bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Membrane‐Coated Electrodes for CO2 Electroreduction to Methanol in Alkaline Media
Authors: Marcos‐Madrazo Aitor , Casado‐Coterillo Clara , Irabien Ángel 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCO2 electroreduction has high potential to combine carbon capture utilization and energy storage from renewable sources. The key challenge is the construction of highly efficient electrodes giving optimal CO2 conversion to high‐value products. In this regard, research on electrode structures remains as an important task to face. Despite the advancements in gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) to facilitate CO2 transfer and electrode efficiency, the catalyst is still vulnerable to be swept by the gas and liquid electrolyte, reducing the stability. We report the fabrication of novel membrane‐coated electrodes (MCEs), by coating an anion exchange membrane over a copper (Cu) : chitosan (CS) catalyst layer onto the carbon paper. CS and poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) were chosen for membrane preparation and catalyst binder, where Cu was embedded in the polymer matrix as nanoparticles or ion‐exchanged in a layered stannosilicate or zeolite Y, to improve their hydrophilic, conductive, mechanical, and environmentally‐friendly properties considered relevant to the sustainability of the electrode fabrication and performance. The intimate connection between the CS : PVA polymer membrane over‐layer and the CS/Cu catalytic layer protects the MCEs from material losses, enhancing the CO2 conversion to methanol, even in high alkaline medium. A maximum Faraday Efficiency to methanol of 68.05 % was achieved for the 10CuY/CS : PVA membrane over‐layer.
On the Aggregation Behaviour and Spectroscopic Properties of Alkylated and Annelated Boron‐Dipyrromethene (BODIPY) Dyes in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Descalzo Ana B. , Ashokkumar Pichandi , Shen Zhen , Rurack Knut 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe tendency of boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes to associate in water is well known, and usually a cause for inferior fluorescence properties. Synthetic efforts to chemically improve BODIPYs’ water solubility and minimize this problem have been numerous in the past. However, a deeper understanding of the phenomena responsible for fluorescence quenching is still required. Commonly, the spectroscopic behaviour in aqueous media has been attributed to aggregate or excimer formation, with such works often centring on a single BODIPY family. Herein, we provide an integrating discussion including very diverse types of BODIPY dyes. Our studies revealed that even subtle structural changes can distinctly affect the association behaviour of the fluorophores in water, involving different photophysical processes. The palette of behaviour found ranges from unperturbed emission, to the formation of H or J aggregates and excimers, to the involvement of tightly bound, pre‐formed excimers. These results are a first step to a more generalized understanding of spectroscopic propertiesvs. structure, facilitating future molecular design of BODIPYs, especially as probes for biological applications.
Metrics of disturbance in a redwood forest ecosystem: responses of stream amphibians to repeated sediment infusions
Authors: Welsh Hartwell H. , Cummings Adam K. , Hodgson Garth R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDisturbances are part of the natural dynamics of Earth's ecosystems, with these events more common now in the Anthropocene. Yet metrics for calibrating these impacts and measuring an ecosystem's capacity to recover are lacking. Highway construction in 1989 to bypass Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California resulted in storm‐driven infusion of exposed sediments into five streams; five nearby streams that were not intersected by the bypass construction were not affected by this event and served as controls for a natural experiment. A second large storm event in 1995 contributed sediment loads into all ten streams resulting in a disturbance gradient that allowed us to examine the effects of repeated sediment disturbances. We evaluated the impacts of these stresses on three resident stream amphibian species in 1990 and again in 1996. In 1990, the impacted streams had sixfold higher pool sediment loads and significantly lower larval tailed frog (Ascaphus truei) densities and lower densities of coastal giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) and southern torrent salamanders (Rhyacotriton variegatus) compared with the un‐impacted streams. During the six years between these storm events, pool bowl sediment loads increased 14‐fold in the previously un‐impacted streams and threefold in the previously impacted streams. Larval tailed frogs and torrent salamanders further declined in both sets of streams in 1996 although non‐significantly. In contrast, giant salamander densities increased in both stream sets. Of the three species, giant salamanders appeared the most resistant to the depositional events, while the other two species appeared to decline relative to the intensity of the sediment disturbances but still persist. We believe these results demonstrate the usefulness of these three amphibians as metrics for measuring the effects of this common disturbance type on the ecological resilience of stream networks in this and other temperate northwest forest ecosystems.
