bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New BiVO4 Dual Photoanodes with Enriched Oxygen Vacancies for Efficient Solar‐Driven Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Songcan , Chen Peng , Bai Yang , Yun Jung‐Ho , Liu Gang , Wang Lianzhou 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. However, owing to the short carrier diffusion length, the trade‐off between sufficient light absorption and efficient charge separation often leads to poor PEC performance. Herein, a new electrodeposition process is developed to prepare bismuth oxide precursor films, which can be converted to transparent BiVO4 films with well‐controlled oxygen vacancies via a mild thermal treatment process. The optimized BiVO4 film exhibits an excellent back illumination charge separation efficiency mainly due to the presence of enriched oxygen vacancies which act as shallow donors. By loading FeOOH/NiOOH as the cocatalysts, the BiVO4 dual photoanodes exhibit a remarkable and highly stable photocurrent density of 5.87 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode under AM 1.5 G illumination. An artificial leaf composed of the BiVO4/FeOOH/NiOOH dual photoanodes and a single sealed perovskite solar cell delivers a solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency as high as 6.5% for unbiased water splitting.
Synthesis of Piperidine Derivatives by Rhodium‐ Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of N‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐Triazole and Vinyl Ether
Authors: Yu Sisi , An Yuehui , Wang Wenlin , Xu Ze‐Feng , Li Chuan‐Ying 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA chemoselective tandem reaction of 4‐acyloxymethylene‐1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazole and vinyl ether was reported, producing polysubstituted piperidine derivatives in up to 96% yield. The key intermediate N‐sulfonyl 1‐azadiene generated by migration of the OAc group to the α‐imino rhodium carbene was isolated and a plausible mechanism was proposed. Several related ring systems were constructed from the highly functionalized products.magnified image
Lewis Acid Doping Induced Synergistic Effects on Electronic and Morphological Structure for Donor and Acceptor in Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Yan Han , Chen Jianya , Zhou Ke , Tang Yabing , Meng Xiangyi , Xu Xianbin , Ma Wei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDue to the attraction of optimizing the electronic structure beyond chemical synthesis, molecular doping has recently aroused wide interest in the field of organic solar cells. However, the selection of limited dopants confines its successful application. Inspired by the Lewis base characteristics of the photovoltaic materials, the Lewis acid as novel dopant is introduced in organic solar cells. In both fullerene and nonfullerene based blends, Lewis acid doping leads to increased photovoltaic performance. Detailed experiments reveal that Lewis acid doping has a synergistic effect on modifying the polymer's electronic properties and the acceptor's nanostructure even at low doping concentration, and these are simultaneously responsible for the device improvements. Based on the mechanism studies, it is proposed that the Lewis acid‐doped polymers anions produce induced dipole on the acceptor, this increases the intermolecular interaction and facilitates the morphology optimization. It is believed that the synergistic effect by Lewis acid doping greatly expands the application of doped organic solar cells, in concert with other existing methods to yield higher efficiency values.
Lacrimal sac exposure and a superior lateral anterior pedicle flap to improve outcomes of Draf type II and III procedures
Authors: Omura Kazuhiro , Nomura Kazuhiro , Aoki Satoshi , Katori Yukio , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Otori Nobuyoshi 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAlthough the efficacy of Draf type II and III procedures for frontal sinus diseases is well recognized, a certain amount of postoperative stenosis of the frontal neo‐ostium occurs. Exposed bone induces inflammation and leads to osteoneogenesis. To prevent stenosis, we developed a surgical technique designed to minimize bone exposure while maximizing the frontal neo‐ostium area created with Draf type II and III procedures. We fully exposed the lacrimal sac and used a superior lateral anterior pedicle flap to cover the exposed bone during the Draf procedure. We aimed to describe our technique.MethodsWe reviewed 19 patients who underwent a Draf type II or III procedure with our technique. Endoscopic views from the follow‐ups and complications were evaluated.ResultsOverall, the neo‐ostium remained patent in all patients. No complications, such as synechiae or orbital injury, were seen in any of the patients.ConclusionDraf type II and III procedures with lacrimal sac exposure and a superior lateral anterior pedicle flap are convenient and seem to be effective. However, further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to verify our technique.
