bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual loop cascode‐Miller compensation with damping factor control unit for three‐stage amplifiers driving ultralarge load capacitors
Authors: Aminzadeh Hamed , Dashti Mohammad Ali 
Published: September 2018

SummaryAn area‐efficient amplifier topology is presented for three‐stage amplifiers driving ultralarge load capacitor with reduced power consumption. It contains two high‐speed ac feedback loops made from embedded current buffers and small‐size compensation capacitors, which pushes the nondominant complex poles to very high frequencies. To further improve the stability, a local impedance damping block is embedded. At the higher frequencies, it suppresses the high resistive property at the second‐stage output, thereby increasing the damping factor of the complex poles and improving the overall gain margin. For identical bandwidth, the overall silicon area of the on‐chip compensation capacitor is therefore decreased, leading to enhanced small‐signal and large‐signal performance metrics. Coined dual loop cascode‐Miller compensation with damping factor control unit, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is investigated through simulation results in 90‐nm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) technology. An implementation based on the proposed technique consumes a quiescent current of 17 μA from a 1.2 V voltage supply. For a load capacitance equal to 560 pF, it achieves a gain‐bandwidth frequency of 4.34 MHz, an average slew‐rate of 1.72 V/μs, and an average settling time of 0.52 μs, when the overall compensation capacitance is set to 1.55 pF. The proposed design can supply the load capacitors up to 35 nF.
A method to detect discontinuities in census data
Authors: Barichievy Chris , Angeler David G. , Eason Tarsha , Garmestani Ahjond S. , Nash Kirsty L. , Stow Craig A. , Sundstrom Shana , Allen Craig R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe distribution of pattern across scales has predictive power in the analysis of complex systems. Discontinuity approaches remain a fruitful avenue of research in the quest for quantitative measures of resilience because discontinuity analysis provides an objective means of identifying scales in complex systems and facilitates delineation of hierarchical patterns in processes, structure, and resources. However, current discontinuity methods have been considered too subjective, too complicated and opaque, or have become computationally obsolete; given the ubiquity of discontinuities in ecological and other complex systems, a simple and transparent method for detection is needed. In this study, we present a method to detect discontinuities in census data based on resampling of a neutral model and provide the R code used to run the analyses. This method has the potential for advancing basic and applied ecological research.
Fecal microbiota associated with phytohaemagglutinin‐induced immune response in nestlings of a passerine bird
Authors: Kreisinger Jakub , Schmiedová Lucie , Petrželková Adéla , Tomášek Oldřich , Adámková Marie , Michálková Romana , Martin Jean‐François , Albrecht Tomáš 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe vertebrate gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by a diverse community of bacteria, the so‐called gut microbiota (GM). Research on captive mammalian models has revealed tight mutual interactions between immune functions and GM. However, our knowledge of GM versus immune system interactions in wild populations and nonmammalian species remains poor. Here, we focus on the association between GM community structure and immune response measured via the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin swelling test in 12‐day‐old nestlings of a passerine bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). The PHA test, a widely used method in field ecoimmunology, assesses cell‐mediated immunity. GM structure was inferred based on high‐throughput 16S rRNA sequencing of microbial communities in fecal samples. We did not find any association between PHA response and GM diversity; however, our data revealed that the intensity of PHA response was correlated with differences in GM composition at the whole‐community level. Ten bacterial operational taxonomic units corresponding to both putative commensal and pathogens were identified as drivers of the compositional variation. In conclusion, our study suggests existence of GM versus immune system interactions in a free‐living nonmammalian species, which corresponds with previous research on captive vertebrates.
An Unsymmetric Ligand with a N5O2 Donor Set and Its Corresponding Dizinc Complex: A Structural and Functional Phosphoesterase Model
Authors: Das Biswanath , Daver Henrik , Pyrkosz‐Bulska Monika , Gumienna‐Kontecka Elzbieta , Himo Fahmi , Nordlander Ebbe 
Published: September 2018

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is Ebbe Nordlander from Lund University, Sweden. The cover image shows a dizinc complex that catalyzes phosphoester hydrolysis and the computed catalytic transition state with the depicted substrate.
