bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved lithium-ion battery performance by introducing oxygen-containing functional groups by plasma treatment
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Jin Mengjing , Zhao Yirong , Bai Zhaowen , Wu Caixia , Zhu Ziran , Wu Hongchang , Zhou Jinyuan , Li Jian , Pan Xiaojun , Xie Erqing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Metal sulfides are often used as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high theoretical specific capacity; however, excessively fast capacity decay during charging/discharging and rapid shedding during cycling limits their practical application in batteries. In this study, we proposed a strategy using plasma treatment combined with the solvothermal method to prepare cobalt sulfide (Co1−x
S)-carbon nanofibers (CNFs) composite. The plasma treatment could introduce oxygen-containing polar groups and defects, which could improve the hydrophilicity of the CNFs for the growth of the Co1−x
S, thereby increasing the specific capacity of the composite electrode. The results show that the composite electrode present a high discharge specific capacity (839 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1) and good cycle stability (the capacity retention rate almost 100% at 2000 mA g−1 after 500 cycles), attributing to the high conductivity of the CNFs. This study proves the application of plasma treatment and simple vulcanization method in high-performance LIBs.
Cross-modality image feature fusion diagnosis in breast cancer
Authors: Jiang Mingkuan , Han Lu , Sun Hang , Li Jing , Bao Nan , Li Hong , Zhou Shi , Yu Tao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Considering the complementarity of mammography and breast MRI, the research of feature fusion diagnosis based on cross-modality images was explored to improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. 201 patients with both mammography and breast MRI were collected retrospectively, including 117 cases of benign lesions and 84 cases of malignant ones. Two feature optimization strategies of sequential floating forward selection (SFFS), SFFS-1 and SFFS-2, were defined based on the sequential floating forward selection method. Each strategy was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of single-modality images and then to study the feature fusion diagnosis of cross-modality images. Three feature fusion approaches were compared: optimizing MRI features and then fusing those of mammography; optimizing mammography features and then fusing those of MRI; selecting the effective features from the whole feature set (mammography and MRI). Support vector machine, Naive Bayes, and K-nearest neighbor were employed as the classifiers and were finally integrated to get better performance. The average accuracy and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of MRI (88.56%, 0.9 for SFFS-1, 88.39%, 0.89 for SFFS-2) were better than mammography (84.25%, 0.84 for SFFS-1, 80.43%, 0.80 for SFFS-2). Furthermore, compared with a single modality, the average accuracy and AUC of cross-modality feature fusion can improve from 85.40% and 0.86 to 89.66% and 0.91. Classifier integration improved the accuracy and AUC from 90.49%, 0.92 to 92.37%, and 0.97. Cross-modality image feature fusion can achieve better diagnosis performance than a single modality. Feature selection strategy SFFS-1 has better efficiency than SFFS-2. Classifier integration can further improve diagnostic accuracy.
Two-modes model of the non-equilibrium plasma chemical dissociation of CO2
Authors: Kotov Vladislav 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The vibrational kinetics model of the dissociation process CO2 + M → CO + O + M based on the two-modes (symmetric–asymmetric) approximation is presented. The model has shown to produce the effective dissociation rate of CO2 under conditions of thermal equilibrium close to that obtained experimentally. Results of the 0D calculations of the CO2 conversion in non-equilibrium conditions of a microwave plasma discharge are discussed. The chemical energy efficiency obtained in the calculations at translational-rotational temperature 300 K and degree of ionization 10−5 is between 42 and 56% depending on the assumptions. The efficiency is found to reduce and eventually vanish at elevated temperatures.
Spatial coherence control and analysis via micromirror-based mixed-state ptychography
Authors: Röhrich Ruslan , Koenderink A Femius , Witte Stefan , Loetgering Lars 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Flexible and fast control of the phase and amplitude of coherent light, enabled by digital micromirror devices (DMDs) and spatial light modulators, has been a driving force for recent advances in optical tweezers, nonlinear microscopy, and wavefront shaping. In contrast, engineering spatially partially coherent light remains widely elusive due to the lack of tools enabling a joint analysis and control sequence. Here, we report an approach to coherence engineering that combines a quasi-monochromatic, thermal source and a DMD together with a ptychographic scanning microscope. The reported method opens up new routes to low-cost coherence control, with applications in micromanipulation, nanophotonics, and quantitative phase contrast imaging.
