bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of C6–C8Aromatics over Ba‐Exchanged Zeolite X at High Temperature
Authors: Shi Qian , Gonçalves Jonathan C. , Ferreira Alexandre F. P. , Rodrigues Alírio E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe adsorption of C6–C8aromatics was investigated at higher temperatures than normally used in the industry in the absence of water to assess the adsorption equilibrium properties under conditions that can be suitable for a simulated moving‐bed reactor for the production ofp‐xylene. Batch experiments were conducted on a dry Ba‐exchanged zeolite X at various temperatures in the liquid phase. Pseudo‐single‐component adsorption equilibrium isotherms from binary mixtures withi‐octane were obtained based on the adsorbed amount with different initial concentrations. The Langmuir model was applied to describe the adsorption equilibrium data. The estimated parameters predicted very well the equilibrium in the adsorbent.
A Comparative Study on HCN Polymers Synthesized by Polymerization of NH4CN or Diaminomaleonitrile in Aqueous Media: New Perspectives for Prebiotic Chemistry and Materials Science
Authors: Ruiz‐Bermejo Marta , de la Fuente José L. , Carretero‐González Javier , García‐Fernández Luis , Aguilar M. Rosa 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHCN polymers are a group of complex and heterogeneous substances that are widely known in the fields of astrobiology and prebiotic chemistry. In addition, they have recently received considerable attention as potential functional material coatings. However, the real nature and pathways of formation of HCN polymers remain open questions. It is well established that the tuning of macromolecular structures determines the properties and practical applications of a polymeric material. Herein, different synthetic conditions were explored for the production of HCN polymers from NH4CN or diaminomaleonitrile in aqueous media with different concentrations of the starting reactants and several reaction times. By using a systematic methodology, both series of polymers were shown to exhibit similar, but not identical, spectroscopic and thermal fingerprints, which resulted in a clear differentiation of their morphological and electrochemical properties. New macrostructures are proposed for HCN polymers, and promising insights are discussed for prebiotic chemistry and materials science on the basis of the experimental results.
Excited‐State Symmetry Breaking in an Aza‐Nanographene Dye
Authors: Bardi Brunella , Krzeszewski Maciej , Gryko Daniel T. , Painelli Anna , Terenziani Francesca 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe photophysics of a structurally unique aza‐analogue of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons characterized by 12 conjugated rings and a curved architecture was studied in detail. The combined experimental and computational investigation reveals that the lowest excited state has charge‐transfer character, in spite of the absence of any peripheral electron‐withdrawing groups. The exceptionally electron‐rich core comprised of two fused pyrrole rings is responsible for it. The observed strong solvatofluorochromism is related to symmetry breaking occurring in the emitting excited state, leading to a significant dipole moment (13.5 D) in the relaxed excited state. The anomalously small fluorescence anisotropy of this molecule, which is qualitatively different from what is observed in standard quadrupolar dyes, is explained as due to the presence of excited states that are close in energy but have different polarization directions.
Effect of phase maldistribution on performance of two‐phase catalytic monolith reactor and its comparison with trickle bed reactor
Authors: Roy Shaibal , Kamalanathan Premkumar , Lehner Peter , Turek Thomas , Al‐Dahhan Muthanna 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMonolith reactors are widely considered as an alternative to the conventional trickle bed reactor. For the commercial deployment of monolith reactors, comparative performance studies are required. Reliable comparative and performance studies require a detailed understanding of the effect of phase distribution/maldistribution on the performance studies. In this work, performance and comparative studies were carried out in a relatively large column that was 4.8 cm in diameter. Experiments were performed in the same conditions that were used in studies for which phase distribution data were available. Since the properties of the catalyst used were different in both the reactors, the apparent kinetics were studied to facilitate the comparison. The hydrogenation of alpha‐methyl styrene (AMS) was used as a test reaction. From the performance studies, it was found that the effect of maldistribution on the performance was stronger than the catalyst availability. From the comparative studies, it was found that the monolith reactor with maldistributed flow conditions provides higher productivity than the trickle bed reactor.
Object contour based on improving region growing method and context border condition
Authors: Binh Nguyen Thanh , Hong Tuyet Vo Thi , Thanh Nguyen Chi 
Published: August 2019

SummaryImage diagnosis is a very significant medical specialty. Thereby, the doctor will see the form and function of the structure inside the body. The recorded images will be an important basis to help doctors find the disease and treatment more effectively. However, the quality of medical images is a vital factor. Improving the quality of medical images and object contour are the major challenges, because each tiny detail of medical images can contain much information. Object contour in good medical image quality is hard work and it is more difficult in low‐quality medical image. The organs in the image are not clear, which is difficult for the doctor to distinguish the border of the organs in the image. In this paper, we proposed a method for object contour based on improving region growing in bandelet domain in low‐quality medical images. The method includes two stages: increasing the quality of medical image in bandelet domain and object contour by improving region growing combined with context border condition in medical images in the first stage. The result of the proposed method is better than the other methods.
