bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ruthenium‐Functionalized Hierarchical Carbon Nanocages as Efficient Catalysts for Li‐O2 Batteries
Authors: Wang Liangjun , Lyu Zhiyang , Gong Lili , Zhang Jian , Wu Qiang , Wang Xizhang , Huo Fengwei , Huang Wei , Hu Zheng , Chen Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDeveloping an efficient cathode is essential to obtain high rate capability and rechargeable lithium oxygen (Li‐O2) batteries. Herein, ruthenium (Ru)‐functionalized hierarchical carbon nanocages (hCNCs) are synthesized and employed as a cathode catalyst for Li‐O2 batteries. The as‐prepared cathode exhibits high discharge capacity, low charge potential (8135 mA h g−1 with 3.85 V charge potential at a current density of 0.08 mA cm−2), outstanding rate capability (3416 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.48 mA cm−2) and good stability up to 78 cycles at a limited capacity of 500 mA h g−1. Such excellent battery performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the interconnected hierarchically porous structure of hCNCs, which can facilitate effective electrolyte immersion and efficient Li+/O2 mass transport, and the high catalytic activity of Ru nanoparticles.
Does CSR Enhance Employer Attractiveness? The Role of Millennial Job Seekers' Attitudes
Authors: Klimkiewicz Katarzyna , Oltra Victor 
Published: February 2017

AbstractCorporate social responsibility (CSR) has become increasingly important in labor market communication. To express organizational identity, reinforcing commitment to sustainable development and stakeholder engagement, organizations report their CSR activities. The impact of a company's employer branding (EB) strategy depends on how information recipients interpret corporate messages. Therefore, we assume that job seekers may show diverse attitudes toward CSR. The extant literature has hardly explored the interplay between CSR, EB, and job seekers' attitudes, so we identify a relevant research gap to be tackled. The aim of this paper is to examine how millennial job seekers' attitudes toward CSR influence perceived CSR‐based employer attractiveness (EA). We conducted an empirical study in Poland, collecting data from a sample of Millennials – highly sensitive toward CSR issues. Our results generally confirm that individual attitudes toward CSR play a key role in understanding how job seekers perceive CSR signals and eventually impact CSR‐based EA. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The microbiome of the ant‐built home: the microbial communities of a tropical arboreal ant and its nest
Authors: Lucas Jane , Bill Brian , Stevenson Bradley , Kaspari Michael 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMicrobial life is ubiquitous, yet we are just beginning to understand how microbial communities are assembled. We test whether relationships between ant microbiomes and their environments resemble patterns identified in the human home microbiome. We examine the microbial communities and chemical composition of ants, their waste, their nest, and the surrounding soil. We predicted that the microbiome of the canopy ant, Azteca trigona, like that of humans, represents a distinct, relatively invariant, community compared to the soil community. Because Azteca build aboveground nests constructed from ant exudates mixed with chewed plant fibers, we predicted that nest‐associated microorganisms should reflect their ants, not the surrounding environment. The ant microbiome was distinct from the soil, but contrary to initial predictions, ant microbiomes varied dramatically across colonies. This variation was largely driven by the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, a genus frequently associated with hymenopteran diets. Despite the origin of nests and their means of construction, nest‐associated microorganisms were most similar to the surrounding soil. The microbiota of Azteca ants is thus distinct, but dimorphic across colonies, for reasons likely due to inter‐colony differences in diet; microbiotas of the nests however mirror the surrounding soil community, similar to patterns of human home microbiota.
