bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dry Reforming of Methane in a Gliding Arc Plasmatron: Towards a Better Understanding of the Plasma Chemistry
Authors: Cleiren Emelie , Heijkers Stijn , Ramakers Marleen , Bogaerts Annemie 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDry reforming of methane (DRM) in a gliding arc plasmatron is studied for different CH4 fractions in the mixture. The CO2 and CH4 conversions reach their highest values of approximately 18 and 10 %, respectively, at 25 % CH4 in the gas mixture, corresponding to an overall energy cost of 10 kJ L−1 (or 2.5 eV per molecule) and an energy efficiency of 66 %. CO and H2 are the major products, with the formation of smaller fractions of C2Hx (x=2, 4, or 6) compounds and H2O. A chemical kinetics model is used to investigate the underlying chemical processes. The calculated CO2 and CH4 conversion and the energy efficiency are in good agreement with the experimental data. The model calculations reveal that the reaction of CO2 (mainly at vibrationally excited levels) with H radicals is mainly responsible for the CO2 conversion, especially at higher CH4 fractions in the mixture, which explains why the CO2 conversion increases with increasing CH4 fraction. The main process responsible for CH4 conversion is the reaction with OH radicals. The excellent energy efficiency can be explained by the non‐equilibrium character of the plasma, in which the electrons mainly activate the gas molecules, and by the important role of the vibrational kinetics of CO2. The results demonstrate that a gliding arc plasmatron is very promising for DRM.
Polymeric Redox‐Active Electrodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Fernández Naiara , Sánchez‐Fontecoba Paula , Castillo‐Martínez Elizabeth , Carretero‐González Javier , Rojo Teófilo , Armand Michel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPolymer binding agents are critical for the good performance of the electrodes of Na‐ and Li‐ion batteries during cycling as they hold the electroactive material together to form a cohesive assembly because of their mechanical and chemical stability as well as adhesion to the current collector. New redox‐active polymer binders that insert Na+ ions and show adhesion properties were synthesized by adding polyether amine blocks (Jeffamine) based on mixed propylene oxide and ethylene oxide blocks to p‐phenylenediamine and terephthalaldehyde units to form electroactive Schiff‐base groups along the macromolecule. The synthetic parameters and the electrochemical properties of these terpolymers as Na‐ion negative electrodes in half cells were studied. Reversible capacities of 300 mAh g−1 (50 wt % conducting carbon) and 200 mAh g−1 (20 wt % conducting carbon) were achieved in powder and Cu‐supported electrodes, respectively, for a polySchiff‐polyether terpolymer synthesized by using a poly(ethylene oxide) block of 600 g mol−1 in place of one third of the aniline units. The new redox‐active polymers were also used as a binding agent of another anode material (hard carbon), which led to an increase of the total capacity of the electrode compared to that prepared with other standard fluorinated polymer binders such as poly(vinylidene) fluoride.
Cryopreservation of canine cardiosphere‐derived cells: Implications for clinical application
Authors: Dutton Luke C. , Church Sophie A.V. , Hodgkiss‐Geere Hannah , Catchpole Brian , Huggins Anthony , Dudhia Jayesh , Connolly David J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe clinical application of cardiosphere‐derived cells (CDCs) to treat cardiac disease has gained increasing interest over the past decade. Recent clinical trials confirm their regenerative capabilities, although much remains to be elucidated about their basic biology. To develop this new treatment modality, in a cost effective and standardized workflow, necessitates the creation of cryopreserved cell lines to facilitate access for cardiac patients requiring urgent therapy. Cryopreservation may however lead to alterations in cell behavior and potency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cryopreservation on canine CDCs. CDCs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from five dogs were characterized. CDCs demonstrated a population doubling time that was unchanged by cryopreservation (fresh vs. cryopreserved; 57.13 ± 5.27 h vs. 48.94 ± 9.55 h, P = 0.71). This was slower than for MSCs (30.46 h, P < 0.05). The ability to form clones, self‐renew, and commit to multiple lineages was unaffected by cryopreservation. Cryopreserved CDCs formed larger cardiospheres compared to fresh cells (P < 0.0001). Fresh CDCs showed a high proportion of CD105+ (89.0% ± 4.98) and CD44+ (99.68% ± 0.13) cells with varying proportions of CD90+ (23.36% ± 9.78), CD34+ (7.18% ± 4.03) and c‐Kit+ (13.17% ± 8.67) cells. CD45+ (0.015% ± 0.005) and CD29+ (2.92% ± 2.46) populations were negligible. Increasing passage number of fresh CDCs correlated with an increase in the proportion of CD34+ and a decrease in CD90+ cells (P = 0.003 and 0.03, respectively). Cryopreserved CDCs displayed increased CD34+ (P < 0.001) and decreased CD90+ cells (P = 0.042) when compared to fresh cells. Overall, our study shows that cryopreservation of canine CDCs is feasible without altering their stem characteristics, thereby facilitating their utilization for clinical trials. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Salinity‐Difference‐Driven Power Generation by a Hybrid Capacitive Approach
