bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of metabolite profile from paired serum and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid–plasma samples using dry chemistry technology: An emergency department perspective
Authors: Sharma Lokesh Kumar , Dutta Deep , Sharma Neera , Thakur Bhaskar
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND: No data is available evaluating the difference in serum versus plasma sample assay of commonly tested parameters in the emergency department, where the sample processing time can be significantly reduced if plasma is used for analysis instead of conventionally used serum. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in serum versus plasma sample estimation of commonly evaluated biochemical parameters using dry chemistry technology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired blood samples were collected from a single venipuncture of 405 patients admitted to the emergency department. Dry chemistry autoanalyzer (Vitros-350, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics) was used to process all the samples.

RESULTS: Data from 401 patients were analyzed. Percentage differences between serum versus plasma samples for all analytes ranged from 0.0% to 57.44% and were <±4% for a majority of parameters, except uric acid (−6.25%), albumin (+11.90%), chloride (–5.05%), phosphorus (−6.06%), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) total (−57.44%), amylase (−37.53%), lipase (−42.74%), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (−8.53%), and C-reactive protein (−7.44%). For albumin, CPK total, amylase, and lipase, the difference between serum and plasma samples was more than the accepted upper range recommended by College of American Pathologists.

CONCLUSION: Glucose, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, total protein, serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, and CPK-mb can be reliably assayed from either serum or plasma samples in emergency/routine practice. CPK total, amylase, and lipase should always be assayed from serum and not plasma due to significant variations. Uric acid, chloride, phosphorous, and LDH only in emergency situations should be assayed from plasma. For routine assays, serum should be preferred.
Incubation and its effect on Leishman stain
Authors: Sareen Rateesh , Kapil Menka , Gupta GN
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND: Leishman stain is the universal stain used in staining of peripheral blood smears all over the world.

AIMS: To study the effect of incubation of buffer solution, slide alone and slide & buffer both on standard Leishman staining. The staining at times causes difficulty particularly in rainy season when there is increased moisture.

METHOD: The study comprised of twenty peripheral blood smears selected consecutively in batches of ten each for two successive days . Minor modification in standard Leishman stain was done by either incubating slide or buffer solution or both. The staining characteristics were scored using system by NG et al and the statistical analysis was done.

RESULTS: The highest mean score for background (1.5), nuclear (1.55), cytoplasmic features (1.5) and granules visualization (1.8) were seen in technique involving incubation of both slide and buffer. The results were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: We found that incubating glass slides or buffer solution or both yield better stained slide. Our study showed that there was better staining features seen in incubated slide verses routine method.
Divine Sovereignty in the Book of Apocalypse
Authors: Obielosi Dominic
Published: July 2018

Isa 40,1 is a straight call to consolation by God. It was a call that enlivened a rather shattered hope following the lengthy years of exile. The author of the book of Apocalypse like the Deutero-Isaiah has a direct message for his audience. The sadness and despair, the devastated hope coupled with the rushing and entangled thoughts over the persecutions are only preludes to the victory by those who would remain faithful until the end. The Christians are in no position to fight any of their enemies. Unlike the Essenes who were given a War Manual, Christians have no role to play in the terminal and determinant war with Satan. The Christian has the choice of renouncing Christ or suffering martyrdom. The author is aware that without strong conviction that Jesus is king, it would be impossible for the believers to endure such suffering. To elicit such immutable conviction, the author like other apocalyptic pushed home his message through graphic images and symbols. He is sure that the Christians will eventually become victorious just as Christ. They only have to remain patient and faithful. Theirs is better classified as joy in the midst of suffering. This paper studies Revelation as a book of consolation and hope that posits God as a Sovereign God. It sets out to explore how the author of Revelation carefully drives home his message. It is consolatory in as much it elicits hope in the life of a rather shattered group because of persecution. It is a book of hope because it convinces all believers that persecution and martyrdom are all temporal challenges. God purposely allowed them to test them. He will eventually prove himself a Sovereign God.Key words: Revelation, Apocalypse, Persecution, Imageries, Victorious, Sovereignty.
The Free Trade Debate, Economic Recession and the Global South since 2000AD
Authors: Obiakor Nwachukwu J. , Agajelu Abuoma C.
Published: July 2018

The end of the Cold War, which came on the heels of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the near-collapse of the Soviet-styled communist ideology, paved the way for globalization and the entrenchment of a Western-styled economic system hinged on free enterprises. Free enterprises encourage such liberal economic programmes as private initiative and entrepreneurship, accumulation of capital, de-regulation, competition, and trade liberalization, among others. Most developing countries, without much choice, got integrated into this global capitalist system. How they fare as regards economic growth and development is determined by an objective research and interpretation of available data on their economic performance since the trend of “free trade” absorbed them in the global capitalism. The debate on the credibility of “free trade” as a determinant of mutual economic growth and development has been prevalent in international political economy discourse since the 18th century. The credibility of “free trade” has been called into question, especially its effects on the countries of the global South or the developing economies. This study assesses the debate on free trade over the years and how this trend affects the countries of the South in the 21st century economic recession. Most of the scholars and experts of the developing world extraction vehemently kick against the premature integration of the developing economies into the already established western capitalism. They blame the adverse effects of the recession on the South on this unequal relationship. This study also presents some of their arguments. The work makes use of diverse secondary and tertiary sources and the thematic historical approach in the interpretation and discussion of the accounts presented.Key words: Free trade, globalization, economic recession, and global South
Status and Development Trends of Agritourism in Poland and the Ukraine
Authors: Roman Michał , Zaburanna Lesia , Krzyżanowska Krystyna
Published: July 2018

