bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fundamental Understanding and Material Challenges in Rechargeable Nonaqueous Li–O2 Batteries: Recent Progress and Perspective
Authors: Ma Lu , Yu Tongwen , Tzoganakis Evangelos , Amine Khalil , Wu Tianpin , Chen Zhongwei , Lu Jun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEnergy storage challenges have triggered growing interest in various battery technologies and electrocatalysis. As a particularly promising variety, the Li–O2 battery with an extremely high energy density is of great significance, offering tremendous opportunities to improve cell performance via understanding catalytic mechanisms and the exploration of new materials. Furthermore, focus on nonaqueous electrolyte‐based Li–O2 batteries has markedly intensified since there could be a higher probability of commercialization, compared to that of solid‐state or aqueous electrolytes. The recent advancements of the nonaqueous Li–O2 battery in terms of fundamental understanding and material challenges, including electrolyte stability, water effect, and noncarbon cathode materials are summarized in this review. Further, the current status of water impact on discharge products, possible mechanisms, and parasitic reactions in nonaqueous electrolytes are reviewed for the first time. The key challenges of noncarbon oxygen electrode materials, such as noble metals and metal oxides‐based cathodes, transition metals, transition metal compounds (carbides, oxides) based cathodes as well as noncarbon supported catalysts are discussed. This review concludes with a perspective on future research directions for nonaqueous Li–O2 batteries.
Light‐Induced Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells: The Influence of 4‐Tert‐Butyl Pyridine and Gold
Authors: Bastos João P. , Paetzold Ulrich W. , Gehlhaar Robert , Qiu Weiming , Cheyns David , Surana Supriya , Spampinato Valentina , Aernouts Tom , Poortmans Jef 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStability is one of the key challenges for industrial scale commercialization of perovskite solar cells. In this work, a degradation mechanism that depends on materials and bias conditions of the device during light‐soaking is proposed. The observed degradation is linked to the additive 4‐tert‐butyl pyridine (tBP), crucial to the hole transport layer of most perovskite solar cells, and gold. This conclusion is reached through the statistical analysis of multiple compositional profiles of light‐soaked and nonlight‐soaked devices and by selective replacement of material layers of the device. Moreover, the rate of the light‐induced degradation is enhanced by operation at forward bias, which is required for power generation. Thus, this work stresses the need for the development of transport layers that do not require tBP, and to replace gold to produce high‐performing devices that are also stable under operating conditions.
Hybrid Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with an Advanced Gel Cathode and Stabilized Lithium‐Metal Anode
Authors: Xu Henghui , Wang Shaofei , Manthiram Arumugam 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe insulating nature of sulfur, polysulfide shuttle effect, and lithium‐metal deterioration cause a decrease in practical energy density and fast capacity fade in lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. This study presents an integrated strategy for the development of hybrid Li‐S batteries based on a gel sulfur cathode, a solid electrolyte, and a protective anolyte composed of a highly concentrated salt electrolyte containing mixed additives. The dense solid electrolyte completely blocks polysulfide diffusion, and also makes it possible to investigate the cathode and anode independently. This gel cathode effectively traps the polysulfide active material while maintaining a low electrolyte to sulfur ratio of 5.2 mL g−1. The anolyte effectively protects the Li metal and suppresses the consumption of liquid electrolyte, enabling stable long‐term cycling for over 700 h in Li symmetric cells. This advanced design can simultaneously suppress the polysulfide shuttle, protect Li metal, and reduce the liquid electrolyte usage. The assembled hybrid batteries exhibit remarkably stable cycling performance over 300 cycles with high capacity. Finally, surface‐sensitive techniques are carried out to directly visualize and probe the interphase formed on the surface of the Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 (LAGP) pellet, which may help stabilize the solid–liquid interface.