Authors: Zhan Fei , Wang Gang , Wu Tingting , Dong Qiang , Meng Yulan , Wang Jianren , Qiu Jieshan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe extraction of salinity gradient energy remains a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a new method for the extraction of salinity gradient energy by using a hybrid capacitor, which consists of a battery electrode and a porous carbon electrode. The potentials of the Na4Mn9O18 (NMO) and activated carbon (AC) electrodes show opposite dependencies on salt concentration, so that as fresh water and salt water flow alternately through the hybrid capacitor, the voltage difference between the electrodes can be increased by 110 mV. Our results demonstrate the viability of this new method to harvest salinity gradient energy without using membranes or precious metals.
Multiple linear regression models for predicting chronic aluminum toxicity to freshwater aquatic organisms and developing water quality guidelines
Authors: DeForest David K. , Brix Kevin V. , Tear Lucinda M. , Adams William J. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

The bioavailability of aluminum (Al) to freshwater aquatic organisms varies as a function of several water chemistry parameters, including pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and water hardness. We evaluated the ability of multiple linear regression (MLR) models to predict chronic Al toxicity to a green alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), and a fish (Pimephales promelas) as a function of varying DOC, pH, and hardness conditions. The MLR models predicted toxicity values that were within a factor of 2 of observed values in 100% of the cases for P. subcapitata (10 and 20% effective concentrations [EC10s and EC20s]), 91% of the cases for C. dubia (EC10s and EC20s), and 95% (EC10s) and 91% (EC20s) of the cases for P. promelas. The MLR models were then applied to all species with Al toxicity data to derive species and genus sensitivity distributions that could be adjusted as a function of varying DOC, pH, and hardness conditions (the P. subcapitata model was applied to algae and macrophytes, the C. dubia model was applied to invertebrates, and the P. promelas model was applied to fish). Hazardous concentrations to 5% of the species or genera were then derived in 2 ways: 1) fitting a log-normal distribution to species-mean EC10s for all species (following the European Union methodology), and 2) fitting a triangular distribution to genus-mean EC20s for animals only (following the US Environmental Protection Agency methodology). Overall, MLR-based models provide a viable approach for deriving Al water quality guidelines that vary as a function of DOC, pH, and hardness conditions and are a significant improvement over bioavailability corrections based on single parameters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:80–90. © 2017 SETAC
Preparation of 2D Carbon Materials by Chemical Carbonization of Cellulosic Materials to Avoid Thermal Decomposition
Authors: Kyotani Mutsumasa , Hiratani Kazuhisa , Okada Tatsuhiro , Matsushita Satoshi , Akagi Kazuo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCellulosic materials, including regenerated cellulose, are promising precursors for a variety of carbon materials. However, thermal decomposition, typically accompanying carbonization at high temperatures, hinders cellulosic materials from being efficiently carbonized (i.e., very low carbon yields). Herein, this study presents a new and efficient method for the preparation of porous 2D carbon materials from sheet‐like cellulosic materials, such as papers and fabrics, involving a catalyzed chemical reaction at high temperatures without thermal decomposition. Thus, cellulosic materials are treated with sulfonic acid solutions and significantly dehydrated at high temperatures via evaporation of water. As a result, black materials are obtained at a weight near the theoretical carbon content of cellulose and remain in the carbonized materials. The as‐obtained porous 2D carbon materials are flexible and suitable for a wide range of applications such as in electrodes and gas absorbents.
