bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Biodegradable and Oxo‐Biodegradable Plastic Bags Samples Composition
Authors: Finzi‐Quintão Cristiane M. , Novack Kátia M. , Bernardes‐Silva Ana Cláudia 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPlastic films used to make market bags are based on polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. These materials require a long time to degrade in the environment. Alternative technologies have been developed to reduce the degradation time and the impact on the environment caused by the conventional polymer materials, using pro‐degrading additives or by the development of biodegradable polymers. In Brazil, some city's laws require the use of biodegradable material in the production of market bags, but the absence of specific surveillance policies makes their chemical composition unknown. The plastic bags didn't show the expected environmental behavior by the manufactures, so it is important to understand the reasons why they are not biodegradable in Brazilian landfills. In this paper, 7 samples that were obtained from a trading company and commercial market of Belo Horizonte were analyzed. The samples were characterized by biodegradable analysis, XRF, FTIR, SEM and TGA/DTA, which allowed the identification and evaluation of the thermal behavior of the material in an inert and oxidizing atmosphere. The results showed that plastic bags were composed by a mixture of PLA and PBAT, with possible presence of TPS and titanium and calcium fillers. All samples presented low biodegradability in compostable environment.
PEMFC: Study of the Routine Synthesis of a New Series of SPAES for Use as Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
Authors: Souza Júlio C. , Simões Ana L. A. , Sousa Ricardo G. , Freitas Roberto F. S. , Silva Maria Elisa S. R. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPoly(arylene ether sulfone)s sulfonated are promising materials for application as proton exchange membranes (PEM) due to their good electrochemical properties. In this study, the synthesis procedure was studied aiming at the production of a new copolymer for use as a PEM. In addition, considering the inefficiency of the recovery route described in the literature, the influence of each monomer in the copolymer recovery from the polymerization solution was evaluated. The monomers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetry (TG), confirming their structure and purity. The four copolymers, produced as a result of different monomers’ molar ratios, were recovered in different ways. While those with sulfonic groups were recovered with acidic solution, the other polymers without pending sulfonic groups were recovered with deionized water. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR, wherein the copolymers characteristic bands were observed, including those characteristic of diaryl ethers, evidence of the proposed polymerization mechanism.
Carboxymethylcellulose Grafted to Amino‐Terminated Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide): Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of the Thermoassociative Behaviour at Low Concentrations
Authors: do Nascimento Marques Nívia , de Lima Bruna Luiza Batista , de Carvalho Balaban Rosangela 
Published: September 2016

SummaryAmino‐terminated poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM‐NH2) was synthesized by free‐radical polymerization in water by using the redox pair potassium persulfate/2‐aminoethanethiol hydrochloride (KPS/AET.HCl) in a glove box under N2(g) atmosphere. PNIPAM‐NH2 was then used to produce graft copolymers with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in water by applying a water‐soluble carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysuccinimide as activators. The samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the thermal behaviour on solid state was investigated by thermogravimetry. Also, the rheological behaviour of the copolymers at 25 and 60 °C was evaluated in water at 3 and 7 g/L. Contrary to CMC and PNIPAM‐NH2, which had only one DTG peak, the thermal decomposition of the graft copolymers occurred at two steps, being the first DTG peak higher and second one lower than the corresponding precursors. Thermoassociative behaviour in water for CMC‐g‐PNIPAM graft copolymers depend on the amount of chain transfer agent used for the PNIPAM‐NH2 synthesis. Thermothickening effect occurred for the copolymer that had PNIPAM‐NH2 prepared with lower AET.HCl content, at a polymer concentration of 7 g/L, which is much lower than the concentrations previously reported in literature for graft copolymers with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide).
ICI‐RS 2015—Is a better understanding of sleep the key in managing nocturia?
Authors: Denys Marie‐Astrid , Cherian Jerald , Rahnama'i Mohammad S. , O'Connell Kathleen A. , Singer Jonathan , Wein Alan J. , Dhondt Karlien , Everaert Karel , Weiss Jeffrey P. 
