bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atomic Layer Deposition of Pd Nanoparticles on N‐Doped Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers: Optimization of ORR Activity of Pd‐Based Nanocatalysts by Tuning Their Nanoparticle Size and Loading
Authors: Khalily Mohammad Aref , Patil Bhushan , Yilmaz Eda , Uyar Tamer 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOptimization of size, loading and chemical composition of catalytic nanoparticles is a crucial step to achieve cost‐effective and efficient (electro) catalysts. This report elaborates optimization of palladium (Pd) nanoparticle size and loading on the electrospun based N‐doped carbon nanofibers (nCNF) towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for the energy devices like fuel cell, metal air batteries. Electrospinning was utilized to produce one‐dimensional (1D) polyacrylonitrile nanofibers followed by a two‐step carbonization process obtaining well‐defined conductive nCNF having diameters in the range of 200–350 nm. As‐synthesized nCNF was decorated with discrete Pd nanoparticles ranging from 2.6±0.4 nm to 4.7±0.5 nm via thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. We found that nCNF deposited Pd nanoparticles having 3.9±0.6 nm size (Pd20/nCNF) showed the best ORR activity with the smallest Tafel slope of 58 mV dec−1 along with four electrons involved in the ORR. In addition, high value at half wave potential (E1/2=806 mV vs. RHE) and exchange current densities (i0=6.998 mA cm−2) at Pd20/nCNF makes it efficient catalyst among other Pd decorated nCNF. Moreover, we found that electrocatalyst with lower loading/density of Pd nanoparticles showed enhanced ORR activity.
Feline immunodeficiency virus in puma: Estimation of force of infection reveals insights into transmission
Authors: Reynolds Jennifer J. H. , Carver Scott , Cunningham Mark W. , Logan Ken A. , Vickers Winston , Crooks Kevin R. , VandeWoude Sue , Craft Meggan E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDetermining parameters that govern pathogen transmission (such as the force of infection, FOI), and pathogen impacts on morbidity and mortality, is exceptionally challenging for wildlife. Vital parameters can vary, for example across host populations, between sexes and within an individual's lifetime.Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus affecting domestic and wild cat species, forming species‐specific viral–host associations. FIV infection is common in populations of puma (Puma concolor), yet uncertainty remains over transmission parameters and the significance of FIV infection for puma mortality. In this study, the age‐specific FOI of FIV in pumas was estimated from prevalence data, and the evidence for disease‐associated mortality was assessed.We fitted candidate models to FIV prevalence data and adopted a maximum likelihood method to estimate parameter values in each model. The models with the best fit were determined to infer the most likely FOI curves. We applied this strategy for female and male pumas from California, Colorado, and Florida.When splitting the data by sex and area, our FOI modeling revealed no evidence of disease‐associated mortality in any population. Both sex and location were found to influence the FOI, which was generally higher for male pumas than for females. For female pumas at all sites, and male pumas from California and Colorado, the FOI did not vary with puma age, implying FIV transmission can happen throughout life; this result supports the idea that transmission can occur from mothers to cubs and also throughout adult life. For Florida males, the FOI was a decreasing function of puma age, indicating an increased risk of infection in the early years, and a decreased risk at older ages.This research provides critical insight into pathogen transmission and impact in a secretive and solitary carnivore. Our findings shed light on the debate on whether FIV causes mortality in wild felids like puma, and our approach may be adopted for other diseases and species. The methodology we present can be used for identifying likely transmission routes of a pathogen and also estimating any disease‐associated mortality, both of which can be difficult to establish for wildlife diseases in particular.
Biodiversity pattern of fish assemblages in Poyang Lake Basin: Threat and conservation
Authors: Liu Xiongjun , Qin Jiajun , Xu Yang , Zhou Min , Wu Xiaoping , Ouyang Shan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPoyang Lake Basin is of great importance to maintain regional ecological balance. However, fish biodiversity in this basin has rapidly declined as the result of anthropogenic habitat alteration, such as dam construction, sand mining, and water pollution. Here, we aimed to analyze the temporal and spatial changes in biodiversity patterns of fish in Poyang Lake Basin over the last 37 years. The number of fish species underwent a significant decrease in the current period. In particular, 36.7% of the migration of fish was extirpated. Twenty‐seven fish species have been formally assessed using the Chinese Red List were currently listed as Critically Endangered (9), Endangered (3), Vulnerable (10), and Near Threatened (5). Alpha and gamma diversity revealed that fish diversity had also decreased, and beta diversity showed significant composition dissimilarity in two periods. PCoA showed that the historical fish composition dissimilarity was significantly different from that of the current period. We found a significant effect of the geographical distance on the spatial turnover component for the historical and current periods. In addition, the nestedness component was the main contributor to beta diversity, which indicated one large protected area should be established in Poyang Lake and the Ganjiang River Basin with higher species richness. These results indicated that fish biodiversity declined in the current period likely caused by anthropogenic habitat alteration and other threatened factors. Therefore, we suggest that the habitat reconstruction and biodiversity conservation for fish have become imperative in this basin, and a complete management plan should be carried out.