Does involvement in corporate social irresponsibility affect the linguistic features of corporate social responsibility reports?
Authors: Corciolani Matteo , Nieri Federica , Tuan Annamaria 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCompanies publish corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports to inform their stakeholders of their CSR efforts. However, the literature has shown that these reports can be used as a way to offset companies' involvement in corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR). By relying on a cognitive‐linguistic perspective, we investigate whether firms respond to their own irresponsible business conduct by changing their CSR reports' linguistic features and, if so, how. We use a sample of 135 large corporations headquartered in developed countries between 1995 and 2014. An analysis of their CSR reports reveals that the more a firm is involved in irresponsible business conduct, the more likely it is to use narrative (instead of analytical) and deceptive (instead of authentic) language. Moreover, we show that these two trends are particularly evident for highly internationalised firms.
Life‐history constraints on maximum population growth for loggerhead turtles in the northwest Atlantic
Authors: Hatch Joshua M. , Haas Heather L. , Richards Paul M. , Rose Kenneth A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractConservation planning for protected species often relies on estimates of life‐history parameters. A commonly used parameter is the instantaneous maximum population growth rate (rmax) that can be used to limit removals and design recovery targets. Estimation of rmax can be challenging because of limited availability of species‐ and population‐specific data and life‐history information. We applied a method proposed by Neil and Lebreton, originally developed for birds, to loggerhead turtles. The method uses age‐at‐first‐reproduction and adult survival to estimate rmax. We used a variety of datasets and matrix population models to confirm an allometric assumption required by the method, and to generate estimates of age‐at‐first‐reproduction and adult survival. A meta‐analysis was applied to parameters from reported growth curves, which were then combined with the size distribution of neophyte nesters to derive estimates of age‐at‐first‐reproduction. Adult survival rates were obtained from an existing matrix population model. Monte Carlo simulation was then used to combine the estimates of the allometric coefficients, age‐at‐first‐reproduction, and adult survival to obtain a probability distribution of approximate rmax values. Estimated annual maximum population growth rates averaged 0.024, with a mode of 0.017 and a 95% highest density interval of 0.006–0.047. These estimates were similar to values reported by others using different methods and captured the variability in positive, annual change estimates across nesting beach sites for the northwest Atlantic loggerhead population. The use of life‐history parameters has a long history in wildlife and fisheries management and conservation planning. Our estimates of rmax, while having some biases and uncertainty, encompassed values presently used in recovery planning for loggerhead turtles and offer additional information for the management of endangered and threatened species.
The association of retinal vessel calibres with heart failure and long‐term alterations in cardiac structure and function: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Chandra Alvin , Seidelmann Sara B. , Claggett Brian L. , Klein Barbara E. , Klein Ronald , Shah Amil M. , Solomon Scott D. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsNarrower retinal arterioles and wider retinal venules have been associated with macrovascular forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, whether they are predictive of the development of heart failure (HF) independent of atherosclerotic CVD is unclear. We aimed to describe long‐term associations of retinal vessel calibres with incident HF, in those with and without prevalent macrovascular disease, and how they relate to cardiac structure and function.Methods and resultsThis analysis included Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants who underwent retinal photography between 1993 and 1995. HF outcomes were followed in these participants until the end of 2013. Returning participants underwent echocardiography between 2011 and 2013. Participants with retinal vessel measurements who were free of CVD at baseline (n = 10 692) were followed for a mean of 16 years (baseline mean age 60 ± 6 years). Wider central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and narrower central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), adjusted for age, gender, and race, were significantly linearly associated with incident HF; however, a non‐linear association was detected with CRVE and incident HF (P‐value for overall trend < 0.001; P‐value for non‐linearity = 0.002). After adjustment with clinical risk factors, CRVE association with incident HF remained significant (P‐value for overall trend = 0.025). Adjusted for age, gender, and race, CRVE widening and CRAE narrowing were associated with larger left ventricular size, higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, and worse measures of diastolic and systolic function.ConclusionRetinal vessel calibre imaging, which characterizes retinal microvasculature, is a simple, non‐invasive test that predicts incident HF and adverse cardiac structure/function 18 years in the future, thereby providing insight into systemic cardiovascular health.
