that spilled onto the table during the procedure as well as the residue of the solution inside the beaker with a tissue and disposed of it on the classroom floor or in a plastic trash can along with the coin that was used. If short, 1 h and 18 min, if long, 8 h and 15 min after the tissues with the residues were thrown away in the trash can, a fire broke out. In addition, when the fire experiment was recreated, in a state where 5 g of sodium hydroxide and 5 g of powdered zinc were partially overlapped, 0.25 ml of water was added. After 20 min since the start of the experiment, a fire occurred as the temperature rose to 549 ℃. In particular, when the coin experiment residue was put on toilet paper and dried for 5 min using a hair dryer, a fire occurred as flames started to appear from the residue. Therefore, in order to prevent fires, it is safe to dispose of the residues after conducting the coin plating experiments in waste incinerator machines. Fire safety education must also be enforced upon teachers who are in charge of instructing chemical experiments at school, and science laboratories must be equipped with automatic fire extinguishing facilities, e.g., trash cans that are placed in the classrooms must be made of steel to ensure complete safety.
Human‐Palm‐Inspired Artificial Skin Material Enhances Operational Functionality of Hand Manipulation
Authors: Heo Si‐Hwan , Kim Cheolgyu , Kim Taek‐Soo , Park Hyung‐Soon
Published: May 2020

Human skin plays an important role in hand manipulation by making a stable grasp with an enlarging contact area while providing a firm hold on the object. However, satisfying these two functions is contradictory in conventional single‐layer artificial skin. Softer skin material would increase the contact area, which is advantageous in maintaining the stability, but it decreases the manipulability since the object tends to make uncontrollable movement within the softer skin, and vice versa for harder skin material. This paper presents a biomimetic three‐layer skin structure inspired by human palm skin and shows that both stability and manipulability can be enhanced with the three‐layer structure. To achieve the unique stiffness characteristics of the human palm skin, a porous latex structure, which is highly compressible but tough in tensile direction, is chosen as the subcutaneous fat layer. Through the novel experimental setup and the finite element method simulations, it is found that the porous latex structure is the key structure contributing to both stability and manipulability. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a robotic hand with the proposed skin material shows enhanced robustness in grasping tasks. With the proposed skin material, the robotic hands would be more advantageous for challenging manipulation tasks.
Capacitance–Voltage (C–V ) Characterization of Graphene–Silicon Heterojunction Photodiodes
Authors: Riazimehr Sarah , Belete Melkamu , Kataria Satender , Engström Olof , Lemme Max Christian
Published: May 2020

Heterostructures of 2D and 3D materials form efficient devices for utilizing the properties of both classes of materials. Graphene/silicon (G/Si) Schottky diodes have been studied extensively with respect to their optoelectronic properties. Here, a method to analyze measured capacitance–voltage (C–V) data of G/Si Schottky diodes connected in parallel with G/silicon dioxide/Si (GIS) capacitors is introduced. The accurate extraction of the built‐in potential (Φbi) and the Schottky barrier height (SBH) from the measurement data independent of the Richardson constant is also demonstrated.
Band Structure Engineering in MoS2 Based Heterostructures toward High‐Performance Phototransistors
Authors: Ying Haoting , Li Xin , Wang Hemiao , Wang Yurui , Hu Xin , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xuefeng , Shi Yueqin , Xu Minxuan , Zhang Qi
Published: May 2020

Interfacial band structure engineering paves a promising route to promote the application of 2D semiconductors in optoelectronics, and thereby in the last decades, a great number of studies about heterojunction based on transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been implemented. Most of the latest photodetectors mainly consist of a type II band alignment in which, however, the interfacial emission quenching leads to a higher nonradiative rate, an awkward problem for reducing their energy consumption. Here, BaTiO3/MoS2 heterostructures with type I band alignment fabricated by a facile spin‐coating method are reported, and their remarkable photodetection performance in comparison with devices based on bare MoS2 (Rλ: 120 A W−1 vs 1.7 A W−1 and external quantum efficiency (EQE): 4.78 × 104% vs 4.5 × 102% @365 nm) is demonstrated. Optical measurements including micro‐Raman and photoluminescence (PL) suggest a carrier extraction process accompanied by the carrier injection occurring in the narrower‐bandgap (MoS2) layer, responsible for the increment of carrier population in MoS2 channel and subsequent improvement of detection ability. Hence, the demonstration of such 0D/2D type‐I heterostructures through an interfacial control provides valuable information for developing low cost yet superior performance optoelectronic devices in future.
Plant‐Based Biodegradable Capacitive Tactile Pressure Sensor Using Flexible and Transparent Leaf Skeletons as Electrodes and Flower Petal as Dielectric Layer
Authors: Elsayes Ahmed , Sharma Vipul , Yiannacou Kyriacos , Koivikko Anastasia , Rasheed Anum , Sariola Veikko
Published: May 2020

