bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer mortality update with an exposure response analysis among styrene‐exposed workers in the reinforced plastics boatbuilding industry
Authors: Bertke Stephen J. , Yiin James H. , Daniels Robert D. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThere is sparse and inconsistent evidence of an association between styrene exposure and cancer.MethodsThis study examines mortality patterns in a previously studied cohort of 5201 workers employed in two Washington boat‐building facilities, extending follow‐up 5 years. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated using state rates as referent. Cox regression calculated rate ratios (RR) per year employed in styrene‐exposed exposed jobs.ResultsNo excess deaths from lymphohematopoietic cancers (LHCs) were observed (SMR: 0.99, 95%CI: 0.74‐1.30) when compared to the referent population; however, the relative risk increased with duration of employment in internal analyses. Conversely, lung cancer mortality was significantly elevated (SMR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.08‐1.41), but there was no evidence of a dose‐response relationship.ConclusionWe found evidence that occupational exposure to styrene was associated with increased LHC risk, while no such association was observed for lung cancer.
Blood pressure and risk of incident Alzheimer's disease dementia by antihypertensive medications and APOE ε4 allele
Authors: Rajan Kumar B. , Barnes Lisa L. , Wilson Robert S. , Weuve Jennifer , McAninch Elizabeth A. , Evans Denis A. 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo examine the association of blood pressure (BP) with incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.MethodsThis work is based on a longitudinal, cohort study of 18 years, the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) performed in 2,137 participants (55% black) with systolic BP measured around 8.1 years before incident AD dementia.ResultsThe association of BP with risk of AD dementia was U‐shaped, with the lowest risks of AD dementia near the center of the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) distributions, and modestly elevated risk at lower BPs, and greater risk at higher BPs. The degree of U‐shape and the range of lowest risk (threshold ranges) varied with antihypertensive medication use and presence of the APOE ε4 allele. The U‐shape was most prominent for the subgroup not taking antihypertensive medications and having an APOE ε4 allele. At higher BPs, those having the APOE ε4 allele and not receiving antihypertensive medication were at greater risk of AD dementia than other groups: The risk of incident AD dementia increased by 100% (relative risk [RR] = 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.70, 2.31) for every 10 mm Hg increase in SBP above 140 mm Hg. For DBP, the risk of incident of AD dementia increased by 57% (RR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.33, 1.86) for every 5 mm Hg increase in DBP above 76 mm Hg.InterpretationThe BP risk of AD dementia association is U‐shaped, with elevated risk at lower and higher BPs. People having the APOE ε4 allele and not receiving antihypertensive medication with higher BPs have notably elevated risk of AD dementia. Ann Neurol 2018;83:935–944
Core Electron Topologies in Chemical Compounds: Case Study of Carbon versus Silicon
Authors: Yoshida Daisuke , Raebiger Hannes , Shudo Ken‐ichi , Ohno Koichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe similarities and differences between carbon and silicon have attracted the curiosity of chemists for centuries. Similarities and analogies can be found in their saturated compounds, but carbon exhibits a cornucopia of unsaturated compounds that silicon (and most other elements) cannot replicate. While this qualitative difference is empirically well known, quantum chemistry has previously only described quantitative differences related to orbital overlap, steric effects, or orbital energies. We study C2 and Si2 and their hydrides X2H2n (X=C, Si; n=1, 2, 3) by first‐principles quantum chemical calculation, and find a qualitative difference in the topologies of the core electrons: carbon has the propensity to alter its core electron topology when forming unsaturated compounds, and silicon has not. We draw a connection between the core electron topologies and ionization energies, and identify other elements we expect to have similarly flexible core topologies as carbon.
