bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A combined fuzzy multicriteria decision‐making approach for evaluating hospital website quality
Authors: Perçin Selçuk 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDevelopments in the health care industry in the last decade have forced companies to improve their website quality with the goal of attaining a sustainable competitive advantage through e‐business models. Here, we evaluate and measure the website quality of hospitals while considering the interactions among evaluation criteria. For this purpose, the fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, which copes with the interactions among the evaluation criteria, is presented. In addition, the generalized Choquet fuzzy integral (GCFI), non‐additive information fusion technique, is proposed to aggregate the experts' preferences and to calculate the overall website quality of hospitals. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is used to observe the changes in evaluation results of hospitals when assigning different weight combinations to the evaluation criteria. The proposed model is the first to evaluate the website quality of hospitals operating in Turkey.
Telomerase insufficiency induced telomere erosion accumulation in successive generations in dyskeratosis congenita family
Authors: He Caixia , Jing Shuang , Dai Congling , Tu Chaofeng , Tan Zhenhua , Du Juan , Lu Guang‐Xiu , Lin Ge , Zeng Sicong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundDyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare heritable bone marrow failure syndrome that is associated with telomere dysfunction, and has high genetic heterogeneity and varied features.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the underlying genetic etiology of a DC family with more severe symptoms in the younger generation and to explore the relationship between the genetic causes and the severity of DC phenotype.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing was performed on the proband to screen the candidate causative gene. The protein structure was then predicted by SWISS‐MODEL software. Telomere length (TL) assay was performed on family members along with large‐scale population controls. The prenatal diagnosis (PND) was performed on the fetus of parents with secondary pregnancy.ResultsNovel heterozygous mutations in TERT (NM_198253.2), c.1796G>A (p.Arg599Gln), c.2839T>C (p.Ser947Pro), and c.3346G>C (p.Glu1116Gln) were identified in the proband. His TL was below the first percentile of the peers, which also appeared on the fetus with epidermal dyskeratosis through PND. The TL data of large‐scale population and members of the DC family implied the accumulation of telomere erosion in successive generations in this family.ConclusionsOur study identified three clinical pathologic TERT mutations and implied that telomere erosion might be accumulated through successive generations, contributing to the severity of DC in the younger generation.
Identification of the Apoptosis and Autophagy Bi‐functional Proteins
Authors: Wang Peiran , Zhang Zhichao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAlthough autophagy and apoptosis, two main kinds of programmed cell death, constitute distinct cellular processes with often opposing outcomes, there have been shown a complex interplay between them in recent years. This interplay is surely critical to the overall fate of the cell. However, a full‐scale identification of those bi‐functional proteins involved in both functions is currently beyond reach by existing databases or traditional biological experiments. And that makes the interplay impossible to be well understood. Here we built a large, comprehensiveness apoptosis and autophagy related PPI (protein‐protein interaction) network and then used topology clustering to undergo a network analysis workflow. Finally, we concluded a list of 151 apoptosis and autophagy bi‐functional proteins from this network. By this way we showed a global view on these bi‐functional proteins about their unique characteristics and provided clues of new functions of some proteins which are not focused in present researches.
People with type 2 diabetes struggling for self‐management: A part study from the randomized controlled trial in RENEWING HEALTH
Authors: Ribu Lis , Rønnevig Marit , Corbin Juliet 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo develop a theoretical explanation for the daily life problems and challenges perceived by those living with type 2 diabetes.Design and methodsWe used a grounded theory approach with a constant comparative method to discover a framework with the core concept of struggling between “ought to do” and “want to do” and related concepts.ResultsThe struggle to self‐manage and maintain new habits can be more or less difficult depending on the patient's perceived conditions. We identified three situations illustrated in a diagram: one where there is less struggle to let go of old habits, a second where there is more of a struggle to balance between what individuals want to do and what they ought to do and a third where they are giving up struggling. Study findings show that healthcare personnel must consciously seek to understand how patients perceive their own situation.
