bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Full color quantum dot light‐emitting diodes patterned by photolithography technology
Authors: Ji Tingjing , Jin Shuang , Zhang Heng , Chen Shuming , Sun Xiao Wei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractQuantum dot light‐emitting diodes are promising candidates for next generation displays. For display application, a pixel consists of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) side‐by‐side sub‐pixels, which thereby requires a high resolution patterning of the light‐emission layers. In this work, the quantum dot (QD) light‐emitting layers are fine patterned by using the photolithography and the lift‐off techniques. To facilitate the lift‐off process, reverse photoresist AZ5214E is used because of its special inverted trapezoidal structure after developing. To prevent the QDs being washed off during the lift‐off process, the ZnMgO layer is treated by the hydrophobic material hexamethyldisilazane. With hexamethyldisilazane treatment, the adhesion between the QDs and the ZnMgO is effectively improved. As a result, side‐by‐side R/G/B QD with pixel size of 30 μm × 120 μm is successfully achieved. After patterning, the R, G, and B‐quantum dot light‐emitting diodes exhibit a maximum current efficiency of 11.6 cd/A, 29.7 cd/A, and 1.5 cd/A, respectively. This work confirms the feasibility of patterning QDs by using the photolithography and the lift‐off techniques.
Intraoperative identification and definition of “functional” lymphatic collecting vessels for supermicrosurgical lymphatico‐venous anastomosis in treating lymphedema patients
Authors: Yang Johnson Chia‐Shen , Wu Shao‐Chun , Chiang Min‐Hsien , Lin Wei‐Che , Hsieh Ching‐Hua 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundFor current lymphatico‐venous anastomosis (LVA), the identification of “functional” lymphatic collecting vessels (LCVs) is mainly based on indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. However, some of the non‐ICG enhanced LCVs utilized for LVA were found to have visual lymphatic flow.ObjectivesShould non‐ICG enhanced, but flow‐positive LCVs be considered functional as well?MethodsA retrospective study with 56 consecutive lymphedema patients (8 male/48 female) received LVA. LCVs were observed after ICG injection, before/after LVAs were performed. ICG enhancement and lymphatic flow in the LCVs were recorded and grouped as: Group A: all LCVs ICG(+) and flow(+); Group B: all LCVs ICG(+) and some were flow(+); Group C: some ICG(+) and some flow(+) LCVs; Group D: all LCVs ICG(−)but all flow(+); and Group E: all LCVs were both ICG(−) and flow(−).ResultsA total of 366 LCVs were identified, averaging 8.2 LVAs, 6.5 LCVs, and 4.7 veins per patient. A total of 33 LVAs were performed with 27 LCVs with no ICG enhancement from 7 patients (Group D). These patients were satisfied with their lymphedema improvements.ConclusionLymphatic flow‐positive but non‐ICG enhanced LCVs, should also be considered as functional, thereby maximizing the number of functional LCVs for LVA.
Ultralarge Nanosheets Fabricated by the Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Porphyrin‐Ended Hyperbranched Poly (ether amine) (TPP–hPEA)
Authors: Wang Ruiqing , Tao Tao , Su Zhilong , Ma Xiaodong , Jiang Xuesong , Xu Hongjie , Yin Jie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn ultralarge sheet with remarkable lateral dimensions of 10 µm × 10 µm–20 µm × 20 µm is fabricated by the hierarchical self‐assembly of porphyrin‐ended hyperbranched poly(ether amine) (tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP)–hPEA) in solution. The obtained TPP–hPEA amphiphiles can self‐assemble from ultrathin single‐layered nanosheets with a thickness of 4 nm to ultralarge multilayered nanosheets with thicknesses from 30 to 70 nm. The lateral dimensions increase from 2 × 2 µm to 5 × 5 µm, and eventually to 10 × 10 µm. In‐situ dynamic light scattering and UV–vis spectroscopy studies suggest a hierarchical growth self‐assembly mechanism with a self‐assembly process that relies on π–π stacking. This 2D self‐assembly method provides a significant potential guide for the preparation of ultralarge nanosheets in solution.
