bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artenkenntnis einheimischer Vögel
Authors: Gerl Thomas , Hollweck Ernst , Almer Johannes , Herden Michael 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungDa Schüler nur noch sehr wenige einheimische Vogelarten bestimmen können, wurden in einem fächerübergreifenen Ansatz Unterrichtsmaterialien entwickelt, um ihre Artenkenntnis zu verbessern und sie dazu zu befähigen, am Beispiel der Vögel eigene Naturbeobachtungen durchzuführen. Dabei wendet sich der Fokus von der intensiven exemplarischen Studie eines einzelnen Vogels über die Nutzung spielerischer Online‐Bestimmungsübungen hin zu einem breiten Überblick über die Vielfalt der Arten, um diesen Grundstock an Formenkenntnis schließlich bei eigenen Freilanduntersuchungen anzuwenden.
Nachrichten des Verbandes Biologie, Biowissenschaften & Biomedizin in Deutschland
Authors: Schuh Sabine 
Published: August 2017

Wissenschaft & GesellschaftGrundsatzposition TierversucheBundestagswahl 2017FachgesellschaftenFinanzierung von JahrestagungenLandesverbändeBayernHessenArbeitskreiseBTA‐AusbildungVeranstaltungen
Versatile chromatographic method for catechin determination in development of topical formulations containing natural extracts
Authors: Ferreira‐Nunes Ricardo , Angelo Tamara , da Silva Sandra Márcia Mazutti , Magalhães Pérola Oliveira , Gratieri Tais , da Cunha‐Filho Marcílio Sérgio Soares , Gelfuso Guilherme Martins 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCatechin is found in several natural sources, as Eugenia dysenterica and Syzygium cumini extracts. Its antioxidant and UV‐protective properties suggest a potential use in cosmetic and dermatological formulations. A simple analytical method capable of giving support to experiments performed along the development of topical formulations containing this natural substance (i.e. drug assay, skin permeation and stability studies), however, is still needed. Thus, this work aimed to develop and validate a selective HPLC method for catechin determination during the development of topical formulations. Separation was achieved using an RP‐C18 column (300 × 3.9 mm; 10 μm), with a mobile phase of methanol–phosphoric acid 0.01 m (15: 85, v/v), a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, temperature set at 40°C and UV detection at 230 nm. The method was linear in a range from 0.5 to 10.0 μg/mL (r = 0.9998), precise with an overall variation coefficient of 5.5% and accurate with catechin recovery from the skin layers >85%. Additionally, the method was sensitive (limit of detection, 0.109 μg/mL; limit of quantification, 0.342 μg/mL) and selective against plant extracts, skin matrices and formulation interferents, as well as catechin degradation products. It was also robust regarding both methodology parameters and analytical stability.
LC‐ESI‐MS/MS determination of 4‐methylpyrazole in dog plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in dogs
Authors: Chandrasekhar Devaraj V. , Suresh Ponnayyan Sulochana , Dittakavi Sreekanth , Hiremath Rakesh A. , Bhamidipati Ravi Kanth , Richter Wolfgang , Srinivas Nuggehally R. , Mullangi Ramesh 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA simple, specific, sensitive and rapid LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the quantification of 4‐methylpyrazole in dog plasma using N‐methylnicotinamide‐d4 as an internal standard (IS) as per regulatory guidelines. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation of 4‐methylpyrazole and the IS was performed on a monolithic (Chromolith RP18e) column using an isocratic mobile phase comprising 0.2% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Elution of 4‐methylpyrazole and the IS occurred at ~1.60 and 1.56 min, respectively. The total chromatographic run time was 3.2 min. A linear response function was established in the concentration range of 4.96–4955 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were in the ranges 1.81–12.9 and 3.80–11.1%, respectively. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study in dogs.
