bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neodymium‐Doped IrO2 Electrocatalysts Supported on Titanium Plates for Enhanced Chlorine Evolution Reaction Performance
Authors: Hu Jiajun , Xu Haoran , Feng Xiangdong , Lei Lecheng , He Yi , Zhang Xingwang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is extensively used in disinfection, chlorine products, and water treatment. However, CER catalysts based on noble metals are expensive, limiting their industrial application. For the purpose of enhancing the CER performance with low usage of Ir, Nd‐doped IrO2 electrocatalysts supported on Ti plates were fabricated by using the sol‐gel method. The optimal Ti/Ir0.8Nd0.2Ox electrode exhibited excellent CER performance with a low potential of 1.52 V vs. RHE at 100 mA cm−2 and a great stability of over 210 h in 5 M NaCl solution. Notably, the mass activity of Ti/Ir0.8Nd0.2Ox (96.5 A gIr−1 at 1.5 V vs RHE) was twice as high as that of Ti/IrO2, which was the highest among noble metal electrodes reported. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the doping of Nd could clearly decrease the loss of Gibbs free energy for the rate‐determining step (desorption of chlorine).
CFD investigation of pelletization effect on co‐firing coal with wheat straw
Authors: Mohammed Redha Adel , Lau Anthony , Holuszko Maria , Vakil Ali , Sokhansanj Shahab 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBiomass co‐firing in existing coal‐fired power plants has been proven successful and practised in many installations worldwide as a greener alternative to coal. Attempts to overcome the low efficiency of transporting raw biomass have resulted in global wood pellets market growth in the past decade. This research studies the effect of biomass densification on biomass co‐firing with coal. A three‐dimensional CFD model was used to simulate the co‐firing of coal and wheat straw. The model was verified by comparing the simulation results and experimental data presented in the literature. The experimental and predicted results were found to be in good agreement and exhibit the same general trends in terms of the gas species (O2, CO, CO2, and H2O) concentrations. The effect of pelletization on biomass particle combustion was then investigated by considering particle shrinkage due to compression during pelletization. The baseline case is for uncompressed particles having particle density of 600 kg/m3, whereas the two cases of densified particles have particle densities of 800 kg/m3 and 1000 kg/m3. Results show that, when compared to the baseline case, compressed particles experience slower volatilization and surface reaction rates, and hence a greater percentage of unburnt carbon. Larger wheat straw particles (>894 μm) have different aerodynamic interaction compared to smaller particles in terms of residence time and particle trajectory. CFD results also show that compressed particles would exhibit lower NO emission, and NH3 as the intermediate product from biomass volatile‐N has contributed to the reduction in NO emission during the volatilization process.
Study on the effect of calcium hypochlorite and air as mixed oxidant and a synthesized low cost Pd‐Ni/C anode electrocatalyst for electrooxidation of glycerol in an air breathing microfluidic fuel cell
Authors: Panjiara Deoashish , Pramanik Hiralal 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the present work, glycerol‐based air breathing microfluidic fuel cell (μFC) is investigated. The noble metal Pd and non‐noble metal Ni‐based bimetallic synthesized electrocatalyst (Pd‐Ni/C) were used for glycerol electrooxidation and commercial Pt/CHSA was used as cathode electrocatalyst. The anolyte is glycerol mixed with KOH electrolyte. The atmospheric air and calcium hypochlorite mixture are used as oxidant in cathode and catholyte, respectively. Acetylene black carbon is used as electrocatalyst support with low metal loading of 20 wt% Pd and Ni at their different weight ratios (Pd/Ni) of 16:4, 10:10, and 4:16 to synthesize bimetallic Pd‐Ni/C anode electrocatalysts. The crystal structure of the synthesized electrocatalyst was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The surface morphology and surface concentration of synthesized electrocatalyst were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. The particle size of synthesized electrocatalyst was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The electrochemical activity of Pd‐Ni/C was investigated by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The electrocatalyst Pd‐Ni (10:10)/C gives higher electrocatalytic activity for glycerol electrooxidation compared to other ratios of electrocatalyst. A single air breathing μFC is investigated using various key parameters where air alone as oxidant gives open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.42 V and maximum power density of 1.27 mW/cm2. While using calcium hypochlorite and air as mixed oxidant, the OCV was increased to 0.72 V and maximum power density increased to 3.43 mW/cm2, which are 1.71 and 2.7 times, respectively, more than that of air as oxidant only.
