bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human central auditory plasticity: A review of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure cochlear implant performance and tinnitus perception
Authors: Basura Gregory J. , Hu Xiao‐Su , Juan Juan San , Tessier Anne‐Michelle , Kovelman Ioulia 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveFunctional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging noninvasive technology used to study cerebral cortex activity. Being virtually silent and compatible with cochlear implants has helped establish fNIRS as an important tool when investigating auditory cortex as well as cortices involved with hearing and language processing in adults and during child development. With respect to this review article, more recently, fNIRS has also been used to investigate central auditory plasticity following hearing loss and tinnitus or phantom sound perception.MethodsHere, we review the currently available literature reporting the use of fNIRS in human studies with cochlear implants and tinnitus to measure human central auditory cortical circuits. We also provide the reader with detailed reviews of the technology and traditional recording paradigms/methods used in these auditory‐based studies.ResultsThe purpose of this review article is to summarize theoretical advancements in our understanding of the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying auditory processes and their plasticity through fNIRS research of human auditory performance with cochlear implantation and plasticity that may contribute to the central percepts of tinnitus.ConclusionfNIRS is an emerging noninvasive brain imaging technology that has wide reaching application that can be applied to human studies involving cochlear implants and tinnitus.Level of EvidenceN/A
Initiator‐Free, Multiphoton Polymerization of Gelatin Methacrylamide
Authors: Parkatzidis Kostas , Kabouraki Elmina , Selimis Alexandros , Kaliva Maria , Ranella Anthi , Farsari Maria , Vamvakaki Maria 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMultiphoton lithography (MPL), based on multiphoton polymerization (MPP), is a powerful technique for the fabrication of 3D structures used in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications, microoptics, nanophotonics, micro‐/nanomechanics, and micro‐/nanofluidics. MPL is based on the localized polymerization/cross‐linking of photosensitive materials induced by femtosecond laser pulses. The use of an appropriate photoinitiator (PI) is required to initiate the polymerization/cross‐linking process. However, several studies have demonstrated the cytotoxicity of the PIs and their derived free radicals. The photo‐cross‐linking of a pre‐synthesized photosensitive gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) biopolymer using an initiator‐free MPP process is reported for the first time. This is achieved by employing a femtosecond laser operating in the visible range of the spectrum (520 nm). It is demonstrated that multiphoton absorption can cause the cleavage of the polymer double bonds and induce the cross‐linking process. GelMA‐based 3D structures accurately replicating the original computer‐aided design are fabricated, and their excellent biocompatibility is demonstrated in vitro using 3D cell culture experiments with NIH‐3T3 fibroblast cells.
A design of group delay equalizer using series and parallel resonator
Authors: Jang Youna , Lee Daeung , Koo Seo , Choi Kwansun , Lim Jongsik , Cho Jeongho , Ahn Dal 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA novel method of designing a group delay equalizer consisting of a typical 3‐dB hybrid coupler combined with one of newly proposed 4 types of resonator is presented. It is designed by applying the phase obtained from the reflection coefficient between the 3‐dB coupler and the proposed resonator to the group delay formula. Once the resonance frequency with the group delay as the peak is set to form a desired band by setting the parallel and series resonance frequencies, each component value of the proposed equalizer is obtained. In order to improve the group delay bandwidth, the proposed equalizers with different target frequencies are connected as cascaded. One of the proposed 4 types of equalizers was implemented using open and short stubs due to the fabrication limitation of lumped components, and its measurement results showed that the insertion loss is under −1 dB, and the group delay is 4.5 ns with ±1.5 fabrication error. This implies that the measurement results were well matched with the design method of the proposed equalizer.
