bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Relationship between Photocatalytic Properties and Structure Characteristics of TiO2 Reduced by Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide Treatment
Authors: Liu Yunpeng , Li Yuhang , Yang Siyuan , Lin Yuan , Zuo Jiangliang , Liang Hong , Peng Feng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractReduction is considered to be an effective method to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2; however, the underlying relationship between structure and photocatalytic performance has not been adequately unveiled to date. To obtain insights into the effect of structure on photocatalytic activity, two types of reduced TiO2 were prepared from CO (CO‐TiO2) and H2 (H‐TiO2). For H‐TiO2, Ti−H bonds and oxygen vacancies are formed on the surface of H‐TiO2, which results in a more disordered surface lattice. However, for CO‐TiO2, more Ti−OH bonds are formed on the surface and more bulk oxygen vacancies are introduced; the disorder layer of CO‐TiO2 is relatively thin, owing to most surface vacancies being filled by Ti−OH bonds. Under simulated solar irradiation, the photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of CO‐TiO2 reaches 7.17 mmol g−1 h−1, which is 4.14 and 1.50 times those of TiO2 and H‐TiO2, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of methyl orange on CO‐TiO2 is 2.45 and 6.39 times those on H‐TiO2 and TiO2. The superior photocatalytic activity of CO‐TiO2 is attributed to the effective separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, due to the synergistic effects of oxygen vacancies and surface Ti−OH bonds. This study reveals the relationship between the photocatalytic properties and structure, and provides a new method to prepare highly active TiO2 for H2 production and environmental treatment.
Implementation of high step‐up DC‐DC converter using voltage‐lift and coupled inductor techniques
Authors: Yang Lung‐Sheng 
Published: June 2018

SummaryA high step‐up DC‐DC converter using the voltage‐lift and coupled inductor techniques is presented in this paper. Only a single switch is utilized for this converter. The voltage‐lift and coupled inductor techniques are integrated to achieve high voltage gain for the proposed converter. The leakage energy of the coupled inductor is recycled for improving the conversion efficiency. In addition, the operating principles and steady‐state analyses are illustrated for continuous conduction mode. The boundary condition is analyzed in detail. To demonstrate the performance for the proposed converter, a prototype circuit is built in the laboratory.
Novel model coupling approach for resilience analysis of coastal plant communities
Authors: Schibalski Anett , Körner Katrin , Maier Martin , Jeltsch Florian , Schröder Boris 
Published: June 2018

AbstractResilience is a major research focus covering a wide range of topics from biodiversity conservation to ecosystem (service) management. Model simulations can assess the resilience of, for example, plant species, measured as the return time to conditions prior to a disturbance. This requires process‐based models (PBM) that implement relevant processes such as regeneration and reproduction and thus successfully reproduce transient dynamics after disturbances. Such models are often complex and thus limited to either short‐term or small‐scale applications, whereas many research questions require species predictions across larger spatial and temporal scales. We suggest a framework to couple a PBM and a statistical species distribution model (SDM), which transfers the results of a resilience analysis by the PBM to SDM predictions. The resulting hybrid model combines the advantages of both approaches: the convenient applicability of SDMs and the relevant process detail of PBMs in abrupt environmental change situations. First, we simulate dynamic responses of species communities to a disturbance event with a PBM. We aggregate the response behavior in two resilience metrics: return time and amplitude of the response peak. These metrics are then used to complement long‐term SDM projections with dynamic short‐term responses to disturbance. To illustrate our framework, we investigate the effect of abrupt short‐term groundwater level and salinity changes on coastal vegetation at the German Baltic Sea. We found two example species to be largely resilient, and, consequently, modifications of SDM predictions consisted mostly of smoothing out peaks in the occurrence probability that were not confirmed by the PBM. Discrepancies between SDM‐ and PBM‐predicted species responses were caused by community dynamics simulated in the PBM and absent from the SDM. Although demonstrated with boosted regression trees (SDM) and an existing individual‐based model, IBC‐grass (PBM), our flexible framework can easily be applied to other PBM and SDM types, as well as other definitions of short‐term disturbances or long‐term trends of environmental change. Thus, our framework allows accounting for biological feedbacks in the response to short‐ and long‐term environmental changes as a major advancement in predictive vegetation modeling.