A meta‐analysis: microRNAs’ prognostic function in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Yu Na , Zhang Qingjun , Liu Qing , Yang Jiayu , Zhang Sheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAccumulating papers have demonstrated that microRNAs play an important role in the progression of lung cancer, mainly as oncogenic and tumor suppressive. Therefore, microRNAs may influence the survival of lung cancer patients. In this meta‐analysis, we evaluated the role of microRNAs in affecting the overall survival in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, which may provide valuable information for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer. We used keywords to retrieve literatures from online databases PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science and included 12 studies into our investigation according to pre‐set criteria. Then, we analyzed the data with stata13.1 to evaluate the microRNAs role on the prognosis of NSCLC patients. NSCLC patients with higher microRNAs expression levels tend to show lower overall survival. HR (hazard ratio): 2.49, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.84–3.37. Besides, both oncogenic and tumor suppressive microRNAs have an evident influence on prognosis with HR values of 2.60 (95% CI: 2.12–3.19) and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.05–0.34), respectively. microRNAs, especially from tissue, have an influence on overall survival of NSCLC patients, which indicates that microRNAs could serve as potential prognostic markers for NSCLC and may provide a treatment strategy for advanced NSCLC patients.
Prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous hemimandibulectomy patient: a clinical report
Authors: Sahu Shailendra Kumar , Motwani B.K. , Dani Anurag 
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical MessageSurgical resection of mandible causes deviation of mandible toward affected side, resulting in loss of occlusal contact. This article presents twin rows of nonanatomic teeth on the untreated side of maxillary complete denture. The palatal row helps in mastication, whereas the buccal row supports the cheeks and improves the aesthetics.
Systemic BCG‐osis following intravesical BCG instillation for bladder carcinoma
Authors: Liaw Frank , Tan Yan Yu , Hendry David 
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical MessageIntravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) has been shown to be an effective form of immunotherapy for bladder cancer. This case report describes a patient who develops systemic BCG‐osis following intravesical BCG instillation and demonstrates the importance of being aware of more severe complications associated with BCG immunotherapy.
Mechanisms of Two‐Electron versus Four‐Electron Reduction of Dioxygen Catalyzed by Earth‐Abundant Metal Complexes
Authors: Fukuzumi Shunichi , Lee Yong‐Min , Nam Wonwoo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe two‐electron reduction of dioxygen with two protons produces hydrogen peroxide, which is directly used as a liquid fuel in hydrogen peroxide fuel cells, whereas the four‐electron reduction of dioxygen is combined with the two‐electron oxidation of hydrogen in hydrogen fuel cells. Platinum (Pt)‐based nanocomposites are the most efficient commercial electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the poor stability, scarcity and high cost of these Pt‐based oxygen electrocatalysts are major barriers for the large‐scale implementation of fuel cell technologies. Replacing noble metal‐based electrocatalysts with highly efficient and inexpensive earth‐abundant metal‐based oxygen electrocatalysts has been of critical importance for practical applications. To develop efficient catalysts for the two‐electron and four‐electron reduction of dioxygen, it is crucially important to clarify the catalytic mechanisms of two‐electron/two‐proton versus four‐electron/four‐proton reduction of dioxygen with earth‐abundant metal complexes. This review focused on the factors that control the two‐electron/two‐proton versus four‐electron/four‐proton reduction of dioxygen by electron donors (one electron reductants) such as ferrocene, catalyzed by earth‐abundant metal complexes such as iron, cobalt, copper, manganese and nickel complexes in the homogeneous phase, by detecting catalytic intermediates, which determine the catalytic pathways of the two‐electron versus four‐electron reduction of dioxygen. The electrocatalytic two‐electron or/and four‐electron reduction of dioxygen with earth‐abundant metal complexes and metal oxides has also been discussed in relation with the homogeneous catalysis.
Voltammetric, Spectroscopic, and Microscopic Investigation of the Oxidation of Solid and Solution Phases of Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) to (TTF)2MO4(M=Mo, W)
Authors: Ahmed Shaimaa M. , Bond Alan M. , Martin Lisandra L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe diffusion‐controlled solid−solid‐state transformation of TTF to (TTF)2MoO4and (TTF)2WO4is reported at TTF‐modified glassy carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO), Au, and Pt electrodes in contact with aqueous MoO42−or WO42−electrolytes. Electrocrystallization of (TTF)2MoO4and (TTF)2WO4onto the electrode surface also was achieved by oxidation of TTF to TTF+in the presence of Na2MoO4and Na2WO4in the mixed CH3CN/H2O (90 : 10 v/v) solvent containing 0.1 M Bu4NPF6as the supporting electrolyte. Mechanistic aspects of the solid−solid state interconversion reactions and electrocrystallization have been probed by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (ESPR), whereas the morphology of the electrocrystallized materials was established by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vibrational (IR, Raman) and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods, as well as other techniques, were used to establish that the products of electrooxidation are (TTF)2MoO4and (TTF)2WO4.