Construct and criterion validity testing of the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) behaviour assessment tool using videos of simulated operations
Authors: Yule S , Gupta A , Gazarian D , Geraghty A , Smink D S , Beard J , Sundt T , Youngson G , McIlhenny C , Paterson-Brown S 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
Surgeons' non-technical skills are an important part of surgical performance and surgical education. The most widely adopted assessment tool is the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) behaviour rating system. Psychometric analysis of this tool to date has focused on inter-rater reliability and feasibility rather than validation.

Methods
NOTSS assessments were collected from two groups of consultant/attending surgeons in the UK and USA, who rated behaviours of the lead surgeon during a video-based simulated crisis scenario after either online or classroom instruction. The process of validation consisted of assessing construct validity, scale reliability and concurrent criterion validity, and undertaking a sensitivity analysis. Central to this was confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the structure of the NOTSS taxonomy.

Results
Some 255 consultant surgeons participated in the study. The four-category NOTSS model was found to have robust construct validity evidence, and a superior fit compared with alternative models. Logistic regression and sensitivity analysis revealed that, after adjusting for technical skills, for every 1-point increase in NOTSS score of the lead surgeon, the odds of having a higher versus lower patient safety score was 2·29 times. The same pattern of results was obtained for a broad mix of surgical specialties (UK) as well as a single discipline (cardiothoracic, USA).

Conclusion
The NOTSS tool can be applied in research and education settings to measure non-technical skills in a valid and efficient manner.
Relationship between intraoperative non-technical performance and technical events in bariatric surgery
Authors: Fecso A B , Kuzulugil S S , Babaoglu C , Bener A B , Grantcharov T P 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
The operating theatre is a unique environment with complex team interactions, where technical and non-technical performance affect patient outcomes. The correlation between technical and non-technical performance, however, remains underinvestigated. The purpose of this study was to explore these interactions in the operating theatre.

Methods
A prospective single-centre observational study was conducted at a tertiary academic medical centre. One surgeon and three fellows participated as main operators. All patients who underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and had the procedures captured using the Operating Room Black Box® platform were included. Technical assessment was performed using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills and Generic Error Rating Tool instruments. For non-technical assessment, the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) and Scrub Practitioners' List of Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills (SPLINTS) tools were used. Spearman rank-order correlation and N-gram statistics were conducted.

Results
Fifty-six patients were included in the study and 90 procedural steps (gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy) were analysed. There was a moderate to strong correlation between technical adverse events (rs = 0·417–0·687), rectifications (rs = 0·380–0·768) and non-technical performance of the surgical and nursing teams (NOTSS and SPLINTS). N-gram statistics showed that after technical errors, events and prior rectifications, the staff surgeon and the scrub nurse exhibited the most positive non-technical behaviours, irrespective of operator (staff surgeon or fellow).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that technical and non-technical performances are related, on both an individual and a team level. Valuable data can be obtained around intraoperative errors, events and rectifications.
