bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flexible freestanding cotton–graphene composites for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xueqian , Huang Xiaoxiao , Xia Long , Zhong Bo , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao , Wen Guangwu 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTFlexible freestanding cotton–graphene (CGN) composites were prepared by a simple immersion and freeze‐drying method and a thermal annealing process together. The composites had a constant cotton microstructure covered by graphene. The microstructure and morphology of the composites could be easily adjusted through the variation of the thermal annealing temperatures. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the annealing temperatures had great effects on the electrochemical performances of the obtained composites. The CGN composite annealed at 700 °C exhibited a reversible capacity of 245.2 mAh/g after 100 cycles. Even after it was bent 1000 times, the CGN composite still maintained its superior electrochemical properties. The results suggest that because of its high flexibility and excellent conductive and electrochemical activities, the CGN composites could be used as lithium‐ion battery anode materials on a large scale for corresponding applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44727.
Multifunctional Cu2+‐montmorillonite/epoxy resin nanocomposites with antibacterial activity
Authors: Bartolozzi Alessandra , Bertani Roberta , Burigo Elisa , Fabrizi Alberto , Panozzo Francesco , Quaresimin Marino , Simionato Fabio , Sgarbossa Paolo , Tamburini Sergio , Zappalorto Michele , Zorzi Federico 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTMultifunctional nanocomposites can be achieved by addition of modified layered nanoclays to impart to the final materials a designed set of properties. The easy reproducible preparation of copper modified montmorillonite has been reported here together with its spectroscopic characterization, including 29Si NMR in the solid state. Epoxy‐nanocomposites and glass fiber reinforced laminates containing 1% wt and 3% wt of Cu2+‐MMT have been prepared and characterized. Thermal and mechanical properties have been evaluated. The experiments carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity showed that the epoxy‐resin nanocomposites with 3% wt of Cu2+‐MMT exhibited an inhibition action higher than 96% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44733.
Effect of β‐tricalcium phosphate on the thermal foaming behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)/water system
Authors: Zhu Jun , Li Li , Wang Qi 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTPoly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP, Ca3 (PO4)2) porous composite, which has potential application in articular cartilage repair, was prepared through thermal foaming using water as both plasticizer and physical blowing agent. The effects of β‐TCP content on the foaming behavior, the structure and properties of the porous composites were studied. The results showed that β‐TCP could form hydrogen bonds or coordination interaction with PVA and water; with the incorporation of β‐TCP, the content of nonfreezable bound water in system increased, the water evaporation reduced, beneficial to the controllable foaming of water. The interactions between PVA‐β‐TCP led to the enhanced melt viscosity of PVA. Simultaneously, the β‐TCP particles in matrix could act as heterogeneous nucleation agent to increase the cell density. When β‐TCP content was 7.4 wt %, the porous composite showed the optimal cell structure, i.e., 250 μm average cell size and 87% porosity. The dynamic modulus of the porous composites increased with β‐TCP content and showed frequency‐dependence. The surface contact angle and permeability of the porous composites varied with β‐TCP content, which ranged from 35° to 48° and 11 × 10−14 to 27 × 10−14 m2, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44737.
