bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells: A Review on Developed Catalyst Systems and Bipolar Plates
Authors: Dutta K. , Rana D. , Han H. S. , Kundu P. P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSevere crisis of energy that our planet is going to face in the near future demands rapid development of alternative energy harnessing and storing devices. Various alternative energy devices have been developed so far, including solar cells, batteries and fuel cells, in order to compete and replace the traditionally used fossil fuel based energy technologies. A very recent addition to the list of such devices is the unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC), which can function as a dual, i.e., electrolyzer‐cum‐fuel cell, device. In remote areas, where utilization of conventionally used energy sources results in high expense, URFC can serve as the best energy option, due to its relatively low cost, high efficiency and light weight. URFC utilizes bifunctional electrodes, which function in a dual mode of water electrolysis and fuel cell. The prime focus of URFC research has been to develop various low cost and highly efficient catalysts and catalyst supports towards the fabrication of alternative bifunctional electrodes and to fabricate strong and efficient bipolar plates. The aim of this review is to highlight the main outcomes of these aspects of research on URFCs.
Evaluating ancient coastal wells as sea‐level indicators from the coast of Israel
Authors: Vunsh Reuven , Tal Oren , Yechieli Yoseph , Dean Silas , Levanon Elad , Sivan Dorit 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper re‐evaluates previous records and adds new data to the relative sea level (RSL; namely the sea level related to the level of the national terrestrial datum) reconstruction in Israel from the last 2400 years based on ancient coastal water wells. Different methods for obtaining the most accurate modern offset between coastal groundwater level and mean sea level are also tested, since this is a crucial component for using wells as reliable sea‐level indicators in the Mediterranean and beyond. Very few, if any, sea‐level studies outside of Israel use coastal wells as RSL indicators; refinements to the methods associated with this indicator type will facilitate their use in other regions. Coastal wells in the study are located within 200 m of the present‐day coastline. The functional age range for the wells is based on site stratigraphy, artifacts, historical records, and the coastal water well typology. These archaeological indicators rely on finding the vertical offset between present‐day coastal groundwater and sea level, and applying it to ancient times. The current study explores two methods to calculate accurate vertical offsets: a) modern averages of the upper aquifer groundwater elevation in the vicinity of ancient wells, which are calculated from 60 years of measurements by the Israeli Hydrological Service; and b) a hydrological model where groundwater elevation is a function of distance from the modern coastline. The model uses a simulation of the coastal aquifer with a two‐dimensional, vertical cross‐section. The modeled approach is found to be preferable. The results show that sea level in Roman times (1st century CE) was similar to present‐day, slightly higher in the Byzantine period (4th to 7th centuries CE), and lower in part of the Early Islamic period (9th to 10th centuries CE). For the later Fatimid/Ayyubid and Crusader periods (11th to 13th centuries CE), RSL reaches its lowest elevations (of about −0.5 m) as previously found. Following these low levels, sea level rose going into the 18th and 19th centuries CE.
Gene‐based genetic association test with adaptive optimal weights
Authors: Chen Zhongxue , Lu Yan , Lin Tong , Liu Qingzhong , Wang Kai 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTIt is well known that using proper weights for genetic variants is crucial in enhancing the power of gene‐ or pathway‐based association tests. To increase the power, we propose a general approach that adaptively selects weights among a class of weight families and apply it to the popular sequencing kernel association test. Through comprehensive simulation studies, we demonstrate that the proposed method can substantially increase power under some conditions. Applications to real data are also presented. This general approach can be extended to all current set‐based rare variant association tests whose performances depend on variant's weight assignment.
Effect of body mass index on the incidence of perineal trauma
Authors: Durnea Constantin M. , Jaffery Ali E. , Gauthaman Nivedita , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between perineal trauma at childbirth and maternal body mass index (BMI), and estimate the risk of perineal trauma among different BMI groups.MethodsData were retrospectively assessed from all vaginal deliveries in a UK tertiary maternity unit between 1999 and 2014. Associations between BMI at booking and first‐ and second‐degree tears (minor perineal trauma), third‐ and fourth‐degree tears (obstetric anal sphincter injuries [OASIS]), and frequency of instrumental deliveries were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression included the factors BMI (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), age, ethnicity, smoking, parity, pregnancy length, episiotomies, instrumental delivery, and birth weight.ResultsData from 45 557 deliveries were used. Compared with women with a normal BMI (<25), odds of minor perineal trauma were significantly reduced among women with obesity (BMI 30 to <35; odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–0.99) or severe obesity (BMI ≥35; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.98). OASIS was not significantly associated with BMI. Instrumental delivery rates were higher among women with normal BMI (5936/27 107; 22.0%) than among those with severe obesity (284/2032; 14.0%).ConclusionIncreased BMI at booking was associated with a reduced incidence of minor perineal trauma at delivery, but was not associated with OASIS.
