bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Molecular‐Cage Strategy Enabling Efficient Chemisorption–Electrocatalytic Interface in Nanostructured Li2S Cathode for Li Metal‐Free Rechargeable Cells with High Energy
Authors: Yu Mingliang , Zhou Si , Wang Zhiyu , Pei Wei , Liu Xuejun , Liu Chang , Yan Chenglin , Meng Xiangyu , Wang Song , Zhao Jijun , Qiu Jieshan
Published: September 2019

Using high‐capacity and metallic Li‐free lithium sulfide (Li2S) cathodes offers an alternative solution to address serious safety risks and performance decay caused by uncontrolled dendrite hazards of Li metal anodes in next‐generation Li metal batteries. Practical applications of such a cathode, however, still suffer from low redox activity, unaffordable cost, and poor processability of infusible and moisture‐sensitive Li2S. Herein, these difficulties are addressed by developing a molecular cage–engaged strategy that enables low‐cost production and interfacial engineering of Li2S cathodes for rechargeable Li2S//Si cells. An efficient chemisorption–electrocatalytic interface is built in extremely nanostructured Li2S cathodes by harnessing the confinement/separation effect of metal–organic molecular cages on ionic clusters of air‐stable, soluble, and low‐cost Li salt and their chemical transformation. It effectively boosts the redox activity toward Li2S activation/dissociation and polysulfide chemisorption–conversion in Li‐S batteries, leading to low activation voltage barrier, stable cycle life of 1000 cycles, ultrafast current rate up to 8 C, and high areal capacities of Li2S cathodes with high mass loading. Encouragingly, this highly active Li2S cathode can be applied for constructing truly workable Li2S//Si cells with a high specific energy of 673 Wh kg−1 and stable performance for 200 cycles at high rates against hollow nanostructured Si anode.
Efficient and Durable 3D Self‐Supported Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon‐Coupled Nickel/Cobalt Phosphide Electrodes: Stoichiometric Ratio Regulated Phase‐ and Morphology‐Dependent Overall Water Splitting Performance
Authors: Cao Bo , Cheng Yan , Hu Minghao , Jing Peng , Ma Zhixue , Liu Baocang , Gao Rui , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2019

The construction of a novel 3D self‐supported integrated NixCo2−xP@NC (0 < x < 2) nanowall array (NA) on Ni foam (NF) electrode constituting highly dispersed NixCo2−xP nanoparticles, nanorods, nanocapsules, and nanodendrites embedded in N‐doped carbon (NC) NA grown on NF is reported. Benefiting from the collective effects of special morphological and structural design and electronic structure engineering, the NixCo2−xP@NC NA/NF electrodes exhibit superior electrocatalytic performance for water splitting with an excellent stability in a wide pH range. The optimal NiCoP@NC NA/NF electrode exhibits the best hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in acidic solution so far, attaining a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 34 mV. Moreover, the electrode manifests remarkable performances toward both HER and oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline medium with only small overpotentials of 37 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and 305 mV at 50 mA cm−2, respectively. Most importantly, when coupling with the NiCoP@NC NA/NF electrode for overall water splitting, an alkali electrolyzer delivers a current density of 20 mA cm−2 at a very low cell voltage of ≈1.56 V. In addition, the NiCoP@NC NA/NF electrode has outstanding long‐term durability at j = 10 mA cm−2 with a negligible degradation in current density over 22 h in both acidic and alkaline media.
Advanced Nanoporous Material–Based QCM Devices: A New Horizon of Interfacial Mass Sensing Technology
Authors: Torad Nagy L. , Zhang Shuaihua , Amer Wael A. , Ayad Mohamad M. , Kim Minjun , Kim Jeonghun , Ding Bing , Zhang Xiaogang , Kimura Tatsuo , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: September 2019

Mass interfacial processes have been considered as one of the crucial factors supporting fundamental research. Due to the low cost and conceptual simplicity, significant advancements have been achieved in the development of methodologies based on piezoelectric devices for in situ determination of mass changes on the surfaces of deposited materials under various conditions. The introduction of nanomaterials for designing sensors and monitoring systems becomes essential to create advanced detection systems for selective sensing of toxic analytes for environmental remediation. The integration of materials with predesignated nanostructures into sensor devices, such as surface acoustic wave (SAW), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and QCM with dissipation (QCM‐D) monitoring, has led to an immense progress in the sensing applications of toxic target analytes at the nanogram range. Here, an overview is introduced of recent advancement in the fabrication of piezoelectric devices for the interfacial mass sensing of targeted chemical vapors and ions through combination with nanoporous materials including mesoporous materials carbon‐based nanomaterials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MOF‐derived nanoporous carbons, Prussian blue (PB) and its analogues (PBA), zeolites and related materials. Challenges and future prospect are also summarized by the advanced QCM technique associated with properties of nanostructured materials.
Leather‐Based Strain Sensor with Hierarchical Structure for Motion Monitoring
Authors: Xie Ruijie , Hou Shanshan , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Kang , Zou Binghua , Liu Yihan , Liang Jiayuan , Guo Shaohua , Li Hongfeng , Zheng Bing , Li Sheng , Zhang Weina , Wu Jiansheng , Huo Fengwei
Published: September 2019

