bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control of unstable delayed recycling systems
Authors: Vazquez‐Guerra Rocio Jasmin , Marquez‐Rubio Juan Francisco , Novella‐Rodríguez David Fernando , Del Muro‐Cuéllar Basilio , Cortes‐Rodríguez Domingo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis work deals with the stabilization of recycling systems with unstable dynamics at both the direct and recycling paths as well as different time delays for each path. The main contribution of this work is to provide a stabilizing strategy of such class of systems using an observer‐based control approach. Stability results concerning stable recycling systems or partially unstable recycling system can be found in literature. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no stability results when unstable dynamics are considered in both paths of the recycling process. Necessary and sufficient stability conditions of the proposed stabilizing controllers are obtained from a frequency domain analysis.
Temperature control of real‐time identified fixed bed reactor by adaptive sliding mode control equipped with Arduino in Matlab
Authors: Pundir Avdesh Singh , Singh Kailash 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSeveral control methodologies have been proposed in academia, but only a few of them have been implemented in industries due to their difficult implementation. This study is motivated by not only using low‐cost data acquisition system such as Arduino in Matlab with little programming but also easy implementation of complex chemical process systems such as fixed bed reactor. An online identification and parameter estimation of a fixed bed reactor with Matlab package was developed. Designing a controller by using a nonlinear complicated model is a difficult task. A first‐order discrete transfer function with unit delay has been identified for a fixed bed reactor for which a recursive least squares method with forgetting factor has been chosen. The Matlab program developed includes adaptive sliding mode control, determination of model order, and model verification. This work describes a Simulink‐based model using Arduino, a data acquisition card used for interfacing with fixed bed reactor. A temperature trajectory tracking study was used in order to analyze the performance of the proposed strategy for control of the reactor. The controller implemented was developed using adaptive sliding mode control to control temperature of the fixed bed reactor. For safety concern, a constraint was applied to the control signal that is bounded between 0°C and 130°C. Temperature trajectory tracking using this algorithm is found to be good. The value of integral absolute error is found to be 387.6 for the experimental run up to 300 s.
Functional chemical modification of a porcine acellular dermal matrix with a modified naturally derived polysaccharide crosslinker
Authors: Chen Yining , Dan Nianhua , Huang Yanping , Bai Zhongxiang , Yang Changkai , Dan Weihua , Cong Liangliang 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTAntibacterial and physicochemical properties are generally considered important features of the porcine acellular dermal matrix (pADM). Oxidized 2‐hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (OHTCC) was applied to crosslink with pADM at dosages of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16%. The properties of the crosslinked pADM (OHTCC‐pADM) were evaluated. DSC and TG analysis suggested that crosslinking could promote the thermal stability, the highest Td, and Tmax of OHTCC‐pADM (8%) was 80 °C and 325 °C, which has been improved by 15 °C and 13 °C, respectively. While FTIR and AFM tests indicated that the structure integrity of collagen could still be maintained. SEM tests demonstrated the sustained three‐dimensional architecture of OHTCC‐pADM with appropriate porosity. Moreover, OHTCC‐pADM exhibited improved ability to resist collagenase degradation, the degradation rate of 4%‐, 8%‐OHTCC‐pADM was <50%. The tensile strength of OHTCC‐pADM proved to be superior compared to pADM. Furthermore, 8%‐OHTCC‐pADM exhibited nearly 90% antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the results of the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazoliumbromide study showed that the cytocompatibility of OHTCC‐pADM decreased with the increasing the amount of OHTCC, but all relative proliferation rates were above 80%. In conclusion, our study revealed that OHTCC stabilized and functionalized pADM while preserving good cytocompatibility. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47633.