Microbial diversity of thermophiles with biomass deconstruction potential in a foliage‐rich hot spring
Authors: Lee Li Sin , Goh Kian Mau , Chan Chia Sing , Annie Tan Geok Yuan , Yin Wai‐Fong , Chong Chun Shiong , Chan Kok‐Gan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe ability of thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes to decompose biomass have attracted attention due to their quick reaction time, thermostability, and decreased risk of contamination. Exploitation of efficient thermostable glycoside hydrolases (GHs) could accelerate the industrialization of biofuels and biochemicals. However, the full spectrum of thermophiles and their enzymes that are important for biomass degradation at high temperatures have not yet been thoroughly studied. We examined a Malaysian Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring located within a wooded area. The fallen foliage that formed a thick layer of biomass bed under the heated water of the Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring was an ideal environment for the discovery and analysis of microbial biomass decay communities. We sequenced the hypervariable regions of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes using total community DNA extracted from the hot spring. Data suggested that 25 phyla, 58 classes, 110 orders, 171 families, and 328 genera inhabited this hot spring. Among the detected genera, members of Acidimicrobium, Aeropyrum, Caldilinea, Caldisphaera, Chloracidobacterium, Chloroflexus, Desulfurobacterium, Fervidobacterium, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, Melioribacter, Methanothermococcus, Methanotorris, Roseiflexus, Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobacterium, Thermoanaerobaculum, and Thermosipho were the main thermophiles containing various GHs that play an important role in cellulose and hemicellulose breakdown. Collectively, the results suggest that the microbial community in this hot spring represents a good source for isolating efficient biomass degrading thermophiles and thermozymes.
The Effect of Residence Time Distribution on the Slurry‐Phase Catalytic Ethylene Polymerization: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Casalini Tommaso , Visscher Frans , Tamaddoni Maryam , Friederichs Nicolaas , Bertola Francesco , Storti Giuseppe , Morbidelli Massimo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis work is focused on the development and validation of a model accounting for the impact of the reactor residence time distribution in well‐stirred slurry‐phase catalytic polymerization of ethylene. Particle growth and morphology are described through the Multigrain model, adopting a two‐site model for the catalyst and a conventional kinetic scheme. Particle size distribution and polymer properties (average molecular weights and polydispersity) are computed as a function of particle size through a segregated model, assuming that neither breakage nor aggregation occur. Reactors are modeled by means of fundamental mass conservation equations. The model is applied to a system constituted by a series of two ideal continuous stirred tank reactors, where the synthesis of polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution is performed, employing the initial catalyst size distribution as the only adjustable parameter. The model provides insights at the single particle scale for each specific size, thus highlighting the inhomogeneity which arises from the synergic effects of chemical kinetics and residence time distributions in both reactors. The satisfactory agreement between model results and experimental data, in terms of particle size distribution and average molecular weights, confirmed the suitability of the model and underlying assumptions.