Kinetics of the Reduction of Ruthenium Hexaammine at Bismuth Electrodes in Aqueous Solution: Analyzing the Potential Dependence of the Transfer Coefficient
Authors: Nomor Aondoakaa S. , Horrocks Ben R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe reduction of Ru(NH3)63+ at Bi electrodes in aqueous KCl is much slower than at Pt electrodes. Differential capacitance and ex situ photoemission spectra indicate the presence of a thin oxide layer about 1.5 nm thick on the Bi surface near the formal potential of −0.217 V vs Ag/AgCl/1 M KCl(aq). Despite the presence of this oxide, reproducible impedance spectra near the formal potential were obtained for Ru(NH3)63+ that could be analyzed by using a Randles circuit modified to incorporate a constant phase element. The value of the standard rate constant was 1.47±0.44×10−3 cm s−1. Under the same conditions, impedance spectra for Pt/Ru(NH3)63+ were reversible up to the highest frequencies (105 Hz) employed. The charge‐transfer resistance−dc potential curves obtained from the impedance spectra were fitted by a regression model, which contained no a priori assumption about the potential dependence of the transfer coefficient except piecewise linearity. The measured transfer coefficients show clear evidence of diffuse layer effects, but, in addition, an increase in transfer coefficient at the most negative potentials studied was observed and interpreted in terms of the reduction and thinning of the anodic oxide.
Financial Auditor and Sustainability Reporting: Does it matter?
Authors: Fernandez‐Feijoo Belen , Romero Silvia , Ruiz Silvia 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to investigate the yet‐to‐develop assurance market, its links with the mature auditing market, and the role that the Big4 auditing firms (KPMG, EY, PwC, and Deloitte) play in the former. We use data submitted to the Global Reporting Initiative by companies in 18 countries, for the years 2011–2013, in order to obtain a global overview that allows generalization of the results. We find higher levels of disclosure and increased credibility of sustainability reports (SRs) when the financial auditor is a Big4. Companies audited by a Big4 are more likely to assure the SR than those audited by a non‐Big4. Our paper confirms the connection between financial auditor and assurer of SR provider in an international setting: the choice of a Big4 as a financial auditor is a driver for the choice of a Big4 as an assurer provider, suggesting a potential competitive advantage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Reducing the Cost of Zinc–Oxygen Batteries by Oxygen Recycling
Authors: Yan Zhao , Gao Jianxin , Liu Min , Wang Erdong , Sun Gongquan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWith the increasing demand of energy storage towards increasing the use of renewable energy technologies, electrochemical systems with low cost, high safety levels, and low environmental impact are critically needed. Zinc–air/oxygen batteries, which were always considered to be cheap, are losing their competitive advantages due to poor cyclic performance and energy efficiency. Herein, an effective strategy for oxygen recycling, which reduces the cost of oxygen to as low as ¢ 0.2 kWh−1 per cycle, is reported. With the use of oxygen, the performance of zinc–oxygen batteries is largely increased, with a maximum power density of 290 mW cm−2, stable cycling for more than 1500 cycles, an average energy density of 60 %, and elimination of carbonates. A 1 kW/1 kWh zinc–oxygen battery system is also integrated and exhibits a satisfactory energy efficiency of 58 % and a high working power density of 75 mW cm−2.
