bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic Oxygen Exchange Study to Unravel Noble Metal Oxide/Support Interactions: The Case of RuO2 and IrO2 Nanoparticles Supported on CeO2, TiO2 and YSZ
Authors: Hajar Yasmine M. , Boreave Antoinette , Caravaca Angel , Vernoux Philippe , Baranova Elena A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study is to unravel the mechanism of (noble metal oxide)/(active support) interactions for catalytic purposes. Hence, isotopic oxygen exchange (IOE) tests were performed on Iridium‐ and ruthenium‐based oxides supported on cerium oxide (CeO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), and yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ). IOE tests demonstrated the metal oxide support involvement in the propane oxidation reaction, with YSZ‐based catalysts showing the highest exchange rate of oxygen, while CeO2 and TiO2‐based catalysts had a less diffusion of lattice oxygen in that order. This is related to the presence of extrinsic oxygen vacancies in the YSZ‐based catalysts and the reduction ability of the CeO2 and TiO2 supports. Despite the limitations on oxygen exchange in some of the noble/metal oxide catalysts, their catalytic performance was comparable to the ones that showed a high oxygen exchange. Therefore, active supports results in a higher engagement of oxygen from the support but not in a linear correlation with the catalytic performance of the metal/support.
Aggregation‐Induced Synergism by Hydrophobic‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Oligonucleotides
Authors: Yang Peng , Peng Xin , Yang Ze‐zhou , Chai Ya‐qin , Yuan Ruo , Liang Wen‐bin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe evident contradiction between high local‐concentration‐based substrate reactivity and free‐diffusion‐based high reaction efficiency remains one of the important challenges in chemistry. Herein, we propose an efficient aggregation‐induced synergism through the hydrophobic‐driven self‐assembly of amphiphilic oligonucleotides to generate high local concentration whereas retaining high reaction efficiency through hydrophobic‐based aggregation, which is important for constructing efficient DNA nanomachines for ultrasensitive applications. MicroRNA‐155, used as a model, triggered strand displacement amplification of the DNA monomers on the periphery of the 3D DNA nanomachine and generated an amplified fluorescent response for its sensitive assay. The local concentration of substrates was increased by a factor of at least 9.0×105 through hydrophobic‐interaction‐based self‐assembly in comparison with the traditional homogeneous reaction system, achieving high local‐concentration‐based reactivity and free‐diffusion‐based enhanced reaction efficiency. As expected, the aggregation‐induced synergism by hydrophobic‐driven self‐assembly of amphiphilic oligonucleotides created excellent properties to generate a 3D DNA nanomachine with potential as an assay for microRNA‐155 in cells. Most importantly, this approach can be easily expanded for the bioassay of various biomarkers, such as nucleotides, proteins, and cells, offering a new avenue for simple and efficient applications in bioanalysis and clinical diagnosis.
Predicting visual similarity between colour palettes
Authors: Yang Jie , Chen Yun , Westland Stephen , Xiao Kaida 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis work is concerned with the prediction of visual colour difference between pairs of palettes. In this study, the palettes contained five colours arranged in a horizontal row. A total of 95 pairs of palettes were rated for visual difference by 20 participants. The colour difference between the palettes was predicted using two algorithms, each based on one of six colour‐difference formulae. The best performance (r2 = 0.86 and STRESS = 16.9) was obtained using the minimum colour‐difference algorithm (MICDM) using the CIEDE2000 equation with a lightness weighing of 2. There was some evidence that the order (or arrangement) of the colours in the palettes was a factor affecting the visual colour differences although the MICDM algorithm does not take order into account. Application of this algorithm is intended for digital design workflows where colour palettes are generated automatically using machine learning and for comparing palettes obtained from psychophysical studies to explore, for example, the effect of culture, age, or gender on colour associations.
