bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypertonic solutions in traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fatima Nida , Ayyad Ali , Shuaib Ashfaq , Saqqur Maher
Published: April 2019

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic saline versus crystalloids (normal Saline/lactated Ringers) in improving clinical outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Electronic databases and grey literature (unpublished articles) were searched under different MeSH terms from 1990 to present. Randomized control trials, case–control studies and prospective cohort studies on decompressive craniectomy in TBI (>18-year-old). Clinical outcome measures included Glasgow Coma Outcome Scale (GCOS), Extended GCOS, and mortality. Data were extracted to Review Manager Software. A total of 115 articles that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and analyzed. Ultimately, five studies were included in our meta-analysis, which revealed that patients with TBI who had hypertonic saline had no statistically significant likelihood of having a good outcome at discharge or 6 months than those who had crystalloid (odds ratio [OR]: 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03–0.05; P = 0.65). The relative risk (RR) of mortality in hypertonic saline versus the crystalloid at discharge or 6-month is RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.64–0.99; P = 0.04. The subgroup analysis showed that the group who had hypertonic solution significantly decreases the number of interventions versus the crystalloid group OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.48–0.59; P < 0.00001 and also reduces the length of intensive care unit stay (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.21–1.01; P = 0.05). Hypertonic saline decreases the financial burden, but neither impacts the clinical outcome nor reduces the mortality. However, further clinical trials are required to prove if hypertonic saline has any role in improving the clinical and neurological status of patients with TBI versus the normal saline/lactated Ringers.
Environmental services in watersheds with small declivity: fluvial marine plains
Authors: Bueno Mateus Marques , Valcarcel Ricardo , Mateus Felipe Araújo , Pereira Marcos Gervasio
Published: April 2019

Fluvial marine plains harbor environments with reduced declivity, but with different environmental attributes that may be relevant ecosystem services in their watersheds, which can be transformed into opportunities for the development of environmental services payments. This study digitally spatialized part of the ecosystem services related to water availability in the microbasins of the Guandu Basin Hydrographic Basin, the main source of water supply for the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, based on geo-environmental factors and the effects of transposition of watersheds, in order to facilitate the formulation of public policies regarding environmental services. The excerpts with the highest potential for producing environmental services from subsurface water flows, Topographic Wetness Index-ITU (ITU > 11), flat formation and low altimetry (< 40 m), are close to the old silted thalwegs, which can be potentialized by the effects of transposition, notably in the APA Guandu conservation unit. These areas should be prioritized in public and private water systems’ preservation programs. The areas near the transposition canals feature environmental services that depend directly on the transposition, and may be subject to management, as found in Guandu conservation unit. Flat areas with (7<ITU< 11) have their ecosystem services transferred from subsurface water flows to surface water flows and are dependent more on meteorological phenomena and on ways to manage heavy rain showers through their use, especially as altimetry and slope increase.
Self-assembly modification of polyamide membrane by coating titanium dioxide nanoparticles for water treatment applications
Authors: Bergamasco Rosangela , Coldebella Priscila Ferri , Camacho Franciele Pereira , Rezende Driano , Yamaguchi Natalia Ueda , Klen Márcia Regina Fagundes , Tavares Carlos José Macedo , Amorim Maria Teresa Sousa Pessoa
Published: April 2019

This study modified the surface of a commercial polyamide membrane with the deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles by the self-assembly method under pressure with high permeability and photocatalytic activity. Changes in membrane characteristics and its performance for photocatalytic properties were evaluated. The results indicated that both membrane hydrophilicity and photocatalytic performance were significantly improved by the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles applied under a pressure of 1 bar. The deposition of the TiO2 particles under pressure was able to maintain the particles on the surface of the membranes and their photocatalytic capacity for three cycles of use. The prepared TiO2 photocatalytic membrane presented a great potential for wastewater treatment and for reuse wastewater systems due its ability to remove methylene blue (MB) dye solution by photocatalytic decomposition and physical separation.
Contents of macronutrients and growth of ‘BRS Marataoã’ cowpea fertigated with yellow water and cassava wastewater
Authors: Araújo Narcísio Cabral de , Lima Vera Lucia Antunes , Ramos Jailton Garcia , Andrade Elysson Marcks Gonçalves , Lima Geovani Soares de , Oliveira Suenildo Jósemo Costa
Published: April 2019

Agricultural utilization of yellow waters associated with cassava wastewater is a sustainable technique, since it allows reduction of costs related to acquisition of industrialized fertilizers and minimizes the environmental pollution caused by the inadequate disposal of these effluents. In this context, this study evaluated the macronutrient macronutrient content and growth of cowpea fertigated with yellow water associated with cassava wastewater and NPK as source of nutrients. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse located at Campus I of the Federal University of Campina Grande. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of five treatments characterized by: fertigation with mineral fertilizers, in the form of NPK; organic fertigation composed of human urine, cassava wastewater, human urine plus cassava wastewater; and organo-mineral fertigation composed of urine, cassava wastewater and mineral phosphorus, with four replicates. At 36 days after sowing, the following parameters were determined: contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and the variables number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, shoot fresh matter and shoot dry matter. The use of yellow waters promotes significant increases for growth and production variables for nitrogen and potassium contents mainly, as well as for growth and production variables. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were higher than the levels considered as adequate for the cowpea crop. The use of human urine and cassava wastewater have potential to meet the needs for the main macronutrients required by cowpea and the irrigation via fertigation with these biofertilizers positively influences the development of cowpea.
The effect of negative policy rates on the interest-rate pass-through mechanism in the eurozone
Authors: Panagopoulos Yannis , Tsouma Ekaterini
Published: April 2019