Characterizing the free volume of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene to predict diffusion coefficients in orthopedic liners
Authors: Ludwig Kyle B. , Chandrasekar Vaishnavi , Saylor David M. , Van Citters Douglas W. , Reinitz Steven D. , Forrey Christopher , McDermott Martin K. , Wickramasekara Samanthi , Janes Dustin W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLiners used in orthopedic devices are often made from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A general predictive capability for transport coefficients of small molecules in UHMWPE does not exist, making it difficult to assess properties associated with leaching or uptake of small molecules. To address this gap, we describe here how a form of the Vrentas–Duda free volume model can be used to predict upper‐bound diffusion coefficients (D) of arbitrary molecules within UHMWPE on the basis of their size and shape. Within this framework, the free‐volume microstructure of UHMWPE is defined by analysis of a curated set of model diffusants. We determined an upper limit on
for vitamin E, a common antioxidant added to UHMWPE, to be 7.1 × 10−12 cm2 s−1. This means that a liner that contains 0.1 wt % or less Vitamin E and has <120 cm2 patient contacting surface area would elute <100 µg/day of vitamin E. Additionally, the model predicts that squalene and cholesterol—two pro‐oxidizing biological compounds—do not penetrate over 820 µm into UHMWPE liners over the course of 5 years because their
is ≤7.1 × 10−12 cm2 s−1. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2393–2402, 2018.
Relationship Between Neonatal Vitamin D at Birth and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: the NBSIB Study
Authors: Wu Dong-Mei , Wen Xin , Han Xin-Rui , Wang Shan , Wang Yong-Jian , Shen Min , Fan Shao-Hua , Zhuang Juan , Li Meng-Qiu , Hu Bin , Sun Chun-Hui , Bao Ya-Xing , Yan Jing , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuan-Lin 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Previous studies suggested that lower vitamin D might be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ASDs in 3-year-old Chinese children and to examine the association between neonatal vitamin D status and risk of ASDs. We conducted a study of live births who had taken part in expanded newborn screening (NBS), with outpatient follow-up when the children 3-year old. The children were confirmed for ASDs in outpatient by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria. Intellectual disability (ID) status was defined by the intelligence quotient (IQ &lt; 80) for all the participants. The study design included a 1:4 case to control design. The concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] in children with ASD and controls were assessed from neonatal dried blood samples. A total of 310 children were diagnosed as having ASDs; thus, the prevalence was 1.11% (95% CI, 0.99% to 1.23%). The concentration of 25(OH)D3 in 310 ASD and 1240 controls were assessed. The median 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower in children with ASD as compared to controls (p &lt; 0.0001). Compared with the fourth quartiles, the relative risk (RR) of ASDs was significantly increased for neonates in each of the three lower quartiles of the distribution of 25(OH)D3, and increased risk of ASDs by 260% (RR for lowest quartile: 3.6; 95% CI, 1.8 to 7.2; p &lt; 0.001), 150% (RR for second quartile: 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.5; p = 0.024), and 90% (RR for third quartile: 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.3; p = 0.08), respectively. Furthermore, the nonlinear nature of the ID-risk relationship was more prominent when the data were assessed in deciles. This model predicted the lowest relative risk of ID in the 72rd percentile (corresponding to 48.1 nmol/L of 25(OH)D3). Neonatal vitamin D status was significantly associated with the risk of ASDs and intellectual disability. The nature of those relationships was nonlinear. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Feasibility analysis of early temporal kinetics as a surrogate marker for breast tumor type, grade, and aggressiveness
Authors: Heacock Laura , Lewin Alana A. , Gao Yiming , Babb James S. , Heller Samantha L. , Melsaether Amy N. , Bagadiya Neeti , Kim Sungheon G. , Moy Linda 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundScreening breast MRI has been shown to preferentially detect high‐grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma, likely due to increased angiogenesis resulting in early initial uptake of contrast. As interest grows in abbreviated screening breast MRI (AB‐MRI), markers of early contrast washin that can predict tumor grade and potential aggressiveness are of clinical interest.PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of using the initial enhancement ratio (IER) as a surrogate marker for tumor grade, hormone receptor status, and prognostic markers, as an initial step to being incorporated into AB‐MRI.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsIn all, 162 women (mean 55.0 years, range 32.8–87.7 years) with 187 malignancies imaged January 2012–November 2015.Field Strength/SequenceImages were acquired at 3.0T with a T1‐weighted gradient echo fat‐suppressed‐volume interpolated breath‐hold sequence.AssessmentSubjects underwent dynamic contrast‐enhanced breast MRI with a 7‐channel breast coil. IER (% signal increase over baseline at the first postcontrast acquisition) was assessed and correlated with background parenchymal enhancement, washout curves, stage, and final pathology.Statistical TestsChi‐square test, Spearman rank correlation, Mann–Whitney U‐tests, Bland–Altman analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsIER was higher for invasive cancer than for DCIS (R1/R2, P < 0.001). IER increased with tumor grade (R1: r = 0.56, P < 0.001, R2: r = 0.50, P < 0.001), as ki‐67 increased (R1: r = 0.35, P < 0.001; R2 r = 0.35, P < 0.001), and for node‐positive disease (R1/R2, P = 0.001). IER was higher for human epidermal growth factor receptor two‐positive and triple negative cancers than for estrogen receptor‐positive / progesterone receptor‐positive tumors (R1 P < 0.001–0.002; R2 P = 0.0.001–0.011). IER had higher sensitivity (80.6% vs. 75.5%) and specificity (55.8% vs. 48.1%) than washout curves for positive nodes, higher specificity (48.1% vs. 36.5%) and positive predictive value (70.2% vs. 66.7%) for high ki‐67, and excellent interobserver agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82).Data ConclusionIER, a measurement of early contrast washin, is associated with higher‐grade malignancies and tumor aggressiveness and might be potentially incorporated into an AB‐MRI protocol.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1692–1700.
