bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase‐Engineered Growth of Ultrathin InSe Flakes by Chemical Vapor Deposition for High‐Efficiency Second Harmonic Generation
Authors: Huang Wenjuan , Gan Lin , Li Huiqiao , Ma Ying , Zhai Tianyou 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAs a novel layered indium selenide (InSe) semiconductor has been attracting considerable interest in the field of modern (opto)‐electronics. Despite current progress, the synthesis of ultrathin InSe nanoflakes still poses quite a challenge, due to its universal co‐existing varied stoichiometric compounds. In this work, a novel phase‐engineered route is proposed for synthesizing ultrathin single‐crystalline InSe nanoflakes with the assistance of a stable mass‐transfer process in a space‐confined chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. By finely tuning the growth parameters, InSe can be obtained through engineering a phase‐transition thereby eliminating the undesirable In2Se3 phase, revealed by the synergistic effect of high‐content H2 and deficient Se. Furthermore, owing to the non‐centrosymmetric structure, the CVD‐grown InSe nanoflakes exhibit a high‐performance second harmonic generation (SHG), making it very promising for future SHG applications in 2D configurations. This approach paves the way for the synthesis of other similar ultrathin materials with multiphase homologous compounds.
Infrared absorbance spectroscopy of aqueous proteins: Comparison of transmission and ATR data collection and analysis for secondary structure fitting
Authors: Corujo Marco Pinto , Sklepari Meropi , Ang Dale L. , Millichip Mark , Reason Andrew , Goodchild Sophia C. , Wormell Paul , Amarasinghe Don Praveen , Lindo Viv , Chmel Nikola P. , Rodger Alison 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAttenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared absorbance spectroscopy of proteins in aqueous solution is much easier to perform than transmission spectroscopy, where short path‐length cells need to be assembled reproducibly. However, the shape of the resulting ATR infrared spectrum varies with the refractive index of the sample and the instrument configuration. Refractive index in turn depends on the absorbance of the sample. In this work, it is shown that a room temperature triglycine sulfate detector and a ZnSe ATR unit can be used to collect reproducible spectra of proteins. A simple method for transforming the protein ATR spectrum into the shape of the transmission spectrum is also given, which proceeds by approximating a Kramers‐Krönig–determined refractive index of water as a sum of four linear components across the amide I and II regions. The light intensity at the crystal surface (with 45° incidence) and its rate of decay away from the surface is determined as a function of the wave number–dependent refractive index as well as the decay of the evanescent wave from the surface. The result is a single correction factor at each wave number. The spectra were normalized to a maximum of 1 between 1600 cm−1 and 1700 cm−1 and a self‐organizing map secondary structure fitting algorithm, SOMSpec, applied using the BioTools reference set. The resulting secondary structure estimates are encouraging for the future of ATR spectroscopy for biopharmaceutical characterization and quality control applications.
Decision support systems for assessment of biorefinery transformation strategies
Authors: Benali Marzouk , Jeaidi Jawad , Mansoornejad Behrang , Ajao Olumoye , Gilani Banafsheh , Ghavidel Mehr Nima 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe development of integrated biorefineries is one of the currently proposed strategies for transforming into a low carbon bio‐economy. Although different biorefining technologies can be integrated into host mills such as the Kraft and thermomechanical pulp processes, it is important to select the most appropriate technology taking into consideration the specificities and on‐site constraints. In this work, a decision support tool was developed and applied to industrial case studies for biorefinery implementation. Firstly, the tool was used for scenario‐based simultaneous analysis of the technical, economic, and environmental impacts in a single platform for different biorefinery implementation strategies. Its robustness and flexibility were demonstrated by two comprehensive industrial cases covering biorefinery transformation strategies for a Kraft pulp corporation involving three sites and a newsprint corporation with two sites. The tool made it possible to elucidate the advantages of lignin recovery implementation at modern and median Kraft pulping sites. Also, it revealed the objective basis for selecting between lignin recovery, hemicelluloses extraction, and thermochemical platforms biorefineries. The most suitable plant capacity for profitability was determined in the case of repurposing a median or average integrated newsprint mill into a biofuel production facility based on the pyrolysis platform. In a modern integrated newsprint mill, it was shown that phenol‐formaldehyde (PF) resins production can significantly decrease production costs, diversify the product portfolio, and mitigate risks associated with the core product line.