In biomedical sciences, there is demand for electronic skins with highly sensitive tactile sensors, having applications in patient monitoring, human–machine interfaces, and on‐body sensors. In clinical applications, it would be especially beneficial if the sensors would be disposable. Here, an all plant‐material‐based biodegradable capacitive tactile pressure sensor for disposable electronic skins is reported. Silver‐nanowire‐coated leaf skeletons are used as breathable and flexible electrodes while freeze‐dried rose petals are used as the dielectric layer. The leaf skeleton electrodes have a rough fractal‐like architecture, which provides good adhesion to the silver nanowires and maintains interconnections between the silver nanowires when the electrodes are bent. The electrodes display low constant resistance up to curvature of 800 m−1. The rose petal dielectric layer has a multiscale 3D cell wall microstructure, which compresses elastically when subjected to pressure. The fabricated sensor can respond to pressures ranging from 0.007 to at least 60 kPa, with a maximum sensitivity of ≈0.08 kPa−1. The signal is stable for at least 5000 pressure cycles, after an initial break‐in period. Owing to the all biomaterial constituents, the sensor is biodegradable under aqueous conditions. The sensor is successfully applied as an e‐skin in touch sensing and gesture monitoring.
Building Lithiophilic Ion‐Conduction Highways on Garnet‐Type Solid‐State Li+ Conductors
Authors: Cheng Zhangyuan , Xie Maoling , Mao Yayun , Ou Jianxin , Zhang Sijing , Zhao Zheng , Li Jinlin , Fu Fang , Wu Jihuai , Shen Yanbin , Lu Derong , Chen Hongwei
Published: May 2020

The integration of highly conductive solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) into solid‐state cells is still a challenge mainly due to the high impedance existing at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Although solid‐state garnet‐based batteries have been successfully assembled with the assistance of an intermediate layer between the garnet and the Li metal anode, the slow discharging/charging rates of the batteries inhibits practical applications, which require much higher power densities. Here, a crystalline sulfonated‐covalent organic framework (COF) thin layer is grown on the garnet surface via a simple solution process. It not only significantly improves the lithiophilicity of garnet electrolytes via the lithiation of the COF layer with molten Li, but also creates effective Li+ diffusion “highways” between the garnet and the Li metal anode. As a result, the interfacial impedance of symmetric solid‐state Li cells is significantly decreased and the cells can be operated at high current densities up to 3 mA cm−2, which is difficult to achieve with current interfacial modification technologies for SSEs. The solid‐state Li‐ion batteries using LiFePO4 cathodes, Li anodes, and COF‐modified garnet electrolytes thus exhibit a significantly improved rate capability.
Phosphorene as Cathode Material for High‐Voltage, Anti‐Self‐Discharge Zinc Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Huang Zhaodong , Chen Ao , Mo Funian , Liang Guojin , Li Xinliang , Yang Qi , Guo Ying , Chen Ze , Li Qing , Dong Binbin , Zhi Chunyi
Published: May 2020

Output voltage and self‐discharge rate are two important performance indices for supercapacitors, which have long been overlooked, though these play a very significant role in their practical application. Here, a zinc anode is used to construct a zinc ion hybrid capacitor. Expanded operating voltage of the hybrid capacitor is obtained with novel electrolytes. In addition, significantly improved anti‐self‐discharge ability is achieved. The phosphorene‐based zinc ion capacitor exploiting a “water in salt” electrolyte with a working potential can reach 2.2 V, delivering 214.3 F g−1 after 5000 cycles. The operating voltage is further extended to 2.5 V through the use of an organic solvent as the electrolyte; the solvent is prepared by adding 0.2 m ZnCl2 into the tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in propylene carbonate (Et4NBF4/PC) solvent, and it exhibits 105.9 F g−1 even after 9500 cycles. More importantly, the phosphorene‐based capacitors possess excellent anti‐self‐discharge performance. The capacitors retain 76.16% of capacitance after resting for 300 h. The practical application of the zinc ion capacitor is demonstrated through a flexible paper‐based printed microcapacitor. It is believed that the developed zinc ion capacitor can effectively resolve the severe self‐discharge problem of supercapacitors. Moreover, high‐voltage zinc ion capacitors provide more opportunities for the application of supercapacitors.
Computational fluid dynamics‐based optimization of dimpled steam cracking reactors for reduced CO2 emissions
Authors: Dedeyne Jens N. , Geerts Moreno , Reyniers Pieter A. , Wéry Florian , Van Geem Kevin M. , Marin Guy B.
Published: May 2020

