bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of genotype on TENS effectiveness in controlling knee pain in persons with mild to moderate osteoarthritis
Authors: Govil Manika , Mukhopadhyay Nandita , Holwerda Teri , Sluka Kathleen , Rakel Barbara , Schutte Debra L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined the extent to which genetic variability modifies Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) effectiveness in osteoarthritic knee pain.MethodsSeventy‐five participants with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either: (a) High‐frequency TENS, (b) Low‐frequency TENS or (c) Transient Placebo TENS. Pain measures were collected pre‐ and post‐treatment. Participants were genotyped on genes implicated in central or peripheral pain pathways: NGFB, NTRK1, EDNRA, EDNRB, EDN1, OPRM1, TAC1, TACR1, BDNF, BDKRB1, 5HTT, COMT, ESR2, IL6 and IL1B. Genetic association using linear regression modelling was performed separately for the transient placebo TENS subjects, and within the High‐frequency TENS + Low‐frequency TENS participants, including TENS level as a covariate.ResultsIn the placebo group, SNPs rs165599 (COMT) was significantly associated with an increased heat pain threshold (β = −1.87; p = .003) and rs6827096 (EDNRA) with an increased resting pain (β = 2.68; p = .001). Within the treatment groups, TENS effectiveness was reduced by the SNP rs6537485 (EDNRA) minor allele in relationship to mechanical sensation (β = 184.13; p = 5.5E−9). Individuals with the COMT rs4680 minor allele reported lowered pain at rest after TENS (β = −42.30; p = .001), with a higher magnitude of pain reduction (28 unit difference) in the low‐frequency TENS group compared to the high‐frequency TENS group (β = 28.37; p = .0004).ConclusionsEDNRA and COMT are implicated in osteoarthritic knee pain and provide a basis for tailoring TENS interventions according to individual characteristics.SignificanceFindings from this study demonstrate that genetic variation within the COMT and EDNRA genes influences the effectiveness of TENS, a non‐pharmacologic pain‐reduction intervention, in the context of osteoarthritic knee pain. Evidence such as this may contribute to risk models that provide a clinically useful tool for personalizing TENS interventions according to individual characteristics in order to best control pain and maximize functional status.
Medication‐overuse headache: The effect of a patient educational programme—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mose Louise S. , Pedersen Susanne S. , Jensen Rigmor H. , Gram Bibi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the effects of non‐pharmacological interventions among medication‐overuse headache (MOH) patients, although non‐pharmacological approaches combined with pharmacological treatment are recommended. The objective was to evaluate the effect of an educational programme as an add‐on to standard treatment.MethodsMedication‐overuse headache patients were randomized (1:1) in a single‐centre setting to standard treatment with 12 weeks of education (I‐group) versus standard treatment (C‐group). The primary outcome was measurement of reduction in headache days/last month at 9 months’ follow‐up. Secondary outcomes were headache intensity, acute medication intake, bothersomeness, disability, physical activity and patient satisfaction. The between‐group differences were analysed using a mixed‐effects model for repeated measurements with a between group factor (I‐group vs. C‐group) and a time factor (baseline, 4 and 9 months).ResultsNinety‐eight patients were randomized (I‐group: n = 48, C‐group: n = 50), with 40 and 39 patients completing the study, respectively. Intention‐to‐treat analyses showed that both groups experienced statistically significant reductions in headache days/last month (I‐group: −4 ± 6 days (95% CI 2.47; 5.95), p < .001) versus C‐group: −4 ± 9 days ([95% CI 1.53; 6.79], p = .003), but there were no significant differences between groups (mean ± SE):Δ: 0.7 days ([95% CI, −2.50; 3.93], p = .66). At follow‐up, 85% from the I‐group and 86% from C‐group, no longer fulfilled the criteria for MOH.ConclusionThe compliance rate was high, indicating that patients were motivated for receiving education, but we found no additional benefits of adding an educational programme to standard treatment. Future research focusing on the MOH complexity, group heterogeneity, duration and content of educational programmes is warranted.SignificanceRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) of non‐pharmacological intervention such as patient educational programmes are of great importance, as this approach is common in the clinical practice. Medication‐overuse headache (MOH) is a heterogenetic patient group, which must be taken into account when conducting RCTs of non‐pharmacological interventions. An educational programme based on Motivational Interviewing is well‐tolerated among MOH patients, however, no superior effects were found from adding the educational programme to standard treatment versus standard treatment alone.