Published: September 2016

AimsNocturia, or waking up at night to void, is a highly prevalent and bothersome lower urinary tract symptom. However, the applied treatment modalities do not improve symptoms in about half of the patients. The aim of this report is to generate new ideas for future nocturia research, with special emphasis on the role of sleep physiology and sleep disorders.MethodsThe following is a report of the presentations and subsequent discussion of the Nocturia Think Tank session at the annual meeting of the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI‐RS), which took place in September 2015 in Bristol. General information about the organization of the ICI‐RS meeting can be found on the website “www.ici-rs.org.” An overview of challenges within the existing evidence, future research ideas, and results of research with regard to nocturia and sleep were presented.Results and conclusionIn order to optimize the management of nocturia and nocturnal polyuria (NP), future research has to focus on the development of unambiguous terminology regarding nocturia and NP, the role of renal function profiles and simplified frequency volume charts as guidance of individualized therapy and the role of sleep disorders such as periodic limb movements during sleep and habitual voiding as a response to awakening. Neurourol. Urodynam. 37:2048–2052, 2018. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expressions of urothelial functional proteins in idiopathic detrusor overactivity patients refractory to antimuscarinic therapy with different urodynamic characteristics
Authors: Liu Hsin‐Tzu , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: September 2016

AimsThis study investigated the expressions of PGP9.5, P2 X 3, muscarinic receptor (M3) and beta‐3 adrenoreceptor (AR) in idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) patients refractory to antimuscarinic treatment, and analyzed the correlation between protein expressions and clinical symptoms of IDO bladders with different urodynamic characteristics.MethodsSpecimens of 48 IDO and 10 control patients without lower urinary tract symptoms were included. The levels of these proteins from bladder mucosa were determined by Western blotting.ResultsThe expression levels of β3‐AR and M3 receptor were similar between IDO patients and controls. When IDO patients were divided into two subgroups, phasic DO and terminal DO, the results showed that β3‐AR level in the patients with phasic DO was significantly higher than that of the controls and terminal DO (Both P < 0.05). PGP9.5 and P2 X 3 levels were also significantly increased in phasic DO subgroup than controls. P2 X 3 receptor was positively correlated with PGP9.5 and β3‐AR, and negatively correlated with the first sensation of bladder filling and voided volume in phasic DO.ConclusionsSimilar expression M3 receptor and increased P2 X 3 levels in phasic DO, compared with the controls, indicate that dysregulation of purinergic bladder signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis of phasic DO refractory to antimuscarinics. Elevated expression of β3‐AR in phasic DO but not in terminal DO patients may explain the different urodynamic characteristics of DO between the two subgroups. Our findings suggest that β3‐AR agonist or P2 X 3 antagonist might be a good treatment choice for patients with phasic DO refractory to antimuscarinic therapy.
Catalytic Degradation of Benzene over Nanocatalysts containing Cerium and Manganese
Authors: Wang Zhen , Deng Yuzhou , Shen Genli , Akram Sadia , Han Ning , Chen Yunfa , Wang Qi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA Ce–Mn composite oxide possessing a rod‐like morphology (with a fixed molar ratio of Ce/Mn=3:7) was synthesized through a hydrothermal method. Mn ions were doped into a CeO2 framework to replace Ce ions, thereby increasing the concentration of oxygen vacancies. The formation energies of O vacancies for the Ce–Mn composite oxide were calculated by applying density functional theory (DFT). The data showed that it was easier to form an O vacancy in the composite. The catalytic behavior of the Ce–Mn composite oxide for benzene degradation was researched in detail, which exhibited a higher activity than the pure phases. Based on this, the Ce–Mn composite oxide was chosen as a supporter to load PdO nanoparticles. The activity was enhanced further compared with that of the supporter alone (for the supporter, the reaction rate R214 °C=0.68×10−4 mol gcat−1 s−1 and apparent activation energy Ea=12.75 kJ mol−1; for the supporting catalyst, R214 °C=1.46×10−4 mol gcat−1 s−1, Ea=10.91 kJ mol−1). The corresponding catalytic mechanism was studied through in situ Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, which indicated that the process of benzene oxidation was related to different types of oxygen species existing at the surface of the catalysts.
