bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐Atom Iron Catalysts on Overhang‐Eave Carbon Cages for High‐Performance Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Hou Chun‐Chao , Zou Lianli , Sun Liming , Zhang Kexin , Liu Zheng , Li Yinwei , Li Caixia , Zou Ruqiang , Yu Jihong , Xu Qiang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSingle‐atom catalysts have drawn great attention, especially in electrocatalysis. However, most of previous works focus on the enhanced catalytic properties via improving metal loading. Engineering morphologies of catalysts to facilitate mass transport through catalyst layers, thus increasing the utilization of each active site, is regarded as an appealing way for enhanced performance. Herein, we design an overhang‐eave structure decorated with isolated single‐atom iron sites via a silica‐mediated MOF‐templated approach for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis. This catalyst demonstrates superior ORR performance in both alkaline and acidic electrolytes, comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalyst and superior to most precious‐metal‐free catalysts reported to date. This activity originates from its edge‐rich structure, having more three‐phase boundaries with enhanced mass transport of reactants to accessible single‐atom iron sites (increasing the utilization of active sites), which verifies the practicability of such a synthetic approach.
Automotive applications of thermoplastic vulcanizates
Authors: Bhattacharya Asit Baran , Chatterjee Tuhin , Naskar Kinsuk 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are special classes of thermoplastic elastomers, in which dynamic vulcanization of the rubber phase takes place during melt mixing with a semicrystalline thermoplastic matrix phase at elevated temperature. This review article focus on the different types of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) from various elastomer and thermoplastic blends that are suitable for the automotive applications purpose. A detailed study of the various TPVs based on polypropylene‐ethylene propylene diene rubber (PP‐EPDM) and polypropylene‐ethylene α‐olefin has been focused and their application in the automobile sector has been summarized. Most of the commercially available TPVs are PP‐EPDM based. Limited applications of that TPVs in high heat and oil resistant application purposes requires new generation of TPVs. High performance TPVs or super TPVs are new generation TPVs that exhibit high heat resistance as well as excellent oil resistance property suitable for automotive under‐the‐hood applications. Therefore TPVs based on XNBR‐PA12, HNBR‐PA12 and FKM‐PA6 system has also been explored in details in this study and the possibility of the use of those TPV system has been focused for the high temperature application purpose in the automobile sector where high and oil resistant application properties is the prime concern.
Transparent fiber wood composite materials containing long afterglow as lighting equipment
Authors: Li Qi , Qin Jiankun , Li Shuai , Zhao Xin , Hu Yingcheng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFunctional wood composites have been used in the field of optical lighting to alleviate power consumption. In this study, transparent fiber wood (TFW) composite and long afterglow transparent fiber wood (LATFW) composite were prepared by using wood powders with different mesh numbers as raw materials, and then blending with epoxy resin and long afterglow materials (SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+). By analyzing the material's fluorescence intensity, transmittance, stretch, and other performance, it is revealed that the performance of the materials varies from the number of wood powders mesh number. The comprehensive analysis showed that the TFW prepared by 100–120 mesh wood powders had excellent performance, with transmittance up to 62%, tensile strength 32.06 MPa, and tensile modulus 963.25 MPa. The TFW with wood powders of different mesh number results in materials with different transmittance, thus providing a straightforward way to produce materials with specific light transmittance properties. In addition, LATFW with afterglow time up to 1.5h(3h after irradiation) can be used as lighting equipment such as safety signs.