Reconstruction of Supported Metal Nanoparticles in Reaction Conditions
Authors: Duan Manyi , Yu Jian , Meng Jun , Zhu Beien , Wang Yong , Gao Yi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMetal nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed on a high‐surface‐area support are normally used as heterogeneous catalysts. Recent in situ experiments have shown that structure reconstruction of the NP occurs in real catalysis. However, the role played by supports in these processes is still unclear. Supports can be very important in real catalysis because of the new active sites at the perimeter interface between nanoparticles and supports. Herein, using a developed multiscale model coupled with in situ spherical aberration‐corrected (Cs‐corrected) TEM experiments, we show that the interaction between the support and the gas environment greatly changes the contact surface area between the metal and support, which further leads to the critical change in the perimeter interface. The dynamic changes of the interface in reactive environments can thus be predicted and be included in the rational design of supported metal nanocatalysts. In particular, our multiscale model shows quantitative consistency with experimental observations. This work offers possibilities for obtaining atomic‐scale structures and insights beyond the experimental limits.
Facile, Quick, and Gram‐Scale Synthesis of Ultralong‐Lifetime Room‐Temperature‐Phosphorescent Carbon Dots by Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Jiang Kai , Wang Yuhui , Gao Xiaolu , Cai Congzhong , Lin Hengwei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLong‐lifetime room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials are important for many applications, but they are highly challenging materials owing to the spin‐forbidden nature of triplet exciton transitions. Herein, a facile, quick and gram‐scale method for the preparation of ultralong RTP (URTP) carbon dots (CDs) was developed via microwave‐assisted heating of ethanolamine and phosphoric acid aqueous solution. The CDs exhibit the longest RTP lifetime, 1.46 s (more than 10 s to naked eye) for CDs‐based materials to date. The doping of N and P elements is critical for the URTP which is considered to be favored by a n→π* transition facilitating intersystem crossing (ISC) for effectively populating triplet excitons. In addition, possibilities of formation of hydrogen bonds in the interior of the CDs may also play a significant role in producing RTP. Potential applications of the URTP CDs in the fields of anti‐counterfeiting and information protection are proposed and demonstrated.
Modeling and simulation of particle dispersion in dense particle‐laden flow
Authors: Li Guohui , Li Xiangli 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTraditional drag force coefficient with regard to modeling gas–particle flows is generally established on the semiempirical or full empirical measurement data with isotropic hypothesis resulting in neglection of true particle dispersions, especially for anisotropic characteristics. A developed drag force coefficient to fully consider the anisotropics was applied to model and simulate dense particle‐laden flows. Coupled with a unified second‐order moment, 2‐fluid turbulent model consisting of a set of fluctuation velocity Reynolds transport equations was employed for predicting dense particle‐laden flows in pseudo‐2D horizontal chamber. Simulated results showed that they are in good agreement with measurement data. Particle Reynolds stresses have been redistributed by the momentum transfer interaction term between gas and particle phases, the turbulent diffusion term, and the particle collision term. Compared with traditional Wen's model, horizontal and vertical root‐mean‐square of particle velocities exhibited much more flatter and wider distribution behaviors. Due to limitation of two‐dimensional model and wall conditions, errors near wall regions should be improved in future work.
Semiaromatic polyamide poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide)‐co‐polycaprolactam: Thermal and flame‐retardant properties
Authors: Peng Wei‐Ming , Tong Xin , Zhang Mei‐Lin , Wang Xiao‐Jun , Zhang Gang , Long Sheng‐Ru , Yang Jie 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThe poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide)‐co‐polycaprolactam (PA6T/6; 50:50) copolymer was synthesized with a reactive extrusion method and subsequently mixed with a certain content of glass fibers (GFs) and different ratios of flame‐retardant aluminum diethyl phosphinate (AlPi) to fabricate a series of composites. These resulting composites were found to have excellent mechanical (tensile strength = 119–154 MPa) and thermal properties (heat‐deflection temperature = 263–293 °C). It is particularly worth mentioning that the value of the limiting oxygen index reached 29.5% and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating (1.6 mm) was achieved with the addition of 20 portions of AlPi. Also, the values of the peak heat‐release rate and total heat release in cone calorimetry were found to decrease with the addition of the flame‐retardant AlPi, which acted mainly as a flame inhibitor in the gas phase. Through visual observation, scanning electron microscopy after cone calorimetry testing, and thermogravimetric analysis, the condensed‐phase flame‐retardant mechanism of the PA6T/6–GF–AlPi system was confirmed to have a synergetic role. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46451.