One Step Electrode Fabrication for Direct Electron Transfer Cholesterol Biosensor Based on Composite of Polypyrrole, Green Reduced Graphene Oxide and Cholesterol Oxidase
Authors: Pramanik Krishnendu , Sarkar Priyabrata , Bhattacharyay Dipankar , Majumdar Pavel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA simple single‐step fabrication of a novel biocomposite electrode was used for cholesterol sensing through direct electron transfer. The bio‐composite was prepared by polypyrrole, green reduced graphene oxide (gRGO) and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx). The graphene oxide (GO) was “green” reduced, with the Paederia foetide (PFL) plant extract at 60 °C to improve its biocompatibility. The adherence of gRGO to the electrode surface was improved through its co‐deposition during electro‐polymerization of pyrrole. Interestingly, the enzyme ChOx also could be immobilized during this co‐deposition process, resulting in one step biosensor fabrication. The optimization of electrochemical deposition parameters on glassy carbon electrode for this enzymatic bioelectrode (ChOx‐gRGO‐PPy/GCE) has resulted in excellent sensitivity (1095.3 μA mM−1 cm−2), wide linear range (0.01–6 mM), and low detection limit (3.78 μM) of cholesterol. Also, the Dubinin‐Radushkevitch (D−R) adsorption study revealed the occurrence of physisorption (ϵ=3.35) process in this bioelectrode, confirming diffusion‐controlled reaction. Reproducibility of electrodeposition procedure, impeccable selectivity in the presence of interferrants, repeatability for multiple use and long‐term stability for practical use were also ensured. This could be used to construct the cost‐effective device for cholesterol diagnosis.
Simple Synthesis of Multilayer‐shaped CeO2 Nanomaterial and its Electrochemical Detection of Clenbuterol
Authors: Xiao Xin , Wang YiHui , Tan Wei , Liu HongJie , Duan YangYang , Zhang XiaoBo , Zhang DongEn , Jiang YouXiang , Wang Jie , Gong JunYan , Ma JuanJuan , Yang Tao , Tong ZhiWei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA novel multilayer‐shaped CeO2 with obvious electrocatalytic activity was synthesized using a simple heat treatment method. The structure and morphology of the multilayer‐shaped CeO2 were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Clenbuterol, a kind of β‐agonist drugs, has recently become a serious issue to human body due to the illegal addition in the food additive for livestocks. The drug residue in the human body may cause muscular pain, cardiac palpitation, glaucoma, prostatitis, dizziness and and even death in old people. Therefore, the detection of clenbuterol (CLB) has a important significance. The as‐prepared CeO2 was found to have unique electrocatalytic oxidation activities towards clenbuterol (CLB). The electrochemical sensor was constructed by fixing stable nafion‐modified multilayer‐shaped CeO2 film on a glassy carbon electrode. Compared with the CeO2‐modified electrode and the nafion‐modified electrode, the nafion‐modified multilayer‐shaped CeO2 electrode showed better electrocatalytic performance for clenbuterol in HClO4 solution. There was a good linear relationship between the oxidation peak current and the concentration of CLB between 0.39∼2.79 μmol/L, and the detection limit was 0.08 μmol/L (R=0.99). The nafion‐modified multilayer‐shaped CeO2 electrode exhibited high stability and reproducibility.
Local Electrodeposition of Metals by Tip Electrode Dissolution Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Authors: Jo Ara , Lee Youngmi , Lee Chongmok 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe have electrodeposited palladium and gold micropatternings using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with the metal precursor ions generated via anodic dissolution of the ultramicroelectrode (UME) tip itself. Concurrently, in‐situ reduction of the metal ions occurred at the substrate electrode, where the deposition parameters were optimized. In particular, this is the first direct Pd patterning using Pd dissolution without any mediators. The catalytic activities of oxygen reduction on the Pd or Au were studied with tip generation‐substrate collection mode of SECM. The possibility of simultaneous co‐deposition of Pd and Au was also demonstrated using a dual Pd and Au UME.