Degradation in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells During Long Term Testing
Authors: Sun X. , Hendriksen P. V. , Mogensen M. B. , Chen M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this work, we report a 4,400 h test of a state‐of‐the‐art Ni‐YSZ (yttria stabilized zirconia) electrode supported solid oxide electrolysis cell. The electrolysis test was carried out at 800 °C, –1 A cm−2 with 10% H2 + 90% H2O supplied to Ni‐YSZ electrode compartment. Except for the first 250 h of fast initial degradation, the cell showed rather stable performance with a moderate degradation rate of around 25 mV per 1,000 h. The electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) acquired during the test show that both serial resistance and electrode polarization resistance increased during the durability test. Further impedance analyzes show that both the LSCF (strontium and cobalt co‐doped lanthanum ferrite)‐CGO (gadolinium doped ceria) electrode and Ni‐YSZ electrode degraded and the degradation was dominated by the Ni‐YSZ electrode. Post mortem analysis on the Ni‐YSZ electrode revealed loss of contact between Ni‐Ni grains, Ni‐YSZ grains and increased porosity inside the active layer. The microstructural changes were most severe at steam gas inlet and became less severe along the gas flow path. The present test results show that this type of cell can be used for early demonstration of solid oxide cell operation at electrolysis current densities around 1 A cm−2.
Passive and Active Coupling Comparison of Fuel Cell and Supercapacitor for a Three‐Wheel Electric Vehicle
Authors: Macías A. , Kandidayeni M. , Boulon L. , Trovão J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe desire to reduce the power electronics related issues has turned the attentions to passive coupling of powertrain components in fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs). In the passive coupling, the fuel cell (FC) stack is directly connected to an energy storage system on the DC bus as opposed to the active configuration where a DC‐DC converter couples the FC stack to the DC bus. This paper compares the use of passive and active couplings in a three‐wheel FCHEV to reveal their strengths and weaknesses. In this respect, a passive configuration, using a FC stack and a supercapacitor, is suggested first through formulating a sizing problem. Subsequently, the components are connected in an active configuration where an optimized fuzzy energy management strategy is used to split the power between the components. The performance of the vehicle is compared at each case in terms of capital cost and trip cost, which is composed of FC degradation and hydrogen consumption, and total cost of the system per hour. The obtained results show the superior performance of the passive configuration by 17% in terms of total hourly cost, while the active one only results in less degradation rate in the FC system.
Performance of Tantalum Modified 316L Stainless Steel Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Li T. , Zhang P. C. , Liu K. , Xu S. , Han Y. T. , Shi J. F. , Sun J. C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe drawback of corrosion resistance and surface conductivity are two obvious defects to limit the large‐scale application of 316L stainless steel (316L SS) as bipolar plate (BP) in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A tantalum (Ta) modified coating was prepared by plasma surface modification technology on the surface of 316L SS bipolar plate to improve the functional performance. The electrochemical behavior of untreated 316L SS and Ta modified bipolar plate was investigated in simulated PEMFC operating environment. The results of potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveal that the Ta coating considerably improves the corrosion resistance of 316L SS bipolar plate. The potentiodynamic polarization result shows that a more positive self‐corrosion potential is obtained by Ta modified bipolar plate, and the corrosion current density is obviously reduced to 1.95 μA cm−2 and 0.14 μA cm−2 in simulated cathodic and anodic environment, respectively. The Ta modified bipolar plate exhibits a satisfactory interfacial contact resistance (ICR), and still remains lower ICR than bare substrate after potentiostatic polarization test for 4 h. In addition, the high water contact angle (94.5°) for Ta coated bipolar plate implies more superior hydrophobic performance, which is convenient for water management within the PEMFC.