TFC reverse osmosis polyamide membranes—Effect of increasing sulfonic group concentration on water flux and salt rejection performance
Authors: Yam‐Cervantes Marcial , Pérez‐Padilla Yamile , Aguilar‐Vega Manuel 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThin film composite (TFC) membranes for reverse osmosis were prepared with a polyamide top layer with an increasing concentration of sulfonic groups obtained with mixtures of m‐phenylenediamine (MPD), and the sulfonated diamine, 4‐diaminobenzensulfonic acid (DABS) crosslinked with trimesoyl chloride via interfacial polymerization. The presence of sulfonic groups in the top layer diminishes the roughness of the surface of the membrane as observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It was also found that the best curing temperature for stabilization of the top polyamide layer in the TFC membrane was 90 °C. Increased hydrophilicity with an increasing concentration of DABS in the top layer of the membrane was confirmed by contact angle measurements. The results show that concentrations above 5 wt % DABS were detrimental for the membrane flux and salt rejection, R(%). The incorporation of sulfonic groups up to 5 wt % DABS improves the flux and R(%) as compared to a TFC membrane without ionic groups. Constant salt rejection was observed in the TFC membrane with 5 wt % DABS which at least maintain a nearly constant water flux after three cycles and improve R(%) after repeated testing of the same membrane in a RO high pressure cell. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46500.
Synergistic effect of kaolinite/halloysite on the flammability and thermostability of polypropylene
Authors: Sun Wenxiang , Tang Wufei , Gu Xiaoyu , Zhang Sheng , Sun Jun , Li Hongfei , Liu Xiaodong 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTKaolinite (Kaol) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT) are both aluminosilicate clays with similar chemical formulation and different microshapes. In this article, nanotubular HNT and nanoplate Kaol together were introduced into polypropylene (PP) containing intumescent flame retardant (IFR). The flammability of the PP composites was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL‐94), and cone calorimeter tests (CCT). The results showed that for the composite with 75 wt % PP and 25 wt % IFR, its LOI was 31.0% and it obtained a UL‐94 grade of V‐2. For the composite of 75 wt % PP, 23.5 wt % IFR, and 1.5 wt % (Kaol/HNT = 9/1), its LOI increased to 36.9 and it obtained a UL‐94 grade of V‐0; at the same time, its peak heat release rate value in CCT decreased by 82.2% compared to neat PP. The thermostability analysis indicated that the mixture of Kaol/HNT could improve the thermostability and final char yield. The char residues were comprehensively analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results illustrated that the Kaol/HNT combination was beneficial to forming a crosslinked network and promoting formation of a compact char with higher strength. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46507.
Methodologies for “Wiring” Redox Proteins/Enzymes to Electrode Surfaces
Authors: Yates Nicholas D. J. , Fascione Martin A. , Parkin Alison 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe immobilization of redox proteins or enzymes onto conductive surfaces has application in the analysis of biological processes, the fabrication of biosensors, and in the development of green technologies and biochemical synthetic approaches. This review evaluates the methods through which redox proteins can be attached to electrode surfaces in a “wired” configuration, that is, one that facilitates direct electron transfer. The feasibility of simple electroactive adsorption onto a range of electrode surfaces is illustrated, with a highlight on the recent advances that have been achieved in biotechnological device construction using carbon materials and metal oxides. The covalent crosslinking strategies commonly used for the modification and biofunctionalization of electrode surfaces are also evaluated. Recent innovations in harnessing chemical biology methods for electrically wiring redox biology to surfaces are emphasized.