Enhancing the soil and water assessment tool model for simulating N
2
O emissions of three agricultural systems
Authors: Yang Qichun , Zhang Xuesong , Abraha Michael , Del grosso Stephen , Robertson G. P. , Chen Jiquan 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N
2
O) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing to global warming, with the agriculture sector as the major source of anthropogenic N
2
O emissions due to excessive fertilizer use. There is an urgent need to enhance regional‐/watershed‐scale models, such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), to credibly simulate N
2
O emissions to improve assessment of environmental impacts of cropping practices. Here, we integrated the DayCent model's N
2
O emission algorithms with the existing widely tested crop growth, hydrology, and nitrogen cycling algorithms in SWAT and evaluated this new tool for simulating N
2
O emissions in three agricultural systems (i.e., a continuous corn site, a switchgrass site, and a smooth brome grass site which was used as a reference site) located at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) scale‐up fields in southwestern Michigan. These three systems represent different levels of management intensity, with corn, switchgrass, and smooth brome grass (reference site) receiving high, medium, and zero fertilizer application, respectively. Results indicate that the enhanced SWAT model with default parameterization reproduced well the relative magnitudes of N
2
O emissions across the three sites, indicating the usefulness of the new tool (SWAT‐N
2
O) to estimate long‐term N
2
O emissions of diverse cropping systems. Notably, parameter calibration can significantly improve model simulations of seasonality of N
2
O fluxes, and explained up to 22.5%–49.7% of the variability in field observations. Further sensitivity analysis indicates that climate change (e.g., changes in precipitation and temperature) influences N
2
O emissions, highlighting the importance of optimizing crop management under a changing climate in order to achieve agricultural sustainability goals.
Three‐dimensional Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Composite Catalysts for Vanadium Flow Batteries
Authors: Fu Shaofang , Zhu Chengzhou , Song Junhua , Engelhard Mark H. , Du Dan , Lin Yuehe 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe development of vanadium redox flow battery is limited by the sluggish kinetics of the reaction, especially the cathodic VO2+/VO2+ redox couples. Therefore, it is vital to develop new electrocatalysts with enhanced activity to improve the battery performance. Herein, we synthesized the hydrogel precursor by a facile hydrothermal method. After the following carbonization, nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube composite was obtained. By virtue of the large surface area and good conductivity, which are ensured by the unique hybrid structure, as well as the proper nitrogen doping, the as‐prepared composite presents enhanced catalytic performance toward the VO2+/VO2+ redox reaction. We also demonstrated the composite with carbon nanotube loading of 2 mg/mL exhibits the highest activity and remarkable stability in aqueous solution due to the strong synergy between reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes, indicating that this composite might show promising applications in vanadium redox flow battery.
Refinement and cross-validation of nickel bioavailability in PNEC-Pro, a regulatory tool for site-specific risk assessment of metals in surface water
Authors: Verschoor Anja J. , Vijver Martina G. , Vink Jos P.M. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive prescribes that the environmental quality standards for nickel in surface waters should be based on bioavailable concentrations. Biotic ligand models (BLMs) are powerful tools to account for site-specific bioavailability within risk assessments. Several BLMs and simplified tools are available. For nickel, most of them are based on the same toxicity dataset and chemical speciation methodology as laid down in the 2008 European Union Environmental Risk Assessment Report (RAR). Since then, further insights into the toxic effects of nickel on aquatic species have been gained, and new data and methodologies have been generated and implemented using the predicted-no-effect-concentration (PNEC)-pro tool. The aim of the present study is to provide maximum transparency on data revisions and how this affects the derived environmental quality standards. A case study with 7 different ecoregions was used to determine differences in species sensitivity distributions and in hazardous concentrations for 5% of the species (HC5) values between the original Ni-RAR BLMs and the PNEC-pro BLMs. The BLM parameters used were pH dependent, which extended the applicability domain of PNEC-pro up to a pH of 8.7 for surface waters. After inclusion of additional species and adjustment for cross-species extrapolation, the HC5s were well within the prediction range of the RAR. Based on the latest data and scientific insights, transfer functions in the user-friendly PNEC-pro tool have been updated accordingly without compromising the original considerations of the Ni-RAR. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2367–2376. © 2017 SETAC
