bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Mesoporous Titania Nanoparticles with Controlled Porosity and Connectivity for Studying the Photovoltaic Properties in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Tanaka Yuki , Lim Siew Lay , Goh Wei Peng , Jiang Changyun , Tee Si Yin , Ye Tao , Li Xianqiang , Nguyen Khoa Ha , Lee Coryl Jing Jun , Ding Ning , Liu Zhaolin , Wu Jishan , Zhang Jie , Han Ming‐Yong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMesoporous titania (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by treating prehydrolyzed titanium precursors with polyethylene glycol (PEG). By varying the amount of PEG, their different physical properties were tuned appropriately in terms of surface area, pore size/volume, and electrical conductivity. By increasing the amount of PEG in TiO2, the surface area and pore volume of mesoporous TiO2 increased, and no direct correlation with the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells was observed. In comparison, the pore size of mesoporous TiO2 first increased greatly before quickly decreasing, and a similar trend was also observed for electrical conductivity. These implied that the interparticle interaction became much stronger with an optimum amount of PEG added to form mesoporous TiO2 NPs. With an optimum molar ratio of PEG/Ti precursor at 0.75, greatly improved conductivity of mesoporous TiO2 NPs with interconnection as compared to that prepared in the absence of PEG, which was used as an electron transport layer, improved the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells by ≈36%. Their greatly reduced photoluminescence after incorporating the perovskite also revealed a difference in the electron‐injection properties from the perovskite into mesoporous TiO2. This strategy highlights a versatile tool to tune mesoporous structures to achieve a cooperative effect for studying photovoltaic properties in perovskite solar cells.
On link width scaling for energy‐proportional direct interconnection networks
Authors: Zahn Felix , Lammel Steffen , Fröning Holger 
Published: February 2018

SummaryEnergy consumption is one of the most important design parameters for future large‐scale computing systems. While the end of Dennard scaling demands for increasing energy‐proportional components, interconnection networks have not received much attention regarding this topic. However, these networks are expected to contribute about 20% to the overall power consumption of these systems in the near future. Furthermore, this fraction increases if other energy‐proportional components, such as CPUs, accelerators, and memory, are not fully utilized. To avoid becoming the main contributor to power consumption and to reduce overall power consumption, it is mandatory to improve the energy‐proportionality of interconnection networks. In this work, we analyze different aspects of energy‐proportionality in interconnection networks for systems designed within current technical constraints but also for future systems that might be designed with different parameters. First, we discuss the impact of multiple design parameters and the most feasible approach for improved energy consumption, such as transition time and power state granularity. Based on this study, we introduce three different power saving policies, which try to address different requirements. While an on/off policy allows for large energy savings, it can also cause significant performance losses for adverse setups. In order to meet the demand for sustainable performance, we present two new policies that trade power saving potential for performance. For all three workload classes, we use a power‐aware network simulation to report the impact on execution time and energy consumption compared to the current situation and an idealized network. While we show that a highly regular pattern enables power saving possibilities close to the theoretical minimum, even slight deviations from such a highly iterative and temporal behavior demand for further improvements in all policies.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS): Optimal cut points for remission and response in a German sample
Authors: von Glischinski M. , Willutzki U. , Stangier U. , Hiller W. , Hoyer J. , Leibing E. , Leichsenring F. , Hirschfeld G. 
Published: February 2018

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is the most frequently used instrument to assess social anxiety disorder (SAD) in clinical research and practice. Both a self‐reported (LSAS‐SR) and a clinician‐administered (LSAS‐CA) version are available. The aim of the present study was to define optimal cut‐off (OC) scores for remission and response to treatment for the LSAS in a German sample.Data of N = 311 patients with SAD were used who had completed psychotherapeutic treatment within a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Diagnosis of SAD and reduction in symptom severity according to the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, served as gold standard. OCs yielding the best balance between sensitivity and specificity were determined using receiver operating characteristics. The variability of the resulting OCs was estimated by nonparametric bootstrapping.Using diagnosis of SAD (present vs. absent) as a criterion, results for remission indicated cut‐off values of 35 for the LSAS‐SR and 30 for the LSAS‐CA, with acceptable sensitivity (LSAS‐SR: .83, LSAS‐CA: .88) and specificity (LSAS‐SR: .82, LSAS‐CA: .87). For detection of response to treatment, assessed by a 1‐point reduction in the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, rating, a reduction of 28% for the LSAS‐SR and 29% for the LSAS‐CA yielded the best balance between sensitivity (LSAS‐SR: .75, LSAS‐CA: .83) and specificity (LSAS‐SR: .76, LSAS‐CA: .80).To our knowledge, we are the first to define cut points for the LSAS in a German sample. Overall, the cut points for remission and response corroborate previously reported cut points, now building on a broader data basis.