Enhanced photocatalytic properties of ZnO/Al2O3 nanorod heterostructure
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Zhou Ligong , Lu Liying , Xu Xiaoguang , Jiang Yong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The separation and transfer of the photoinduced charge carriers are essential for the high-efficient photocatalytic materials. Heterostructures which compose of several semiconductors can take advantage of energy level difference to improve photocatalytic properties. However, the fabrication of the related heterostructures normally adopts the physical vapor deposition method, such as atomic layer deposition, hindering the mass production of photocatalytic materials. In this work, ZnO nanorod arrays and ZnO/Al2O3 heterostructure were prepared on Si (100) substrates by a cost-efficient method which combines the hydrothermal and photochemical techniques. Microstructure and surface composition analysis on the heterostructure confirm the synthesis of the ZnO/Al2O3 core–shell heterostructure. According to the ultraviolet (UV)–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, the band gap of the ZnO/Al2O3 heterostructure can be estimated to be 3.25 eV, which is larger than that of pure ZnO nanorod arrays. Moreover, the heterostructure exhibits an obviously enhanced photocatalytic property for photodegradation of methyl orange under UV-irradiation. The energy band diagram of heterostructure shows that the improvement of photocatalytic property can be ascribed to the increase in the electron-hole pair separation rate. This work provides a simple method to fabricate nanoscale semiconductor heterostructures for photocatalytic applications.
Green-synthesized MIL-100(Fe) modified with palladium as a selective catalyst in the hydrogenation of citronellal to citronellol
Authors: Lestari Witri Wahyu , Prajanira Lau Bekti , Putra Riandy , Purnawan Candra , Prihadiyono Fauzan Ibnu , Arrozi Ubed Sonai Fahrudin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The influence of palladium embedded into green-synthesized MIL-100(Fe) and its role as a selective catalyst in the hydrogenation of citronellal into citronellol were investigated. MIL-100(Fe) was synthesized in water at 95 °C without addition of hydrofluoric acid (HF). The loading of Pd was carried out using wet impregnation method with Pd loadings of 1 and 3 wt%. The obtained materials were then tested as catalyst in hydrogenation of citronellal in a batch reactor. XRD analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of the synthesized MIL-100(Fe). FTIR analysis indicated the deprotonation of carboxylic ligand and its coordination with Fe3+ metal ions. The materials had thermal stability up to 287 °C according to TG/DTA analysis. The modification with palladium changed the morphology and decreased the crystallinity, surface area, and porosity as shown by XRD, SEM, TEM and nitrogen sorption isotherm analysis. The presence of Pd successfully increased the catalytic performance and selectivity to convert the citronellal into citronellol through a hydrogenation reaction, and an optimum 63.7% conversion and 22.2% selectivity to citronellol was attained over 3% Pd/MIL-100(Fe).
Constructing defect-rich Ni9S8/Fe5Ni4S8 heterostructure nanoparticles for efficient oxygen evolution reaction and overall water splitting
Authors: Xu Jinxiao , Ma Yingjun , Wang Jie , Guo Xuyun , Su Linghao , Ma Chuanli , Gong Liangyu , Zhu Ye , Xuan Cuijuan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Designing electrocatalysts from the perspective of modulating electronic structure and morphology has received considerable research interest in enhancing the electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, nickel–iron based sulfides were synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal approach which is characterized as defect-rich Ni9S8/Fe5Ni4S8 heterostructured nanoparticles. The presence of two phases, numerous defects, and uniformly distributed nanoparticles with the porous structure are conducive to modulating electronic structure, facilitating electron and mass transport, allowing the effective accessibility of active sites. The as-prepared Ni9S8/Fe5Ni4S8 exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic OER activity and long-lasting stability, which needs an overpotential of 239 mV for yielding 10 mA cm−2 and long-term stability better than RuO2. Furthermore, when employed in a two-electrode overall water splitting system, the catalyst coupled with Pt/C configuration exhibits comparable electrocatalytic performance to Pt/C and RuO2 based electrolyzer. This work not only offers a highly efficient and promising candidate catalyst for electrocatalytic water oxidation but also provides a simple synthesis method to heterostructured nanoparticles for other energy-related applications.
