bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal‐Free 2D/2D Heterojunction of Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Graphdiyne for Improving the Hole Mobility of Graphitic Carbon Nitride
Authors: Han Ying‐Ying , Lu Xiu‐Li , Tang Shang‐Feng , Yin Xue‐Peng , Wei Zhen‐Wei , Lu Tong‐Bu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe design and synthesis of efficient metal‐free photoelectrocatalysts for water splitting are of great significance, as nonmetal elements are generally earth abundant and environment friendly. As a typical metal‐free semiconductor, g‐C3N4 has received much attention in the field of photocatalytic water splitting. However, the poor photoinduced hole mobility of g‐C3N4 restrains its catalytic performance. Herein, for the first time, graphdiyne (GDY) is used to interact with g‐C3N4 to construct a metal‐free 2D/2D heterojunction of g‐C3N4/GDY as an efficient photoelectrocatalyst for water splitting. The g‐C3N4/GDY photocathode exhibits enhanced photocarriers separation due to excellent hole transfer nature of graphdiyne and the structure of 2D/2D heterojunction of g‐C3N4/GDY, realizing a sevenfold increase in electron life time (610 μs) compared to that of g‐C3N4 (88 μs), and a threefold increase in photocurrent density (−98 μA cm−2) compared to that of g‐C3N4 photocathode (−32 μA cm−2) at a potential of 0 V versus normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) in neutral aqueous solution. The photoelectrocatalytic performance can be further improved by fabricating Pt@g‐C3N4/GDY, which displays an photocurrent of −133 μA cm−2 at a potential of 0 V versus NHE in neutral aqueous solution. This work provides a new strategy for the design of efficient metal‐free photoelectrocatalysts for water splitting.
Surface Electronic Modification of Perovskite Thin Film with Water‐Resistant Electron Delocalized Molecules for Stable and Efficient Photovoltaics
Authors: Wen Tian Yu , Yang Shuang , Liu Peng Fei , Tang Li Juan , Qiao Hong Wei , Chen Xiao , Yang Xiao Hua , Hou Yu , Yang Hua Gui 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is close to crystalline silicon solar cells, the instability of perovskite, especially in humid condition, still hinders its commercialization. As an effective method to improve their stability, surface functionalization, by using hydrophobic molecules, has been extensively investigated, but usually accompanied with the loss of device efficiencies owing to their intrinsic electrical insulation. In this work, for the first time, it is demonstrated that 3‐alkylthiophene‐based hydrophobic molecules can be used as both water‐resistant and interface‐modified layers, which could simultaneously enhance both stability and performance significantly. Benefitting from their unique structures of thiophene rings, the π‐electrons are highly delocalized and thus enhance the charge transfer and collection at the interface. The device based on 3‐hexylthiophene treatment exhibits a champion energy conversion efficiency of 19.89% with a dramatic 10% enhancement compared with the pristine one (18.08%) of Cs0.05 FA0.81 MA0.14 PbBr0.45 I2.55‐based PSCs. More importantly, the degradation of the long‐term efficiency of unsealed device is less than 20% in Cs0.05 FA0.81 MA0.14 PbBr0.45I2.55‐based PSCs after more than 700 h storage in air. This finding provides an avenue for further improvement of both the efficiency and stability of PSCs.