The clinical impact of bedside fiberoptic laryngoscopic recording on a tertiary consult service
Authors: Lozada Kirkland N. , Morton Kathryn , Stepan Katelyn , Capo Joseph , Chai Raymond L. 
Published: August 2017

Objectives/HypothesisFiberoptic laryngoscopy is dependent on accurate descriptions of examination findings. Traditional recording methods can be impractical for inpatient consults. Therefore, we aim to determine the utility of a smartphone‐coupled portable recording system with flexible laryngoscopy for transmitting information between resident and attending physicians in a real‐time setting.Study DesignPilot prospective study in a tertiary academic hospital.MethodsThis is a prospective study of inpatient consultations in a tertiary referral hospital over a 3‐month period from April 2015 to June 2015. Flexible laryngoscopy was performed by a resident physician, and mobile recordings were relayed to an attending physician. Concordance of laryngoscopy interpretations between resident and attending physicians as well as changes in management were documented.ResultsSeventy‐nine fiberoptic examinations were recorded and compared. Each consult was categorized as follows: airway evaluation (AE) (43%, 34/79), voice evaluation (VE) (3.7%, 3/79), dysphagia (D) (24%, 19/79), and aerodigestive tract mass/pathology (ADM) (29.1%, 23/79). Nine examinations showed discordance between resident and attending interpretations. Inter‐rater agreement was good, with a kappa value of 0.747 (95% confidence interval: 0.643‐0.851). The frequency of discordant exams within each group was as follows: AE (15%, 5/34), VE (33%, 1/3), D (11%, 2/19), and ADM (4.3%, 1/23). In five patients, changes in laryngoscopy interpretation changed clinical management. Seven nondiscordant exams had a change in management after attending review. Of the 79 exams, only one required repeat flexible laryngoscopy by the attending physician.ConclusionsPortable recording of flexible laryngoscopy is an effective tool for timely management of inpatient consultations.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:818–822, 2018
Direct comparison of in vivo versus postmortem second‐order motion‐compensated cardiac diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Stoeck Christian T. , von Deuster Constantin , Fleischmann Thea , Lipiski Miriam , Cesarovic Nikola , Kozerke Sebastian 
Published: August 2017

PurposeTo directly compare in vivo versus postmortem second‐order motion‐compensated spin‐echo diffusion tensor imaging of the porcine heart.MethodsSecond‐order motion‐compensated spin‐echo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging was performed during systolic contraction in vivo and repeated upon cardiac arrest by bariumchloride without repositioning of the study animal or replaning of imaging slices. In vivo and postmortem reproducibility was assessed by repeat measurements. Comparison of helix, transverse, and sheet (E2A) angulation as well as mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy was performed.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients for repeated measurements (postmortem/in vivo) were 0.95/0.96 for helix, 0.70/0.66 for transverse, and 0.79/0.72 for E2A angulation; 0.83/0.72 for mean diffusivity; and 0.78/0.76 for fractional anisotropy. The corresponding 95% levels of agreement across the left ventricle were: helix 14 to 18°/12 to 15°, transverse 9 to 10°/10 to 11°, E2A 15 to 20°/16 to 18°. The 95% levels of agreement across the left ventricle for the comparison of postmortem versus in vivo were 20 to 22° for helix, 13 to 19° for transverse, and 24 to 31° for E2A angulation.ConclusionsParameters derived from in vivo second‐order motion‐compensated spin‐echo diffusion tensor imaging agreed well with postmortem imaging, indicating sufficient suppression of motion‐induced signal distortions of in vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging. Magn Reson Med 79:2265–2276, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Fast 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting for a whole‐brain coverage
Authors: Ma Dan , Jiang Yun , Chen Yong , McGivney Debra , Mehta Bhairav , Gulani Vikas , Griswold Mark 
