bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering Active Sites in Three‐Dimensional Hierarchically Porous Graphene‐Like Carbon with Co and N‐Doped Carbon for High‐Performance Zinc‐Air Battery
Authors: Bera Raj Kumar , Park Hongjun , Ryoo Ryong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe design of active sites plays an important role in developing highly active oxygen electrocatalysts in Zn‐air batteries (ZnABs). Here, we report the formation of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles and thin graphitic N‐doped carbon (NC) supported on three‐dimensional hierarchically porous graphene‐like carbon (Co‐NC/3DHPGC) to maximize the accessibility of Co‐NC active sites for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). The produced Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits a broad size distribution (5–30 nm) of Co nanoparticles dispersed on the external surface of 3DHPGC and coated with NC to a thickness of ∼2 nm. We attributed the formation of Co nanoparticles with broad size distribution to the hierarchical porosity of 3DHPGC, which served as a cage to stabilize the Co nanoparticles and increase the metal dispersion; the produced Co nanoparticles catalyze the formation of graphitic NC. Compared with commercial Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts, the resultant Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits excellent bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalytic activity and high durability. The high electrocatalytic performance is ascribed to the accessibility of highly active Co‐NC sites through mesopores of 3DHPGC. The ZnAB assembled with Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits high energy density and efficiency. This systematic engineering and rational synthesis strategy may provide new insight into the development of high‐performance oxygen electrocatalysts for metal‐air batteries and fuel cell technology.
Environmental risk indicators disclosure and value relevance: An empirical analysis of Italian listed companies after the implementation of the Legislative Decree 254/2016
Authors: Paolone Francesco , Granà Fabrizio , Martiniello Laura , Tiscini Riccardo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn response to EU Directive 95/2014, many companies headquartered in Europe have strengthened their non‐financial disclosure on environmental strategies and risks. In particular, the Directive was applied by Italian law, with the Legislative Decree 254/2016, requiring the largest Italian companies (exceeding 500 employees) to provide detailed information on their social and environmental disclosures. In this paper, we aim to analyze the value relevance of financial and environmental information provided by the Italian, non‐financial listed companies after the implementation of the Legislative Decree 254/2016. By building on the signaling theory, we set a pooled regression analysis to test the relationship between environmental disclosure and value relevance for the period 2017–2018. We contribute to the literature by arguing that Italian companies' market value depends on both their financial and environmental disclosures. More specifically, we argue that accounting information is not sufficiently capable to explain the value relevance and it needs to be integrated by a set of environmental information. Our contribution aims at demonstrating that the higher the levels of environmental risk indicators disclosure, the greater a company's market performance.
Hollow Hydrangea‐Like CoRu/Co Architecture as an Excellent Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Chen Qian , Yang Dandan , Wang Yi , Long Yan , Fan Guangyin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDeveloping low‐cost but efficient electrocatalysts to promote the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution from water splitting is essential for hydrogen production. In this study, a hierarchical hollow hydrangea‐like CoRu/Co superstructure is constructed through a self‐templating method by morphology‐controlled pyrolysis of flower‐like Ru‐doped Co‐based layered double hydroxides (LDH). The anchoring of Ru into Co−LDH is the key to the formation of well‐defined hydrangea‐like three‐dimensional superstructure composed of CoRu/Co. The optimized CoRu/Co−M‐350 with a low Ru loading of 3.0 wt% exhibits excellent catalytic performances in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with low overpotential (η10=192 mV) and excellent stability for 100 h at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, outperforming the benchmark RuO2 and most reported electrocatalysts. The superior morphology and structural features of CoRu/Co−M‐350 provide not only abundant accessible surface sites but also fast mass and electron transfer, thereby promoting OER catalysis. The present study provides a new synthetic route for preparing highly active OER electrocatalysts.