Effects of Plasma Pretreatment on ZnO Deposition by SILAR on SiO2, HfO2, and Glass Substrates
Authors: Higgins Marissa , Pintor‐Monroy Maria Isabel , Quevedo‐Lopez Manuel 
Published: July 2018

AbstractZinc oxide (ZnO) films are deposited onto glass, silicon oxide, and hafnium oxide substrates via the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The substrates are subjected to an oxygen plasma treatment prior to the deposition to increase the hydrophilic character of the film surface and improve the morphological and structural properties of the resulting ZnO films. Crystallinity, surface morphology, and thickness of the films with and without the plasma treatment are thoroughly evaluated by multiple characterization techniques. The oxygen plasma treatment increases the substrate's surface roughness significantly which results in an increase in the nucleation sites. The plasma treatment yields thicker films in all the substrates compared with substrates without the plasma treatment. The thickness of the ZnO deposited on glass substrates increases as the rinsing time increases, while the opposite is observed for films deposited on both silicon and hafnium oxide substrates. The higher porosity of the ZnO films grown on silicon dioxide and hafnium dioxide substrates leads to a higher surface area that increases the removal of the deposited ZnO on these substrates with the rinsing during the SILAR deposition, resulting in an overall thickness reduction of the film.
A rail‐to‐rail low‐power latch comparator with time domain bulk‐tuned offset cancellation for low‐voltage applications
Authors: Shahpari Nima , Habibi Mehdi 
Published: July 2018

SummaryLow‐voltage high‐precision comparators are the main building blocks of many low‐power mixed‐mode electronic devices. In this paper, a rail‐to‐rail high‐precision comparator is introduced. The proposed comparator uses 2 parallel input P‐type metal‐oxide‐semiconductor pairs with a dynamic level shifter to ensure rail‐to‐rail operation. Moreover, the proposed circuit incorporates a rail‐to‐rail offset cancellation circuit. The offset cancellation circuit works based on a time domain bulk‐tuned negative feedback loop. The proposed comparator and offset cancellation circuits are designed to work correctly when the input common mode voltage varies from rail to rail. The rail‐to‐rail scheme allows the use of the proposed comparator in nanometer technologies, where the acceptable input range is limited. The proposed circuit was simulated in a standard 180 nm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor technology, and the results proved the rail‐to‐rail comparison ability in addition to the rail‐to‐rail offset cancellation function. The overall power consumption of the comparator was only increased by 11% compared with the conventional non–rail‐to‐rail approach. The maximum clock frequency of the proposed circuit is 833 MHz, which is slightly more than its counterpart at similar operation conditions.