Establishment of a Large Animal Model for Eustachian Tube Functional Study in Miniature Pigs
Authors: An Feng‐Wei , Yuan Hu , Guo Weiwei , Hou Zhao‐Hui , Cai Jian‐Ming , Luo Chun‐Cai , Yu Ning , Jiang Qing‐Qing , Cheng Wei , Liu Wei , Yang Shi‐Ming 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThis study was performed to investigate whether miniature pigs are a suitable animal model for studies of the Eustachian tube (ET). Sixteen Chinese experimental miniature pigs were used in this investigation. Ten animals were used for anatomical and morphometric analyses to obtain qualitative and quantitative information regarding the ET. Three animals were used for histological analysis to determine the fine structure of ET cross‐sections. Three animals were used to investigate the feasibility of balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET). The anatomical study indicated that the pharyngeal orifice and tympanic orifice of the miniature pig ET are located at the posterior end of the nasal lateral wall and anterior wall of the middle ear cavity, respectively. The cartilaginous tube was seen to pass through the whole length of the ET, the length of the cartilaginous part of the ET and the diameter of the isthmus were similar between humans and miniature pigs. The inclination of the ET in miniature pigs was larger than that in humans. The gross histology seemed to be slightly different between miniature pig and human, but the fine structures were essentially the same in both species. BDET experiments verified that the miniature pig model is suitable as a model for clinical operations. The miniature pig ET corresponds very well to that of humans. In addition, the miniature pig ET is suitable as a model for clinical operations. Therefore, the miniature pig is a valid animal model for ET study. Anat Rec, 302:1024–1038, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time‐dependent mediators in survival analysis: Modeling direct and indirect effects with the additive hazards model
Authors: Aalen Odd O. , Stensrud Mats J. , Didelez Vanessa , Daniel Rhian , Røysland Kjetil , Strohmaier Susanne 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe discuss causal mediation analyses for survival data and propose a new approach based on the additive hazards model. The emphasis is on a dynamic point of view, that is, understanding how the direct and indirect effects develop over time. Hence, importantly, we allow for a time varying mediator. To define direct and indirect effects in such a longitudinal survival setting we take an interventional approach (Didelez, 2018) where treatment is separated into one aspect affecting the mediator and a different aspect affecting survival. In general, this leads to a version of the nonparametric g‐formula (Robins, 1986). In the present paper, we demonstrate that combining the g‐formula with the additive hazards model and a sequential linear model for the mediator process results in simple and interpretable expressions for direct and indirect effects in terms of relative survival as well as cumulative hazards. Our results generalize and formalize the method of dynamic path analysis (Fosen, Ferkingstad, Borgan, & Aalen, 2006; Strohmaier et al., 2015). An application to data from a clinical trial on blood pressure medication is given.
Reversing the typical pH stability profile of the Trp‐cage
Authors: Graham Katherine A. , Byrne Aimee , Son Ruth , Andersen Niels H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Trp‐cage, an 18‐20 residue miniprotein, has emerged as a primary test system for evaluating computational fold prediction and folding rate determination efforts. As it turns out, a number of stabilizing interactions in the Trp‐cage folded state have a strong pH dependence; all prior Trp‐cage mutants have been destabilized under carboxylate‐protonating conditions. Notable among the pH dependent stabilizing interactions within the Trp‐cage are: (1) an Asp as the helix N‐cap, (2) an H‐bonded Asp9/Arg16 salt bridge, (3) an interaction between the chain termini which are in close spatial proximity, and (4) additional side chain interactions with Asp9. In the present study, we have prepared Trp‐cage species that are significantly more stable at pH 2.5 (rather than 7) and quantitated the contribution of each interaction listed above. The Trp‐cage structure remains constant with the pH change. The study has also provided measures of the stabilizing contribution of indole ring shielding from surface exposure and the destabilizing effects of an ionized Asp at the C‐terminus of an α‐helix.