Methanethiol formation during the photochemical oxidation of methionine‐riboflavin system
Authors: Asaduzzaman Mohammad , Scampicchio Matteo , Biasioli Franco , Bremer Phil J , Silcock Patrick 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMethionine and riboflavin have been identified as key reactants in the development of off‐flavours induced by light exposure. However, the mechanism behind the production of volatiles organic compounds (VOCs) that are generated during the early stages of light exposure is still unclear. To provide new insights into the development of light‐induced off‐flavours, fluorescent light was applied for up to 6 hours to model solutions of methionine and riboflavin and the released VOCs were continuously monitored by proton‐transfer‐reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS). Upon light exposure, methanethiol was rapidly generated, with methional not being released until about 3 minutes later. 2‐Propenal and formic acid, which are methanethiol coproducts from oxidation of methional, were not released until after approximately 22 and 29 min exposure, respectively. These observations coupled with the results from the methional reductive amination blocking experiment suggest that methanethiol could be formed directly from methionine rather than only via the methional intermediate. This means that the light‐induced oxidation of methionine can undergo, at least, two parallel pathways, both leading to the formation of methanethiol. The finding was confirmed in semi‐skimmed milk subjected to similar fluorescence light exposures where consistent changes in VOC signal intensities were observed. The results from these trials demonstrate the advantages of direct injection mass spectrometry techniques like PTR‐MS which enable reactions to be followed in real time and offer the potential to uncover new insights into reaction pathways.
Postgraduate year two pharmacy residents' perceptions of pursuing board certification during residency training
Authors: Roberts Megan Z. , Manis Melanie M. , Sebaaly Jamielynn C. , Tran Emmeline 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) offers pharmacists an opportunity to obtain post‐licensure certification in various specialty pharmacy practice areas. Each BPS specialty has specific eligibility requirements. The Pharmacotherapy specialty is unique in that it does not require candidates who have completed a postgraduate year one (PGY1) residency program to demonstrate additional practice experience or training to pursue this board certification. Thus, all postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residents would be eligible to sit for the Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) examination during their PGY2 training.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to identify PGY2 pharmacy residents' perceptions of pursuing board certification during residency training.MethodsAn electronic survey was developed, pilot tested, and sent to PGY2 pharmacy residents completing PGY2 training from 2015 to 2019 at 12 pharmacy residency programs across the United States.ResultsA total of 116 responses were obtained (estimated response rate 16%, n = 116 of 706). Among respondents, 38% pursued BCPS certification during PGY2 training and all achieved a passing examination score. The majority of these individuals (93%) were satisfied with their decision to obtain BCPS designation. Of the 72 respondents who did not pursue BCPS designation during PGY2 training, 96% were satisfied with their decision to not take the examination as a PGY2 resident.ConclusionAmong a cohort of current and former PGY2 pharmacy residents, over a third were successful in pursuing and obtaining BCPS designation during their PGY2 residency year. This indicates that board certification may be feasible during PGY2 training. Nearly all respondents were satisfied with their decision to pursue or not pursue BCPS designation as a PGY2 resident.