Photoacoustic imaging of the human placental vasculature
Authors: Maneas Efthymios , Aughwane Rosalind , Huynh Nam , Xia Wenfeng , Ansari Rehman , Kuniyil Ajith Singh Mithun , Hutchinson J. Ciaran , Sebire Neil J. , Arthurs Owen J. , Deprest Jan , Ourselin Sebastien , Beard Paul C. , Melbourne Andrew , Vercauteren Tom , David Anna L. , Desjardins Adrien E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMinimally invasive fetal interventions require accurate imaging from inside the uterine cavity. Twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition considered in this study, occurs from abnormal vascular anastomoses in the placenta that allow blood to flow unevenly between the fetuses. Currently, TTTS is treated fetoscopically by identifying the anastomosing vessels, and then performing laser photocoagulation. However, white light fetoscopy provides limited visibility of placental vasculature, which can lead to missed anastomoses or incomplete photocoagulation. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an alternative imaging method that provides contrast for hemoglobin, and in this study, two PA systems were used to visualize chorionic (fetal) superficial and subsurface vasculature in human placentas. The first system comprised an optical parametric oscillator for PA excitation and a 2D Fabry‐Pérot cavity ultrasound sensor; the second, light emitting diode arrays and a 1D clinical linear‐array ultrasound imaging probe. Volumetric photoacoustic images were acquired from ex vivo normal term and TTTS‐treated placentas. It was shown that superficial and subsurface branching blood vessels could be visualized to depths of approximately 7 mm, and that ablated tissue yielded negative image contrast. This study demonstrated the strong potential of PA imaging to guide minimally invasive fetal therapies.
Lightsheet fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with wide‐field time‐correlated single photon counting
Authors: Hirvonen Liisa M. , Nedbal Jakub , Almutairi Norah , Phillips Thomas A. , Becker Wolfgang , Conneely Thomas , Milnes James , Cox Susan , Stürzenbaum Stephen , Suhling Klaus 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe report on wide‐field time‐correlated single photon counting (TCSPC)‐based fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with lightsheet illumination. A pulsed diode laser is used for excitation, and a crossed delay line anode image intensifier, effectively a single‐photon sensitive camera, is used to record the position and arrival time of the photons with picosecond time resolution, combining low illumination intensity of microwatts with wide‐field data collection. We pair this detector with the lightsheet illumination technique, and apply it to 3D FLIM imaging of dye gradients in human cancer cell spheroids, andC. elegans.
The effects of DICER1 and DROSHA polymorphisms on susceptibility to recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Ghasemi Marzieh , Rezaei Mahnaz , Yazdi Atefeh , Keikha Narjes , Maruei‐Milan Rostam , Asadi‐Tarani Mina , Salimi Saeedeh 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a serious problem in pregnancy. The exact etiology of RSA is unknown in more than 50% of all the patients. However, genetic variations are known as susceptibility factors for idiopathic RSA. Considering the role of miRNA biosynthesis machinery in the miRNA production and effect of miRNAs on various diseases, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms on RSA risk.MethodsIn this case‐control study, 150 RSA patients and 195 age‐matched healthy female controls were recruited. Both polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR‐RFLP method.ResultsThe frequency of DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype was higher in the control group (P = .022). There was a statistically significant association between rs3742330 polymorphism and a reduced RSA risk in dominant and allelic models (P = .013 and P = .007, respectively). No statistically significant association was found between DROSHA rs6877842 variant and RSA risk. The combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms led to a decreased RSA risk. However, the synergic effect of rs3742330A and rs6877842G alleles (A‐G) and AA‐GG genotypes was associated with an increased RSA risk.Conclusionthe DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype and combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms were associated with a reduced RSA risk.