Induction of immunity following vaccination with a chemically attenuated malaria vaccine correlates with persistent antigenic stimulation
Authors: Reiman Jennifer M , Kumar Sanjai , Rodriguez Ingrid B , Gnidehou Sedami , Ito Koichi , Stanisic Danielle I , Lee Moses , McPhun Virginia , Majam Victoria , Willemsen Nicole M , Batzloff Michael R , Raja Amber I , Dooley Brad , Hoffman Stephen L , Yanow Stephanie K , Good Michael F 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesBlood stage malaria parasites attenuated with seco‐cyclopropyl pyrrolo indole (CPI) analogues induce robust immunity in mice to homologous and heterologous malaria parasites and are being considered for the development of a human vaccine. However, it is not understood how attenuated parasites induce immunity. We showed that following vaccination, parasite DNA persisted in blood for several months, raising the possibility that ongoing immune stimulation may be critical. However, parasites were not seen microscopically beyond 24 h postvaccination. We aimed to provide a mechanistic understanding of immune induction.MethodsMice were vaccinated with chemically attenuated Plasmodium chabaudi parasites. PCR and adoptive transfer studies were used to determine the presence of parasites and antigen in vivo. In other experiments, Plasmodium falciparum parasitised red blood cells were attenuated in vitro and RNA and antigen expression studied.ResultsWe show that blood transferred from vaccinated mice into naïve mice activates T cells and induces complete protective immunity in the recipient mice strongly suggesting that there is persistence of parasite antigen postvaccination. This is supported by the presence of parasite RNA in vaccinated mice and both RNA and antigen expression in P. falciparum cultures treated with CPI drugs in vitro. In addition, drugs that block parasite growth also prevent the induction of immunity in vaccinated mice, indicating that some growth of attenuated parasites is required for immune induction.ConclusionsAttenuated parasites persist at submicroscopic levels in the blood of mice postvaccination with the ability to activate T cells and induce ongoing protective immune responses.
TECXY simulations of multi‐species impurity seeding in DEMO reactor
Authors: Chmielewski P. , Zagórski R. , Ivanova‐Stanik I. , Pericolli V.R. 
Published: April 2018

Numerical studies have been performed to investigate the influence of the few impurity species on the heat load reduction and the SOL plasma parameters in the European DEMO reactor. Two‐dimensional multi‐fluid TECXY code has been used to model edge plasma transport described by the classical set of transport equations of multi‐species plasma derived by Braginskii. The TECXY code solves transport equations for few impurity species and all associated ionization stages simultaneously in a two‐dimensional poloidal geometry.This paper describes the results of numerical simulations of the edge plasma performed for the DEMO reactor with neon and krypton seeding, as well as with a mixture of neon and krypton impurities. We aimed to obtain the energy flux reduction to the target plate at the smallest possible increase of the effective charge value considering gas puffing with various mixtures of impurities. It has been found that the heat load reduction can be improved for a specific mixture of impurity species seeded simultaneously to the edge plasma.
Germ layers, the neural crest and emergent organization in development and evolution
Authors: Hall Brian K. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryDiscovered in chick embryos by Wilhelm His in 1868 and named the neural crest by Arthur Milnes Marshall in 1879, the neural crest cells that arise from the neural folds have since been shown to differentiate into almost two dozen vertebrate cell types and to have played major roles in the evolution of such vertebrate features as bone, jaws, teeth, visceral (pharyngeal) arches, and sense organs. I discuss the discovery that ectodermal neural crest gave rise to mesenchyme and the controversy generated by that finding; the germ layer theory maintained that only mesoderm could give rise to mesenchyme. A second topic of discussion is germ layers (including the neural crest) as emergent levels of organization in animal development and evolution that facilitated major developmental and evolutionary change. The third topic is gene networks, gene co‐option, and the evolution of gene‐signaling pathways as key to developmental and evolutionary transitions associated with the origin and evolution of the neural crest and neural crest cells.