This paper examines the impact of the June 2014 switch to negative interest rates (NIRs) by the European Central Bank (ECB) on the operation of the eurozone interest-rate pass-through (IRPT) mechanism. We focus on the relationship between major central-bank policy rates and selected money-market rates. That link is identified as the first stage of the IRPT mechanism and its dynamics are analysed using Granger causality and cointegration techniques for the time period January 2000–June 2017. Our empirical findings indicate a feedback relationship between the ECB policy and the money-market rates in the period prior to June 2014, but that relationship is non-operative when considering only the period of NIRs.
Dependence between the photochemical age of light aromatic hydrocarbons and the carbon isotope ratios of atmospheric nitrophenols
Authors: Saccon Marina , Kornilova Anna , Huang Lin , Rudolph Jochen
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Concepts were developed to establish relationships between the stable carbon
isotope ratios of nitrophenols in the atmosphere and the photochemical processing
of their precursors, light aromatic volatile organic compounds. These concepts
were based on the assumption that nitrophenols are formed dominantly from the
photo-oxidation of aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A mass balance model as well as various
scenarios based on the proposed mechanism of nitrophenol formation were
formulated and applied to derive the time-integrated exposure of the
precursors to processing by OH radicals (∫[OH]dt) from ambient
observations made between 2009 and 2012 in Toronto, Canada. The mechanistic
model included the possibility of isotopic fractionation during intermediate
steps, rather than only during the initial reaction step. This model takes
kinetic isotope effects for the reaction of the precursor VOC with
the hydroxyl radical and their respective rate constants into account, as well as carbon
isotope ratio source signatures. While many of these values are known, there
are some, such as the kinetic isotope effects of reactions of first- and
second-generation products, which are unknown. These values were predicted in
this study based on basic principles and published laboratory measurements of kinetic
carbon isotope effects and were applied to the mechanistic model. Due to the
uncertainty of the estimates based on general principles, three scenarios were
used with different values for isotope effects that were not known from
laboratory studies. Comparison of the dependence between nitrophenol carbon
isotope ratios and ∫[OH]dt with published results of laboratory
studies and ambient observations was used to narrow the range of plausible
scenarios for the mechanistic model. The results also suggests that mass-balance-based
models do not adequately describe the dependence between
nitrophenol carbon isotope ratios and ∫[OH]dt.
Numerical study on the response of the largest lake in China to climate change
Authors: Su Dongsheng , Hu Xiuqing , Wen Lijuan , Lyu Shihua , Gao Xiaoqing , Zhao Lin , Li Zhaoguo , Du Juan , Kirillin Georgiy
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Lakes are sensitive indicators of climate change. There are thousands of
lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), and more than 1200 of them have an area
larger than 1 km2; they respond quickly to climate change, but few
observation data of lakes are available. Therefore, the thermal condition of
the plateau lakes under the background of climate warming remains poorly
understood. In this study, the China regional surface meteorological feature dataset developed
by the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
(ITPCAS), MODIS lake surface temperature (LST) data and buoy observation data
were used to evaluate the performance of lake model FLake, extended by simple
parameterizations of the salinity effect, for brackish lake and to reveal the
response of thermal conditions, radiation and heat balance of Qinghai Lake to
the recent climate change. The results demonstrated that the FLake has good
ability in capturing the seasonal variations in the lake surface temperature
and the internal thermal structure of Qinghai Lake. The simulated lake
surface temperature showed an increasing trend from 1979 to 2012, positively
correlated with the air temperature and the downward longwave radiation
while negatively correlated with the wind speed and downward shortwave
radiation. The simulated internal thermodynamic structure revealed that
Qinghai Lake is a dimictic lake with two overturn periods occurring in late
spring and late autumn. The surface and mean water temperatures of the lake
significantly increased from 1979 to 2012, while the bottom temperatures
showed no significant trend, even decreasing slightly from 1989 to 2012. The
warming was the strongest in winter for both the lake surface and air
temperature. With the warming of the climate, the later ice-on and earlier
ice-off trend was simulated in the lake, significantly influencing the
interannual and seasonal variability in radiation and heat flux. The annual
average net shortwave radiation and latent heat flux (LH) both increase
obviously while the net longwave radiation and sensible heat flux (SH)
decrease slightly. Earlier ice-off leads to more energy absorption mainly
in the form of shortwave radiation during the thawing period, and later ice-on
leads to more energy release in the form of longwave radiation, SH and LH
during the ice formation period. Meanwhile, the lake–air temperature difference
increased in both periods due to shortening ice duration.
Inflation Targeting and the Pass-through Effect in Mongolia
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Bolortuya Jambaldorj
Published: April 2019