Published: August 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to accelerate the acquisition and reconstruction time of 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting scans.MethodsA 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting scan was accelerated by using a single‐shot spiral trajectory with an undersampling factor of 48 in the x‐y plane, and an interleaved sampling pattern with an undersampling factor of 3 through plane. Further acceleration came from reducing the waiting time between neighboring partitions. The reconstruction time was accelerated by applying singular value decomposition compression in k‐space. Finally, a 3D premeasured B1 map was used to correct for the B1 inhomogeneity.ResultsThe T1 and T2 values of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology MRI phantom showed a good agreement with the standard values, with an average concordance correlation coefficient of 0.99, and coefficient of variation of 7% in the repeatability scans. The results from in vivo scans also showed high image quality in both transverse and coronal views.ConclusionsThis study applied a fast acquisition scheme for a fully quantitative 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting scan with a total acceleration factor of 144 as compared with the Nyquist rate, such that 3D T1, T2, and proton density maps can be acquired with whole‐brain coverage at clinical resolution in less than 5 min. Magn Reson Med 79:2190–2197, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Coping with weight stigma: development and validation of a Brief Coping Responses Inventory
Authors: Hayward L. E. , Vartanian L. R. , Pinkus R. T. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryPeople who are overweight or obese are frequently stigmatized because of their weight, but there has been limited exploration of how people cope with these experiences. The Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) assesses a wide range of coping strategies in response to weight stigma; however, its length (99 items) may have prevented it from being widely used. The aim of the current research (four studies; total N = 1,391) was to develop and validate a Brief CRI. This 10‐item measure consists of two subscales that assess core coping responses to weight stigma: reappraisal and disengagement coping. Reappraisal coping is an adaptive form of coping that is associated with greater well‐being, whereas disengagement coping reflects a maladaptive form of coping that is associated with poorer well‐being. The Brief CRI provides a quick and effective way to assess coping with weight stigma, and its use has the potential to advance an understanding of the consequences of weight stigma.
Medication contaminants as a potential cause of anaphylaxis to vincristine
Authors: Hill David A. , Leahy Allison Barz , Sciasci Joseph , O'Neill Sean P. , Reilly Anne , Balamuth Naomi , Seeholzer Steven H. , Spergel Jonathan M. , Brown‐Whitehorn Terri F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVincristine (VCR) is a vinca alkaloid and common chemotherapeutic that is used to treat multiple pediatric and adult malignancies. Despite its common use, cases of anaphylaxis to VCR are rare and typically isolated to a single individual. We report a series of eight patients with adverse reactions to VCR over the course of 11 months at a single institution, four of which progressed to anaphylaxis and one of which resulted in cardiac arrest. Mass spectrometry analysis of medication lots was performed to test for possible contaminant(s). Our findings highlight the risk of anaphylaxis during therapy with VCR.
Synthesis of Uniquely Structured Yolk–Shell Metal Oxide Microspheres Filled with Nitrogen‐Doped Graphitic Carbon with Excellent Li–Ion Storage Performance
Authors: Kim Jung Hyun , Kang Yun Chan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNovel structured composite microspheres of metal oxide and nitrogen‐doped graphitic carbon (NGC) have been developed as efficient anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. A new strategy is first applied to a one‐pot preparation of composite (FeOx‐NGC/Y) microspheres via spray pyrolysis. The FeOx‐NGC/Y composite microspheres have a yolk–shell structure based on the iron oxide material. The void space of the yolk–shell microsphere is filled with NGC. Dicyandiamide additive plays a key role in the formation of the FeOx‐NGC/Y composite microspheres by inducing Ostwald ripening to form a yolk–shell structure based on the iron oxide material. The FeOx‐NGC/Y composite microspheres with the mixed crystal structure of rock salt FeO and spinel Fe3O4 phases show highly superior lithium‐ion storage performances compared to the dense‐structured FeOx microspheres with and without carbon material. The discharge capacities of the FeOx‐NGC/Y microspheres for the 1st and 1000th cycle at 1 A g−1 are 1423 and 1071 mAh g−1, respectively. The microspheres have a reversible discharge capacity of 598 mAh g−1 at an extremely high current density of 10 A g−1. Furthermore, the strategy described in this study is generally applied to multicomponent metal oxide–carbon composite microspheres with yolk–shell structures based on metal oxide materials.