Cooperatives, contract farming, and farm size: The case of tomato producers in Nepal
Authors: Mishra Ashok K. , Kumar Anjani , Joshi Pramod K. , D'Souza Alwin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of contract farming (CF) through cooperatives in tomatoes on employment and economic performance of smallholders in a low‐income developing country. Using farm‐level data from Nepal and a nonparametric matching estimator, the study finds a negative and significant effect of CF on employment. However, CF through cooperatives has a positive and significant impact on profits, and yield. We find that small farms (≤0.51 ha) with contracts tend to gain in profits and yield per hectare. However, large farms (>0.85 ha) with contracts employ significantly less hired labor per hectare. Finally, our estimates reveal that, compared to independent producers, smallholder households in Nepal that engaged in CF with both input and output conditions received, on average, higher profits and yield. Findings underscore the importance of cooperatives and CF. [EconLit citations: C31, D23, Q12, Q13]
Recent advancements in esophageal cancer treatment in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Yoshihiro , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Suetsugu Tomonari , Imai Takeharu , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Yamaguchi Kazuya 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe 11th edition of the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer (EC) was published in 2017. Some correction was made in the depth of tumor invasion to be consistent with the TNM classification by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). With regard to surgery, short‐term safety and long‐term effectiveness under thoracotomy/video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery are expected to be proven by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG)1409 study. Results of nutritional management and countermeasures for adverse events not only during the perioperative period but also during EC chemotherapy were reported. From now on, the pursuit of low invasiveness and radicality is desired. Esophageal surgery is also expected to be safe at all institutions. To determine the optimal modality of preoperative treatment and a novel chemo(radio)therapy regimen for patients with distant metastasis, the results of the ongoing JCOG1109 and 0807 studies are being released. The effect of the addition of molecular targeted drugs on chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation has not yet improved overall survival. Immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs could offer a potential new treatment approach for patients with treatment‐refractory advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network reported the results of a comprehensive genome analysis and molecular analysis of SCC and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Further differentiation of SCC and adenocarcinoma by molecular characterization analysis may be useful for the development of clinical trials and targeted drug therapies as precision medicine. The era of ultimate minimally invasive surgery and personalized treatment has begun. Large, prospective studies will be required to confirm the value of these advancements.
A novel approach to promptly control product quality in precise distillation columns based on pressure dynamic modeling
Authors: Huang Dong , Luo Xiong‐Lin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFor distillation columns, a temperature is controlled to hold product quality while the column is operated at constant pressure. In practice, absolute stability of temperature and pressure is unachievable, whereas the product quality, namely, product composition, fluctuates with the variation of them. By analyzing phase equilibrium, the composition fluctuation, caused by slight temperature and pressure variation, cannot be ignored for precise distillation column. Thus, a novel approach is proposed to improve the performance of product quality control. For preliminary, the freestanding pressure dynamic model is established via calculating vapor molar holdup. The modeling method is applied to a commercial ethylene column, and the veracity and reliability of the dynamic model is improved. For principal part, the complementary control strategy is proposed on the basis of the improved dynamic behaviors. Besides qualitative analysis, 2 scenes that contain tight control for external disturbance and transition control for internal regulating are discussed to verify the feasibility and progressiveness of product quality control with complementary structure.
Dilemmas and Conflicts of Various Professional Roles within a Human Service Agency
Authors: Sanfuentes Matías , Espinoza Thiare , Navarro Bárbara 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to analyze the workplace experience of three groups of professionals at the Chilean National Service for Minors (Servicio Nacional de Menores, SENAME) through the study of the tensions and dilemmas they face in carrying out their roles. This public institution is tasked with protecting and caring for the most vulnerable children and adolescents throughout Chile. By systematically studying the subjective experience of its workers, this article opens perspectives to understand organizational dynamics operating beneath the institutional surface. Among these dynamics, there are identified the isolation and atomization of workplace relationships, the idealization of own role, the lack of emotional and professional support, and persecutory anxieties. In this context, the article describes the main “collective social defenses” that professionals employ to face high levels of anxiety and conflict that the work done in this institution stirs up.
Ermüdungsversuche an großformatigen Betonprobekörpern mit dem Resonanzprüfverfahren
Authors: Diederley Jörg , Herrmann Ralf , Marx Steffen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDer Ablauf der tatsächlichen Schädigungsentwicklung unter Berücksichtigung von Spannungsumlagerungen an ermüdungsbeanspruchten großformatigen Bauteilen wird unter Anwendung von neuen experimentellen Bauteilprüfverfahren und Messmethoden untersucht und durch numerische Simulationen validiert. Mit zunehmender Lastwechselzahl kommt es zu Veränderungen der gemessenen Dehnungen im Querschnitt. Im höchstbelasteten Bereich der Betondruckzone konnte die Degradation durch Anwendung von Ultraschalllaufzeitmessungen beobachtet werden. In der numerischen Simulation wurden Spannungsumlagerungen nachgewiesen. Durch das Resonanzprüfverfahren können Ermüdungsuntersuchungen an großen Bauteilen in hohen Lastwechselzahlbereichen sehr effektiv und effizient durchgeführt und dabei präzise Prüflasten aufgebracht werden, wodurch sich ein umfangreiches neues Untersuchungsfeld erschließen lässt. Die Ultraschalllaufzeitmessung zeigt sich als geeignete Messmethode zur Untersuchung der Betondegradation auch bei starken Erschütterungen während des Versuchs und könnte daher auch bei Versuchen an realen Bauwerken Anwendung finden.