Photoconversion of Far‐Red Organic Dyes: Implications for Multicolor Super‐Resolution Imaging
Authors: Dirix Lieve , Kennes Koen , Fron Eduard , Debyser Zeger , van der Auweraer Mark , Hofkens Johan , Rocha Susana 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLocalization‐based super‐resolution microscopy has become an indispensable tool in biology to study features smaller than the diffraction limit of light. In a multicolor approach, adequate spectral separation of the different photoswitchable probes is required. A far‐red emitting dye is often one of the labels of choice. However, irradiation with high laser intensity can induce photo‐conversion of some of the most frequently used fluorophores. Herein we show that upon intense irradiation with a 561 nm laser line, far‐red organic dyes photoconvert to blue‐shifted emissive species. In the case of Alexa Fluor 647, the most commonly used fluorescent label in super‐resolution microscopy, this derivative is created over time in an intramolecular, irreversible photoinduced chemical reaction. The dynamics of this reaction are altered by the presence of reducing agents. Importantly, the blue‐shifted derivatives emit in the spectral range of the red fluorescent proteins (e. g. PAmCherry and converted mEos3.2), severely implicating multicolor super‐resolution imaging.
Isothermal Growth of Spinel Crystals in Vanadium‐Chromium Slag
Authors: Diao Jiang , Shao Lixiong , Zhou Wang , Zhang Tao , Xie Bing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn order to explore the isothermal growth crystallization mechanism of vanadium‐chromium slag, the growth behavior of spinel crystals in vanadium‐chromium slag is investigated in this paper by using SEM/EDS and crystal size distribution (CSD) theory. It is found that with the prolongation of holding time at 1523 K, the mean diameter of spinel crystals decrease in the initial 30 min and then increased to 60.34 µm. The area fraction of spinel crystals increases from 35.56 to 54.28%. While at 1623 K, expect for the transient decrease at 30 min, the mean diameter of spinel crystals also increases obviously with the prolongation of time. The area fraction of spinel crystals increase from 31.28 to 50%. The results reveal that low temperature befits the growth of spinel crystals. All CSD shapes of vanadium‐chromium slag are lognormal distribution, which implies that the growth of the spinel crystals is controlled by surface and supply, and more inclined to supply control.
Formation of Multilayer Graphene Domains with Strong Sulfur–Carbon Interaction and Enhanced Sulfur Reduction Zones for Lithium–Sulfur Battery Cathodes
Authors: Perez Beltran Saul , Balbuena Perla B. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA newly designed sulfur/graphene computational model emulates the electrochemical behavior of a Li–S battery cathode, promoting the S–C interaction through the edges of graphene sheets. A random mixture of eight‐membered sulfur rings mixed with small graphene sheets is simulated at 64 wt %sulfur loading. Structural stabilization and sulfur reduction calculations are performed with classical reactive molecular dynamics. This methodology allowed the collective behavior of the sulfur and graphene structures to be accounted for. The sulfur encapsulation induces ring opening and the sulfur phase evolves into a distribution of small chain‐like structures interacting with C through the graphene edges. This new arrangement of the sulfur phase not only leads to a less pronounced volume expansion during sulfur reduction but also to a different discharge voltage profile, in qualitative agreement with earlier reports on sulfur encapsulation in microporous carbon structures. The Li2S phase grows around ensembles of parallel graphene nanosheets during sulfur reduction. No diffusion of sulfur or lithium between graphene nanosheets is observed, and extended Li2S domains bridging the space between carbon ensembles are suppressed. The results emphasize the importance of morphology on the electrochemical performance of the composite material. The sulfur/graphene model outlined here provides new understanding of the graphene effects on the sulfur reduction behavior and the role that van der Waals interactions may play in promoting formation of multilayer graphene ensembles and small Li2S domains during sulfur reduction.