Spherical dimples in cylindrical tubes enhance heat transfer and lead to a more uniform radial temperature profile. To combine these positive properties with a low pressure drop, a single dimple was optimized through a genetic algorithm. Multiple design parameters such as width, height, and curvature of the dimple were investigated. Heart‐shaped dimples outperformed spherical dimples. Three‐dimensional reactive simulations of a Millisecond propane steam cracking reactor showed that both the spherically dimpled and the heart‐shaped dimpled coil positively affect the light olefin selectivity, mainly through an increase in propylene selectivity. The optimized dimples could reduce the high pressure drop penalty by 21%. Run length simulations proved that the optimized dimple shape results in an additional run length extension of 18%. Next to this, the fuel rate consumption can be decreased by 6% compared to a bare coil, which could theoretically result in 4% less CO2 emissions.
Alcohol‐induced Wnt signaling inhibition during bone fracture healing is normalized by intermittent parathyroid hormone treatment
Authors: Kapania Esha M. , Reif Taylor J. , Tsumura Aaron , Eby Jonathan M. , Callaci John J.
Published: May 2020

Nearly half of orthopaedic trauma patients are intoxicated at the time of injury, and excess alcohol consumption increases the risk for fracture nonunion. Previous studies show alcohol disrupts fracture associated Wnt signaling required for normal bone fracture repair. Intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) promotes bone growth through canonical Wnt signaling, however, no studies have investigated the effect of PTH on alcohol‐inhibited bone fracture repair. Male C57BL/6 mice received two‐3 day alcohol binges separated by 4 days before receiving a mid‐shaft tibia fracture. Postoperatively, mice received PTH daily until euthanasia. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling was analyzed at 9 days post‐fracture. As previously observed, acute alcohol exposure resulted in a >2‐fold decrease in total and the active form of β‐catenin and a 2‐fold increase in inactive β‐catenin within the fracture callus. Intermittent PTH abrogated the effect of alcohol on β‐catenin within the fracture callus. Upstream of β‐catenin, alcohol‐treated animals had a 2‐fold decrease in total LRP6, the Wnt co‐receptor, which was restored with PTH treatment. Alcohol nor PTH had any significant effect on GSK‐3β. These data show that intermittent PTH following a tibia fracture restores normal expression of Wnt signaling proteins within the fracture callus of alcohol‐treated mice.
Chaotic Cyclotron and Hall Trajectories Due to Spin‐Orbit Coupling
Authors: Kirichenko Elena V. , Stephanovich Vladimir A. , Sherman Evgeny Ya.
Published: May 2020

It is demonstrated that the synergistic effect of a gauge field, Rashba spin‐orbit coupling (SOC), and Zeeman splitting can generate chaotic cyclotron and Hall trajectories of particles. The physical origin of the chaotic behavior is that the SOC produces a spin‐dependent (so‐called anomalous) contribution to the particle velocity and the presence of Zeeman field reduces the number of integrals of motion. By using analytical and numerical arguments, the conditions of chaos emergence are studied and the dynamics both in the regular and chaotic regimes is reported. The critical dependence of the dynamic patterns (such as the chaotic regime onset) on small variations in the initial conditions and problem parameters, that is the SOC and/or Zeeman constants, is observed. The transition to chaotic regime is further verified by the analysis of phase portraits as well as Lyapunov exponents spectrum. The considered chaotic behavior can occur in solid state systems, weakly relativistic plasmas, and cold atomic gases with synthetic gauge fields and spin‐related couplings.
Determination of diuretics in human urine using HPLC coupled with magnetic solid‐phase extraction based on a metal–organic framework
Authors: Liu Meng , Lv Bingqiang , Jiang Hailong , Yuan Pei , Zhu Huan , Gao Binghong
Published: May 2020

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) employing a metal–organic framework (Fe3O4@UiO‐66‐OH) combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the determination of trace diuretics in urine. The structure and properties of Fe3O4@UiO‐66‐OH were investigated using X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Magnetic solid‐phase extraction conditions, such as adsorbent amount and solution pH, were optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimal conditions, the method resulted in excellent linearity with a high correlation coefficient (r > 0.99), satisfactory intraday repeatability (1.78–2.99%), low limits of detection (0.08–0.23 ng/ml), and good recoveries in urine samples (between 93.5 and 103%). Fe3O4@UiO‐66‐OH based on MSPE is a novel pretreatment technique for the detection of trace diuretics in urine.
Indefinite detention or supervision for public protection when a life sentence is not available: Pathway outcomes among prisoners in one region
Authors: Crosswaite Sophie , Freestone Mark , Ramsden Jo
Published: May 2020

Background

Indeterminate sentences for Public Protection (IPPs) were introduced in England and Wales under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 for offenders not eligible for a life sentence but considered to pose a serious risk to the public. In 2012, new IPPs became illegal, in part after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in three cases that failure to make appropriate provision for rehabilitation services while the men were in prison breached their rights under Article 5 of the Convention and thus from arbitrary detention. People already sentenced under this provision, however, remained in the system. Humberside Indeterminate Public Protection Project (HIPPP) supports intensive case management of male IPP offenders still serving this sentence.