Triphenylphosphonium‐Derived Bright Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Mitochondrial Targeting and Rapid Selective Detection of Tetracycline
Authors: Rajendran Sathish , Zichri Shani Ben , Usha Vipinachandran Varsha , Jelinek Raz , Bhunia Susanta Kumar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlthough various fluorescent‐based nanoparticles are treated as cellular imaging probes, approaching the construction of a biocompatible subcellular imaging probe is challenging. At the same time, the recognition of wasted pharmaceutical drugs by some fluorescent nanoprobes is important and urgently required. We report a “structural memory” concept for simple one‐pot synthesis of bright green fluorescent (quantum yield of up to 61%) carbon dots (C‐dots) from triphenylphosphonium (TPP) as a carbon precursor that will simultaneously act as an effective vehicle for mitochondria labeling in cancer cells and as a selective tetracycline sensor. The ubiquitous TPP residues upon the C‐dots’ surface easily recognize the cellular mitochondria. Tetracycline has been selectively and instantaneously detected through rapid fluorescence on‐off response from C‐dots where other drugs remained silent in nature, even after longer incubation. This quenching response is ascribed to the static quenching effect and position of functional groups of the targeted drug which can play a dominating role. The reason for strong fluorescence exhibition from C‐dots has been well explained by considering different factors. Such types of C‐dots have been shown to be universal mitochondria‐targeting nanoprobes, non‐cytotoxic, and effective as a tetracycline detector. This finding should open a new avenue for in‐vivo therapeutic application and sensing of pharmaceutical drugs in real clinical applications.
Compassion for enemy militants?: A case study
Authors: Rothbart Daniel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn stark contrast to detailed studies of negative emotions, peacebuilding scholar‐practitioners pay scant attention to the social psychology of positive emotions that are critical for the long‐term transformation of relations among conflict actors. I offer results from one case study of compassion, the first of its kind, of a group of 23 young people from conflict‐ridden countries who were enrolled in a 2‐year peace education program called Rondine. All of the research participants exhibited compassion for the civilians who suffered from the effects of the violence. Most of them exhibited compassion even for the militants who caused such violence.
Non‐native rats detected on uninhabited southern Grenadine islands with seabird colonies
Authors: Smart Wayne A. , Collier Natalia , Rolland Virginie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSeabirds are among the most endangered avian groups, with populations declining worldwide because of various threats, including invasive nest predators. Similar decreasing trends are occurring in the Southern Grenadines; however, the causes of decline remain uncertain, although non‐native rats have been suspected. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether non‐native rats are present on five Southern Grenadine islands that harbor seabird colonies, during May–July 2014–2017, using four methods (chew cards, tunnels, cameras, and questionnaires). Les Tantes East and Lee Rocks were the only two islands where cameras detected black rats (Rattus rattus). Although rat occupancy was low (0.125 ± 0.061) and the number of individuals and nesting attempts increased (except in 2017) for most species, the low detection probability and small number of nests prevented any inference about rat impact on seabirds. Rats might have affected seabird colonies, but other factors, such as seabird harvest, prey availability, or climatic fluctuations, could have also driven previous seabird population declines in the Southern Grenadines. However, non‐native rats are present and future research should focus on estimating their density and distribution on these and other islands of the region before an appropriate rat eradication program can be implemented.