Flexible and wearable strain sensor has drawn a great deal of attention owing to its wide applications in health monitoring, human–machine interfaces, soft robotics, etc. Microstructural design on the conductive layer of strain sensor effectively improves its performance in linearity and hysteresis effect, yet the process of achieving microstructure is complicated. Leather, a kind of conventional flexible materials to manufacture clothes, shoes, etc., possesses natural hierarchical structure that consists of collagen fiber. Herein, leather is used as a substrate to fabricate a strain sensor by filtration of conductive nanomaterials aqueous dispersion. It is found that 0D conductive nanomaterials can be adsorbed in leather to form conductive pathway with leather‐like microstructure. The as‐prepared sensor with such microstructure not only inherits the air permeability, mechanical property, and biocompatibility from leather, but also displays linearity performance within three regions, low hysteresis effect, short response time, high stability, stretchability, as well as good durability. Kirigami is introduced to endow the leather‐based sensor with stretchability. Such a sensor is applicable to human motion monitoring and shape perception of robotic arm.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the distribution of spray and irrigation devices within the sinonasal cavities
Authors: Siu Joey , Johnston James Jordan , Pontre Beau , Inthavong Kiao , Douglas Richard George
Published: September 2019

Background

Optimizing intranasal distribution and retention of nasal sprays is essential in the management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), including those that have had functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Despite multiple existing distribution studies, there remains a need for a technique that allows regionalization of particle deposition within a patient's unique 3‐dimensional (3D) geometry without exposing the patient to radiation.

Methods

Seven participants delivered normal saline containing a gadolinium‐based contrast agent (GBCA) by either saline irrigation or nasal sprays on 1 side of the nasal cavity. The saline irrigation group included 2 participants (both healthy) while the nasal spray group included 5 participants (2 healthy, 2 post‐FESS patients, 1 CRS patient without any sinus surgery). The distribution of new signal enhancement was assessed on each participant using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Serial scans were performed over an interval of 4 minutes in the nasal spray group to assess changes in intranasal distribution over time.

Results

Signal enhancement was widespread within the nasal cavities and maxillary sinuses of participants (both healthy) that underwent sinus irrigation. For the nasal spray participants, the hotspots for signal enhancement were similar regardless of disease status or previous history of surgery. These included the internal nasal valve, anterior septum, inferior surface of the inferior turbinate, nasal floor, and nasopharynx. No signal enhancement was detected with nasal sprays in either unoperated or operated paranasal sinuses.

Conclusion

A technique has been developed using MRI evaluation of radioopaque contrast to characterize the temporospatial distribution of topical drug delivery within the sinonasal cavities.
Frequency‐Modulation‐Enhanced Ground‐State Cooling of Coupled Mechanical Resonators
Authors: Guan Si‐Yu , Wang Dong‐Yang , Bai Cheng‐Hua , Yang Jun‐Ya , Gao Xiao‐Yuan , Zhu Ai‐Dong , Wang Hong‐Fu
Published: September 2019

The coupled mechanical resonators (MRs) are the prominent candidate for studying macroscopic quantum coherence. The prerequisite for observing macroscopic mechanical coherence is cooling the MRs to their ground state. Here, a theoretical scheme is proposed for improving the cooling of two coupled MRs by imposing frequency modulation (FM) upon the system to suppress the Stokes heating processes. By the methods of covariance analysis and numerical simulations, it is demonstrated that the cooling of double MRs can be realized in both stable and unstable regions with high efficiency compared to the cooling without FM, even if in unresolved sideband (USB) regime. By modulating the parameters appropriately, the cooling efficiencies of two MRs can be flexibly adjusted.
Immobilizing Pd nanoparticles on the ternary hybrid system of graphene oxide, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and PAMAM dendrimer as an efficient support for catalyzing sonogashira coupling reaction
Authors: Tarahomi Mehrasa , Alinezhad Heshmatollah , Maleki Behrooz
Published: September 2019

An alternative approach to develop a Pd catalyst based on dendrimer‐functionalized graphene oxide for C‐C cross‐coupling reactions is reported. Pd@MGO‐D‐NH2 has been synthesized by incipient wet impregnation method. The structure of the catalyst was thoroughly characterized by a set of analytical techniques such as TEM, BET, SEM/EDS, FTIR, and elemental mapping analysis. Then, the catalytic activity of the catalyst was scrutinized for promoting sonogashira C‐C coupling reaction. The results manifested that Pd@MGO‐D‐NH2 was able to catalyze the coupling reaction to obtain high coupling yields in short reaction time. The results of present work are hoped to aid the development of new class of heterogeneous catalysts as the high performance candidate for industrial applications.
Disturbance compensation based model‐free adaptive tracking control for nonlinear systems with unknown disturbance
Authors: Li Haifeng , Wang Yingchun , Pang Mengmeng
Published: September 2019