Daily Self‐Weighing to Prevent Holiday‐Associated Weight Gain in Adults
Authors: Kaviani Sepideh , vanDellen Michelle , Cooper Jamie A. 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveHoliday weight gain is reported to be 0.4 to 1.5 kg and may contribute to annual weight gain. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of daily self‐weighing (DSW) using visual graphical feedback (GF) to prevent holiday weight gain.MethodsA total of 111 adults were randomly assigned into a control or DSW + GF group and completed the preholiday visit (v1; before Thanksgiving), the postholiday visit (v2; after New Year’s Day), and the follow‐up visit (v3; 14 weeks after v2). The participants in the DSW + GF group performed DSW with Wi‐Fi scales during the holidays and were told to try not to gain weight above baseline weight.ResultsThere was no change in weight with DSW + GF, whereas the control group gained weight from v1 to v2 (−0.13 ± 0.27 kg vs. 2.65 ± 0.33 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). In the control group, weight change was similar between individuals with overweight or obesity (OW/OB) versus individuals with normal weight (2.71 ± 0.48 kg vs. 2.62 ± 0.43 kg, not significant, respectively). For DSW + GF, individuals with OW/OB lost weight whereas those with normal weight maintained weight during the holidays (−1.46 ± 0.62 kg vs. 0.33 ± 0.27 kg, P = 0.01, respectively). The control group lost weight during the follow‐up (−1.14 ± 0.43 kg, P = 0.01; v2 to v3) but retained 57% of weight gain; therefore, weight gain from v1 to v3 was significant (1.51 ± 0.39 kg, P < 0.001).ConclusionsDSW + GF was a successful approach to prevent holiday weight gain, with those with OW/OB responding most favorably to DSW + GF.
Histidine‐rich glycoprotein augments natural killer cell function by modulating PD‐1 expression via CLEC‐1B
Authors: Nishimura Yoshito , Wake Hidenori , Teshigawara Kiyoshi , Wang Dengli , Sakaguchi Masakiyo , Otsuka Fumio , Nishibori Masahiro 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAugmentation of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity is one of the greatest challenges for cancer immunotherapy. Although histidine‐rich glycoprotein (HRG), a 75‐kDa glycoprotein with various immunomodulatory activities, reportedly elicits antitumor immunity, its effect on NK cell cytotoxicity is unclear. We assessed NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cells. We also measured concentrations of cytokines and granzyme B in the cell supernatant. The proportion of CD56bright NK cells and NK cell surface PD‐1 expression was assessed with flow cytometry. The neutralizing effects of anti‐C‐type lectin‐like receptor (CLEC) 1B against HRG were also measured. NK cell morphological changes were analyzed via confocal microscopy. HRG significantly increased NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cell lines. HRG also increased the release of granzyme B and the proportion of CD56bright NK cells. Further, HRG was able to decrease NK cell surface PD‐1 expression. The effects of HRG on NK cells were reversed with anti‐CLEC‐1B antibodies. Additionally, we confirmed NK cell nuclear morphology and F‐actin distribution, which are involved in the regulation of cytotoxic granule secretion. Because both PD‐1 and CLEC‐1B are associated with prognosis during malignancy, HRG incorporates these molecules to exert the antitumor immunity role. These facts indicate the potential of HRG to be a new target for cancer immunotherapy.
Prenylated flavonoid‐standardized extract from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. activated fat browning in high‐fat diet–induced obese mice
Authors: Liu Jingwen , Zhao Yuanyuan , Huang Cheng , Li Yiming , Guo Fujiang 
Published: May 2019

We investigated the effects of the prenylated flavonoid‐standardized extract (PFE) from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. on countering obesity, which increases energy expenditure and stimulates thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). For 12 weeks, C57BL/6 mice were fed a controlled high‐fat diet (HFD) or HFDs with 0.2% or 0.5% w/w PFE. In vitro, the differentiation of 3 T3‐L1 cells was used to elicit thermogenesis in the presence of PFE. PFE obviously reduced body weight and fat mass in a dose‐dependent manner, increased energy expenditure, improved insulin sensitivity, and prevented hepatic steatosis by increasing lipid oxidation and secretion in HFD‐fed mice. Moreover, PFE induced clear browning in sWAT, significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPKα1/2 and p38, increased BAT activity and the differentiation of 3 T3‐L1 by increasing the expression of uncoupling protein 1 and other thermogenic genes. Our study showed that PFE prevented obesity by increasing browning and activating thermogenic genes in sWAT and BAT, improving glucose homeostasis, and protecting hepatic steatosis.
