bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects ofCO2/NO/SO2in flue gas on selenium adsorption on carbonaceous surface
Authors: Wang Ruobing , Zou Chan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe effects of different flue gas compositions (CO2, NO, and SO2) on selenium (Se) adsorption mechanism over carbonaceous surface (CS) were explored using density functional theory (DFT). Considering weak interaction in the adsorption process, B3LYP‐D3/6‐31G(d) was employed to conduct geometry optimization and frequency calculations, and B3LYP‐D3/6‐311+G(d, p) was used to obtain more accurate single point energy. Results show that when the Se atom was absorbed on CS, the adsorption energies were −588.86 kJ/mol and −646.56 kJ/mol, respectively. It suggests that the adsorption process between Se atom and CS belongs to chemical adsorption. CO2and NO have negative effect on Se adsorption on CS, while SO2can promote the adsorption capacity of CS for Se atom. In order to further explain how SO2enhances the adsorption capacity of CS for Se, the atomic dipole moment corrected Hirshfeld (ADCH) charges were calculated. Calculation results show that SO2enhanced the electronegativity of the active site, contributing to the Se adsorption. Mayer bond order and ADCH charge are reliable tools to analyze adsorption process. Calculation results reveal the influencing mechanism of different flue gas compositions on Se adsorption, which can lay the theoretical basis for the control of Se during coal combustion.
Implementation and design of an interleaved Cuk converter with selective input current ripple elimination capability
Authors: Taghizadegan Kalantari Navid , Ghabeli Sani Sajad , Sarsabahi Yaser 
Published: January 2021

SummaryNowadays, buck–boost DC–DC converters are widely used in numerous power devices. However, to have a suitable buck–boost DC–DC converter, reducing the input current ripple seems to be necessary. Also, having a lower current ripple at the converter output allows using low‐cost, long‐life ceramic capacitors instead of electrolytic capacitors. The presented buck–boost converter is made by interleaving two Cuk converters with positive and negative output voltage polarity, which provides the chance to eliminate the input current ripple at the selective duty cycle. The selective duty ratio can be determined by designing the inductors amounts at the input side of both converters. Though a new combination for the buck–boost converter is presented, which has zero input current ripple and low output current ripple which is obtained by output inductors. The converter maximum voltage gain is 2D/1‐D and has easy control. In conclusion, a prototype model with 100‐W output power is implemented, and the theoretical analysis and laboratory results are compared and validated.
Plasticity of the paternal brain: Effects of fatherhood on neural structure and function
Authors: Horrell Nathan D. , Acosta Melina C. , Saltzman Wendy 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCare of infants is a hallmark of mammals. Whereas parental care by mothers is obligatory for offspring survival in virtually all mammals, fathers provide care for their offspring in only an estimated 5%–10% of genera. In these species, the transition into fatherhood is often accompanied by pronounced changes in males’ behavioral responses to young, including a reduction in aggression toward infants and an increase in nurturant behavior. The onset of fatherhood can also be associated with sensory, affective, and cognitive changes. The neuroplasticity that mediates these changes is not well understood; however, fatherhood can alter the production and survival of new neurons; function and structure of existing neurons; morphology of brain structures; and neuroendocrine signaling systems. Although these changes are thought to promote infant care by fathers, very little evidence exists to support this hypothesis; in most cases, neither the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity in fathers nor its functional significance is known. In this paper, we review the available data on the neuroplasticity that occurs during the transition into fatherhood. We highlight gaps in our knowledge and future directions that will provide key insights into how and why fatherhood alters the structure and functioning of the male brain.