This paper considers a novel model‐free adaptive tracking control for nonlinear perturbed systems. A general dynamic linearization model with disturbance input is first developed for nonlinear systems based on the pseudo‐partial derivatives (PPDs) method and input/output (I/O) data. Due to the unknown disturbance input, an online disturbance estimation algorithm is proposed based on optimization by minimizing a cost function. Furthermore, an adaptive tracking control strategy with disturbance compensation is developed, such that the tracking error of nonlinear systems is convergent and closed‐loop systems are strongly robust. Finally, a comparing simulation is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
High levels of plasma fibrinogen are related to post‐stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Liu Yuntao , Chen Huijun , Zhao Kai , He Weilei , Lin Shasha , He Jincai
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Studies have shown that high levels of the fibrinogen (FIB) are related to cognitive deficits. However, the relationship between fibrinogen and cognitive deficit after stroke remains unclear. Therefore, we explored the relationship between plasma fibrinogen and post‐stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).

Methods

This study is carried out in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 210 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. Ultimately, 134 patients completed 3‐month follow‐up. Blood samples were collected at hospital admission. Cognitive function was evaluated 3 months after stroke. All patients underwent the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) after 3 months.

Results

Higher levels of fibrinogen were observed in patients with post‐stroke cognitive impairment compared with the non‐PSCI group (p < .001). Additionally, elevated plasma fibrinogen levels were independently associated with PSCI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.000, 95% CI 1.062–3.770 p = .032). The plasma fibrinogen levels were negatively correlated with the 3‐month MMSE scores (r = −.171, p = .048). In a multivariate linear regression, FIB was negatively associated with the 3‐month MMSE scores after adjustment for the other variables (β = −0.782, p = .035).

Conclusion

High levels of plasma fibrinogen were associated with the presence and severity of PSCI.
Managerial perspectives on drivers for and barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementation: Evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Sajjad Aymen , Eweje Gabriel , Tappin David
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive or prevent companies' implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. To this end, we interviewed 29 senior managers from 23 New Zealand‐based companies. The key reported drivers were customer expectation, top management commitment, moral and ethical values of managers, reputation management, and economic and operational benefits. Conversely, cost concerns, strategic and structural restraints, supplier and customer issues, and a lack of effective regulations were cited as critical obstacles to SSCM implementation. Thus, the evidence from our findings provides support for both instrumental and normative logics for SSCM implementation. The findings further indicate that, in general, instrumental and normative logics are congruent; however, varied tensions arise when managers seek to simultaneously address competing yet desirable SSCM aspects. Accordingly, we argue that it is imperative to understand, work through, and manage such tensions as balancing divergent sustainability aspects holds considerable potential for successful SSCM implementation.
Does marital status impact postoperative survival in patients with less differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma? A population‐based study
Authors: Yan Bing , Bai Dou‐Sheng , Qian Jian‐Jun , Zhang Chi , Jin Sheng‐Jie , Jiang Guo‐Qing
Published: September 2019

Background

Marital status has long been widely recognized as a determinant of cancer survival. However, only few analytical studies have been conducted on this issue considering heterogeneous factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of marital status on postoperative survival of patients with less differentiated (poor/anaplastic) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1581 postoperative patients diagnosed with poor/anaplastic HCC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2015. Patients were classified into married, never married, divorced/separated and widowed groups. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the effects of marital status on HCC cause‐specific survival (HCSS).

Results

Compared with married patients, there were no significant differences in HCSS for unmarried, never married, divorced/separated and widowed patients both in univariate (5‐year HCSS: 36.0% vs 36.3%, 36.0% vs 32.4%, 36.0% vs 40.2%, 36.0% vs 36.3%, respectively, all P > .05) and multivariate analysis (all P > .05). Furthermore, in stratified analyses according to sex, age, and tumor size, compared with married patients, there were also no significant differences for never married, divorced/separated, and widowed patients both in univariate (all P > .05) and multivariate analysis (all P > .05).

Conclusions

For patients with poor/anaplastic differentiated HCC treated with surgical resection, marital status has no prognostic role in survival.
Restoration of endodontically treated cracked maxillary teeth: A case series
Authors: Mahgoli Hossein Ali , Arshad Mahnaz , Rasouli Kamran
Published: September 2019

Cracks adversely affect the prognosis and survival of the teeth. Thus, the possibility of presence of crack should be considered after endodontic treatment and before the initiation of periodontal/prosthetic treatments. Attempts must be made to restore cracked teeth with efficient restorative materials to increase their survival and prevent additional costs.
Donut Assembly of Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Efficiency for Hydrogen Gas Generation from Ammonia Borane
Authors: Yu Jianyi , Li Guangwen , Liu Haijian , Li Zongzhe , Liu Yuzhou
Published: September 2019