Development of a Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on a Carbon Paste Electrode Decorated with Nd2O3 for the Simultaneous Detection of Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow
Authors: Marquez‐Mariño Karen , Penagos‐Llanos Johisner , García‐Beltrán Olimpo , Nagles Edgar , Hurtado John J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe simultaneous detection of tartrazine (TZ) and sunset yellow (SY) using a carbon paste‐decorated neodymium (III) oxide electrode (NdOx/CPE) is reported for the first time in this work. The surface properties of the NdOx/CPE were studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The anodic peak currents for TZ and SY increased by more than 60 %, and the anodic peak potentials for TZ and SY were observed at potential values less positive than those of the carbon paste without NdOX. Under the optimal parameters (pH 3.0; accumulation time tACC 30 s; and accumulation potential EACC 0.10 V), the detection limits for TZ and SY observation were 0.02 μmol L−1 (10.6 μg L−1) and 0.09 μmol L−1 (40.6 μg L−1), respectively. The new sensor was sensitive, stable, easily manufactured, and very convenient for the detection of TZ and SY in food samples and pharmaceutical materials and provided consistent results.
Nanostructured DNA Microarrays for Dual SERS and Electrochemical Read‐out
Authors: Kayran Yasin U. , Jambrec Daliborka , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe present a strategy to fabricate nanostructured microarrays ready to perform a dual read‐out, namely electrochemical (EC) as well as surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based detection of DNA hydridization. A polystyrene nanobeads monolayer assembly, obtained by means of a Langmuir Blodgett type technique, followed by electrochemical Au deposition, was employed to construct homogeneous nanostructures in the form of inverse‐opal nanovoids on a 32‐electrode Au microarray chip. Characterization of the obtained nanostructured electrodes of the array by means of cyclic voltammetry demonstrated high reproducibility of the surface modification process. The performance of the obtained array platform was investigated by modifying the microarray electrodes with three different oligonucleotide capture probes using a previously developed potential‐assisted surface modification protocol. Two ferrocene‐labeled target DNA sequences and one target RNA sequence with a Texas red label were detected electrochemically and via SERS, respectively.
Forecasting electricity spot price for Nord Pool market with a hybridk‐factor GARMA–LLWNN model
Authors: Ben Amor Souhir , Boubaker Heni , Belkacem Lotfi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes a new hybrid approach, based on the combination of parametric and nonparametric models by adopting wavelet estimation approach, to model and predict the price electricity for Nord Pool market. Our hybrid methodology consists into two steps. The first step aims at modeling the conditional mean of the time series, using a generalized fractional model withk‐factor of Gegenbauer termed thek‐factor GARMA model; the parameters of this model are estimated using the wavelet approach based on the discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT). The second step aims at estimating the conditional variance, so we adopt the local linear wavelet neural network (LLWNN) model. The proposed hybrid model is tested using the hourly log‐returns of electricity spot price from the Nord Pool market. The empirical results were compared with the predictions of the ARFIMA–LLWNN, thek‐factor GARMA–FIGARCH and the individual LLWNN models. It is shown that the proposed hybridk‐factor GARMA–LLWNN model outperforms all other competing methods. Hence it is a robust tool in forecasting time series.
Adjustment for covariates using summary statistics of genome‐wide association studies
Authors: Wang Tao , Xue Xiaonan , Xie Xianhong , Ye Kenny , Zhu Xiaofeng , Elston Robert C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLinear regression is a standard approach to identify genetic variants associated with continuous traits in genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). In a standard epidemiology study, linear regression is often performed with adjustment for covariates to estimate the independent effect of a predictor variable or to improve statistical power by reducing residual variability. However, it is problematic to adjust for heritable covariates in genetic association analysis. Here, we propose a new method that utilizes summary statistics of the covariate from additional samples for reducing the residual variability and hence improves statistical power. Our simulation study showed that the proposed methodology can maintain a good control of Type I error and can achieve much higher power than a simple linear regression. The method is illustrated by an application to the GWAS results from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits consortium.