Brief Report: Treatment of Tumor Necrosis Factor–Transgenic Mice With Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Restores Lymphatic Contractions, Repairs Lymphatic Vessels, and May Increase Monocyte/Macrophage Egress
Authors: Bouta Echoe M. , Kuzin Igor , de Mesy Bentley Karen , Wood Ronald W. , Rahimi Homaira , Ji Rui‐Cheng , Ritchlin Christopher T. , Bottaro Andrea , Xing Lianping , Schwarz Edward M. 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveRecent studies have demonstrated that there is an inverse relationship between lymphatic egress and inflammatory arthritis in affected joints. As a model, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–transgenic mice develop advanced arthritis following draining lymph node (LN) collapse, and loss of lymphatic contractions downstream of inflamed joints. It is unknown if these lymphatic deficits are reversible. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that anti‐TNF therapy reduces advanced erosive inflammatory arthritis, associated with restoration of lymphatic contractions, repair of damaged lymphatic vessels, and evidence of increased monocyte egress.MethodsTNF‐transgenic mice with advanced arthritis and collapsed popliteal LNs were treated with anti‐TNF monoclonal antibody (10 mg/kg weekly) or placebo for 6 weeks, and effects on knee synovitis, lymphatic vessel ultrastructure and function, and popliteal LN cellularity were assessed by ultrasound, histology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), near‐infrared indocyanine green imaging, and flow cytometry.ResultsAnti‐TNF therapy significantly decreased synovitis (∼5‐fold; P < 0.05 versus placebo), restored lymphatic contractions, and significantly increased the number of popliteal LN monocyte/macrophages (∼2‐fold; P < 0.05 versus placebo). TEM demonstrated large activated macrophages attached to damaged lymphatic endothelium in mice with early arthritis, extensively damaged lymphatic vessels in placebo‐treated mice with advanced arthritis, and rolling leukocytes in repaired lymphatic vessels in mice responsive to anti‐TNF therapy.ConclusionThese findings support the concept that anti‐TNF therapy ameliorates erosive inflammatory arthritis, in part via restoration of lymphatic vessel contractions and potential enhancement of inflammatory cell egress.
Brief Report: Pharmacodynamics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of AMG 811, a Human Anti–Interferon‐γ Antibody, in Patients With Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Werth Victoria P. , Fiorentino David , Sullivan Barbara A. , Boedigheimer Michael J. , Chiu Kit , Wang Christine , Arnold Gregory E. , Damore Michael A. , Bigler Jeannette , Welcher Andrew A. , Russell Chris B. , Martin David A. , Chung James B. 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveInterferon‐γ (IFNγ) is implicated in the pathogenesis of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). This study sought to evaluate a single dose of AMG 811, an anti‐IFNγ antibody, in patients with DLE.MethodsThe study was designed as a phase I randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study of the pharmacodynamics, safety, and clinical efficacy of AMG 811 in patients with DLE. Patients received a single subcutaneous dose of AMG 811 (180 mg) or placebo. The patients in sequence 1 received AMG 811 followed by placebo, while those in sequence 2 received placebo followed by AMG 811. Pharmacodynamic end points included global transcriptional analyses of lesional and nonlesional skin, IFNγ blockade signature (IGBS) transcriptional scores in the skin and blood, keratinocyte IFNγ RNA scores, and serum levels of CXCL10 protein. Additional end points were efficacy outcome measures, including the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index, and safety outcome measures.ResultsSixteen patients with DLE were enrolled in the study (9 in sequence 1 and 7 in sequence 2). AMG 811 treatment reduced the IGBS score (which was elevated in DLE patients at baseline) in both the blood and lesional skin. The keratinocyte IFNγ RNA score was not affected by administration of AMG 811. Serum CXCL10 protein levels (which were elevated in the blood of DLE patients) were reduced with AMG 811 treatment. The AMG 811 treatment was well tolerated but did not lead to statistically significant improvements in any of the efficacy outcome measures.ConclusionAMG 811 treatment led to changes in IFNγ‐associated biomarkers and was well tolerated, but no significant clinical benefit was observed in patients with DLE.