Charging potential measurement of floating electrode modeled on the arc shield of vacuum interrupter under AC voltage application
Authors: Fukuda Hideaki , Yamamura Kenta , Fujita Issei , Kusa Ryutaro , Yamano Yasushi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA charging potential of a floating electrode modeled on vacuum interrupter was measured under unipolar AC voltage application using a surface potential meter. As a result, when a lower voltage was applied to the samples, only an induced potential depending on the electrostatic capacities of the sample and surrounding objects around the sample was measured from the floating electrode. However, in the case of high voltage application, not only induced voltage but also a positive charging potential was observed from the floating electrode which was enough to change the potential of the floating electrode. This is due to the field electron emission from the floating electrode itself.
Quantitative effects of changes in agricultural irrigation on potential evaporation
Authors: Han Congying , Zhang Baozhong , Han Songjun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEvaporation is a key element to the basin's water cycle. Agricultural irrigation has resulted in a significant variation of regional potential evaporation (Epen). The spatiotemporal variation of Epen and influencing factors in natural, agricultural, and desert areas in different developmental stages of irrigation in Heihe River Basin (HRB) from 1970 to 2017 were comparatively analysed in this study. This work focused on the correction effect of irrigation on the variation of Epen. Agricultural water consumption in HRB significantly varied around 1998 due to agricultural development and water policy. Under the influence of irrigation, annual variations of Epen in agricultural, natural, and desert areas were significantly different. From 1970 to 1998, the annual trend slope of Epen in natural area only reduced by 1 mm decade−1, while that in agricultural area significantly decreased by 39 mm decade−1. After the implementation of water‐saving irrigation, Epen in natural and agricultural areas increased by 11 and 54 mm decade−1, respectively, from 1998 to 2017. In contrast with natural and agricultural areas, Epen in desert area decreased by 80 mm decade−1 from 1970 to 1998 and continuously decreased by 41 mm decade−1 from 1998 to 2017. However, the regulatory effect of irrigation on Epen in desert area started to manifest due to the expansion of cultivated land area from 2010 to 2017. Irrigation had a significant regulatory effect on the variation of Epen in HRB. The regulatory effect was mainly reflected on the aerodynamic term (Eaero). Results indicated that the main meteorological factors influencing Epen in each region were wind speed, which is 2 m above the surface (U2), and water vapour deficit (VPD).
Bladder cancer invasion along a tension‐free vaginal mesh
Authors: Ochi Atsuhiko , Harada Shunsuke , Fukuokaya Wataru , Honma Koichi , Huang Tingwen , Abe Hirokazu 
Published: January 2021

IntroductionThe effect of synthetic mesh after pelvic organ prolapse surgery on the progression of bladder cancer remains unclear.Case presentationA 79‐year‐old woman who underwent a tension‐free vaginal mesh procedure 8 years prior was diagnosed with carcinoma in situ of the bladder. Although intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy was started, the tumor rapidly became muscle invasive. Laparoscopic radical cystectomy was performed following radiochemotherapy; however, the tumor extended to the left internal obturator muscle along the mesh arm. Pathological findings showed desmoplastic high‐grade urothelial carcinoma infiltrating around the mesh. Finally, cancer recurred rapidly in the left internal obturator muscle.ConclusionSynthetic mesh can become an abnormal anatomical pathway for tumor infiltration. Therefore, in high‐risk bladder cancer patients who underwent a tension‐free vaginal mesh procedure, radical cystectomy should be performed without delay before the tumor invades the perivesical tissue.
Iris boundary localization based on Hough transform and the quadratic circle data compensation
Authors: Yang Yu , Wang Jinsong , Xue Yadi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIris localization is the crucial link of iris recognition and automatic eye tracking. Based on the traditional Hough transform, this paper proposes an accurate pupil detection method combined with ellipse fitting and circular data compensation. We used the minimum gray mean method to approximately determine the inner edge. According to the results, the inner edge image is extracted and finely located by the center compensation method. When locating the outer boundary, a coarse localization is performed based on approximate radius compensation. The fine localization of the outer edge is performed based on approximate circle center compensation. The experimental results show the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy and real‐time performance of the localization compared with the traditional method. It retains the original advantages of Hough transform while reduces the amount of computation and useless information.