This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between inflation targeting and the pass-through effect from exchange rate to consumer prices, focusing on the case of Mongolia. The study estimates a vector-autoregressive model, and examines the impulse responses of consumer prices to the shock of exchange rate for the pre-inflation targeting period and the post-inflation targeting period. The empirical analysis identified the existence of the pass-through effect during the pre-inflation targeting period and the loss of the pass-through during the post-inflation targeting period. It was speculated that the loss of the pass-through comes from the “forward-looking” monetary policy rule in Mongolian inflation targeting, so that it can work on the expectations of domestic agents such that they are less inclined to change prices in response to a given exchange rate shock.
To prompt or not to prompt: A descriptive study of journaling practices used by nursing students during study abroad trips
Authors: Chaponniere Paulette A. , Hall Laura E.
Published: April 2019

Background: Reflective journaling has been widely used as an education tool. Minimal research has occurred to determine whether prompted or open format journaling nurtures cultural competence.Methods: The efficacy of journal prompts as a pedagogical tool was assessed in this descriptive study. Undergraduate nursing students (N = 49) reflected on their clinical experiences during 2-week trips to Ghana over 4 years (2013-2016). The 1st, 2nd and 4th trip, students were assigned open reflective journaling. The 3rd trip, students were given prompted questions to answer. Entries were coded using Atlas.ti 7.Results: The prompted format produced shorter entries with less rich and reflective substance. Some entries only allowed for two codes. Unprompted entries provided up to 28 codes.Conclusions: During cross-cultural encounters, unprompted journaling may produce the richest results. When prompts are used, the format needs to be carefully selected to facilitate transformative learning.
Enhancing Green Hotel Visit Intention: Role of Green Perceived Value, Perceived Consumer Effectiveness and Environmental Knowledge
Authors: Amin Sanjida , Tarun Md. Touhiduzzaman
Published: April 2019

Based on the extensive literature review, this study aims to investigate the impact of green perceived value and perceived consumer effectiveness on customers’ green hotel visit intention in the hotel industry of Bangladesh. Simultaneously, the current study intends to explore the influence of environmental knowledge as a moderator. A random sample survey of 265 usable hotel customers was used to test and verify the conceptual framework. The findings of study revealed that green perceived value and perceived consumer effectiveness positively influence customers’ green hotel visit intention, whereas, environmental knowledge was found insignificant moderator variable. The outcome of the study will assist the academicians, policy makers and industry professionals with a better understanding of customer green purchase intention. Therefore, the study will contribute to the development of effective green marketing practices and strategies to enhance customer green purchase intention in the hospitality and tourism industry in Bangladesh.
More Than a Teacher: Understanding the Teacher-Learner Relationship in a Public High-School in South Africa
Authors: Soldaat Leza J
Published: April 2019

Teaching is considered a caring occupation due to the nature of the interaction between teachers and learners (Hocschild, 1983). Care giving can be a demanding task, however, emotional labour invested in the occupation – with regards to their relationships with learners – contributes to job satisfaction, commitment and be emotionally rewarding. The proximity or distance of these relationships are dependent on five emotional geographies, namely socio-cultural, moral, professional, physical, and political relatability (Hargreaves, 2001). This paper draws on a case study of teachers at a former Model C high-school in South Africa to examine the formation and development of relationships formed between the teacher and learner. The article suggests that teachers adopt three additional roles outside that of teaching. These roles, the coach, counsellor, and parental figure, foster emotional understanding (Denzin, 1984) between the teacher and learners, which creates a positive classroom climate. These roles are deemed necessary for the fulfilment of successful relationships with learners. However, there are challenges which teachers face when attempting to develop these bonds with learners, which include a negative classroom climate, socio-cultural distance, and sexual harassment – faced by women teachers.
Governança em Projetos – estudo de caso das ações de desenvolvimento econômico do Projeto INOVAMFRI
Authors: Kerbes Jeferson , Junior Ovídio Felippe Pereira da Silva
Published: April 2019

Impulsionadas pelo novo pensamento de desenvolvimento econômico e pela retração da atividade econômica, as regiões no interior dos países vêm mostrando um movimento de endogeneização (Amaral Filho, 2009), onde a organização territorial passa a exercer um papel ativo diante da organização industrial. Neste contexto, o projeto INOVAMFRI, desenvolvido na Associação dos Municípios da Foz do Rio Itajaí (AMFRI), concentrou esforços em técnicas adotadas para respaldar o crescimento regional, atuando no desenvolvimento econômico e na mobilidade urbana regional, bem como fortalecendo a qualificação da gestão pública. Estas técnicas buscaram oferecer condições para atrair ao Estado a instalação de empresas comprometidas com o desenvolvimento econômico sustentável e promover a geração de empregos de qualidade e melhoria na qualidade de vida do cidadão. Portanto, nesta pesquisa buscou-se estudar a metodologia utilizada, que garantiu o sucesso do projeto INOVAMFRI e a qualidade de suas entregas. A análise deste estudo de caso se deu seguindo uma abordagem qualitativa de forma explicativa, que para isso fez-se o uso de observação participante e o uso de pesquisa documental e bibliográficas relacionadas aos documentos do projeto e à gestão e governanças de projetos, bem como do projeto INOVAMFRI e desenvolvimento econômico. Este artigo contempla a metodologia utilizada para a gestão do projeto, a governança utilizada e os resultados obtidos por meio dela. Estes resultados referem-se à identificação das ações respectivas a cada eixo e o escopo e requisitos para cada uma destas ações, bem como a gestão dos terceiros e tomada de decisões durante o desenvolvimento do projeto. Desta forma, foi a governança que induziu a integração entre as etapas de todas as ações e garantiu a qualidade das entregas de acordo com o plano de gerenciamento do projeto. O projeto INOVAMFRI foi um dos primeiros passos realizados para a construção de uma região economicamente forte e sustentável e pode servir como referência para projetos com natureza similar.
Análise de importância e desempenho das ferramentas de gerenciamento de projetos em agroindústria
Authors: Nardi Marcelo , Bulegon Fabio , Barichello Rodrigo , Silva Givanildo
Published: April 2019