Effect of generation number on properties of fluoroalkyl‐terminated hyperbranched polyurethane latexs and its films
Authors: Xu Wei , Wang Wen , Hao Lifen , Zhao Weijia , Liu Hongna , Wang Xuechuan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe 1–3 generations of hyperbranched polyesters (HBPE‐1/2/3) were synthesized from trimethylolpropane (TMP) and 2,2‐dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) by “quasi‐one‐step method.” Then, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), polybutylene adipate (CMA‐1044), DMPA and 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) were utilized to prepare the urethane prepolymer (PU), which was reacted with HBPE to synthesize hyperbranched polyurethanes (HBPU). Finally, 1–3 generations of fluoroalkyl‐end‐capped hyperbranched polyurethanes (FHBPU) latexes were obtained by the reaction of perfluorohexyl ethanol (S104) and HBPU as well as the self‐emulsification process. Structure of the products, the properties of different FHBPU emulsions and its films were investigated by FTIR,1H NMR, TEM, DLS, TGA, XPS, XRD, SEM, AFM and static contact angle measuring instrument. Results showed that the particle size of FHBPU latexes increased gradually with the increase of generation number. SEM and XRD results verified that an amount of the crystal particles was increased with the increase of generation number. XPS and AFM demonstrated that degree of microphase separation and film roughness was increased with the increase of branching degree. Static water contact angles could attain 95.9°, 100.3°, and 107.0°, respectively on the 1–3 generations of FHBPU films, compared to that on PU (75.1°).
Analysis of stabilization for nonlinear control systems with logarithmic quantized signals
Authors: He Yan , Sun Xi‐Ming , Peng Kai 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe paper is concerned with the problem of input feedback stabilization for nonlinear control systems with logarithmic quantized signals. First of all, the above‐mentioned system is converted into a hybrid control system, and a relation is given between the solutions of the two systems. Then, by using a Lyapunov function approach, a sufficient condition is proposed to ensure that the hybrid system is uniformly globally pre‐asymptotically stable (UGpAS). A crucial step is to find an appropriate Lyapunov function for the system which verifies its stability in the sense of the hybrid framework. Furthermore, a bound of the quantization density is given to guarantee the stability for the nonlinear feedback control systems with the logarithmic quantization. Finally, we give some examples to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed theorems and compare our results with the existing results.
Effects of urbanization on extreme rainfall in an arid/semiarid region
Authors: Li Jialun , Mahalov Alex , Hyde Peter 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this study, an extreme rainfall event that occurred mainly on October 2, 2018, in the Phoenix metropolitan area, southwestern United States, is simulated with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, version 4.0, with multiple microphysics and boundary layer schemes. Paired simulations are conducted by running the model first using a realistic land cover and land‐use dataset (URB run), and second, by replacing the urban land cover with open shrubland cover (called NOURB run). The model simulations are first evaluated against radar Stage IV (hereafter Stage IV) data and multiple radar and multiple sensors (MRMS) rainfall to validate the structure, amplitude, and location (SAL) of the rainfall field for both URB runs and NOURB runs. These evaluation results indicate that the model performance varies considerably depending on the physics schemes employed. Based on SAL values, the average of model simulations captures the main features (values of S, A, and L are less than 0.1) both for URB runs and for NOURB runs. Comparisons of hourly rainfall rates show that modeled rainfall maximums occurred about 1 hr earlier than both Stage IV and MRMS data over the Phoenix metro area, while the maximum rainfall amounts from the model are close to MRMS data but lower than Stage IV data. The differences of rainfall and other meteorological variables between URB runs and NOURB runs are analyzed. The differences of rainfall between URB and NOURB vary depending on the physics scheme employed. Our study also indicates that urbanization‐induced rainfall changes are small within the urban area but are significant at some locations outside of it; an explanation for this pattern needs further investigation. This result implies that using a single physics scheme to address the effects of urbanization on extreme rainfall events may result in inappropriate conclusions.