Is screening for abnormal ECG patterns justified in long‐term follow‐up of childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines?
Authors: Pourier Milanthy S. , Mavinkurve‐Groothuis Annelies M. C. , Loonen Jacqueline , Bökkerink Jos P. M. , Roeleveld Nel , Beer Gil , Bellersen Louise , Kapusta Livia 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundECG and echocardiography are noninvasive screening tools to detect subclinical cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Our aims were as follows: (1) assess the prevalence of abnormal ECG patterns, (2) determine the agreement between abnormal ECG patterns and echocardiographic abnormalities; and (3) determine whether ECG screening for subclinical cardiotoxicity in CCSs is justified.ProcedureWe retrospectively studied ECG and echocardiography in asymptomatic CCSs more than 5 years after anthracycline treatment. Exclusion criteria were abnormal ECG and/or echocardiogram at the start of therapy, incomplete follow‐up data, clinical heart failure, cardiac medication, and congenital heart disease. ECG abnormalities were classified using the Minnesota Code. Level of agreement between ECG and echocardiography was calculated with Cohen kappa.ResultsWe included 340 survivors with a mean follow‐up of 14.5 years (range 5–32). ECG was abnormal in 73 survivors (21.5%), with ventricular conduction disorders, sinus bradycardia, and high‐amplitude R waves being most common. Prolonged QTc (>0.45 msec) was found in two survivors, both with a cumulative anthracycline dose of 300 mg/m2 or higher. Echocardiography showed abnormalities in 44 survivors (12.9%), mostly mild valvular abnormalities. The level of agreement between ECG and echocardiography was low (kappa 0.09). Male survivors more often had an abnormal ECG (corrected odds ratio: 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.68–5.37).ConclusionsAbnormal ECG patterns were present in 21% of asymptomatic long‐term CCSs. Lack of agreement between abnormal ECG patterns and echocardiographic abnormalities may suggest that ECG is valuable in long‐term follow‐up of CCSs. However, it is not clear whether these abnormal ECG patterns will be clinically relevant.
The incidence of Kawasaki disease after vaccination within the UK pre‐school National Immunisation Programme: an observational THIN database study
Authors: Hall Gillian C , Tulloh Robert MR , Tulloh Louise E 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposeTo provide expected incidence rates of Kawasaki disease after vaccination in routine clinical practice and as recommended within a pre‐school National Immunisation Programme (NIP).MethodsA post‐immunisation risk period when Kawasaki disease onset might be associated with vaccination was defined as 28 days. Immunisation records for children under 6 years were identified from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database of electronic UK primary health care records (2008–2012) and linked to previously validated cases of Kawasaki disease with an assigned date of onset. Kawasaki disease incidence in the risk period after a complete NIP recommended set of vaccinations was estimated for five vaccination stages individually and in total.ResultsA total of 642 170 complete pre‐school immunisation stages from 275 986 children were included. Six cases of Kawasaki disease had onset in the risk period after any NIP stage providing an incidence of 12.8 per 100 000 person years (95%CI 5.7, 28.4). The incidence after any single immunisation stage ranged from 0 to 27.4 (95%CI 8.8, 84.8) per 100 000 person years.ConclusionThere were few cases of Kawasaki disease in the risk period after any NIP vaccination combination. The incidence rates will aid in the interpretation of clinical trials and post‐marketing surveillance of new vaccines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Paving the way for solution‐ processable perovskite lasers
Authors: Sarritzu Valerio , Cadelano Michele , Sestu Nicola , Marongiu Daniela , Piras Roberto , Chang Xueqing , Quochi Francesco , Saba Michele , Mura Andrea , Bongiovanni Giovanni 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTrihalide perovskites have been studied quite extensively as light‐harvesting media in photovoltaic devices and have shown a peculiar blend of optoelectronic properties, particularly remarkable carrier mobilities, diffusion lengths comparable to those of inorganic semiconductors and band gap tuneability. Only limited research effort, though, has been devoted so far to leveraging such properties for light emission, and many related processes remain unclear. Here, we identify organic‐inorganic metal halide perovskites as promising candidates for replacing a variety of raw materials at risk of supply shortage, currently used in manufacturing gain media for commercial lasers. We investigate the dynamics of light emission by transient photoluminescence spectroscopy and on the grounds of our findings we identify the challenges ahead on the way to engineering perovskite‐based lasers. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robust adaptive output feedback control for uncertain nonlinear systems with quantized input