The role of caching in next generation cellular networks: A survey and research outlook
Authors: Kabir Asif , Rehman Gohar , Gilani Syed Mushhad , Kitindi Edvin J. , Ul Abidin Jaffri Zain , Abbasi Khurrum Mustafa 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMobile applications and social networks tend to enhance the needs for high‐quality content access. To address the expeditious growing demand for data services in 5G cellular networks, it is important to develop distribution techniques and an efficient content caching, aiming to significantly reduce redundant data transmission and, thus, improve the efficiency of the networks. In modern communication systems, caching has emerged as a vital tool for reducing peak data rates. It is anticipated that energy harvesting and self‐powered small base stations are the fundamental part of next‐generation cellular networks. However, uncertainties in energy are the main reason to adopt energy efficient power control schemes to reduce SBS energy consumption and ensure the quality of services for users. Using the edge cooperative caching such as energy efficient design can also be achievable, which reduces the usage of the capacity limited SBSs backhaul and the energy consumption. To support the huge power demand of cellular network, renewable energy harvesting technologies can be leveraged. In addition to this, power supply to the infrastructures is the main challenge to the mobile network operators (MNOs) especially in terms of economic optimum, sustainability, and green energy in developing countries for the growth of cellular networks. Renewable energy–based solutions for MNOs not only reduce the overall carbon dioxide emissions but also provide numerous profits.
On the use of power transformations in CAViaR models
Authors: Tsiotas Georgios 
Published: August 2019

AbstractValue at risk (VaR) is a risk measure widely used by financial institutions in allocating risk. VaR forecast estimation involves the conditional evaluation of quantiles based on the currently available information. Recent advances in VaR evaluation incorporate a proxy for conditional variance, yielding the conditional autoregressive VaR (CAViaR) models. However, early work in finance literature has shown that the introduction of power transformations has resulted in improvements in volatility forecasting. Having a direct association between volatility and conditional VaR, we adopt power‐transformed CAViaR models. We investigate whether the flexible conditional VaR dynamics associated with power‐transformed CAViaR models can result in better forecasting results than those assumed by the nontransformed CAViaR models. Estimation in CAViaR models is based on an early‐rejection Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We illustrate our forecasting evaluation results using simulated and financial daily return data series. The results demonstrate that there is strong evidence that supports the use of power‐transformed CAViaR models when forecasting VaR.
Phytate, iron, zinc, and calcium content of common Bolivian foods and their estimated mineral bioavailability
Authors: Castro‐Alba Vanesa , Lazarte Claudia Eliana , Bergenståhl Björn , Granfeldt Yvonne 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThere is a scarcity of information on mineral and phytate content in plant‐based foods in Bolivia. This study aimed to analyze iron, zinc, calcium, and phytate content and estimate the mineral bioavailability of foods consumed in Chapare, Bolivia. Minerals and phytate were analyzed, and bioavailability was estimated in 17 food samples. Leafy vegetables and green legumes had the highest mineral content, followed by pseudocereals. Estimated mineral bioavailability was low for cereals, dry legumes, pseudocereals, and flaxseeds foods mainly due to phytate content. But estimated zinc bioavailability for black cornmeal, yellow corn, and dry peas was moderate. Strong correlations (p < 0.01) were found between the three minerals, while phytate correlated negatively to iron, zinc, and calcium. To get an overview of the estimated mineral bioavailability of plant‐based diets, we have included foods, from the same area, analyzed in a previous study where the evaluated diet covers 80% of RNI for iron and zinc, but <40% of calcium. In conclusion, leafy vegetables and green legumes had the highest contents of minerals and the lowest phytate content of the foods analyzed in the study. The usage of processing strategies and dietary diversification to reduce phytate content would significantly improve estimated mineral bioavailability in plant‐based diets.
Chemical Uniformity in Ferroelectric KxNa1−xNbO3 Thin Films
Authors: Sønsteby Henrik H. , Nilsen Ola , Fjellvåg Helmer 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPotassium sodium niobate (KNN) has long been considered a viable candidate for replacing lead‐based materials in piezo‐ and ferroelectric devices. The introduction of KNN on an industrial scale is highly awaited; however, processing challenges still remain to be solved. The main obstacle is lack of reproducible growth of uniform boules or thin films at temperatures that facilitate monolithic device integration. Herein, atomic layer deposition (ALD) of KNN thin films, exhibiting high chemical uniformity over large areas, is reported. The cation composition can be controlled at a 1% level, enabling fine‐tuning of the film stoichiometry across the morphotropic phase boundaries of the KNbO3–NaNbO3 solid solution. The films are obtained as highly oriented on Pt (111)||Si (100)‐substrates after annealing at temperatures as low as 550 °C. They exhibit converse piezoelectric effects with magnitudes in accordance with literature. It is believed that the successful development of the described ALD process represents a major step toward achieving lead‐free piezo‐ and ferroelectrics on an industrial scale.