Amlodipine‐induced hyperglycaemia
Authors: DeGeeter Michelle , Taylor Shawn Riser , Cress Joshua 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe risk of hyperglycaemia induced by use of amlodipine is rare and not well established. This case report provides evidence that significant and reversible changes in glycaemic control may occur with standard use of amlodipine as an antihypertensive agent. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
A flame‐retardant composite foam: foaming polyurethane in melamine formaldehyde foam skeleton
Authors: Liao Honghui , Li Hongying , Liu Yuan , Wang Qi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA composite foam, polyurethane–melamine formaldehyde (PU/MF) foam, was prepared through foaming PU resins in the three‐dimensional netlike skeleton of MF foam. The chemical structure, morphology, cell size and distribution, flame retardancy, thermal properties and mechanical properties of such composite foam were systematically investigated. It was found that the PU/MF foam possessed better fire retardancy than pristine PU foam and achieved self‐extinguishment. Moreover, no melt dripping occurred due to the contribution of the carbonized MF skeleton network. In order to further improve the flame retardancy of the composite foam, a small amount of a phosphorus flame retardant (ammonium polyphosphate) and a char‐forming agent (pentaerythritol) were incorporated into the foam, together with the nitrogen‐rich MF, thus constituting an intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) system. Owing to the IFR system, the flame‐retardant PU/MF foam can generate a large bulk of expanded char acting as an efficient shielding layer to hold back the diffusion of heat and oxygen. As a result, the flame‐retardant PU/MF foam achieved a higher limiting oxygen index of 31.2% and exhibited immediate self‐extinguishment. It exhibited significantly reduced peak heat release rate and total heat release, as well as higher char residual ratio compared to PU foam. Furthermore, the composite foam also showed obviously improved mechanical performance in comparison with PU foam. Overall, the present investigation provided a new approach for fabricating a polymer composite foam with satisfactory flame retardancy and good comprehensive properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantifying Surface Properties of Silica Particles by Combining Hansen Parameters and Reichardt's Dye Indicator Data
Authors: Stauch Claudia , Süß Sebastian , Luxenhofer Robert , Binks Bernard P. , Segets Doris , Mandel Karl 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTo obtain quantitative understanding of the effects of a chemisorbed organic modification on the surface of particles, the use of Reichardt's dye (RD) and Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) is discussed, whereby the S should be understood in terms of “similarity” rather than solubility as dispersibility is in focus. Silica nanoparticles modified to different extents with a medium chain silane including completely hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles are chosen. During spray‐drying such particles form fully redispersible micro‐raspberry superstructures. After qualitative estimations of the particles' polarity based on measuring both immersion time and ability of modified particles to stabilize oil–water emulsions, surface properties are quantified by HSP and RD. With increasing hydrophobicity, i.e., increasing amount of silane at the surface, all three contributions to HSP change. At the same time, RD analysis reveals that the normalized solvent polarity parameter decreases progressively. HSP and RD analysis are in good agreement, giving strong confidence on each method applied individually. This work demonstrates that after noticeable attempts for combined solubility parameters in case of molecules, carbon allotropes, and gelators, such studies can be extended toward functional (nano)particles and that a full picture of particle surface properties is possible via the combination of different, quantitative techniques.
‘Are we there yet?’: A multimethod study of the Oxford University Press Pathways to school improvement
Authors: Davis‐Singaravelu Susila , Sammons Pamela 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis article presents one substantive and illustrative school case study to explore in depth practitioners’ engagement with Pathways—an online school improvement resource provided by the Oxford University Press (OUP). Launched in 2013, the ‘four‐step system’ comprises the following phases: ‘audit’, ‘strategic planning’, ‘take action’ and ‘evaluate impact’ and aims to support primary schools through a range of whole school improvement and teaching and learning tasks. The wider research project studied primary school practitioner perceptions and attitudes towards Pathways and both collective and individual improvement practice via an embedded multimethod case study comprising a purposive sample of five primary schools that signed up to use Pathways. It followed the evolution of Pathways using a ‘design‐based research’ (DBR) framework that focuses on bridging the realms of academia and more practical contexts, and promoting research impact through user engagement and active participation. The growth and use of Pathways by schools was investigated through the theoretical lenses of the Dynamic Approach to School Improvement (DASI) and Guskey's five‐level model of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) evaluation (2002). The Pathways research and case study in this article focus uniquely on how teaching practitioners engage with and perceive technology in their school improvement practice and professional development experiences in one particular school context. Pathways tools seemed to offer opportunities for teachers to work collaboratively, individually and autonomously—with their work being partially ‘mediated’ by Pathways itself, and specific ‘hospitable conditions’ cultivated by senior leadership such as professional support and trust.