Amplified locality‐sensitive hashing‐based recommender systems with privacy protection
Authors: Chi Xiaoxiao , Yan Chao , Wang Hao , Rafique Wajid , Qi Lianyong 
Published: February 2020

SummaryWith the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) age, the variety and volume of web services have been increasing at a fast speed. This often leads to users' selections for web services more complicated. Under the circumstance, a variety of methods such as collaborative filtering are adopted to deal with this challenging situation. While traditional collaborative filtering method has some shortcomings, one of which is that only centralized user‐service data are considered while distributed quality data from multiple platform are ignored. Generally, service recommendation across different platforms often involves data communication among multiple platforms, during which user privacy may be disclosed and much computational time is required. Considering these challenges, a unique amplified locality‐sensitive hashing (LSH)‐based service recommendation method, that is, SRAmplified‐LSH, is proposed in the article. SRAmplified‐LSH can guarantee a good balance between accuracy and efficiency of recommendation and user privacy information. Finally, extensive experiments deployed on WS‐DREAM dataset validate the feasibility of our proposed method.
Tuning the Electrochemical Properties of Organic Battery Cathode Materials: Insights from Evolutionary Algorithm DFT Calculations
Authors: Carvalho Rodrigo P. , Marchiori Cleber F. N. , Brandell Daniel , Araujo C. Moyses 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeveral forms of organic materials have arisen as promising candidates for future active electrode materials for Li‐ion and post‐Li‐ion batteries, owing to a series of key features that encompasses sustainability, accessibility, and tunable electrochemical properties by molecular modifications. In this context, a series of organic electrode materials (OEMs) are investigated to further understand their thermodynamic and electronic properties. Through an evolutionary algorithm approach combined with first‐principles calculations, the crystal structure of lithiated and delithiated phases of these OEMs and their respective NO2‐substituted analogues are predicted. This framework allows a first assessment of their electrochemical and electronic properties and further understanding on the effects of the nitro group in the substituted compounds. NO2 is found to strongly affect structural and thermodynamic aspects during the electrochemical reaction with the reducing equivalents (Li++e−), changing the OEM's character from a low‐potential anode to a high‐potential cathode by creating a localization of the additional electrons, thus resulting in a better‐defined redox‐active center and leading to a shift in the potential from 0.92 V to 2.66 V vs. Li/Li+.
Recycling of CO2 by Hydrogenation of Carbonate Derivatives to Methanol: Tuning Copper–Oxide Promotion Effects in Supported Catalysts
Authors: Kim Jonglack , Pfänder Norbert , Prieto Gonzalo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe selective hydrogenation of organic carbonates to methanol is a relevant transformation to realize flexible processes for the recycling of waste CO2 with renewable H2 mediated by condensed carbon dioxide surrogates. Oxide‐supported copper nanoparticles are promising solid catalysts for this selective hydrogenation. However, essential for their optimization is to rationalize the prominent impact of the oxide support on performance. Herein, the role of Lewis acid centers, exposed on the oxide support at the periphery of the Cu nanoparticles, was systematically assessed. For the hydrogenation of propylene carbonate, as a model cyclic carbonate, the conversion rate, the apparent activation energy, and the selectivity to methanol correlate with the Lewis acidity of the coordinatively unsaturated cationic sites exposed on the oxide support. Lewis sites of markedly low and high electron‐withdrawing character promote unselective decarbonylation and decarboxylation reaction pathways, respectively. Supports exposing Lewis sites of intermediate acidity maximize the selectivity to methanol while inhibiting acid‐catalyzed secondary reactions of the propanediol product, and thus enable its recovery in cyclic processes of CO2 hydrogenation mediated by condensed carbonate derivatives. These findings help rationalize metal–support promotion effects that determine the performance of supported metal nanoparticles in this and other selective hydrogenation reactions of significance in the context of sustainable chemistry.