Optimized qualitative and quantitative methods for barley viability testing using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining
Authors: Ma Zengxin , Liu Jia , Dong Jianjun , Yu Junhong , Huang Shuxia , Lin Hong , Hu Shumin , Wang Jianfeng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground and objectivesBarley viability is an important agronomic trait and has a direct influence on subsequent beer production. Traditional triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test evaluating seed viability still has some drawbacks, for example, excessive instability and time consumption. In the present study, we optimized both the qualitative and quantitative TTC seed viability test methods, and established more accurate and convenient assays to evaluate barley seed viability.FindingsIn the qualitative evaluation method, we established the vigor index according to the proportion of staining embryos, allowing quick evaluation of both germination and mortality rates in <12 hr. In the quantitative evaluation method, we optimized TTC incubation time, extraction temperature, and solvent volume to tissue ratios making results more reliable. Finally, we developed a high‐throughput method by combining freeze drying and tissue lysing instead of the time‐consuming method of grinding on liquid nitrogen. There was a positive significant statistical correlation between germination rate and formazan content by the optimized quantitative evaluation method (R2 = 0.907; p < 0.01).ConclusionsBoth the optimized qualitative and quantitative TTC seed viability test methods allow a quick and reliable seed vigor evaluation for different varieties or different aged barley seeds.Significance and noveltyThe optimized seed vigor evaluation method can be used to effectively screen out low vigor barley seeds. The qualitative evaluation method is appropriate to quickly evaluation for a small number of samples in <12 hr. The high‐throughput quantitative evaluation method is fit for a large number of sample evaluations as much as 80 samples at the same time.
Evidence of a Pseudo‐Capacitive Behavior Combined with an Insertion/Extraction Reaction Upon Cycling of the Positive Electrode Material P2‐NaxCo0.9Ti0.1O2 for Sodium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Sabi Noha , Sarapulova Angelina , Indris Sylvio , Dsoke Sonia , Zhao Zijian , Dahbi Mouad , Ehrenberg Helmut , Saadoune Ismael 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLayered oxides are promising materials due to their easy diffusion path for alkali metals. Specifically, NaxCoO2 can be regarded as an appealing candidate for next‐generation sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but the multiple steps revealed in the potential vs capacity curve have restricted its use. Herein, we report NaxCo0.9Ti0.1O2, synthesized by a high‐temperature solid‐state method, where 10 % of cobalt was substituted with titanium. Obviously, the number of potential steps found in the galvanostatic curves of NaxCoO2 has been reduced. The electrode material exhibits an initial charge capacity of 108 mAh/g within the potential window 2–4.2 V (vs. Na+/Na). The intercalation/deintercalation of NaxCo0.9Ti0.1O2 was investigated by in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (SXRD), and the results demonstrated a combined solid solution and pseudocapacitive mechanism, where the pseudocapacitive behavior is predominant in the region from 3.73 V (charge) to 3.79 V (discharge). Finally, in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has revealed an increasing impedance, specifically when inserting sodium into the structure.