Synthesis and optical properties of Eu3+‐substituted glaserite‐type orthovanadates CsK2Y[VO4]2
Authors: David A. Duke John , Muhammad G. Shakil , Sivakumar V. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA new Eu3+‐substituted CsK2Y[VO4]2 glaserite‐type orthovanadate phosphor was synthesized by the conventional high temperature solid‐state reaction method. The phase purity was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction study and it reveals that all the compositions crystallize in the hexagonal structure. The morphology and elemental composition were measured by FE‐SEM with Energy Dispersive Analysis Of X Rays (EDAX). The band gap is determined by diffuse reflectance spectra. The self‐activated luminescence of the host and Eu3+‐substituted luminescence behaviours were studied in detail by photoluminescence spectra. The host CsK2Y[VO4]2 shows green emission, whereas the Eu3+‐substituted compositions show red emission. Effect of Eu3+ concentrations on the photoluminescence behaviour were also been studied. The Eu3+‐doped samples show not only several sharp emission lines but also a broad emission band due to presence of the [VO4]3− in the host, which clearly indicates that there is incomplete energy transfer from (VO4) charge transfer band to Eu3+. The life time of the phosphors also been studied. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity colour coordinates were calculated and it is very much closer to the National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) standards. These investigations evidently reveal that the self‐activated and Eu3+‐activated phosphors show a great potential applications as a red phosphor for solid‐state lighting includes white light‐emitting diodes (wLEDs).
Pass the Rock: Calcium, the achilles' heel of transcatheter valve replacement
Authors: McCabe James M. , Dean Larry S. 
Published: January 2017

Key Points

Increasing annular calcification portends more adverse outcomes and worse hemodynamic results following percutaneous structural heart interventions.
Though the Direct Flow prosthesis did not appear to have significantly different post‐procedural gradients based on aortic valve calcium burden in a selected group of patients, the average residual gradients were relatively high in all cases and the presence of a paravalvular leak was more common with increasing valvular calcification.
It is unclear how the Direct Flow prosthesis fits into the armamentarium of TAVR prostheses
The elusive prediction of stent thrombosis
Authors: Nuñez López Vanesa F. , Cohen Mauricio G. 
Published: January 2017

Key Points

Stent thrombosis is a rare PCI complication that occurs in approximately 1% of cases after successful PCI. In about 50% of cases ST occur after 30 days, and in 15% after 1 year.
Lesion complexity and baseline presence of thrombus are angiographic predictors for ST and can potentially guide antithrombotic therapy.
Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether these predictors can be used to individualize intensity and duration of DAPT.
Infective endocarditis and infected aneurysm caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis: a case report
Authors: Watanabe Naoki , Bandoh Shuji , Ishii Tomoya , Negayama Kiyoshi , Kadowaki Norimitsu , Yokota Kyoko 
Published: January 2017

Key Clinical MessageEndocarditis caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is rare. Infected aneurysm is one of the most serious complications of infective endocarditis. However, no reports have described SDSE‐related infected aneurysm. We herein report a successfully treated case of SDSE‐associated infective endocarditis with an infected aneurysm.
Anatase TiO2 Mesocrystals: Green Synthesis, In Situ Conversion to Porous Single Crystals, and Self‐Doping Ti3+ for Enhanced Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Removal of NO
Authors: Tan Biying , Zhang Xuehao , Li Yongjun , Chen Hao , Ye Xiaozhou , Wang Yun , Ye Jianfeng 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMesocrystals are of great interest for a wide range of applications owing to their unique structural features and properties. The realization of well‐defined metal oxide mesocrystals through a facile and green synthetic approach still remains a great challenge. Here, a novel synthesis strategy is reported for the production of spindle‐shaped anatase TiO2 mesocrystals with a single‐crystal‐like structure, which was simply achieved through the one‐step hydrolysis reaction of TiCl3 in the green and recyclable media polyethylene glycol (PEG‐400) without any additives. Such anatase mesocrystals were constructed from small nanocrystal subunits (≈1.5–4.5 nm in diameter) and formed through oriented aggregation of the nanocrystals pre‐formed in the reaction system. Owing to their novel structural characteristics, the as‐synthesized anatase mesocrystals could be easily fused in situ into porous single crystals by annealing in air. More significantly, after being annealed in vacuum, Ti3+ sites could be easily induced in the anatase crystal lattice, resulting in the formation of Ti3+ self‐doped anatase mesocrystals. The thus‐transformed mesocrystals exhibited enhanced visible light activity towards the photocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) to NO3−, which could be largely attributed to their intrinsic Ti3+ self‐doped nature, as well as high crystallinity and high porosity of the mesocrystalline architecture.