Polymer‐supported transition metal nano particles usually exhibited low catalytic efficiency due to the long diffusion length for the reactants to reach the catalytic center. Herein, we used cyclic polymers to construct donut‐like assembly with two cyclic macromolecules sandwiching a layer of metal NPs. Doping Rh into the nano particles led to extremely active catalysts for ammonia borane decomposition with a high TOF of 780 min−1. We attributed the high efficiency to the reduced diffusion length in this special assembly. Light‐promoted effect was also demonstrated with TOF further elevated to 980 min−1. The modular nature of this design also permitted subsequent structural modification to achieve high stability with TON reaching over 2×106.
Chirality as an Important Factor for the Development of New Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Abram Michał , Jakubiec Marcin , Kamiński Krzysztof
Published: September 2019

In recent years, chiral molecules (especially enantiomers) have occupied a significant place in pharmaceutical industry and have played a prominent role in the development of new drugs. Individual stereoisomers exhibit marked differences in pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties. Therefore, there is currently considerable interest in fully characterizing and examining both enantiomers in the early stages of new drug development. Despite the fact that epilepsy is a complex disease and that a given drug's mechanism of action may be multidirectional and not always fully understood, significant differences have been observed in the anticonvulsant activity of individual stereoisomers. Therefore, between 1996 and 2018, among 14 new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) approved for the treatment of epilepsy, as many as seven are chiral and introduced to the market in the single‐enantiomer (or diastereomer) form. This review provides an overview of the impact of chirality on the development and discovery of new AEDs that have entered into clinical trials or preclinical studies. These new AEDs were developed by applying the single‐enantiomer approval strategy. Herein we focus our attention on the main synthetic pathways of stereoisomers, as well as on the influence of chirality on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and/or toxicological properties.
“Act thin, stay thin”: Commercialization, behavior modification, and group weight control
Authors: Parr Jessica
Published: September 2019

In 1968, Weight Watchers International introduced behavior modification practices to their established commercial program. At the time, the addition of behavioral psychology gave Weight Watchers a distinct advantage over the many competing weight control groups in postwar America. The process of combining group therapy with a controlled diet plan, behavior techniques and later, exercise, has significantly influenced American popular culture. This article considers how the commercialization of group weight control impacted the development and dissemination of a new multidimensional approach for weight management and how this has shaped popular ideas associated with dieting and wider understandings of healthy living.
Export Diversification and CO2 Emissions: An Augmented Environmental Kuznets Curve
Authors: Mania Elodie
Published: September 2019

The mitigation of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been the objective of successive negotiations and agreements between nations. At the same time, there is a consensus on the virtues of export diversification for the development of less advanced countries. This article investigates the effect of export diversification on CO2 emissions in the context of an environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in 98 developed and developing countries during the period 1995–2013. Using short‐run (system Generalized Method of Moments) and long‐run (Pooled Mean Group) estimation methods, we find that the environmental Kuznets curve is valid and that export diversification has a positive effect on CO2 emissions. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the potential of additive manufacturing for the provision of spare parts
Authors: Heinen J. Jakob , Hoberg Kai
Published: September 2019

Spare parts are a particularly interesting application for switching production from traditional manufacturing (TM) to additive manufacturing (AM). Research assessing AM has primarily addressed cost models centering on the production process or the operations management of separate spare parts. By combining case study, modeling, and design science elements, we adopt a holistic perspective and develop a design to examine the systematic leverage of AM in spare parts operations. Contextually grounded in problems faced by a leading material handling equipment manufacturer that is challenged by common characteristics of after‐sales operations, we engage with practice to propose a portfolio level analysis examining the switchover share from TM to AM. Using a data set of 53,457 spare parts over 9 years, we find that up to 8% of stock keeping units (SKUs) and 2% of total units supplied could be produced using AM, even if unit production costs are four times those of TM. This result is driven by low demand, high fixed costs, and minimum order quantities in TM. Finally, we present the evaluation by the case company's management and highlight five areas of opportunity and challenge.
Raman and infrared spectroscopic perspectives of lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 4884
Authors: Cao Haijun , Chen Jian , Fu Xiaohui , Ling Zongcheng
Published: September 2019

We conducted comprehensive Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies on the whole rock and lithic clasts of Northwest Africa (NWA) 4884 to constrain its igneous mineralogy and metamorphic characteristics. NWA 4884 is composed of mostly clinopyroxene (25.8 vol.%), pigeonite (16.6 vol.%), plagioclase (26.6 vol.%), maskelynite (8.1 vol.%), olivine (20.7 vol.%), minor tridymite (1.0 vol.%), quartz (0.2 vol.%), and ilmenite (0.5 vol.%). Lithic clasts contain mafic rocks including plutonic ultramafic cumulate, olivine gabbro, mare basalt, and feldspathic rocks including noritic anorthosite and impact melt breccia. Raman and FTIR spectroscopic analyses are combined to investigate the shock history of this breccia and revealed that NWA 4884 is highly shocked (17.9–48.1 GPa recorded in plagioclase). The combination of bulk composition and remote sensing data provides possible source regions of NWA 4884: the southern Lacus Veris (20.5°S, 84.5°W) within Orientale basin and the western mare unit (45.3°N, 151.3°E) of Campbell Crater. The pairing relationship among NWA 4884, Yamato 793274, Queen Alexandra Range 94281, and NWA 7611 is supported by their petrographic, mineral, and compositional similarities. Our work demonstrates the potential of Raman and FTIR spectroscopies to shed light on igneous petrology and the bombardment history of the Moon.
Response and driving factors of soil microbial diversity related to global nitrogen addition
Authors: Yang Yang , Cheng Huan , Gao Han , An Shaoshan
Published: September 2019