Aims

To examine variables associated with pathway outcome among men under IPPs in one English region—Humberside. Our primary hypothesis was that programme engagement in prison would be significantly associated with release.

Methods

The HM Prison and Probation Services National Delius (nDelius) and Offender Assessment System (OASys) were used to identify all men from the region subject to IPPs and beyond tariff (the fixed, punishment part of their sentence) and to retrieve data on the sentence, pathway status and specific risk factors. We used content analysis to identify variables of interest, and logistic regression models to explore associations of variables with different types of pathway outcome.

Results

A total of 82 men were identified, 34 of whom had ever been recorded as having been given a diagnosis of anti‐social personality disorder (ASPD). Men experiencing relationship difficulties with professionals were significantly more likely to be denied release [Odds Ratio (OR) = 7.75, Confidence Interval (CI) 2.08–28.57], have a deferred parole (OR = 7.81, CI 1.59–38.46) or be awaiting parole (OR = 4.46, CI 1.09–18.18) compared with men released to the community or serving in an open prison. Completion of programmes was not associated with pathway outcome. A modest association between diagnosis of anti‐social personality disorder and pathway outcome association was confounded by other variables.

Conclusions and Implications for Practice

While programme completion did not have the expected association with release, relational difficulties with professionals proved significant barriers to release. This suggests that ambitions for the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway in supporting professionals to develop collaborative relationships with offenders are well founded. Part of this approach lies in sophisticated, psychologically informed case formulations which may help to discriminate between risk factors and personality disorder traits which have social rather than risk implications.
Superior vena cava filter placement over existing central venous lines: Is line removal necessary?
Authors: Lopera Jorge E. , Jen Serena
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical safety of superior vena cava (SVC) filter placement over preexisting central venous lines (CVLs) in 23 patients who had upper extremity deep venous thrombosis with contraindications to anticoagulation.

Methods

A retrospective review of the images and electronic medical records of 23 patients from 2008 to 2018 with SVC filters placed over an existing central venous line was performed in a single tertiary medical center. Twenty‐one filters were placed over smaller lines (<8 Fr), and two were placed over hemodialysis catheters. Venograms before and after filter placement were compared to detect any evidence of line displacement or entrapment. Medical records were reviewed to determine whether there was any difficulty during line removal.

Results

In two of five patients with dual lines, significant line displacement was noted in the left‐sided lines, both lines were later removed without complications. In one patient with a hemodialysis catheter, the filter was deployed over the tip of the catheter resulting in the entrapment of one of the legs of the filter within a side hole of the line. Fourteen patients had their lines later removed 3 days to 3 months after filter placement without reported problems. Nine patients had their CVLs left in place until the patient's death or discharge to a long‐term facility.

Conclusions

SVC filter placement over preexisting CVLs seems to be technically feasible and clinically safe in patients with <8‐Fr CVLs. However, placement of the filters over hemodialysis catheters can result in leg entrapment.
Shockwave intravascular lithoplasty for the treatment of calcified carotid artery stenosis: A very early single‐center experience
Authors: Vadalà Giuseppe , Galassi Alfredo Ruggero , Nerla Roberto , Micari Antonio
Published: May 2020

Endovascular treatment of calcified carotid disease represents one of the main challenges for the interventionalists. Plaque calcium load is one of the most important factors affecting the risk of procedural complications. A new tool called Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (S‐IVL; Shockwave Medical, Inc.) has been recently approved for the treatment of heavily calcified coronary and lower limb arteries but minimal data exist about the treatment of carotid arteries. We report our early experience of carotid stenting using S‐IVL. We report two cases of symptomatic patients with severely calcified carotid artery diseases who were turned down for vascular surgeries. The first case was successfully performed through radial access using a distal cerebral embolic protection device in the context of contralateral carotid occlusion. In the second case, a very tight and calcified left internal carotid artery stenosis was successfully treated through femoral access using a proximal cerebral protection device. In both cases, advanced imaging confirmed effective calcium debulking and good stent expansion after IVL treatment. S‐IVL effectiveness basically resides in integrating the effect of balloon angioplasty with the calcium‐disrupting power of sonic pressure waves. This could be able to minimize the risk of cerebral embolization due to aggressive conventional balloon predilatation or poststenting dilatation usually needed to obtain an adequate luminal gain in carotid stenting. According to our small case series, the use of S‐IVL for the treatment of heavily calcified carotid artery lesions seems to be helpful in this particular setting.
Biological Pincer Complexes
Authors: Nevarez Jorge L. , Turmo Aiko , Hu Jian , Hausinger Robert P.
Published: May 2020