Optimizing Mastery Learning Environments: A New Approach to Deliberate Practice for Simulation‐based Learning
Authors: Rice Julie , Omron Rodney , Calkins Hugh 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundDeliberate practice (DP) is a method of mastery learning widely used in healthcare education. Investigations into improved mastery learning environments are important as we move to competency‐based educational models. The objective of this pilot project is to create and test the feasibility of a simulation‐based learning methodology based on close adherence to the tenants of DP for the acquisition of mastery knowledge.MethodsWe created a new methodology for simulation‐based mastery learning modules after review of the tenants of DP. A module was constructed to highlight important aspects of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) management in accordance with current American Heart Association practice guidelines and underwent expert review. Ten emergency medicine interns completed the module as part of the pilot. The number of case attempts, critical actions completed, and time to cardioversion of unstable patients were recorded. Resident confidence was reported before and several months after the module via survey instrument.ResultsSix cases of patients presenting with SVT were created and critical actions were defined. Cases were ordered in increasing difficulty to form a module in which learners were placed immediately into more complex contexts to practice the skill of SVT management with feedback provided between each case attempt. Residents averaged 2.5 attempts to complete case one. All completed case six on first attempt. All residents completed the six cases within the 2‐hour module. Time to cardioversion decreased significantly on repetitive practice. Increased resident confidence in several areas of SVT management was maintained several months postintervention.ConclusionThe best methods for the use of DP to encourage mastery learning have not been well defined. Participation in our pilot case increased novice trainee performance and confidence in the management of SVT. Several challenges inherent in testing mastery knowledge acquisition were encountered and will inform future study of this new educational strategy.
Manipulating Band Structure through Reconstruction of Binary Metal Sulfide for High‐Performance Thermoelectrics in Solution‐Synthesized Nanostructured Bi13S18I2
Authors: Xu Biao , Feng Tianli , Agne Matthias T. , Tan Qing , Li Zhe , Imasato Kazuki , Zhou Lin , Bahk Je‐Hyeong , Ruan Xiulin , Snyder G. Jeffery , Wu Yue 
Published: January 2018

AbstractReconstructing canonical binary compounds by inserting a third agent can significantly modify their electronic and phonon structures. Therefore, it has inspired the semiconductor communities in various fields. Introducing this paradigm will potentially revolutionize thermoelectrics as well. Using a solution synthesis, Bi2S3 was rebuilt by adding disordered Bi and weakly bonded I. These new structural motifs and the altered crystal symmetry induce prominent changes in electrical and thermal transport, resulting in a great enhancement of the figure of merit. The as‐obtained nanostructured Bi13S18I2 is the first non‐toxic, cost‐efficient, and solution‐processable n‐type material with z T=1.0.
Self‐organized Ruthenium–Barium Core–Shell Nanoparticles on a Mesoporous Calcium Amide Matrix for Efficient Low‐Temperature Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Kitano Masaaki , Inoue Yasunori , Sasase Masato , Kishida Kazuhisa , Kobayashi Yasukazu , Nishiyama Kohei , Tada Tomofumi , Kawamura Shigeki , Yokoyama Toshiharu , Hara Michikazu , Hosono Hideo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA low‐temperature ammonia synthesis process is required for on‐site synthesis. Barium‐doped calcium amide (Ba‐Ca(NH2)2) enhances the efficacy of ammonia synthesis mediated by Ru and Co by 2 orders of magnitude more than that of a conventional Ru catalyst at temperatures below 300 °C. Furthermore, the presented catalysts are superior to the wüstite‐based Fe catalyst, which is known as a highly active industrial catalyst at low temperatures and pressures. Nanosized Ru–Ba core–shell structures are self‐organized on the Ba‐Ca(NH2)2 support during H2 pretreatment, and the support material is simultaneously converted into a mesoporous structure with a high surface area (>100 m2 g−1). These self‐organized nanostructures account for the high catalytic performance in low‐temperature ammonia synthesis.
Genetic connectivity of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) across Atlantic and Pacific oceans revealed by mitochondrial genes
Authors: Rodrigues Pedro , Seguel Mauricio , Gutiérrez Josefina , Pavés Héctor , Verdugo Claudio 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

South American fur seals, Arctocephalus australis, were intensively hunted for centuries, leaving the species at the edge of extinction. After the cessation of commercial hunting in the 20th century the overall population has increased to an estimated population of 250 000–300 000 individuals, with Guafo Island being the largest breeding colony in Southern Chile with Guafo Island in Southern Chile being the largest breeding colony.