Purpose. The aim of the article is to present the state and prospects of development of rural tourism in Poland and the Ukraine. Method. The analysis included data taken from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Central Statistical Office, the Institute of Tourism as well as domestic and foreign literature. Findings. In 1993, there were around one thousand agritourism farms in Poland, while in 2012, their number increased to 7.6 thousand which represents 0.5% of the total number of agritourism farms in Poland. Country dwellers are increasingly interested in economic activities within the range of rural tourism and propose offers suiting the diverse needs of tourists. At the same time, tourists are deeply interested in spending their free time in the countryside. Research limitations and conclusions. As research studies of many authors show, tourists value the charms of the countryside, i.e. peace, tranquillity and possibilities to make social relationships. However, they expect high-quality services and infrastructure as well as a rich offer of free time animation. Ukraine has great potential for multifunctional rural development and the development of agritourism. Practical implications. Presentation of the most important directions of development regarding rural tourism in Poland and the Ukraine. Originality. The article presents status and developmental trends of agritourism in Poland and the Ukraine. Type of paper. Research article.
From the Bench
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: July 2018

US Supreme Court, schools, public speech, government speech, privacy, international
Success Stories
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: July 2018

Book publishing, libraries, schools, freedom of the press
Some properties of Reinhardt and Hartogs domains
Authors: Bourchtein Ludmila , Bourchtein Andrei
Published: July 2018

The domains of certain types, such as Reinhardt and Hartogs, are used in different problems of theory of functions of several complex variables. For instance, any power series of several complex variables converges in the complete logarithmically convex Reinhardt domain. Transformations of Reinhardt and Hartogs allow us to diminish the dimension of space and to consider some type of domains using its images. This allows the visibility of the geometric representation and the simplification of the study of properties of such domains. In this article we consider some properties of Reinhardt and Hartogs domains and transformations. The properties of domain conservation under Reinhardt transformation and convexity conservation under Reinhardt and Hartogs transformation are proved.
Phytoplankton of lentic waters from the campus of Santa Catarina University (Florianópolis, SC, Southern Brazil)
Authors: Goulart Eloise , Couté Alain , Thérézien Yves , Franceschini Iara Maria
Published: July 2018

Phytoplankton of lentic waters from the Campus of Santa Catarina University (Florianópolis, SC, Southern Brazil). Phytoplankton of lentic waters from the Campus of Santa Catarina University was studied from September 1993 to March 1994 and September 1994 to March 1995, excepting the class Bacillariophyceae. Samples were taken from three ponds, namely Horto Botânico, Centro de Convivência and Hospital Universitário. Forty two genera were identified, including 78 species, verieties and formae. Cellular measurements, occurrence at the sampling stations and pictures are given for each infrageneric taxon. In general, species composition of the ponds changed slightly from one period to another. Chlorophyta was the richest taxonomic group in the three localities; among them, the order Chlorococcales, which often abounds in eutrophic waters, prevailed in richness and frequency of species. The majority of the identified taxa is widespread throughout the world.
Coleta e caracterização morfológica de populações de porongo – Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. - Cucurbitaceae
Authors: Silva André Luís Lopes da , Záchia Renato Aquino , Bisognin Dilson Antônio , Budke Jean Carlos
Published: July 2018

Fruits of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. were collected in the municipal district of Santa Maria and Jaguarí (RS) with the objective of characterizing some local races used by the producers. Three populations of L. siceraria were characterized and classified as casco-grosso caciquense, casco-fino caciquense and casco-grosso precoce. It was made a morphologic characterization based on descriptors of mature fruit, seeking to verify the existent genetic divergence among these local races. The data were submitted the grouping analysis, as dissimilarity measure was used the distance of Mahalanobis (D²) and the used grouping methods were the "Método do vizinho mais próximo" (Single Linkage Method) and the method of Tocher, these methods obtained the populations in two heterogeneous groups. The porongo populations collected in Santa Maria didn't show genetic divergence being placed in the same group and the population collected in Jaguarí it was placed in another group.
Unidades de Landforms na Bacia do Arroio Cadena, Santa Maria - RS
Authors: Robaina Luis Eduardo , Cassol Roberto , Medeiros Edgardo Ramos
Published: July 2018

This work uses the methodology proposal by Lollo (1996) to define in the basin of the stream cadena two landforms systems based on the geomorfological process, denominated as dissection and of accumulation areas. These systems were divided in smaller portions of the land, that for its time they are characterized by seven units, described in terms of morphologic features, types of you are worth, characteristic of the relief (altitude, amplitude, declivity), drainage, substratum geologic/pedological, use and occupation of the soil. We has for objective to give a contribution for the scientific knowledge of to how planning the use and occupation of the soil. Lhe analyzing data were integrated with relationship into the natural and anthropic way, identifying the main geomorphological processes.
Lista de espécies de aranhas da região central do Rio Grande do Sul - Família Araneidae
Authors: Indrusiak Leocadia Falkemberg , Buss Regina Gressler
Published: July 2018