On the optimal flow allocation and information theoretically secure network coding design for multiple multicasts
Authors: Ding Weiwei , Wang Jin , Wang Xiumin , Lu Kejie , Zhao Ruimin , Zhu Yanqin 
Published: February 2018

SummaryWith linear network coding (LNC), the data packets transmitted in a communication network are coded packets, which are linear combinations of original data packets. Since the coded packets can be useful for multiple destinations in multicast, LNC has been shown as a promising technology to improve the network throughput. On the other hand, the original data packets can be encoded with random symbols and transmitted in the network to make sure that a passive attacker cannot obtain the information of these original data packets when the passive attacker cannot obtain enough coded packets. Therefore, LNC also provides secure transmission without using the traditional encryption and decryption. In this paper, we will study an Information Theoretically Secure Multiple Multicasts (ITSMM) problem with the following objectives: (1) maximizing the secure transmission rate (STR), (2) minimizing the random symbol rate (RSR), and (3) minimizing the bandwidth cost (BC), when the data transmission is information theoretically secure. We firstly theoretically analyze the ITSMM problem, which shows that it is equivalent to a problem of network flow with constraints on each intermediate node. We then formulate the ITSMM problem by 3 linear programmings to get the maximum STR, the minimum RSR, and the minimum BC. After that, we prove the sufficient condition for the size of finite field over which the information theoretically secure linear multicast code (ITSLMC) can be designed. At last, we give extensive simulations, which show that the proposed algorithms are effective and efficient.
Direct effects of warming increase woody plant abundance in a subarctic wetland
Authors: Carlson Lindsay G. , Beard Karen H. , Adler Peter B. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBoth the direct effects of warming on a species’ vital rates and indirect effects of warming caused by interactions with neighboring species can influence plant populations. Furthermore, herbivory mediates the effects of warming on plant community composition in many systems. Thus, determining the importance of direct and indirect effects of warming, while considering the role of herbivory, can help predict long‐term plant community dynamics. We conducted a field experiment in the coastal wetlands of western Alaska to investigate how warming and herbivory influence the interactions and abundances of two common plant species, a sedge, Carex ramenskii, and a dwarf shrub, Salix ovalifolia. We used results from the experiment to model the equilibrium abundances of the species under different warming and grazing scenarios and to determine the contribution of direct and indirect effects to predict population changes. Consistent with the current composition of the landscape, model predictions suggest that Carex is more abundant than Salix under ambient temperatures with grazing (53% and 27% cover, respectively). However, with warming and grazing, Salix becomes more abundant than Carex (57% and 41% cover, respectively), reflecting both a negative response of Carex and a positive response of Salix to warming. While grazing reduced the cover of both species, herbivory did not prevent a shift in dominance from sedges to the dwarf shrub. Direct effects of climate change explained about 97% of the total predicted change in species cover, whereas indirect effects explained only 3% of the predicted change. Thus, indirect effects, mediated by interactions between Carex and Salix, were negligible, likely due to use of different niches and weak interspecific interactions. Results suggest that a 2°C increase could cause a shift in dominance from sedges to woody plants on the coast of western Alaska over decadal timescales, and this shift was largely a result of the direct effects of warming. Models predict this shift with or without goose herbivory. Our results are consistent with other studies showing an increase in woody plant abundance in the Arctic and suggest that shifts in plant–plant interactions are not driving this change.
Spatiotemporal patterns of unburned areas within fire perimeters in the northwestern United States from 1984 to 2014
Authors: Meddens Arjan J. H. , Kolden Crystal A. , Lutz James A. , Abatzoglou John T. , Hudak Andrew T. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA warming climate, fire exclusion, and land cover changes are altering the conditions that produced historical fire regimes and facilitating increased recent wildfire activity in the northwestern United States. Understanding the impacts of changing fire regimes on forest recruitment and succession, species distributions, carbon cycling, and ecosystem services is critical, but challenging across broad spatial scales. One important and understudied aspect of fire regimes is the unburned area within fire perimeters; these areas can function as fire refugia across the landscape during and after wildfire by providing habitat and seed sources. With increasing fire activity, there is speculation that fire intensity and combustion completeness are also increasing, which we hypothesized would yield smaller unburned proportions and changes in fire refugia patterns. We sought to determine (1) whether the unburned proportion of wildfires decreased across the northwestern United States from 1984 to 2014 and (2) whether patterns of unburned patches were significantly different across ecoregions, land cover type, and land ownership. We utilized a Landsat‐derived geospatial database of unburned islands within 2298 fires across the inland northwestern USA (including eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and Idaho) from 1984 to 2014. We evaluated patterns of the total unburned proportion and spatial patterns of unburned patches of the fires across different ecoregions, land cover types, and land ownership. We found that unburned area proportion exhibited no change over the three decades, suggesting that recent trends in area burned and overall severity have not affected fire refugia, important to post‐fire ecosystem recovery. There were ecoregional differences in mean unburned proportion, patch area, and patch density, suggesting influences of vegetation and topography on the formation of unburned area. These foundation findings suggest that complex drivers control unburned island formation, and yield insights to locate potential important fire refugia across the inland northwest.