Dam effects on bedload transport on the upper Santa Ana River, California, and implications for native fish habitat
Authors: Wright Scott A. , Minear J. Toby 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDams disrupt the flow of water and sediment and thus have the potential to affect the downstream geomorphic characteristics of a river. Though there are some well‐known and common geomorphic responses to dams, such as bed armouring, the response downstream from any particular dam is dependent on local conditions. Herein, we investigate the response of the upper Santa Ana River in southern California, USA, to the construction of a large dam at the transition from mountains to valley, using calculations of bedload transport capacity on the mainstem below the dam and for major tributaries. Approximate sediment budgets were constructed for downstream reaches to estimate deposition and erosion rates for sand, gravel, and cobble particle sizes. Our results indicate that the classical response of bed armouring and erosion is likely limited to a short reach immediately below the dam. Farther downstream, though transport capacity is reduced by flow regulation by the dam, the channel reaches are likely to remain depositional but with reduced deposition rates. Persistent deposition, as opposed to erosion, is the result of the replenishment of flow and sediment supply by large downstream tributaries. In addition, the calculations indicate that the composition of the bed is unlikely to change substantially in downstream reaches. A Monte Carlo approach was employed to estimate the uncertainty in the sediment budget predictions. The impacts of the dam on the geomorphic character of the river downstream could have implications for native fish that rely on coarse substrate that supports their food base.
Transition‐Metal‐Based Multidecker Complexes as Hydrogen Storage Materials: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Niaz Saba , Pandith Altaf Hussain 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHydrogen economy has gained pace globally due to the depletion of fossil fuels at an alarming rate. A good number of multidecker transition metal complexes have been studied for their hydrogen storage ability. However, the problem of finding an ideal multidecker system for hydrogen storage applications still remains a challenge. Herein, we report a comparative study on multidecker complexes of VTi(C6H6)3, Sc2(C6H6)3, and Sc2(C5H5)2(C6H6) using density functional theory at PBEPBE functional and 6–31G (d,p) basis set level of theory. The three complexes show hydrogen adsorption capacity in a range of 2.94 to 5.28 wt%, with an average binding energy of 0.65 to 0.92 eV/H2. Trends in adsorption energies, Gibbs free energy changes and energy gaps indicate the adsorption of H2 molecules on these multidecker complexes is thermodynamically and kinetically favorable.
All‐Layer Sputtering‐Free Cu2Zn1‐xCdxSnS4 Solar Cell with Efficiency Exceeding 7.5%
Authors: Gu Youchen , Yin Xuewen , Han Jianhua , Zhou Yu , Tai Meiqian , Zhang Qi , Zhou Yangying , Li Jianbao , Lin Hong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is a promising photovoltaic material drawing worldwide attention due to its remarkable photovoltaic performance and earth‐abundant element constitution, making it a good candidate for cost‐effective photovoltaic application. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CZTS solar cell has been increasing rapidly during last few years. Although the photovoltaic materials can be synthesized and fabricated with solution‐processed methods, the conventional CZTS solar cells still rely heavily on vacuum‐based techniques such as sputtering, evaporating or electron‐beam deposition, which however, make CZTS solar cells still costly. A few attempts on sputtering‐free CZTS solar cells have been reported, yet for now their PCEs are lagging behind the leading edges. Here, we demonstrated a 7.5% efficient sputtering‐free Cd‐alloyed CZTS solar cells by using sulfur‐free precursor recipe. This recipe is proven to modify the morphology of CZTS film, leading to enhanced crystallinity and absorber/buffer junction quality. The mechanism behind the above‐mentioned improvements is that applying S powder‐free recipe can eliminate the problem of initial elemental distribution inhomogeneity within ball‐milling processed precursor film, promoting vertically aligned grain growth to form compact and flat absorber film. Our work shows the vital importance of tuning the proportion of sulfur within solution‐processed precursor ink to achieve high‐performance of sputtering‐free CZTS solar cells.