Authors: Xing Lantao , Wen Changyun , Liu Zhitao , Lai Guanyu , Su Hongye 
Published: September 2016

SummaryIn this paper, we study the input quantization problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. The quantizer adopted belongs to a class of sector‐bounded quantizers, which basically include all the currently available static quantizers. Different from the existing results, the quantized input signal, rather than the input signal itself, is used to design the state observers, which guarantees that the state estimation errors will eventually converge to zero. Because the resulting system may be discontinuous and non‐smooth, the existence of the solution in the classical sense is not guaranteed. To cope with this problem, we utilize the non‐smooth analysis techniques and consider the Filippov solutions. A robust way based on the sector bound property of the quantizers is used to handle the quantization errors such that certain restrictive conditions in the existing results are removed and the problem of output feedback control with input signal quantized by logarithmic (or hysteresis) quantizers is solved for the first time. The designed controller guarantees that all the closed‐loop signals are globally bounded and the tracking error exponentially converges towards a small region around zero, which is adjustable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Models of neuromodulation for computational psychiatry
Authors: Iglesias Sandra , Tomiello Sara , Schneebeli Maya , Stephan Klaas E. 
Published: September 2016

Psychiatry faces fundamental challenges: based on a syndrome‐based nosology, it presently lacks clinical tests to infer on disease processes that cause symptoms of individual patients and must resort to trial‐and‐error treatment strategies. These challenges have fueled the recent emergence of a novel field—computational psychiatry—that strives for mathematical models of disease processes at physiological and computational (information processing) levels. This review is motivated by one particular goal of computational psychiatry: the development of ‘computational assays’ that can be applied to behavioral or neuroimaging data from individual patients and support differential diagnosis and guiding patient‐specific treatment. Because the majority of available pharmacotherapeutic approaches in psychiatry target neuromodulatory transmitters, models that infer (patho)physiological and (patho)computational actions of different neuromodulatory transmitters are of central interest for computational psychiatry. This article reviews the (many) outstanding questions on the computational roles of neuromodulators (dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and noradrenaline), outlines available evidence, and discusses promises and pitfalls in translating these findings to clinical applications. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1420. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1420This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction
Neuroscience > Computation
Neuroscience > Plasticity
Rhenium (Re) – Osmium (Os) Geochronology of the Proterozoic Sirban Limestone Formation, NW Himalaya
Authors: Hakhoo Naveen , Thusu Bindra , Bhat Ghulam M. , Craig Jonathan , Thurow Juergen , Hafiz Mateen 
Published: September 2016

Abstract:
The Proterozoic Sirban Limestone Formation (SLFm) exposed in a number of inliers in Jammu (India), NW Himalaya is a potential target for hydrocarbon and ore mineral exploration. The structural complexity not only makes correlation of the SLFm with coeval hydrocarbon producing Proterozoic formations in the neighbouring Salt Range in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world extremely difficult, but also limits the understanding of the genesis of sedimentary hosted mineral deposits. The base of the SLFm inliers is not exposed anywhere in the region and the age of this sequence has been suggested to range from Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic.
Important age diagnostic palynomorphs have been repeatedly recovered from different sections of the SLFm. To place the palynomorph bearing intervals into stratigraphic order is important for correlation of these sections. However, structural complexity and the monotonous nature of the lithology limit the scope for correlation. This problem can only be resolved by geochronology and dating of the important marker horizons in the SLFm. In the absence of tuff horizons the Rhenium (Re) – Osmium (Os) geochronology data can provide a direct date. Within the SLFm an important sedimentary marker horizon (black shale bed) was selected for the Re-Os geochronology.
