bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The bainite transformation behavior, the influencing factors and control strategy in ferritic‐pearlitic forged crankshafts with coarse grains
Authors: Wu M. , He G. , Zheng X. , Zhao F. , Jiang B. , Zhang C. , Liu Y. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMicrostructural characterization of the bainite in a ferritic–pearlitic forged crankshaft was carefully investigated. A Gleeble thermo‐mechanical simulator as well as a high resolution dilatometer were also used to analyze the effect of cooling rate on the bainite formation and the bainite transformation mechanism in steels with different austenite grain sizes. Results show that the fine structure of the bainite mainly consists of bainitic ferrite and martensite. No segregations are found where bainite forms. Bainite tends to form in the slower cooled inner part of the crankshaft with an austenite grain size exceeding 100 μm. The formation of bainite is mainly affected by the austenite grain size as well as the cooling rate in the crankshaft studied. As the austenite grain size increases, ferrite start, pearlite finish and bainite finish temperatures are decreased. More bainite forms when bainite finish temperature decreases. The critical cooling rate of bainite transformation is increased from 0.34 °C⋅s‐1 to 0.44 °C⋅s‐1, if the maximum austenite grain size is refined from 216 μm to 100 μm. For ferritic–pearlitic crankshafts, or other bulky products, the elimination of bainite can be achieved through austenite grain refinement.
Comparison of sparse domain approaches for 4D SPECT dynamic image reconstruction
Authors: Mitra Debasis , Abdalah Mahmoud , Boutchko Rostyslav , Chang Haoran , Shrestha Uttam , Botvinick Elias , Seo Youngho , Gullberg Grant T. 
Published: July 2018

PurposeDynamic imaging (DI) provides additional diagnostic information in emission tomography in comparison to conventional static imaging at the cost of being computationally more challenging. Dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reconstruction is particularly difficult because of the limitations in the sampling geometry present in most existing scanners. We have developed an algorithm Spline Initialized Factor Analysis of Dynamic Structures (SIFADS) that is a matrix factorization method for reconstructing the dynamics of tracers in tissues and blood directly from the projections in dynamic cardiac SPECT, without first resorting to any 3D reconstruction.MethodsSIFADS is different from “pure” factor analysis in dynamic structures (FADS) in that it employs a dedicated spline‐based pre‐initialization. In this paper, we analyze the convergence properties of SIFADS and FADS using multiple metrics. The performances of the two approaches are evaluated for numerically simulated data and for real dynamic SPECT data from canine and human subjects.ResultsFor SIFADS, metrics analyzed for reconstruction algorithm convergence show better features of the metric curves vs iterations. In addition, SIAFDS provides better tissue segmentations than that from pure FADS. Measured computational times are also typically better for SIFADS implementations than those with pure FADS.ConclusionThe analysis supports the utility of the pre‐initialization of a factorization algorithm for better dynamic SPECT image reconstruction.
Tibial nerve axonal excitability in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gencpinar Pinar , Çelmeli Gamze , Duman Özgür , Haspolat Şenay , Uysal Hilmi 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine alterations in axonal excitability in tibial nerve as compared with median nerve axonal excitability in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Methods: Six patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and 10 patients with diabetes mellitus without polyneuropathy were enrolled. Results: Compared with diabetic patients without polyneuropathy, the tibial nerve strength–duration time constant was significantly longer and supernormality was lower in those with polyneuropathy. Threshold electrotonus studies showed abnormalities in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy, in which smaller threshold changes from long‐depolarizing and hyperpolarizing conditioning, termed “fanning‐in,” were found. Discussion: This study confirms that axonal excitability is significantly altered in the tibial nerve of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Evaluating the axonal excitability of the median and tibial nerves may reveal the presence of length‐dependent polyneuropathy at an early stage. Muscle Nerve 59:76–81, 2019
The prevalence of job stressors among nurses in private in vitro fertilization (IVF) centres
Authors: Khoa Le Dang , Quang Tran Nhat , Vinh Dang Quang , Anh Nguyen Thi Ngoc , Tuong Ho Manh , Foster Kirsty 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThe primary aim of this study was to identify the level of stress and the stressors having an impact on nurses compared with other medical workers in private IVF centres.BackgroundStressful working conditions can an adversely affect not only the health and well‐being of health professionals but also subsequently to patient outcomes if care is given to infertile couples. This is of relevance particularly in view of Vietnam's recent economic growth and the increase in the number of private IVF centres. This is the first study looking at the levels of stress experienced by health workers (especially nurses) providing IVF services.DesignA cross‐sectional survey.MethodsAll health workers in seven IVF Clinics in HCMC were invited to complete an Occupational Stress Index (OSI) questionnaire.ResultsOf the invited 131 medical professionals, 105 (80%) completed the confidential self‐administered questionnaire. Thirty‐five participants (33.3%) were nurses, 19 (18.1%) were doctors and 51 (48.6%) were lab technicians. Approximately two‐thirds reported not having children (67.6%), half (50.48%) married and three‐quarters (76.2%) were women, with a significant difference by medical worker group (p < 0.05). Among the three groups, nurses have higher occupational stress index score compared with the others. The OSI score only had a strong relationship with the “high demand” (p < 0.001). Some demographic variables (e.g., income, long working hours, education level) statistically represented the high significant source of job stress.