Einfluss des Hohlraumquerschnitts auf die Verheilung im Steinsalz
Authors: Hente Jonas Frederik , Gährken Andreas , Stahlmann Joachim 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIm Zuge der Tiefenlagerung radioaktiver Reststoffe im Steinsalz entsteht an Hohlräumen aufgrund des viskosen Verformungsverhaltens des Wirtsgesteins ein geschädigter Bereich, die Auflockerungszone (ALZ). Durch die Konvergenz des Wirtsgesteins treten in der ALZ dilatante Schädigungen auf, die zu Veränderungen der Permeabilität des Wirtsgesteins führen. Nach erfolgter Einlagerung der radioaktiven Reststoffe werden die entsprechenden Strecken mit einem Abdichtungsbauwerk verschlossen. Dieses stellt mit dem umgebenden Steinsalz eine Barriere zwischen den radioaktiven Reststoffen und dem übrigen Grubengebäude dar. Die Barriere hat die Aufgabe, einen Fluid‐ sowie Gasaustausch und damit die Ausbreitung radioaktiver Strahlung zu unterbinden. In der ALZ ist die Permeabilität des Wirtsgesteins gegenüber dem intakten Wirtsgestein deutlich erhöht, weshalb die Möglichkeit eines Gas‐ oder Fluidtransports entlang des Abdichtungsbauwerks erhöht ist. Kriecht das Steinsalz nach Verschluss der Einlagerungskammer auf das Abdichtungsbauwerk auf, verheilen die dilatanten Schädigungen im Wirtsgestein, sodass die Permeabilität der ALZ reduziert wird. Die Verheilung der ALZ stellt daher einen wichtigen Prozess zur sicheren Endlagerung radioaktiver Reststoffe im Steinsalz dar. Die nachfolgenden numerischen Untersuchungen im FDM‐Programm FLAC3D ergaben, dass sowohl der Schädigungs‐ als auch der Verheilungsprozess durch den gewählten Streckenquerschnitt des Hohlraums maßgeblich beeinflusst werden.
Sulfur and phosphorus heteroatom‐containing compounds as corrosion inhibitors: An overview
Authors: Verma Chandrabhan , Verma Dakeshwar K. , Ebenso Eno E. , Quraishi Mumtaz A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUse of organic compounds containing nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P) heteroatoms in their molecular structures is one of the most effective, economic, and practical corrosion inhibitors. The effectiveness of the heteroatoms toward metallic corrosion inhibition follows the order: P > S > N > O. The metal‐inhibitor interactions involve the charge sharing between the heteroatoms and empty d‐orbitals of the surface metallic atoms; therefore, a heteroatom with lower electronegativity value is more potent to form strong bonding (charge sharing) with metallic surface as compared to more electronegative heteroatom. Literature study reveals that almost all corrosion inhibitors have either one or more heteroatoms in their molecular structures particularly in the form of polar functional groups, which enhance their adsorption tendency on metallic surface. Present review paper features the collection of some major works that have been published on metallic corrosion inhibition containing these P, S, O, and N heteroatoms. Since now, several review articles have been published describing the application of N and O atoms; however, the reviews on use of P and S heteroatoms are scare. Therefore, aim of the present article was to mainly describe the collection of corrosion inhibitors containing S and P heteroatoms.
Assessing the variation in workload among general practitioners in urban and rural areas: An analysis based on SMS time sampling data
Authors: van Hassel Daniël , Verheij Robert , Batenburg Ronald 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObjectiveAn important reason why general practitioners (GPs) are less inclined to work in rural areas is a perception of a higher workload. This study assesses the differences in the workloads of GPs in rural and urban areas. We used two definitions of rurality, one based on the number of addresses per square kilometre, and a second defined by the expected decline in population.MethodsWe collected time use data over 1 year by sending SMS text messages to Dutch GPs who each participated during a period of 1 week. This data was matched with those from GPs' registration and practice location. Data from 596 self‐employed GPs were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses.ResultsIn group practices, the patient list size of rural GPs was, on average, 231 patients more than those of urban GPs. They worked 3.5 more hours per week, with 2.6 more hours directly related to patients. A small significant relation was found between degree of urbanisation and the dependent variables list size and working hours. Working in a depopulation area had no significant effect on the workload indicators. Furthermore, GPs in group practices worked significantly fewer hours, and had smaller list sizes, than GPs in single‐handed practices.ConclusionThe results show that the assumption of a higher workload in rural practices does not completely match the objective workload of GPs in these areas. Rural GPs have a higher workload in certain cases, but the type of a practice seems a more important determinant.