At least two types of pincer complexes are known to exist in biology. A metal‐pyrroloquinolone quinone (PQQ) cofactor was first identified in bacterial methanol dehydrogenase, and later also found in selected short‐chain alcohol dehydrogenases of other microorganisms. The PQQ‐associated metal can be calcium, magnesium, or a rare earth element depending on the enzyme sequence. Synthesis of this organic ligand requires a series of accessory proteins acting on a small peptide, PqqA. Binding of metal to PQQ yields an ONO‐type pincer complex. More recently, a nickel‐pincer nucleotide (NPN) cofactor was discovered in lactate racemase, LarA. This cofactor derives from nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide via action of a carboxylase/hydrolase, sulfur transferase, and nickel insertase, resulting in an SCS‐type pincer complex. The NPN cofactor likely occurs in selected other racemases and epimerases of bacteria, archaea, and a few eukaryotes.
‘Surface Contrast’ NMR Reveals Non‐innocent Role of Support in Pd/CeO2 Catalyzed Phenol Hydrogenation
Authors: Egner Timothy K. , Naik Pranjali , An Yeongseo , Venkatesh Amrit , Rossini Aaron J. , Slowing Igor I. , Venditti Vincenzo
Published: May 2020

Ceria (CeO2)‐supported metals are widely used as catalysts because of their exceptional redox properties. Here, we use surface contrast NMR methods to investigate the hydrogenation of phenol by Pd supported on ceria nanoparticles. We show that the rigid and planar binding of phenol to Pd is mediated by a weak and highly mobile association of the small molecule to ceria. Interestingly, while addition of phosphate to the mixture does not perturb the adsorption of phenol on Pd, it destabilizes its interaction with ceria and proportionally decreases the rate of catalytic conversion. Our data provide strong experimental evidence that weak interactions between adsorbate and ceria are catalytically competent and explain the exceptional performance of Pd/CeO2 for reductive conversions under mild reaction conditions.
Ternary Blends of Renewable Fast Pyrolysis Bio‐Oil, Advanced Bioethanol, and Marine Gasoil as Potential Marine Biofuel
Authors: Galindo Rosana Fatima , Barbosa Cortez Luis Antonio , Teixeira Franco Telma
Published: May 2020

An alternative for reducing emissions from marine fuel is to blend bio‐oil from lignocellulose non‐edible feedstocks to diesel fossil fuels. Phase diagrams of the ternary systems were built to represent the transition from heterogeneous regions to homogeneous regions. Four homogeneous blends of bio‐oil of eucalyptus‐bioethanol‐marine gasoil were experimentally characterized with respect to the most important fuel parameters for marine engines: water content, flash point, low heating value, viscosity, and acidity. Blends with closer properties to marine gasoil replacement, lower costs, and environmental impacts should be tested for large engines.
Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Bischromophoric Cyanostilbene‐Derived Homochiral Nanostructures in Solution
Authors: Sarkar Souvik , Narayan Bhawani , George Subi J.
Published: May 2020

Herein, we present the self‐assembly and chiroptical properties of enantiomeric bischromophoric molecules consisting oftrans‐(1,2)‐cyclohexanediamide as the chiral core and cyanostilbene derivative as the fluorescent chromophores. These enantiomers form diverse organic nanostructures, such as vesicles and two‐dimensional sheets, in non‐polar solvents, exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with a remarkable luminescence dissymmetry factor, |glum|, in solution. Detailed spectroscopic probing reveals the formation of supramolecular conglomerate assemblies from its racemic mixture of monomers due to the chirality mismatch of the core.
Highly Stretchable Polymer Binder Engineered with Polysaccharides for Silicon Microparticles as High‐Performance Anodes
Authors: Wen Yanfen , Zhang Hongwei
Published: May 2020

Silicon has been considered as a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries owing to its extraordinarily high capacity. However, the huge volume expansion during cycling results in severe pulverization and disintegration of active materials, especially when the particle size is in microscale. This challenge can be addressed by highly stretchable polymer binders engineered with helical polysaccharides. The elaborately designed binder presents excellent stretchability and adhesive property, which can buffer the strain caused by the large volume change and coalesce the pulverized silicon fragments without disintegration. As a result, the microsized silicon electrode exhibits high initial Coulombic efficiency of 91.8 % and excellent cycling stability for 300 cycles. Importantly, when paired with a commercial LiCoO2 cathode, the full cell manifests a high areal capacity of 3.02 mAh cm−2 and superior stability for 100 cycles. Our contribution paves the way to the practical application of microsized silicon for lithium‐ion batteries.
Teachers’ accounts of their curriculum use: external contextual influences during times of curriculum reform
Authors: Bradfield Kylie Zee , Exley Beryl
Published: May 2020