African‐American men and prostate cancer‐specific mortality: a competing risk analysis of a large institutional cohort, 1989–2015
Authors: Williams Vonetta L. , Awasthi Shivanshu , Fink Angelina K. , Pow‐Sang Julio M. , Park Jong Y. , Gerke Travis , Yamoah Kosj 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSignificant racial disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes have been reported, with African‐American men (AAM) more likely to endure adverse oncologic outcomes. Despite efforts to dissipate racial disparities in PCa, a survival gap persists and it remains unclear to what extent this disparity can be explained by known clinicodemographic factors. In this study, we leveraged our large institutional database, spanning over 25 years, to investigate whether AAM continued to experience poor PCa outcomes and factors that may contribute to racial disparities in PCa. A total of 7307 patients diagnosed with PCa from 1989 through 2015 were included. Associations of race and clinicodemographic characteristics were analyzed using chi‐square for categorical and Mann–Whitney U‐test for continuous variables. Racial differences in prostate cancer outcomes were analyzed using competing risk analysis methods of Fine and Gray. Median follow‐up time was 106 months. There were 2304 deaths recorded, of which 432 resulted from PCa. AAM were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier age (median 60 vs. 65 years, P = <0.001) and were more likely to have ≥1 comorbidities (13.6% vs. 7.5%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate competing risk model, adjusted for baseline covariates, AAM experienced significantly higher risk of PCSM compared to NHW men (HR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.02–2.57, P = 0.03) NHW. Among men diagnosed at an older age (>60 years), racial differences in PCSM were more pronounced, with AAM experiencing higher rates of PCSM (HR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.26–3.34, P = 0.003). After adjustment of clinicodemographic and potential risk factors, AAM continue to experience an increased risk of mortality from PCa, especially older AAM. Furthermore, AAM are more likely to be diagnosed at an early age and more likely to have higher comorbidity indices.
Suspected coronary fat embolism after liposuction
Authors: Thamwiwat Alisa , Sudhakar Deepthi , Paniagua David , Denktas Ali E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA 38‐year‐old female presented with chest pain and ST elevation on electrocardiogram after an outpatient liposuction procedure. Emergent coronary angiography revealed complete occlusion of multiple coronary arteries, with fat embolism as the suspected etiology. Attempts to restore distal coronary flow with balloon dilatation, aspiration with Pronto catheter, and distal adenosine administration resulted in minimal improvement in flow. The material aspirated was consistent with fat. With supportive therapy, including Impella CP support, the patient's clinical condition improved. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple coronary occlusion after liposuction.
Solids and Hydraulic Retention Time Effect on N2O Emission from Moving‐Bed Membrane Bioreactors
Authors: Mannina Giorgio , Capodici Marco , Cosenza Alida , Di Trapani Daniele , Ekama George A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBiological nutrient removal was operated at different solids (SRT) and hydraulic retention times (HRT) in order to assess their influence on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from a hybrid moving‐bed membrane bioreactor. The observed results show that the N2O production decreased when the SRT/HRT was decreased. The maximum N2O gaseous concentration was measured in the aerobic reactor at the end of phase I, and it decreased through phases II and III. From mass balances over the reactors of the system, the aerated (aerobic and membrane) reactors were the largest producers of N2O, showing that the greater part of N2O was produced during the nitrification process.
A Career Path Leading to Well‐being and Success
Authors: Girouard Sarah , Forest Jacques 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn line with self‐determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), this study aims to determine the influence of different contents and motives of career aspirations, together with objective career success, on subjective career success and well‐being. Moreover, it aims to verify if psychological need, satisfaction, and frustration play a mediating role in these relationships. Results suggest that the pursuit of some aspirations and the underlying motives for their pursuit are more beneficial. Aspiration contents, and aspiration motives, together with objective career success, influence subjective well‐being and subjective career success, in part because they satisfy or frustrate psychological needs. This study brings together two fields of research evolving in parallel—career and life aspirations— to shed new light on both of them. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Body as a Power Source for Biomechanical Energy Scavenging Based on Electrode‐Free Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Zhang Hulin , Cui Xiaojing , Cao Shengli , Zhang Qiang , Sang Shengbo , Zhang Wendong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate a human‐body‐based electrode‐free triboelectric nanogenerator that is capable of harvesting biomechanical energy by triboelectrification between the human body and a polymer cloth. A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film with nanostructured surface serves as one triboelectric layer, while the human body plays a dual role of both a triboelectric layer and natural electrode in electricity generation. Due to the appropriate conductivity of the human body, the generated electricity can be acquired from any part of the human body, and as the human body can serve as a natural electrode, our generator nearly can harvest energy from any human motion. The output voltage can reach 25 V during typical running at a loading resistance of 50 MΩ, which is sufficient to light up LEDs. Owing to the adaptive configuration, our designed TENGs can be potentially applied in self‐powered emergency situations, in outdoor sports, or for field survival.