Injecting NMDA and Ro 25‐6981 in insular cortex induce neuroplastic changes and neuropathic pain‐like behaviour
Authors: Yoon M.S. , Koh C.S. , Lee J. , Shin J. , Kong C. , Jung H.H. , Chang J.W. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundNeuropathic pain is associated with abnormal sensitivity of the central nervous system. Although the mechanism underlying the development of sensitization remains to be fully elucidated, recent studies have reported that neuroplastic changes in the pain circuitry may be involved in hypersensitivity associated with neuropathic pain. However, it is difficult to investigate such phenomena in existing animal pain model. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel animal model – the circuit plasticity reconstruction (CPR) model – to mimic central sensitization associated with neuroplastic changes.MethodNMDA and Ro 25‐6981 were injected into the right insular cortex of Sprague‐Dawley rats, while electrical stimulation was delivered to the contralateral hind paw. Mechanical allodynia was tested by von Frey test with up–down method, and neuroplastic changes were confirmed by PSA‐NCAM‐positive immunostaining.ResultThe mechanical withdrawal threshold of the left hind paw decreased beginning 1 day after CPR modelling and persisted until day 21 comparing to the modified CPR 1 (mod‐CPR 1) group (CPR: 91.68 ± 1.8%, mod‐CPR 1: 42.71 ± 3.4%, p < 0.001). In contrast, mod‐CPR 2 surgery without electrical stimulation did not induce mechanical allodynia. Immunostaining for PSA‐NCAM also revealed that neuroplastic changes had occurred in the CPR group.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that CPR modelling induced neuroplasticity within the insular cortex, leading to alterations in the neural circuitry and central sensitization.SignificanceThis article represents that the CPR model can mimic the neuropathic pain derived by neuroplastic changes. Our findings indicate that the CPR model may aid the development of novel therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain and in elucidating the mechanisms underlying pain induced by central sensitization and neuroplastic changes.
Not all positive categories are alike: Exploring the superiority of the self as a positive source for associative attitude change via intersecting regularities
Authors: Mattavelli Simone , Richetin Juliette , Perugini Marco 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn associative evaluative learning, attitudes can originate from intersecting regularities between a target and both positive‐ and self‐related stimuli. Liking for a focal target is primarily driven by its reference to one source, but it might be qualified by the reference to a contrast target. This contribution focuses on how the nature of positive and contrast sources affects learning via intersecting regularities. In two studies (N = 199 and N = 185), the self and another positive category lead to increased implicit and explicit liking, regardless of the contrast source's valence. In Study 3 (N = 128), confronting the self and the positive category in the same paradigm yields only implicit preferences for self‐related targets. Both implicitly and explicitly, this preference for self‐ over positive‐related target was moderated by self‐positivity. Our findings confirm the robustness of learning via intersecting regularities and suggest that the self is a special evaluative source.
The Signal Amplification in Electrochemical Detection of Chloramphenicol Using Sulfonated Polyaniline‐chitosan Composite as Redox Capacitor
Authors: Mao Yanjun , Guo Liping , Ning Xiaohui , Li Jian , Zheng Jianbin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this work, a novel redox capacitor was designed for signal amplification in electrochemical detection. It was fabricated by co‐electrodeposition of a conducting polymer, sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) and chitosan on a glass carbon electrode, and its function was evaluated for being a localized source to transfer electron between FcCOOH (Fc) and Ru(NH3)6Cl3 in solution via redox cycling. Furthermore, the electrochemical detection of chloramphenicol, a broad‐spectrum antibiotic was performed using the redox capacitor in the presence of Fc. A significant amplification in cathodic current response of chloramphenicol was obtained through a continuous redox‐cycling reaction. The performance of the amplifying signal responded linearly to chloramphenicol in a concentration range of 0.05 to 50.0 μmol L−1 with a low detection limit of 0.01 μmol L−1. The proposed approach exhibited good reproducibility and stability, and could be used for detection of chloramphenicol in eye drops by standard addition method with the recoveries from 96.5 % to 103.0 %.