Curriculum reform is often described as being dependent on teachers’ advancement of reform principles. Many studies report the reasons for whether teachers engage with a new curriculum, and these reasons have focused on internal, personal influences including disconnections between curriculum and teachers’ beliefs and practices. This study investigates nine Australian primary teachers’ accounts of their use of a new English curriculum from data obtained through semi‐structured interviews. A thematic content analysis approach was used to analyse the interview transcripts, illustrating significant differences among the teachers in their use of the intended curriculum. The analysis provided four distinct influences on their curriculum use: the provision of professional development; curriculum and leadership roles; use of alternative or additional materials; and schools’ prioritisation of particular learning areas. The findings demonstrate that the consistent use of these curriculum materials, as intended by designers, was appreciably influenced by factors external to the teachers. Implications for curriculum designers include the need for greater consideration of external contextual influences, such as: opportunities for teachers to access professional development, consideration of curriculum roles within schools, the thoughtful provision of additional or alternate curriculum materials, and recognition of the prioritisation of particular learning areas by schools.
Summer aridity rather than management shapes fitness‐related functional traits of the threatened mountain plant Arnica montana
Authors: Stanik Nils , Lampei Christian , Rosenthal Gert
Published: May 2020

Semi‐natural mountain grasslands are increasingly exposed to environmental stress under climate change. However, which are the environmental factors that limit plants in these grasslands? Also, is the present management effective against these changes? Fitness‐related functional traits may offer a way to detect changes in performance and provide new insights into their vulnerability to climate change. We investigated changes in performance and variability of functional traits of the mountain grassland target species Arnica montana along a climate gradient in Central German low mountain ranges. This gradient represents at its lower end climate conditions that are expected at its upper end under future climate change. We measured vegetative, generative, and physiological traits to account for multiple ways of plant responses to the environment. Using mixed effects and multivariate models, we evaluated changes in trait values among individuals as well as the variability of their populations in order to assess performance under changing summer aridity and different management regimes. Fitness‐related performance of most traits showed strongly positive associations with reduced summer aridity at higher elevations, while only specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content showed no association. This suggests a higher performance level at less arid montane sites and that the physiological traits are less sensitive to this climate change factor. The coefficient of variation of almost all traits declined steadily with decreasing site aridity. We suggest that this reduced variability indicates a lower environmental stress level for A. montana toward its environmental optimum at montane elevations, especially because the trait performance increased simultaneously. Surprisingly, management factors and habitat characteristics had only low influence on both trait performance and variability. In summary, summer aridity had a stronger effect to shape the trait performance and variability of A. montana under increased environmental stress than management and other habitat characteristics.
Evidence for senescence in survival but not in reproduction in a short‐lived passerine
Authors: Fay Rémi , Schaub Michael , Border Jennifer A. , Henderson Ian G. , Fahl Georg , Feulner Jürgen , Horch Petra , Müller Mathis , Rebstock Helmut , Shitikov Dmitry , Tome Davorin , Vögeli Matthias , Grüebler Martin U.
Published: May 2020

Senescence has been studied since a long time by theoreticians in ecology and evolution, but empirical support in natural population has only recently been accumulating. One of the current challenges is the investigation of senescence of multiple fitness components and the study of differences between sexes. Until now, studies have been more frequently conducted on females than on males and rather in long‐lived than in short‐lived species. To reach a more fundamental understanding of the evolution of senescence, it is critical to investigate age‐specific survival and reproduction performance in both sexes and in a large range of species with contrasting life histories. In this study, we present results on patterns of age‐specific and sex‐specific variation in survival and reproduction in the whinchatSaxicola rubetra, a short‐lived passerine. We compiled individual‐based long‐term datasets from seven populations that were jointly analyzed within a Bayesian modeling framework. We found evidence for senescence in survival with a continuous decline after the age of 1 year, but no evidence of reproductive senescence. Furthermore, we found no clear evidence for sex effects on these patterns. We discuss these results in light of previous studies documenting senescence in short‐lived birds. We note that most of them have been conducted in populations breeding in nest boxes, and we question the potential effect of the nest boxes on the shape of age‐reproductive trajectories.
High interindividual variability in habitat selection and functional habitat relationships in European nightjars over a period of habitat change
Authors: Mitchell Lucy J. , Kohler Tim , White Piran C. L. , Arnold Kathryn E.
Published: May 2020