Natural evolutionary strategies for variational quantum computation
Authors: Anand Abhinav , Degroote Matthias , Aspuru-Guzik Alán 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Natural evolutionary strategies (NES) are a family of gradient-free black-box optimization algorithms. This study illustrates their use for the optimization of randomly initialized parameterized quantum circuits (PQCs) in the region of vanishing gradients. We show that using the NES gradient estimator the exponential decrease in variance can be alleviated. We implement two specific approaches, the exponential and separable NES, for parameter optimization of PQCs and compare them against standard gradient descent. We apply them to two different problems of ground state energy estimation using variational quantum eigensolver and state preparation with circuits of varying depth and length. We also introduce batch optimization for circuits with larger depth to extend the use of ES to a larger number of parameters. We achieve accuracy comparable to state-of-the-art optimization techniques in all the above cases with a lower number of circuit evaluations. Our empirical results indicate that one can use NES as a hybrid tool in tandem with other gradient-based methods for optimization of deep quantum circuits in regions with vanishing gradients.
Enhancing bile tolerance of Lactobacilli is involved in the hypolipidemic effects of liraglutide
Authors: Wang Chang , Hu Hai-Jie , Dong Qing-Qing , Huang Rui , Zhao Wei , Song Ya-Jian , Li Zhong-Yuan , Wang Nan , Zhang Tong-Cun , Luo Xue-Gang 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Liraglutide is an analog of human glucagon-like peptide-1 which play essential roles in regulation of glycolipid metabolism. To investigate role of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in lipid-lowering effect of liraglutide, 40 mice were divided into normal food diet (NFD), high-fat food (HFD), 10.0 mg/kg/d simvastatin-treated HFD (SIM + HFD), 200 and 400 µg/kg/d liraglutide-treated HFD (LL + HFD and HL + HFD) groups for 5 weeks. We found that liraglutide could upregulate cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and LDL-receptor (LDLR), whereas downregulate 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). Besides, liraglutide enhance abundance of lactobacillaceae in gut of hyperlipidemic mice and increase bile tolerance ability of LAB by upregulating bile salt hydrolases, and the lysate of liraglutide-sensitive LAB could also directly downregulate HMGCR, the key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, and inhibit hepatocyte steatosis. These findings might provide new theoretical guidance for clinical application of liraglutide and research and development of antiobesity, hypolipidemic, and cholesterol-lowering drugs or functional foods.
Role of coloration in antipredator strategies of Pristidactylus achalensis (Squamata: Leiosauridae) related to sex and stages of predation
Authors: Torres María Del Milagro , Viladrich Leonel Jeremías , Naretto Sergio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The interaction between behavioural and phenotypic traits, such as coloration, plays a specific role at different stages of the predatory sequence. Cryptic coloration involves a match to the background that reduces the risk of detection, and it is usually optimized by immobility behaviour. In lizards, sexual dichromatism and within-individual changes of colour can influence the level of their crypsis and thus influence antipredator behaviour and the decision to flee. Here, we examined variation in coloration and antipredator behaviour between the sexes of the Achala copper lizard (Pristidactylus achalensis). We measured sexual dichromatism and crypsis in accordance with avian vision. We also exposed lizards to a raptor dummy to assess the colour change and behaviour at the detection and approach stages of the predatory event. Finally, we tested escape behaviour in the natural habitat. We found that males were more conspicuous than females. Additionally, individuals showed distinct behaviours at different stages of the predation simulation, but there were no differences between the sexes. However, in their natural habitat males initiated flight at greater distances than females, which might be related to their more conspicuous coloration. In summary, this study shows how differences in crypsis between the sexes affect escape behaviour during the approach stage of predation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of rectovaginal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease: results of the HOT-REVA pilot study
Authors: Lansdorp C A , Buskens C J , Gecse K B , D’Haens G R A M , van Hulst R A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease (CD) have been described, but the effect on rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) has not yet been studied. The aim was to investigate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of HBO in patients with RVF in CD.