Timing of vegetation sampling does not influence associations between visual obstruction and turkey nest survival in a montane forest
Authors: Yarnall Michael J. , Litt Andrea R. , Lehman Chadwick P. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEvaluating relationships between ecological processes that occur concurrently is complicated by the potential for such processes to covary. Ground‐nesting birds rely on habitat characteristics that provide visual and olfactory concealment from predators; this protection often is provided by vegetation at the nest site. Recently, researchers have raised concern that measuring vegetation characteristics at nest fate (success or failure) introduces a bias, as vegetation at successful nests is measured later in the growing season (and has more time to grow) compared with failed nests. In some systems, this bias can lead to an erroneous conclusion that plant height is positively associated with nest survival. However, if the features that provide concealment are invariant during the incubation period, no bias should be expected, and the timing of measurement is less influential. We used data collected from 98 nests to evaluate whether there is evidence that such a bias exists in a study of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) nesting in a montane forest ecosystem. We modeled nest survival as a function of visual obstruction and other covariates of interest. At unsuccessful nests, we collected visual obstruction readings at both the date of nest failure and the projected hatch date and compared survival estimates generated using both sets of vegetation data. In contrast to studies in grassland and shrubland systems, we found little evidence that the timing of vegetation sampling influenced conclusions regarding the association between visual obstruction and nest survival; model selection and estimates of nest survival were similar regardless of when vegetation data were collected. The dominant hiding cover at most of our nests was provided by evergreen shrubs; retention of leaves and slow growth of these plants likely prevent appreciable changes in visual obstruction during the incubation period. When considered in aggregate with a growing body of literature, our results suggest that the influence of timing of vegetation sampling depends on the study system. When designing future studies, investigators should carefully consider the type of structures that provide nest concealment and whether plant phenology is confounded with nest survival.
Percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes in patients with stable coronary disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: DeVore Adam D. , Yow Eric , Krucoff Mitchell W. , Sherwood Matthew W. , Shaw Linda K. , Chiswell Karen , O'Connor Christopher M. , Ohman Erik Magnus , Velazquez Eric J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimsWe sought to better understand the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and moderate or severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction.Methods and resultsUsing data from the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Disease, we analysed patients who underwent coronary angiography at Duke University Medical Center (1995–2012) that had stable CAD amenable to PCI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV angina were excluded. We used propensity‐matched Cox proportional hazards to evaluate the association of PCI with mortality and hospitalizations. Of 901 patients, 259 were treated with PCI and 642 with medical therapy. PCI propensity scores created from 24 variables were used to assemble a matched cohort of 444 patients (222 pairs) receiving PCI or medical therapy alone. Over a median follow‐up of 7 years, 128 (58%) PCI and 125 (56%) medical therapy alone patients died [hazard ratio 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.68, 1.10)]; there was also no difference in the rate of a composite endpoint of all‐cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization [hazard ratio 1.18 (95% confidence interval 0.96, 1.44)] between the two groups.ConclusionsIn this well‐profiled, propensity‐matched cohort of patients with stable CAD amenable to PCI and moderate or severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the addition of PCI to medical therapy did not improve long‐term mortality, or the composite of mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization. The impact of PCI on other outcomes in these high‐risk patients requires further study.
Multiple streams, leaked opportunities, and entrepreneurship in the EU agenda against tax avoidance
Authors: Roland Aanor 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper discusses the recent initiatives of the EU against tax evasion and tax avoidance from a Multiple Streams perspective. By combining a chronological review of EU tax provisions with a quantitative content analysis of official EU documents, I show how both EU corporate tax policy and the way it is framed have changed over time: From market‐enhancing toward market‐regulating tax measures that explicitly address corporate tax avoidance. Contrary to what is often assumed, findings show that the crucial window of opportunity did not stem from the financial and Eurozone crisis, but rather from the accumulation of tax scandals since 2013. Furthermore, my analysis differentiates between the entrepreneurship of the Commission as a whole and the individual entrepreneurship of single personalities to better understand the dynamics that lead to policy change in the EU.