Mn3O4 Nanocube: An Efficient Electrocatalyst Toward Artificial N2 Fixation to NH3
Authors: Wu Xiufeng , Xia Li , Wang Yuan , Lu Wenbo , Liu Qian , Shi Xifeng , Sun Xuping 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTraditionally, ammonia (NH3) is synthesized via the Haber–Bosch process, which is not only commanded by harsh conditions but causes serious environmental pollution. Electrochemical reduction is recognized as a mild and environmentally benign alternative approach for NH3 synthesis, but an efficient electrocatalyst is a prerequisite for NH3 production. In this communication, the first experimental demonstration that Mn3O4 nanocubes can be used as an efficient non‐noble‐metal electrocatalyst for N2 reduction reaction (NRR) at ambient conditions is reported. In 0.1 m Na2SO4 aqueous solution, the catalyst delivers excellent NRR activity with an NH3 yield of 11.6 µg h−1 mg−1cat. and Faradaic efficiency of 3.0% at −0.8 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Notably, this catalyst also possesses satisfactory durability during the electrolysis and recycling test.
New armoured scalidophorans (Ecdysozoa, Cycloneuralia) from the Cambrian Fortunian Zhangjiagou Lagerstätte, South China
Authors: Liu Yunhuan , Qin Jiachen , Wang Qi , Maas Andreas , Duan Baichuan , Zhang Yanan , Zhang Hu , Shao Tiequan , Zhang Huaqiao 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAlthough molecular studies estimated that cycloneuralians might have originated in the Ediacaran Period and diversified in the early Cambrian, it was not until 2014 that they were first reported from the Cambrian Fortunian Stage. To date only two species and five indeterminate forms have been described. Here, we report new three‐dimensionally phosphatized microfossils of cycloneuralians from the Fortunian Zhangjiagou Lagerstätte, South China. Two new genera and species, Qinscolex spinosus gen. et sp. nov. and Shanscolex decorus gen. et sp. nov., and Indeterminate Forms 1–7 are described and tentatively assigned to total‐group Scalidophora, greatly increasing the diversity of the Fortunian cycloneuralians. These Fortunian cycloneuralians have diverse cuticular spines, plates, and spinose sclerites of various sizes on the trunk, thus assignment of co‐occurring fragmented trunk parts or disassociated spines or sclerites to a specific species is currently impossible. Some of the Fortunian cycloneuralians might have reached a centimetre in length; they may have been temporary meiobenthos in their juvenile or younger adult stages, only joining the macrobenthos when they reached macroscopic dimensions. It is proposed that an introvert with hexaradially symmetric and internally hollow scalids might be the plesiomorphic state for cycloneuralians.
Prediction for lateral deformation capacity of corroded reinforced concrete columns
Authors: Cheng Hu , Li Hong‐Nan , Wang Dong‐Sheng 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThe deformation capacities of columns, which are the main lateral force‐resisting elements of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, have been the subject of great interest with the development of performance/displacement‐based seismic design. However, deterioration due to chloride‐induced corrosion causes a significant reduction in the seismic performance of RC columns. Although numerous investigations have focused on the deformation capacity of columns with corroded rebars and various strengthening measures have been proposed, little attention was paid to evaluating the contribution of each deformation component to the tip displacement under corrosion (i.e., bending, shear, and longitudinal bar slip at the column footing), which plays an important role in investigating and explaining the failure mechanisms of columns. This paper presents a computational prediction model to estimate the deformation capacity of RC columns with corroded rebars, and the contributions of bending and bar slip at the column footing are mainly considered in this model due to the negligible contribution of the shear deformation component for columns subjected to flexural failure mode. The calculation results obtained by the prediction model are compared with the quasistatic test results of both noncorroded and corroded RC columns. It turns out that the prediction model simulates the deformation capacity of RC columns with corroded rebars reasonably well considering its simplicity and computational efficiency, and it can be used for time‐variant capacity estimates for the lifetime seismic design and fragility assessment of RC columns exposed to corrosion.