Application of Anodic Stripping Differential Alternative Pulses Voltammetry for Simultaneous Species Quantification
Authors: Zlatev Roumen , Stoytcheva Margarita , Valdez Benjamín 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe second order voltammetric technique Differential Alternative Pulses Voltammetry (DAPV) was applied in anodic stripping mode for simultaneous quantification of traces of species having close E1/2. The potential‐time waveform and the signal processing allowing the DAPV application in stripping mode are presented. The pulses widths and amplitudes were optimized to obtain maximal sensitivity and resolution at traces of In3+ and Cd2+ (having E1/2 difference of 45 mV) simultaneous quantification in presence of excess of Pb2+. Precise results for both species concentrations were obtained up to In3+ to Cd2+ concentration ratio as high as 1 to 10 without any sample pre‐treatment in purified industrial waste waters using 0.1 mol L−1 HCl as supporting electrolyte.
3D‐FEM Simulation of a MEMS‐Based Electrocaloric Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 Thin‐Film Microfluidic Refrigeration Device
Authors: Liebschner Rocco , Gerlach Gerald 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA microelectromechanical system (MEMS)‐based (4×4×2.5 mm3) active electrocaloric (EC) regenerator (AER) microfluidic system is modeled by a 3D transient thermal and fluid‐dynamic finite‐element (FE) simulation. Special attention is given to the possibility of connecting individual devices to adapt the cooling performance to particular needs. Three different working fluids and three different fluid velocities are considered. A device using silicone oil as the working fluid at a flow rate of 0.1 ms−1 is proven to be the most promising design candidate. The refrigeration capacity for a single EC cell is 0.223 W cm−2 and the coefficient of performance (COP) is 0.52.
Fitness of Jiaozi starter for steamed bread production using a two‐stage procedure
Authors: Wang Shiwei , Li Haifeng , Li Zhijian , Sun Yanmei , Wang Jinshui , Li Meng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSteamed bread is a popular staple food in China. Jiaozi shows many advantages as a starter for dough fermentation and is frequently used for steamed bread production. The knowledge about the dough fermentation process using Jiaozi is helpful for production management and quality improvement of the final product. In this study, the applicability of Jiaozi for steamed bread production was investigated. Some important factors involved in dough fermentation were carefully examined and analyzed, including the evolution and diversity of major bacteria and fungi, acidity change, reducing sugar utilization, CO2 production and retention, and different full dough fermentation periods. Combined with the quality evaluation of the final product, the results displayed that traditional Jiaozi was suitable as starter for steamed bread production using a two‐stage procedure with a wide range of full fermentation time and also provided more insights into steamed bread production by Jiaozi.
A practical one‐pot three‐component procedure for preparation of 3a,8a‐dihydroxyindeno[1,2‐d]imidazole derivatives in aqueous ethanol
Authors: Jamaledini Azar , Mohammadizadeh Mohammad Reza 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe results of our investigations on the preparation of 3a,8a‐dihydroxyindeno[1,2‐d]imidazole derivatives via reaction of thiourea, ninhydrin, and alkyl/benzyl chlorides in aqueous ethanol and under convenient conditions is reported. On the other hand, when guanidinium chloride was used instead of thiourea, the reaction mixtures reached with unexpected products; 2,2‐dialkoxy‐1H‐indene‐1,3(2H)‐diones.
Can a smoking ban save your heart?
Authors: Mazzonna Fabrizio , Salari Paola 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper evaluates the causal effect of environmental tobacco exposure on health by exploiting the time and geographical variation in public‐place smoking bans implemented in Switzerland between 2007 and 2011. We use administrative data on hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction, which allow to measure the short‐run effects of the policy on an objective metric of health. We show that the incidence of acute myocardial infarction decreases by approximately 8% immediately after implementation of the law with large heterogeneity across regions. Our results indicate that the policy was effective in reducing the negative externality of smoking with potential spillovers on health inequality.