Insulin‐Like Growth Factor and Insulin‐Like Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Human Idiopathic Autism Fusiform Gyrus Tissue
Authors: Cioana Milena , Michalski Bernadeta , Fahnestock Margaret 
Published: March 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is believed to stem from defects in the establishment and maintenance of functional neuronal networks due to synaptic/spine dysfunction. The potent effects of IGF‐1 on synaptic function, maintenance, and plasticity make it a potential target for treating ASD. This polypeptide hormone has proven to have beneficial effects in treating related developmental disorders like Rett syndrome, and its efficacy in ASD is currently being investigated in a pilot study. IGF‐1 binds to its receptor (IGF‐1R) in neurons and activates mitogen‐activated protein kinase and PI3K/Akt signaling to produce biological effects on spine function. The PI3K/Akt pathway is dysregulated in ASD, including idiopathic autism, and is thus believed to play a role in the disorder. Despite this, no study has explored the levels of IGF‐1 in the fusiform gyrus of idiopathic autism patients, an area known to be hypoactivated in ASD, and no study has examined IGF‐1R in any part of the brain. The present study explored whether IGF‐1 or IGF‐1R levels are altered in human idiopathic autism. RNA and protein were extracted from post‐mortem human fusiform gyrus tissue of normal controls (n = 20) and subjects with idiopathic autism (n = 15). qRT‐PCR for IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R were performed, along with total IGF‐1 ELISA and IGF‐1Rβ Western blots. The levels of both IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R mRNA and protein were equivalent between the two groups, suggesting that although IGF‐1 may be useful for ASD treatment, IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R are not implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic autism. Autism Res 2020, 13: 897‐907. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryIGF‐1 is being tested for the treatment of autism and related disorders. Despite promising results, it is unknown if IGF‐1 or its receptor are present in abnormal levels in patients with autism. This study showed that patients with autism have normal levels of IGF‐1 and its receptor in the brain, suggesting that although IGF‐1 is a promising treatment, disruption of IGF‐1 levels or signaling through its receptor does not seem to be a cause of autism.
Maternal diet as a risk factor for primary congenital glaucoma and defects of the anterior segment of the eye in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Authors: Moore Kristin J. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Forestieri Nina E. , Desrosiers Tania A. , Meyer Robert E. , Freedman Sharon F. , North Kari E. , Olshan Andrew F. ,   The National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: March 2020

AbstractPrimary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and anterior segment defects (ASDs) are rare ocular malformations diagnosed early in life which can cause blindness. Pathogenic variants in several genes have been linked to these conditions, but little is known about nongenetic risk factors. We investigated the association between maternal nutrition and PCG and ASDs in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a large population‐based, multicenter case–control study of major birth defects in the United States. Mothers of cases (n = 152) and control infants without a birth defect (n = 9,178) completed an interview which included a food frequency questionnaire capturing usual dietary intake in the year before pregnancy. Maternal nutrition was assessed through individual nutrient intake, calculating a Diet Quality Index for Pregnancy (DQI‐P) score for each mother, and using latent class analysis to empirically derive four dietary patterns. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression. The results for individual nutrients varied, with some having an inverse or U‐shaped pattern of association with increasing intake. The DQI‐P was not associated with risk of PCG and ASDs (aOR 0.91; CI 0.49–1.66, highest vs. lowest quartile). The dietary pattern analysis suggested lower odds among women with a Prudent and Mexican dietary pattern (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.52–1.29; aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.36–1.78, respectively) compared to those with a Western dietary pattern. We found that higher intake of some nutrients and certain dietary patterns may be inversely associated with PCG and ASDs, though caution is urged due to imprecision of estimates.
Online preconcentration by electrokinetic supercharging for sensitive determination of berberine and jatrorrhizine in biological samples
Authors: Chu Chu , Lian Linmin , Liu Caijing , Li Jing , Mao Hui , Jiang Luyi , Yan Jizhong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractElectrokinetic supercharging, a convenient and powerful online preconcentration technique in capillary electrophoresis, was introduced and evaluated for the determination of two alkaloids, berberine and jatrorrhizine, in mice fecal samples for the first time. The method depended on using a bare fused silica capillary (50 cm × 50 μm i.d.) and applying the voltage of 25 kV with UV detection at 205 nm. Parameters that affect the separation and preconcentration efficiency have been optimized. The optimum conditions used were as follows: background electrolyte consisting of 40mM sodium dihydrogenphosphate containing 30% methanol (v/v); hydrodynamic injection of 20mM KCl (50 mbar × 150 s) as the leading electrolyte; electrokinetic injection of the sample (+15 kV, 120 s) followed by the hydrodynamic injection of 30mM dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (50 mbar × 12 s) as the terminating electrolyte. The results showed that the detection sensitivity of berberine and jatrorrhizine was, respectively, improved up 2740‐ and 2928‐fold compared with normal injection, providing limits of detection lower than 3 ng/mL with good repeatability in areas (relative standard deviation < 3%). In summary, the developed method proved its ability in analyzing trace alkaloids in complicated biological samples.