A list of 58 spiders (Family Araneidae) from the centralregion of Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil) is presented. It is alsoreported for the first time the occurrence of Alpaida lanei Levi, 1998,Alpaida scriba (Mello-Leitão, 1940) and Araneus sicki Levi, 1991 forthis region
Geología del subsuelo del Área Metropolitana del Gran Resistencia (AMGR), Provincia del Chaco, Nordeste de Argentina
Authors: Torra Roberto
Published: July 2018

o presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo geológico e geotécnico básico feito em sedimentos inconsolávels limosos e argilosos que constituem o solo e subsolo do Area Metropolitana dei Gran Resistencia (AMGR) e zonas limítrofes. Fizeram-se estudos básicos em sedimentologia e geotecnia com o objeto de relacionar suas caraterísticas em textura e composição, alem disso, verificar sua interrelação e comportamento. Os ensaios geotécnicos específicos de mecânica do solo feitos forom: límite líquido, límite plástico, índice plástico e granulometria. O area de estudo está sempre caraterizada por uma sucessão inconsolidável, composta de camadas horizontais de limos finos ou grossos (a areia muito fina representa sempre percentagens inferiores ao 10 %) ligação a camadas argilosas maciças apaixonadamente edafizadas e regolitizadas seja que os sedimentos se encontrarem como afloramentos ou a pouca profundidade (0- 10 m). Essas camadas correspondem a Formação Pampeana sensu lato de idade Pleistocena-Holoceno. Mais por embaixo dessas camadas meteorizadas ou regolitizadas encontra-se uma monótona sucessão heterolitica composta por arenitos supermaduras de cor branco bem arredondadas e bem selecionadas com intercalações de camadas de argila maciça cor castanho averdengado, predominantemente montmorilloníticas. A zona de contato pode ser definivel como espalhado e transicional, sendo a macro e meso arquitetura completamente horizontal. Esta sucessão de camadas areno-argilosas corresponde à Formação Ituzaingó de idade Mioceno Média. A mesma apresenta excelentes afloramentos nos barrancos da imagem à esquerda do Rio Paraná com iguais características sedimentológicas e geotécnicas só 2 km de distância da área de investigação. Os afloramentos dessa formação encontram-se ao longo da imagem esquerda do Rio Paraná nas Províncias de Corrientes e Entre Rios. Os mesmos são o resultado do fraturamento extensional da idade Quaternária. O estudo analisa os resultados dos ensaios mecânicos e sua relação com as litofácies sedimentógicas reconhecidas, mesmo assim, relaciona-se também com as verificações encontrados em datos de perfurações hidrogeológicas disponíveis na zona de trabalho. A grande quantidade de problemas de assentamentos ou afundamentos que caracterizam a área de estudo podem estar relacionados com a grande erodabilidade dos materiais argilosos expandivels presentes nos sedimentos da Formação Pampeana.
Determinação da erosividade da chuva - correlação com eventos de inundações, alagamentos e deslizamentos na cidade de Santa Maria
Authors: Martins Elisângela Rosemeri Curti , Werlang Mauro Kumpfer
Published: July 2018

In Santa Maria, there are so many villages where conflicts dealing with earth occur. Such conflicts highlight problems associated with flooding, leaking and landslide. Considering this information, the objective here is to determine the erosion caused by the rain in Santa Maria, by establishing a critical rate through the regression's equation. The erosion provoked by the rain was determined according to Wischmeier & Smith's purpose (1956), expressed by E130,from 1980 to 2002. The relationship between erosion, flooging and landslide was established. The critical rate obtained from the EI30 was 48.55 Mj.há/ mm.h and trom the rain accumulated to the promotion of the events was 31,21 mm.
-Son Değişiklikler Kapsamında- Kamu Hizmeti İmtiyaz Sözleşmeleri Uyuşmazlıklarında “Tahkim” / -In the Context of the Recent Amendments- "Arbitration" In Public Service Concession Agreement Disputes
Authors: Dolunay Ayhan
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT

Public law concession agreements, contracts between administrative and private law real or legal entities. Contracts aimed at ensuring the provision of services without undergoing high financial "burdens". In the case of disputes concerning public service concession agreements, preference is given to the settlement disputes with arbitral jurisdiction rather than settlement of court disputes, usually by private contracting parties. In our work, firstly we will give information about the concept of public service concession agreement and arbitration, then, in the Turkish administrative law, the "obstruction of arbitration", which will rule until 1999, and the elimination of the ban will be discussed. Later, the elements and procedure of the arbitration will be examined in detail in the context of "recent changes", followed by the determination of the substantive rules of law to be applied to the merits of the dispute in the arbitration proceedings, and finally, to be given information about the decisions to be made on the basis of the arbitration proceedings.