Cerebrospinal fluid flow increases from newborn to adult stages
Authors: Di Palma Camille , Goulay Romain , Chagnot Sebastien , Martinez De Lizarrondo Sara , Anfray Antoine , Salaun Jean‐Philippe , Maubert Eric , Lechapt‐Zalcman Emmanuèle , Andreiuolo Felipe , Gakuba Clément , Emery Evelyne , Vivien Denis , Gauberti Maxime , Gaberel Thomas 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTSolute transport through the brain is of major importance for the clearance of toxic molecules and metabolites, and it plays key roles in the pathophysiology of the central nervous system. This solute transport notably depends on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, which circulates in the subarachnoid spaces, the ventricles and the perivascular spaces. We hypothesized that the CSF flow may be different in the perinatal period compared to the adult period. Using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near‐infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF), we assessed the dynamic of the CSF flow in rodents at different ages. By injecting a contrast agent into the CSF, we first used MRI to demonstrate that CSF flow gradually increases with age, with the adult pattern observed at P90. This observation was confirmed by NIRF, which revealed an increased CSF flow in P90 rats when compared with P4 rats not only at the surface of the brain but also deep in the brain structures. Lastly, we evaluated the exit routes of the CSF from the brain. We demonstrated that indocyanine green injected directly into the striatum spread throughout the parenchyma in adult rats, whereas it stayed at the injection point in P4 rats. Moreover, the ability of CSF to exit through the nasal mucosa was increased in the adult rodents. Our results provide evidence that the perinatal brain has nonoptimal CSF flow and exit and, thus, may have impaired clean‐up capacity. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018
Comparative Effects of Cholesterol and β‐Sitosterol on the Liposome Membrane Characteristics
Authors: Jovanović Aleksandra A. , Balanč Bojana D. , Ota Ajda , Ahlin Grabnar Pegi , Djordjević Verica B. , Šavikin Katarina P. , Bugarski Branko M. , Nedović Viktor A. , Poklar Ulrih Nataša 
Published: July 2018

The influence of different phospholipid types (pure phospholipids 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine, POPC, 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine, DPPC, and one commercial phospholipid mixture, Lipoid H100), sterol types (cholesterol vs. β‐sitosterol), and various sterol concentrations (5–50 mol%) on liposomal membrane fluidity, thermotropic properties, liposome size, zeta potential, and lipid oxidation kinetics using fluorescent lipid probe BODIPY 581/591 C11 (4,4‐difluoro‐5‐[4‐phenyl‐1,3‐butadienyl]‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene‐3‐undecanoic acid) are investigated. DPPC bilayer is more rigid than POPC and phospholipids mixture membranes. Pure DPPC gives the smallest liposomes, while liposomes of Lipoid H100 have the largest diameter. Both sterols reduce membrane fluidity of all liposomes, increase absolute zeta potential, cause significant changes in particle size, and decrease phase transition temperature (Tm) and enthalpy of DPPC. POPC/β‐sitosterol liposomes exhibit the most significant lipid oxidation of the lipophilic probe. Along with beneficial effects of phytosterols on human health, better membrane fluidity, more favorable and stabilizing interactions with phospholipids, smaller vesicle size, and enhanced physical stability in comparison to cholesterol are some of the encouraging results for the use of β‐sitosterol in liposome formulations for potential application in foods, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics.Practical Applications: Adjusting the composition of liposomal membrane (lipid type, sterol type, and concentration) can be used as a tool to control membrane fluidity, permeability, and thermotropic properties, and thus predict release properties, physical, thermal, and oxidative stability. A commercial phospholipid mixture of different natural phospholipids with impurities creates less uniform liposomal membrane that is characterized by higher fluidity in comparison to DPPC. The type of phospholipid has huge influence on MLVs size. β‐sitosterol, which is a phytosterol with beneficial effects on human health can be used as a replacement for cholesterol in liposomal formulations, but with the following in mind: β‐sitosterol reduces fluidity of the phospholipid bilayer to a lesser extent than cholesterol, β‐sitosterol gives smaller MLVs than cholesterol, DPPC/β‐sitosterol SUVs are bigger than 100 nm in diameter (relevant for intravenous administration), MLVs with ≥30 mol% of β‐sitosterol can be considered as physically stable (unlike those with cholesterol), irrespective to the phospholipid type.The influence of different phospholipid types, sterol types, and various sterol concentrations on liposomal membrane fluidity, thermo tropic properties, liposomesize, zeta potential, and lipid oxidation kinetics are investigated.
The microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography combined with reversed‐electrode polarity stacking mode for enriching and quantifying lignanoids and ginsenosides in TCMs preparation Shengmai injection
Authors: Ma Huifen , Li Jin , Yu Heshui , Li Zheng , Gao Xiu‐mei , Chang Yan‐xu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn on‐line large volume sample stacking with polarity switching (LVSS) method was proposed for simultaneously determining lignanoids and ginsenosides in MEEKC. The parameters including the pH value and concentration of buffer solution, SDS, organic modifier, oil phase, running voltage, and temperature as well as injection time, sample matrix, stacking voltage, and time influencing separation and stacking were systematically optimized. The method was verified by performing precision, accuracy, stability, and recovery. Its reliability was proved by separating and quantifying two lignanoids and three ginsenosides in Shengmai injectionSMI. The sensitivity of these compounds was improved by MEEKC‐LVSS method for 6–11 times than conventional MEEKC. Thus, this developed on‐line MEEKC‐LVSS method was sensitive, practical, and reliable.
Enhanced cell surface hydrophobicity favors the 9α‐hydroxylation of androstenedione by resting Rhodococcus sp. cells
Authors: Mutafova Blaga , Momchilova Svetlana , Pomakova Dimitrina , Avramova Tatyana , Mutafov Sava 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe achievement of an effective process of 9α‐hydroxylation of 4‐androstene‐3,17‐dione is of significant importance as it leads to the formation of the key intermediate 9α‐hydroxy‐4‐androstene‐3,17‐dione which is not possible by chemical means. In this study, the 9α‐hydroxylation of 4‐androstene‐3,17‐dione was carried out by resting Rhodococcus sp. cells. The ability of the naturally hydrophobic Rhodococcus to assimilate n‐alkanes was employed to obtain a cell depot with an intentionally increased cell surface hydrophobicity. The control Rhodococcus sp. cells were cultivated on medium containing glucose instead of n‐alkanes as a source of carbon and energy. Cells were harvested, washed from the cultivation media, and subjected to transformation of crystal androstenedione in buffer medium. The hydrophobicity of the n‐alkanes‐ and glucose‐grown cells, their total lipid content, and fatty acid composition were determined. The ultrastructure of the n‐alkanes‐ and glucose‐grown cells and their steroid hydroxylating activities were examined and compared. The results obtained in the present study showed that the intentionally achieved growth‐driven enhancement of the already hydrophobic Rhodococcus sp. cells made them even more compatible with the hydrophobic steroid substrate and enhanced its accessibility, which provided an increased steroid hydroxylating activity and lack of the accompanying product destruction.
Price elasticities of pharmaceuticals in a value based‐formulary setting
Authors: Yeung Kai , Basu Anirban , Hansen Ryan N. , Sullivan Sean D. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryEmpirical estimates of price elasticities of demand (PED) for pharmaceuticals suggest that they are relatively price inelastic. However, in many settings, a medication and its substitutes and complements face simultaneous differential changes in prices that affect the observed “composite” PED. We exploit an implementation of a value‐based formulary (VBF) that utilized drug‐specific incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) to inform drug copayments, resulting in increases in copayments for some medications and decreases in copayments for others. We first show theoretically that by changing the price of a medication and its substitute in opposite directions, VBF designs can leverage cross‐price effects to increase the range of composite PEDs. We then empirically estimate PED and welfare effects using a consumer surplus approach. Overall PED was −0.16, similar to the RAND Health Insurance Experiment estimate. However, there was substantial dispersion of PED across the VBF copayment tiers ranging from −0.09 to −0.87 with a statistically significant trend aligned with the levels of value as reflected by the ICER estimates (p < 0.001). The net welfare increase was $147,000 for the cohort or $28 per member over the postpolicy year. Further experimentations of VBF designs with alternative cost‐effectiveness thresholds, copayment levels and value definitions could be quite promising for improving welfare.
