bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tunable and Specific Formation of C@NiCoP Peapods with Enhanced HER Activity and Lithium Storage Performance
Authors: Bai Yuanjuan , Zhang Huijuan , Liu Li , Xu Haitao , Wang Yu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe superior properties of nanomaterials with a special structure can provide prospects for highly efficient water splitting and lithium storage. Herein, we fabricated a series of peapodlike C@Ni2−xCoxP (x≤1) nanocomposites by an anion‐exchange pathway. The experimental results indicated that the HER activity of C@Ni2−xCoxP catalyst is strongly related to the Co/Ni ratio, and the C@NiCoP got the highest HER activity with low onset potential of ∼45 mV, small Tafel slope of ∼43 mV dec−1, large exchange current density of 0.21 mA cm−2, and high long‐term durability (60 h) in 0.5 m H2SO4 solutions. Equally importantly, as an anode electrode for lithium batteries, this peapodlike C@NiCoP nanocomposite gives excellent charge–discharge properties (e.g., specific capacity of 670 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 350 cycles, and a reversible capacity of 405 mAh g−1 at a high current rate of 10 A g−1). The outstanding performance of C@NiCoP in HER and LIBs could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the rational design of peapodlike nanostructures and the introduction of Co element.
Non‐isolated large step‐down voltage conversion ratio converter with non‐pulsating output current
Authors: Hwu K.I. , Jiang W.Z. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryA non‐isolated dual half‐bridge large step‐down voltage conversion ratio converter with non‐pulsating output current, utilizing one coupled inductor, one energy‐transferring capacitor, and one output inductor, is presented herein. The coupled inductor is connected between the input voltage and the output inductor and plays a role to step down the input voltage. Furthermore, the output inductor is used not only to further step down the voltage but also to provide a non‐pulsating output current. Moreover, the proposed converter can achieve zero‐voltage switching. In this study, detailed theoretical deductions and some experimental results of a prototype with 48 V input voltage, 3.3 V output voltage, and 10 A output current are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed converter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anomaly Detection Method Based on Fast Local Subspace Classifier
Authors: SHIBUYA HISAE , MAEDA SHUNJI 
Published: December 2015

SUMMARYAn anomaly detection method based on multidimensional time‐series sensor data and using normal state models has been developed. The local subspace classifier (LSC) method is employed to handle the various normal states and the fast LSC method is proposed to reduce the computation time. Clustering is utilized to reduce the amount of data when searching in the fast LSC (FLSC) method. The effectiveness of the FLSC method is confirmed against data from real equipment. The FLSC method is 1 to 10 times as fast as the LSC method.
Economic Analysis of Hybrid Battery Energy Storage Systems Applied to Frequency Control in Power System
Authors: TAMURA SHIGERU 
Published: December 2015

SUMMARYThe battery energy storage system (BESS) is prospective energy storage in the smart grid, and the hybrid energy storage system (HESS), using two different kinds of battery, is also being studied to achieve better performance and the lower cost than the single‐battery‐type BESS. However, the cost issue has not yet been evaluated explicitly. On the other hand, BESS has been studied and offers promise for ancillary service, although HESS has not been applied to frequency control in power systems. This paper focuses on the application of HESS to frequency control and its economic analysis. In this paper, the important battery characteristics in the application to a power system are introduced and two kinds of HESS are evaluated in terms of their cost when applied to frequency control. In addition, the cost HESS is used for peak shift as well as frequency control is analyzed.
Regioselective Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reaction of α‐Cyanoacet­ates Catalyzed by a Heterobimetallic Platina‐/Palladacycle
Authors: Weiss Marcel , Holz Julia , Peters René 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAllylic substitution reactions provide a valuable tool for the functionalization of CH acidic pronucleophiles. Often, control over the stereocenter generated at the nucleophilic reactant is still a challenge. The majority of studies that address this issue employ metal complexes with a low metal oxidation state (e.g. Pd0) to form allyl complexes through oxidative addition. In this article we describe the use of heterobimetallic PtII/PdII complexes, which probably activate the olefinic substrates through an SN2′ pathway. The reaction of α‐cyanoacetates delivers linear allylation products with exclusive regioselectivity and high E/Z‐selectivity for the new C=C double bond. Although the enantioselectivities attained are moderate, they are significantly higher than with related mono‐PdII or ‐PtII catalysts or the corresponding bis‐PdII complex, which indicates cooperation of the different metals. Control experiments suggest simultaneous activation of both reaction partners.
Rapunzel & the Pumpkin‐Eater: Marital Systems of Agoraphobic Women*
Authors: Quadrio Carolyn 
Published: December 2015