ÖZ

Kamu hukuku imtiyaz sözleşmeleri, idare ve özel hukuk gerçek ya da tüzel kişileri arasında akdedilen ve idarenin, teknoloji, iş gücü vb. konularda, yüksek mali “yük”ler altına girmeksizin, hizmet sağlanmasını amaçlayan sözleşmelerdir. Kamu hizmeti imtiyaz sözleşmeleri ile ilgili söz konusu olabilecek uyuşmazlıklarda ise, sözleşmeye taraf özel hukuk kişilerince, genellikle, mahkemelerce uyuşmazlığın çözümü yerine, tahkim yargılaması ile uyuşmazlığın çözümü tercih edilmektedir. Çalışmamızda, öncelikle, kamu hizmeti imtiyaz sözleşmesi ve tahkim kavramları hakkında bilgi verilecek, ardından, Türk idare hukukunda, 1999 yılına kadar egemen olan “tahkim yasağı” ve yasağın bertaraf edilmesi hususları ele alınacaktır. Sonrasında ise, tahkim yargılamasının unsurları ve usulü detaylı olarak, “son değişiklikler kapsamında” incelenecek, ardından, tahkim yargılamasında ihtilafın esasına uygulanacak maddi hukuk kurallarının tespiti ve son olarak da, tahkim yargılaması neticesinde hükmolunacak kararların icrası hakkında bilgi verilecektir.
Variable retention harvesting influences belowground plant-fungal interactions of Nothofagus pumilio seedlings in forests of southern Patagonia
Authors: Hewitt Rebecca E. , Taylor Donald Lee , Hollingsworth Teresa N. , Anderson Christopher B. , Martínez Pastur Guillermo
Published: July 2018

Background

The post-harvest recovery and sustained productivity of Nothofagus pumilio forests in Tierra del Fuego may be affected by the abundance and composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF). Timber harvesting alters EMF community structure in many managed forests, but the impacts of harvesting can vary with the management strategy. The implementation of variable retention (VR) management can maintain, increase, or decrease the diversity of many species, but the effects of VR on EMF in the forests of southern Patagonia have not been studied, nor has the role of EMF in the regeneration process of these forests.

Methods

We evaluated the effects of VR management on the EMF community associated with N. pumilio seedlings. We quantified the abundance, composition, and diversity of EMF across aggregate (AR) and dispersed (DR) retention sites within VR managed areas, and compared them to primary forest (PF) unmanaged stands. EMF assemblage and taxonomic identities were determined by ITS-rDNA sequencing of individual root tips sampled from 280 seedlings across three landscape replicates. To better understand seedling performance, we tested the relationships between EMF colonization, EMF taxonomic composition, seedling biomass, and VR treatment.

Results

The majority of EMF taxa were Basidiomycota belonging to the families Cortinariaceae (n = 29), Inocybaceae (n = 16), and Thelephoraceae (n = 8), which was in agreement with other studies of EMF diversity in Nothofagus forests. EMF richness and colonization was reduced in DR compared to AR and PF. Furthermore, EMF community composition was similar between AR and PF, but differed from the composition in DR. EMF community composition was correlated with seedling biomass and soil moisture. The presence of Peziza depressa was associated with higher seedling biomass and greater soil moisture, while Inocybe fibrillosibrunnea and Cortinarius amoenus were associated with reduced seedling biomass and lower soil moisture. Seedling biomass was more strongly related to retention type than EMF colonization, richness, or composition.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate reduced EMF attributes and altered composition in VR treatments relative to PF stands, with stronger impacts in DR compared to AR. This suggests that VR has the potential to improve the conservation status of managed stands by supporting native EMF in AR. Our results also demonstrate the complex linkages between retention treatments, fungal community composition, and tree growth at individual and stand scales.
The cranial endocast of the Upper Devonian dipnoan ‘Chirodipterus’ australis
Authors: Henderson Struan A.C. , Challands Tom J.
Published: July 2018

One of the first endocasts of a dipnoan (lungfish) to be realised was that of the Upper Devonian taxon Chirodipterus australis. This early interpretation was based on observations of the shape of the cranial cavity alone and was not based on a natural cast or ‘steinkern’ nor from serial sectioning. The validity of this reconstruction is therefore questionable and continued reference to and use of this interpretation in analyses of sarcopterygian cranial evolution runs the risk of propagation of error. Here we present a new detailed anatomical description of the endocast of ‘Chirodipterus’ australis from the Upper Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia, known for exceptional 3D preservation which enables fine-scale scrutiny of endocranial anatomy. We show that it exhibits a suite of characters more typical of Lower and Middle Devonian dipnoan taxa. Notably, the small utricular recess is unexpected for a taxon of this age, whereas the ventral expansion of the telencephalon is more typical of more derived taxa. The presence of such ’primitive’ characters in ‘C.’ australis supports its relatively basal position as demonstrated in the most recent phylogenies of Devonian Dipnoi.
Dosimetric effects of anatomical deformations and positioning errors in VMAT breast radiotherapy
Authors: Rossi Maija , Boman Eeva , Skyttä Tanja , Haltamo Mikko , Laaksomaa Marko , Kapanen Mika
Published: July 2018

Aim

Traditional radiotherapy treatment techniques of the breast are insensitive for deformations and swelling of the soft tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose changes seen with tissue deformations using different image matching methods when VMAT technique was used, and compare these with tangential technique.