Application of a stable Ag/TiO2 film in the simultaneous photodegradation of hormones
Authors: Lima Karla VL , Emídio Elissandro S , Pupo Nogueira Raquel F , Vasconcelos Nazaré do Socorro LS , Araújo Adriana B 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe natural hormones estrone (E1) and 17β‐estradiol (E2) and the synthetic hormone 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2) are excreted daily by humans and may reach water and wastewater treatment plants, which do not efficiently remove these estrogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and reusability of Ag/TiO2 films as catalysts for simultaneous degradation of the hormones E1, E2 and EE2 in aqueous medium by heterogeneous photocatalysis and the contribution of reactive oxygenated species. The influence of aeration on the system and the effects of estrogen concentration and Ag/TiO2 film area were also evaluated in the photodegradation process.RESULTSThe photocatalytic degradation assays showed efficiency higher than 97% for E2 and EE2 (10 μg L−1) after approximately 3.5 h and above 95% for E1 (100 μg L−1) after 4.5 h. It was observed that hydroxyl radical is the main reactive oxidant species in the photodegradation process, responsible for 87, 86 and 79% degradation of E1, E2 and EE2 respectively.CONCLUSIONThe treatment process applied using the Ag/TiO2 films proved to be very stable and efficient for the simultaneous degradation of the studied hormones up to 305 h of reaction period, obtaining a percentage of degradation above 90%. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating the CMIP5 ensemble in Ethiopia: Creating a reduced ensemble for rainfall and temperature in Northwest Ethiopia and the Awash basin
Authors: Dyer Ellen , Washington Richard , Teferi Taye Meron 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the historical skill of models in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) in two regions of Ethiopia: northwestern Ethiopia and the Awash, one of the main Ethiopian river basins. An ensemble of CMIP5 models was first selected so that atmosphere‐only (Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project, AMIP) and fully coupled simulations could be directly compared, assessing the effects of coupled model sea surface temperature (SST) biases. The annual cycle, seasonal biases, trends, and variability were used as metrics of model skill. In the Awash basin, both coupled and AMIP simulations had late Belg or March‐May (MAM) rainy seasons. In connection to this, most models also missed the June rainfall minimum entirely. Northwest Ethiopia, which has a unimodal rainfall cycle in observations, is shown to have bimodal seasonality in models, even in the AMIP simulations. Significant AMIP biases in these regions show that model biases are not related to SST biases alone. Similarly, a clear connection between model resolution and skill was not found. Models simulated temperature with more skill than rainfall, but trends showed an underestimation in Belg (MAM/April‐May (AM)) trends, and an overestimation in Kiremt or July‐September (JAS/June‐September (JJAS)) trends. The models which were shown to have the most skill in a range of categories were HadGEM2‐AO, GFDL‐CM3, and MPI‐ESM‐MR. The biases and discrepancies in model skill for different metrics of rainfall and temperature found in this study provide a useful basis for a process‐based analysis of the CMIP5 ensemble in Ethiopia.
Healing effects from the on‐site experiences of tourists
Authors: Kim Se‐Eun , Um Seo‐Ho , Lee Timothy J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study adopted a new variable labeled “healing effects,” in place of “quality of life,” to measure the service dimension of the health‐oriented tourism experience. A questionnaire survey was given to visitors to a guesthouse in Korea. The results indicate that “deviation experience(s)” has a large influence on “the affective healing effect,” but “destination experience” has no significant influence on affective healing. Also, “resident relationship experience” has a great influence on “cognitive and social healing effect,” but “deviation experience” again has no significant influence. The findings of this study provide a theoretical contribution as a pioneering study of healing effects.
Kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of gaseous p‐xylene on UiO‐66‐NH2 and LaFeO3 thin films under combined illumination of ultraviolet and visible lights
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thuy Van , Luu Cam Loc , Nguyen Tri , Nguyen Phung Anh , Ha Cam Anh , Nguyen Thanh Tinh , Nguyen Lam Thuy Duong , Hoang Tien Cuong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe thin film photocatalysts were prepared from solvothermal UiO‐66‐NH2 and sol‐gel perovskite LaFeO3 by a dip‐coating technique. The properties of obtained catalysts were investigated by the methods of Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller adsorption, XRD, SEM, FT‐IR, TGA, and UV‐vis spectroscopies. The results proved that the thin film of the thickness of 4.2 and 4.7 µm was successfully prepared from micro‐mesoporous UiO‐66‐NH2 and LaFeO3 nanocrystals. Possessing small crystals (9‐35 nm) and the band gap energy of 2.83 and 1.92 eV, respectively, UiO‐66‐NH2 and LaFeO3 are shown to be a highly active visible‐light photocatalyst for photodegradation of p‐xylene‐contained gas. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of p‐xylene under combined illumination of ultraviolet and visible lights over obtained UiO‐66‐NH2 and LaFeO3 thin films were carried out in a gradientless flow circulating system at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the Langmuir‐Hinshelwood kinetic model was successfully applied to correlate the obtained data. The kinetics of the reaction on both catalysts were found to be written by the fractional equation, describing the dependence of the reaction rate on the concentration of p‐xylene, oxygen molecules, dissociative adsorbed water vapor, the photon flux, and the inhibition of CO2 product. It implies that the reaction occurred at high surface coverages, molecular p‐xylene, and oxygen participated in the reaction in the form of surface molecular; water—in the forms of •OH and H+. Although there is a general kinetic equation for reaction on various catalysts, the different affinities of the catalysts with the compounds present in the reaction create the kinetic feature of the reaction on each catalyst. Because of the high affinity of catalysts with water vapor, the given reactant increased the rate of p‐xylene photocatalytic degradation at low concentration but inhibited it in the high concentration region. The adsorption affinity of LaFeO3 to oxygen is higher compared to UiO‐66‐NH2; then, there was an optimum concentration of oxygen in the photodegradation of p‐xylene on the former, whereas in the latter monotonically increasing relationship was found.