The use of serious gaming to assess drug information skills
Authors: Nguyen Cambrey 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionSerious gaming is an innovative teaching approach that facilitates critical thinking and teamwork in pharmacy education. This strategy has not been reported in the literature for the area of drug information (DI) education.ObjectiveTo assess the DI skills of pharmacy students in a DI course using an escape‐room challenge called “DIcipher” developed by the investigator.MethodsThe challenge featured DI questions pertaining to a patient case. The students worked as a team to solve clues to obtain the DI questions staged in a room. The students were required to use DI resources to search for answers to unlock a box with the treatment. Prechallenge and postchallenge assessments were administered along with Likert surveys to obtain student perception of the challenge.ResultsA total of 21 groups participated in DIcipher in March 2019. The students' mean score was statistically significantly higher on the postchallenge assessment compared with the prechallenge assessment (76.4 ± 19.7 vs 68.1 ± 25.9, [P < .05]). The students' efficiency in answering questions also improved as shown by a decrease in time to respond for each question in the assessments. Only one group answered all of the questions correctly and retrieved the treatment. Based on student perspective, the challenge promoted active learning and assessed knowledge of DI resources.ConclusionThe assessments showed that student learning improved through test scores and the perception survey indicated that DIcipher promoted active learning of DI resources in a novel setting.
Multimodal imaging for tumour characterization from micro‐ to macroscopic level using a newly developed dorsal chamber designed for long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Rouffiac Valérie , Ser‐Le Roux Karine , Salomé‐Desnoulez Sophie , Leguerney Ingrid , Ginefri Jean‐Christophe , Sébrié Catherine , Jourdain Laurène , Lécluse Yann , Laplace‐Builhé Corinne 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOptical imaging of living animals is a unique method of studying the dynamics of physiological and pathological processes at a subcellular level. One‐shot acquisitions at high resolution can be achieved on exteriorized organs before animal euthanasia. For longitudinal follow‐up, intravital imaging can be used and involves imaging windows implanted in cranial, thoracic or dorsal regions. Several imaging window models exist, but none have proven to be applicable for long‐term monitoring and most biological processes take place over several weeks. Moreover, none are compatible with multiple imaging modalities, meaning that different biological parameters cannot be assessed in an individual animal. We developed a new dorsal chamber that was well tolerated by mice (over several months) and allowed individual and collective cell tracking and behaviour analysis by optical imaging, ultrasound and magnetic resonance tomography. This new model broadens potential applications to areas requiring study of long‐term biological processes, as in cancer research.
Heat‐induced amyloid‐like aggregation of β‐lactoglobulin affected by glycation by α‐dicarbonyl compounds in a model study
Authors: Zhao Di , Zhang Xia , Xu Dan , Su Guoying , Li Bing , Li Chunbao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDα‐Dicarbonyl compounds are widely generated in the Maillard reaction, caramelization and oil oxidation during heat treatment. These compounds can readily react with lysine and arginine residues of a protein, whereas the influence of these compounds on protein structure and quality has seldom been revealed. This study compared influence of glycation by glucose and α‐dicarbonyl compounds on amyloid‐like aggregation of β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG), both fibrillation kinetics and conformation of aggregates were studied.RESULTSCompared with glycation by glucose, the glycation by α‐dicarbonyl compounds resulted in faster reduction of free amino group, sulfydryl group, and the relative content of β‐sheet secondary structure, according to the ultraviolet (UV) spectra or circular dichroism (CD) spectra results. Based on the analysis of fibrillation kinetics using thioflavin T (ThT) binding assay, the glycation by α‐dicarbonyls were more efficient in suppressing the growth of fibrillar aggregates. In addition, glycation by α‐dicarbonyl resulted in amorphous oligomers, which were compared with the amyloid‐like aggregates in control and glucose‐glycated samples, based on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation.CONCLUSIONSGlycation by α‐dicarbonyl compounds induced larger decline in the β‐sheet structure of β‐LG than glycation by glucose, and thus largely suppressed the amyloid‐like aggregation of β‐LG and changed the morphology of aggregates. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel adsorptive materials by adenosine 5ʹ‐triphosphate imprinted‐polymer over the surface of polystyrene nanospheres for selective separation of adenosine 5ʹ‐triphosphate biomarker from urine