Prospective Open‐label Trial of Early Concomitant Vasopressin and Norepinephrine Therapy versus Initial Norepinephrine Monotherapy in Septic Shock
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , Ficek Oktawia A. , Painter Jacob T. , McCain Kelsey , Cullen Julia , Brotherton Amy L. , Kakkera Krishna , Chopra Divyan , Meena Nikhil 
Published: March 2018

PurposeDelays in achieving target mean arterial pressure (MAP) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with septic shock. This trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that early concomitant treatment with vasopressin and norepinephrine reduces the time to achieve and maintain target MAP compared with initial norepinephrine monotherapy.MethodsA single‐center prospective open‐label trial was conducted in patients with septic shock between November 2015 and June 2016 at a medical intensive care unit in an academic medical center. Initial norepinephrine monotherapy was initiated between November 2015 and February 2016. Between March and June 2016, vasopressin was initiated within 4 hours of norepinephrine. The primary outcome was time to achieving and maintaining MAP of 65 mm Hg for at least 4 hours that was compared between groups using the Student t test and examined using the Kaplan‐Meier curve (Clinical Trials registration: NCT02454348).ResultsEighty‐two patients were included (41 in each group). Patients treated with early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine more frequently had a positive culture (59% vs 37%, p=0.05) and grew nonlactose fermenting gram‐negative bacilli (34% vs 10%, p=0.01) compared with patients treated with norepinephrine monotherapy, respectively. The median time to achieve and maintain MAP occurred faster in the early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine group, at 5.7 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 1.7–10.3 hrs), compared with 7.6 hours (IQR 3.6–16.7 hrs, p=0.058) in the norepinephrine group. Durations of therapy for norepinephrine or vasopressin, amount of norepinephrine received in the first 24 hours, norepinephrine dosage when MAP was achieved and maintained, maximum norepinephrine dosage, and mortality were similar between groups.ConclusionPatients treated with early concomitant vasopressin and norepinephrine achieved and maintained MAP of 65 mm Hg faster than those receiving initial norepinephrine monotherapy, suggesting that overcoming vasopressin deficiency sooner may reduce the time patients spend in the early phase of septic shock.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in the United States
Authors: Zueger Patrick M. , Kumar Varun M. , Harrington Rachel L. , Rigoni Gianna C. , Atwood Alicia , DiDomenico Robert J. , Touchette Daniel R. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveSacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) has been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared with enalapril but at a substantially higher cost. This study evaluates the cost‐effectiveness of SAC/VAL versus enalapril in patients with HFrEF over a 5‐year time horizon from the U.S. payer perspective.MethodsA cohort‐based Markov model was developed to compare costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) between SAC/VAL and enalapril in patients with HFrEF over a 5‐year time horizon. Markov states included New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (II‐IV) and death. Treatment discontinuation, HF‐related hospitalizations, and NYHA class progression were modeled as transition states based on data from the PARADIGM trial. Other probabilities, costs, and utilities were obtained from published literature and public databases.ResultsIn the base case analysis, SAC/VAL cost more than enalapril ($81,943 vs $67,287) and was more effective (2.647 QALYs vs 2.546 QALYs), resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $143,891/QALY gained. At a willingness to pay (WTP) of $100,000/QALY, SAC/VAL was cost‐effective up to a cost of $298/month. Results were most sensitive to SAC/VAL cost, SAC/VAL mortality benefit, and NYHA progression probability. SAC/VAL had a 10% and 52% probability of being cost‐effective at WTP thresholds of $100,000/QALY and $150,000/QALY, respectively.ConclusionsSAC/VAL is associated with clinical benefit and may be cost‐effective compared with the current standard of care over realistic treatment durations from the payer perspective. Results of this analysis can inform discussions on the value and position of SAC/VAL in the current market.
Effect of Alcohol Carbon Chain on Enthalpy of Combustion and Ignition Delay Time for Gelled Hypergolic Propellant System
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad N. , Jyoti Botchu V. S. , Baek Seung Wook , Huh Jeongmoo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractStudy conducted for this paper was to understand the effect on a) enthalpy of combustion and b) ignition delay for gelled hypergolic propellants for the alcohol family, when carbon chain length is varied from ethanol to heptanol. Gel propellant formulated from the alcohol family, ethanol to heptanol, using organic gel with least weight percent added was 2 wt% by weight of the gelling agent. It was observed that the enthalpy of combustion of only pure ethanol gel fuel shows a marked increase in energy with respect to pure liquid and metalized gelled ethanol. Whereas, in the case of other alcohol fuel from propanol to heptanol, the enthalpy of combustion of both gel and metalized gel case is lower with respect to their respective liquid state. Hypergolicity of the formulated gel propellant were achieved using two catalyst CCAT (Copper (II) chloride) and MCAT (Manganese (II) acetylacetonate) with Hydrogen Peroxide (Purity>90 %). The ignition delay time of the formulated gel system with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalyst was also investigated and it was observed that the ignition delay time of the all the investigated gels (both pure and metalized) were lower with MCAT with respect to CCAT. The delay time increases for both the catalysts with formulated gel alcohol fuel with increasing carbon chain. At the same time with increase in carbon chain and decrease in vapor density of the fuel, the respective investigated fuel in liquid phase were not hypergolic in the presence of MCAT and CCAT catalyst except for propanol and butanol, which showed hypergolicity only with CCAT.