Early Preservice Teachers’ Experiences of the Environment: A Case Study of Participation in a Community Outdoor Event
Authors: van Rooy Wilhelmina 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClean Up Australia Day is the country's largest community-based environmental annual event when participants work in teams to remove rubbish from their local environment. This article describes an interpretive study in which a sample of preservice primary teachers’ (n= 30) responses to questions about their involvement in the event were evaluated to determine their developing knowledge and understanding about environmental and sustainability issues. The study evaluated a university assessment task for its ability to identify and challenge preservice primary teachers’ views as consumers of manufactured products, environmental citizens, and future teachers. The data were drawn from students’ written work that formed part of the assessment task. Results indicate that students found participation in this community event to be a significant, valuable part of their learning about the environment that contributed to their understanding about sustainability and highlighted the power of positive community participation as a force for good.
Combined Stump Pressure and Oximetry for Shunt Use During Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Findlay J. Max , Kesarwani Rohit , Jacka Michael , Marchak B. Elaine 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:Cross-clamp ischemia during carotid endarterectomy can be prevented with carotid bypass shunts in vulnerable patients identified by cerebral monitoring for ischemia. We compared transcranial cerebral oximetry (TCO) with carotid stump pressure measurements for selective shunt use.Methods:We prospectively collected data on 300 consecutive patients operated on under general anesthesia between 2009 and 2016. Shunts were inserted for a 10% or greater drop in cerebral saturations and/or a mean stump pressure less than 40 mmHg.Results:Seventy-five patients, 25% of the study population, were shunted. The indication was a combined desaturation and stump pressure in 38 (50% of the shunted group), desaturation alone in 11 patients (15%), and a low stump pressure alone in 26 patients (35%). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between those patients who were or were not shunted, except angiographic collateral blood supply, which was more commonly identified in patients who were not shunted. A watershed infarct occurred in just one patient with borderline TCO and stump pressure measurements in whom a shunt was not used.Conclusions:There was poor concordance between TCO and stump pressures, but using both in determining the need for shunt use almost eliminated cross-clamp ischemia in this series of 300 carotid endarterectomy patients.
POLITICAL TIES AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN CHINA: EVIDENCE FROM A QUANTILE REGRESSION
Authors: Xie Wenjing , Liu Keji , Xie Fei , Ding Haoyuan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhether political ties enhance or weaken firm performance has been widely investigated in a number of studies, including some on China. Based on a database of non-financial A-share listed firms from 2004 to 2012, we study the effects of political ties on firm performance within a quantile regression framework. We find that there is a positive relationship between political ties and economic performance, but that it is diminishing with respect to firm performance. Political ties appear particularly important for weaker firms.
On the interpretation of ice-shelf flexure measurements
Authors: ROSIER SEBASTIAN H. R. , MARSH OLIVER J. , RACK WOLFGANG , GUDMUNDSSON G. HILMAR , WILD CHRISTIAN T. , RYAN MICHELLE 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTTidal flexure in ice shelf grounding zones has been used extensively in the past to determine grounding line position and ice properties. Although the rheology of ice is viscoelastic at tidal loading frequencies, most modelling studies have assumed some form of linear elastic beam approximation to match observed flexure profiles. Here we use density, radar and DInSAR measurements in combination with full-Stokes viscoelastic modelling to investigate a range of additional controls on the flexure of the Southern McMurdo Ice Shelf. We find that inclusion of observed basal crevasses and density dependent ice stiffness can greatly alter the flexure profile and yet fitting a simple elastic beam model to that profile will still produce an excellent fit. Estimates of the effective Young's modulus derived by fitting flexure profiles are shown to vary by over 200% depending on whether these factors are included, even when the local thickness is well constrained. Conversely, estimates of the grounding line position are relatively insensitive to these considerations for the case of a steep bed slope in our study region. By fitting tidal amplitudes only, and ignoring phase information, elastic beam theory can provide a good fit to observations in a wide variety of situations. This should, however, not be taken as an indication that the underlying rheological assumptions are correct.