Thiacloprid-induced toxicity influenced by nutrients: Evidence from in situ bioassays in experimental ditches
Authors: Barmentlo S. Henrik , Parmentier Elinor M. , de Snoo Geert R. , Vijver Martina G. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Many studies show that neonicotinoid insecticides cause toxicity to aquatic invertebrates. Some studies report that insecticide toxicity may differ in combination with other agrochemicals under realistic field conditions. To explore such altered toxicity further, we aimed to determine the single and combined effects of environmentally relevant levels of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid and nutrients on different endpoints of 4 aquatic invertebrate species. Animals were exposed to these agrochemicals using a caged experiment within experimental ditches. We observed thiacloprid-induced toxicity for 2 crustaceans, Daphnia magna and Asellus aquaticus, and for 1 out of 2 tested insect species, Cloeon dipterum. We observed no toxic effects for Chironomus riparius at the time-weighted average test concentration of 0.51 μg thiacloprid/L. For D. magna, the observed toxicity, expressed as the lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC), on growth and reproduction was present at thiacloprid concentrations that were 2456-fold lower than laboratory-derived LOEC values. This shows that these species, when exposed under natural conditions, may exhibit neonicotinoid-induced toxic stress. Contrary to the low nutrient treatment, such toxicity was often not observed under nutrient-enriched conditions. This was likely attributable to the increased primary production that allowed for compensatory feeding. These findings warrant the inclusion of different feeding regimes in laboratory experiments to retrieve the best estimates of neonicotinoid-induced toxicity in the natural environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1907–1915. © 2018 SETAC
Hydrogen sulfide in physiology and pathogenesis of bacteria and viruses
Authors: Pal Virender Kumar , Bandyopadhyay Parijat , Singh Amit 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn increasing number of studies have established hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas as a major cytoprotectant and redox modulator. Following its discovery, H2S has been found to have pleiotropic effects on physiology and human health. H2S acts as a gasotransmitter and exerts its influence on gastrointestinal, neuronal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and hepatic systems. Recent discoveries have clearly indicated the importance of H2S in regulating vasorelaxation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, ageing, and metabolism. Contrary to studies in higher organisms, the role of H2S in the pathophysiology of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses has been less studied. Bacterial and viral infections are often accompanied by changes in the redox physiology of both the host and the pathogen. Emerging studies indicate that bacterial‐derived H2S constitutes a defense system against antibiotics and oxidative stress. The H2S signaling pathway also seems to interfere with redox‐based events affected on infection with viruses. This review aims to summarize recent advances on the emerging role of H2S gas in the bacterial physiology and viral infections. Such studies have opened up new research avenues exploiting H2S as a potential therapeutic intervention. © 2018 The Authors IUBMB Life published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 70(5):393–410, 2018
Variable strength covering arrays
Authors: Raaphorst Sebastian , Moura Lucia , Stevens Brett 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe define and study variable strength covering arrays (also called covering arrays on hypergraphs), which are generalizations of covering arrays and covering arrays on graphs. Variable strength covering arrays have the potential for use in software testing, allowing the engineer to omit the parameter combinations known to not interact in order to reduce the number of tests required. The present paper shows that variable strength covering arrays are relevant combinatorial objects that have deep connections with hypergraph homomorphisms and generalize other important combinatorial designs. We give optimal constructions for special types of hypergraphs, constructions based on columns with uniform occurrence of symbols, and constructions for mixed alphabets.