An animal's choice of foraging habitat reflects its response to environmental cues and is likely to vary among individuals in a population. Analyzing the magnitude of individual habitat selection can indicate how resilient populations may be to anthropogenic habitat change, where individually varying, broadly generalist populations have the potential to adjust their behavior. We collected GPS point data from 39 European nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus) at a UK breeding site where restoration measures have altered large areas of habitat between breeding seasons. We calculated individual habitat selection over four breeding seasons to observe changes that might align with change in habitat. We also analyzed change in home range size in line with change in habitat availability, to examine functional relationships that can represent trade‐offs made by the birds related to performance of the habitat.

Individual explained more of the variation in population habitat selection than year for most habitat types. Individuals differed in the magnitude of their selection for different habitat types, which created a generalist population composed of both generalist and specialist individuals. Selection also changed over time but only significantly for scrub habitat (60% decrease in selection over 4 years). Across the population, individual home range size was 2% smaller where availability of cleared habitat within the home range was greater, but size increased by 2% where the amount of open water was higher, indicating the presence of trade‐offs related to habitat availability. These results highlight that using individual resource selection and specialization measures, in conjunction with functional responses to change, can lead to better understanding of the needs of a population. Pooling specialist and generalist individuals for analysis could hide divergent responses to change and consequently obscure information that could be important in developing effective conservation strategies.
Circadian‐timed dopamine agonist treatment reverses high‐fat diet‐induced diabetogenic shift in ventromedial hypothalamic glucose sensing
Authors: Stoelzel Carl R. , Zhang Yahong , Cincotta Anthony H.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Within the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), glucose inhibitory (GI) neurons sense hypoglycaemia while glucose excitatory (GE) neurons sense hyperglycaemia to initiate counter control mechanisms under normal conditions. However, potential electrophysiological alterations of these two neuronal types in vivo in insulin‐resistant states have never been simultaneously fully documented. Further, the anti‐diabetic effect of dopamine agonism on this VMH system under insulin resistance has not been studied.

Methods

This study examined the impact of a high‐fat diet (HFD) on in vivo electrophysiological recordings from VMH GE and GI neurons and the ability of circadian‐timed dopamine agonist therapy to reverse any adverse effect of the HFD on such VMH activities and peripheral glucose metabolism.

Results

HFD significantly inhibited VMH GE neuronal electrophysiological response to local hyperglycaemia (36.3%) and augmented GI neuronal excitation response to local hypoglycaemia (47.0%). Bromocriptine (dopamine agonist) administration at onset of daily activity (but not during the daily sleep phase) completely reversed both VMH GE and GI neuronal aberrations induced by HFD. Such timed treatment also normalized glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. These VMH and peripheral glucose metabolism effects of circadian‐timed bromocriptine may involve its known effect to reduce elevated VMH noradrenergic activity in insulin‐resistant states as local VMH administration of norepinephrine was observed to significantly inhibit VMH GE neuronal sensing of local hyperglycaemia in insulin‐sensitive animals on regular chow diet (52.4%).

Conclusions

HFD alters VMH glucose sensing in a manner that potentiates hyperglycaemia and this effect on the VMH can be reversed by appropriately circadian‐timed dopamine agonist administration.
The novel urinary proteomic classifier HF1 has similar diagnostic and prognostic utility to BNP in heart failure
Authors: Campbell Ross T. , Jasilek Adam , Mischak Harald , Nkuipou‐Kenfack Esther , Latosinska Agnieszka , Welsh Paul I. , Jackson Colette E. , Cannon Jane , McConnachie Alex , Delles Christian , McMurray John J.V.
Published: May 2020

Aims

Measurement of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N‐terminal pro‐BNP is recommended as part of the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected heart failure (HF). We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic utility of the novel urinary proteomic classifier HF1, compared with BNP, in HF. HF1 consists of 85 unique urinary peptide fragments thought, mainly, to reflect collagen turnover.

Methods and results

We performed urinary proteome analysis using capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry in 829 participants. Of these, 622 had HF (504 had chronic HF and 118 acute HF) and 207 were controls (62 coronary heart disease patients without HF and 145 healthy controls). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) using HF1 for the diagnosis of HF (cases vs. controls) was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92–0.96). This compared with an AUC for BNP of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97–0.99). Adding HF1 to BNP increased the AUC to 0.99 (0.98–0.99), P < 0.001, and led to a net reclassification improvement of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.54–0.77), P < 0.001. Among 433 HF patients followed up for a median of 989 days, we observed 186 deaths. HF1 had poorer predictive value to BNP for all‐cause mortality and did not add prognostic information when combined with BNP.