Methods

The study included 24 patients with breast or chest wall irradiations, nine of whom were bilateral. In addition to planar kV setup imaging, patients underwent weekly cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging to evaluate soft tissue deformations. The effect of the deformations was evaluated on VMAT plans optimized with 5‐mm virtual bolus to create skin flash, and compared to standard tangential plans with 2.5 cm skin flash. Isocenter positioning using 2D imaging and CBCT were compared.

Results

With postural changes and soft tissue deformations, the target coverage decreased more in the VMAT plans than in the tangential plans. The planned V90% coverage was 98.3% and 99.0% in the tangential and VMAT plans, respectively. When tattoo‐based setup and online 2D match were used, the coverage decreased to 97.9% in tangential and 96.5% in VMAT plans (P < 0.001). With automatic CBCT‐based image match the respective coverages were 98.3% and 98.8%. In the cases of large soft tissue deformations, the replanning was needed for the VMAT plan, whereas the tangential plan still covered the whole target volume.

Conclusions

The skin flash created using an optimization bolus for VMAT plans was in most cases enough to take into account the soft tissue deformations seen in breast VMAT treatments. However, in some cases larger skin flash or replanning were needed. The use of 2D match decreased the target coverage for VMAT plans but not for FinF plans when compared to 3D match. The use of CBCT match is recommended when treating breast/chest wall patients with VMAT technique.
Adaptive state feedback stabilization of more general stochastic high‐order nonholonomic systems
Authors: Li Guang‐Ju , Xie Xue‐Jun
Published: July 2018

This paper investigates adaptive state feedback stabilization for a class of more general stochastic high‐order nonholonomic systems. By constructing the appropriate Lyapunov function, skillfully combining parameter separation, sign function, and backstepping design methods, an adaptive state feedback controller is designed to eliminate the phenomenon of uncontrollability and guarantee global asymptotic stability in probability of the closed‐loop system. Two simulation examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
A novel adaptive Gauss pseudospectral method for nonlinear optimal control of constrained hypersonic re‐entry vehicle problem
Authors: Xiao Long , Lv Lu , Liu Ping , Liu Xinggao , Huang Guoquan
Published: July 2018

Optimal control of constrained hypersonic re‐entry vehicle is difficult due to the complex nonlinear dynamics and nonlinear constraints. A novel adaptive Gauss pseudospectral method with some new strategies is therefore proposed to deal with the optimal control problem of hypersonic re‐entry vehicle to ensure that the complex constraints are satisfied all the way. First, state transformation is applied to make the variables more uniform in quantities. Second, some extreme points are applied in designing appropriate subintervals to track the control profiles effectively and the collocation points are adaptively redistributed based on the evaluated approximation errors. Third, a detection procedure is proposed to ensure that the constraints are satisfied all the way during the whole re‐entry process. The proposed method is illustrated by testing a hypersonic re‐entry vehicle problem. The results reveal that path constraints and terminal conditions are well satisfied. The research results, including the comparison with other methods, such as the classical Gauss pseudospectral method and the control vector parameterization method, show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive approach.
An Elastic Autonomous Self‐Healing Capacitive Sensor Based on a Dynamic Dual Crosslinked Chemical System
Authors: Zhang Qiuhong , Niu Simiao , Wang Li , Lopez Jeffrey , Chen Shucheng , Cai Yifeng , Du Ruichun , Liu Yuxin , Lai Jian‐Cheng , Liu Ling , Li Cheng‐Hui , Yan Xuzhou , Liu Chungen , Tok Jeffrey B.‐H. , Jia Xudong , Bao Zhenan
Published: July 2018

Adopting self‐healing, robust, and stretchable materials is a promising method to enable next‐generation wearable electronic devices, touch screens, and soft robotics. Both elasticity and self‐healing are important qualities for substrate materials as they comprise the majority of device components. However, most autonomous self‐healing materials reported to date have poor elastic properties, i.e., they possess only modest mechanical strength and recoverability. Here, a substrate material designed is reported based on a combination of dynamic metal‐coordinated bonds (β‐diketone–europium interaction) and hydrogen bonds together in a multiphase separated network. Importantly, this material is able to undergo self‐healing and exhibits excellent elasticity. The polymer network forms a microphase‐separated structure and exhibits a high stress at break (≈1.8 MPa) and high fracture strain (≈900%). Additionally, it is observed that the substrate can achieve up to 98% self‐healing efficiency after 48 h at 25 °C, without the need of any external stimuli. A stretchable and self‐healable dielectric layer is fabricated with a dual‐dynamic bonding polymer system and self‐healable conductive layers are created using polymer as a matrix for a silver composite. These materials are employed to prepare capacitive sensors to demonstrate a stretchable and self‐healable touch pad.
Overcoming the Ambient Manufacturability‐Scalability‐Performance Bottleneck in Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics
Authors: Kirmani Ahmad R. , Sheikh Arif D. , Niazi Muhammad R. , Haque Md Azimul , Liu Mengxia , de Arquer F. Pelayo García , Xu Jixian , Sun Bin , Voznyy Oleksandr , Gasparini Nicola , Baran Derya , Wu Tom , Sargent Edward H. , Amassian Aram
Published: July 2018