The drivers of variability in UK extreme rainfall
Authors: Brown Simon J. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe effect of large‐scale modes of climate variability on extreme UK daily rainfall, together with potential trends is investigated with non‐stationary extreme value analysis. Extreme rainfall is identified from 25 km gridded observations spanning 1958–2012 and to which generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions are fitted. The GEV location and scale parameters are assessed for their dependence on indices of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Atlantic Multi‐decadal Oscillation (AMO), together with any evidence of trend. The influence of indices and trend are assessed individually and in combination, for individual months and 3‐month rolling seasons. To improve signal‐to‐noise ratio all data below 200 m elevation is pooled. The NAO is found to have the greatest impact with positive NAO reducing the likelihood of extreme rainfall from spring to autumn, but increasing it in winter. London's 50 year return level for JJA (DJF) ranges from 34(26) mm day−1at maximum NAO to 51(24) mm day−1for minimum NAO over the observed period. A weak ENSO influence is only found for early winter (NDJ) and no influence detected for PDO or AMO. Trends towards more extreme rainfall were found for OND and DJF; however, the inclusion of NAO resulted in reduced magnitude and significance for DJF trends. Robust trends were found for the winter half year irrespective of NAO influence, with London's 50‐year return level increasing by 6%. Extreme rainfall changes associated with NAO are consistent with NAO driven changes in extra‐tropical cyclones. Positive NAO non‐winter months have fewer less intense storms crossing the UK in contrast to winter where they are more frequent and intense. The speed of storms is also higher during positive NAO winters which can mitigate increases in the rarest events.
Peritraumatic Assessment of Autobiographical Memory After Exposure to a Traumatic Event
Authors: Billoux Sophie , Voltzenlogel Virginie , Telmon Norbert , Birmes Philippe , Arbus Christophe 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly acknowledged to be associated with reduced specificity of autobiographical memory (AM). However, very few studies have assessed AM in the peritraumatic phase. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the AM impairment reported in PTSD is present a few days after a traumatic event. We assessed AM in 41 participants who had recently been exposed to trauma, and 34 controls who had never experienced a traumatic situation. The trauma‐exposed participants also completed the Impact of Event Scale‐R (IES‐R), the Inventory of Peritraumatic Distress, and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire. Results showed that autobiographical memories cued by negative words were significantly less specific in the group of trauma‐exposed participants than in the control group (p = .008; d = 0.40). Thus, mild AM impairment was already present three days after trauma exposure, long before acute PTSD set in.
Crops and livestock under the sun: Obstacles to rural livelihood adaptations to hotter 21st century temperatures in eastern Senegal
Authors: Brottem Leif , Brooks Bonnie 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis article evaluates the proposition that farmers in dryland West Africa will be compelled by midcentury to shift household resources from crop to livestock production due to changing climate conditions. The article investigates the prospects for such a livelihood transition in the semiarid part of eastern Senegal, where downscaled statistical models indicate temperature increases of at least 2°, that will have substantially negative impacts on crop yields. Based on survey of 448 households and focus groups conducted across an eco‐climatological transect, the article presents evidence that this livelihood transition is already underway in many households but is increasingly out of reach for others. It uses statistical and qualitative analysis to argue that the most vulnerable households—crop‐dependent smallholders in the geographic area where the livelihood shift is most needed—are the least prepared for it. The article shows that land degradation is both an additional cause of the transition and an obstacle to it. Soil exhaustion, made worse by the lack of opportunities to procure chemical fertilizer, is compelling many to seek to increase their livestock holdings. This strategy is constrained by rangeland degradation, which, made worse by expanding agriculture, reduces the viability of the transition for all but the wealthiest households. Households rely on migration to compensate for shortfalls in production, but this option is becoming closed off to those households who do not already have a member abroad. This is shown to raise the vulnerability of households who rely on a degraded resource base for their livelihoods.