Modelling and optimization of hydrogen yield in membrane steam reforming reactors
Authors: Murmura Maria Anna , Cerbelli Stefano , Annesini Maria Cristina 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLow‐temperature steam reforming is an interesting alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods, making it possible to couple the reactor with solar heating. The main limitation in this process is imposed by thermodynamic equilibrium, which may be overcome by considering the use of a pre‐reformer, in which equilibrium conversions are easily reached, followed by a membrane reactor, in which additional hydrogen production takes place along with its separation from the other products. This work is based on an overview of studies previously carried out by the same authors on the influence of pressure on the interplay between transport, permeation, and reaction in methane steam reforming membrane reactors and focuses on the behaviour of yield, defined as the ratio between the flow rate of hydrogen permeating across the membrane and at the inlet of the reactor. In the present work we show that all the curves depicting the yield, corresponding to a variety of operating conditions, can be rescaled onto a single master curve, thus providing the most compact representation of the reactor's performance. Furthermore, we show that the invariant scaling is robust with respect to changes of the reactor geometry.
Approaches to designing micro‐solenoidal RF probes for 14 T MRI studies of millimeter‐range sized objects
Authors: Seifi Bahram , Semouchkina Elena , Lanagan Michael , Neuberger Thomas 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFull‐wave electromagnetic simulations have been employed to analyze the design approaches that allow for solving the problems preventing inductive performance of micro‐solenoidal RF probes and formation of strong and homogeneous magnetic fields inside probes at the studies of millimeter‐range sized objects in 14 T MRI scanners. In particular, the effects of non‐uniform coil wrapping on field homogeneity inside extended coils and of partitioning the coils by dielectric separators on coil self‐resonances have been investigated. The possibility to utilize tunable C‐C matching circuits with the coils and to mitigate the effects of sample insertion on the probe resonance frequency has been demonstrated. Challenges of coil fabrication have been also addressed.
Reaction‐Induced Self‐Assembly of CoO@Cu2O Nanocomposites In Situ onto SiC‐Foam for Gas‐Phase Oxidation of Bioethanol to Acetaldehyde
Authors: Zhao Guofeng , Fan Songyua , Pan Xiaxia , Chen Pengjing , Liu Ye , Lu Yong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA high‐performance SiC‐foam‐structured nanocomposite catalyst of CoO@Cu2O (i.e., 50–100 nm CoO partially covered with ca. 10 nm Cu2O) was engineered from nano‐ to macro‐scales in one step for the high‐throughput gas‐phase aerobic oxidation of bioethanol to acetaldehyde. This special CoO@Cu2O nanostructure shows much higher activity/selectivity than other binary metal‐oxide assemblies such as CuOx&CoO nano‐mixtures or inverse Cu2O@CoO nanostructures. The catalyst was facilely but exclusively obtainable by in situ reaction‐induced transformation of the respective metal nitrates supported on SiC‐foam into the CoO@Cu2O nanostructure in the reaction stream. It achieved 95 % conversion with 98 % selectivity under mild conditions and was stable for at least 150 h for a feed of 20 vol % ethanol (much higher than in the literature: 1–6 vol %) at a high EtOH weight hourly space velocity of 8.5 h−1. Abundant Cu2O–CoO interfaces and high stability of the CoO@Cu2O nanostructure were responsible for the high activity/selectivity and promising stability in this reaction.