Dimethyl Ether Oxidation on an Active SnO2/Pt/C Catalyst for High‐Power Fuel Cells
Authors: Kashyap Diwakar , Teller Hanan , Schechter Alex 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDimethyl ether (DME) has been considered a potential fuel for direct‐feed proton exchange membrane fuel cells, owing to its high energy density, low toxicity, and low crossover through a Nafion® membrane in comparison to commonly reported fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and formic acid. The main hurdle in the implementation of direct DME fuel cells is the sluggish oxidation kinetics on state‐of‐the‐art Pt−based catalysts (e. g. Pt and PtRu). In this work, DME oxidation on a platinum‐coated tin oxide catalyst (Pt/SnO2) supported on carbon is reported and compared with commercial Pt/C catalysts. Our catalyst was synthesized by using the polyol method, and structural characterization was performed by using transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical analysis in acid solution showed overpotentials that are 50 mV lower than commercial Pt/C, as well as a higher oxidation current (). The peak power obtained using a 4 cm2laboratory prototype fuel cell (loading of 1.23 mgPt cm−2on anode at 0.40 V) was 105 mW cm−2at 70 °C. Online mass spectrometry analysis of the oxidation products gives insights into the new pathways of the electro‐oxidation mechanism on this promising catalyst.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Tezepelumab (AMG 157) in Healthy and Atopic Dermatitis Adult Subjects
Authors: Parnes Jane R. , Sullivan John T. , Chen Li , Dias Clapton 
Published: February 2019

Tezepelumab (AMG 157) is a monoclonal antibody that targets thymic stromal lymphopoietin and has shown benefits in treating asthma. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single‐ascending and multiple‐ascending doses in two randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase I studies. Healthy and atopic dermatitis subjects were enrolled in the single‐dose study, and healthy subjects in the multiple‐dose study. Tezepelumab showed linear pharmacokinetics in both healthy and atopic dermatitis subjects. The half‐life after a subcutaneous or intravenous administration ranged from 19.9 to 25.7 days. After multiple doses, the mean area under the curve accumulation ratio was 1.82, 1.64, and 1.59 for the 35 mg, 105 mg, and 210 mg monthly subcutaneous doses, respectively. The mean maximum serum concentration (Cmax) accumulation ratio was 1.59, 2.84, and 6.74 for the 210 mg dose given every 28, 14, and 7 days, respectively. Tezepelumab was well tolerated in both studies with no evidence of immunogenicity.
The Influence of Pharmacogenetic Variants in HIV/Tuberculosis Coinfected Patients in Uganda in the SOUTH Study
Authors: Calcagno Andrea , Cusato Jessica , Sekaggya‐Wiltshire Christine , von Braun Amrei , Motta Ilaria , Turyasingura Grace , Castelnuovo Barbara , Fehr Jan , Di Perri Giovanni , Lamorde Mohammed 
Published: February 2019

Unsatisfactory treatment outcomes have been reported in patients coinfected with HIV/tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to assess the influence of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding for proteins involved in antitubercular drug disposition or effect. A pharmacogenetic study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda, where all analysis was performed. The impact of SNPs on antitubercular drug exposure, adverse events, and treatment outcomes was evaluated in patients coinfected with HIV/TB receiving treatments for both conditions. In 221 participants, N‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2; rs1799930), solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1; rs4149032), and pregnane X receptor (PXR; rs2472677) variants affected isoniazid exposure in multivariate analysis. Most patients were deemed cured (163; 73.8%), yet PXR 63396TT carriers had a higher probability of death (P = 0.007) and of worsening peripheral neuropathy (P = 0.018). In this exploratory study in Ugandan patients coinfected with HIV/TB, genetic variants in PXR, SLCO1B1, and NAT2 were moderately associated with isoniazid exposure, whereas PXR 63396TT carriers showed worse outcomes.
Understanding corporate social responsibility with cross‐cultural differences: A deeper look at religiosity
Authors: Farooq Qamar , Hao Yunhong , Liu Xuan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractContemporary economic and business settings have brought people of different cultures at the common workplace. This directs business researchers to study cross‐cultural similarities, differences, and management of employees, customers, and other stakeholders. This theoretical review is aimed to explore the variation in religion, practices, and their effects on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and practices. With an unfathomable analysis of relevant literature, this paper has highlighted the knowledge gap in the relationship of cross‐cultural differences and CSR. Subsequently, it presents three propositions in connection of religious variation and CSR disclosure and practice. Underpinning the practical difference in lifestyle of people having the same religious beliefs in different geographical areas, this article reflects that an extension in stakeholder theory may be suggested with the support of postempirical evidence.