Male competition reverses female preference for male chemical cues
Authors: Vilella‐Pacheco Zorimar , Mitchem Lisa D. , Formica Vincent A. , Brodie Edmund D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFemales must choose among potential mates with different phenotypes in a variety of social contexts. Many male traits are inherent and unchanging, but others are labile to social context. Competition, for example, can cause physiological changes that reflect recent wins and losses that fluctuate throughout time. We may expect females to respond differently to males depending on the outcome of their most recent fight. In Bolitotherus cornutus (forked fungus beetles), males compete for access to females, but copulation requires female cooperation. In this study, we use behavioral trials to determine whether females use chemical cues to differentiate between males and whether the outcome of recent male competition alters female preference. We measured female association time with chemical cues of two size‐matched males both before and after male–male competition. Females in our study preferred to associate with future losers before males interacted, but changed their preference for realized winners following male competitive interactions. Our study provides the first evidence of change in female preference based solely on the outcome of male–male competition.
Comparing demography inferred from age vs. stage in a perennial plant
Authors: Alahuhta Kirsi M. , Crone Elizabeth E. , Lesica Peter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLife history theories analyze and predict variation in vital rates, such as survival and reproduction, based on age. The age‐from‐stage method to derive age‐specific vital rates from stage data was developed because age‐specific data are rarely obtained for plants. Age‐specific vital rates derived by this method might underestimate effects of age on vital rates, because the models assume that vital rates do not vary within stage classes. Consequently, population models and life history summaries relying on these vital rates could be biased against detecting senescence. Here, we perform a comparative study of methods to estimate age‐specific vital rates using monitoring data with known age and stage. We derived age‐, stage‐, and age‐and‐stage‐specific vital rates with demographic data from a long‐lived perennial, Silene spaldingii. Then, we derived three age‐specific population matrix models (age, age‐from‐stage, and age‐and‐stage). For each model, we derived life history summaries commonly used in ecology: population growth rate, net reproductive value, relative reproductive values, stable age distribution, generation time, and sensitivity and elasticity of population growth rate. Many vital rates depended on both age and stage in S. spaldingii. However, this species does not senesce; in fact, the number of flowers increased with age. As expected, the age‐from‐stage method was not able to accurately recreate the age dependence in some life history summaries, such as relative reproductive value. The age‐from‐stage model suggested faster reproductive dynamics in S. spaldingii than the models based on known age, i.e., plants started to reproduce earlier, and fertility remained constant thereafter, which may lead to biased predictions about evolutionary consequences of age‐dependent life history traits. However, population growth rate, generation time, and net reproductive rate did not differ significantly among the models. Our study demonstrated that some metrics are robust to imprecision in model structure, while others are more sensitive. In spite of these biases, this case study provides another example of the diversity of aging patterns in plants. Age can be essential information when studying senescence in plants, but demographic metrics that were not about age per se were similar across model structures.
Flatpack democracy: Power and politics at the boundaries of transition
Authors: Burnett Amy , Nunes Richard 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper seeks to critically assess how “radical” sustainability approaches that challenge “mainstream” development trajectories—and politics—are crafted and contested within local government. We explore the extent to which these approaches account for a consolidation, break down or transformation of role boundaries and political identities and their implications for the politics of niche–regime dynamics. In our in‐depth study of Independents for Frome (Somerset, UK), an “independent” group who took control of the town council in 2011 and consolidated a non‐partisan approach within its administrative functions, referred to as its “Flatpack Democracy” model, we take a closer look at adversarialism and the intersection of power dynamics within local government. The findings reveal the capture of local mainstream political institutions by niche “protagonists” through an orchestration and consolidation of transition governance, woven in strategically and opportunistically into new forms of localized political identities at the niche–regime interface, which helped to create a community‐level regime of transition governance. We suggest that informal institutional capital, such as the role of personal ties can impact on legitimacy, accountability, or the validation of sustainability agendas. Our findings also advance debates on transition thresholds within “liminal transition spaces”, interstitial spaces between a previous way of knowing and doing, and a new way. Here ground rules dictating socio‐political norms are unclear, collaborative actions are potentially working at cross‐purposes and/or multiple forms of (transformative) power are exercised simultaneously at distinct moments, or instantiations of transition. That is, there remains a much‐needed theoretical debate around the fragile and imperfect processes of democratization within the everyday politics of transition management.