Fulminant eye infection in a patient with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Malpartida Freddy R. , Ruchi Rupam 
Published: May 2018

Key Clinical MessageEndophthalmitis is a bacterial or fungal infection inside the eye, involving the vitreous and/or aqueous humors. High index of suspicion is required for this condition in immunocompromised patients with ocular complaints as it can worsen rapidly and lead to permanent loss of vision.
Rheological Characterization of Anaerobic Sludge from Agricultural and Bio‐Waste Biogas Plants
Authors: Gienau Tobias , Kraume Matthias , Rosenberger Sandra 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAnaerobic sludges taken from 16 different biogas plants were analyzed with respect to their rheological characteristics. All sludges showed temperature‐dependent shear‐thinning behavior with viscosities from 900 – 6000 mPa s at 20 °C. Nevertheless, the liquid fraction of the anaerobic sludges also revealed temperature‐dependent, shear‐thinning behavior with viscosities well above water viscosity (2 – 40 mPa s at 20 °C). The rheological behavior of the liquid phase could be linked to organic fractions, i.e., proteins and polysaccharides. Shear‐thinning and temperature‐dependent behavior was modeled by the power‐law equation and the Arrhenius law, respectively.
Studies Toward the Scaling of Gas‐Liquid Photocycloadditions
Authors: Corcoran Emily B. , Lévesque François , McMullen Jonathan P. , Naber John R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe gas‐liquid biphasic photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of maleic anhydride with ethylene was identified as a desirable strategy for the divergent synthesis of cyclobutane derivatives. To address the challenge of utilizing this transformation on a larger scale, studies toward the development of a stable process with sufficient productivity were undertaken. These studies revealed the importance of several reaction parameters to enhance both the gas solubility in solution and the efficient utilization of photons from various types of light sources.
Effects of debris‐flow magnitude–frequency distribution on avulsions and fan development
Authors: de Haas T. , Kruijt A. , Densmore A. L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractShifts in the active channel on a debris‐flow fan, termed avulsions, pose a large threat because new channels can bypass mitigation measures and cause damage to settlements and infrastructure. Recent, but limited, field evidence suggests that avulsion processes and tendency may depend on the flow‐size distribution, which is difficult to constrain in the field. Here, we investigate how the flow magnitude–frequency distribution and the associated flow–magnitude sequences affect avulsion on debris‐flow fans. We created three experimental fans with contrasting flow‐size distributions: (1) a uniform distribution; (2) a steep double‐Pareto distribution with many flows around the mean and a limited number of large flows; and (3) a shallow double‐Pareto distribution with fewer flows around the mean and more abundant large flows. The fan formed by uniform flows developed through regular sequences of stepwise channelization, backstepping of deposition toward the fan apex, and avulsion over multiple flows. In contrast, the wide range of sizes in the double‐Pareto distributions led to distinct avulsion mechanisms and fan evolution. Here, large flows could overtop channels, creating levee breaches that could initiate avulsion immediately or in subsequent events. Moreover, sequences of small‐ to moderate‐sized flows could deposit channel plugs, triggering avulsion in the next large flow. This mechanism was most common on the fan formed by a steep double‐Pareto distribution but was rare on the fan formed by a shallow double‐Pareto distribution, where large flows were more frequent. We infer that some flow‐size distributions are more likely to cause avulsions – especially those that produce abundant sequences of small flows followed by a large flow. Critically, avulsions in our experiments could occur by either large single events or over multiple flows. This observation has important implications for hazard assessment on debris‐flow fans, suggesting that attention should be paid to flow history as well as flow size. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
On the performance of space‐time coding and threshold‐based selection relaying in cooperative networks with multiple antenna relays
Authors: Shirzadian Gilan Mahsa , Olfat Ali 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a threshold‐based selection relaying scheme that employs space‐time coding (STC) strategy is considered in a decode and forward (DF) cooperative network with multiple‐input–multiple‐output relays. One of the serious imperfections affecting these systems is error propagation on the source‐relay link, which culminates in intersymbol interference (ISI). Two scenarios are studied. In the first scenario, a new beamforming method is proposed for removing ISI between symbols of distributed space‐time coding scheme caused by erroneous detection of symbols at relays. It is demonstrated that this system is more power efficient in comparison to other systems without beamforming. In the second scenario, a new central STC that we nominate its orthogonal‐STC generator is proposed for multiple‐input–multiple‐output relays. The proposed new transmission scheme, in this case, removes ISI between symbols, which significantly mitigates the adverse effects of error propagation in DF relay networks. A closed‐form expression for end‐to‐end bit error rate of the system is derived for both scenarios. The asymptotic behavior analysis of the system shows that the threshold‐based selection relaying scheme in the second scenario, which uses a simple maximal ratio combining, by employing proper thresholds derived in the paper, achieves full diversity order 2M + 1 in the DF relay network with M relays. Numerical results show an excellent agreement between analytical and simulation results. There is 4 dB power saving at bit error rate of 10−4 for the second scenario compared with the first one and it outperforms other existing works.