A Markov cost‐effective analysis of biannual fluoride varnish for preventing dental caries in permanent teeth over a 70‐year time horizon
Authors: Nguyen Tan Minh , Tonmukayakul Utsana , Warren Emma , Cartwright Susan , Liew Danny 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIssue addressedBiannual application of fluoride varnish is effective for dental caries prevention, but its cost‐effectiveness using quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) is unknown. This study performed a cost‐effectiveness analysis, from the Australian health care system perspective of biannual application of fluoride varnish versus current practice (non‐routine application) for an individual aged 15 years and older over a 70‐year time horizon.MethodsHealth outcomes measured were the number of prevented decayed, missing, and filled teeth (prevented‐DMFT) and QALY gained. The calculated incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was compared against the reference cost‐effectiveness ICER threshold of AUD$28 033 per QALY gained. A published Markov model capturing dental caries progression of eight permanent molars was used. This 6‐monthly cycle model represented ten possible health states for an individual tooth. A 5% discount rate was applied with relevant sensitivity analysis.ResultsIn the base‐case scenario, the net cost for the intervention was $3600 compared to $2303 in the current practice arm. The intervention arm yielded 13.99 DMFT and 15.44 QALY gained, whereas the current practice arm yielded 15.52 DMFT and 14.74 QALY gained. The estimated ICER was $849 per prevented‐DMFT and $1851 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analysis shows the ICER ranged from $424‐$1807 per prevented‐DMFT and $1851‐$3941 per QALY gained.ConclusionBiannual professional application of fluoride varnish appears to be a highly cost‐effective strategy and should be considered for universal funding in Australia's health care system.
Standardizing abdominal sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of apical prolapse: One year on
Authors: Cassis Charlotte , Mukhopadhyay Sambit , Morris Edward 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the safety and efficacy of a standardized bilateral abdominal sacrocolpopexy using polyvinylidene fluoride mesh 1‐year post‐operatively.MethodsIn a retrospective observational study of women undergoing bilateral abdominal sacrocolpo/cervicopexy between July 2013 and October 2016 at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK, patients were assessed 1 year post‐operatively using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ–VS).ResultsThe study involved 100 women, 93 of whom were followed up 1 year post‐operatively. The primary outcome was apical prolapse rate, of which there were none. Eight women had anterior and four had posterior wall prolapses; four women required vaginal repairs. Eleven women complained of urinary stress incontinence (six worsening and five de novo) and five had subsequent tension‐free vaginal tape procedures. One woman had urethral pain and one had mesh exposure into the vagina. Pre‐operatively, mean ICIQ–VS score was 27.87 (standard deviation [SD] 6.8), and at 1 year post‐operatively it was 5.82 (SD 3.8). Impact on quality of life score dropped by 83.4%, from 8.35 (SD 2.1) to 1.39 (SD 1.1).ConclusionThe modified technique used in the present study retained the advantages of traditional sacrocolpopexy, but required smaller volumes of mesh. We found it to be safe and effective with excellent patient satisfaction at 1 year, and providing a promising treatment option for patients suffering from apical prolapse.
ASSESSMENT OF SOLUTE TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTION UNDER DRY DRAINAGE CONDITIONS USING A PHYSICAL MODEL
Authors: Ansari Shahab , Abedi‐Koupai Jahangir , Mostafazadeh‐Fard Behrouz , Shayannejad Mohammad , Mosaddeghi Mohammad Reza 
Published: August 2019

AbstractResearchers have recently investigated dry drainage in respect of decreasing environmental effects and investment cost reduction of traditional drainage systems in arid and semi‐arid regions. This study investigated the effect of dry drainage on solute transport in a loamy soil using a physical model. The experiment lasted 84 days and results showed that the dry drainage system transferred a significant amount of dissolved salts from the irrigated area into the fallow area. Moreover, sodium, potassium, calcium, nitrate and chloride ions accumulated in the upper layers of soil of the fallow area but magnesium accumulated in the deeper layers. The ratios of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and chloride concentrations at the soil surface of the fallow area to the corresponding values in the irrigated area were 1.67, 1.20, 1.81, 0.90, 2.58 and 1.20, respectively. In addition, variation of SAR in the soil profile of the irrigated area was low and its value approached 1.58, but it increased with decreasing soil depths of the fallow area reaching 2.17 at the soil surface of this area. Although the results demonstrated the capability of dry drainage to transfer ions from the irrigated to the fallow area, further investigation regarding different aspects of this method is recommended. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.