Ecohydrological interactions in a boreal fen–swamp complex, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Elmes Matthew C. , Davidson Scott J. , Price Jonathan S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe Western Boreal Plain (WBP) comprises a diverse array of wetland types; however, swamps are understudied in the WBP relative to other wetlands, despite their ubiquity. We apply an ecohydrological and GIS‐based research approach at a fen–swamp complex in the WBP to characterize the ecohydrological properties of the varying wetland types and relate these interactions to the hydrologic function of the watershed. In this study, we evaluate 3 years of hydrological monitoring data, with additional hydrochemical, vegetation and remote sensing data. In our analyses, we identified five land types: fen, flat peat swamp and peat margin swamp (peatlands), mineral swamp and upland. Flat peat swamp was distinguished from fen using Ducks Unlimited criteria, stating fens cannot have trees >10 m in height. Little difference in water table variability, groundwater connectivity, vegetation composition and water chemistry were found between flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that for all practical purposes, they can be considered a single unit and tree height alone cannot be used to differentiate these peatland types. In contrast, peat margin swamps exhibited lower and more variable water tables and consistent downward hydraulic gradients and comprised a mixture of peatland and upland vegetation. Peat margin swamps, however, exhibited similar porewater pH, electrical conductivity and base cation concentrations as upland, flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that they are well connected hydrologically. Peat margin swamps were also found to modulate subsurface water movement between fen and upland (via reduced transmissivity from lower water tables) and therefore act as distinct ecohydrological units.
Toward the incorporation of temporal interaction analysis techniques in modeling and understanding sociotechnical systems
Authors: David Lida Z. , Schraagen Jan Maarten , Endedijk Maaike 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe increased complexity of modern sociotechnical systems (STS) necessitates the need for a manageable representation of their attributes, to augment our understanding and enable the development of ways through which we can increase their effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Although many of the methodologies developed in the Human Factors domain map and investigate system properties and network structures, the inclusion of the temporal dimension in the analysis of STS remains limited. In this paper we present how modeling and visualization of STS can be augmented with the incorporation of temporal interaction analysis techniques that enable a micro‐level, fine‐grained analysis of data. We provide an overview of temporal analysis techniques by breaking down their main function, requirements, types of research questions they can address, and the visualization properties they offer, attempting to enhance their use in system analysis. This overview can assist researchers in selecting an analysis technique, enabling the incorporation of temporality in STS analysis, and helping towards the design of improved and safer systems and interventions.
Is cystectomy an option as conservative surgery for young patients with borderline ovarian tumor? A multi‐institutional retrospective study
Authors: Ikeda Yoshiki , Yoshihara Masato , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Tamauchi Satoshi , Yokoi Akira , Nishino Kimihiro , Niimi Kaoru , Kajiyama Hiroaki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the impact of cystectomy for borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) on tumor recurrence compared with salpingo‐oophorectomy using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).MethodsA central pathologic review and a search of the medical records from 14 collaborating institutions from 1986 to 2017 identified 4708 women with a malignant ovarian neoplasm. Data for young women with Stage I BOT were extracted. To compare recurrence‐free survival between the surgery groups, Cox regression analyses and the IPTW‐adjusted Kaplan‐Meier method were employed.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 62.0 (1.2–270.4) months, 10 of the 285 patients identified (3.5%) developed recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the practice of cystectomy was not a significant prognostic indicator of recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.276 [0.150–10.864]; P = 0.823). In the IPTW‐adjusted cohort, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rates were 95.8% and 96.0% in patients receiving cystectomy and salpingo‐oophorectomy, respectively (P = 0.378).ConclusionIf patients are selected appropriately, cystectomy in itself may not increase tumor recurrence in young women with early‐stage BOT. A large‐scale prospective clinical study is necessary to validate this finding.