It is increasingly evident that soil microorganisms play a substantial role in ecosystem processes, which occupy a large part of genetic diversity in terrestrial ecosystems. During the past decades, nitrogen (N) addition induced by human has been regarded as the main driver of global changes to soil microecological processes. Although growing studies demonstrated the loss of biodiversity due to N addition in regional scale, the role of global N addition on soil microbial diversity is lacking. Here, we sought to illuminate the impacts and driving factors of soil microbial diversity in relation to global N addition using a meta‐analysis from 1,078 paired observations in 212 studies. We found a negative influence of global N addition on soil microbial diversity, and the reduction of soil microbial diversity was determined by land use types, N fertility types, methods, N addition rates, and duration. In fact, there was a linear decrease of soil microbial diversity along the latitudinal gradient, and N addition‐induced acidification was the predominant contributor to the reduction of soil microbial diversity. Both of soil properties (pH, soil organic carbon, soil total N, and soil microbial biomass C) and climatic factors (mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation) determined soil microbial diversity under global N addition. It was noted that soil fungal diversity was more adaptable to acidic environments, whereas soil bacterial diversity was more adaptable to neutral environment. Most importantly, soil fungal diversity was more sensitive than soil bacterial diversity under global N addition. Our meta‐analysis provides a new insight in understanding the key role of global N addition in shaping soil microbial diversity. Thereby, we recommend that future research should be focused on the soil microbial processes using manipulative controlled experiments, which identify the available measures to reduce the loss of soil microbial diversity globally.
The future of academic publishing: Revolution or evolution revisited
Authors: Dodds Francis
Published: September 2019

This article presents an analysis of key trends affecting the academic publishing industry. It reviews funding and sales, scholarly collaboration networks, developments in OA, and monograph publishing. These key areas were identified in an earlier article that asked whether academic publishing was evolving or going through a revolution. The review of funding and sales presented here shows a mixed market with growth being challenged as library funds and purchase choices affect expenditure. Scholarly collaboration networks were previously identified as a major threat to traditional publishing, and a review of this area demonstrates that greater sharing of content is empowering librarians and academics to take a stronger stand in publisher negotiations. OA continues to be debated, and a review of responses to Plan S (the most coordinated policy to date) demonstrates conflicting views within academia, funders, and publishers. OA has yet to revolutionize the existing business models. Similarly, monograph publishing remains slow to evolve, although there are increasing initiatives to adopt more open, and online, models. The conclusion of this review is that libraries are likely to be the key promoters of change in the publishing environment and are more influential than other players in forcing evolution.
Phil Baran hält Inhoffen‐Vorlesung
Authors: Werz Daniel B.
Published: September 2019

TU Braunschweig und Helmholtz‐Zentrum für Infektionsforschung haben Phil Baran im Rahmen der Inhoffen‐Vorlesung am 12. April die Inhoffen‐Medaille verliehen. Diese Auszeichnung für Naturstoffchemie gilt als die bedeutendste Auszeichnung dieser Disziplin im deutschsprachigen Raum. Sie wurde zum 25. Mal in Braunschweig vergeben.
Humboldts Kosmos
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: September 2019

„Alles ist Wechselwirkung“ schrieb Alexander von Humboldt. Eine „physische Weltbeschreibung“ muss daher von detailgenauer Wahrnehmung ausgehen, um „die Natur als durch innere Kräfte bewegtes und belebtes Ganzes zu erfassen“. Sein Kosmos ist ein literarisches „Naturgemälde“, das erzählt, wie alles miteinander zusammenhängt.
Mapping Relative Differences in Human Salivary Gland Secretions by Dried Saliva Spot Sampling and nanoLC–MS/MS
Authors: Schulte Fabian , Hasturk Hatice , Hardt Markus
Published: September 2019

Dried saliva spot sampling is a minimally invasive technique for the spatial mapping of salivary protein distribution in the oral cavity. In conjunction with untargeted nano‐flow liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC–MS/MS) analysis, DSS is used to compare the proteomes secreted by unstimulated parotid and submandibular/sublingual salivary glands. Two hundred and twenty proteins show a statistically significant association with parotid gland secretion, while 30 proteins are at least tenfold more abundant in the submandibular/sublingual glands. Protein identifications and label‐free quantifications are highly reproducible across the paired glands on three consecutive days, enabling to establish the core proteome of glandular secretions categorized into eight salivary protein groups according to their biological functions. The data suggest that the relative contributions of the salivary glands fine‐tune the biological activity of human saliva via medium‐abundant proteins. A number of biomarker candidates for Sjögren's syndrome are observed among the gland‐specifically expressed proteins, which indicates that glandular origin is an important factor to consider in salivary biomarker discovery.
SIMS of organic layers with unknown matrix parameters: Locating the interface in dual beam argon gas cluster depth profiles
Authors: Havelund Rasmus , Seah Martin P. , Gilmore Ian S.
Published: September 2019