Solvent composition dependent signal reduction of molecular ions generated from aromatic compounds in (+) atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Seulgidaun , Ahmed Arif , Kim Sunghwan 
Published: March 2018

RationaleThe ionization process is essential for successful mass spectrometric (MS) analysis because of its influence on selectivity and sensitivity. In particular, certain solvents reduce the ionization of the analyte, thereby reducing the overall sensitivity in atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). Since the sensitivity varies greatly depending on the solvents, a fundamental understanding of the mechanism is required.MethodsStandard solutions were analyzed using a (+)‐APPI Q Exactive ion trap mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific). Each solution was infused directly into the APPI source at a flow rate of 100 μL/min and the APPI source temperature was 300°C. Other operating mass spectrometric parameters were maintained under the same conditions. Quantum mechanical calculations were carried out using the Gaussian 09 suite program.ResultsDensity functional theory was used to calculate the reaction enthalpies (∆H) of the reactions between toluene and other solvents. The experimental and theoretical results showed good agreement. The abundances of analyte ions were well correlated with the calculated ∆H values. Therefore, the results strongly support the suggested signal reduction mechanism. In addition, linear correlations between the abundance of toluene and analyte molecular ions were observed, which also supports the suggested mechanism.ConclusionsA solvent composition dependent signal reduction mechanism was suggested and evaluated for the (+)‐APPI‐MS analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) generating mainly molecular ions. Overall, the evidence provided in this work suggests that reactions between solvent cluster(s) and toluene molecular ions are responsible for the observed reductions in signal.
Ion trajectory simulations of a conical octopole ion guide and its comparison with a parallel one in chemical ionization mass spectrometric applications
Authors: Shao Qiduo , Zhao Jun 
Published: March 2018

RationaleFocusing and transmission are important characteristics of ion transportation in mass spectrometric applications. An ion guide device is an essential component in a mass spectrometer, especially when chemical ionization is employed. We present a conical octopole ion guide and its comparison with a parallel counterpart for simulating the ion trajectories through the ion guide and the quadrupole mass analyzer.MethodsIon trajectory simulations using SIMION 8.0 were performed to evaluate the performance of both conical and parallel octopole ion guides and the overall ion transmission through combining the octopole ion guide and the quadrupole mass analyzer in the mass spectrometer. Through the simulations, parameters that control the ion guide were optimized for the focus and transport of weakly bonded cluster ions, including the DC bias voltage, the frequency and the amplitude of the sine wave applied to the guide.ResultsThe results from ion trajectory simulations showed that the ion beam can be highly focused from initially 10 mm down to 2 mm in diameter for the conical octopole ion guide. The transmission efficiencies are dependent on the mass of the ion, the frequency and amplitude of the radiofrequency waveform applied to the octopoles. The simulated overall transmission efficiencies of the conical ion guide are consistent with the observed sensitivities from the previously reported calibration experiments in the low‐mass region but are much higher than those in the high‐mass region (i.e., masses greater than 400 amu).ConclusionsThe simulations showed that the conical octopole ion guide can efficiently transport ions with high focusing through differentially pumped vacuum chambers. However, the overall transmission efficiencies of the conical octopole ion guide are in general lower than the parallel one when combined with the quadrupole mass analyzer based on the assumed exponential pressure gradient along the axial of the octopole ion guide.
Inhibition is associated with metabolic syndrome and depression through inflammation
Authors: Murdock Kyle W. , LeRoy Angie S. , Fagundes Christopher P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInhibition is the ability to stop one's self from responding, or paying attention, to tempting/distracting stimuli or thoughts. Those with poor inhibition are at greater risk of depression and a variety of diseases of older adulthood than those with better inhibition. Inflammation may be a mechanism underlying these links. A total of 840 participants from the Midlife in the United States study completed a neuropsychological measure of inhibition, a self‐report measure of depressive symptoms, and a blood draw. Results indicated that poor inhibition was associated with high interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). Inhibition was indirectly associated with metabolic syndrome incidence and depressive symptoms through IL‐6. Findings suggest that IL‐6 may be a mechanism linking inhibition with metabolic syndrome and depression.