There is no perfect evaluator: An investigation based on prospect theory
Authors: Lee Min Chul , Park Jaehyun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPsychophysical measurement has been widely used in various scientific and engineering fields. In the field of human–computer interaction (HCI), many prominent constructs, such as usability, affective satisfaction, user value, and user experience, have been assessed by psychophysical measurement, including Likert, Borg, and 0–100 scales. In spite of considerable empirical evidence that psychophysical measurement is reliable and valid, these measures also have fundamental limitations, such as distortion at both extremes. This study introduced prospect theory, which compensates for decision‐making behavior in uncertain situations, and applied the theory to the transformation of assessed data. In a typical usability assessment study with target selection tasks, this study revealed that psychophysically assessed data might improve reliability and validity. In addition, this study showed that people tend to regard around 75 as judgment criteria on a 0–100 scale. The results of this study can be used and applied to improve the reliability and validity of subjective measurements. This study suggested a method to improve psychological measurements based on prospect theory. The method is expected to be applied to practical engineering experiments, which has been widely conducted in the field of human factors and HCI.
Improved long‐term survival in all Sanz risk patients of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with a combination of retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide‐based front‐line therapy
Authors: Lou Yinjun , Lu Ying , Zhu Zhijuan , Ma Yafang , Suo Shanshan , Wang Yungui , Chen Dong , Tong Hongyan , Qian Wenbin , Meng Haitao , Mai Wenyuan , Yu Wenjun , Xu Weilai , Wang Lei , Mao Liping , Pei Renzhi , Jin Jie 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLimited data was available for long‐term follow‐up in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients treated with all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) plus intravenously arsenic trioxide (ATO)‐based front‐line therapy. The aim of this work was to retrospectively analyze the long‐term survival rate and frequency of therapy‐related myeloid neoplasia (t‐MN) occurring in a large cohort of APL patients. A total of 760 newly diagnosed patients with APL between January 1999 and May 2016 were evaluated. The early death rate was 9.2% (70/760). Of the remaining 690 patients with complete remission, patients were grouped according to front‐line regimens: ATRA plus ATO with or without chemotherapy (ATO group) and ATRA with chemotherapy (non‐ATO group). The median duration of follow‐up was 7.5 years (1.0‐18.3 years). ATO group showed significant superior 10‐year estimated relapse‐free survival (RFS) up to 90.3% comparing with 65.5% in the non‐ATO group (P < 0.0001). In addition, the 10‐year estimated overall survival (OS) was 93.9% for patients in the ATO group and 89.1% for those in the non‐ATO group (P = 0.03). In the subgroup analysis, the RFS rate was also higher in ATO group comparing with non‐ATO group in both low‐to‐intermediate‐risk (94.2% vs 64.6%, P < 0.0001) and high‐risk subgroup (89.6% vs 74.7%, P = 0.04). Notably, the 3‐year RFS and OS rates in the chemotherapy‐free subgroup of the low‐to‐intermediate‐risk patients (n = 88) were 100% and 100%, respectively. In the entire cohort, a total of 10 patients developed secondary malignant neoplasms, including 7 patients with therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (t‐MN). The estimated 5‐year cumulative incidence risk of t‐MN in the ATO and non‐ATO groups was 1.0% and 0.4%, respectively (P = 0.34). Thus, our data revealed that the long‐term outcome of patients treated with ATRA plus ATO‐based regimens was associated with continuing high efficacy in all Sanz risk patients with newly diagnosed APL.