Dynamic simulation of fuel tank aging for LNG‐fueled ship apparatus in an X‐DF Otto cycle engine
Authors: Shao Yude , Yoon Sangdeuk , Kang Hokeun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe increased density in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank caused by boil‐off gas (BOG) is a key factor to consider for LNG‐fueled ships with Otto cycle engines. This study conducted dynamic simulation using Aspen HYSYS to solve LNG aging in the fuel gas supply system (FGSS) of an extra‐long stroke dual fuel (X‐DF) engine. The aging phenomenon is severe in the Otto cycle internal combustion engine because heavy hydrocarbon (HHC) components must be removed during the process to satisfy the methane number (MN) requirement. HHC components such as ethane, propane, butane are separated in the HHC removal process so that HHC can be returned to the LNG storage or fuel tank without increased risk of equipment failure relative to steady‐state design conditions. Dynamic process simulations for four cases were conducted to verify the behavior of LNG aging for two fuel compositions and two fuel tank capacities. The results indicate that the different composition of LNG affects the pump duty, the duty of heat exchanger and BOG compressor in steady‐state simulation. Additionally, based on the analysis results, solutions to the problem caused by LNG aging for the FGSS in an X‐DF engine were provided.
Efficacy of continuous ingestion of dewaxed brown rice on the cognitive functions of the residents of elderly welfare facilities: A pilot test using crossover trial
Authors: Uenobe Maya , Saika Toshiyuki , Waku Natsumi , Ohno Masae , Inagawa Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCompared with regular brown rice, dewaxed brown rice (DBR), prepared by excluding only the wax layer in the outermost layer of brown rice using a new rice milling technique, has improved water absorbency, digestibility, and taste. Dewaxed brown rice has a nutritional value close to that of brown rice and contains a large amount of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are known to improve the cognitive function of mice. In this study, we examined the effect of continuous DBR ingestion on the cognitive function of elderly people. A crossover comparison test was performed, in which elderly people who moved into an elderly welfare facility were divided into two groups and ingested DBR or polished white rice for three meals a day for 6 months, followed by a change in test meals for the next 6 months. Cognitive function was assessed using Revised Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS‐R) before starting the test and 6 months after ingesting each test meal. No subjects withdrew or discontinued DBR intake during the study period, and all subjects continued the test for 6 months. In subjects with low cognitive function (defined as subjects with HDS‐R total score of ≥1 but <10 at the start of the study), there was a significant association between continuous DBR ingestion and cognitive function improvement (increase in total HDS‐R score). Our findings suggest that the long‐term DBR ingestion as a staple food could be useful for preventing cognitive decline in elderly; it offers an easily implemented option as a daily diet for preventing cognitive decline.
Assessment of the dynamics of sensory perception of Wagyu beef strip loin prepared with different cooking methods and fattening periods using the temporal dominance of sensations
Authors: Watanabe Genya , Motoyama Michiyo , Orita Kazue , Takita Keigo , Aonuma Tatsuya , Nakajima Ikuyo , Tajima Atsushi , Abe Atsuko , Sasaki Keisuke 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this study, we assessed the relative sensory perception of Wagyu beef using temporal dominance of sensations (TDS), which is a dynamic sensory method that captures the “dominance of sensation” throughout food consumption. In addition, we checked the integrity of the TDS by comparing the TDS results with a physicochemical analysis. Strip loins were obtained from 24‐ and 28‐month‐old Japanese Black cattle (“Wagyu”) and were cooked by grilling (yakiniku) or boiling (shabu‐shabu). Temporal dominance of sensations was then used to evaluate the four types of samples. “Tender and/or soft,” “juicy,” “dry,” “fat melting,” “fat taste,” “umami,” “sweet taste,” and “butter odor” were dominant in at least one of the sample types, with the yakiniku cooking method highlighting texture‐ and fat‐related sensory characteristics, and the shabu‐shabu cooking method highlighting flavor‐related sensory characteristics. In addition, beef obtained from the 24‐month‐old Wagyu was significantly more “dry” than that of the 28‐month‐old cattle, reflecting their different cooking loss. Temporal dominance of sensations successfully demonstrated the dominant sensory perceptions of Wagyu beef prepared with different cooking methods and fattening periods.