Machine Learning techniques in breast cancer prognosis prediction: A primary evaluation
Authors: Boeri Carlo , Chiappa Corrado , Galli Federica , De Berardinis Valentina , Bardelli Laura , Carcano Giulio , Rovera Francesca 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMore than 750 000 women in Italy are surviving a diagnosis of breast cancer. A large body of literature tells us which characteristics impact the most on their prognosis. However, the prediction of each disease course and then the establishment of a therapeutic plan and follow‐up tailored to the patient is still very complicated. In order to address this issue, a multidisciplinary approach has become widely accepted, while the Multigene Signature Panels and the Nottingham Prognostic Index are still discussed options. The current technological resources permit to gather many data for each patient. Machine Learning (ML) allows us to draw on these data, to discover their mutual relations and to esteem the prognosis for the new instances. This study provides a primary evaluation of the application of ML to predict breast cancer prognosis. We analyzed 1021 patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer in our Institute and we included 610 of them. Three outcomes were chosen: cancer recurrence (both loco‐regional and systemic) and death from the disease within 32 months. We developed two types of ML models for every outcome (Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine). Each ML algorithm was tested in accuracy (=95.29%‐96.86%), sensitivity (=0.35‐0.64), specificity (=0.97‐0.99), and AUC (=0.804‐0.916). These models might become an additional resource to evaluate the prognosis of breast cancer patients in our daily clinical practice. Before that, we should increase their sensitivity, according to literature, by considering a wider population sample with a longer period of follow‐up. However, specificity, accuracy, minimal additional costs, and reproducibility are already encouraging.
Patient reported symptoms associated with quality of life during chemo‐ or immunotherapy for bladder cancer patients with advanced disease
Authors: Taarnhøj Gry A. , Johansen Christoffer , Lindberg Henriette , Basch Ethan , Dueck Amylou , Pappot Helle 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundBladder cancer (BC) patients with advanced disease have poor outcomes. The use of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) could lead to improvements in symptom management and hence quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study is to report correlations between selected PROs and QoL and thus to present symptoms that influence QoL. Identification of these symptoms during treatment can lead to earlier symptom management and thus secure improvements in QoL.MethodsBC patients in chemo‐ or immunotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease reported weekly PROs for the duration of their treatment. The PROs included EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐BLM30 and 45 selected PRO‐CTCAE items. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed for all PRO‐CTCAE items and QLQ‐C30 global QoL and subdomains.ResultsIn this study, 78 BC patients reported 724 questionnaires. Spearman's analysis showed significant correlations between almost all PRO‐CTCAE items and the expected domain of QoL. The PRO‐CTCAE items with the strongest correlations with QoL were anxiety (F, frequency item) and emotional function (rs = −0.603, P < .0001), concentration (S, severity item) and cognitive function (rs = −0.704, P < .0001), discouraged (F) and emotional function (rs = −0.659, P < .0001), fatigue (S) and role function (rs = −0.659, P < .0001) and sad (F) and emotional function (rs = −0.711, P < .0001). The weakest correlations were found for the PRO‐CTCAE items urinary frequency, incontinence and urge, all with variations in the direction and significance of the correlations.ConclusionsThis study delivers information on which PROs may influence QoL for patients in clinical trials or daily clinic. Psychological issues have a strong impact on QoL and should be dealt with during treatment to secure the best possible QoL for BC patients.