A fairy tale character and a nursery rhyme are used to dramatize the marital systems of women with agoraphobia. This systems perspective emphasizes that the disorder is more than an individual or intrapsychic one, that it is an interpersonal or marital adjustment and that the phobic symptoms of the wife also provide a defence for her husband. Rapunzel characterizes an agoraphobic woman with severe dependency and separation problems. Her husband may be a Rescuing Prince — protective of her and denying of his own problems; or, a Pumpkin‐Eater — sexually inadequate and withdrawn. The marriages involve unconscious transactions promising mutual protection.Finally, some aspects of psychotherapy, both individual and conjoint are examined.
The Use of Beta‐Adrenergic Blocking Agents in Anxiety Disorders and Schizophrenia
Authors: Hayes Peggy E. , Schulz S. Charles 
Published: December 2015

In the 1960s, several studies reported that propranolol and other beta‐blocking drugs appeared especially useful in patients with physical symptoms of anxiety. However, subsequent reports produced conflicting findings, and at this time the efficacy of propranolol in anxiety disorders is not clearly established. Propranolol's utility in anxiety states may be entirely restricted to those anxiety patients whose physical symptoms have not adequately responded to benzodiazepine therapy. This places the beta‐blockers among the least useful drugs in treating anxiety disorders. A major problem in assessing propranolol's antianxiety properties has been a virtual lack of well‐designed studies addressing the issue; the studies reviewed here contained a surprising number of study design problems. Several guidelines regarding study design are included to assist the reader in evaluating studies of antianxiety agents.High dose (e.g., 2,000 mg) propranolol may have a role as an alternative to traditional antipsychotic therapy in neuroleptic‐resistant patients. During the last decade a number of studies have demonstrated symptomatic improvement in schizophrenic patients using propranolol alone or combined with neuroleptics. However, four recent double‐blind reports have failed to replicate this finding. Future research should focus on possible identification of propranolol‐responsive patients and their characteristics. The use of propranolol and other beta‐blockers in schizophrenia should remain in the research or medical center setting.
Molsidomine: Alternative Approaches To Treat Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Nitz Rolf‐Eberhard , Fiedler Volker B. 
Published: December 2015

The long‐acting antianginal drug molsidomine has been shown experimentally to reduce myocardial infarct size when administered prior to or after cardiac insult. This is due to several drug actions.1. Dilation of postcapillary capacitance vessels diminishes venous return, preload, heart dimensions, and myocardial oxygen consumption. 2. Relaxation of stenosed conductive coronary arteries increases the perfusion of myocardial areas at risk of infarction due to enhanced collateral circulation. 3. Increased regional blood supply nourishes predominantly subendocardial cardiac muscles as a result of reduction of extravascular coronary pressure, and resistance. 4. The stable heart rate and cardiac contractility favor improved heart performance. 5. The inhibition of platelet aggregation in vivo by molsidomine or its active metabolites, SIN‐1 and SIN‐1A, is linked to the stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis, inhibition of thromboxane release with induction of thrombosis and vasoconstriction, and enhanced concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. 6. Dilation of coronary arteries after intracoronary administration of SIN‐1, with inhibition of platelet aggregation by restrained release of adenosine diphosphate and stabilization of platelet membranes, facilitates the recanalization of stenosed arteries and reduces coronary muscle tone at the site of thrombosis. 7. Activation of the human fibrinolytic system and drug‐induced release of a plasminogen activator favor dysaggregatory effects. 8. The drug's inhibiting actions on lipoxygenase products of arachidonate (e.g., 12‐hydroperoxy‐eicosatetraenoic acid and leukotrienes) may shift prostaglandin catabolism to cyclooxygenase products (e.g., prostacyclin) that protect against the expansion of ischemia and the induction of coronary spasm.Experimentally, the hemodynamic effectiveness of molsidomine can be antagonized by catecholamines (afterload effects) and dihydroergotamine (preload and afterload effects) respectively. Further clinical investigations will clarify the application of these mechanisms for the therapeutic success of the drug in human myocardial infarction.
The Aging Leydig Cell: III. Gonadotropin Stimulation in Men
Authors: NANKIN H. R. , LIN T. , MURONO E. P. , OSTERMAN J. 
Published: December 2015