pTRAPs: Transmembrane adaptors in innate immune signaling
Authors: Curson James E B , Luo Lin , Sweet Matthew J , Stow Jennifer L 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTransmembrane adaptor proteins (TRAPs) are protein scaffolds and signaling regulators with established roles in signal-induced activation of lymphocytes. A subset of the TRAP family, the palmitoylated TRAPs (pTRAPs), are increasingly emerging with additional roles in innate immune cells. Targeted to lipid rafts, tetraspannin-enriched microdomains, and protein microclusters in membranes, pTRAP scaffolds exert spatiotemporal regulation by recruiting signaling kinases, particularly Src and Syk family members, as well as Csk, and other effectors. In this way, pTRAPs modulate signaling and influence resulting cell responses, including the selective output of inflammatory cytokines and other mediators. Here, we review studies revealing that different pTRAPs work together, often with overlapping or redundant roles, for positive and negative regulation of key innate immune pathways, including Fc receptor and pattern recognition receptor signaling. Recent findings show that pTRAPs can bind directly to innate immune receptors, in addition to other transmembrane binding partners. Thus, pTRAPs are important, multifunctional scaffolds in pathways that are fundamental to diverse innate immune responses.
Allergic phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis based on radiologic pattern of disease
Authors: Hamizan Aneeza W. , Loftus Patricia A. , Alvarado Raquel , Ho Jacqueline , Kalish Larry , Sacks Raymond , DelGaudio John M. , Harvey Richard J. 
Published: March 2018

Objectives/HypothesisPolypoid edema of the middle turbinate is a marker of inhalant allergy. Extensive edematous changes may result in limited central nasal and sinus disease, which has been called central compartment atopic disease (CCAD). Radiologically, this is seen as soft tissue thickening in the central portion of the sinonasal cavity with or without paranasal sinus involvement. When the sinuses are involved, the soft tissue thickening spares the sinus roof or lateral wall (centrally limited). This centrally limited radiological pattern was assessed among chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients and compared to allergy status.Study DesignDiagnostic cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis study included consecutive CRS patients without prior sinus surgery. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses were blindly assessed and allergy status was confirmed by serum or skin testing. Individual sinus cavities were defined as either centrally limited or diffuse disease. The radiological pattern that may predict allergy was determined, and its diagnostic accuracy was calculated.ResultsOne hundred twelve patients diagnosed to have CRS, representing 224 sides, were assessed (age 46.31 ± 13.57 years, 38.39% female, 41.07% asthma, Lund‐Mackay CT score 15.88 ± 4.35, 56.25% atopic). The radiological pattern defined by centrally limited changes in all of the paranasal sinuses was associated with allergy status (73.53% vs. 53.16%, P = .03). This predicted atopy with 90.82% specificity, 73.53% positive predictive value, likelihood positive ratios of 2.16, and diagnostic odds ratio of 4.59.ConclusionsA central radiological pattern of mucosal disease is associated with inhalant allergen sensitization. This group may represent a CCAD subgroup of patients with mainly allergic etiology.Level of Evidence3b Laryngoscope, 128:2015–2021, 2018
On percolation and ‐hardness
Authors: Bennett Huck , Reichman Daniel , Shinkar Igor 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe edge‐percolation and vertex‐percolation random graph models start with an arbitrary graph G, and randomly delete edges or vertices of G with some fixed probability. We study the computational complexity of problems whose inputs are obtained by applying percolation to worst‐case instances. Specifically, we show that a number of classical
‐hard problems on graphs remain essentially as hard on percolated instances as they are in the worst‐case (assuming ). We also prove hardness results for other
‐hard problems such as Constraint Satisfaction Problems and Subset‐Sum, with suitable definitions of random deletions. Along the way, we establish that for any given graph G the independence number and the chromatic number are robust to percolation in the following sense. Given a graph G, let be the graph obtained by randomly deleting edges of G with some probability . We show that if is small, then remains small with probability at least 0.99. Similarly, we show that if is large, then remains large with probability at least 0.99. We believe these results are of independent interest.