Simulations reveal the power and peril of artificial breeding sites for monitoring and managing animals
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Pauli Benjamin P. , Heath Julie A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDespite common use, the efficacy of artificial breeding sites (e.g., nest boxes, bat houses, artificial burrows) as tools for monitoring and managing animals depends on the demography of target populations and availability of natural sites. Yet, the conditions enabling artificial breeding sites to be useful or informative have yet to be articulated. We use a stochastic simulation model to determine situations where artificial breeding sites are either useful or disadvantageous for monitoring and managing animals. Artificial breeding sites are a convenient tool for monitoring animals and therefore occupancy of artificial breeding sites is often used as an index of population levels. However, systematic changes in availability of sites that are not monitored might induce trends in occupancy of monitored sites, a situation rarely considered by monitoring programs. We therefore examine how systematic changes in unmonitored sites could bias inference from trends in the occupancy of monitored sites. Our model also allows us to examine effects on population levels if artificial breeding sites either increase or decrease population vital rates (survival and fecundity). We demonstrate that trends in occupancy of monitored sites are misleading if the number of unmonitored sites changes over time. Further, breeding site fidelity can cause an initial lag in occupancy of newly installed sites that could be misinterpreted as an increasing population, even when the population has been continuously declining. Importantly, provisioning of artificial breeding sites only benefits populations if breeding sites are limiting or if artificial sites increase vital rates. There are many situations where installation of artificial breeding sites, and their use in monitoring, can have unintended consequences. Managers should therefore not assume that provision of artificial breeding sites will necessarily benefit populations. Further, trends in occupancy of artificial breeding sites should be interpreted in light of potential changes in the availability of unmonitored sites and the potential of lags in occupancy owing to site fidelity.
Forecast Combination for Euro Area Inflation: A Cure in Times of Crisis?
Authors: Hubrich Kirstin , Skudelny Frauke 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe period of extraordinary volatility in euro area headline inflation starting in 2007 raised the question whether forecast combination methods can be used to hedge against bad forecast performance of single models during such periods and provide more robust forecasts. We investigate this issue for forecasts from a range of short‐term forecasting models. Our analysis shows that there is considerable variation of the relative performance of the different models over time. To take that into account we suggest employing performance‐based forecast combination methods—in particular, one with more weight on the recent forecast performance. We compare such an approach with equal forecast combination that has been found to outperform more sophisticated forecast combination methods in the past, and investigate whether it can improve forecast accuracy over the single best model. The time‐varying weights assign weights to the economic interpretations of the forecast stemming from different models. We also include a number of benchmark models in our analysis. The combination methods are evaluated for HICP headline inflation and HICP excluding food and energy. We investigate how forecast accuracy of the combination methods differs between pre‐crisis times, the period after the global financial crisis and the full evaluation period, including the global financial crisis with its extraordinary volatility in inflation. Overall, we find that forecast combination helps hedge against bad forecast performance and that performance‐based weighting outperforms simple averaging. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive impairment and Charles Bonnet syndrome: a prospective study
Authors: Russell Gregor , Harper Robert , Allen Harry , Baldwin Robert , Burns Alistair 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesCharles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a common cause of visual hallucinations in older people. The relationship between CBS and cognitive impairment is unclear, but anecdotal reports exist of dementia emerging in patients diagnosed with CBS. This work set out to determine if there is an increased incidence of dementia, and increased severity of cognitive impairment, in people with CBS compared to controls from the same clinical setting.MethodPeople over 65 attending low‐vision and glaucoma clinics, and a cohort of age‐matched controls, underwent a psychiatric assessment. The cohorts were followed up after one year.ResultsMild cognitive impairment was present in 2/12 CBS participants and 2/10 controls. Partial insight was seen in nine CBS participants. Two participants with CBS, and no controls, developed dementia at follow‐up. No significant differences in performance on the ACE‐R were found between the groups. Both participants who developed dementia had partial insight and hallucinations of familiar figures at diagnosis of CBS, and one had mild cognitive impairment.ConclusionsReassurance that CBS is universally benign may be misplaced. Some people given this diagnosis go on to develop dementia. Cognitive testing at the point of diagnosis was unable to identify those at risk of this outcome. Partial insight, the presence of Mild Cognitive Impairment, and hallucinations of familiar figures at diagnosis of CBS may confer an increased risk of subsequent dementia diagnosis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.