Authors: Jadda Ramana , Madhumanchi Sreenu , Suedee Roongnapa 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this study, we have developed a method to assess adenosine 5ʹ‐triphosphate by adsorptive extraction using surface adenosine 5′‐triphosphate‐imprinted polymer over polystyrene nanoparticles (412 ± 16 nm) for selective recognition/separation from urine. Molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized by emulsion copolymerization reaction using adenosine 5′‐triphosphate as a template, functional monomers (methacrylic acid, N‐isopropyl acrylamide, and dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate) and a crosslinker, methylenebisacrylamide. The binding capacities of imprinted and non‐imprinted polymers were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection with a detection limit of 1.6 ± 0.02 µM of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate in the urine. High binding affinity (QMIP, 42.65 µmol/g), and high selectivity and specificity to adenosine 5′‐triphosphate compared to other competitive nucleotides including adenosine 5ʹ‐diphosphate, adenosine 5ʹ‐monophosphate, and analogs such as adenosine, adenine, uridine, uric acid, and creatinine were observed. The imprinting efficiency of imprinted polymer is 2.11 for urine (QMIP, 100.3 µmol/g) and 2.51 for synthetic urine (QMIP, 48.5 µmol/g). The extraction protocol was successfully applied to the direct extraction of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate from spiked human urine indicating that this synthesized molecularly imprinted polymer allowed adenosine 5′‐triphosphate to be preconcentrated while simultaneously interfering compounds were removed from the matrix. These submicron imprinted polymers over nano polystyrene spheres have a potential in the pharmaceutical industries and clinical analysis applications.
A nona‐band narrow‐frame antenna with a defected ground structure for mobile phone applications
Authors: Pang Jiarui , Zhu Mingmin , Yu Guoliang , Zhou Haomiao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA nona‐band narrow‐frame antenna with a defected ground structure for mobile phone applications is presented in this article. From the analysis of the structure, the coupled‐fed antenna mainly consists of four parts: bending feeding strip, coupling shorted strip, copper plate and defected ground structure. It can effectively cover LTE700/GSM850/GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900/UMTS2100/LTE2300/LTE2500 and the ninth band on 3300‐4200 MHz (including LTE3500), which may be applied to the future 5G. The size of the nona‐band antenna is 80 × 7.5 × 5 mm3, and the defected ground structure is only 55 × 0.5 mm2. This structure effectively widens the bandwidth of the low‐frequency band and realizes 2G/3G/4G and possible coverage of the 5G operating band without loading the lumped elements. Thus, it is suitable for smartphone application. A prototype of the proposed antenna is manufactured and measured. The measured −6 dB impedance band‐widths in the low, mid and high bands are 340 MHz (630‐970 MHz), 1410 MHz (1510‐2920 MHz) and 1060 MHz (3160‐4220 MHz), respectively. In addition, the efficiency of the antenna is greater than 60% in most of the working frequency bands, and the antenna has good radiation performances.
Assessment of digital predistortion methods for DFB‐SSMF radio‐over‐fiber links linearization
Authors: Hadi Muhammad Usman , Kantana Chouaib , Traverso Pier A. , Tartarini Giovanni , Venard Olivier , Baudoin Geneviève , Polleux Jean‐Luc 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis letter presents a comparative evaluation between three different behavioral models to perform digital predistortion (DPD) that enhances the linearity of radio‐over‐fiber (RoF)‐based front haul links for the mobile network. In particular, the intention is to jump out of the volterra box and propose models based on segmentation approach. Especially the decomposed vector rotation (DVR) model is compared to volterra polynomials such as memory and generalized memory polynomial (GMP) architectures. DPD is employed to RoF links that are based on distributed feedback laser emitting at 1310 nm, and standard single‐mode fiber for long‐term evolution 20‐MHz signal with 256‐QAM modulation format. The effectiveness of the digital predistortion methodology is investigated for varying input powers in terms of normalized mean square error, adjacent channel power ratio, and error vector magnitude. The experimental results demonstrate that DVR achieves elevated linearization when compared to memory polynomial and GMP models.