To assess the capacity of aging human Leydig cells to respond to intramuscular injection of hCG, six healthy men, 68 to 86 years old, and eight healthy younger subjects, 25 to 42 years old, were studied. After two control specimens, each subject was given hCG (40 IU/kg of body weight intramuscularly) at 0900 hours. Blood specimens were then obtained hourly for 6 hours and at 24, 48, and 72 hours.The younger men had higher control concentrations of testosterone (P < 0.05). Both groups demonstrated biphasic elevations of circulating testosterone and 170H‐progesterone with a nadir at 5 hours and 6 hours separating the rises. The early (1–6 hours) and late (24, 48, and 72 hours) testosterone and 170H‐progesterone responses to hCG were significantly lower in older men. The older men demonstrated significant estradiol increases at 3, 4, and 6 hours, while the younger group had a significant 2‐hour rise. However, the peak (24‐hour) estradiol rises were significantly greater in the younger men.We conclude that theb aged Leydig cell demonstrates altered early (1–6 hours) and late(24, 48, and 72 hours) responses to intramuscular injection of hCG, as assessed by circulating concentrations of testosterone, 17OH‐progesterone, and estradiol.
Quantitative Correlation Between Testicular Stem Cell Survival, Sperm Production, and Fertility in the Mouse After Treatment With Different Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: MEISTRICH MARVIN L. 
Published: December 2015

Treatment of mice with high doses of radiation or certain cytotoxic drugs results in killing of spermatogonial stem cells, a prolonged period of reduced sperm production, and infertility. In this study, quantitative relationships between these parameters are shown to exist after radiation, Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Wilmington, Delaware) or thiotepa treatment. The same relationships are valid for the different cytotoxic agents tested.The survival of spermatogonial stem cells was assessed by counts of repopulating tubule cross sections at five or eight weeks after treatment. Testicular sperm head counts, eight weeks after treatment, were also used as an assay of stem cell survival. These two assays are highly correlated, demonstrating that the sperm head count at eight weeks is directly related to stem cell survival.Sperm production declines after cytotoxictreatment and partially recovers to a plateau level. The level of this recovery is correlated with stem cell survival. The restoration of fertility is related to the recovery of sperm production. Under the conditions employed, fertility returns when sperm production by the testis reaches about 10% of control levels. The duration of the sterile period is also highly correlated with stem cell survival.These results strongly suggest that short‐term assays that measure survival of stem cells can be used to predict the duration and extent of sterility, regardless of the cytotoxic agent used.
Effects of Prolactin on Prostate Androgen Receptors in Male Rats
Authors: BARAÑAO JOSÉLINO S. , TESONE MARTA , OLIVEIRA‐FILHO RICARDO M. , CHIAUZZI VIOLETA A. , CALVO JUAN CARLOS , CHARREAU EDUARDO H. , CALANDRA RICARDO S. 
Published: December 2015

Five groups of immature (30‐day‐old) intact male rats were injected daily for ten days with different doses of ovine prolactin (5, 10, 25, 50, or 500 μg per rat per day). At the end of the treatment period, the animals were killed, serum was collected for LH and androgens measurements and weights of testes, prostates, and epididymides were recorded. Available and exchangeable cytoplasmic and total nuclear KC1‐extractable androgen binding sites in the prostate gland were determined using the synthetic androgen R1881 as radioligand.A significant increase in the weights of testes and accessory reproductive glands was observed with the highest dose injected (500 μg per rat per day) as follows: testes, 583 ± 21 (SEM) versus 448 ± 38 mg (P <0.05); prostate, 80.0 ± 4.0 versus 64.7 ± 3.1 mg (P <0.05); epididymis, 72.1 ± 5.0 versus 58.2 ± 4.0 mg (P <0.05). Serum levels of LH were significantly higher in prolactin‐treated animals. Maximal values of serum LH were attained with the dose of 50 μg (99.0 ± 11.2 versus 32.0 ± 4.6 ng/ml; P < 0.05).Increasing doses of prolactin produced a concomitant rise in serum 3α‐androstanediol (2.21 ± 0.45 versus 6.63 ± 0.42 ng/ml in the group treated with 50 μg), whereas testosterone plus dihydrotestosterone levels remained unchanged.A decrease in the concentration of exchangeable cytosolic androgen binding sites in the prostate (fmoleslmg protein) was observed in prolactin injected animals (88.2 ± 0.8 in the control group versus 80.6 ± 0.3 and 74.9 ± 0.3 for doses of 5 and 50 μg, respectively; P <0.05). No changes in androgen binding sites were detected in the group treated with 500 μg per rat per day. On the other hand, prolactin treatment did not alter the number of available androgen binding sites in the prostate gland. Increasing doses of prolactin induced a dose‐related increase in the total number of nuclear KC1‐extractable receptors, expressed per mg DNA or per organ. In addition, the total content of androgen receptors (cytosolic plus nuclear binding sites) was significantly higher in animals treated with 500 μg of prolactin (385 ± 34 versus 228 ± 37 fmoles per organ; P < 0.05).These results suggest that, in addition to the previously described effects of prolactin on Leydig cell responsiveness to LH and on androgen metabolism, this hormone could also modify peripheral LH and androgen levels as well as the androgen receptor content in the rat prostate gland.
Ultrastructural Observations on the Penetration of Human Sperm into the Zona Pellucida of the Human Egg In Vitro
Authors: SATHANANTHAN A. A. HENRY , TROUNSON A. O. , WOOD CARL , LEETON J. F. 
Published: December 2015