Modeling ExB drift transport in conceptual slot divertor configurations
Authors: Meier E.T. , Covele B.M. , Guo H.Y. , Leonard A.W. , Thomas D.M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAt DIII‐D, a slot divertor concept, called small‐angle‐slot (SAS), is under development, aiming to enable detachment at relatively low plasma edge density. We report on simulations using the SOLPS‐ITER two‐dimensional edge code to examine the performance of conceptual “SAS 2” slot configurations. The focus of the analysis is on E × B drift effects on upstream density at detachment (UDD), with detachment marked by electron temperature Te ≤ 3 eV at the outer strike point (OSP). With toroidal field such that radial E × B drift carries particles from the OSP towards the private flux region (PFR), placing the OSP near the inner slot wall gives ≈20% lower UDD than having the OSP near the outer wall. The inner wall effectively traps the radial E × B drift flux, resulting in low Te and associated radial electric field in the PFR, and thus small losses from the slot to the inner target via poloidal E × B drift flux. With toroidal field reversed such that radial E × B drift is reversed, OSP placement near the inner wall gives ≈10% lower UDD than OSP placement near the outer wall. Although radial E × B flux is from the OSP towards the outer wall, this flux largely escapes the slot, raising the UDD. A change in the slot shaping is suggested with the goal of eliminating such E × B‐driven particle losses from the slot.
Prolonging lifetime for wireless rechargeable sensor networks through sleeping and charging scheduling
Authors: Wang Kun , Wang Lei , Lin Chi , Obaidat Mohammad S. , Alam Muhammad 
Published: February 2020

SummaryProlonging network lifetime is a fundamental requirement in wireless sensor network (WSN). Existing charging scheduling algorithms suffer from high node redundancy and energy consumption issues. In this paper, we study WSN charging problem from the perspectives of energy conservation combined with energy replenishment scheduling. Firstly, we detect the redundant nodes whose energy is wasted in the network functionality and develop a K‐covering redundant nodes sleeping scheduling algorithm (KRSS) for reducing energy. Secondly, we employed multiple wireless charging vehicles (WCVs) for energy replenishment and optimize the charging scheduling algorithm to prevent any exhaustion of nodes, and we proposed a distance and energy–oriented charging scheduling algorithm (DECS) with multiple WCVs. Simulation experiments are conducted to show the advantages of the proposed KRSS+DECS, confirming that our scheme is capable of removing redundant nodes, lowering node failures, and prolonging network lifetime.
An Internet and wireless networking‐based water pipes web application for fault reporting
Authors: Al‐Bayari Omar , Sadoun Balqies , Shatnawi Nawras 
Published: February 2020

SummaryWith the advancement of modern technologies such as smart cities, IoT, and e‐governments, people have to participate in their well‐being self‐governing and safe guard their key resources and critical infrastructures. To employ their efforts efficiently, many modern handy applications are created and solutions are proposed. Supported by the Ministry of Water, we designed and developed a free‐of‐charge web application (App.), easy to download from Google play store and operate using simple gadgets. Users can report water and sewage accidents fast and easy and at no cost. By merging Surveying and Geomatics Engineering with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with Wireless communication, networking technology, and systems, we are able to create a web application to report complaints of accidents directly to the right delegated call centers at the Water Authority using the Internet and a smart mobile phone (simple gadgets). This will automate the complaint process and cancel the old paper work system. Surveying and Geomatics Engineering are concerned with the creation of an accurate GIS to manage the Water Authority data and in the data uploading into Google Maps. The developed computer program (application) works in two ways: first, it connects users (customer or employee) to the water authority electronically, and second, it allows immediate checking about the location of the complaint, momentarily filling using the Authority coordinate system, immediate action delegation (repair) at the water authority, continuous follow up, and confirmation to the user about the case. It performs as well, the needed coordinate transformation to guarantee exact filing and locations. Several software tools and programming languages are used to achieve this work such as ArcGIS, Google earth, Google map, GIS cloud, and Java and C++. As a case study, we present the App. performance for a town “Al‐Fuheis, Jordan” using the Water Authority data for creating the needed Water pipes and Sewage (GIS). Moreover, we presented the performance and the efficiency of the App. even when using Goggle Maps data only without GIS data intervention and it proved to be satisfying as well. As a result. a web App. called “Water Pipes” for the Water Authority is posted on their web to allow users participation in the reporting and the follow up process to better conserve the very scarce water in the country. In addition, it automates the work at the Water Authority from filing to take action and repair electronically in no time.