A new model for spectral velocity ordinates at long periods
Authors: Samdaria Nikhil , Gupta Vinay K. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe estimation of peak linear response via elastic design (response) spectra continues to form the basis of earthquake‐resistant design of structural systems in various codes of practice all over the world. Many response spectrum‐based formulations of peak linear response require an additional input of the spectral velocity (SV) ordinates consistent with the specified seismic hazard. SV ordinates have been conventionally approximated by pseudo spectral velocity (PSV) ordinates, which are close to the SV ordinates only over the intermediate frequency range coinciding with the velocity‐sensitive region. At long periods, PSV ordinates underestimate the SV ordinates, and this study proposes a formulation of a correction factor (>1) that needs to be multiplied by the PSV ordinates in order to close the gap between the two sets of ordinates. A simple model is proposed in the form of a power function in oscillator period to estimate this factor in terms of two governing parameters which are in turn estimated from two single‐parameter scaling equations. The parameters considered for the scaling equations are (1) the period at which the PSV spectrum is maximized and (2) the rate of decay of the pseudo spectral acceleration (PSA) amplitudes at long periods. For a given damping ratio, four regression coefficients are determined for the scaling equations with the help of 205 ground motions recorded in western USA. A numerical study undertaken with the help of several design PSA spectra and ensembles of spectrum‐compatible ground motions illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed correction factor, together with the proposed scaling models, in comparison with the PSV approximation in a variety of design situations. Both the input parameters mentioned above can be easily obtained from the specified design spectrum, and thus the proposed model is convenient to use.
Peat depth as a control on moss water availability under evaporative stress
Authors: Dixon Simon J. , Kettridge Nicholas , Moore Paul A. , Devito Kevin J. , Tilak Amey S. , Petrone Richard M. , Mendoza Carl A. , Waddington James M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNorthern peatlands are a vital component of the global carbon cycle, containing large stores of soil organic carbon and acting as a long‐term carbon sink. Moss productivity is an important factor in determining whether these wetlands will retain this function under future climatic conditions. Research on unsaturated water flow in peatlands, which controls moss productivity during periods of evaporative stress, has focused on relatively deep bog systems. However, shallower peatlands and marginal connective wetlands can be essential components of many landscape mosaics. In order to better understand factors influencing moss productivity, water balance simulations using HYDRUS‐1D were run for different soil profile depths, compositions, and antecedent moisture conditions. Our results demonstrate a bimodal distribution of peatland realizations, either primarily conserving water by limiting evapotranspiration or maximizing moss productivity. For sustained periods of evaporative stress, both deep water storage and a shallow initial water table delay the onset of high vegetative stress, thus maximizing moss productivity. A total depth of sand and peat of 0.8 m is identified as the threshold above which increasing peat depth has no effect on changing vegetative stress response. In contrast, wetlands with shallow peat deposits (less than 0.5 m thick) are least able to buffer prolonged periods of evaporation due to limited labile water storage and will thus quickly experience vegetative stress and so limit evaporation and conserve water. With a predicted increase in the frequency and size of rain events in continental North America, the moss productivity of shallow wetland systems may increase, but also greater moisture availability will increase the likelihood they remain as wetlands in a changing climate.
Modelling of colloidal particle and heavy metal transfer behaviours during seawater intrusion and refreshing processes
Authors: Tan Bo , Liu Shuguang , Dai Chaomeng , Zhou Hui , Hui Zhenquan , Zhong Guihui , Zhang Hong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe proper management of coastal aquifers commonly requires an understanding of regional mass flow and complete seawater–freshwater circulation. In this study, time series observations of seawater intrusion and refreshing were conducted using a column experiment based on natural flow conditions in coastal groundwater and a sampled medium from a coastal sandy aquifer without chemical treatment. Ranges of hydrodynamic and hydrochemical variables were tested and analysed. The results showed that the zeta potential of suspended colloids in aqueous solution in an aquifer polluted with 0.5 g/kg of heavy metals exhibited an isoelectric point for pH values ranging from 5.70 to 6.07 when freshwater or seawater completely occupied the aquifer pores, which is representative of natural hydrochemical conditions. In this scenario, a high background concentration of heavy metals induced colloidal immobilization. Otherwise, seawater–freshwater circulation enabled colloid mobilization due to ionic strength and pH fluctuations. The migration of multiple heavy metals occurred at a characteristic time of approximately 1 pore volume after each intrusion stage began and when the peak rate of colloid release was reached. At these times, the colloid behaviour determined the quantity and pathway of heavy metal transport. On the basis of the influences of seawater and freshwater interactions, the quantity of mobilized particles generally decreased and was uniformly distributed in each fraction due to particle loss and decreased porous connectivity. We speculate that the decrease in the total surface area of the migratory colloids may cause colloid‐associated heavy metal transport to decrease. The experimental results provide a useful basis for testing coastal groundwater flow and mass transport models because these phenomena require full characterization to precisely evaluate the associated fluxes from the field scale to the microscopic dimension.