Impact of readmissions on octogenarians with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: PURSUIT‐HFpEF registry
Authors: Nishino Masami , Yano Masamichi , Ukita Kohei , Kawamura Akito , Nakamura Hitoshi , Matsuhiro Yutaka , Yasumoto Koji , Tsuda Masaki , Okamoto Naotaka , Tanaka Akihiro , Matsunaga‐Lee Yasuharu , Egami Yasuyuki , Shutta Ryu , Tanouchi Jun , Yamada Takahisa , Yasumura Yoshio , Tamaki Shunsuke , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Suna Shinichiro , Nakatani Daisaku , Hikoso Shungo , Sakata Yasushi ,   Osaka CardioVascular Conference (OCVC)‐Heart Failure Investigators
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsHeart failure (HF) readmissions with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are increasing in the elderly, which is a major socioeconomic problem. We investigated the clinical impact of HF readmissions (HFR) on octogenarians with HFpEF.Methods and resultsWe enrolled consecutive octogenarians (≥80 years old) from June 2016 to February 2020 in PURSUIT‐HFpEF registry. We divided them into HFR group readmitted for HF during the follow‐up period and non‐HF readmission (non‐HFR) group. We evaluated the impact of HFR on all‐cause mortality, cardiac death, and quality of life (QOL). Additionally, we evaluated the factors at discharge correlated with HFR. HFR group comprised 116 patients (21.4%). Among all‐cause deaths, 40 patients suffered cardiac deaths (48.2%). The Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a similar prognosis between HFR and non‐HFR groups as well as similar incidences of HF deaths. The QOL scores had significantly deteriorated by 1 year later in the HFR group (0.71 ± 0.19 vs. 0.59 ± 0.21, P < 0.001), while it was similar at 1 year in the non‐HFR group. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.019), N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro BNP) levels ≥ 1611 pg/mL (P < 0.001), and serum albumin level ≤ 3.7 g/dL (P = 0.011) were useful markers for HFR in octogenarians.ConclusionsIn octogenarians with HFpEF, HF readmission was not directly correlated with the prognosis but was well correlated with the QOL. Close follow‐up is essential to decrease HFR of octogenarians with HFpEF with DM, high NT‐pro BNP (≥1611 pg/mL) and low albumin (≤3.7 g/dL) levels at discharge.
An empirical transcendental hysteresis model for structural systems with pinching and degradation
Authors: Aloisio Angelo , Sejkot Petr , Iqbal Asif , Fragiacomo Massimo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe authors present a novel transcendental hysteresis model based on the piecewise definition of arctangent functions. The definition of the shape parameters of the arctangent functions originates from the features of the experimental hysteresis curves directly. In the first step, the authors present this model's application to the experimental cyclic response of cross‐laminated timber (CLT), light‐timber frame (LTF) shear walls, and a steel angle bracket. Then, the response of a plywood‐coupled laminated‐veneer lumber (LVL) shear wall is used for validation purposes. The paper introduces the arctangent‐based model, labeled Atan model, by illustrating some possible shortcomings of hysteresis models with pinching. The paper concludes with a simple demonstration of these issues in the case of a Bouc‐Wen class hysteresis model, the extended energy‐dependent generalized Bouc‐Wen (eegbw) model. The numerical instabilities of the eegbw model are used to endorse the advantages of the proposed formulation in modeling complex structural arrangements, like wood joints and structural systems. The proposed model originates from the analysis of the experimental response of wood joints. However, it can be of more general application, and the particular reference to wood joints does not preclude other application fields.