O estudo tem por objetivo avaliar ferramentas que auxiliam as empresas no gerenciamento de projetos, verificando sua importância e desempenho pelo grau de utilização. A pesquisa se trata de survey case, realizada em uma agroindústria, que mantém rotinas de gerenciamento de projetos. A amostra é composta por gerentes de unidades e membros de suas equipes, que possuem ligação a gerenciamento de projetos. Para medir a confiabilidade das respostas utilizou-se Alfa de Cronbach e, a Correlação de Pearson para verificar as relações das variáveis. A Importance-Performance Matrix, de Slack (1994), foi utilizada para apontar as ferramentas que ficaram no quadrante “zona de urgência”, ou seja, com maior importância e menor desempenho. Os resultados indicam que houve significância nas variáveis aquisição com riscos e integração, comunicação com recursos humanos e conhecimento com integração. A pesquisa demonstra, pela ótica dos gestores, as ferramentas com menor e maior lacuna entre o grau de desempenho, por meio da utilização, e da importância mesmo que não seja utilizada na sua rotina de trabalho, entre os grupos de identificação. O método pode ser utilizado em empresas que gerenciam seus projetos por meio de ferramentas, identificando onde é necessário alocar maior e menor investimento em seus processos, seja em ferramentas ou em pessoal.
Przestrzenne i sezonowe zróżnicowanie wybranych parametrów jakości wody w zlewni zurbanizowanej na przykładzie Potoku Służewieckiego = Spatial and seasonal variability of selected water-quality parameters in an urbanised catchment as exemplified by Warsaw’s Służewiecki Stream
Authors: Hałaś Agnieszka , Czarnecka Kaja , Piasecki Krzysztof , Łaszewski Maksym
Published: April 2019

Celem opracowania było określenie przestrzennego i sezonowego zróżnicowania wybranych cech jakości wody w zlewni zurbanizowanej. Pomiary terenowe przeprowadzono w silnie przekształconej zlewni Potoku Służewieckiego, będącego największym dopływem Wisły płynącym w granicach Warszawy. Od listopada 2017 do października 2018 r. w regularnym cyklu dwutygodniowym łącznie w 11 punktach pomiarowych oznaczono temperaturę wody, nasycenie wody tlenem, przewodnictwo elektryczne oraz odczyn, natomiast w cyklu miesięcznym – stężenie azotanów NO3 i fosforanów PO4 . Wyniki wskazały, że główną przyczyną przestrzennego zróżnicowania reżimu fizyczno-chemicznego Potoku Służewieckiego są przepływowe zbiorniki wodne, powodujące przekształcenie warunków termiczno-tlenowych oraz unieruchomienie jonów. Wyraźny wpływ na jakość wód Potoku Służewieckiego miały także jego dopływy oraz funkcjonowanie lotniskowej oczyszczalni wód opadowych. Stwierdzono wyraźne sezonowe zróżnicowanie cech fizyczno-chemicznych, uzależnione od warunków meteorologicznych i hydrologicznych, cyklu wegetacyjnego organizmów fotosyntetyzujących oraz zmian antropopresji.
Estimation de la prévalence et du taux d’incidence du trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA). Comparaison interprovinciale
Authors: Diallo Fatoumata Binta , Pelletier Éric , Vasiliadis Helen-Maria , Rochette Louis , Lin Elizabeth , Smith Mark , Langille Donald , Thompspon Angus , Noiseux Manon , Vanasse Alain , St-Laurent Danielle , Kisely Steven , Fombonne Éric , Lesage Alain
Published: April 2019

L’objectif de cet article est d’estimer la prévalence et le taux d’incidence du trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) diagnostiqué chez les enfants et les adolescents à partir de données médico-administratives jumelées de quatre provinces canadiennes. Un objectif secondaire est de comparer les résultats obtenus afin d’établir si les fichiers administratifs peuvent servir de système d’information pour la surveillance du TSA au Canada.

Les estimations ont été produites à partir des données provenant des provinces du Manitoba, de l’Ontario, du Québec et de la Nouvelle-Écosse. La population à l’étude est composée de tous les résidents âgés de 24 ans et moins admissibles au régime d’assurance maladie en vertu de la loi provinciale entre 1999 à 2012. Pour être considéré comme ayant un TSA, l’individu devra avoir eu au moins une visite médicale ou une hospitalisation avec un diagnostic principal de TSA (codes 299 de la CIM-9 ou leurs équivalents CIM-10-CA). La prévalence annuelle et le taux d’incidence sont mesurés pour la période allant de 1999-2000 à 2011-2012, et présentés selon le sexe et par groupes d’âge.