Study on self‐adjustable variable pendulum tuned mass damper
Authors: Wang Liangkun , Shi Weixing , Zhou Ying 
Published: October 2018

SummaryPendulum tuned mass damper (PTMD) is usually used to control the horizontal vibration of a tall building. However, traditional PTMD is highly sensitive to frequency deviation and difficult to adjust its frequency. In order to improve this problem of traditional PTMD and protect a tall building more effectively, a novel PTMD, called self‐adjustable variable pendulum tuned mass damper (SAVP‐TMD), is proposed in this paper. On the basis of the acceleration ratio between TMD and primary structure, the SAVP‐TMD can retune itself by varying the length of the pendulum according to the improved acceleration ratio‐based adjustment algorithm. PTMD and primary structural accelerations are obtained from two accelerometers respectively, and the acceleration ratio is calculated in a microcontroller, then, the stepper motor will adjust the pendulum under the guidance of the microcontroller under a specific harmonic excitation. The improved acceleration ratio‐based adjustment algorithm is proposed and compared to solve the nonconvergent retuning problem. The SAVP‐TMD can be regarded as a passive damper including a frequency adjustment device. A single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure model is used to verify the effectiveness of SAVP‐TMD through both experimental study and numerical simulation. In order to further verify the effect of SAVP‐TMD in the MDOF structure, a five‐storey structure coupled with an SAVP‐TMD is proposed as a case study. The results of experiment, simulation, and case study all show that SAVP‐TMD can retune itself to the primary structural dominant frequency robustly, and the retuned PTMD has a better vibration control effect than the mistuned one.
What News in the Surface Chemistry of Bulk and Supported Vanadia Based SCR‐Catalysts: Improvements in their Resistance to Poisoning and Thermal Sintering
Authors: Granger Pascal , Siaka Hermann W. , Umbarkar Shubhangi B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper reports a short review on the impact of poisoning effects and thermal aging on the reactivity of surface vanadate species on benchmark V2O5−WO3/TiO2 Selective‐Catalytic‐Reduction catalysts. A renewed interest of this SCR technology is related to its diversification notably as after‐treatment systems to treat the exhaust from Diesel engines with higher running temperature especially when SCR catalysts are coated on Diesel Particulates Filters. Particular attention is also paid to poisoning effects in conjunction with the progressive replacement of fossil fuels by bio‐fuels containing alkaline contaminants which drastically deactivate the catalyst through neutralization of strong acid sites. Most of the investigations show that better insight into the mechanisms of poisoning and aging processes is needed especially to understand the relative sensibility of various vanadate species. This could provide original guidelines to catalyst preparation and or the developments of more stable bulk systems as exemplified.
Impaired placental perfusion and major fetal cardiac defects
Authors: Fantasia I. , Andrade W. , Syngelaki A. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between fetal congenital heart defects (CHD) and placental perfusion assessed by uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), in relation to development of pre‐eclampsia (PE).MethodsThis was a prospective screening study of singleton pregnancies at 19–24 weeks' gestation. Transvaginal ultrasound was used to measure UtA‐PI and the values were converted into multiples of the normal median (MoM). Median MoM values in pregnancies with a fetus with isolated major CHD were compared to those without CHD, in relation to development of PE.ResultsThe 91 407 singleton pregnancies fulfilling the entry criteria included 206 (0.23%) with isolated major fetal CHD and 91 201 without CHD. The prevalence of PE was 4.4% in pregnancies with fetal CHD and 2.7% in those without CHD (relative risk (RR), 1.6 (95% CI, 0.84–3.04); P = 0.150); the respective values for preterm PE with delivery at < 37 weeks' gestation were 2.4% and 0.7% (RR, 3.4 (95% CI, 1.42–8.09); P = 0.006). In the total population, median UtA‐PI MoM was significantly higher in those that developed PE compared to those without PE (1.22 (interquartile range (IQR), 0.94–1.57) vs 1.00 (IQR, 0.84–1.19); P < 0.0001) and, in the PE group, the median UtA‐PI MoM was inversely related to gestational age at delivery (r = −0.458; P < 0.0001). The same pattern of inverse relationship between UtA‐PI MoM and gestational age at delivery with