Selective Conversion of Furfural to Cyclopentanone and Cyclopentanol by Magnetic Cu‐Fe3O4 NPs Catalyst
Authors: Pan Pan , Xu Wen‐Yi , Pu Tong‐Jun , Wang Xu–Dong , Pei Xiao‐Jun , Tang Fei , Feng Yi−Si 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSeries of magnetic Cu/Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) with different Cu loading were prepared by co‐precipitation method and studied as catalysts for the conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone (CPO) or cyclopentanol (CPL), respectively in aqueous phase. It is found that the product distribution was affected by the hydrogen pressure, reaction temperature, reaction time and the loading of active metals. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the catalysts. The results showed that active metals Cu and Fe had obvious interaction. XPS analysis suggested that the electron binding energy of Cu and Fe exhibited a strong interaction, which may be the main reason for the high selectivity of the catalyst to CPO and CPL. The highest yield of CPO was 91% at 3 MPa H2, 10% Cu/Fe3O4, 443 K and 4 h. Furthermore, the highest yield of 82% CPL was obtained when 50% Cu/Fe3O4 was employed. Importantly, it was found that the catalyst had no obvious loss of activity in the five cycles. The catalyst was easy to recycle because of its magnetism.
Controlled Assembly of a Ternary‐Component Photocatalyst: Illustrating the Importance of Interfacial‐Integration of Ag‐ZnO‐rGO in Visible‐Light‐Induced Catalytic Activity
Authors: Reddy Thuniki Naveen , Meher Songhita , Begum Gousia , Panda Binod B. , Rana Rohit K. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe demonstrate a bio‐inspired multi‐component assembly method to design oriented composite structures for application as visible‐light sensitive plasmon‐induced photocatalysts. Similar to the role of polypeptides in the formation of intricately designed structures of biominerals, we utilize spermine to simultaneously mineralize and assemble the photocatalytic system consisting of ZnO, Ag nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide under mild reaction conditions. With an appropriately assembled interfacial structure and composition, the resulted material exhibits efficient catalytic activity under visible‐light irradiation. The activity of this ternary system is higher by more than one order compared with that for the binary and the ternary systems prepared via alternative methods. These results with detailed analyses reveal the importance of the interfacial assembly in creating synergistic interactions among the components. Furthermore, this interaction allows the photocatalyst to remain active and stable in the reaction addressing the issues pertaining to the charge recombination and photo‐corrosion known in plasmon‐induced ZnO‐based catalytic systems.
Exploring Nanostructured Zr/Cu Composite Oxide (NZCO) as an Efficient Adsorbent for Removal of As(III) and As(V) from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Rout Priyanka , Panda Amulya Prasad , Jena Kishore K. , Alhassan Saeed M. , Kumar Sanjukta A. , Jha Usha , Dey R. K. , Swain S. K. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractConsumption of arsenic contaminated water induces and aggravates major health problems in humans. In this report, we have successfully synthesized nanostructured Zr/Cu composite oxide (NZCO) by ultrasonically assisted hydrothermal process for total arsenic sequestration. Various batch experiments were performed with NZCO to determine its adsorption efficacy for As(III) and As(V) species. NZCO demonstrated outstanding performance in removing arsenic species from water with maximum adsorption capacities of 72.25 mg g−1 and 107.5 mg g−1 for As (III) and As (V) respectively under optimized conditions. The adsorption kinetics was closely fitted to pseudo‐second order model and adsorption isotherms were well described by D−R isotherms model. Meanwhile, the adsorption tests performed on naturally occurring ground water samples confirmed the effectiveness of NZCO in remediating total arsenic level below the prescribed limit of WHO‐MCL (0.01 mg L−1). The adsorption mechanisms study exhibits a single‐step arsenic treatment option involving electrostatic interaction and ligand exchange reactions. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the material. Facile synthesis route combined with excellent performance make NZCO a novel adsorbent in total arsenic removal from drinking water.
Cu‐Mediated C7 Acetoxylation of Indolines
Authors: Gao Shanshan , Xu Xing , Tang Hao , Wu Jia‐Qiang , Luo Junfei 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTransition‐metal‐catalyzed acetoxylation or hydroxylation of arene C−H bonds is regarded as a valuable transformation in organic synthesis for the efficient incorporation of oxygen atoms.[1] This mode of C−H oxidation has received much attention due to the important applications of phenol derivatives in natural products, pharmaceuticals, organic synthesis, metal ligands and materials science. Early discoveries for arene C−H oxidation were generally limited due to poor selectivity, low efficiency and harsh conditions.[3] Strategie that rely coordinating directing groups have enabled the direct oxidation of a specific arene C−H bond with high regioselectivity and efficiency. This methods generally employ palladium (II) or ruthenium (II) catalysts and PhI(OAc)2 or other stoichiometric oxidants under acidic conditions (Scheme , 1a). Methods using other transition metals, such as a rhodium (III) catalyzed ortho‐C−H acetoxylation or hydroxylation, have also been reported.
Agglomeration Dynamics of 1D Materials: Gas‐Phase Collision Rates of Nanotubes and Nanorods
Authors: Boies Adam M. , Hoecker Christian , Bhalerao Ajinkya , Kateris Nikolaos , de La Verpilliere Jean , Graves Brian , Smail Fiona 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe agglomeration and self‐assembly of gas‐phase 1D materials in anthropogenic and natural systems dictate their resulting nanoscale morphology, multiscale hierarchy, and ultimate macroscale properties. Brownian motion induces collisions, upon which 1D materials often restructure to form bundles and can lead to aerogels. Herein, the first results of collision rates for 1D nanomaterials undergoing thermal transport are presented. The Langevin dynamic simulations of nanotube rotation and translation demonstrate that the collision kernels for rigid nanotubes or nanorods are ≈10 times greater than spherical systems. Resulting reduced order equations allow straightforward calculation of the physical parameters to determine the collision kernel for straight and curved 1D materials from 102 to 106 nm length. The collision kernels of curved 1D structures increase ≈1.3 times for long (>102 nm), and ≈5 times for short (≈102 nm) relative to rigid materials. Applications of collision frequencies allow the first kinetic analysis of aerogel self‐assembly from gas‐phase carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The timescales for CNT collision and bundle formation (0.3–42 s) agree with empirical residence times in CNT reactors (3–15 s). These results provide insights into the CNT length, number, and timescales required for aerogel formation, which bolsters our understanding of mass‐produced 1D aerogel materials.
Field‐Driven Athermal Activation of Amorphous Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Flexible Programmable Logic Circuits and Neuromorphic Electronics
Authors: Kulkarni Mohit Rameshchandra , John Rohit Abraham , Tiwari Nidhi , Nirmal Amoolya , Ng Si En , Nguyen Anh Chien , Mathews Nripan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDespite extensive research, large‐scale realization of metal‐oxide electronics is still impeded by high‐temperature fabrication, incompatible with flexible substrates. Ideally, an athermal treatment modifying the electronic structure of amorphous metal oxide semiconductors (AMOS) to generate sufficient carrier concentration would help mitigate such high‐temperature requirements, enabling realization of high‐performance electronics on flexible substrates. Here, a novel field‐driven athermal activation of AMOS channels is demonstrated via an electrolyte‐gating approach. Facilitating migration of charged oxygen species across the semiconductor–dielectric interface, this approach modulates the local electronic structure of the channel, generating sufficient carriers for charge transport and activating oxygen‐compensated thin films. The thin‐film transistors (TFTs) investigated here depict an enhancement of linear mobility from 51 to 105.25 cm2 V−1 s−1 (ionic‐gated) and from 8.09 to 14.49 cm2 V−1 s−1 (back‐gated), by creating additional oxygen vacancies. The accompanying stochiometric transformations, monitored via spectroscopic measurements (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) corroborate the detailed electrical (TFT, current evolution) parameter analyses, providing critical insights into the underlying oxygen‐vacancy generation mechanism and clearly demonstrating field‐induced activation as a promising alternative to conventional high‐temperature annealing strategies. Facilitating on‐demand active programing of the operation modes of transistors (enhancement vs depletion), this technique paves way for facile fabrication of logic circuits and neuromorphic transistors for bioinspired computing.