Sperm penetration into the zona of 46 human eggs was examined by electron microscopy. Preovulatory oocytes were aspirated at laparoscopy and inseminated by methods which produced normal pregnancies. These were routinely fixed 3–72 hours after insemination and examined for zona penetration.The mechanism of zona penetration was similar in the non‐activated oocytes, fertilized ova, and embryos obtained, and resembled that which was reported in most mammals. Sperm were tightly bound to the zona by their plasma membranes. Both acrosome‐reacted and unreacted sperm were seen in the cumulus and entering the zona. The acrosome reaction involved multiple fusions and vesiculation of the plasma and outer acrosome membranes. Fine and coarse vesiculation was observed, and the sperm digested a clear pathway through the zona. Sperm were rarely seen in the inner zona and never seen in the perivitelline space of monospermic ova, but freely penetrated these regions in polyspermie ova. A block to polyspermy seemed to operate at the level of the inner zona. Morphologic evidence for the involvement of the inner acrosome membrane in the acrosome reaction and a possible sequence of events in zona penetration is presented. The findings confirm most of late Professor Pierre Soupart's work on zona penetration.
Periodic Exposure to a Brief Light Signal Stimulates Neuroendocrine‐Gonadal Activity in Golden Hamsters
Authors: EARNEST DAVID J. , TUREK FRED W. 
Published: December 2015

The photoperiodic effects of a periodic light pulse on neuroendocrine‐gonadal activity in the male golden hamster was examined using a night interruption paradigm. Adult male hamsters that had been housed 3 to 5 per cage on LD 14:10 were placed either in individual cages, each equipped with a running wheel, or maintained in communal housing conditions, without access to a running wheel. Animals were then transferred to either LD 6:18 or to a LD 6:18 light cycle with a periodic 10‐second night interruption (8 hours after lights off) occurring once every two, four, or seven days. As expected, exposure to LD 6:18 for 11 weeks induced complete regression of the testes and seminal vesicles, accompanied by low serum levels of LH and FSH, in both individually and communally‐housed animals. However, in individually‐housed animals receiving a 10‐second night interruption every other day on LD 6:18, paired testis and seminal vesicle weights, as well as serum gonadotropin levels, were maintained at values comparable to those normally observed in hamsters exposed to photostimulatory long days. Furthermore, the presentation of a periodic 10‐second night interruption once every four or seven days to individually‐housed animals with access to a running wheel was sufficient to partially or totally block the inhibitory effects of short days on neuroendocrine‐gonadal activity. Communally‐housed hamsters receiving a 10‐second light pulse once every two, four, or seven days also exhibited paired testis and seminal vesicle weights, as well as serum gonadotropin levels, that were consistently higher than the values obtained for animals exposed only to LD 6:18. However, the efficacy of each night interruption paradigm in maintaining testicular and seminal vesicle weight in communally‐housed animals was considerably less than that observed for animals with access to a running wheel.These results demonstrate that the periodic presentation of a brief photic stimulus once every two, four, or seven days during the dark phase of an inhibitory light cycle can influence the neuroendocrine events underlying the photoperiodic regulation of gonadal function. This experimental approach, whereby a discrete stimulus is periodically administered at a specific arcadian time to induce a photoperiodic response, should provide a valuable model for examining the physiologic mechanisms by which light regulates the neuroendocrine‐gonadal axis in mammals.
Physiopathologic Aspects of Leydig Cell Function in Varicocele Patients
Authors: ANDÒ S. , GIACCHETTO C. , COLPI G. , BERALDI E. , PANNO M. L. , LOMBARDI A. , SPOSATO AND G. 
Published: December 2015