Methods
In this prospective study, consecutive CD patients between November 2018 and February 2020 presenting with RVF at the outpatient fistula clinic of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre were included and selected to receive treatment with 30 daily HBO sessions, if fistulas were actively draining and any concomitant treatment regimen was stable at least 6 weeks prior to start of HBO. Patients with a stoma were excluded. The primary endpoint was clinical closure at 3-month follow-up, defined as cessation of complaints and/or closure of the external orifice if visible at baseline. Secondary outcomes were improvement of concomitant perianal fistulas as measured by the perianal disease activity index (PDAI) and fistula drainage assessment (FDA), as well as improvement in patient-reported outcomes (visual analogue scale (VAS), inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ), faecal incontinence quality of life scale (FIQL) and female sexual functioning index (FSFI)) at 3-month follow-up.

Results
Out of 14 eligible patients, nine patients (median age 50 years) were treated, all of whom had previously had one or more unsuccessful medical and/or surgical treatments for their RVF. Clinical closure occurred in none of the patients at 3-month follow-up. There was no improvement in PDAI and patient-reported outcomes (VAS, IBDQ, FIQL and FSFI). Two patients had concomitant perianal fistulas; using FDA, one patient had a clinical response and one patient was in clinical remission 3 months after HBO. There were two treatment-related adverse events during HBO concerning claustrophobia and fatigue. Furthermore, two patients had a surgical intervention due to RVF and two patients were treated with antibiotics for a urinary tract infection during follow-up. One patient had a dose reduction of ustekinumab because of decreased luminal complaints.

Conclusion
Treatment with HBO was feasible, but in this therapy-refractory cohort without deviating ostomy no clinical closure of RVF or improvement in quality of life was seen 3 months after HBO. Treatment with HBO alone in this specific group of patients therefore appears to be ineffective.
Cardiovascular brain impulses in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rajna Zalán , Mattila Heli , Huotari Niko , Tuovinen Timo , Krüger Johanna , Holst Sebastian C , Korhonen Vesa , Remes Anne M , Seppänen Tapio , Hennig Jürgen , Nedergaard Maiken , Kiviniemi Vesa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Accumulation of amyloid-β is a key neuropathological feature in brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Alterations in cerebral haemodynamics, such as arterial impulse propagation driving the (peri)vascular CSF flux, predict future Alzheimer’s disease progression. We now present a non-invasive method to quantify the three-dimensional propagation of cardiovascular impulses in human brain using ultrafast 10 Hz magnetic resonance encephalography. This technique revealed spatio-temporal abnormalities in impulse propagation in Alzheimer’s disease. The arrival latency and propagation speed both differed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Our mapping of arterial territories revealed Alzheimer’s disease-specific modifications, including reversed impulse propagation around the hippocampi and in parietal cortical areas. The findings imply that pervasive abnormality in (peri)vascular CSF impulse propagation compromises vascular impulse propagation and subsequently glymphatic brain clearance of amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease.
Interindividual Signatures of fMRI Temporal Fluctuations
Authors: Zhang Shengchao , Spoletini Liam J , Gold Benjamin P , Morgan Victoria L , Rogers Baxter P , Chang Catie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The complexity and variability of human brain activity, such as quantified from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) time series, have been widely studied as potential markers of healthy and pathological states. However, the extent to which fMRI temporal features exhibit stable markers of inter-individual differences in brain function across healthy young adults is currently an open question. In this study, we draw upon two widely used time-series measures—a nonlinear complexity measure (sample entropy; SampEn) and a spectral measure of low-frequency content (fALFF)—to capture dynamic properties of resting-state fMRI in a large sample of young adults from the Human Connectome Project. We observe that these two measures are closely related, and that both generate reproducible patterns across brain regions over four different fMRI runs, with intra-class correlations of up to 0.8. Moreover, we find that both metrics can uniquely differentiate subjects with high identification rates (ca. 89%). Canonical correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between multivariate brain temporal features and behavioral measures. Overall, these findings suggest that regional profiles of fMRI temporal characteristics may provide stable markers of individual differences, and motivate future studies to further probe relationships between fMRI time series metrics and behavior.