Tangled wire in a Dacron band during Cardioband transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty—How to solve the problem
Authors: Miura Mizuki , Vicentini Luca , Taramasso Maurizio , Maisano Francesco 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTranscatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) is an emerging treatment for patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Currently, the issues that arise during TTVI are unclear. Here, a 78‐year‐old woman with severe TR underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve annuloplasty using a Cardioband (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). We attempted to cinch the Dacron band after anchoring; however, it was impossible to connect the distal tip of the size adjustment tool and the Dacron band because the cinching wire was tangled around the Dacron band. We resolved this issue without surgical intervention, and eventually cinched the annulus. Final echocardiography revealed dramatic TR reduction. To our knowledge, no study has reported a tangled wire in a Dacron band during Cardioband use. Clinicians should be aware of the risks accompanying this concern in case where it is impossible to connect the distal tip of the size adjustment tool and the Dacron band during cinching.
Development of keloidal morphea after treatment with cyclosporine in a case of recalcitrant generalized morphea
Authors: Dadkhahfar Sahar , Asadi Kani Zahra , Araghi Farnaz , Moravvej Hamideh 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNodular or keloidal morphea, also known as nodular scleroderma, is a rare form of localized sclerosis (SSc) or morphea. In this paper, we reported a case of this rare entity with a review of the literature.
Mixing Characteristics of High‐Viscosity Fluids under Forced Vertical Vibration
Authors: Zhan Xiaobin , He Yu , Sun Zhibin , Shen Baojun , Li Xiwen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe mixing characteristics of two initially stratified high‐viscosity fluids with a free surface under forced vertical vibration were studied experimentally and numerically. The flow characteristics and dynamics of the free surface and interface between liquids were analyzed and the effects of the vibration parameters on the mixing process were evaluated. The degree of mixing was determined by the frequency and amplitude of vibration. Effective mixing could not be achieved by merely using the deformation of the free surface because of the low fluidity of high‐viscosity fluids. However, an increase in vibration intensity disintegrated the free surface and interface, thereby significantly promoting the mixing of fluids and improving the mixing efficiency.
Performance Evaluation of a Two‐Stage Entrained‐Flow Coal Gasifier Using Numerical Simulation
Authors: Jahromi Mohammad-Ali Yazdanpanah , Atashkari Kazem , Kalteh Mohammad 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAn advanced air‐blown two‐stage entrained‐flow coal Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) gasifier is numerically studied under actual conditions. The simulation results are verified first with actually measured data of an industrial MHI gasifier. Then, the effects of different parameters such as the sizes of pulverized coal particles, devolatilization parameters, and operating pressure on the gasifier performance are investigated. The results indicate that as the coal particle size increases, the syngas temperature at the gasifier exit rises while the reactivity of the coal particle decreases. Reducing the operating pressure can have a negative effect on the gasifier throughput while the opposite trend is observed for higher operating pressure.
Compost from Municipal Solid Wastes as a Source of Biochar for CO2 Capture
Authors: Karimi Mohsen , Diaz de Tuesta Jose L. , d. P. Gonçalves Carmem N. , Gomes Helder T. , Rodrigues Alírio E. , Silva José A. C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIncreasing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to the global climate change are a major concern of environmental protection. Developing adsorbents from low‐cost and renewable resources is an attractive strategy. On the other hand, the high capacity of production rates of municipal solid waste, besides high methane emissions, is the origin of some eco‐systemic challenges. The combination of the two environmental problems is considered by introducing the compost from a mechanical biological treatment of municipal solid wastes as a low‐cost source of adsorbent for CO2 capture. The obtained compost was thermally and chemically activated and the CO2 adsorption capacities of prepared samples were evaluated. Samples prepared sequentially with sulfuric acid and heated at 800 °C and vice versa, respectively, had the highest uptake capacities and were comparable with commercial adsorbents.