The Postdoc Queue: A Labour Force in Waiting
Authors: Andalib Maryam A. , Ghaffarzadegan Navid , Larson Richard C. 
Published: March 2018

Postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) comprise a large sector of the US scientific workforce. A substantial majority of postdocs are in a holding pattern, seeking tenure‐track assistant professorships. We model the postdoc population as a labour force in waiting—in queue. Postdocs enter the queue as they start their first postdoctoral appointment, and they leave in one of two ways: (i) obtaining the ‘queue service’ desired by the majority of postdocs, that is, an assistant professorship, or (2) reneging from the queue and seeking other positions. Using recent data from the US Survey of Doctorate Recipients, we show that the postdoc queue is one of those rare queueing systems where most of the queuers eventually renege rather than receive service. We find that only about 17% of postdocs ultimately land tenure‐track positions. The mean time in queue (postdoc career length) is 2.9 years, with significant variations across disciplines. We discuss policy implications. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pesto: Automated migration of DOM‐based Web tests towards the visual approach
Authors: Leotta Maurizio , Stocco Andrea , Ricca Filippo , Tonella Paolo 
Published: March 2018

SummaryTest automation tools are widely adopted for testing complex Web applications. Three generations of tools exist: first, based on screen coordinates; second, based on DOM–based commands; and third, based on visual image recognition. In our previous work, we proposed Pesto, a tool able to migrate second‐generation Selenium WebDriver test suites towards third‐generation Sikuli ones. In this work, we extend Pesto to manage Web elements having (1) complex visual interactions and (2) multiple visual appearances. Pesto relies on aspect‐oriented programming, computer vision, and code transformations. Our new improved tool has been evaluated on two Web test suites developed by an independent tester. Experimental results show that Pesto manages and transforms correctly test suites with Web elements having complex visual interactions and multistate elements. By using Pesto, the migration of existing DOM–based test suites to the visual approach requires a low manual effort, since our approach proved to be very accurate.
Smoking cessation treatment outcomes among people with and without mental and substance use disorders: An observational real-world study
Authors: Castaldelli-Maia João Mauricio , Loreto Aline Rodrigues , Guimarães-Pereira Bruna Beatriz Sales , Carvalho Carlos Felipe Cavalcanti , Gil Felipe , Frallonardo Fernanda Piotto , Ismael Flávia , Andrade Arthur Guerra de , Ventriglio Antonio , Richter Kimber P. , Bhugra Dinesh 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground:There is a lack of studies evaluating smoking cessation treatment protocols which include people with and without mental and substance use disorders (MSUD), and which allows for individuals with MSUD undergoing their psychiatric treatment.Methods:We compared treatment success between participants with (n = 277) and without (n = 419) MSUD among patients in a 6-week treatment provided by a Brazilian Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS) from 2007 to 2013. Sociodemographic, medical and tobacco use characteristics were assessed at baseline. Tobacco treatment consisted of 1) group cognitive behavior therapy, which included people with and without MSUD in the same groups, and 2) pharmacotherapy, which could include either nicotine patches, nicotine gum, bupropion or nortriptyline. For participants with MSUD, tobacco treatment was integrated into their ongoing mental health treatment. The main outcome was 30-day point prevalence abstinence, measured at last day of treatment.Results:Abstinence rates did not differ significantly between participants with and without MSUD (31.1% and 34.4%, respectively). Variables that were significantly associated with treatment success included years smoking, the Heaviness of Smoking Index, and use of nicotine patch or bupropion.Conclusions:The inclusion of individuals with and without MSUD in the same protocol, allowing for individuals with MSUD undergoing their psychiatric treatment, generates at least comparable success rates between the groups. Predictors of treatment success were similar to those found in the general population. Facilities that treat patients with MSUD should treat tobacco use in order to reduce the disparities in morbidity and mortality experienced by this population.