La prévalence du TSA entre 1999 et 2012 a connu une forte progression dans toutes les provinces et pour tous les groupes d’âge. Le taux d’incidence a suivi la même tendance d’accroissement dans le temps. La prévalence et le taux d’incidence du TSA n’ont pas augmenté de façon similaire dans toutes les provinces du Canada. L’Ontario semble afficher les plus fortes proportions, suivi de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

Nos résultats permettent non seulement de dresser un portrait du TSA dans quatre provinces canadiennes, mais soulèvent aussi de nombreuses pistes pour de futures recherches. Cette étude discute également de l’utilité, de la fiabilité et du potentiel des fichiers médico-administratifs en matière de recherche.
Disordered breathing in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Kuo Fu-Shan , Cleary Colin M , LoTurco Joseph J , Chen Xinnian , Mulkey Daniel K
Published: April 2019

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a form of epilepsy with a high incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Respiratory failure is a leading cause of SUDEP, and DS patients’ frequently exhibit disordered breathing. Despite this, mechanisms underlying respiratory dysfunction in DS are unknown. We found that mice expressing a DS-associated Scn1a missense mutation (A1783V) conditionally in inhibitory neurons (Slc32a1cre/+::Scn1aA1783V fl/+; defined as Scn1aΔE26) exhibit spontaneous seizures, die prematurely and present a respiratory phenotype including hypoventilation, apnea, and a diminished ventilatory response to CO2. At the cellular level in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), we found inhibitory neurons expressing the Scn1a A1783V variant are less excitable, whereas glutamatergic chemosensitive RTN neurons, which are a key source of the CO2/H+-dependent drive to breathe, are hyper-excitable in slices from Scn1aΔE26 mice. These results show loss of Scn1a function can disrupt respiratory control at the cellular and whole animal levels.
Regulation of cilia abundance in multiciliated cells
Authors: Nanjundappa Rashmi , Kong Dong , Shim Kyuhwan , Stearns Tim , Brody Steven L , Loncarek Jadranka , Mahjoub Moe R
Published: April 2019

Multiciliated cells (MCC) contain hundreds of motile cilia used to propel fluid over their surface. To template these cilia, each MCC produces between 100-600 centrioles by a process termed centriole amplification. Yet, how MCC regulate the precise number of centrioles and cilia remains unknown. Airway progenitor cells contain two parental centrioles (PC) and form structures called deuterosomes that nucleate centrioles during amplification. Using an ex vivo airway culture model, we show that ablation of PC does not perturb deuterosome formation and centriole amplification. In contrast, loss of PC caused an increase in deuterosome and centriole abundance, highlighting the presence of a compensatory mechanism. Quantification of centriole abundance in vitro and in vivo identified a linear relationship between surface area and centriole number. By manipulating cell size, we discovered that centriole number scales with surface area. Our results demonstrate that a cell-intrinsic surface area-dependent mechanism controls centriole and cilia abundance in multiciliated cells.
Comparison of different methods for optical gain spectroscopy
Authors: Kunzmann Dominic J. , Wachs Matthias , Uhlig Lukas , Schwarz Ulrich T.
Published: April 2019

The internal losses of green and blue laser diodes are challenging to determine because of the narrow longitudinal mode spacing. Furthermore, the internal losses of state-of-the-art blue and green laser diodes are in the range of only a few inverse centimeter. Therefore the dynamical range given by the maxima and minima of the longitudinal mode spectrum is very large, even for moderate optical gain. Under these conditions, the usually employed, so-called Hakki–Paoli method to determine the optical gain becomes inaccurate. Now, we compare this with two other methods, the Cassidy method and an evaluation based on a Fourier transformation for a green laser diode. An error estimation as well as a correction of the systematic error caused by the spectral resolution of the setup were established. The overall highest gain was measured with the Cassidy method in the range of the lasing wavelength, as this method is least affected by the spectral resolution. In comparison of all methods, the highest gain for the wavelengths above the lasing wavelength is observed for one variation of the Fourier method, because background noise has the least influence on this method. For wavelengths below lasing wavelength we see similiar optical gain for all methods.
Impact of emotional and motivational regulation on putting performance: a frontal alpha asymmetry study
Authors: Chen Tai-Ting , Wang Kuo-Pin , Cheng Ming-Yang , Chang Yi-Ting , Huang Chung-Ju , Hung Tsung-Min
Published: April 2019

Background

The efficacy of emotional and motivational regulation can determine athletic performance. Giving the short duration and fast changing nature of emotions experienced by athletes in competition, it is important to examine the temporal dynamics of emotional and motivational regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate emotional and motivational regulation as measured by frontal alpha asymmetry in skilled golfers during putting performance after a performance failure.

Methods

Twenty skilled university golfers were recruited and requested to perform 40 putts at an individualized difficulty level of 40–60% successful putting rate. Trials immediately after a failed putt were selected for analysis. Successful performances were those trials where a hole was and unsuccessful performances were those that failed. The frontal alpha asymmetry index of LnF4-LnF3 was derived for statistical analysis.