Influence of captivity and selection on limb long bone cross‐sectional morphology of reindeer
Authors: Pelletier Maxime , Niinimäki Sirpa , Salmi Anna‐Kaisa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe emergence of pastoralism and animal husbandry has been a critical point in the history of human evolution. Beyond profound behavioural changes in domesticated animals compared to wild ones, characterising the morphological changes associated with domestication process remains challenging. Because reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can be considered to still be in the early phases of the domestication process, the study of modern populations provides a unique opportunity to examine the impact of captivity and selective breeding on skeletal changes. In this work, we investigated the morphological changes in long limb bone cross‐sections using 137 wild and domestic reindeer individuals bred in free‐range, in captivity or used for racing and pulling. The shape and shaft cortical thickness of the six long limb bones (i.e., humerus, radioulna, metacarpal, femur, tibia and metatarsal) were measured using a 2D‐geometric morphometrics approach taking into account subspecies, sex, body mass and lifestyle differences. These bones are important to understanding functional morphological changes because they can provide information on feeding and locomotor behaviours, as well as on body propulsion and weight bearing. Apart from the effects of taxonomy, etho‐ecology and sex, we have found that captivity and selection induced important variations in the size and body mass of modern reindeer. Our results also showed that patterns of variation in cortical bone thickness of long limb bone cross‐sections were strongly impacted by body mass and human‐imposed restrictions in roaming. This demonstrates that bone cross‐sections can provide information on changes in locomotor, reproductive and feeding behaviours induced by the domestication process. These results are valuable not only for (paleo) biologists studying the impact of captivity and selection in ungulates but also for archaeologists exploring the origins of domestication and early herding strategies.
Deep learning‐based segmentation of knee MRI for fully automatic subregional morphological assessment of cartilage tissues: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Panfilov Egor , Tiulpin Aleksei , Nieminen Miika T. , Saarakkala Simo , Casula Victor 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMorphological changes in knee cartilage subregions are valuable imaging‐based biomarkers for understanding progression of osteoarthritis, and they are typically detected from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). So far, accurate segmentation of cartilage has been done manually. Deep learning approaches show high promise in automating the task; however, they lack clinically relevant evaluation. We introduce a fully automatic method for segmentation and subregional assessment of articular cartilage, and evaluate its predictive power in context of radiographic osteoarthritis progression. Two data sets of 3D double‐echo steady‐state (DESS) MRI derived from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were used: first, n = 88; second, n = 600, 0‐/12‐/24‐month visits. Our method performed deep learning‐based segmentation of knee cartilage tissues, their subregional division via multi‐atlas registration, and extraction of subregional volume and thickness. The segmentation model was developed and assessed on the first data set. Subsequently, on the second data set, the morphological measurements from our and the prior methods were analyzed in correlation and agreement, and, eventually, by their discriminative power of radiographic osteoarthritis progression over 12 and 24 months, retrospectively. The segmentation model showed very high correlation (r > 0.934) and agreement (mean difference < 116 mm3) in volumetric measurements with the reference segmentations. Comparison of our and manual segmentation methods yielded r = 0.845–0.973 and mean differences = 262–501 mm3 for weight‐bearing cartilage volume, and r = 0.770–0.962 and mean differences = 0.513–1.138 mm for subregional cartilage thickness. With regard to osteoarthritis progression, our method found most of the significant associations identified using the manual segmentation method, for both 12‐ and 24‐month subregional cartilage changes. The method may be effectively applied in osteoarthritis progression studies to extract cartilage‐related imaging biomarkers.
Numerical simulation of the influence of pillar strength on the internal synergy relationship in the backfill‐pillar system
Authors: Sun Guanghua , Feng Yufan , Xu Xiaodong , Yao Xulong , Liu Chenyang , Wang Yue 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe influence of the strength of the pillar on the bearing characteristics of the backfill‐pillar system (BPS) based on the mechanism of backfill. Quantitative synergy relationships between backfill and pillar were defined and pointed out. There are four kinds of quantitative synergy relationships in the bearing process of the system. To verify the relationship, systems with different strengths of the pillar were selected to carry out numerical simulation experiments, and a mathematical calculation method to quantify synergy relationship in the BPS was designed. The results show that the system under the low strength of the pillar presents the overall increase in bearing characteristics, while the system under the high strength of the pillar presents “N”‐type bearing features. Four kinds of quantitative synergy relationships able to characterise the action mechanism between backfill and pillar in each stage of the bearing of the system. Through analysis and discussion, it was concluded that the essential reason for the difference in bearing characteristics is that the effect of displacement restraint, joint support, and passive compressive weaken with the increase of the strength of pillar. The effect of pillar strength on the internal synergy of BPS is well verified by numerical simulation test.