The genetic diversity of the South American fur seal population on Guafo Island and the possible genetic connectivity among populations from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans were studied in order to assess the importance of the Southern Chile Pacific population for the management of the species. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from the Guafo Island population were compared with those from various Atlantic (Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina) and Pacific (Peru) populations previously studied.
The results indicate the occurrence of historical and/or current gene flow among the populations of Guafo Island in the Pacific Ocean and the populations of the Atlantic Ocean, displaying a lack of genetic structure within these areas. In contrast, the Peruvian population is highly divergent compared with the Chilean and Atlantic populations.
The lack of genetic structure of Guafo Island fur seals suggests that this group is connected to populations in the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, the significant genetic diversity pool harboured by the Guafo Island population represents the northernmost point of expansion of this species from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, which could be important for the eventual dispersal of the species to more northern areas of the Pacific and to the future adaptation of the species to changing environmental conditions on the Pacific coasts.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of new α‐aminonitrile‐based benzimidazole biomolecules as potent antimicrobial and antitubercular agents
Authors: Shaikh Irfan N. , Hosamani Kallappa M. , Kurjogi Mahantesh M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe study explores the one‐pot synthesis of novel α‐aminonitriles by reacting 4‐[(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methoxy]benzaldehyde, substituted anilines and sodium cyanide using a catalytic amount of copper dipyridine dichloride (CuPy2Cl2) and employing the Strecker reaction under mild conditions. All the synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial and antitubercular activity. The promising lead compounds 4d and 4e were identified, with MIC values ranging between 3.9 and 7.8 µg/mL against different bacterial strains. Compounds 4c–e and 4g also showed good antifungal activities against the tested fungal strain. Among those tested, compound 4e exhibited excellent antitubercular activity (MIC 0.05 μg/mL) with a low level of cytotoxicity, suggesting that compound 4e is a promising lead for subsequent investigations in search for new antitubercular agents.
Parent and clinician agreement regarding early behavioral signs in 12‐ and 18‐month‐old infants at‐risk of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sacrey Lori‐Ann R. , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Bryson Susan , Brian Jessica , Smith Isabel M. , Roberts Wendy , Szatmari Peter , Vaillancourt Tracy , Roncadin Caroline , Garon Nancy 
Published: January 2018

Parent and clinician agreement regarding early behavioral signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children from a high‐risk cohort (siblings of children diagnosed with ASD, n = 188) was examined. Infants were assessed prospectively at 12 and 18 months of age using the clinician administered Autism Observational Scale for Infants (AOSI) and the Autism Parent Screen for Infants (APSI) and underwent a blind independent diagnostic assessment for ASD at 36 months of age. Direct comparison of parent and clinician ratings showed poor agreement on all early behavioral signs, with parent‐reported symptoms being better able to differentiate between children with and without ASD at both 12 and 18 months of age compared to clinician observations during a brief office visit. The results suggest that parents may detect some clinically informative behaviors based on their day‐to‐day observations more readily than do clinicians during brief clinical assessments, a result that needs to be replicated in a non‐sibling cohort. Autism Res 2018, 11: 539–547. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryParents of children at high‐risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD; have an older sibling with ASD) and clinicians were compared on their reporting of 19 early signs of autism. Direct comparison of parent and clinician ratings showed poor agreement on all early behavioral signs, with parent‐reported symptoms being better able to differentiate between children with and without ASD at both 12 and 18 months of age compared to clinician observations during a brief office visit. This suggests that parents may have important information regarding early development of their high‐risk child.