Conclusions

The urinary proteomic classifier HF1 performed as well, diagnostically, as BNP and provided incremental diagnostic information when added to BNP. HF1 had less prognostic utility than BNP.
Recurrent heart failure hospitalizations are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure in Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Lahoz Raquel , Fagan Ailís , McSharry Martin , Proudfoot Clare , Corda Stefano , Studer Rachel
Published: May 2020

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and is associated with high morbidity and mortality post‐diagnosis. Here, we examined the impact of recurrent HF hospitalization (HFH) on cardiovascular (CV) and all‐cause mortality among HF patients.

Methods and Results

Adult HF patients identified in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink with a first (index) hospitalization due to HF recorded in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set from January 2010 to December 2014 were included. Patients were followed up until death or end of study (December 2017). CV mortality as primary and as any reported cause and all‐cause mortality were evaluated. An extended Cox regression model was used for reporting adjusted relative CV mortality rates for time‐dependent recurrent HFHs. Overall, 8603 HF patients with an index hospitalization were included, providing 15 964 patient‐years of follow‐up. Patients were relatively old (median age: 80 years) and were mostly male (54.6%), with main co‐morbidities being hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Recurrent HFHs occurred one, two, three, and more than four times in 1561 (18.2%), 518 (6.02%), 206 (2.4%), and 153 (1.8%) patients, respectively. The median time to mortality was 215 (38–664) days for 50.8% of patients who died for any cause during the study period and 139 (27–531) days for 31.3% who died with CV reasons as primary cause. Compared with those of patients without recurrent HFHs, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for CV mortality as primary cause were 2.65 (2.35–2.99), 3.69 (3.06–4.43), 5.82 (4.48–7.58), and 5.95 (4.40–8.05) for those with one, two, three, and more than four recurrent HFHs.

Conclusions

There is a strong association between recurrent HFH and CV mortality, with the risk increasing progressively with each recurrent HFH.
Renoprotective effect of tolvaptan in patients with new‐onset acute heart failure
Authors: Kin Hiromi , Matsumura Koichiro , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Fujii Kenichi , Otagaki Munemitsu , Takahashi Hiroki , Park Haengnam , Yoshioka Kei , Yokoi Mitsuru , Sugiura Tetsuro , Shiojima Ichiro
Published: May 2020

Aims

Although tolvaptan has been reported to prevent worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with advanced acute heart failure (AHF), evidence regarding the effect of tolvaptan on renal function in patients with new‐onset AHF is not available. This study aimed to investigate the renoprotective effect of tolvaptan in patients hospitalized with new‐onset AHF.

Methods and results

A total of 122 consecutive patients hospitalized with new‐onset AHF between May 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. WRF was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL (≥26.4 μmol/L) within 48 h or a 1.5‐fold increase in serum creatinine after hospitalization. The furosemide group (n = 75) and the tolvaptan add‐on group (n = 47) were compared. The tolvaptan group consists of patients who received tolvaptan as an individual physicians' decision. The incidence of WRF was significantly lower in the tolvaptan add‐on group (8.5%) than in the furosemide group (24.0%, P = 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tolvaptan treatment was an independent variable related to the prevention of WRF [odds ratio (OR), 0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05–0.85]. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed a more favourable effect of tolvaptan in patients with serum creatinine ≥1.1 mg/dL on admission (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.06–0.98) and an ejection fraction <50% (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04–0.90).

Conclusions

A lower incidence of WRF was observed in patients with new‐onset AHF who were treated with the tolvaptan add‐on therapy, specifically those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and renal impairment on admission.
Bio‐Based, Self‐Condensed Polyols
Authors: Ionescu Mihail , Wan Xianmei , Petrović Zoran S.
Published: May 2020

A new method for the synthesis of high‐molar‐mass (MM), bio‐based polyols for elastic polyurethanes is developed. This process is based on the self‐condensation of low MM polyols (Mn ≈ 1000) and vacuum removal of the resulting glycerol. Self‐condensation products are hyperbranched estolide polyols with average MMs close to 3000 and hydroxyl numbers in the range of 40–95 mg KOH g−1. Three polyols, one with primary and two with secondary hydroxyls and different functionalities, are studied. The transesterification proceeded much faster with primary hydroxyls, leading to high‐viscosity products. The effect of functionality and reactivity of starting polyols on properties is discussed.

Practical applications: The process is useful for upgrading the existing natural oil‐based polyols to higher MM, lower OH number and variable‐functionality polyols, for expanding application in the urethane field. The process is simple, involving just an oil‐based polyol, a catalyst, and heating under vacuum.