Tripping the Light Fantastic: A Comparative Analysis of the European Commission's Proposals for New and Interim Financing of Insolvent Businesses
Authors: Payne Jennifer , Sarra Janis 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe European Commission published a Draft Directive in November 2016, with the aim of ensuring that all Member States have in place an effective mechanism for dealing with viable, but financially distressed, businesses. The Draft Directive includes provisions designed to encourage financing for the debtor company, both interim financing to ‘keep the lights on’ for a brief period while the debtor negotiates with its creditors for a resolution to its financial distress, and, where possible, to finance implementation of a restructuring plan, called ‘new financing’ in the Draft Directive. Creating such a financing regime is a complex and difficult issue, as the law's intervention in this area often involves constraints on the rights of existing creditors, requiring that a careful balance is maintained between existing creditors' rights and the rights of the interim financier. This article examines the underlying policy rationale and benefits of having new and interim financing available to financially distressed debtor companies and discusses the risks involved. It examines the EU Commission's proposals in light of the experience of jurisdictions that have already tackled these issues, notably the USA and Canada, or have developed a market‐based solution to this problem, such as the UK. While the European Commission's wish to include such measures in its restructuring proposals is laudable, the measures as drafted raise concerns, particularly regarding risks associated with priority for the grantors of such finance. The authors suggest that there are four fundamental aspects of such financing on which the Directive could give guidance to Member States, namely, effective notice to pre‐filing creditors, thresholds for the debtor to qualify, a menu of relevant criteria to balance benefit and prejudice, and a role for the court in resolving disputes, ensuring fairness to stakeholders, and serving as an accountability check on interim financing arrangements, all aimed at maintaining the integrity of the insolvency process. Copyright © 2018 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-Term and Recent Weight Change Are Associated With Reduced Peripheral Bone Density, Deficits in Bone Microarchitecture, and Decreased Bone Strength: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Liu Ching-Ti , Sahni Shivani , Xu Hanfei , McLean Robert R , Broe Kerry E , Hannan Marian T , Boyd Steven K , Bouxsein Mary L , Kiel Douglas P , Samelson Elizabeth J 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Weight loss in older adults is associated with increased bone loss and fracture. Little is known about the potential impact of weight loss on cortical and trabecular bone density, microarchitecture, and strength. In this study, participants were members of the Framingham Offspring Cohort (769 women, 595 men; mean age 70 ± 8 years), who underwent high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scanning at the tibia and radius in 2012 to 2016. Weight measurements taken every 4 to 6 years were used to assess recent weight change over 6 years and long-term change over 40 years. General linear models, adjusting for age, sex, height, smoking, and diabetes, were used to evaluate the association between HR-pQCT indices and relative long-term and recent weight change. We found that long-term and recent weight loss were associated with lower cortical density and thickness, higher cortical porosity, and lower trabecular density and number. Associations were stronger for the tibia than radius. Failure load was lower in those individuals with long-term but not short-term weight loss. Deterioration in both cortical and trabecular indices, especially at the weight-bearing skeleton, characterizes bone fragility associated with long-term and recent weight loss in older adults. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
No effect of artificial light of different colors on commuting Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) in a choice experiment
Authors: Spoelstra Kamiel , Ramakers Jip J. C. , van Dis Natalie E. , Visser Marcel E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractProgressive illumination at night poses an increasing threat to species worldwide. Light at night is particularly problematic for bats as most species are nocturnal and often cross relatively large distances when commuting between roosts and foraging grounds. Earlier studies have shown that illumination of linear structures in the landscape disturbs commuting bats, and that the response of bats to light may strongly depend on the light spectrum. Here, we studied the impact of white, green, and red light on commuting Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii). We used a unique location where commuting bats cross a road by flying through two identical, parallel culverts underneath. We illuminated the culverts with white, red, and green light, with an intensity of 5 lux at the water surface. Bats had to choose between the two culverts, each with a different lighting condition every night. We presented all paired combinations of white, green, and red light and dark control in a factorial design. Contrary to our expectations, the number of bat passes through a culvert was unaffected by the presence of light. Furthermore, bats did not show any preference for light color. These results show that the response of commuting Daubenton's bats to different colors of light at night with a realistic intensity may be limited when passing through culverts.