Terahertz Thermometry: Combining Hyperspectral Imaging and Temperature Mapping at Terahertz Frequencies
Authors: Naccache Rafik , Mazhorova Anna , Clerici Matteo , Piccoli Riccardo , Khorashad Larousse Khosravi , Govorov Alexander O. , Razzari Luca , Vetrone Fiorenzo , Morandotti Roberto 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe accurate and non‐invasive determination of multiple physical parameters, with well‐defined spatial resolution, is crucial for applications in manufacturing, chemistry, medicine and biology. Specifically, the ability to simultaneously measure both temperature and spectral signatures is still experimentally unavailable. To this end, we propose a mapping technique for biological systems, which exploits a linear correlation between terahertz wave reflectivity and temperature, and allows to spatially and spectrally resolve thermal distributions. This method is applied to a model biological system in two relevant cases where in one example, nanoplasmonic‐induced photothermal effects are imaged gaining new insights into collective heating phenomena. In the second example, we demonstrate a joint thermal‐hyperspectral imaging approach to chemically map the presence of a model drug formulation and simultaneously investigate its thermal stability in our biological system. This concept can be easily extended and widely applied to all materials that demonstrate a measurable change in their dielectric properties.
Theory of Self‐pulsing in Photonic Crystal Fano Lasers
Authors: Rasmussen Thorsten S. , Yu Yi , Mork Jesper 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLaser self‐pulsing was a phenomenon exclusive to macroscopic lasers until recently, where self‐starting laser pulsation in a microscopic photonic crystal Fano laser was reported. In this paper a theoretical model is developed to describe the Fano laser, including descriptions of the highly‐dispersive Fano mirror, the laser frequency and the threshold gain. The model is based upon a combination of conventional laser rate equations and coupled‐mode theory. The dynamical model is used to demonstrate how the laser has two regimes of operation, continuous‐wave output and self‐pulsing, and these regimes are characterised using phase diagrams, establishing the regime of self‐pulsing numerically. Furthermore, the physics behind the self‐pulsing mechanism are explained in detail and it is demonstrated how cavity absorption makes the Fano mirror function as a saturable absorber, leading to Q‐switched pulse generation. A stability analysis is used to demonstrate how the dominant mechanism of instability is relaxation oscillations becoming un‐damped. Finally the effect of varying key self‐pulsing parameters is investigated by characterisation of the change in self‐pulsing regions.
Inverted Quasi‐Spherical Droplets on Polydopamine–TiO2 Substrates for Enhancing Gene Delivery
Authors: Kim Seung‐Hyun , Lee Mihyun , Cho Mira , Kim Il‐Sun , Park Kook In , Lee Haeshin , Jang Jae‐Hyung 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDevising efficient gene delivery systems is crucial to enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of gene–cell therapy approaches. Herein, inverted quasi‐spherical (iQS) droplet systems, which enhance gene delivery efficiencies by reducing the path lengths of gene vectors, mediating motions of vectors at early stages, and raising the contact frequencies of vectors with cells, are developed by adopting the principle of 3D hanging‐drop cell culture. Micrometer‐sized polydopamine (pDA) holes are created on superhydrophobic titanium isopropoxide (TiO2)‐coated substrates by physical scraping; droplets are loaded on the pDA holes, and inversion of the substrate generates iQS droplets with large contact angles. Both human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and adeno‐associated viral vectors are simultaneously incorporated into the iQS droplets to assess gene delivery efficiencies. The steep angles of iQS droplets and enhanced cell/vector contact frequencies facilitate the viral association with hNSCs and enhancing cell–cell interactions, thereby significantly promoting gene delivery efficiencies. Even with reduced viral quantities/exposure times and cell numbers, the iQS droplet systems elicit sufficient gene expression (i.e., interleukin‐10). The ability of the iQS droplet systems to maximize beneficial gene delivery effects with minimal materials (e.g., medium, cells, and vectors) should enable their extensive use as a platform for preparing genetically stimulated cellular therapeutics.