Glioma grade detection using grasshopper optimization algorithm‐optimized machine learning methods: The Cancer Imaging Archive study
Authors: Hedyehzadeh Mohammadreza , Maghooli Keivan , MomenGharibvand Mohammad 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDetection of brain tumor's grade is a very important task in treatment plan design which was done using invasive methods such as pathological examination. This examination needs resection procedure and resulted in pain, hemorrhage and infection. The aim of this study is to provide an automated non‐invasive method for estimation of brain tumor's grade using Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI). After pre‐processing, using Fuzzy C‐Means (FCM) segmentation method, tumor region was extracted from post‐processed images. In feature extraction, texture, Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and fractal‐based features were extracted using Matlab software. Then using Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA), parameters of three different classification methods including Random Forest (RF), K‐Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were optimized. Finally, performance of three applied classifiers before and after optimization were compared. The results showed that the random forest with accuracy of 99.09% has achieved better performance comparing other classification methods.
Discotic material hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene inhibits Escherichia coli growth via the glycolysis pathway
Authors: Wu Hsiu‐Hui , Chen Ho‐Lun , Hsu Chih Ying , Yeh Chih‐Ling , Hsu Hsiu‐Fu , Cheng Chien‐Chung 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDiscotic materials and nanoparticles are potential carriers of synthetic chemicals to increase the bioavailability. Several planar discotic compounds were prepared with C–C bond formation by the Sonagoshira reaction. Their toxicity was based on their inhibition of Escherichia coli growth as well as a simple proteomic analysis. The partial analogues of hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene structures did not inhibit E. coli growth significantly. The possible metabolic pathway of hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene (1) may involve the downregulation of glycolytic proteins detected with a proteomic analysis. Hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene is found not only useful in liquid crystals but may also have utility in the development of novel antibiotics.
Environmental and human health risks associated with exposure to hazardous elements present in urban dust from Barranquilla, Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Osorio‐Martinez Jorge , Silva Luis F. O. , Flores Erico M. M. , Nascimento Mariele S. , Picoloto Rochele S. , Olivero‐Verbel Jesus 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUrban dust is a mixture of deposited particles from different sources usually linked to potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Despite the industrialization of many South American countries, little is known about the impact of particulate matter in large cities; these data are necessary to promote environmental policies aiming to protect human health. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the particle size distribution, composition, and environmental and human health risks of settled dust particles from Barranquilla, a Colombian Caribbean industrialized area. Trace elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry from 35 different sites, covering all city areas. Dust was mostly composed of 10‐to‐70‐μm particles. The average concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, and Bi were above background. High spatial heterogeneity was observed for Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, and Bi. Concentration factors suggest that urban dusts are extremely contaminated by Zn and Cu. The ecological risk associated with specific elements decreased in the order Cd > Cu > As > Hg > Pb > Ni > Co ≈ Zn ≈ Cr, and the contamination load index showed that 91% of the samples are polluted by PTEs. Although the carcinogenic risks of Cr, Ni, As, Co, and Cd were low, chronic exposure to several PTEs may affect quality of life. Educational programs, as well as monitoring and greater control on traffic, industry, and construction activities are needed to protect environmental and human health.
A green revolution in sub‐Saharan Africa? The transformation of Ethiopia's agricultural sector
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAs the widespread pessimism about African agriculture has receded, policies for a green revolution in Africa are again called for. This study explores the presence of a national‐level green revolution in Ethiopia and finds that an Ethiopian green revolution has taken place since the mid‐1990s, mainly among staple‐growing smallholders in agroecologically favourable areas and that the state has played a central role in this transformation via public spending on agriculture. It concludes that there is scope for states in today's low‐income countries to take a leading role in the transformation of their agricultural sectors.