Results

(1) Successful performance was preceded by a larger frontal alpha asymmetry index at T2 than that of T1, and (2) a larger frontal alpha asymmetry index was observed for unsuccessful performance than for successful performance at T1.

Discussion

The results suggest that successful emotional and motivational regulation was characterized by a progressive increase of frontal alpha asymmetry, which led to subsequent putting success when facing an emotionally provocative putting failure. These findings shed light on the application of frontal alpha asymmetry for the understanding and enhancement of emotional and motivational regulation during sport performance.
Input motion inversion in elastoplastic soil model using modal iterative error correction method
Authors: Suzuki Takuya
Published: April 2019

In conducting simulation analyses for the safety assessment of buildings following an earthquake, the input motion should be set to reproduce an observed wave at an observed point. If the analysis model is linear, the input motion can be easily set, whereas it is difficult to do so if the analysis model exhibits nonlinearity. This study proposes a new time‐domain inversion method using a generalized inverse of the perturbation impulse matrix and the iterative method. First, the method outline and details are described. Second, the effectiveness of the method is verified through experimentation. As a result, it is verified that the input motion that reproduces the surface response of a nonlinear soil model can be calculated using the proposed methods. It is confirmed that the proposed methods for inversion in nonlinear soil models is very effective, the analysis of which has been difficult until now.
Room‐Temperature Metallic Fusion‐Induced Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly for Highly Flexible Electrode Applications
Authors: Song Yongkwon , Kim Donghee , Kang Sungkun , Ko Younji , Ko Jongkuk , Huh June , Ko Yongmin , Lee Seung Woo , Cho Jinhan
Published: April 2019

To fabricate flexible electrodes, conventional silver (Ag) nanomaterials have been deposited onto flexible substrates, but the formed electrodes display limited electrical conductivity due to residual bulky organic ligands, and thus postsintering processes are required to improve the electrical conductivity. Herein, an entirely different approach is introduced to produce highly flexible electrodes with bulk metal–like electrical conductivity: the room‐temperature metallic fusion of multilayered silver nanoparticles (NPs). Synthesized tetraoctylammonium thiosulfate (TOAS)‐stabilized Ag NPs are deposited onto flexible substrates by layer‐by‐layer assembly involving a perfect ligand‐exchange reaction between bulky TOAS ligands and small tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine linkers. The introduced small linkers substantially reduce the separation distance between neighboring Ag NPs. This shortened interparticle distance, combined with the low cohesive energy of Ag NPs, strongly induces metallic fusion between the close‐packed Ag NPs at room temperature without additional treatments, resulting in a high electrical conductivity of ≈1.60 × 105 S cm−1 (bulk Ag: ≈6.30 × 105 S cm−1). Furthermore, depositing the TOAS–Ag NPs onto cellulose papers through this approach can convert the insulating substrates into highly flexible and conductive papers that can be used as 3D current collectors for energy‐storage devices.
Multidimension‐Controllable Synthesis of Ant Nest‐Structural Electrode Materials with Unique 3D Hierarchical Porous Features toward Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Miao Fujun , Lu Na , Zhang Peng , Zhang Zhenyi , Shao Guosheng
Published: April 2019

Hierarchical porous materials (HPM) have been widely used to enhance electrochemical performance in different fields of application, since their porous structures benefit electrolyte infiltration and ion diffusion. However, the realization of multidimension‐controllable synthesis of HPM, including material category, material components, supporting substrates, as well as pore sizes/distributions, is still a huge challenge. Herein, a novel concept is proposed, for the first time, on the geometry structure of HPM bioinspired by natural ant nests, which features 3D interlaced and well‐interconnected porous structures. Moreover, a facile and universal approach is developed to the multidimension‐controllable synthesis of ant nest‐structural HPM. Further investigation shows that the in situ construction of carbon‐based ant nests onto porous current collectors to fabricate the integrated electrode for supercapacitors could induce nearly 70% and 45% enhancement on the specific capacitance compared to the common powder and freestanding materials, respectively. Moreover, this synthesis route can be facilely extended to obtain the ant nest‐structural CuOx, which exhibits fivefold enhancement in sensitivity for glucose detection. Such biomimetic hierarchical porous architectures are of great significance in the field of electrochemical applications.
Complex Band Structures and Lattice Dynamics of Bi2Te3‐Based Compounds and Solid Solutions
Authors: Fang Teng , Li Xin , Hu Chaoliang , Zhang Qi , Yang Jiong , Zhang Wenqing , Zhao Xinbing , Singh David J. , Zhu Tiejun
Published: April 2019

Bi2Te3‐based compounds and derivatives are milestone materials in the fields of thermoelectrics (TEs) and topological insulators (TIs). They have highly complex band structures and interesting lattice dynamics, which are favorable for high TE performance as well as strong spin orbit and band inversion underlying topological physics. This review presents rational calculations of properties related to TEs and provides theoretical guidance for improving the TE performance of Bi2Te3‐based materials. Although the band structures of these TE materials have been studied theoretically and experimentally for many years, there remain many controversies on band characteristics, especially the locations of band extrema and the exact values of bandgaps. Here, the key factors in the theoretical investigations of Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3, Sb2Te3, and their solid solutions are reviewed. The phonon spectra and lattice thermal conductivities of Bi2Te3‐based materials are discussed. Electronic and phonon structures and TE transport calculations are discussed and reported in the context of better establishing computational parameters for these V2VI3‐based materials. This review provides a useful guidance for analyzing and improving TE performance of Bi2Te3‐based materials.
Edge‐State‐Enhanced Ultrahigh Photoresponsivity of Graphene Nanosheet‐Embedded Carbon Film/Silicon Heterojunction
Authors: Zhang Xi , Lin Zezhou , Peng Da , Ye Lei , Zang Jianfeng , Diao Dongfeng
Published: April 2019