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells have risen rapidly in performance; however, their low‐cost fabrication under realistic ambient conditions remains elusive. This study uncovers that humid environments curtail the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells by preventing the needed oxygen doping of the hole transporter during ambient fabrication. A simple oxygen‐doping step enabling ambient manufacturing irrespective of seasonal humidity variations is devised. Solar cells with PCE > 10% are printed under high humidity at industrially viable speeds. The devices use a tiny fraction of the ink typically needed and are air stable over a year. The humidity‐resilient fabrication of efficient CQD solar cells breaks a long‐standing compromise, which should accelerate commercialization.
Copper‐Mediated Difunctionalization of Alkenylboronic Acids: Synthesis of ɑ‐Imino Ketones
Authors: Jiao Ji‐Wen , Bi Hong‐Yan , Zou Pei‐Sen , Wang Zhi‐Xin , Liang Cui , Mo Dong‐Liang
Published: July 2018

Various ɑ‐imino ketones were prepared in good yields through a copper‐mediated difunctionalization of alkenylboronic acids with benzotriazolamine in air. Mechanistic studies showed that ɑ‐imino ketones formation occurred through an initial copper‐mediated coupling reaction to form an enamine, followed by homolysis of the C−Cu bond to produce an ɑ‐radical imine, and finally radical oxidation by air. The ɑ‐imino ketones were easily converted to various useful scaffolds through further transformations.

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Metal–Organic Frameworks for Energy
Authors: Hou Chun‐Chao , Xu Qiang
Published: July 2018

Serious environmental problems, growing demand for energy, and the pursuit of environmental‐friendly, sustainable, and effective energy technologies to store and transform clean energy have all drawn great attention recently. As a part of the special issue “Energy Research in National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)” this review systematically summarizes the research progress of metal–organic framework (MOF) composites and derivatives in energy applications, including catalytic CO oxidation, liquid‐phase chemical hydrogen storage, and electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Furthermore, the correlation between MOF‐based structures, synthetic strategies, and their corresponding performances is carefully discussed. The further scope and opportunities, expected improvements and challenges are also discussed. This review will not only benefit development of more feasible protocols to fabricate nanostructures for energy systems but also stimulate further interest in MOF composites and derivatives, for energy applications.
Total intravenous anesthesia improves intraoperative visualization during surgery for high‐grade chronic rhinosinusitis: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brunner Jacob P. , Levy Joshua M. , Ada Melissa L. , Tipirneni Kiranya E. , Barham Henry P. , Oakley Gretchen M. , Cox Daniel R. , Nossaman Bobby D. , McCoul Edward D.
Published: July 2018

Background

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) has been proposed as a method to reduce blood loss during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Impaired sinonasal visualization due to mucosal bleeding may be burdensome in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with high‐grade inflammatory disease, suggesting a role for TIVA in that disease subgroup.

Methods

A double‐blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted of adults undergoing ESS at a tertiary medical center. Patients considered for inclusion had high‐grade CRS defined as either sinonasal polyposis or a preoperative Lund‐Mackay score of ≥12. Subjects were randomized to receive either TIVA or inhaled anesthesia (IA) during ESS. The primary outcome measure was intraoperative visibility as rated by 3 blinded reviewers utilizing the 10‐point Wormald Surgical Field Grading Scale. Secondary outcomes included operative blood loss, complications, and change in quality of life evaluated by the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22).

Results

A total of 72 patients were randomized into TIVA (n = 37) and IA (n = 35) study arms. Aggregate median (interquartile range) Wormald scores across all reviewers demonstrated a more favorable visual field with TIVA compared to IA (3.5 [2.4‐3.9] vs IA 4.1[3.0‐5.8], p = 0.0089). There was significantly less blood loss in the TIVA group compared to the IA group (200 mL [100‐450] vs 300 mL [200‐500], p = 0.046). Baseline patient characteristics were comparable between cohorts with no significant postoperative complications. No significant changes were detected between postoperative SNOT‐22 scores at 3 months (p = 0.278) and at 6 months (p = 0.396) following ESS.

Conclusion

TIVA contributes to improved intraoperative visualization and decreased blood loss in patients undergoing ESS for high‐grade inflammatory sinus disease.
Association between allergic rhinitis and poor sleep parameters in U.S. adults
Authors: Roxbury Christopher R. , Qiu Mary , Shargorodsky Josef , Lin Sandra Y.
Published: July 2018

Background

Evidence suggests relationships between allergic rhinitis (AR) and poor sleep parameters, but population‐based studies in the United States are lacking. This study investigates the relationship between AR and sleep parameters in a representative sample of U.S. adults.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of 5563 participants ≥18 years old from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who participated in the allergy and sleep questionnaires. The predictor variable was AR (self‐reported hay fever and/or nasal symptoms in the past 12 months). The outcome variables were individual sleep parameters (sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disorders, sleep habits, sleep medication use, daytime dysfunction). Covariates included age, gender, race, and obesity.