RNA sequencing analysis of transcriptional change in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata after environmentally relevant sodium chloride exposure
Authors: Robertson Laura S. , Galbraith Heather S. , Iwanowicz Deborah , Blakeslee Carrie J. , Cornman R. Scott 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

To identify potential biomarkers of salt stress in a freshwater sentinel species, we examined transcriptional responses of the common mussel Elliptio complanata to controlled sodium chloride (NaCl) exposures. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq) of mantle tissue identified 481 transcripts differentially expressed in adult mussels exposed to 2 ppt NaCl (1.2 ppt chloride) for 7 d, of which 290 had nonoverlapping intervals. Differentially expressed gene categories included ion and transmembrane transport, oxidoreductase activity, maintenance of protein folding, and amino acid metabolism. The rate-limiting enzyme for synthesis of taurine, an amino acid frequently linked to osmotic stress in aquatic species, was upregulated, as was the transmembrane ion pump sodium/potassium adenosine 5′-triphosphatase. These patterns confirm a primary transcriptional response to the experimental dose, albeit likely overlapping with nonspecific secondary stress responses. Substantial involvement of the heat shock protein 70 chaperone family and the water-transporting aquaporin family was not detected, however, in contrast to some studies in other bivalves. A subset of the most significantly regulated genes was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in an independent sample. Cluster analysis showed separation of mussels exposed to 2 ppt NaCl from control mussels in multivariate space, but mussels exposed to 1 ppt NaCl were largely indistinguishable from controls. Transcriptome-scale analysis of salt exposure under laboratory conditions efficiently identified candidate biomarkers for further functional analysis and field validation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2352–2366. © Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Electrochemical Study of a SOFC with Various H2‐CO‐CH4‐CO2‐N2 Gaseous Mixtures
Authors: Le Gal La Salle A. , Ricoul F. , Joubert O. , Kerihuel A. , Subrenat A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis work focuses on the operation of a Ni‐YSZ‐based SOFC fueled with a synthetic mixture of gas with composition similar to that obtained from biomass gasification, i.e., mainly composed of H2, CO and CO2 diluted in N2. Polarization, power versus intensity and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, both at open circuit voltage (OCV) and under polarization, are performed and compared. Results show that, contrary to what is observed at OCV, under current densities corresponding to standard operating conditions, the electrolyte is responsible for the main part of the resistance of the cell.
Post‐test Analysis on a Solid Oxide Cell Stack Operated for 10,700 Hours in Steam Electrolysis Mode
Authors: Rinaldi G. , Diethelm S. , Oveisi E. , Burdet P. , Van herle J. , Montinaro D. , Fu Q. , Brisse A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA solid oxide short stack composed of 6 Ni‐YSZ supported cells, YSZ electrolyte and GDC‐LSC oxygen electrode has been tested for 10,700 hours in steam electrolysis. Initial degradation was followed by a global stabilization of the performance after lowering the current density, with a degradation rate below 0.5% kh−1.Post‐test analysis has been conducted on two repeating units (RUs) to highlight the most significant microstructure alterations. Nickel depletion was observed in the hydrogen electrode close to the interface with the electrolyte. Formation of small pores in the electrolyte was detected along the grain boundaries. A consequent detachment related to this phenomenon was observed in proximity of the GDC compatibility layer. At the oxygen electrode side, the formation of a ∼1 µm dense mixed layer of GDC and YSZ was observed. Strontium from the LSC electrode migrated through GDC pores and reacted with YSZ, forming evident SrZrO3 inclusions. Distinct accumulation of silicon at the Ni/YSZ interface and chromium on the GDC barrier layer have been observed in both RUs. Despite this range of alterations observed, the stack degradation remained limited, testified from the fact that performance decay between 4,000 and 10,000 hours of operation was virtually nil.