Using multi‐criteria decision analysis for assessing sustainability of agricultural systems
Authors: Talukder Byomkesh , Hipel Keith W. , vanLoon Gary W. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractComposite indicators for six key categories of agricultural sustainability are utilized within a Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) structure to assess and compare the sustainability of different agricultural systems. Individual indicators – productivity, stability, efficiency, durability, compatibility and equity – were used to develop composite indicators. In this research, the major steps used to obtain the aggregated indicators and assess sustainability are: define sustainability; recognize sustainability issues; identify indicators; categorize sustainability; measure indicator values to develop composite indicators; give weighting to the categories of sustainability; aggregate composite indicators; and compare the sustainability of different agricultural systems. Using composite indicators, an MCDA structure is employed to evaluate and rank the agricultural systems of southwest coastal Bangladesh in terms of the level of agricultural sustainability of each one. The case study demonstrates that this MCDA approach has the potential to become a useful framework for agricultural sustainability assessment.
Tunable Fabrication of NiAl‐LDHs Containing Acid Activity Sites as Green Catalyst for Acetalization of Furfural to Furfural Diethyl Acetal
Authors: Du Yali , Liu Xuezhen , Wu Xu , Cheng Qiangqiang , Ci Chao , Huang Wei 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNiAl‐LDHs with different acid‐base activity sites were fabricated by tuning the synthetic pH. NiAl‐LDH was introduced into acetalization of furfural to furfural diethyl acetal for the first time. As the result showed that carbonate form LDH (marked as NiAl‐CO3‐LDH) obtained at basic pH presented inert activity as for the absence of appropriate acid activity sites. However, while at acidic pH ambience, nitrate form LDH (marked as NiAl‐NO3‐LDH) was produced. NiAl‐NO3‐LDH expressed preferable acid catalytic property with fine acid activity sites, when setting reaction time of 30 minutes, the equilibrium conversion of furfural was up to 78.5% and the selectivity of furfural diethyl acetal was nearly 100%. Besides, it could be recycled several times and showed stable activity without structural change. Different from the Brønsted acidity catalysts, this is an excellent result ever achieved for the synthesis of furfural diethyl acetal on the Lewis acidic catalyst.
High Capacity Electrospun MgFe2O4–C Composite Nanofibers as an Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Narsimulu D. , Rao B. Nageswara , Satyanarayana N. , Srinadhu E. S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMgFe2O4‐C composite nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning technique followed by carbonization at 600 °C. Thermogravimetric‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) results showed ignition, decomposition and carbonization temperatures of the as‐grown fibers. Formation of the nanocrystalline phase of the MgFe2O4 over the amorphous phase of the carbon fibers sample was confirmed from the analysis of the measured XRD results. FE‐SEM images of the as‐spun and calcined fibers sample showed that the formation of one dimensional (1‐D) MgFe2O4‐C composite nanofibers and the formed 1‐D nanofibers were well interconnected with high porous structured morphology. The electrochemical properties of the MgFe2O4‐C composite nanofibers sample were tested as an anode material for lithium‐ion battery. Lithium‐ion battery made up of the newly developed MgFe2O4‐C composite nanofibers sample, used as an anode material, showed discharge capacity of 575 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 20th cycles. Further, the discharge capacity of the lithium‐ion battery also measured at a high current density of 1 A g−1 and it was found to be 433 mAh g−1 even after 85 cycles. Also, the lithium‐ion battery showed exceptional reversible capacity with the coulombic efficiency of 99.6% even after 85 cycles at a high current density of 1 A g−1. Hence the electrochemical properties suggest that the newly developed MgFe2O4‐C composite nanofibers can be used as high capacity anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries.
Nonprecious Nanoalloys Embedded in N‐Enriched Mesoporous Carbons Derived from a Dual‐MOF as Highly Active Catalyst towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: He Jiaping , Gao Tianyuan , Jiang Tengyao , Mu Bin , Suo Yange , Zhang Zhiguo , Su Jianwei 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this work, we reported the synthesis of a novel electro‐catalyst composed of Fe and Co bimetallic nanoalloys embedded in N‐enriched carbon framework (FeCo@NC) for oxygen reduction reaction. The FeCo@NC was synthesized through pyrolyzing a dual metal‐organic framework (MOF) under argon atmosphere. This FeCo@NC electrocatalyst showed remarkable performance towards ORR with a high half‐wave potential of 0.827 V versus reversible hydrogen potential (RHE), which was comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art commercial Pt/C catalyst. The enhanced activity could be ascribed to the large specific surface area, the abundant active sites and the synergistic effect of bimetallic alloy.