Results

The population‐weighted prevalence of AR was 36.5%. Adjusting for covariates, subjects with AR had higher odds of sleep latency ≥30 minutes (OR 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.51; p = 0.04), sleep apnea (OR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.82; p < 0.01), insomnia (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.32; p = 0.04), trouble falling asleep (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.75; p < 0.01), waking up during the night (OR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.99; p = 0.01), waking up too early in the morning (OR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.79; p < 0.01), feeling unrested during the day (OR 1.76, 95% CI, 1.43 to 2.16; p < 0.01), feeling overly sleeping during the day (OR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.90; p < 0.01), not getting enough sleep (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.41 to 1.99; p < 0.01), using sleep medication (OR 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.33; p < 0.01), difficulty concentrating (OR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.30 to 2.88; p < 0.01), remembering (OR 1.91; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.97; p < 0.01), managing finances (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.56; p = 0.02), working (OR 2.16; 95% CI, 1.45 to 3.22; p < 0.01), and getting things done (OR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.36 to 4.06; p < 0.01) due to daytime sleepiness.

Conclusion

This analysis of a representative sample of U.S. adults revealed associations between AR and poor sleep parameters including prolonged sleep latency, insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep disturbances, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction. These findings reinforce the need to assess sleep quality in patients undergoing evaluation for AR.
Inflammatory immune response in rabbits with Staphylococcus aureus biofilm–associated sinusitis
Authors: Wu Xianmin , Zhang Yue , Chen Xiaoyun , Chen Jun , Jia Minghui
Published: July 2018

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly isolated bacterium from patients with surgically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Understanding the immune responses to S aureus biofilms will provide insights into how the host response may be manipulated by therapeutic agents to improve the chances of successfully preventing and treating these infections. In this study, we investigated the inflammatory immune response in a rabbit model of S aureus biofilm–related sinusitis by analyzing the levels of some major inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: a blank‐control group; a negative‐control group; and a model group. Four weeks after the biofilm‐associated sinusitis models were established, the sinus mucosa was harvested and examined using hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E) staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and western blotting. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed statistically.

Results

Interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α expression levels were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank‐control group (p < 0.05); mRNA levels were increased by 1600%, 230%, and 130%, respectively, and the protein levels were increased by 180%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. In contrast, IL‐4 and IL‐5 mRNA levels were reduced by 44% and 70%, respectively, compared with the blank‐control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

S aureus biofilms in the rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa were associated with increased IL‐1β, IL‐8, and TNF‐α expression, and decreased IL‐4 and IL‐5 expression.
Enantioselective Nazarov Cyclizations Catalyzed by an Axial Chiral C6F5‐Substituted Boron Lewis Acid
Authors: Süsse Lars , Vogler Maria , Mewald Marius , Kemper Benedict , Irran Elisabeth , Oestreich Martin
Published: July 2018

A chiral variant of B(C6F5)3 with a 3,3′‐disubstituted binaphthyl backbone is shown to catalyze Nazarov cyclizations with high levels of enantio‐ and diastereocontrol. The parent B(C6F5)3 also promotes these ring closures efficiently. This electrocyclization is another example of the still small family of C−C bond formations mediated by B(C6F5)3 as the catalyst.
A Bioinspired Synthesis of Polyfunctional Indoles
Authors: Huang Zheng , Kwon Ohhyeon , Huang Haiyan , Fadli Aziz , Marat Xavier , Moreau Magali , Lumb Jean‐Philip
Published: July 2018

Polyfunctional indoles bearing substituents at C5 and C6 are prevalent in natural products, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Owing to the remoteness of the C5 and C6 positions, indoles of this family can be difficult to prepare, and often require multistep syntheses. Herein, we describe a concise process that converts simple derivatives of tyrosine into 5,6‐difunctionalized indoles by direct oxidation of C−H, N−H, and O−H bonds. Our work draws inspiration from the biosynthetic polymerization of tyrosine to make melanin pigments, but makes an important departure to provide well‐defined indole heterocycles.
Cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8])‐Based Supramolecular Switches
Authors: Pazos Elena , Novo Paula , Peinador Carlos , Kaifer Angel E. , García Marcos D.
Published: July 2018

The use of cucurbit[8]uril as a molecular host has emerged in the chemical literature as a reliable strategy for the creation of dynamic chemical systems, owing to its ability to form homo‐ and heteroternary complexes in aqueous media with appropriate molecular switches as guests. In this manner, CB[8]‐based supramolecular switches can be designed in a predictable and modular fashion, through the selection of appropriate guests able to condition the redox, photochemical, or pH‐triggered behavior of tailored multicomponent systems. Furthermore, CB[8] allows the implementation of dual/triple and linear/orthogonal stimuli‐dependent properties into these molecular devices by a careful selection of the guests. This versatility in their design gives these supramolecular switches great potential for the rational development of new materials, in which their function is not only determined by the custom‐made stimuli‐responsiveness, but also by the transient aggregation/disaggregation of homo‐ or heteromeric building blocks.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Reductive Alkylations of Secondary Amides
Authors: Ou Wei , Han Feng , Hu Xiu‐Ning , Chen Hang , Huang Pei‐Qiang
Published: July 2018