Inequality trends in the demographic and geographic distribution of health care professionals in China: Data from 2002 to 2016
Authors: Wu Jingxian , Yang Yongmei 
Published: September 2018

SummaryChina has long been negatively affected by a shortage and maldistribution of health workers. This study aimed to examine the national and regional trends in the demographic and geographic distribution inequality of health care professionals in China from 2002 to 2016. Based on data from the China Health and Family Planning Statistical and China Statistical Yearbooks, we calculated the Gini coefficient and the Theil T and Theil L indices based on the number of health care professionals per capita and per geographic area to measure the inequalities in their demographic and geographic distribution, respectively. The contributions by intra‐regional and inter‐regional differences on total inequality were explored within and among East, Central, and West China via Theil index decomposition. We found that the national demographic distribution of health care professionals maintained in an absolute equality level, and the inequality indices decreased gradually, whereas the corresponding geographic inequalities were severe and presented a worsening trend. Compared with nurses, physicians not only maintained higher densities but also maintained a more equal distribution. Intra‐regional disparities within the east, central, and western regions were the main cause for overall demographic inequality, whereas both intra‐regional and inter‐regional disparities significantly contributed to overall geographic inequality. To conclude, the distribution equality of health care professionals by population was satisfactory, whereas the corresponding distribution inequality by area was severe. Different types of distribution inequality of health care professionals existed regionally and nationally despite their increasing quantities and densities. Factors beyond population size should be considered when the government introduces health workforce allocation policies.
Prioritizing countermeasures for reducing seawater‐intrusion area by considering regional characteristics using SEAWAT and a multicriteria decision‐making method
Authors: Kim Il Hwan , Yang Jeong‐Seok 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCoastal areas are being increasingly damaged by the expansion of seawater‐intrusion areas. This study suggested a three‐step method to prioritize the countermeasures adopted to reduce the areas affected by seawater intrusion. First, the most vulnerable area to damage from seawater intrusion was selected among 25 areas on the western coast of the Republic of Korea using three multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods. As a result, Taean‐gun was selected as the most vulnerable area for seawater intrusion. Second, a numerical model called SEAWAT was configured to predict the areas where seawater intrusion could potentially occur. For future scenarios, Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 were used as the sea‐level rise scenarios. To predict the future use of groundwater, the future groundwater extraction rate was predicted using a linear regression of the groundwater‐use data over the past 10 years. As a result, it was predicted that 68.5% of the total Taean‐gun area would be affected by seawater intrusion for RCP 8.5 and current trends in groundwater use. Third, the effectiveness of the measures adopted for the reduction of seawater‐intrusion areas were analysed by considering the projected future scenario and the local characteristics (including the total population, population density, groundwater‐level distribution, salinity distribution, groundwater‐use characteristics, and ground‐elevation distribution) of the Taean‐gun district. After considering the effects of the countermeasures adopted for the different locations in Taean‐gun and the data related to seawater intrusion, the priority areas for applying countermeasures against seawater intrusion were determined using three MCDM methods. It was concluded that the Taean‐myeon is a priority area for applying countermeasures.
The two‐sample linear regression model with interval‐censored covariates
Authors: Pacini David 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThere are surveys that gather precise information on an outcome of interest, but measure continuous covariates by a discrete number of intervals, in which case the covariates are interval censored. For applications with a second independent dataset precisely measuring the covariates, but not the outcome, this paper introduces a semiparametrically efficient estimator for the coefficients in a linear regression model. The second sample serves to establish point identification. An empirical application investigating the relationship between income and body mass index illustrates the use of the estimator.