An Aldehyde‐Azomethine Imine [3+2]‐Cycloaddition: High‐Yielding Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted N,N‐Bicyclic Pyrazolidinones
Authors: Gujral Jagjeet , Reddy T. Prabhakar , Gorachand B. , Ramachary Dhevalapally B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn enolate mediated aldehyde‐azomethine imine [3+2] cycloaddition of various aldehydes with N,N‐cyclic azomethine imines is reported under DBU or tBuOK‐catalysis. High reaction rate, ease of operation, simple catalyst, easily accessible starting materials and a wide substrate scope with numerous applications make this reaction an ideal addition to the click chemistry.
Carbazoles and Hydrazone‐Bridged Thiazole‐Pyrrole Derivatives as New Inhibitors of α‐Glucosidase
Authors: Ghani Usman , Albarrag Ahmed , Yurttaş Leyla , Demirci Fatih , Kaplancikli Zafer Asim 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCarbazoles and hydrazone‐bridged thiazole‐pyrrole derivatives are known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities including antimicrobial activity. This work is a further extension of their biological activities that identifies a total of 13 of these derivatives as new α‐glucosidase inhibitors. The carbazole derivatives exhibited noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme with the inhibitor possessing the 2‐benzoimidazole substitution being the most potent in the series. Compounds possessing the 2‐benzothiazole, 2‐benzoxazole and quinoline groups were also found to be promising for enzyme inhibition. The hydrazone‐bridged thiazole‐pyrrole derivatives showed competitive enzyme inhibition with a number of groups responsible for potent enzyme inhibition including 4‐nitrophenyl, 4‐bromophenyl, and 4‐methoxyphenyl groups. Moreover, the hydrazone derivatives with unsubstituted pyrrole ring were found to be more favorable to α‐glucosidase inhibition than the ones possessing the methyl‐substituted ring. The current work may provide new structural and functional diversity to drug discovery of promising α‐glucosidase inhibitors as anti‐diabetic drugs.
Rational Design of Hierarchical TiO2/Epitaxially Aligned MoS2–Carbon Coupled Interface Nanosheets Core/Shell Architecture for Ultrastable Sodium‐Ion and Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yang Yong , Wang Shitong , Lin Sen , Li Yutong , Zhang Weiyu , Chao Yuguang , Luo Mingchuan , Xing Yi , Wang Kai , Yang Chao , Zhou Peng , Zhang Yelong , Tang Zilong , Guo Shaojun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe development of electrode materials with superior cycling stability is currently receiving intensive research for next‐generation portable electronic equipment. Herein, a novel 3D hierarchical architecture composed of TiO2/epitaxially aligned MoS2–carbon coupled interface nanosheets is reported for boosting sodium‐ion storage and lithium–sulfur batteries, in which the MoS2 nanosheets are epitaxially aligned grown on the surface of carbon nanosheets through a simple calculation conversion process. The resulting hybrid demonstrates ultralong‐life performance for sodium‐ion storage and lithium–sulfur batteries, owing to synergistic effects among the stable TiO2 nanowires, the high‐conductivity carbon nanosheets, and the vertical MoS2 nanostructure. Even at a high current density of 8 A g−1, the capacity can be maintained at 169 mA h g−1 after 15 000 cycles, one of the highest values for TiO2‐based electrodes. Moreover, such peculiar sheet‐on‐sheet structure also brings benefits for lithium–sulfur batteries, providing an effective physical shield against polysulfide shuttling and chemical adsorption of polysulfides, with a low fading rate (0.039% per cycle over 1500 cycles). The present work highlights that this rationally designed hybrid nanoarchitecture is an effective strategy to boost the stability of electrochemical energy storage.
Validated HPLC Method for the simultaneous determination of acyclovir and co‐administered vitamin B3 and gabapentin in spiked human plasma
Authors: Sayed Rania , El‐Masry Manal , Hassan Wafaa , El‐Mammli Magda , Shalaby Abdalla , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this work, a new, sensitive and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of acyclovir and co‐administered vitamin B3 and gabapentin used in treatment of herpes zoster disease was developed and validated. Protein precipitation with methanol was performed to extract the cited drugs from plasma. Thermo Hypersil (250 mm × 4.6 mm I.D, 5 μm particle size) column was used for the chromatographic separation. Isocratic elution of mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.03 M potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate adjusted to pH 3.5 with 0.1% orthophosphoric acid (30:70, v/v) was used for separation. Photodiode array detector was used and detection was performed at 210 nm. The method was linear over the concentration range 1–100 μg/mL for both acyclovir and vitamin B3 and 5–150 μg/mL for gabapentin. The proposed method was validated and successfully applied for the commercial dosage forms of the three drugs and in human plasma. Statistical analysis of the results revealed its high accuracy and good precision.