Reported herein is the first direct, metal‐catalyzed reductive functionalization of secondary amides to give functionalized amines and heterocycles. The method is shown to have exceptionally broad scope with respect to suitable nucleophiles, which cover both hard and soft C nucleophiles as well as a P nucleophile. The reaction exhibits good chemoselectivity and tolerates several sensitive functional groups.
Process simulation and assessment of crude oil stabilization unit
Authors: Rahmanian Nejat , Aqar Dhia Y. , Bin Dainure Muhammad F. , Mujtaba Iqbal M.
Published: July 2018

Crude oil is an unrefined petroleum composed of wide range of hydrocarbon up to n‐C40+. However, there are also a percentage of light hydrocarbon components present in the mixture. Therefore, to avoid their flashing for safe storage and transportation, the live crude needs to be stabilized beforehand. This paper aims to find the suitable operating conditions to stabilize an incoming live crude feed to maximum true vapor pressure (TVPs) of 12 psia (82.7 kPa) at Terengganu Crude Oil Terminal, Malaysia. The simulation of the process has been conducted by using Aspen HYSYS.

The obtained results illustrate that the simulation data are in good agreement with the plant data and in particular for the heavier hydrocarbons. For the lighter components, the simulation results overpredict the plant data, whereas for the heavier components, this trend is reversed. It was found that at the outlet temperature (85–90°C) of hot oil to crude heat exchanger (HX‐220X), the high‐pressure separator (V‐220 A/B) and the low‐pressure separator (V‐230 A/B) had operating pressures of (400–592 kPa) and (165–186 kPa), respectively, and the live crude was successfully stabilized to a TVP of less than 12 psia. The impact of main variables, that is, inlet feed properties, three‐phase separators operating pressure, and preheater train's performance on the product TVP, are also studied. Based on the scenarios analyzed, it can be concluded that the actual water volume (kbbl/day) has greater impact on the heat exchanger's duty; thus, incoming free water to Terengganu Crude Oil Terminal should be less than 19.5 kbbl/day (9.1 vol%) at the normal incoming crude oil flow rate of 195 (kbbl/day).
Improvement of students’ understanding about the phenomena of groundwater pumping by using computer software
Authors: Zhou Xiang‐Lian , Wang Jian‐Hua
Published: July 2018

A teaching‐learning methodology by using computational software in teaching groundwater pumping in aquifer system is presented. In order to ensure the students grasp the theory and method of groundwater flow, as well as land subsidence due to pumping groundwater. The computational software‐COMSOL is used to solve the fully coupling equilibrium equations and flow equation. The assessment of the instructor includes: homework, group discussions, and small projects, which help to figure out the degree of understanding of students’ knowledge points. In addition, the teachers prompt students to reflect on what they have learned and use the obtained responses to evaluate the effectiveness of the course. The survey finds that most students believe that they can understand the equilibrium equations and the fully coupled flow equation according to the teacher's instructs, and can perform computer operations independently. The final test results show that this teaching‐learning methodology by using computational software has a very good teaching effect.
Game‐ready 3D hair model from a small set of images
Authors: Vanakittistien Nuttapon , Sudsang Attawith , Chentanez Nuttapong
Published: July 2018

We present a system for creating a hair model that matches a user's hairstyle from images. The model consists of guide hair strands and can be used in a real‐time hair simulator. Our goal differs from most previous works that aim to create realistic high‐resolution hair for off‐line applications or create a mesh of the exterior of the hair volume for image manipulation. Our primary aim is for a user to be able to put his/her hairstyle into game or other real‐time applications. By taking photos in eight views of the user's head using a smartphone camera and segmenting the images with some easy‐to‐use tools, the player will obtain his/her own hair model in NVIDIA's HairWorks, which is a hair simulator used in many games. We show a number of results demonstrating the capabilities of our system in this paper.
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Polysubstituted Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by the DIPSkewphos/PICA Derivative–Ruthenium(II) Complexes
Authors: Utsumi Noriyuki , Arai Noriyoshi , Kawaguchi Kei , Katayama Takeaki , Yasuda Toshihisa , Murata Kunihiko , Ohkuma Takeshi
Published: July 2018

The DIPSkewphos/PICA derivative‐Ru(II) complexes catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of significantly sterically hindered 2’,3’,4’,5’,6’‐pentamethylacetophenone, which was not reduced with NaBH4 at 25 °C, with a substrate‐to‐catalyst molar ratio (S/C) of 2000 under 50 atm of H2 in a base‐containing 2‐propanol to afford the alcohol in 99 % ee quantitatively. A series of polysubstituted aromatic ketones was smoothly reacted with an S/C of 300–10,000 under 10–50 atm of H2, yielding the alcoholic products in up to 99 % ee. The catalyst system achieved an industrial‐scale (50 kg) hydrogenation of 2’,6’‐dichloro‐3’‐fluoroacetophenone, affording the alcohol in 96 % isolated yield and in 98 % ee. The obtained alcoholic product is known as a key intermediate for the synthesis of the medicine crizotinib.