Four simple methods are evaluated to determine their accuracies for establishing the interface location in secondary ion mass spectrometry intensity depth profiles of organic layers where matrix effects have not been measured. Accurate location requires the separate measurement of each ion's matrix factor. This is often not possible, and so estimates using matrix‐less methods are required. Six pure organic material interfaces are measured using many secondary ions to compare their locations from the four methods with those from full evaluation with matrix terms. For different secondary ions, matrix effects cause the apparent interface positions to vary over 20 nm. The shifts in the intensity profiles on going from a layer of P into a layer of Q are in the opposite direction to that for going from Q into P, so doubling layer thickness errors. The four methods are as follows: M1, use of the median interface position in the intensity profiles for the five lightest ions for 15 ≤ m/z ≤ 150; M2, extrapolation of the position for each ion to m/z = 0 for ions with m/z ≤ 150; M3, as M2 but for m/z ≤ 300; and M4, the extreme positions for all m/z ≤ 100. Comparison with the location using matrix terms shows their ranking, from best to worst, to be M4, M3, M1, and M2 with average errors of 10%, 12%, 14%, and 17%, respectively, of the profile interface full widths at half maximum. Use of pseudo‐molecular ions is very much poorer, exceeding 50%, and should be avoided.
Theoretical Study on Energetic Derivatives Based on 3,7‐Bis(Alkenyl)‐2,4,6,8‐Tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]Octane
Authors: Xiao Menghui , Jin Xinghui , Zhou Jianhua , Zhou Guowei , Hu Bingcheng
Published: September 2019

Density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐311G (d,p) level was employed to investigate the physicochemical properties of the 3,7‐bis(alkenyl)‐2,4,6,8‐tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane based energetic materials. Their frontier molecular orbital energy gaps, heats of formation, detonation properties and thermal stabilities were calculated. The results show that the frontier molecular orbital energy gaps were from 3.56 eV (A2) to 5.43 eV (C3); the heats of formation were from −154.8 (A5) to 3007.2 kJ mol−1 (C2); the detonation velocities were from 5.22 (A1) to 8.90 km s−1 (A5) while the detonation pressures were from 10.8 (A1) to 36.4 GPa (A5). In view of the bond dissociation energies, the data were found to be from 8.9 (A4) to 321.8 kJ mol−1 (A1). Take both of detonation properties and bond dissociation energies into consideration, compounds A5 and C5 were finally selected as candidates for high energy density materials since they have excellent detonation properties and acceptable thermal stabilities.
Tensile characterization of multi‐ply fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix strengthening systems
Authors: Younis Adel , Ebead Usama , Shrestha Kshitij
Published: September 2019

Fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) is a composite consisted of high‐strength fibers impregnated in a cement‐based mortar, and is commonly used for strengthening reinforced concrete and masonry structures. Comprehending the tensile behavior of FRCM is important to achieve a reliable and accurate design of FRCM strengthening systems. The current paper reports on the results of an experimental study on the tensile characterization of FRCM. A total of 40 FRCM specimens (410 × 50 mm, varied in thickness) were prepared and tested. The tensile characterization tests were conducted according to AC 434 guidelines using clevis‐grip mechanism. The tests were used to assess the effect of two parameters: (a) fabric type (carbon/glass) and (b) number of fabric plies (one/two/three/four). The results showed that the tensile strength of carbon‐FRCM specimens was approximately 1.33 times that of the glass‐FRCM counterparts. Three distinct failure modes were observed, namely, (a) ductile fabric slippage in carbon‐FRCM (up to three plies of fabric); (b) brittle fabric delamination in carbon‐FRCM with four plies of fabric; and (c) brittle fabric rupture in glass‐FRCM systems. The FRCM tensile load‐carrying capacity had proportionally increased with the number of fabric plies; less significant effect (within 20%) was observed on the corresponding ultimate tensile stresses (considering the net fabric area as the effective area).
How host organizations prepare for and learn from expatriate assignments
Authors: Fee Anthony , Michailova Snejina
Published: September 2019