Mathematical modelling of infrared‐dried kiwifruit slices under natural and forced convection
Authors: Sadeghi Ebrahim , Haghighi Asl Ali , Movagharnejad Kamyar 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this work, the effect of the radiation intensity, slice thickness, and the distance between slices and infrared lamps under natural drying air and the effect of slice thickness and air velocity under forced drying air on the moisture diffusion characteristics and the drying rate of kiwifruit slices during infrared drying were investigated. The drying of kiwifruit happened in the falling rate period, and no constant‐rate period was observed in the drying curves. One hundred models were fitted to the drying data. Among the models, the exponential dsecay function model and modified two‐term exponential‐V model and the artificial neural networks with 4‐5‐7‐1 and 3‐5‐5‐1 topologies, hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function, and Levenberg‐Marquardt training algorithm presented the best results and showed the goodness of fit with the experimental data for the former and latter systems, respectively. The diffusivities varied between 1.216 × 10−10–8.997 × 10−10 m2⁄s and 2.567 × 10−10–10.335 × 10−10 m2⁄s for natural and forced drying air systems, respectively.
Black rice addition prompted the beer quality by the extrusion as pretreatment
Authors: Zhang Tianyu , Zhang Haijing , Yang Zhe , Wang Yiran , Li Hongjun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFlavor compounds, including total polyphenols, amino acids, and protein, in beer with extruded black rice as adjunct were detected and analyzed. Beer brewing technique has been intensively investigated in the past century. The chase of beer quality, including the color, flavor, foam, nutrition, and functionality, attracted considerable attention. Hence, headspace solid‐phase microextraction in combination with a gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC–MS) was used to analyze flavor compounds qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of one organic acid, one aromatic, ten alcohols and 23 esters were present in extruded black rice adjunct beer. Protein components and molecular weight were analyzed, and the results were consistent with those of traditional beer in terms of content of foam‐stabilizing protein. The contents of essential amino acid which is an important nutritive index were higher than those in traditional rice adjunct beer, especially valine (70.9 mg/L) and threonine (42.8 mg/L). The representative ingredients of extruded black rice adjunct beer were polyphenols, nerolidol, geraniol, and geranylgeraniol which affected the functionality and antioxidant ability.
Validating a System Architecture Model (SAM) for a Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Program Using a Phased Approach
Authors: Rosenthal Gene 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOne of the benefits of taking of Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to capturing information such as system design, requirements, and verification information within a digital, object‐oriented System Architecture Model (SAM) is it eliminates the risk of manually creating a set of text‐based documents that must be maintained separately for consistency. Digital definition of this information eases configuration management and allows reuse, so that engineers can focus more on the technical challenges of system development and less on the tedium of document management. To ensure the SAM accurately reflects system description, uses consistent terms, and content is not duplicated, the model must be validated.This paper recaps the journey taken by a legacy DoD Acquisition Program transition of safety critical functions from a document‐centric to a model‐based environment, but the focus will be on model validation.
Encoding Technique of Genetic Algorithms for Block Definition Diagram using OMG SysML™ Notations
Authors: Arifin Habibi Husain , Ong Ho Kit Robert , Daengdej Jirapun , Novita Dianing 
Published: September 2019

AbstractGenetic algorithms can be used to perform an automated trade study analysis for component selection with the OMG Systems Modeling Language or OMG SysML™. However, the genetic algorithm encoding based on a single string with real‐value encoding failed to include the relationships in the OMG SysML™ model for the solution space. The genetic algorithm was then unable to perform an automated reasoning through the OMG SysML™ as a result. To solve this problem, this study proposes tree encoding as the encoding technique for the OMG SysML™ elements. Tree encoding offers a simple way to include blocks and their relationships into a genotype without altering its semantics. The scope of this study is limited to a preliminary investigation of the block definition diagram. The result from this study suggests that the conceptual idea can be applied to the genetic algorithm and the potential use of the approach in the trade study analysis, reasoning, and machine learning.
Applying Feature‐Based Systems and Software Product Line Engineering in Unclassified and Classified Environments
Authors: Teaff James K. , Young Bobbi , Clements Paul 
Published: September 2019

AbstractGlobal aerospace and defense companies are reaping the benefits of feature‐based systems and software product line engineering and management (FBPLE) in those situations where production must seamlessly span unclassified and classified environments (Gregg et al. 2014) (Gregg et al. 2015) (Krueger et al. 2014) (Lanman et al. 2011). These benefits include leveraging company talent while awaiting access to classified material; leveraging employees who are members of other sovereign states; and optimizing system production and maintenance for export / import. In this whitepaper we present the architectural design and accompanying business processes for a PLE factory and its artifacts that comprise unclassified and classified digital assets1. These digital assets are used in automated generation of unclassified and classified product instances. All production activities occur within a single logical enterprise spanning multiple information systems comprising multiple security zones2.