Use of an amino acid ionic liquid as an ion exchange chromatography mobile phase modifier for the analysis of magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron ions
Authors: Di Huawei , Liu Wei , Li Qi , Gao Qing , Zhu Xiashi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFour acids were used as the mobile phase of ion exchange chromatography to analyze magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron ions, and nitric acid showed the best character. The amino acid ionic liquid was then added to the mobile phase to analyze its effect on the retention time, peak height and resolution of detected cations. When the imidazole glycine ionic liquid was used, the retention time was reduced, peak shape was improved, resolution of analytes was optimized and the detect limit was reduced effectively. The optimum conditions of this experiment were that adding 0.10 mM imidazole glycine ionic liquid to mobile phase and the flow rate of mobile phase was 0.8 mL·min−1 at room temperature. Under these conditions, the peak area was proportional to the concentration of cations, and the linear equations of the magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron ions were S = 0.0126 + 4.4463 C, S = –0.0452 + 3.9224 C, S = –0.0241 + 7.461 C, and S = –0.0213 + 6.3154 C, and the detection limits of four ions were 0.96, 3.58, 2.12, 0.57 μg·L−1 respectively. Furthermore, this method was successfully applied in determining cations in actual samples.
More adequate seismic design force pattern for yielding structures considering structural and ground motion uncertainties effects
Authors: Ganjavi Behnoud , Gholamrezatabar Abolfazl 
Published: July 2018

SummaryIn the present paper, a new algorithm to achieve optimum lateral load pattern for inelastic steel shear‐building structures is proposed and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm in terms of convergence speed and stability is investigated. Then, by conducting this algorithm on 28,800 elastic and inelastic steel shear‐building structures having different dynamic characteristics subjected to 40 design compatible earthquakes, a new seismic force pattern incorporating higher modes effect is proposed, and the adequacy of the proposed load pattern is parametrically investigated on the basis of the concepts of structural weight and dissipated energy and cumulative damage index. Through conducting numerous nonlinear dynamic analyses, the effects of uncertainties in story shear strength, structural fundamental period, and damping ratio by using the Monte Carlo simulation are parametrically investigated. Result indicates that optimum structures are in general more sensitive to the random variation of fundamental period and story lateral strength, whereas up to 40% of damping ratio variation does not affect the seismic performance of the optimum design frames. Finally, compared with recently proposed optimum structures without consideration of higher modes and code‐complaint design structures, the proposed mean optimum designed buildings of this study exhibit up to 42% less cumulative damage under the design earthquakes.
Essentials of de novo protein design: Methods and applications
Authors: Marcos Enrique , Silva Daniel‐Adriano 
Published: July 2018

The field of de novo protein design has undergone a rapid transformation in the last decade and now enables the accurate design of protein structures with exceptional stability and in a large variety of folds not necessarily restricted to those seen in nature. Before the existence of de novo protein design, traditional strategies to engineer proteins relied exclusively on modifying existing proteins already with a similar to desired function or, at least, a suitable geometry and enough stability to tolerate mutations needed for incorporating the desired functions. De novo computational protein design, instead, allows to completely overcome this limitation by permitting the access to a virtually infinite number of protein shapes that can be suitable candidates to engineer function. Recently, we have seen the first examples of such functionalization in the form of de novo proteins custom designed to bind specific targets or small molecules with novel medical and biotechnological applications. Despite this progress, the incursion on this nascent field can be difficult due to the plethora of approaches available and their constant evolution. Here, we review the most relevant computational methods for de novo protein design with the aim of compiling a comprehensive guide for researchers embarking on this field. We illustrate most of the concepts in the view of Rosetta, which is the most extensively developed software for de novo protein design, but we highlight relevant work with other protein modeling softwares. Finally, we give an overall view of the current challenges and future opportunities in the field.This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming
Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics
Software > Molecular Modeling
Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Case studies of springtime fog in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan P. W. , Li Q. S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTwo typical cases of fog in Hong Kong are documented in this paper. The meteorological conditions leading to the occurrence of fog are examined using observations from ground‐based, remote sensing meteorological instruments. An acoustic sounding system and a microwave radiometer were used to monitor the atmospheric boundary layer and nowcast the low visibility weather conditions. The measurements from these instruments provide many interesting observations of both the sea fog and mixing fog, including temperature inversions and changes in the humidity profiles. The skill of the numerical weather prediction models in forecasting fog episodes is also briefly discussed. The global model is found to have skill in predicting the occurrence of low visibility weather up to 2 days in advance.