Quality of life at diagnosis predicts overall survival in patients with aggressive lymphoma
Authors: Thompson Carrie A. , Yost Kathleen J. , Maurer Matthew J. , Allmer Cristine , Farooq Umar , Habermann Thomas M. , Inwards David J. , Macon William R. , Link Brian K. , Rosenthal Allison C. , Cerhan James R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOur aim was to evaluate whether quality of life (QOL) scores at diagnosis predict survival among patients with aggressive lymphoma. Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE and systematically followed for event‐free and overall survival (OS). QOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment‐General (FACT‐G), which measures 4 domains: physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well‐being (WB); a single item Linear Analogue Self‐Assessment (LASA) measuring overall QOL; and a spiritual WB LASA. From 9/2002 to 12/2009, 701 patients with aggressive lymphoma who completed baseline QOL questionnaires were enrolled. At a median follow‐up of 71 months (range 6‐128), 316 patients (45%) had an event and 228 patients (33%) died. All baseline QOL measures but emotional WB were significantly associated with OS (all P < 0.04); of which all but LASA spiritual remained significant after adjusting for IPI and NHL subtype. The strongest associations were with total FACT‐G (adjusted HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79‐0.94, P = 0.00062) and functional WB (adjusted HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83‐0.93, P < .0001). QOL LASA was associated with OS (adjusted HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87‐0.97, P = 0.0041). Patients with clinically deficient QOL (overall QOL ≤50) had a median OS of 92 months compared with 121 months for patients with QOL >50 (P = 0.0004). In this large sample of patients with aggressive lymphoma, we found that baseline QOL is independently predictive of OS. QOL should be assessed as a prognostic factor in patients with aggressive lymphoma.
Association of uterine leiomyoma and overactive bladder syndrome
Authors: Koch Marianne , Rauchenwald Tina , Kivaranovic Danijel , Schwab Stephanie , Umek Wolfgang , Koelbl Heinz , Rauchenwald Michael , Helmy Samir 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess associations between anterior and/or fundal uterine leiomyoma and overactive bladder syndrome.MethodsThe present cohort study recruited women diagnosed with fundal/anterior uterine leiomyoma by standardized transvaginal ultrasonography at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, in addition to an age‐matched control group of women without uterine leiomyoma. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder Module (ICIQ‐OAB) was mailed to all eligible participants. The main outcome was the ICIQ‐OAB sum score.ResultsAmong 304 questionnaires sent out, 129 were returned. After the exclusion of incomplete datasets, 80 women were included in the analysis (uterine leiomyoma group, 43; control group, 37). The mean ± SD ICIQ‐OAB sum score was 9.7 ± 10.2 for women with uterine leiomyoma and 4.2 ± 5.3 for women in the control group; thus, the ICIQ‐OAB sum score was on average 5.5 points higher in the uterine leiomyoma group (P=0.003). The Spearman correlation coefficient between the total volume of leiomyoma per woman and the ICIQ‐OAB sum score was 0.072 (P=0.645).ConclusionThe study found a significant association between anterior and/or fundal leiomyoma and overactive bladder syndrome. The presence of uterine leiomyoma should be ruled out during the evaluation of overactive bladder.
High mobility group box 1 as a biomarker in critically ill patients
Authors: Yagmur Eray , Buendgens Lukas , Herbers Ulf , Beeretz Anne , Weiskirchen Ralf , Koek Ger H. , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank , Koch Alexander 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundExtracellular release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) acts as a danger‐associated molecular pattern, thereby “alarming” the immune system and promoting systemic inflammation. We investigated plasma HMGB1 concentrations as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in critical illness.MethodsOur study included 218 critically ill patients (145 with sepsis, 73 without sepsis), of whom blood samples were obtained at the time‐point of admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU).ResultsHigh mobility group box 1 levels were significantly elevated in critically ill patients (n = 218) compared with healthy controls (n = 66). Elevated HMGB1 plasma levels were independent from the presence of sepsis. Moreover, HMGB1 was not associated with disease severity, organ failure, or mortality in the ICU. We observed a trend toward lower HMGB1 levels in ICU patients with pre‐existing obesity, type 2 diabetes and end‐stage renal disease patients on chronic hemodialysis.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study did not reveal significant associations between HMGB1 levels at ICU admission and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Due to the pathogenic role of HMGB1 in the late phases of experimental sepsis, future studies might assess the potential value of HMGB1 by measuring its plasma concentrations at later time points during the course of critical illness.