Lacking of electron trapping centers hinders the development of plane graphene for sensitive photodetection. An ultrasensitive graphene nanosheet‐embedded carbon (GNEC) film/silicon photodetector is proposed by introducing high‐density edges of standing structured graphene nanosheets (GNs). The GNEC film is prepared to contain a large amount of vertically grown GNs. The high‐density edges are able to trap itinerate electrons to tune the Fermi level of GNs in the growing process and to capture the photoexcited electrons to reduce the electron–hole recombination rate in the photovoltaic process. An ultrahigh responsivity of 61.52 A W−1 of GNEC film/Si photodetector is achieved, ≈20 times of graphene/Si photovoltaic detectors. A high specific detectivity of 3.05 × 1014 Jones (approximately two orders improved) is obtained at bias‐free mode. This work sheds light on the edge engineering of 2D materials in the third dimension in order for enhancing photoelectronic performance.
Green Synthesis of Robust Superhydrophobic Antibacterial and UV‐Blocking Cotton Fabrics by a Dual‐Stage Silanization Approach
Authors: Agrawal Neha , Tan Jasmine Si Jia , Low Pearlie Sijia , Fong Eileen Wen Mei , Lai Yuekun , Chen Zhong
Published: April 2019

Synthesis of multifunctional fabrics with long‐lasting durability remains a quest for researchers in the past decade. In this work, robust coatings on cotton fabrics for superhydrophobic, antibacterial, and UV‐blocking functionalities by a dual‐stage silanization technique are reported. Aminopropyltriethoxysilane is utilized as a silane cross‐linker to anchor zinc oxide nanoparticles to the pristine cotton fabric surface, followed by modification with a silane hydrophobe, hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. This dual‐silanization approach results in highly functional fabrics displaying superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 154°, water shedding angle of 2°, antibacterial activity of up to 98%, and UV‐blocking ability more than 200 times of pristine cotton. The as‐prepared fabrics display excellent durability against abrasion, ultrasonic washing, immersion in different pH solutions, and UV irradiation. Moreover, the air permeability and flexural rigidity of the fabrics are still within the required breathability and wearer comfortability for clothing applications. The reported process is simple, cost‐effective, and green, showing great promise for large‐scale production of multifunctional fabrics.
Four Pathways in Radical Alkylation of Isocyanide with Simple Alcohol
Authors: Liu Shuai , Fan Fenghua , Wang Nengyong , Yuan Dandan , Wang Yaxin , Luo Zaigang , Liu Zhong‐Quan
Published: April 2019

We demonstrated herein the four modes in free‐radical C−C formation reaction of isocyanide with alcohol. The experimental results and DFT calculation revealed when and why one model opens. It would be instructive and valuable for radical alkylation with alcohol in organic synthesis.

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Diseleno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]selenophene‐Containing High‐Mobility Conjugated Polymer for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Jang Soo‐Young , Kim In‐Bok , Kang Minji , Fei Zuping , Jung Eunhwan , McCarthy‐Ward Thomas , Shaw Jessica , Lim Dae‐Hee , Kim Yeon‐Ju , Mathur Sanjay , Heeney Martin , Kim Dong‐Yu
Published: April 2019

The synthesis of a diseleno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]selenophene (DSS) composed of three fused selenophenes is reported and it is used as a building block for the preparation of a high hole mobility conjugated polymer (PDSSTV). The polymer demonstrates strong intermolecular interactions even in solution, despite steric repulsion between the large Se atom in DSS and adjacent (Cβ)–H atoms which leads to a partially twisted confirmation PDSSTV. Nevertheless, 2D grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (2D‐GIXD) analysis reveals that the polymer tends to align in a highly ordered edge‐on orientation after thermal annealing. The polymer demonstrates promising performance in a field‐effect transistor device with saturated hole mobility up to 2 cm2 V−1 s−1 obtained under relatively low gate voltages of −30 V. The ultilization of a Se‐containing fused aromatic system, therefore, appears to be a promising avenue for the development of high‐performance conjugated polymers.
Histological features of intracranial thrombi in stroke patients with cancer
Authors: Park Hyungjong , Kim Jayoung , Ha Jimin , Hwang In Gun , Song Tae‐Jin , Yoo Joonsang , Ahn Seong Hwan , Kim Kyoungsub , Kim Byung Moon , Kim Dong Joon , Kim Young Dae , Nam Hyo Suk , Kwon Il , Choi Hyun‐Jung , Sohn Sung‐Il , Lee Hye Sun , Heo Ji Hoe
Published: April 2019