Fostering Spontaneous Visual Attention in Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study Comparing Singing and Speech
Authors: Thompson Grace Anne , Abel Larry Allen 
Published: January 2018

Children on the autism spectrum are reported to have lower rates of social gaze as early as toddlerhood, and this pattern persists across the lifespan. Finding ways to promote more natural and spontaneous engagement in social interactions may help to boost developmental opportunities in the child's home and community settings. This proof‐of‐concept study hypothesized that a video of a singer would elicit more attention to the performer, particularly to her face, than a video of her reading a story, and that the child's familiarity with the material would enhance attention. Sixteen children on the autism spectrum (7–10 years old) watched 4 videos 1 min long comprising a favorite song or story, and an unfamiliar song and story. Eye movements were recorded, and three‐way repeated measures ANOVAs examined the proportion of total valid visual dwell time and fixations, in each trial and each target area. For proportion of both dwell time and fixation counts, children were significantly more likely to look at the performer's face and body and less at the prop during singing than story‐telling and when familiar rather than unfamiliar material was presented. These findings raise important issues for supporting children to naturally initiate looking toward a person's face. Autism Res 2018, 11: 732–737. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryChildren on the autism spectrum may have difficulty looking at people, particularly their faces. In this study, children watched videos of someone singing or reading a story. The results show that children look more at the person if they were singing and if the story was familiar to them. Using songs and familiar stories may be a way to help children with autism to naturally engage with others.
A neuropathological study of novel RTTN gene mutations causing a familial microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern
Authors: Chartier Suzanne , Alby Caroline , Boutaud Lucile , Thomas Sophie , Elkhartoufi Nadia , Martinovic Jelena , Kaplan Josseline , Benachi Alexandra , Lacombe Didier , Sonigo Pascale , Drunat Séverine , Vekemans Michel , Agenor Joël , Encha Razavi Férechté , Attie‐Bitach Tania 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe RTTN gene encodes Rotatin, a large centrosomal protein involved in ciliary functions. RTTN mutations have been reported in seven families and are associated with two phenotypes: polymicrogyria associated with seizures and primary microcephaly associated with primordial dwarfism.CaseA targeted exome sequencing of morbid genes causing cerebral malformations identified novel RTTN compound heterozygous mutations in a family where three pregnancies were terminated because a severe fetal microcephaly was diagnosed. An autopsy performed on the second sib showed moderate growth restriction and a microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern. The histopathological study discovered a malformed cortical plate.ConclusionsThe present study confirms the involvement of RTTN gene mutations in microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern and describes the observed abnormal neuropathological findings.
Quenching of graphene quantum dots fluorescence by alkaline phosphatase activity in the presence of hydroquinone diphosphate
Authors: Pereira da Silva Neves Marta Maria , González‐García María Begoña , Pérez‐Junquera Alejandro , Hernández‐Santos David , Fanjul‐Bolado Pablo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this work, a turn‐off photoluminescent sensing proof‐of‐concept based on blue luminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as the fluorescent probe was developed. For that purpose, GQDs optical response was related with the catalytic enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in the presence of hydroquinone diphosphate (HQDP). The hydrolysis of HQDP by ALP generated hydroquinone (HQ). The oxidation of HQ, enzymatically produced, to p‐benzoquinone (BQ) resulted in the quenching of GQDs fluorescence (FL). Therefore, the developed luminescent sensing mechanism allowed the FL quenching with ALP activity to be related and thus quantified the concentration of ALP down to 0.5 nM of enzyme. This innovative design principle appears as a promising tool for the development of enzymatic sensors based on ALP labeling with fluorescent detection or even for direct ALP luminescent quantification in an easy, fast and sensitive manner.
Uranyl tris nitrato as a luminescent probe for trace water detection in acetonitrile
Authors: Kumar Satendra , Maji S. , Sundararajan K. , Sankaran K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUranyl tris nitrato i.e. [UO2(NO3)3]– was formed by adding tetramethylammonium nitrate to uranyl nitrate in acetonitrile medium. The luminescence features of this complex in acetonitrile are very sensitive to water content, which could lead to the use of it as a luminescent probe for water present in acetonitrile. The luminescence intensity ratio of 507 to 467 nm peak of uranyl tris nitrato showed a linear response in the range 0–5% (v/v) water content in acetonitrile. The present method was applied for three synthetic samples of acetonitrile for water detection and the results obtained were compared using Karl Fischer titration. There was a good agreement in the values obtained by both the methods.