A Super‐Amphiphilic 3D Silicone Sponge with High Porosity for the Efficient Adsorption of Various Pollutants
Authors: Cao Jinfeng , Wang Yan , Wang Dengxu , Sun Ruixue , Guo Mengdong , Feng Shengyu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSilicone sponge, which is nontoxic, highly flexible, insulated, and chemically inert, has great promise in the aerospace, electronics, and health care industries. However, the inherent surface properties and the harsh synthesis method limit its application. A super‐amphiphilic 3D silicone sponge is designed by a thiol‐ene click reaction for the first time. The sponge possesses high porosity, low density, excellent adsorption ability, and reusability for water, oil, emulsions, and Hg2+ or dyes or suspended solids in them. The sponge can selectively adsorb a very high amount (941.3 mg g−1) of Hg2+ from solutions (water, oil, emulsions) containing various ions at a nearly 100% removal efficiency. Cation dyes can also be selectively captured by the sponge. Furthermore, the sponge is designed as a filter element for a filtration system, and the content of the pollutants in the filtrate reaches drinkable levels after the Hg2+ and dye solutions are processed. The filter can be reused with almost unchanged filtration efficiency after a simple washing process. The successful treatment of actual/artificial polluted water proves its practical value.
Aqueous Synthesis of Upper Critical Solution Temperature and Lower Critical Solution Temperature Copolymers through Combination of Hydrogen‐Donors and Hydrogen‐Acceptors
Authors: Lu Jianlei , Xu Mengdi , Lei Yi , Gong Lihao , Zhao Chuanzhuang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe synthesis of thermo‐responsive polymers from non‐responsive and water‐soluble monomers has great practical advantages but significant challenges. Herein, the authors report a novel aqueous copolymerization strategy to prepare polymers with tunable upper critical solution temperature (UCST) or lower critical solution temperature (LCST) from non‐responsive monomers. Acrylic acid (AAc), N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), and acrylamide (AAm) are copolymerized in water, yielding copolymers with UCST behavior. Interestingly, by simply replacing AAm with its methylated homologue, dimethyl acrylamide (DMA), the thermo‐responsiveness of the copolymers is converted into LCST‐type. The cloud points of the copolymers can be tuned rationally with their monomer ratios and the condition of the solvent. The UCST property of the poly(AAc–NVP–AAm) comes from the AAc–AAm and AAc–NVP hydrogen‐bonds, while the LCST property of poly(AAc–NVP–DMA) originates from the hydrophobic aggregation of AAc–NVP complex and DMA, as indicated by temperature‐dependent 1H NMR and dynamic light scattering.
FLASH proton irradiation setup with a modulator wheel for a single mouse eye
Authors: Kourkafas Georgios , Bundesmann Juergen , Fanselow Timo , Denker Andrea , Ehrhardt Vincent Henrique , Gollrad Johannes , Budach Volker , Weber Andreas , Kociok Norbert , Joussen Antonia M. , Heufelder Jens 
Published: January 2021

PurposeRecent studies indicate that FLASH irradiation, which involves ultra‐high dose rates in a short time window (usually >40 Gy/s in <500 ms), might be equally efficient against tumors but less harmful to healthy tissues, compared to conventional irradiation with the same total dose. Aiming to verify the latter claim for ocular proton radiotherapy, in vivo experiments with mice are being carried out by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. This work presents the implemented setup for delivering FLASH proton radiation to a single eye of mice at the Helmholtz‐Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB).Materials and methodsThe HZB cyclotron is tuned to provide a high‐intensity 68 MeV focused proton beam. Outside the vacuum beamline, the protons hit a single scatterer, which also serves as range shifter, and a rotating modulator wheel, which produces a flat depth‐dose distribution. Two transmission ionization chambers in between, read out by fast electronics, are used as dose monitors for triggering an in‐vacuum beam shutter, which blocks the beam once the desired dose has been delivered. A collimating aperture shapes the radiation field at the isocenter, which is measured by a radioluminescent screen and a CCD camera. At the same position, a parallel‐plate ionization chamber of type Advanced Markus® is used for absolute dosimetry and characterization of the spread‐out Bragg peak inside a water phantom. A thin‐foil mirror of adjustable tilt in the beam path assists the correct alignment of the target through side illumination. Radiochromic films of type EBT3 are used to supplement the dosimetry and assist the alignment.ResultsA dose rate of 75 Gy/s has been measured, delivering within 200 ms 15 Gy (RBE) with a reproducibility better than ±1%. A depth‐dose curve with a range of 5.2 mm in water, 0.9 mm distal fall‐off (90%–10%), and ±2.5% ripple has been demonstrated, with a PTV of 6.3 mm diameter, 1.7 mm lateral penumbra (90%–10%), 8% uniformity, and 3% symmetry.ConclusionsThe implemented setup is able to accommodate ocular irradiation of narcotized mice with protons, targeting selectively the left or the right eye, under conventional and FLASH conditions. Switching between these two modes can be done within half an hour, including the calibration of the dose monitors and the verification of the dose delivery. Further upgrades are planned after the completion of the on‐going experiment.