Re-Os isotope dating is a reliable geochronometer. However, in the present study this method yielded a Re-Os date of 607 ± 330 Ma, indicating that the Re-Os system was interrupted in response to hydrothermal fluid flow associated with the thrust tectonics in the region. Additionally, the decay of the total organic carbon (TOC) seems to have had an adverse effect on the Re–Os mobility and concentration. Since, relative abundance of Re and Os is sufficient enough to attempt Re-Os geochronology of these shale samples. The analysis of the deep drilling cores would give reliable results and provide a dependable correlation tool to place the SLFm in context of the Peri-Gondwana margin successions with proven petroleum systems.
Charnockite Bedrock, Chennai Coast, Tamil Nadu: Micromorphology and Geochemical Signatures in Stages of the Weathering Processes
Authors: Malarvizhi A. , Hema Achyuthan , Gobichandhru D. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract:
Mineral weathering of bedrock in the context of landscape evolution provides useful insights in understanding the physico-chemical and climate processes. In this paper, we report mineral and petrographical features supported by geochemical results on the weathering of charnockite rocks exposed along the east coast, Chennai. The exposed rocks consist of medium to fine grained charnockite and are intensely weathered, fractured with weathering rind. Micromorphology of the unweathered charnockite core rock, weathering rind and soil show that the weathering processes are characterised by progressive physical and chemical attack on the labile minerals with the formation of neoformed clay minerals substituting the original rock fabric. The alteration of minerals has produced Fe oxides and clay minerals such as halloysite and kaolinite. Ferruginous oxides etch and impregnate into the plagioclase and othropyroxene microcracks and fractures during the advanced weathering stage. Microfabric alterations in microfractures and its variations occur in the weathering rind thereby, affect the chanrnockite weathering landscape. Geochemical data and chemical weathering indices (CIA, CIW, PIA and CWI) indicate insitu weathering due to stronger physical weathering compared to chemical alteration. UCC and chondrite normalized trace and REE data of the core rock, weathering and soil show similar spider spectra again pointing to insitu weathering with minor recycling. Negative Eu anomaly is due to the alteration of the alkali feldspars. Weathering of the core rock to soil grades towards the increase of quartz grains and Fe oxides in the weathering rind and soils. Weathering rind exhibits formation of clays such as kaolinite, halloysite and gibbsite formed under the humid, alternate dry and wet conditions.
Geochemical Processes Controlling Fluoride-bearing Groundwater in the Granitic Aquifer of a Semi-arid Region
Authors: Rao N. Subba , Dinakar A. , Rao P. Surya , Rao P. N. , Madhnure Pandith , Prasad K. M. , Sudarshan G. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract:
The aim of the present study is to identify the geochemical processes responsible for higher fluoride (F–) content in the groundwater of the Yellareddigudem watershed located in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. The basement rocks in the study area comprise mainly of granites (pink and grey varieties), which contain F-bearing minerals (fluorite, biotite and hornblende). The results of the study area suggest that the groundwater is characterized by Na+: HCO facies. The F– content varies from 0.42 to 7.50 mg/L. In about 68% of the collected groundwater samples, the concentration of F– exceeds the national drinking water quality limit of 1.5 mg/L. The weathering of the granitic rocks causes the release of Na+ and HCO ions, which increase the solubility of ions. Ion exchange between Na+ and Ca2+, and precipitation of CaCO3 reduce the activity of Ca2+. This favours dissolution of CaF2 from the F-bearing minerals present in the host rocks, leading to a higher concentration of F– in the groundwater. The study further suggests that the spatial variation in the F– content appears to be caused by difference in the relative occurrence of F-bearing minerals, the degree of rock-weathering and fracturing, the residence time of water in the aquifer materials and the associated geochemical processes. The study emphasizes the need for appropriate management measures to mitigate the effect of higher F groundwater on human health.