The histological features of thrombus in stroke patients with cancer are not well known. Using immunohistochemical staining of thrombi retrieved during mechanical thrombectomy in stroke patients, thrombus compositions were compared between 16 patients with active cancer, 16 patients with inactive cancer, and 16 patients without any history of cancer. The active cancer group showed higher platelet and lower erythrocyte fractions than the inactive cancer or the control group. Four patients with vegetation showed very high platelet and low erythrocyte fractions. Patients with cryptogenic etiology in the active cancer group showed a similar pattern to those with vegetation. These findings may aid the determination of treatment strategies in cancer‐associated stroke. ANN NEUROL 2019
Chemical Bonding in Polarised Push–Pull Ethylenes
Authors: Yanai Hikaru , Suzuki Takumi , Kleemiss Florian , Fukaya Haruhiko , Dobashi Yasuo , Malaspina Lorraine A. , Grabowsky Simon , Matsumoto Takashi
Published: April 2019

1,1‐Diamino‐2,2‐bis(triflyl)ethylenes with both twisted and planar structures around the partial “C=C” bond were synthesised. Bonding properties in these compounds were analysed by an experimental approach using high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction data treated with X‐ray wavefunction refinement (XWR). In the twisted compound, a dominant contribution of the charge‐separated resonance structure was revealed. On the contrary, the nearly planar compound still showed π‐bonding character, however, with a considerable contribution of the charge‐separated resonance structure.
Implementing an OR Contact Precautions Decision Algorithm to Promote Interprofessional Teamwork for Infection Prevention
Authors: Lacourciere Andrea , Kumar Orissa , Apold Susan
Published: April 2019

Perioperative nurses use aseptic and sterile technique along with standard cleaning and disinfection practices to prevent surgical site infections. At our hospital, OR team members identified a clinical problem: the lack of a systematic approach to determine the type of postprocedure cleaning required between procedures involving patients with multi‐drug resistant organisms or Clostridium difficile. Facility leaders developed a project to design and implement an evidence‐based decision‐making algorithm to help perioperative nurses rapidly identify the appropriate environmental cleaning procedures for these ORs. After the perioperative nurses were taught how to use the algorithm, it was put into use. Nineteen months later, the nurses completed a postimplementation survey. The results of the survey were generally positive, and the cleaning process was more standardized. We found that a decision‐making algorithm was an effective tool to determine the proper postprocedure environmental cleaning between surgical procedures for patients with multi‐drug resistant organisms or C difficile.
Subnano‐Sized Pt–Au Alloyed Clusters as Enhanced Cocatalyst for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Cheng Ling , Li Yuhang , Chen Aiping , Zhu Yihua , Li Chunzhong
Published: April 2019

Photocatalytic water splitting for H2 evolution is regarded as the most promising way to overcome the energy and environmental crisis. Pt clusters as a cocatalyst can efficiently enhance the performance of H2 generation in most photocatalysts, but the activity is still unsatisfied. By tuning the electronic structures of materials, one can develop catalysts with enhanced activity. Here we synthesize a Pt–Au alloy with subnano size as cocatalyst on TiO2 nanosheets for photocatalytic H2 generation that shows an outstanding activity with a H2 generation rate of 80.1 μmol h−1 for at least 100 h. The activity is twice than the pure Pt cocatalyst, mainly because the optimized hydrogen adsorption energy on Pt cluster is tuned by Au atoms.
Atypical longitudinal development of speech‐evoked auditory brainstem response in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Chen Jierong , Liang Chun , Wei Zhen , Cui Zitian , Kong Xuejun , Dong Cun‐jian , Lai Yuan , Peng Ziwen , Wan Guobin
Published: April 2019

Language impairment is common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previous research has shown that this disability may be, in part, due to atypical auditory processing of speech stimuli. However, how speech sounds are processed in children with ASD remains largely unknown. The present study assessed the developmental pattern of auditory information processing at the level of the brainstem in preschool children with ASD using speech‐evoked auditory brainstem response (speech‐ABR). Children with ASD (N = 15) and of typical developing (TD) (N = 20), both of preschool age, were enrolled. The speech‐ABRs recorded at two different time points (T1 and T2; 9.68 months apart on average) were virtually identical in the TD group. However, in the ASD group, the wave V latency of speech‐ABR was significantly shortened and the amplitudes of wave A and C were significantly larger at T2, compared to those recorded at T1 (10.78 months apart on average). Compared to the TD group, the wave V and A latencies were prolonged at T1, whereas the wave E amplitude decreased and wave F latency prolonged at T2. There was a positive partial correlation between the language performance and the wave A amplitude in the ASD group. These results indicate that auditory processing at the subcortical level is well‐developed in the TD preschool children, but is immature and abnormal in the children with ASD at the same ages. Thus, aberrant speech processing at the brainstem level may contribute significantly to the language impairment in children with ASD at preschool ages. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1022–1031. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Language impairment is common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We investigated the developmental pattern of subcortical auditory processing by monitoring changes in the speech‐evoked auditory brainstem response (speech‐ABR) over a period of 10 months in preschool children. Our results show that subcortical auditory processing is impaired and immature in children with ASD compared with age‐matched, typically developing children. The results suggest that speech‐ABR may be used as an objective measure in evaluating the language performance of children with ASD. The results also suggest that aberrant speech processing at the level of the brainstem may contribute significantly to the language impairment in preschool children with ASD.