Cutaneous adnexal adenocarcinoma with exquisite sensitivity to trastuzumab
Authors: Brown Timothy J. , Sher David J. , Nedzi Lucien A. , Hughes Randall S. , Beg Muhammad S. , Mull Jason , Sarode Venetia R. , Khan Saad A. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundCutaneous adnexal adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer that is occasionally human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER‐2)‐positive, and demonstrates variable response to HER‐2 inhibitors.MethodsWe report a case of adnexal adenocarcinoma of the scalp in a 56‐year‐old man. He underwent wide local excision with cervical node dissection followed by radiation, but had extensive local recurrence.ResultsPathology demonstrated a poorly differentiated adnexal adenocarcinoma with HER‐2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and high HER‐2 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The patient was treated with trastuzumab‐based therapy with dramatic response and clinical resolution of the tumor. Upon pausing trastuzumab, he developed local relapse, but had an excellent response to restarting trastuzumab monotherapy. He lacks visible disease 43 months after the initial diagnosis.ConclusionWe believe the exquisite sensitivity of the primary carcinoma and subsequent recurrence to trastuzumab therapy was due to strong HER‐2 expression both at the protein and gene level. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: E69–E71, 2017
Effect of Sonication Duration and Power on Ablation Depth During MR‐Guided Focused Ultrasound of Bone
Authors: Bucknor Matthew D. , Ozhinsky Eugene , Shah Rutwik , Krug Roland , Rieke Viola 
Published: February 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of differences in sonication duration and power on the size of postcontrast ablation zone following magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) of bone in a swine femoral bone model.Materials and MethodsExperimental procedures received approval from the Institutional Committee on Animal Research. MRgFUS was used to create two thermal lesions in the left femur of six pigs. Each target was subjected to six sonications. 400J of energy was used for each sonication. However, the distal target received the standard sonication duration of 20 seconds (20W), while the proximal target received a longer sonication duration of 40 seconds (10W). MRgFUS lesions were imaged with fat‐saturated spoiled gradient echo sequence at 3.0T MRI 10 minutes following the administration of contrast. Maximum three‐plane dimensions of the hypoenhanced ablation area were measured.ResultsPostcontrast MR images demonstrated ovoid regions of hypoenhancement at each target. The average depth of ablation was significantly greater for the shorter high‐power sonications (7.3 mm), compared to the longer lower‐power sonications (4.5 mm), P = 0.026. The craniocaudal dimension was also greater for the shorter ablations 26.7 mm compared to the longer sonications 21.0 mm, P = 0.006.ConclusionContrary to anecdotal clinical experience, this preclinical model suggests that during MRgFUS of bone, standard duration, higher‐power sonications resulted in deeper ablation volumes compared to long duration, lower‐power sonications. These results suggest that to achieve deeper ablations, if longer sonications are used, then the power should be relatively maintained, for a net energy increase.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 5J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1418–1422.
Modelling and multiobjective optimization analysis of a permanent magnet synchronous motor design
Authors: Karnavas Y. L. , Chasiotis I. D. , Korkas C. D. , Amoutzidis S. K. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAn alternative to traditional low‐speed/high‐torque drive systems, which are currently used in industry, could be the use of a permanent magnet synchronous motor directly coupled to the load and running at low speed, instead of the induction motor along with its mechanical transmission parts. The paper—in this context—deals with the analytical design procedure, optimization, and evaluation of such a motor (5 kW/50 rpm) and focuses on 2 topologies, ie, with inner and outer rotor. Finite element method designs of the permanent magnet machines are implemented as solutions of a complex optimization problem and several goals (multiobjectives) are considered (ie, machine weight minimization or efficiency maximization) with respect to relevant constraints. Three optimization methods are adopted and applied and a weighted cost function is proposed. The effectiveness of our problem design formulation approach and the use of these methods, in finding alternative and competitive permanent magnet synchronous motor designs, are also evaluated. The results reveal satisfactory design solutions and present acceptable performance. Moreover, by means of simulations, the application of several commercially available ferromagnetic materials for the motors' stator and rotor cores is performed. Last but not least, the effect of pole‐arc per pole‐pitch ratio along with the magnets length variation is also investigated.