White rot fungal impact on the evolution of simple phenols during decay of silver fir wood by UHPLC‐HQOMS
Authors: Di Lella Stefania , La Porta Nicola , Tognetti Roberto , Lombardi Fabio , Nardin Tiziana , Larcher Roberto 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionSilver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is one of the most valuable conifer wood species in Europe. Among the main opportunistic pathogens that cause root and butt rot on silver fir are Armillaria ostoyae and Heterobasidion abietinum. Due to the different enzymatic pools of these wood‐decay fungi, different strategies in metabolizing the phenols were available.ObjectiveThis work explores the changes in phenolic compounds during silver fir wood degradation.MethodologyPhenols were analyzed before and after fungus inoculation in silver fir macerated wood after 2, 4 and 6 months. All samples were analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole‐orbitrap mass spectrometer.ResultsThirteen compounds, including simple phenols, alkylphenyl alcohols, hydroxybenzoketones, hydroxycinnamaldehydes, hydroxybenzaldehydes, hydroxyphenylacetic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycoumarins, were detected. Pyrocatechol, coniferyl alcohol, acetovanillone, vanillin, benzoic acid, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic acid contents decreased during the degradation process. Methyl vanillate, ferulic acid and p‐coumaric were initially produced and then degraded. Scopoletin was accumulated. Pyrocatechol, acetovanillone and methyl vanillate were found for the first time in both degrading and non‐degrading wood of silver fir.ConclusionsDespite differences in the enzymatic pool, both fungi caused a significant decrease in the amounts of phenolic compounds with the accumulation of the only scopoletin. Principal component analysis revealed an initial differentiation between the degradation activity of the two fungal species during degradation, but similar phenolic contents at the end of wood degradation.
Gender context modulation on the self‐enhancement effect of vocal attractiveness evaluation
Authors: Peng Zhikang , Hu Zhiguo , Wang Xinyu , Jiao Tiantian , Li Hanxiaoran , Liu Hongyan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPeople evaluated their own voices as sounding more attractive than others rated their voices (i.e., self‐enhancement effect from the perspective of the rater, termed “SE_rater”), and people also rated their own voices as more attractive than the voices of others (i.e., self‐enhancement effect from the perspective of the voice, termed “SE_voice”). The aim of the present study is to explore whether the gender context (i.e., same‐sex and opposite‐sex rating context) could influence the SE effect of voice attractiveness evaluation. Male and female participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of their own voices and other participants' voices, either in a same‐sex session or an opposite‐sex session. The results demonstrated both the SE_rater and SE_voice effect in the same‐sex and opposite‐sex contexts, for both male and female. More importantly, we found that the SE_rater for the male voices was significantly greater than that for the female voices in the same‐sex context whereas no such difference was found in the opposite‐sex context. In addition, the SE_voice effect in men was larger in the same‐sex context than that in the opposite‐sex context whereas the SE_voice in women was smaller in the same‐sex context than that in the opposite‐sex context. These findings indicated that the self‐enhancement effect of vocal attractiveness was modulated by the gender context.