Numerical investigation of the resonance behavior of flow‐excited Helmholtz resonators
Authors: Weitz Michael , Schoder Stefan , Kaltenbacher Manfred 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFunctional gaps of cars combined with the underlying volume of air represent Helmholtz resonators that are excited at the Helmholtz frequency by the turbulent flow. Based on a model that describes the spatial coherence of pressure fluctuations beneath a turbulent boundary layer, we present how to compute an extensive synthetic excitation signal without performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations. Moreover, this contribution shows the capabilities of complex fluid models to better predict the resonance behavior of Helmholtz resonators.
The nonrelativistic limit of Dirac operators with Lorentz scalar δ‐shell interactions
Authors: Holzmann Markus 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this note it is shown that the nonrelativistic limit of the Dirac operator with a Lorentz scalar δ‐shell interaction of constant strength supported on a C2‐smooth surface in ℝ3 is the Schrödinger operator with a δ‐potential of the same strength.
Numerical investigation of wear processes by a gradient‐enhanced damage‐plasticity model
Authors: Hoormazdi Golnaz , Hackl Klaus , Junker Philipp 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe prediction of failure mechanism in structures are always an important topic in the field of computational mechanics. Finite element computations of an inelastic material involving softening behavior (e.g. softening plasticity or damage) can suffer from strongly mesh‐dependent results. Therefore, such continuum models should be equipped with a regularization (localization limiter) strategy to overcome the above‐mentioned problem.In this study, we present a framework for gradient‐enhancement for coupled damage‐plasticity material model derived by means of Hamilton's principle for non‐conservative continua. This model is applied for the numerical investigation of wear processes as they occur, e.g. in the case of mechanized tunneling. These investigations require a fine resolution of the involved constituents (cut sheet and abrasive particles in the soil). Consequently, a numerical strategy for the damage‐plasticity model is demanded that allows for time‐efficient simulations.In this paper, we present a first step to the mentioned ultimate goal. To this end, a numerical framework for gradient‐enhanced damage‐plasticity coupling is proposed that is based on a combination of the finite element method with strategies from meshless methods. We demonstrate that this framework keeps the computational effort limited and for each load step close to the purely elastic problems. Several numerical examples prove the elimination of the pathological mesh dependency of the results. Furthermore, first results to the simulation of wear in tunneling machines are presented.
Convective dissolution in porous media: experimental investigation in Hele‐Shaw cell
Authors: Alipour Mobin , De Paoli Marco 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe process of solutal convection in porous media is here studied experimentally in a Hele‐Shaw cell. Motivated by the carbon sequestration process, potassium permanganate and water are used to mimic the dissolution of carbon dioxide in brine in underground geological formations. An optical method is used to accurately reconstruct the solute concentration. In this work, we examine the influence of different calibration conditions on the measurement of the solute dissolution rate and we provide indications to improve the accuracy of the technique.
A model‐based strategy for safety assessment of a robot arm interacting with humans
Authors: Kovincic Nemanja , Gattringer Hubert , Müller Andreas , Weyrer Matthias , Schlotzhauer Andreas , Kaiser Lukas , Brandstötter Mathias 
Published: October 2019

AbstractImpact and the resulting contact forces can be determined by dynamic simulation once a validated model for the robot and of the contact area of the human is available. Methods for the identification of relevant geometric and dynamic parameters of the robot model are well established. While the experimental validation of constitutive models for human body contact is still topic of ongoing research, which gave rise to the ISO/TS 15066 guidelines, adequate models are already available for computational simulation of human‐robot contact scenarios. However, dynamical simulations cannot be applied to exhaustively explore and assess all possible contact scenarios with the robot workspace. In this paper, first the model used for impact simulation is described and simulation as well experimental results are reported for contact at a predefined location. Then, the ability of the presented model to predict the measured contact force is discussed.