Leydig cell function was studied in 108 varicocele (V) patients with a mean age of 30.9 years, and a control group (C) of 46 men with a mean age of 30 years. Plasma gonadotropin levels were determined before and after GNRH stimulation. Testosterone (T), 17‐OH‐progesterone (17‐OH‐P), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2) were also assayed.Mean plasma T levels were significantly decreased in varicocele patients (V = 416 ± 12.9, n = 106; C = 487 ± 19.9, n = 40; P < 0.01), while the basal 17‐OH‐P/T ratio was significantly increased (V = 0.38 ± 0.02, n = 56; C = 0.28 ± 0.02, n = 40; 0.02 > P > 0.01) and remained higher after hCG stimulation (P < 0.01). No significant differences in mean sex steroid levels were observed when comparing varicocele patients with normal sperm counts (VN) and those who had oligozoospermia (VO). There was a significant negative linear correlation between age and 17‐OH‐P (n = 56; r = −0.47; P < 0.01) and T values (n = 106; r = 0.27; P < 0.01) in varicocele patients, which contrasted with the absence of any significant correlation with age in the controls. These data suggest that the duration of idiopathic varicocele influences testicular hormone secretion.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Treatment of Male Sexual Inadequacy in Patients Affected by Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: CANALE DOMENICO , BARSANTINI STEFANO , MINERVINI RICCARDO , FIORENTINI LUCIO , BARSOTTI GIULIANO , MENCHINI‐FABRIS G. FABRIZIO 
Published: December 2015

Twenty patients with sexual inadequacies secondary to different degrees of chronic renal failure were investigated. The patients were divided into two groups: group A—ten patients treated with a conservative diet therapy; group B—ten patients on hemodialysis. All the patients under investigation were administered 2000 IU of hCG every other day for 120 days after a 30‐day period without treatment. Andrologic, biometric, hematologic, and sexual data were evaluated before and after hormone treatment. Sexual parameters were collected through self‐evaluation by the patients and their partners.Our results agree with Van Kammen et al (1975) and show an improvement of the andrologic and biometric data in patients from group A. Furthermore, eight patients form group A and three patients from group B reported a remarkable improvement in their sexual responses.
Antimitotic Drugs (Cyclophosphamide and Vinblastine) in the Male Rat Deaths and Behavioral Abnormalities in the Offspring
Authors: AUROUX MAURICE R. , DULIOUST EMMANUEL M. , NAWAR NABIL Y. , YACOUB SAMEH G. 
Published: December 2015

The spermatogenesis and the offspring of male rats treated either with cyclophosphamide alone, or with both cyclophosphamide and vinblastine were investigated. The offspring were evaluated for the mean number of pups per litter, sex ratio, the frequency of apparent external malformations and, within the first 4 months of life, growth and mortality. When they reached adulthood and were between 12 and 16 weeks of age, the offspring were also examined for spontaneous activity and learning capacity.Treatment with cyclophosphamide or cyclophosphamide and vinblastine resulted in a decrease in the number of both primary spermatocytes and spermatids; the effect, however, lasted longer for the combined drug regimen. At birth, the animals sired by the treated males did not show any apparent malformations. However, compared with the control population 1) the mortality rate of the offspring was significantly higher within the first 40 days of life; 2) at adult age, the proportion of animals that failed in the learning ability test was significantly increased and those that did succeed showed impaired learning capacity. The difference, however, was significant only in the male offspring. Finally, the offspring's spontaneous activity was significantly decreased. No difference was found in mortality or behavior between the animals born of the cyclophosphamide or cyclophosphamide plus vinblastine‐treated males.The behavioral disorders shown in the adult offspring confirm the existence of a long‐term risk of paternal origin. This risk, essentially functional and independent of any morphologic pathology, should be taken into account in the context of environmental genotoxicity.