Determination of monosaccharides in Lycium barbarum fruit polysaccharide by an efficient UHPLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS method
Authors: Xu Jun , Wang Rui , Liu Junlin , Cheng He , Peng Daiyin , Xing Lihua , Shi Suying , Yu Nianjun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionPre‐column derivatisation using 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone (PMP) is a common method for monosaccharide determination. Herein, a specific ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole trap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS) method was developed and used for the determination of monosaccharide composition of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP).ObjectiveExploration of a new efficient method for monosaccharide determination.MethodsIn our study, hydrochloric acid was used to hydrolyse the polysaccharide obtained from L. barbarum fruits. Principal component analysis (PCA) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) analysis were used for comprehensive evaluation of the samples. The results showed that LBP was composed of seven monosaccharides: galactose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose, xylose, ribose, and glucose. The linear relationship of the seven monosaccharides was optimum within a certain concentration range. Quantitative recoveries of the seven monosaccharides from the samples ranged from 94.76% to 102.11%.ResultsA rapid quantitative detection method was established, in which the hydrolysis time was reduced from 12 h to 2 h. By using LBP as one of the indexes to evaluate the quality of L. barbarum, L. barbarum from Zhongning County, Ningxia Province, was identified as having the best quality among the varieties tested.ConclusionThe UHPLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS pre‐column derivatisation method used in this study was simple, accurate, and sensitive, with good repeatability, and can be used for quality evaluation and origin distinction of L. barbarum and other medicinal plants.
Interpeduncular angle: A new parameter for assessing intracranial hypotension in fetuses with spinal dysraphism
Authors: Sepulveda Francisco , Quezada Frank , Montoya Francisca , Sepulveda Waldo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of the interpeduncular angle (IPA) as a new indicator of intracranial hypotension in fetuses with open spinal dysraphism (SD).MethodsTwo groups of fetuses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination were identified. The study group included fetuses with open SD (n = 21), while the control group included fetuses with a normal brain and spine (n = 43). Two observers retrospectively evaluated axial T2‐weighted images of the brain and the IPA was identified and measured. Other features of the Chiari II malformation were also evaluated in the study group and correlated with the IPA.ResultsThe average value (±SD) of the IPA for the study and control groups was 9.8° ± 18.5° and 60.2° ± 5.9°, respectively. The intergroup analysis of the IPA measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.005). Brainstem slumping or cerebellar tonsillar descent, collapse of the fourth ventricle, and ventriculomegaly also had a significant correlation with a lower IPA (p = 0.001).ConclusionMeasuring the IPA may be a useful technique for assessing the degree of intracranial hypotension in fetuses with open SD. This technique can also detect less severe cases of prenatal intracranial hypotension, even before cerebellar tonsillar descent. The lower IPA in fetuses with open SD further supports the theory that cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and not traction, is the underlying cause of Chiari II malformation.