Meta-Analytic Findings on Reading in Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Wang Yingying , Sibaii Fatima , Lee Kejin , Gill Makayla J , Hatch Jonathan L 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This meta-analysis study aims to quantify the group differences in reading skills between children with cochlear implants and their hearing peers and between children with cochlear implants and children with hearing aids (aged between 3 and 18 years old). Of the 5,642 articles screened, 47 articles met predetermined inclusion criteria (published between 2002 and 2019). The robust variance estimation based meta-analysis models were used to synthesize all the effect sizes. Children with cochlear implants scored significantly lower than their hearing peers in phonological awareness (g = −1.62, p &lt; 0.001), vocabulary (g = −1.50, p &lt; 0.001), decoding (g = −1.24, p &lt; 0.001), and reading comprehension (g = −1.39, p &lt; 0.001), but not for fluency (g = −0.67, p = 0.054). Compared to children with hearing aids, children with cochlear implants scored significantly lower in phonological awareness (g = −0.30, p = 0.028). The percentage of unilateral cochlear implant negatively impacts the group difference between children with cochlear implants and their hearing peers. Findings from this study confirm a positive shift in reading outcomes for profoundly deaf children due to cochlear implantation. Some children with cochlear implants may need additional supports in educational settings.
Holding a Group Together: Non-Game Theory Versus Game Theory
Authors: Richter Michael , Rubinstein Ariel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Each member of a group chooses a position and has preferences regarding his chosen position. The group’s harmony depends on the profile of chosen positions meeting a specific condition. We analyse a solution concept (Richter and Rubinstein, 2020) based on a permissible set of individual positions, which plays a role analogous to that of prices in competitive equilibrium. Given the permissible set, members choose their most preferred position. The set is tightened if the chosen positions are inharmonious and relaxed if the restrictions are unnecessary. This new equilibrium concept yields more attractive outcomes than does Nash equilibrium in the corresponding game.
Identification of local atrial conduction heterogeneities using high-density conduction velocity estimation
Authors: van Schie Mathijs S , Heida Annejet , Taverne Yannick J H J , Bogers Ad J J C , de Groot Natasja M S 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Aims
Accurate determination of intra-atrial conduction velocity (CV) is essential to identify arrhythmogenic areas. The most optimal, commonly used, estimation methodology to measure conduction heterogeneity, including finite differences (FiD), polynomial surface fitting (PSF), and a novel technique using discrete velocity vectors (DVV), has not been determined. We aim (i) to identify the most suitable methodology to unravel local areas of conduction heterogeneities using high-density CV estimation techniques, (ii) to quantify intra-atrial differences in CV, and (iii) to localize areas of CV slowing associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods and results
Intra-operative epicardial mapping (&gt;5000 sites, interelectrode distances 2 mm) of the right and left atrium and Bachmann’s bundle (BB) was performed during sinus rhythm (SR) in 412 patients with or without PAF. The median atrial CV estimated using the DVV, PSF, and FiD techniques was 90.0 (62.4–116.8), 92.0 (70.6–123.2), and 89.4 (62.5–126.5) cm/s, respectively. The largest difference in CV estimates was found between PSF and DVV which was caused by smaller CV magnitudes detected only by the DVV technique. Using DVV, a lower CV at BB was found in PAF patients compared with those without atrial fibrillation (AF) [79.1 (72.2–91.2) vs. 88.3 (79.3–97.2) cm/s; P &lt; 0.001].

Conclusions
Areas of local conduction heterogeneities were most accurately identified using the DVV technique, whereas PSF and FiD techniques smoothen wavefront propagation thereby masking local areas of conduction slowing. Comparing patients with and without AF, slower wavefront propagation during SR was found at BB in PAF patients, indicating structural remodelling.