The effects of venous ensheathment on facial nerve repair in the rat
Authors: Chen Pei , Knox Christopher J. , Yao Linli , Li Chunli , Hadlock Tessa A. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of autologous venous ensheathment on sutured rat facial nerve and to test whether the ensheathment could improve the functional recovery of repaired nerve and accuracy of axonal growth.Study DesignIn vivo study.MethodsForty‐six rats were examined, with six rats serving as normal controls and 40 receiving facial nerve transection and suture repair (SR) or transection and suture repair with an additional venous ensheathment (VE). The rats were then subjected to functional testing, histological assessment of nerve specimens, or retrograde tracing, respectively.ResultsAt the postoperative day (POD) 60, the venous ensheathment showed no adhesion at the surrounding tissues. No significant difference in neuroma formation was found between the two surgical manipulations (SR and VE groups) (P < 0.05). Retrogradely labeled motoneurons in facial nuclei were extremely disorganized after the facial nerve undertook surgical manipulation. In all manipulated groups, double retrogradely labeled neurons, indicative of aberrant axonal branching during regeneration, could be observed after peripheral manipulation across all time points. With the two facial surgical manipulations, the average count of double‐labeled neurons at POD 60 was significantly less than at POD 21 (P < 0.05).ConclusionAutologous venous ensheathment could not help with the functional recovery of facial nerve or improve the accuracy of axonal regeneration. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the effects of venous ensheathment in other motor and sensory nerve models.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 127:1558–1564, 2017
Quality of life of patients who underwent aesthetic rhinoplasty: 100 cases assessed with the Glascow Benefit Inventory
Authors: Kotzampasakis Dimitrios , Piniara Anastasia , Themelis Sotirios , Kotzampasakis Stylianos , Gabriel Eustratios , Maroudias Nikos , Nikolopoulos Thomas 
Published: February 2017

Objectives/HypothesisThe aim of the present study is to assess the long‐term effect of classic rhinoplasty on patients' quality of life.Study DesignOutcomes research.MethodsThe study included 100 operated patients; there were 34 males and 66 females. The ages ranged between 23 and 57 years old, with a mean of 36.4 years. A minimum of 3 years between the operation and the study was selected to assess the long‐term effect of the operation on the patients' quality of life and exclude any short‐term impressions. The time elapsed between surgery and the time of the study ranged from 3 to 13 years, with a mean of 6.8 years. Patients were assessed using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory, which has been proven valid and reliable in ear, nose, and throat interventions.ResultsFrom the 100 patients included in the study, 92 reported improvement in their quality of life due to the operation and only eight worsening. In the social support subscale, 97 patients reported better quality of life, and only three patients reported worse quality of life. The patients' overall life markedly improved, reaching a mean of 80% in the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.ConclusionsThe present long‐term study using a validated and reliable instrument concludes that rhinoplasty improves the quality of life of patients in all sectors.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 127:2017–2025, 2017
The repeatability of tests of eustachian tube function in healthy ears
Authors: Smith Matthew E. , Zou Charlie C. , Baker Charlotte , Blythe Andrew J. C. , Hutchinson Peter J. A. , Tysome James R. 
Published: February 2017

Objectives/HypothesisMany objective tests of eustachian tube (ET) function have been devised for clinical and research use but they have not been directly compared or characterized. As a first step to identifying tests to incorporate into an outcome set for ET dysfunction, we assessed repeatability of a panel of eight of these tests in healthy ears.Study DesignComparison of eight tests of ET function.MethodsThe following tests were investigated in combination with Valsalva, Toynbee, swallow, or sniff maneuvers: 1) patient‐reported ET opening, 2) observed tympanic membrane movement, 3) continuous impedance, 4) canal manometry, 5) sonotubometry, 6) nine‐step test, 7) tubomanometry, and 8) tympanometry at rest. Forty‐two healthy volunteers were recruited. Each test was performed in 20 different ears and repeated immediately three times in each cycle, with four cycles performed at 20‐minute intervals. Repeatability of detected ET opening was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsMean ET opening rate with each test ranged from 30% to 95%. Variation in detection of ET opening was less when tests were repeated immediately (ICC = 0.61) when compared to between cycles (ICC = 0.49), suggesting there may be significant changes in ET function in the short term. Tubomanometry was the only test to combine a detected ET opening rate of >85% and substantial agreement of results (ICC >0.61) between test cycles.ConclusionsTubomanometry was the most reliable test at detecting ET opening. When tests of ET function are used in clinical practice, they should be performed more than once to gain a more reliable result.Level of Evidence3b. Laryngoscope, 127:2619–2626, 2017