PE was observed in pregnancies with and those without CHD, but, in the CHD group, compared to those without CHD, UtA‐PI was significantly higher both in pregnancies with and in those without PE.ConclusionsIn pregnancies both with and without fetal CHD that develop PE, impedance to flow in the UtAs is increased and this increase is particularly marked in those with preterm PE. The prevalence of preterm PE is more than three times higher in pregnancies with than those without fetal major CHD, and the prevalence of major CHD in pregnancies with preterm PE is also more than three times higher than in those without PE. However, > 97% of pregnancies with fetal CHD do not develop preterm PE and > 99% of pregnancies with preterm PE are not associated with fetal CHD. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Quantifying the Importance of Rapid Adjustments for Global Precipitation Changes
Authors: Myhre G. , Kramer R. J. , Smith C. J. , Hodnebrog Ø. , Forster P. , Soden B. J. , Samset B. H. , Stjern C. W. , Andrews T. , Boucher O. , Faluvegi G. , Fläschner D. , Kasoar M. , Kirkevåg A. , Lamarque J.‐F. , Olivié D. , Richardson T. , Shindell D. , Stier P. , Takemura T. , Voulgarakis A. , Watson‐Parris D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDifferent climate drivers influence precipitation in different ways. Here we use radiative kernels to understand the influence of rapid adjustment processes on precipitation in climate models. Rapid adjustments are generally triggered by the initial heating or cooling of the atmosphere from an external climate driver. For precipitation changes, rapid adjustments due to changes in temperature, water vapor, and clouds are most important. In this study we have investigated five climate drivers (CO2, CH4, solar irradiance, black carbon, and sulfate aerosols). The fast precipitation responses to a doubling of CO2 and a 10‐fold increase in black carbon are found to be similar, despite very different instantaneous changes in the radiative cooling, individual rapid adjustments, and sensible heating. The model diversity in rapid adjustments is smaller for the experiment involving an increase in the solar irradiance compared to the other climate driver perturbations, and this is also seen in the precipitation changes.
Future Projections of Global Pluvial and Drought Event Characteristics
Authors: Martin E. R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study assesses projections from 24 CMIP5 models of number, duration, and severity of pluvial and drought events utilizing 6‐month standardized precipitation index. Increased variability of standardized precipitation index is projected globally. More frequent, longer lasting, and stronger pluvials are projected in wet regions, and the same for droughts in dry regions. Worsening pluvials and droughts are most apparent in the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes and the Americas, respectively. Uniquely, this study investigates pluvials and droughts in locations where the precipitation trend is of the opposite sign. In drying regions, 40% of grid points project an increase in number and 65% project an increase in duration of severe pluvials. Projections for severe drought events in wetting regions show similar projections. As precipitation trends alone do not provide information about pluvial and drought characteristics this study has important implications for planning and resilience.
Systematic Error Mitigation in DORIS‐Derived Geocenter Motion
Authors: Couhert Alexandre , Mercier Flavien , Moyard John , Biancale Richard 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGeocenter motion observation is one of the most demanding applications of high‐precision geodetic techniques. Here a quantitative framework is derived that shows how dominant sources of correlations and modeling issues should be mitigated when estimating the geocenter coordinates. While obtaining independent Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite‐based geocenter time series, this paper shows how DORIS data and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason‐2 satellite can contribute to allow insight into model and geodetic technique errors and provide an independent assessment of the ITRF2014 origin stability: In particular, about ∼5mm offset along the X axis and ∼2mm higher annual amplitude in the axial direction were estimated for the geocenter coordinates over the period 2008.5–2015.5. To first order, Yarkovsky‐Schach coupling mutes Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) + Laser Geodynamics Satellite (LAGEOS) geocenter solutions, when station heights and biases are adjusted to mitigate their modeling errors.