Euphotic zone nitrification in the California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Stephens Brandon M. , Wankel Scott D. , Beman J. Michael , Rabines Ariel J. , Allen Andrew E. , Aluwihare Lihini I. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNitrification, the microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrite then to nitrate, occurs throughout the oceanic water column, yet the environmental factors influencing the production of nitrate in the euphotic zone (EZ) remain unclear. In this study, the natural abundances of N and O isotopes (δ15N and δ18O, respectively) in nitrate were used in an existing model framework to quantify nitrate contributed by EZ nitrification in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) during two anomalously warm years. Model data estimated that between 6% and 36% of the EZ nitrate reservoirs were derived from the combined steps of nitrification within the EZ. The CCE data set found nitrification contributions to EZ nitrate to be positively correlated with nitrite concentrations () at the depth of the primary nitrite maximum (PNM). Building on this correlation, EZ nitrification in the southern California Current was estimated to contribute on average 20% ± 6% to EZ nitrate as inferred using the PNM of the long‐term California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI) survey record. A multiple linear regression analysis of the CalCOFI PNM time series identified two conditions that led to positive deviations in . Enhanced PNM , and potentially enhanced EZ nitrification, may be linked to (1) reduced phytoplankton competition for ammonium () and as interpreted from particulate organic carbon:chlorophyll ratios, and/or (2) to increased supply of (and then oxidation to ) from the degradation of organic nitrogen as interpreted from particulate organic nitrogen concentrations.
Fabrication and Thermal Dissipation Properties of Carbon Nanofibers Derived from Electrospun Poly(Amic Acid) Carboxylate Salt Nanofibers
Authors: Li Jia‐Wei , Chiu Yu‐Jing , Chang Chia‐Jui , He Hung‐Chieh , Tu Yi‐Hsuan , Lin Kuan‐Ting , Lin Yu‐Liang , Kao Tzu‐Hsun , Hsu Hsun‐Hao , Tseng Hsiao‐Fan , Lu Tien‐Chang , Chen Jiun‐Tai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPolyimides (PIs) possess excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical resistance and can be converted to carbon materials by thermal carbonization. The preparation of carbon nanomaterials by carbonizing PI‐based nanomaterials, however, has been less studied. In this work, the fabrication of PI nanofibers is investigated using electrospinning and their transformation to carbon nanofibers. Poly(amic acid) carboxylate salts (PAASs) solutions are first electrospun to form PAAS nanofibers. After the imidization and carbonization processes, PI and carbon nanofibers can then be obtained, respectively. The Raman spectra reveal that the carbon nanofibers are partially graphitized by the carbonization process. The diameters of the PI nanofibers are observed to be smaller than those of the PAAS nanofibers because of the formation of the more densely packed structures after the imidization processes; the diameters of the carbon nanofibers remain similar to those of the PI nanofibers after the carbonization process. The thermal dissipation behaviors of the PI and carbon nanofibers are also examined. The infrared images indicate that the transfer rates of thermal energy for the carbon nanofibers are higher than those for the PI nanofibers, due to the better thermal conductivity of carbon caused by the covalent sp2 bonding between carbon atoms.