Flank margin caves can connect to regionally extensive touching vug networks before burial: Implications for cave formation and fluid flow
Authors: Breithaupt Charles I. , Gulley Jason D. , Moore Paul J. , Fullmer Shawn M. , Kerans Charles , Mejia Jessica Z. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFlank margin caves are extreme endmembers of vuggy porosity that form as diagenesis drives the progressive coalescence of smaller solutional pore spaces. Due to their morphological isolation during formation, the prevailing hypothesis has been that fluid flow in and out of flank margin caves occurs via the matrix permeability and that adjacent chambers only become hydraulically connected through nonmatrix porosity during burial, collapse, and fracturing. To our knowledge, however, no studies have evaluated how flank margin caves are connected to regional flow systems in modern carbonate platforms. In this study, we evaluate the connectivity of wells, boreholes, blue holes, and flank margin caves in increasingly older bedrock on San Salvador Island, Bahamas, using tidal attenuation analysis. Phreatic karst features are not reported in Holocene bedrock, and permeability magnitudes from wells suggest Holocene deposits connect to the ocean along matrix‐dominated flow paths. Permeability magnitudes in bedrock surrounding wells, boreholes, and karst features deposited during Marine Isotope Substage (MIS) 5e suggest connection to the ocean through matrix and touching vug porosity. Boreholes, blue holes, and flank margin caves in pre‐MIS5 bedrock connect to the ocean via touching vugs. We suggest that increasing bedrock permeability, cave number, and cave size observed within progressively older bedrock on San Salvador is a function of the cumulative number of freshwater lenses emplaced over successive sea‐level stillstands. We suggest that the morphologies of the two largest caves are consistent with dissolution in multiple lenses occupying lower elevations, collapse resulting in breakout domes, and overprinting of collapse chambers during subsequent highstands. As a result, some caves may not reflect connectivity of the bedrock surrounding the main chambers but may reflect connectivity of more diagenetically mature bedrock at lower elevations where their antecedent chambers formed.
Sepsis and the evolution of human increased sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Brinkworth Jessica F. , Valizadegan Negin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAmong mammals, humans are exquisitely sensitive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an environmentally pervasive bacterial cell membrane component. Very small doses of LPS trigger powerful immune responses in humans and can even initiate symptoms of sepsis. Close evolutionary relatives such as African and Asian monkeys require doses that are an order of magnitude higher to do the same. Why humans have evolved such an energetically expensive antimicrobial strategy is a question that biological anthropologists are positioned to help address. Here we compare LPS sensitivity in primate/mammalian models and propose that human high sensitivity to LPS is adaptive, linked to multiple immune tactics against pathogens, and part of multi‐faceted anti‐microbial strategy that strongly overlaps with that of other mammals. We support a notion that LPS sensitivity in humans has been driven by microorganisms that constitutively live on us, and has been informed by human behavioral changes over our species' evolution (e.g., meat eating, agricultural practices, and smoking).
Correlation between cerebral blood flow and olfactory function in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kashibayashi Tetsuo , Takahashi Ryuichi , Fujita Jun , Fujito Ryoko , Kamimura Naoto , Okutani Fumino , Kazui Hiroaki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveOlfactory dysfunction is common in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to elucidate brain regions associated with olfactory dysfunction in patients with MCI and early AD by using 123I‐IMP‐SPECT to detect regional cerebral blood flow (CBF).MethodsWe included 218 patients diagnosed with AD or MCI, who underwent a comprehensive battery of neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological tests, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Part (ADAS‐Cog), and forward‐ and backward‐digit span. Olfactory function was assessed using T&T olfactometry of five odors; patients stated whether they experienced any smell (detection test) and identified the odor (identification test). The association between single‐photon emission computerized tomography based regional CBF and olfactory function was examined by voxel‐by‐voxel multiple regression analysis, considering sex, age, and education as covariate parameters.ResultsOf the 218 patients, 78 had mildly impaired olfactory detection and 15 had olfactory detection loss; additionally, 213 had mild olfactory identification impairment. The odor detection score correlated significantly with the ADAS‐Cog word recall score (r = 0.193, p = 0.004). The odor identification score correlated significantly with the ADAS memory (r = 0.408, p < 0.001) and ADAS orientation (r = 0.292, p < 0.001) scores. The odor identification score correlated negatively with CBF in the left temporal pole, entorhinal area, and bilateral frontal poles (p < 0.001).ConclusionOlfactory identification dysfunction in patients with MCI and AD is attributable to reduced CBF of the left temporal pole, entorhinal area, and bilateral frontal pole.