An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Silver Nanoparticles‐Benzalkonium Chloride for the Voltammetric Determination of Antiviral Drug Tenofovir
Authors: Ozcelikay Goksu , Dogan‐Topal Burcu , Ozkan Sibel A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA simple voltammetric nanosensor was described for the highly sensitive determination of antiviral drug Tenofovir. The benzalkonium chloride and silver nanoparticles were associated to build a nanosensor on glassy carbon electrode. Surface characterictics were achieved using scanning electron microscopic technique. The voltammetric measurements were performed in pH range between 1.0 and 10.0 using cyclic, adsorptive stripping differential pulse and adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry. The linear dependence of the peak current on the square root of scan rates and the slope value (0.770) demonstrated that the oxidation of tenofovir is a mix diffusion‐adsorption controlled process in pH 5.70 acetate buffer. The linearity range was found to be 6.0×10−8–1.0×10−6 M, and nanosensor displayed an excellent detection limit of 2.39×10−9 M by square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The developed nanosensor was successfully applied for the determination of Tenofovir in pharmaceutical dosage form. Moreover, the voltammetric oxidation pathway of tenofovir was also investigated at bare glassy carbon electrode comparing with some possible model compounds (Adenine and Adefovir).
Normative data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Memory Index Score (MoCA‐MIS) in Brazil: Adjusting the nonlinear effects of education with fractional polynomials
Authors: Apolinario Daniel , dos Santos Marília Funchal , Sassaki Eduardo , Pegoraro Fernanda , Pedrini Anna Vitoria Alves , Cestari Bruna , Amaral Ana Helena , Mitt Mayra , Müller Marina Bellatti , Suemoto Claudia Kimie , Aprahamian Ivan 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo provide age‐corrected and education‐corrected norms for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Memory Index Score (MoCA‐MIS) in Brazil.MethodsCommunity‐dwelling outpatients were enrolled if they had no history of neurologic or psychiatric diseases and were not taking any drugs with effects on the central nervous system. Dementia has been excluded with the Functional Activities Questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 597 cognitively healthy Brazilians aged 50 to 90 years. To account for nonlinear relationships, we have used fractional polynomials that provide a flexible parameterization for continuous variables.ResultsAccording to the original proposed cutoff (≤25 points), 87% of our sample would be considered impaired. Even using a more conservative suggestion (≤22 points), 67% of our normative sample would be regarded as impaired. These data reinforce the need of adjusting cutoffs for schooling in populations with heterogeneous educational backgrounds. MoCA scores presented a nonlinear positive association with education tending to a plateau at higher levels (P < 0.001). On the other hand, MoCA‐MIS scores presented a nonlinear negative relationship with age, with an accelerated pattern at higher age levels (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe presented normative data for the MoCA and the MoCA‐MIS that will facilitate the use of the test in Brazil and, potentially, in other populations with substantial proportions of low‐educated individuals. Moreover, we described a systematic approach for adjusting the effects of age and education using fractional polynomials and provided suggestions on how to account for the nonlinear relationship that is frequently encountered between demographic factors and measures of cognitive performance.
Utilization of health‐care services by young children: The aftermath of the Turkish Health Transformation Program
Authors: Caner Asena , Karaoğlan Deniz , Yaşar Gülbiye 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe Turkish Health Transformation Program, initiated in 2003, has identified achieving universal access to health care as 1 of its main tenets. To date, substantial progress has been made toward universal health coverage. Service utilization statistics display an upward trend. In this study, we use official and nationally representative microdata collected by the Turkish Health Research Surveys to examine young children's (ages 0‐5) utilization of health services. Children in this age group deserve special attention because adverse health conditions in early childhood are known to have long‐time consequences. Policy makers regularly monitor statistics such as infant mortality rate and under‐5 mortality rate. We conduct logistic regression analyses to explain the probabilities of being taken to a health institution, to a dentist, and being included in the newborn screening program. We use a rich set of explanatory variables that represent the socioeconomic status (SES) of the child's household. Contrary to our expectations and to the goals of universal health coverage is SES indicators such as the insurance ownership of the parent matter for utilization. Decomposition analyses confirm these findings and reveal that the increase in utilization should have been higher than observed. Children from low SES households should be given special attention and that research efforts should focus on identifying the barriers that still hinder children's utilization of health‐care services.