The place of private care governance in the South African health care system
Authors: Fusheini Adam , Eyles John , Goudge Jane 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundSouth Africa essentially has two health care systems—the public and private ones. While much is known about how the public system operates, little work has been conducted on the private sector, perhaps not surprisingly in a profit‐oriented, proprietary system. But it is a massive system with its own agenda, interests, and organizations. In this paper, we address the place of private care governance issues, one seen by government as maldistributed, costly, and controlled by few groups and the medical search for profit.MethodsUsing qualitative in‐depth interviews, 10 top executive managers of the hospital were asked about its functionality in terms of patient care, profitability, and the practice of governance. Data were analyzed based on themes using NVivo 10 software.ResultsThe study demonstrates that private hospital functionality finds meaning in board structure, composition and functions, purposeful governance practices as evidenced in well‐designed management structures and roles, systematizing governance through the planning of activities, and devising appropriate strategies to deal with both internal and external pressures in the health care environment.ConclusionThe study findings establish that shareholders and managers goals converge resulting in the institutionalization and consolidating of relational governance practices in the hospital. Yet other stakeholders appeared to be sidelined.
Externalizing symptoms anticipate declining support and increasing negativity between adolescent friends
Authors: Dickson Daniel J. , Marion Donna , Laursen Brett 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study examined longitudinal associations between externalizing symptoms and friendship quality among 116 adolescents and their same‐sex, same‐grade best friends (60.3% female). At the outset of the study, participants were in the sixth or seventh grades (M = 11.72 years). For two consecutive years, participants provided self‐reports of externalizing symptoms, and best friends provided perceptions of friendship quality (negativity and social support) and intimacy. Results indicated that greater externalizing symptoms predicted increases in friendship negativity for all dyads. Externalizing symptoms also predicted decreases in social support, but only among dyads reporting high levels of intimacy. The findings suggest that externalizing symptoms diminish friendship quality, particularly within intimate friendships.Highlights

Greater externalizing symptoms may predict declines in friendship quality within intimate adolescent friendships.
Path analyses found that externalizing symptoms predicted increases in negativity (for all friendships) and decreases in support (for intimate friendships).
Results suggest a negative downward spiral where behaviour problems damage friendships, which then may become unstable.
A machine‐learning analysis of the rationality of aggregate stock market forecasts
Authors: Pierdzioch Christian , Risse Marian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe use a machine‐learning algorithm known as boosted regression trees (BRT) to implement an orthogonality test of the rationality of aggregate stock market forecasts. The BRT algorithm endogenously selects the predictor variables used to proxy the information set of forecasters so as to maximize the predictive power for the forecast error. The BRT algorithm also accounts for a potential non‐linear dependence of the forecast error on the predictor variables and for interdependencies between the predictor variables. Our main finding is that, given our set of predictor variables, the rational expectations hypothesis (REH) cannot be rejected for short‐term forecasts and that there is evidence against the REH for longer term forecasts. Results for three different groups of forecasters corroborate our main finding.
Catalytic decarboxylation of fatty acids to hydrocarbons over non‐noble metal catalysts: the state of the art
Authors: Kiméné Anouchka , Wojcieszak Robert , Paul Sébastien , Dumeignil Franck 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe catalytic decarboxylation of fatty acids to yield hydrocarbons, for use as biofuel as a main target, is a topical reaction in which the main challenge is actually to control the selectivity while using the smallest amount of hydrogen possible (or even better, not using hydrogen at all) in order to optimize cost‐efficiency of the process. Herein, the focus is on the non‐noble mono‐, bi‐ and tri‐metallic catalysts used to carry out this reaction. Historically, several non‐noble monometallic catalysts based on Cu, Co, Ni supported on different types of supports were first studied. Among such materials, the Co‐based catalysts were not selective, while, Cu‐based catalysts were more or less selective to hydrocarbons or to olefins, depending on the support used. Among these three metals, the Ni‐based catalysts are the most widely described ones due to their specific ability to promote deoxygenation reactions. Combining Ni to a second metal yielded a synergistic effect toward better catalytic performances, with increases in both conversion and selectivity and also improvement of the resistance of the catalyst to carbon deposit, especially when adding non‐noble metals. For future prospects, it appears that the main challenge will be to be able to maintain good catalytic performances under inert gas in solvent‐free conditions, in order to yield a fully environmentally friendly and cost‐effective process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry