bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Different Perovskite Cathodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Shen F. , Lu K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study compares the electrochemical performance of three perovskite cathode materials, La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 (LSCF), Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.2Fe0.8O3 (BSCF), and Sm0.5Sr0.5Co0.2Fe0.8O3 (SSCF), at different operating temperatures, in order to provide optimal operating condition and performance for different solid oxide fuel cells. Among these three cathodes, BSCF has the highest power density of 39 mW cm−2 at 600 °C, 88 mW cm−2 at 650 °C, and 168 mW cm−2 at 700 °C; LSCF has the highest power density of 263 mW cm−2 at 750 °C and 456 mW cm−2 at 800 °C. The cathode overpotentials have the same trend as the power densities. Activation energies for the total cathode area specific resistance (ASR) are calculated to be 0.44 eV, 0.38 eV, and 0.52 eV for the LSCF, BSCF, and SSCF cathodes, respectively. Stability testing of 100 h shows that the open circuit voltages of the LSCF and BSCF cathodes drop 16.1% and 22.9% at 800 °C, respectively, as well as 15.3% and 11.3% at 600 °C, respectively, indicating that the LSCF cathode is more stable at 800 °C while the BSCF cathode is more stable at 600 °C. This work should provide important guidance for the solid oxide fuel cell designs and properties.
Spatial and depth variability of streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity under the regional flow regimes
Authors: Song Jinxi , Wang Liping , Dou Xinyi , Wang Fangjian , Guo Hongtao , Zhang Junlong , Zhang Guotao , Liu Qi , Zhang Bo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the influence of the regional flow on the streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) within the hyporheic zone in three stream reaches of the Weihe River in July 2016. The streambed Kv with two connected depths was investigated at each test reach. Based on the sediment characteristics, the three test reaches could be divided into three categories: a sandy streambed without continuous silt and clay layer, a sandy streambed with continuous silt and clay layer, and a silt–clay streambed. The results demonstrate that the streambed Kv mainly decreases with the depth at the sandy streambed (without continuous silt and clay layer) and increases with the depth at the other two test reaches. At the sandy streambed (with continuous silt and clay layer) where streambed Kv mainly decreases with the depth, the regional upward flux can suspend fine particles and enhance the pore spacing, resulting in the elevated Kv in the upper sediment layers. At another sandy streambed, the continuous silt and clay layer is the main factor that influences the vertical distribution of fine particles and streambed Kv. An increase in streambed Kv with the depth at the silt/clay streambed is attributed to the regional downward movement of water within the sediments that may lead to more fine particles deposited in the pores in the upper sediment layers. The streambed Kv is very close to the bank in the sandy streambed without continuous silt and clay layer and the channel centre in the other two test reaches. Differences in grain size distribution of the sediments at each test reach exercise a strong controlling influence on the streambed Kv. This study promotes the understanding of dynamics influencing the interactions between groundwater and surface water and provides guidelines to scientific water resources management for rivers.
Extended gene expression for Gag VLP production achieved at bioreactor scale
Authors: Fuenmayor Javier , Cervera Laura , Gòdia Francesc , Kamen Amine 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTransient gene expression has been widely used for virus‐like particles (VLP) production in both small‐ and large‐scale systems. The extended gene expression (EGE) technique is based on repeated medium exchanges and retransfections of cell culture to prolong the production phase. The aim of this study was to demonstrate scalability of the approach by operating EGE continuously in a controlled bioreactor to obtain similar results to those achieved with shake flask EGE for VLP production. A standard batch cultivation was also carried out in shake flask.RESULTSFor EGE in shake flasks and in a bioreactor, cell viability was comparable; however, the bioreactor enabled much higher cell densities and specific growth rates than the shake flasks. Owing to this increased cell growth in the bioreactor, the percentage of GFP‐positive cells was considerably lower at the end than in the shake flasks. GagGFP VLP titers were similar in both shake flasks and bioreactor. Nanoparticle tracking analysis revealed that the ratio of VLPs/total particles (VLPs and cell vesicles) was higher in the shake flasks than in the bioreactor, possibly due to higher cell densities achieved in the bioreactor.CONCLUSIONSIn this study, EGE methodology was carried out in a bioreactor system for the first time while maintaining GagGFP production titers. Overall, our findings call for further optimization and implementation of common downstream processing steps to improve yield and VLP quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Understanding reasons for discontinued antiretroviral treatment among clients in test and treat: a qualitative study in Swaziland
Authors: Shabalala Fortunate S , Vernooij Eva , Pell Christopher , Simelane Njabulo , Masilela Nelisiwe , Spiegelman Donna , Chai Boyang , Khan Shaukat , Reis Ria 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionRetention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for the successful adoption of the test and treat policy by sub‐Saharan African countries, and for realizing the United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS target of 90‐90‐90. This qualitative study explores HIV positive clients’ reasons for discontinuing ART under the MaxART test and treat implementation study in Swaziland.MethodsClients identified as lost to follow‐up (LTFU) in the programme database, who had initiated ART under the intervention arm of the MaxART study, were purposively selected from two facilities. LTFU was defined as stopping ART refill for three months or longer from the date of last appointment, and not being classified as transferred out or deceased. Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with nine clients and one treatment supporter between July and August 2017. All interviews were conducted in the local language, audio‐recorded, summarized or transcribed and translated to English for thematic analysis.ResultsRespondents described mobility as the first step in a chain of events that affected retention in care. It was entwined with precarious employment, care delivery, interactions with health workers, lack of social support, anticipated stigma and ART‐related side‐effects, including the exacerbation of hunger. The chains of events involved several intersecting reasons that occurred one after the other as a series of contiguous and linked events that led to clients’ eventual discontinuation of ART. The individual accounts of step‐by‐step decision‐making revealed the influence of multi‐layered contexts and the importance of critical life‐events.ConclusionsClients’ reasons for abandoning ART are a complex, inextricably interwoven chain of events rather than a single occurrence. Mobility is often the first step in the process and commonly results from precarious economic and social circumstances. Currently the health system poorly caters to the reality of people's mobile lives. Interventions should seek to increase healthcare workers’ understanding of the chain of events leading up to discontinuation on ART and the social dilemmas that clients face.
Is sex an influential factor in type‐1 diabetes neurofunctional development? A preliminary study
Authors: González‐Garrido Andrés A. , Gallardo‐Moreno Geisa B. , Romo‐Vázquez Rebeca , Vélez‐Pérez Hugo , Flores‐Saiffe‐Farías Adolfo , Mendizabal‐Ruiz Gerardo , Santos‐Arce Stewart R. , Ruiz‐Stovel Vanessa D. , Gómez‐Velázquez Fabiola R. , Ramos‐Loyo Julieta 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the neurofunctional effect of gender in Type‐1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients during a Visual Spatial Working Memory (VSWM) task. The study included 28 participants with ages ranging from 17‐28 years. Fourteen well‐controlled T1DM patients (7 female) and 14 controls matched by age, sex, and education level were scanned performing a block‐design VSWM paradigm. Behavioral descriptive analyses and mean comparisons were done, and between‐group and condition functional activation patterns were also compared. Whole‐brain cumulative BOLD signal (CumBS), voxel‐wise BOLD level frequency, Euclidean distance, and divergence indices were also calculated. There were no significant differences between or within‐group sex differences for correct responses and reaction times. Functional activation analyses showed that females had activation in more brain regions, and with larger clusters of cortical activations than males. Furthermore, BOLD activation was higher in males. Despite the preliminary nature of the present study given the relatively small sample size, current results acknowledge for the first time that sex might contribute to differences in functional activation in T1DM patients. Findings suggest that sex differences should be considered when studying T1DM‐disease development.
White matter changes associated with cognitive visual dysfunctions in children with cerebral palsy: A diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Galli Jessica , Ambrosi Claudia , Micheletti Serena , Merabet Lotfi B. , Pinardi Chiara , Gasparotti Roberto , Fazzi Elisa 
Published: July 2018

AbstractChildren with cerebral palsy often present with cognitive‐visual dysfunctions characterized by visuo‐perceptual and/or visuo‐spatial deficits associated with a malfunctioning of visual‐associative areas.The neurofunctional model of this condition remains poorly understood due to the lack of a clear correlation between cognitive‐visual deficit and morphological brain anomalies. The aim of our study was to quantify the pattern of white matter abnormalities within the whole brain in children with cerebral palsy, and to identify white matter tracts sub‐serving cognitive‐visual functions, in order to better understand the basis of cognitive‐visual processing.Nine subjects (three males, mean age 8 years 9 months) with cerebral palsy underwent a visual and cognitive‐visual evaluation. Conventional brain MRI and diffusion tensor imaging were performed. The fractional anisotropy maps were calculated for every child and compared with data from 13 (four males, mean age 10 years 7 months) healthy children.Children with cerebral palsy showed decreased fractional anisotropy (a marker of white matter integrity) in corticospinal tract bilaterally, left superior longitudinal fasciculus and bilateral hippocampus. Focusing on the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the mean fractional anisotropy values were significantly lower in children affected by cerebral palsy with cognitive‐visual deficits than in those without cognitive‐visual deficits.Our findings reveal an association between cognitive‐visual profile and the superior longitudinal fasciculus integrity in children with cerebral palsy, supporting the hypothesis that visuo‐associative deficits are related to changes in fibers connecting the occipital cortex with the parietal‐frontal cortices. Decreased fractional anisotropy within the superior longitudinal fasciculus could be considered a biomarker for cognitive‐visual dysfunctions.
A bittersweet symphony: Evidence for taste‐sound correspondences without effects on taste quality‐specific perception
Authors: Höchenberger Richard , Ohla Kathrin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMusic has been associated with taste and shown to influence the dining experience. We asked whether sound that is associated with taste affects taste perception of food. In two studies (study 1: N = 20, 13 women; study 2: N = 20, 17 women), participants evaluated the taste of cinder toffee while listening to either of two soundscapes associated with sweet and bitter taste, respectively, or no sound. In study 1, participants rated the taste on a visual‐analog scale (VAS) anchored with “bitter” and “sweet”, aiming to replicate a previous study (Crisinel et al., ). In contrast, four separate scales were used in study 2 to report the extent of bitter, sweet, sour, and salty taste to test whether taste qualities were influenced by sound differentially. Additionally, taste intensity and pleasantness were rated in both studies. Taste intensity was increased in the presence of a sound, while pleasantness was not affected. In study 1, sound shifted bitter‐sweet ratings in the direction of the congruent sound, i.e. samples tasted sweeter with “sweet” sound and more bitter with “bitter” sound, replicating Crisinel et al.'s () results. However, this effect was abolished when a “no‐sound” control was included in the statistical model. Taste ratings in study 2 showed no effect of sound on any specific taste quality, suggesting that the influence of sound on taste in study 1 reflects an artifact of the scale rather than an actual shift in perception. Together, the data provide evidence for taste‐sound correspondences without effects on taste‐quality specific perception.
Jet‐nozzle method for measuring response times of scalar sensors used in liquids and gases
Authors: Merikhi Alireza , Berg Peter , Meyer Volker , Huettel Markus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractResponse time is a central characteristic of sensors measuring solute concentrations. Knowing the response time of the sensor under realistic conditions is critically important when measuring rapid changes, e.g., oxygen concentration fluctuations for aquatic eddy covariance flux calculations. Response times therefore should be determined under conditions that are similar to those the sensor is exposed to when deployed for the actual measurements. This study introduces a new method for quantifying the response time of mini‐ or microsensors measuring solute concentrations in liquids and gases. The method is based on the rapid switching of the supply of two fluids with different oxygen concentration to the sensor without removing the sensor from the fluid flow. The device uses a jet nozzle moved by electromagnetic actuators, and the switching of the calibration fluids is monitored by a reference sensor with a response time < 0.001 s. The functionality of the device is demonstrated for a fast oxygen optode system that consisted of a fiber minioptode connected to an oxygen meter that was read by a data logger. With the setup described here, the method permits reproducible response time measurements with a resolution of 0.01 s ± 0.001 s (SD, n = 60). With this technique, the response time characterization of aquatic sensors can be standardized.
Hard and soft plastic resin embedding for single‐cell element uptake investigations of marine‐snow‐associated microorganisms using nano‐scale secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Rogge Andreas , Flintrop Clara M. , Iversen Morten H. , Salter Ian , Fong Allison A. , Vogts Angela , Waite Anya M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMarine snow aggregates are microhabitats for diverse microbial communities with various active metabolic pathways. Rapid recycling and symbiotic transfer of nutrients within aggregates poses a significant challenge for accurately assessing aggregate‐associated turnover rates. Although single‐cell uptake measurements are well‐established for free‐living microorganisms, suitable methods for cells embedded in marine snow are currently lacking. Comparable cell‐specific measurements within sinking pelagic aggregates would have the potential to address core questions regarding aggregate‐associated fluxes. However, the capacity to perform microscale studies is limited by the difficulty of sampling and preserving the fragile aggregate structure. Furthermore, the application of nano‐scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to aggregates is complicated by technical requirements related to vacuum and ablation resistance. Here, we present a NanoSIMS‐optimized method for fixation, embedding, and sectioning of marine snow. Stable isotope labeling of laboratory‐generated aggregates enabled visualization of label incorporation into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells embedded in the aggregate structure. The current method is also amenable to various staining procedures, including transparent exopolymer particles, Coomassie stainable particles, nucleic acids, and eukaryotic cytoplasm. We demonstrate the potential for using structural stains to generate three‐dimensional (3D) models of marine snow and present a simplified calculation of porosity and fractal dimension. This multipurpose method enables combined investigations of 3D aggregate structure, spatial microbial distribution, and single‐cell activity within individual aggregates and provides new possibilities for future studies on microbial interactions and elemental uptake within marine snow.
Additive Manufacturing of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Biomedical Implants with Dual‐Scale Porosity
Authors: Puppi Dario , Morelli Andrea , Bello Francesca , Valentini Simone , Chiellini Federica 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe development of bone permanent implants with a porous structure favoring their integration with the surrounding tissues is emerging as an attractive field of application of additive manufacturing (AM). This article reports on the investigation of the suitability of a hybrid AM technique, that is, computer‐aided wet‐spinning (CAWS), to fabricate novel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) constructs as porous implant prototypes. The optimization of the processing parameters to fabricate PMMA samples with a predefined internal porous structure and different external shapes is described. The study demonstrates that tailoring post‐processing conditions represents a powerful tool to optimize samples macroscopic aspect, micromorphology, and mechanical properties. In particular, the possibility of obtaining a dual‐scale porosity through the integration of the macroporous structure determined by the material lay‐down pattern with a submicrometric porosity resulting from the phase inversion process governing polymer solidification, together with the possibility of purifying the employed commercial material from residual monomer during coagulation in ethanol, are reported as noteworthy advantages of CAWS over other AM techniques. A natural progression of this work is the development of relevant complex anatomical prototypes with tailored porosity by processing digital data obtained from computer tomography imaging of bone defects.
MRI Contrast Agents Based on Conjugated Polyelectrolytes and Dendritic Polymers
Authors: Jin Manyu , Zhang Yanqun , Gao Ge , Xi Qiaoyue , Yang Yun , Yan Luomei , Zhou Hua , Zhao Yongxia , Wu Cunqi , Wang Lidan , Lei Yongqian , Yang Wei , Xu Jingwei 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThree complexes of gadolinium‐based on dentritic molecules are reported as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Their ligands feature four carboxylate groups, which contribute to good water solubility and a strong combination with metal ions. As a new attempt, coupling polymerization is carried out to make a combination of conjugated polyelectrolytes and dendrimers for MRI contrast agents. For comparison, mononuclear and binuclear complexes are also reported. The investigation suggests that the contrast agent with the newly designed macromolecular skeleton provides higher longitudinal relaxivity value (36.2 mm
−1s−1) and more visible enhancement in in vivo and in vitro MR images than the small molecular ones. In addition, extremely low cytotoxicity and main clearance via hepatobiliary are confirmed, which reduces the deterioration of chronic kidney disease. All the results indicate that these three complexes are generally applicable as promising clinical contrast agents.
Controlling the Hierarchical Assembly of π‐Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes
Authors: Zheng Tingting , Feng Huanhuan , van den Broek Johanna M. , Rahimi Khosrow , Kuehne Alexander J. C. , de Vries Renko , Sprakel Joris 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHere, a means of controlling the assembly pathways of p‐conjugated oligoelectrolytes into supramolecular fibers and microtubes is presented, and it is shown how the addition of small end‐caps to well‐defined and pH‐responsive conjugated oligomers can alter the balance between repulsive and attractive supramolecular forces and enables control of the morphology of the hierarchical assembly process. The assembly stages from nuclei to protofibers are evidenced and a hypothesis on the mechanism of microtubes formation using a combination of analytical methods is provided, revealing different degrees of order at different scales along the structural hierarchy.
Photo‐Controlled Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly (Photo‐PISA): A Novel Strategy Using In Situ Bromine‐Iodine Transformation Living Radical Polymerization
Authors: Xu Qinghua , Tian Chun , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA series of hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA) macroinitiators and stabilizers are synthesized in methanol through in situ photo‐controlled bromine‐iodine transformation living radical polymerization, where ethyl α‐bromophenylacetate (EBPA) is the initial initiator and is converted to an iodo‐type initiator in the presence of NaI. The subsequent photo‐controlled polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (photo‐PISA) process is achieved by adding a second monomer, hydrophobic benzyl methacrylate (BnMA), under irradiation with blue light emitting diode (LED) light at room temperature. The effect of the target degree of polymerization (DP) of PPEGMA, PBnMA, as well as the solids content on the self‐assembly behavior of block copolymer PPEGMA‐b‐PBnMA is evaluated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) characterization. Resulting uniform spherical micelles and vesicle aggregates are observed.
The Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum Prevents Dysbiosis and Vascular Oxidative Stress in Rats with Hypertension Induced by Chronic Nitric Oxide Blockade
Authors: Robles‐Vera Iñaki , Toral Marta , de la Visitación Néstor , Sánchez Manuel , Romero Miguel , Olivares Mónica , Jiménez Rosario , Duarte Juan 
Published: July 2018

ScopeWhether the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LC40) ameliorates hypertension in rats with chronic nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition is tested.Methods and resultsRats are randomly divided into four different groups and treated for 4 weeks: a) vehicle (control), b) vehicle plus NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME; 50 mg 100 mL−1 in drinking water), c) LC40 (109 colony‐forming units d–1 by gavage), and d) LC40 plus l‐NAME. l‐NAME induces gut dysbiosis, characterized mainly by an increased Fimicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and reduced Bifidobacterium content, increased Th17 cells and reduced Treg in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), increased aortic Th17 infiltration and reactive oxygen species, reduced aortic endothelium‐dependent relaxant response to acetylcholine, and hypertension. LC40 prevents gut dysbiosis, alters the Th17/Treg balance in MLN, vascular oxidative stress, and inflammation, slightly improves endothelial dysfuncion but do not inhibit the development of l‐NAME‐induced hypertension.ConclusionChronic LC40 treatment, in this model of chronic inhibition of NO synthesis, reduces early events involved in atherosclerosis development, such as vascular oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory status, as a result of prevention of gut dysbiosis and immune changes in MLN, but not hypertension, confirming the critical role of NO in the antihypertensive effects of LC40 in genetic hypertension.