Spatial barriers impact upon appropriate delivery of radiotherapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: Stracci Fabrizio , Bianconi Fortunato , Lupi Chiara , Margaritelli Manuela , Gili Alessio , Aristei Cynthia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRadiotherapy (RT) is the standard treatment for breast cancer patients after conserving surgery or mastectomy when patients are at high risk of relapse. Major obstacles to appropriate RT delivery are journey times. Since studies on access to RT were carried out mostly in large countries, this study investigated factors in an Italian region and the influence of RT delivery on survival. A total of 4735 female candidates for RT were included in the study. A geographic information system calculated journey times from patients' homes and surgery hospitals to RT centers. Logistic regression analyzed the influence of journey times, socioeconomic status, and other factors on RT delivery. Survival probabilities and excess mortality were assessed in 4364 propensity score‐matched patients. Journey times of 40 min or less from residence and from surgery hospital to RT center played a major role in access to RT. A large survival difference emerged between treated and untreated breast cancer patients. The excess mortality for untreated patients compared with propensity score‐matched women receiving RT was 3.1 (95% CI: 2.2–4.3). Expansion of RT facilities during the 11‐year study period improved RT delivery and outcomes by increasing availability but mainly by shortening journey times.
Five New Alkaloids from the Roots of Sophora flavescens
Authors: Zhang Sheng‐Yuan , Li Wen , Nie Hua , Liao Mei , Qiu Bo , Yang Ya‐Li , Chen Yan‐Fen 
Published: January 2018

Five new quinolizidine alkaloids, including three sparteine‐type alkaloids (1 – 3) and two cytisine‐type alkaloids (4 and 5), along with four known ones, were isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic techniques including IR, UV, NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Cleavable Crosslinkers as Tissue Fixation Reagents for Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Ongay Sara , Langelaar‐Makkinje Miriam , Stoop Marcel P. , Liu Nora , Overkleeft Hermen , Luider Theo M. , Groothuis Geny M. M. , Bischoff Rainer 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFormaldehyde fixation is widely used for long‐term maintenance of tissue. However, due to formaldehyde‐induced crosslinks, fixed tissue proteins are difficult to extract, which hampers mass spectrometry (MS) proteomic analyses. Recent years have seen the use of different combinations of high temperature and solubilizing agents (usually derived from antigen retrieval techniques) to unravel formaldehyde‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue proteomes. However, to achieve protein extraction yields similar to those of fresh‐frozen tissue, high‐temperature heating is necessary. Such harsh extraction conditions can affect sensitive amino acids and post‐translational modifications, resulting in the loss of important information, while still not resulting in protein yields comparable to those of fresh‐frozen tissue. Herein, the objective is to evaluate cleavable protein crosslinkers as fixatives that allow tissue preservation and efficient protein extraction from fixed tissue for MS proteomics under mild conditions. With this goal in mind, disuccinimidyl tartrate (DST) and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP) are investigated as cleavable fixating reagents. These compounds crosslink proteins by reacting with amino groups, leading to amide bond formation, and can be cleaved with sodium metaperiodate (cis‐diols, DST) or reducing agents (disulfide bonds, DSP), respectively. Results show that cleavable protein crosslinking with DST and DSP allows tissue fixation with morphology preservation comparable to that of formaldehyde. In addition, cleavage of DSP improves protein recovery from fixed tissue by a factor of 18 and increases the number of identified proteins by approximately 20 % under mild extraction conditions compared with those of formaldehyde‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue. A major advantage of DSP is the introduction of well‐defined protein modifications that can be taken into account during database searching. In contrast to DSP fixation, DST fixation followed by cleavage with sodium metaperiodate, although effective, results in side reactions that prevent effective protein extraction and interfere with protein identification. Protein crosslinkers that can be cleaved under mild conditions and result in defined modifications, such as DSP, are thus viable alternatives to formaldehyde as tissue fixatives to facilitate protein analysis from paraffin‐embedded, fixed tissue.