Condition Screening for Sustainable Catalysis in Single‐Electron Steps by Cyclic Voltammetry: Additives and Solvents
Authors: Liedtke Theresa , Hilche Tobias , Klare Sven , Gansäuer Andreas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCyclic voltammetry‐based screening method for Cp2TiX‐catalyzed reactions is extended to the screening of solvents other than tetrahydrofuran for bulk electrolysis of the catalyst and radical arylation. It was found that CH3CN can be used as a solvent for both processes without additives. Furthermore, in tetrahydrofuran, squaramide L2 is more efficient than the previously reported supramolecular halide binder, Schreiner's thiourea L1. The results extend the usefulness of the proposed time and resource‐efficient screening method for designing catalysis reactions in single‐electron steps.
A −40‐dB EVM 20‐MHz subsampling multistandard receiver architecture with dynamic carrier detection, bandwidth estimation, and EVM optimization
Authors: Kale Ajinkya , Sturm Johannes , Pasupureddi Vijaya Sankara Rao 
Published: February 2019

SummaryIn this work, a reconfigurable multistandard subsampling receiver with dynamic carrier frequency detection and system‐level EVM optimizations is proposed. Ideal software defined radio (SDR) receivers promise complete flexibility at the expense of high‐performance analog‐to‐digital converters (ADCs) that are challenging to implement in current technologies for low‐power applications. This scenario leads to the research of digital intensive sampling receivers with discrete‐time signal processing (DTSP) implemented in analog domain. This approach makes it feasible to move channel selection filtering and dynamic gain adaptability from analog to digital domain. The proposed receiver employs subsampling down‐conversion along with subband filters to dynamically detect the carrier frequency of the incoming signal, estimate its bandwidth, and identify if the signal is present in one of the target standard bands. This carrier detection provides a unique capability to reconfigure the receiver dynamically. Additionally, in this work, system‐level EVM optimization is proposed considering frequency synthesizer phase noise, IQ mismatch, sampling frequency selection and block‐level gain, noise, and nonlinearity. The RF front end of the proposed receiver is modeled in Verilog‐AMS whereas the digital signal processing is implemented in Simulink‐Matlab. The complete receiver has been verified to detect and process three different bands belonging to three different standards (GSM, UMTS, and WLAN) with the carrier frequency ranging from 0.9 to 2.5 GHz. Test signals with 4‐QAM modulation, maximum bandwidth of 20 MHz, and input‐dynamic range from –109 to –20 dBm is utilized to demonstrate the receiver performance including an EVM of –40 dB.
Hardened faecal pellets as a significant component in deep water, subtropical marine environments
Authors: Deik Hanaa , Reuning Lars , Petrick Benjamin , Takayanagi Hideko 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNon‐skeletal carbonate grains are classically interpreted to form in shallow, tropical environments. Peloids deposited in deep, subtropical marine conditions are poorly studied. IODP site U1460 on the subtropical Carnarvon Ramp (Southwest Shelf of Australia) recovered a nearly continuous Pliocene to Recent record of outer shelf and slope sediments. The relative abundance of peloids varies between 0% and 67% of the fine to medium sand fraction, and contributes on average ~4% of all grains. The origin and composition of these peloids were investigated using scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometer, light microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and stable isotope analysis. The peloids have a uniform size and shape and are interpreted as faecal pellets. They are mainly composed of skeletal fragments such as ascidian spicules, planktic foraminifera and sponge spicules in a mud‐sized matrix containing abundant coccolith plates. Mineralogical analysis show that the pellets consist of aragonite, calcite and dolomite. The pellets have an identical mineralogical composition and skeletal assemblage as the surrounding matrix, indicating that they have formed in situ. They occur more abundantly during interglacials when the site was situated in deeper waters below the swell wave base, presumably because the pellets were protected from disintegration and therefore available for cementation. The presence of framboidal pyrite within the pellets indicates bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR). The reduction of iron by hydrogen sulphide produced during BSR decreases the pH and likely explains the observed aragonite dissolution. Aragonite dissolution likely increases the alkalinity, and in consequence causes the precipitation of calcite and dolomite cements. It is suggested here that pellets are hardened due to this early cementation close to the sea floor increasing the potential for preservation in the fossil record.