Chylothorax in the neonate—A stepwise approach algorithm
Authors: Rocha Gustavo , Arnet Vanessa , Soares Paulo , Gomes Ana Cristina , Costa Sandra , Guerra Paula , Casanova Jorge , Azevedo Inês 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundChylothorax in neonates results from leakage of lymph from thoracic lymphatic ducts and is mainly congenital or posttraumatic. The clinical course of the effusion is heterogeneous, and consensus on treatment, timing, and modalities of measures has not yet been established. This review aims to present, along with levels of evidence and recommendation grades, all current therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of chylothorax in neonates.MethodsAn extensive search of publications between 1970 and 2020 was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and UpToDate databases. A stepwise approach algorithm was proposed for both congenital and traumatic conditions to guide the clinician in a rational and systematic way for approaching the treatment of neonates with chylothorax.Discussion and ConclusionThe treatment strategy for neonatal chylothorax generally involves supportive care and includes drainage and procedures to reduce chyle flow. A stepwise approach starting with the least invasive method is advocated. Progression in the invasiveness of treatment options is determined by the response to previous treatments. A practical stepwise approach algorithm is proposed for both, congenital and traumatic chylothoraces.
Protein oligomer modeling guided by predicted interchain contacts in CASP14
Authors: Baek Minkyung , Anishchenko Ivan , Park Hahnbeom , Humphreys Ian R. , Baker David 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFor CASP14, we developed deep learning‐based methods for predicting homo‐oligomeric and hetero‐oligomeric contacts and used them for oligomer modeling. To build structure models, we developed an oligomer structure generation method that utilizes predicted interchain contacts to guide iterative restrained minimization from random backbone structures. We supplemented this gradient‐based fold‐and‐dock method with template‐based and ab initio docking approaches using deep learning‐based subunit predictions on 29 assembly targets. These methods produced oligomer models with summed Z‐scores 5.5 units higher than the next best group, with the fold‐and‐dock method having the best relative performance. Over the eight targets for which this method was used, the best of the five submitted models had average oligomer TM‐score of 0.71 (average oligomer TM‐score of the next best group: 0.64), and explicit modeling of inter‐subunit interactions improved modeling of six out of 40 individual domains (ΔGDT‐TS > 2.0).
Rapid growing mediastinal ectopic pancreas within ruptured thymic cyst treated using video‐assisted thoracic surgery
Authors: Sugata Kazuki , Kajiura Koichiro , Taniguchi Haruki , Kuda Tomoya , Matsuzaki Akiko , Fukumoto Taizo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEctopic pancreas (EP) is typically found within other gastrointestinal organs. Its discovery in other parts of the body, especially in the mediastinum, is exceedingly rare. This paper presents a case of a 17‐year‐old female patient with EP in a large, rapidly growing thymic cyst. She presented to our institution with persistent chest pain. Video‐assisted thoracic surgery revealed a mediastinal mass in the setting of pleural effusion. Analysis of the fluid contents of the mass and the pleural effusion demonstrated high levels of pancreatic amylase, which supported the presence of pancreatic tissue within the mass. This is the first reported case of EP in a thymic cyst with an active pancreatic exocrine function. It is also the first reported case of mediastinal EP rupture secondary to autodigestion by amylase.
2D MXene Nanomaterials for Versatile Biomedical Applications: Current Trends and Future Prospects
Authors: Lu Beibei , Zhu Zhenye , Ma Biyuan , Wang Wei , Zhu Rongshu , Zhang Jiaheng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractResearch on 2D nanomaterials is still in its early stages. Most studies have focused on elucidating the unique properties of the materials, whereas only few reports have described the biomedical applications of 2D nanomaterials. Recently, important questions about the interaction of 2D MXene nanomaterials with biological components have been raised. 2D MXenes are monolayer atomic nanosheets derived from MAX phase ceramics. As a new type of inorganic nanosystems, they are being widely used in biology and biomedicine. This review introduces the latest developments in 2D MXenes for the most advanced biomedical applications, including preparation and surface modification strategies, treatment modes, drug delivery, antibacterial activity, bioimaging, sensing, and biocompatibility. Besides, this review also discusses the current development trends and prospects of 2D inorganic nanosheets for further clinical applications. These emerging 2D inorganic MXenes will play an important role in next‐generation cancer treatments.