Redefining normal hemoglobin and anemia in singleton and twin pregnancies
Authors: Shinar Shiri , Shapira Udi , Maslovitz Sharon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the benefit of a hemoglobin cutoff of 105 g/L as a trigger for anemia evaluation during the second trimester of pregnancy.MethodsThe present cross‐sectional study, conducted at a health center in Israel between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015, included pregnant women with hemoglobin values below 105 g/L who were assessed for anemia. Anemia workup included complete blood count, serum ferritin and vitamin B12 measurements, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The primary outcome was the incidence of nondilutional anemia, defined by a positive workup, across predefined hemoglobin thresholds. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created to identify the best hemoglobin threshold for predicting anemia, mandating further evaluation.ResultsIn total, 651 women with singleton and 300 women with twin pregnancies were evaluated for nondilutional anemia. Of these, 340 (52.2%) and 127 (42.3%) women, respectively, had positive workup results. The most common cause was iron deficiency. The hemoglobin values that best predicted positive workup results were 100 g/L in singleton pregnancies and 97 g/L in twin pregnancies.ConclusionAnemia evaluation could be unnecessary in pregnant women with a hemoglobin value of 100–105 g/L. Consideration should be given to redefining anemia in singleton and twin pregnancies.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MODEL‐BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHODOLOGIES AND THEIR EFFECTIVE PRACTICE – A CASE STUDY ON NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Authors: Navas Juan , Tannery Philippe , Bonnet Stephane , Voirin Jean‐Luc 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThis article presents a case study on applying model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies under real‐life conditions. We present how engineers tailored existing MBSE methods and tools to both address the complexity factors of nuclear power plants engineering, and to contribute to the comprehensiveness of the design and safety assessment. We also provide feedback on the application of MBSE approaches and their key benefits on projects’ execution.
ON THE USE OF PERSPECTIVE IN MANAGING COMPLEXITY
Authors: Ryan Michael J. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTMost research into complexity has not directly addressed the fundamental issue that the complexity of any particular matter has a significant subjective component in which the degree of complexity depends on available frames of reference. Yet, researchers can readily show that the perceived complexity of an entity under consideration can vary dramatically if they take different perspectives. This paper illustrates that it is relatively easy in any context to state that context in such a manner as to cause confusion by establishing a perspective that incorporates all dimensions simultaneously in a two‐dimensional view. Further, the article shows that it is equally possible in many cases (and certainly in design), by choosing an appropriate view, to reduce the complexity. Finally, the article shows the utility of such an approach when designing systems‐of‐systems (SoS), in which the establishment of the perspective of system centricity is essential for the specification and acquisition of the constituent systems of an SoS.
DEMONSTRATED BENEFITS OF A NASCENT DIGITAL TWIN
Authors: West Timothy D. , Blackburn Mark 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTAfter utilizing Gartner's hype cycle to frame the general state of the ongoing digital transformation within the aerospace industry, this paper considers two attributes that should be considered in the creation of every digital model: (1) how accurately can we make it, and (2) how accurately should we make it? After concluding that a truly perfect digital clone is both infeasible and impractical in the near term, the paper highlights a variety of successes (i.e., 30 percent cost reductions and 25 percent weight reductions) that are already being achieved in industry and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through imperfect Digital Twin models and related “disruptive” technologies.
Rouleaux red blood cells splitting in microscopic thin blood smear images via local maxima, circles drawing, and mapping with original RBCs
Authors: Rehman Amjad , Abbas Naveed , Saba Tanzila , Mahmood Toqeer , Kolivand Hoshang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSplitting the rouleaux RBCs from single RBCs and its further subdivision is a challenging area in computer‐assisted diagnosis of blood. This phenomenon is applied in complete blood count, anemia, leukemia, and malaria tests. Several automated techniques are reported in the state of art for this task but face either under or over splitting problems. The current research presents a novel approach to split Rouleaux red blood cells (chains of RBCs) precisely, which are frequently observed in the thin blood smear images. Accordingly, this research address the rouleaux splitting problem in a realistic, efficient and automated way by considering the distance transform and local maxima of the rouleaux RBCs. Rouleaux RBCs are splitted by taking their local maxima as the centres to draw circles by mid‐point circle algorithm. The resulting circles are further mapped with single RBC in Rouleaux to preserve its original shape. The results of the proposed approach on standard data set are presented and analyzed statistically by achieving an average recall of 0.059, an average precision of 0.067 and F‐measure 0.063 are achieved through ground truth with visual inspection.