Urine manipulation with liquid soap: A case report
Authors: Gmeiner Günter , Geisendorfer Thomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAmong the various strategies to enhance performance by the use of doping substances or methods, sample manipulation to cheat common detection strategies is prohibited by the World Antidoping Agency. Two cases of urine sample adulteration with surfactants are presented in this article, as well as an easy strategy for the detection of this sort of sample manipulation.
Influence of canopy openness, ungulate exclosure, and low‐intensity fire for improved oak regeneration in temperate Europe
Authors: Petersson Linda K. , Dey Daniel C. , Felton Annika M. , Gardiner Emile S. , Löf Magnus 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFailed oak regeneration is widely reported in temperate forests and has been linked in part to changed disturbance regimes and land‐use. We investigated if the North American fire–oak hypothesis could be applicable to temperate European oaks (Quercus robur,Quercus petraea) using a replicated field experiment with contrasting canopy openness, protection against ungulate browsing (fencing/no fencing), and low‐intensity surface fire (burn/no burn). Survival, relative height growth (RGRH), browsing damage on naturally regenerated oaks (≤300 cm tall), and changes in competing woody vegetation were monitored over three years. Greater light availability in canopy gaps increased oak RGRH(p = .034) and tended to increase survival (p = .092). There was also a trend that protection from browsing positively affected RGRH(p = .058) and survival (p = .059). Burning reduced survival (p < .001), nonetheless, survival rates were relatively high across treatment combinations at the end of the experiment (54%–92%). Most oaks receiving fire were top‐killed and survived by producing new sprouts; therefore, RGRHin burned plots became strongly negative the first year. Thereafter, RGRHwas greater in burned plots (p = .002). Burning altered the patterns of ungulate browsing frequency on oaks. Overall, browsing frequency was greater during winter; however, in recently burned plots summer browsing was prominent. Burning did not change relative density of oaks, but it had a clear effect on competing woody vegetation as it reduced the number of individuals (p < .001) and their heights (p < .001). Our results suggest that young, temperate European oaks may respond similarly to fire as their North American congeners. However, disturbance from a single low‐intensity fire may not be sufficient to ensure a persistent competitive advantage—multiple fires and canopy thinning to increase light availability may be needed. Further research investigating long‐term fire effects on oaks of various ages, species‐specific response of competitors and implications for biodiversity conservation is needed.
Whey Protein Isolate Coated Liposomes as Novel Carrier Systems for Astaxanthin
Authors: Pan Li , Zhang Xin , Fan Xiaozu , Li Hua , Xu Baocheng , Li Xueqin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this work, whey protein isolate (WPI)‐coated astaxanthin‐loaded liposomes are prepared by combining the fabrication of liposomes with the layer self‐assembly deposition technique. The physical properties of such composite carriers are evaluated by zeta potential, particle size, distribution, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology. WPI‐ coated astaxanthin‐loaded liposomes display homodisperse distribution and high encapsulation efficiency with a WPI coating layer surrounding the surface of conventional liposomes by the electrostatic interaction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis reveal that WPI interacts with the lipid bilayer via hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonding, which result in the successful coating. Based on experimental results of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, it is demonstrated that thermal stability of astaxanthin‐loaded liposomes benefits from the formation of surface modification of the WPI‐layer. In addition, the physical stability of WPI‐coated astaxanthin‐loaded liposomes under heating and light is significantly improved as compared with uncoated liposomes. This research might provide scientific guidance for the development of WPI‐coated liposomes as efficient carrier systems for bioactive substances in food and pharmaceutical industry.Practical Applications: To improve lipid membrane stability and to prevent the leakage of encapsulated astaxanthin, a novel carrier system based on WPI coated on the surface of liposomes is prepared through the layer self‐assembly deposition technique. This research suggests that WPI‐coated liposomes represent an effective and stable delivery system for astaxanthin. WPI‐coated liposomes could be developed as efficient carrier systems for bioactive compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Oxytocin modulates intrinsic neural activity in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Schneider Isabella , Schmitgen Mike M. , Boll Sabrina , Roth Corinna , Nees Frauke , Usai Katrin , Herpertz Sabine C. , Wolf Robert C. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundModulation of pain perception by oxytocin (OXT) has attracted increased scientific and clinical interest. Neural mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of intranasally applied OXT on intrinsic neural activity in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP).MethodsTwenty‐four male patients with cLBP and 23 healthy males were examined using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were scanned twice and received either intranasally applied OXT (24 international units) or placebo 40 min before scanning. The fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFF) was computed to investigate regionally specific effects of OXT on intrinsic neural activity. In addition a multivariate statistical data analysis strategy was employed to explore OXT‐effects on functional network strength.ResultsDifferential effects of OXT were observed in cLBP and healthy controls. FALFF decreased in left nucleus accumbens and right thalamus in cLBP and increased in right thalamus in healthy controls after OXT application compared to placebo. OXT also induced activity changes in bilateral thalamus, left caudate nucleus and right amygdala in cLBP. OXT was associated with increased medial frontal, parietal and occipital functional network strength, though this effect was not group‐specific. Regression analyses revealed significant associations between left nucleus accumbens, left caudate nucleus and right amygdala with pain‐specific psychometric scores in cLBP.ConclusionsThese data suggest OXT‐related modulation of regional activity and neural network strength in patients with cLBP and healthy controls. In patients, distinct regions of the pain matrix may be responsive to modulation by OXT.SignificanceOur data suggest significant oxytocin‐related modulation of intrinsic regional activity and neural network strength in patients with chronic low back pain and healthy controls. In patients, distinct regions of the pain matrix may be responsive to modulation by oxytocin. Therapeutic effects of oxytocin for improved pain treatment need to be further investigated.
A randomized, double‐blind, crossover, dose ranging study to determine the optimal dose of oral opioid to treat breakthrough pain for patients with advanced cancer already established on regular opioids
Authors: Currow David C. , Clark Katherine , Louw Sandra , Fazekas Belinda , Greene Aine , Sanderson Christine R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundPain in people with advanced cancer is prevalent. When a stable dose of opioids is established, people still experience episodic breakthrough pain for which dosing of an immediate release opioid is usually a proportion of the total daily dose.MethodsThis multi‐site, double blind, randomized trial tested three dose proportions (1/6, 1/8, 1/12 of total daily dose) in two blocks, each block with three dose proportions in random order (6 numbered bottles in total). When participants required opioid breakthrough doses and it was their first breakthrough dose for that study day, they took the next numbered bottle rather than their usual breakthrough dose. (Subsequent doses on that day reverted to their usual dose.)ResultsEighty‐five people were randomized in this study of whom 81 took at least one dose and 73 (90%) took at least block one (one of each dose proportion). No dose was found to be optimal at 30 min with approximately one‐third of participants showing maximal reduction with each dose proportion. Median time to pain relief was 120 min. There were no differences in harms: drowsiness, confusion, nausea or vomiting at 30, 60 or 120 min.ConclusionsThis adequately powered study did not show any difference with three dose proportions for reduction in pain intensity, time to pain relief, pain control on the subsequent day nor any difference in harms. From first principles, this suggests 1/12 the 24 hourly dose should be used as the lowest dose that delivers benefit. Future studies should include a placebo arm.SignificanceDespite the widespread use of immediate release morphine solution for breakthrough cancer pain, the ideal dose derived from background dose has not been determined in an adequately powered randomized, double‐blind, crossover, dose ranging study. This study tested three dose levels in people with advanced cancer. Given no differences in time to onset, level of analgesia achieved, nor side effects, the lowest dose tested (1/12th of the daily dose) should be used.