Clinical feasibility study of protrach dualcare a new speaking valve with heat and moisture exchanger for tracheotomized patients
Authors: de Kleijn B.J. , van As‐Brooks C.J. , Wedman J. , van der Laan B.F.A.M. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of the ProTrach DualCare (Atos Medical, Hörby, Sweden), a device combining a hands‐free speaking valve and a Heat and Moisture Exchanger (HME) for tracheotomized patients.Study DesignA non‐randomized, prospective single center feasibility study.MethodsSixteen adult tracheotomized patients were included. Participants were asked to test the DualCare for two weeks while continuing their normal activities. After these two weeks, participants could choose whether or not to take part in the long‐term evaluation. The EuroQOL‐5D, Borg scale and questionnaires on speaking, pulmonary function and patient preference were used. During the long‐term evaluation, a minor redesign was implemented and all participants were asked to test the new device again for one week, with a potential long‐term evaluation. Eleven decided to participate.ResultsThe device was well‐tolerated. Speaking noise was reduced (p = 0.020) and speech was considered to sound more natural compared to previously used devices according to the users (p = 0.020). Overall 11 participants preferred the DualCare to their standard device. No serious adverse events were reported.ConclusionOverall, 11 of 16 participants preferred the DualCare to their standard speaking valve or HME. Users of the DualCare were able to use hands free speech with the benefits of an HME and the device was considered clinically feasible and has the potential to improve quality of life of tracheotomized patients.Level of Evidence2b
Evaluation of linear autoregressive models for estimation of energy spectra in gappy turbulent velocity data
Authors: Lai Chris C. K. , Socolofsky Scott A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper deals with the problem of data interpolation in velocity time series measured by acoustic Doppler velocimeters and acoustic Doppler current profilers; the gap‐filled data are often used to determine turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation using Kolmogorov's inertial subrange scaling. For the latter to estimate dissipation accurately, it is important that the interpolation scheme preserves the attributes, both spectral slope and component magnitudes, of the true energy spectrum. We show that this goal can be achieved using the simple zeroth‐order sample and hold interpolation in situations where isolated data gaps, having durations shorter than the integral time scale of flow, occur. Its success is explained using the framework of stochastic autoregressive (AR) processes, which we also compare to the Langevin equation for the Lagrangian velocity of a turbulent flow field. We also demonstrate that linear interpolation is not appropriate because it can be interpreted as a nonstationary second order AR process, leading to erroneous conclusions for spectral slope and magnitude. When data dropouts occur in clusters, i.e., of durations longer than the integral time scale, we propose to use the first order AR process, of which sample and hold is its limiting case, for interpolation. The effectiveness of our proposal is tested and demonstrated with synthetic time series having a range of spectral slopes, from −7/6 to −8/3, and with experimental data measured in a turbulent channel flow. A comparison is also made with the more sophisticated proper orthogonal decomposition‐based interpolation. The paper ends with a step‐by‐step procedure on using the proposed method in applications.
Differential effects of solid‐phase extraction resins on the measurement of dissolved lignin‐phenols and organic matter composition in natural waters
Authors: Arellano Ana R. , Bianchi Thomas S. , Hutchings Jack A. , Shields Michael R. , Cui Xingqian 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCompositional changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) matrix via solid phase extraction (SPE) remain under‐constrained due to disproportional extraction of specific groups of compounds. This study elucidates changes in the composition of DOM via SPE by presenting an intercomparison of recovery efficiencies of dissolved lignin phenol standards using three SPE cartridges (C‐18, PPL and HLB) and an intercomparison of free‐lignin phenols and lignin‐oxidized products (LOPs) (via SPE) for two end‐members (river and coastal) in the Suwannee River, Cedar Key, Florida. A comparison was also made between DOC and dissolved lignin recovery rates, fluorescence intensity, EEMs indices, spectral slope (SR) and specific UV absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254) for the river end‐members. Isolates harbored lower fluorescence intensities, lower EEMs index values, lower aromatic indices and higher spectral slopes indicating changes in both concentration and composition after SPE. Our results highlight that fractionation is occurring during SPE for lignin‐phenol standards, LOPs, and DOM. Riverine end‐member DOC extraction efficiencies and dissolved lignin (Σ8) recoveries were 46–60% and 41–48%, respectively, while coastal end‐member DOC efficiencies were lower and ranged from to 41% to 47%. In terms of DOC recovery, PPL was the best for river (60%) and coastal (47%), while in terms of LOP recovery, the three cartridges gave comparable results for dissolved lignin and one cartridge type is not necessarily better than the others for coastal samples.