This article reveals what goes on inside host organizations prior to and during expatriate assignments. On the basis of analyzing organizational documents and conducting 43 interviews with host country nationals (HCNs) and expatriates in 30 Vietnamese organizations that host external foreign assignments, we provide a detailed account of HCNs' experiences and unearth sophisticated preparation and management activities designed to maximize these organizations' learning. We depict what we call “a host organization lifecycle” and extract five lessons: (a) host organizations prepare carefully in advance to learn as much as possible from expatriates; (b) HCNs experience quite dramatic adjustments and burdens during expatriates' placements; (c) mutual trust between expatriates and HCNs is a prerequisite for HCNs' learning; (d) most of HCNs' learning occurs informally via interactions with expatriates or observing how they work; (e) host organization managers actively manage HCN–expatriate relationships. Our findings outline a “wish list” of practices that expatriate‐using organizations could consider deploying for expatriate assignments that focus on the benefit of the host organization' development.
The Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics of Sildenafil after Single Administration of a Sublingual Testosterone and Oral Sildenafil Combination Tablet in Healthy Female Subjects
Authors: Bloemers Jos , Gerritsen Jeroen , van Rooij Kim , de Leede Leo , van der Geest Ronald , Frijlink Henderik W. , Koppeschaar Hans P.F. , Olivier Berend , Tuiten Adriaan
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) affects many women worldwide, but pharmacological treatment options are scarce. A new medicine being developed for FSIAD is an on-demand, dual-route, dual-release drug combination product containing 0.5 mg testosterone (T) and 50 mg sildenafil (S), referred to here as T+S.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a fed and a fasted state on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil following administration of T+S.

Methods

Eighteen healthy women were administered T+S under fed and fasted conditions during 2 separate overnight visits in this randomized, open-label, balanced, 2-period, 2-treatment, 2-sequence crossover study.

Main Outcome Measures

The pharmacokinetics of sildenafil and its active metabolite N-desmethyl sildenafil were determined over a 24-hour period. Total testosterone was assessed only at a limited number of time points for quality purposes, as sublingual uptake is not expected to be affected by food intake.

Results

The observed geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals of sildenafil were not all contained within the prespecified bounds (0.80, 1.25). The GMR (90% CI) for plasma AUC0–last was 1.2753 (0.9706–1.6755); for AUC0–14h, it was 1.7521 (1.0819–2.8374); and for C  max, it was 1.5591 (0.8634–2.8153). Only lower limits of the CIs fell within the bounds. For N-desmethyl sildenafil, the GMR (90% CI) for AUC0–last was 0.8437 (0.6738–1.0564); for AUC0–10h, it was 1.0847 (0.7648–1.5383); and for C  max, it was 1.0083 (0.6638–1.5318). Only the GMRs were contained within bounds. No differences were observed between plasma testosterone C  max and T  max under fed and fasted conditions, which is in line with expectations for a sublingual administration.

Clinical Implications

The T+S combination tablet ruptures too late when taken in a fasted state and should therefore not be taken on an empty stomach.

Strengths & Limitations

This is a well-controlled study that provides important insights into the performance characteristics of the delayed-release coating of the combination tablet. The higher variability of the pharmacokinetic parameters in the fasted state was caused by severely delayed rupture in one-third of the women. A reason for this is proposed but the present data do not explain this phenomenon.

Conclusion

The pharmacokinetics of sildenafil from this modified-release tablet are more robust under fed conditions as compared to the artificial fasted condition where no food is consumed 10 hours prior to and 4 hours after dosing. The dosing situation under the tested fasting condition does not represent the expected common use of this product. Patients should, however, be instructed not to take the tablet on an empty stomach.
Great Lakes Copper and Shared Mortuary Practices on the Atlantic Coast: Implications for Long-Distance Exchange during the Late Archaic
Authors: Sanger Matthew C. , Padgett Brian D. , Larsen Clark Spencer , Hill Mark , Lattanzi Gregory D. , Colaninno Carol E. , Culleton Brendan J. , Kennett Douglas J. , Napolitano Matthew F. , Lacombe Sébastien , Speakman Robert J. , Thomas David Hurst
Published: September 2019

Analysis of human remains and a copper band found in the center of a Late Archaic (ca. 5000–3000 cal BP) shell ring demonstrate an exchange network between the Great Lakes and the coastal southeast United States. Similarities in mortuary practices suggest that the movement of objects between these two regions was more direct and unmediated than archaeologists previously assumed based on “down-the-line” models of exchange. These findings challenge prevalent notions that view preagricultural Native American communities as relatively isolated from one another and suggest instead that wide social networks spanned much of North America thousands of years before the advent of domestication.
Attitudes of Medical Students Toward Volunteering in Emergency Situations
Authors: Gouda Pishoy , Kirk Aoife , Sweeney Anne-Marie , O’Donovan Diarmuid
Published: September 2019

Objective:

With the rising incidence of health care emergencies, there has been a considerable burden placed on health care systems worldwide. We aimed to determine the willingness and capacity of medical students in Ireland to volunteer during health care emergencies.

Methods:

An online, cross-sectional survey of medical students at the National University of Ireland was conducted in 2015.

Results:

Respondents totaling 274 completed the survey (response rate – 30.1%). Of participants, 69.0% were willing to volunteer in the event of a natural disaster and 59.1% in an event of an infectious epidemic, with altruism being the strongest motivational factor. Only a minority of students (23.7%) felt their current skill level would be useful in an emergency setting.

Conclusions:

Medical students express a strong interest in actively participating during health care emergencies.
‘Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus genotypes in northern Greece in the last decade: descriptive analysis and clinical correlations’
Authors: Gioula G. , Sinakos E. , Gigi E. , Goulis I. , Vasiliadis T. , Minti F. , Akriviadis E.
Published: September 2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major public health problem, while the identification of a HCV genotype is clinically very important for therapy prescription. The aim of the present study was to determine the HCV genotype distribution patients from northern Greece with HCV RNA positive viral load and to identify whether there is a shift in this distribution, during 2009–2017. The study was performed on 915 HCV positive patients and according to the results, genotype 3 was the most prevalent genotype (Ν = 395, 43.2%) followed by genotype 1 (Ν = 361, 39.5%). Regarding the gender of the patients, genotype 1 was mostly detected in women. Moreover, genotype 1 was associated with higher viral loads, while genotype 3 was most frequently detected in patients with a history of intravenous drug use. In conclusion, our results show that genotype 3 is the most prevalent genotype in Greece during the last decade as opposed to older epidemiological studies, likely due to intravenous drug use becoming the major source of infection.
Impact of FDA black box warning on fluoroquinolone and alternative antibiotic use in southeastern US hospitals
Authors: Yarrington Michael E. , Anderson Deverick J. , Dodds Ashley Elizabeth , Jones Travis , Davis Angelina , Johnson Melissa , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Sexton Daniel J. , Moehring Rebekah W.
Published: September 2019

We analyzed antibiotic use data from 29 southeastern US hospitals over a 5-year period to determine changes in antibiotic use after the fluoroquinolone US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory update in 2016. Fluoroquinolone use declined both before and after the FDA announcement, and the use of select, alternative antibiotics increased after the announcement.

Fluoroquinolones are among the 4 most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes.1,2 Postmarketing reports of serious adverse events linked to fluoroquinolones include tendonitis, neuropathy, hypoglycemia, psychiatric side effects, and possible aortic vessel rupture, leading to safety label changes in July 2008 and August 2013.3 In July 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthened the “black box” warning following an initial safety announcement in May 2016, recommending avoidance of fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated infections such as acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and acute bacterial sinusitis.4 Concerns over safety and the association with Clostridiodes difficile infection have led inpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) to develop initiatives to promote avoidance of quinolones. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of the 2016 FDA “black box” update on inpatient antibiotic use among a cohort of southeastern US hospitals.
The Life and Afterlife of a Western Han “Covered Mirror” from the Tomb of Marquis of Haihun (59 BCE)
Authors: Guo Jue
Published: September 2019

This article provides a contextual analysis of an enigmatic object—dubbed the “Confucius Dressing Mirror” (Kongziyijing孔子衣鏡)—recently unearthed from the tomb of Liu He 劉賀 (Marquis of Haihun 海昏侯, d. 59 BCE) in 2015. I raise questions about the prevailing identification of this object as a “dressing mirror” and a “lived object,” used by Liu He for moral self-cultivation or political self-preservation in his volatile life as the deposed ninth emperor of Han. Instead, I treat the object as an assemblage and analyze its complete material composition and physical placement in Liu He's tomb in the broader context of funerary material culture and burial practice in early imperial China. I propose that the entombed object can be considered as a composite talisman to protect the deceased against baleful and harmful influences in the tomb and in his afterlife. Methodologically, this article stresses the importance of contextual analysis in shedding light on the traditional conceptual categories such as “lived object” (shengqi生器) and “funerary objects” (mingqi明器) in actual funerary ritual processes.
Analytical models of the wall-pressure spectrum under a turbulent boundary layer with adverse pressure gradient
Authors: Grasso G. , Jaiswal P. , Wu H. , Moreau S. , Roger M.
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a comprehensive analytical approach to the modelling of wall-pressure fluctuations under a turbulent boundary layer, unifying and expanding the analytical models that have been proposed over many decades. The Poisson equation governing pressure fluctuations is Fourier transformed in the wavenumber domain to obtain a modified Helmholtz equation, which is solved with a Green’s function technique. The source term of the differential equations is composed of turbulence–mean shear and turbulence–turbulence interaction terms, which are modelled separately within the hypothesis of a joint normal probability distribution of the turbulent field. The functional expression of the turbulence statistics is shown to be the most critical point for a correct representation of the wall-pressure spectrum. The effect of various assumptions on the shape of the longitudinal correlation function of turbulence is assessed in the first place with purely analytical considerations using an idealised flow model. Then, the effect of the hypothesis on the spectral distribution of boundary-layer turbulence on the resulting wall-pressure spectrum is compared with the results of direct numerical simulation computations and pressure measurements on a controlled-diffusion aerofoil. The boundary layer developing over the suction side of this aerofoil in test conditions is characterised by an adverse pressure gradient. The final part of the paper discusses the numerical aspect of wall-pressure spectrum computation. A Monte Carlo technique is used for a fast evaluation of the multi-dimensional integral formulation developed in the theoretical part.