bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface soil phytoliths as vegetation and altitude indicators: a study from the southern Himalaya
Authors: An Xiaohong , Lu Houyuan , Chu Guoqiang 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPhytoliths represent one of the few available altitudinal vegetation proxies for mountain ecosystems. This study analyzed 41 topsoil phytolith samples collected from five altitudinal zones in the southern Himalaya as far as and beyond, the timberline, from tropical forest (up to 1,000 m a.s.l.) to subtropical forest (1,000–2,000 m a.s.l.), to temperate forest (2,000–3,000 m a.s.l.), to subalpine forest (3,000–4,100 m a.s.l.) and finally to alpine scrub (4,100–5,200 m a.s.l.). The statistical results show a good correlation between phytolith assemblages and these five altitudinal vegetation zones: the five phytolith assemblages identified effectively differentiated these five altitudinal vegetation zones. In particular, coniferous phytoliths accurately indicated the timberline. Additionally, we tested the phytolith index Ic (a proxy for estimating the percentage of Pooideae vis-à-vis the total grass content) as a quantifier of phytolith variety versus altitude. Ic increased along altitude, as expected. An investigation of phytoliths provided an initial basis for the analysis of the composition of gramineous vegetation. Furthermore, redundancy analysis and discriminant analysis also suggested a significant correlation between phytolith assemblages and altitude. Our research therefore provides an up-to-date analogue for the reconstruction of changes to palaeovegetation and palaeoaltitude in mountainous areas.
Solving the Controversy on the Wetting Transparency of Graphene
Authors: Kim Donggyu , Pugno Nicola M. , Buehler Markus J. , Ryu Seunghwa 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSince its discovery, the wetting transparency of graphene, the transmission of the substrate wetting property over graphene coating, has gained significant attention due to its versatility for potential applications. Yet, there have been debates on the interpretation and validity of the wetting transparency. Here, we present a theory taking two previously disregarded factors into account and elucidate the origin of the partial wetting transparency. We show that the liquid bulk modulus is crucial to accurately calculate the van der Waals interactions between the liquid and the surface and that various wetting states on rough surfaces must be considered to understand a wide range of contact angle measurements that cannot be fitted with a theory considering the flat surface. In addition, we reveal that the wetting characteristic of the substrate almost vanishes when covered by any coating as thick as graphene double layers. Our findings reveal a more complete picture of the wetting transparency of graphene as well as other atomically thin coatings and can be applied to study various surface engineering problems requiring wettability-tuning.
Exploration of tetrahedral structures in silicate cathodes using a motif-network scheme
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wu Shunqing , Lv Xiaobao , Nguyen Manh Cuong , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Lin Zijing , Zhu Zi-Zhong , Ho Kai-Ming 
Published: October 2015

AbstractUsing a motif-network search scheme, we studied the tetrahedral structures of the dilithium/disodium transition metal orthosilicates A2MSiO4 with A = Li or Na and M = Mn, Fe or Co. In addition to finding all previously reported structures, we discovered many other different tetrahedral-network-based crystal structures which are highly degenerate in energy. These structures can be classified into structures with 1D, 2D and 3D M-Si-O frameworks. A clear trend of the structural preference in different systems was revealed and possible indicators that affect the structure stabilities were introduced. For the case of Na systems which have been much less investigated in the literature relative to the Li systems, we predicted their ground state structures and found evidence for the existence of new structural motifs.
Development and External Validation of Nomograms for Predicting Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients after Definitive Radiotherapy
Authors: Yang Lin , Hong Shaodong , Wang Yan , Chen Haiyang , Liang Shaobo , Peng Peijian , Chen Yong 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) differ significantly among individuals even within the same clinical stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to build nomograms incorporating plasma EBV DNA for predicting DMFS and OS of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after definitive radiotherapy. A total of 1168 non-metastatic NPC patients from two institutions were included to develop the nomograms. Seven and six independent prognostic factors were identified to build the nomograms for OS and DMFS, respectively. The models were externally validated by a separate cohort of 756 NPC patients from the third institutions. For predicting OS, the c-index of the nomogram was significantly better than that of the TNM staging system (Training cohort, P = 0.005; validation cohort, P = 0.03). The c-index of nomogram for DMFS in the training and validation set were both higher than that of TNM classification with marginal significance (P = 0.048 and P = 0.057, respectively). The probability of 1-, 3- and 5-year OS and DMFS showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The proposed stratification of risk groups based on the nomograms allowed significant distinction between Kaplan-Meier curves for survival outcomes. The prognostic nomograms could better stratify patients into different risk groups.
Phenotypic, Morphological and Adhesive Differences of Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Cultured on Murine versus Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Reichert Doreen , Friedrichs Jens , Ritter Steffi , Käubler Theresa , Werner Carsten , Bornhäuser Martin , Corbeil Denis 
Published: October 2015

AbstractXenogenic transplantation models have been developed to study human hematopoiesis in immunocompromised murine recipients. They still have limitations and therefore it is important to delineate all players within the bone marrow that could account for species-specific differences. Here, we evaluated the proliferative capacity, morphological and physical characteristics of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) after co-culture on murine or human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). After seven days, human CD34+CD133– HSPCs expanded to similar extents on both feeder layers while cellular subsets comprising primitive CD34+CD133+ and CD133+CD34– phenotypes are reduced fivefold on murine MSCs. The number of migrating HSPCs was also reduced on murine cells suggesting that MSC adhesion influences cellular polarization of HSPC. We used atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy to quantify their adhesive interactions. We found threefold higher detachment forces of human HSPCs from murine MSCs compared to human ones. This difference is related to the N-cadherin expression level on murine MSCs since its knockdown abolished their differential adhesion properties with human HSPCs. Our observations highlight phenotypic, morphological and adhesive differences of human HSPCs when cultured on murine or human MSCs, which raise some caution in data interpretation when xenogenic transplantation models are used.
In-situ characterization of nanoparticle beams focused with an aerodynamic lens by Laser-Induced Breakdown Detection
Authors: Barreda F.-A. , Nicolas C. , Sirven J.-B. , Ouf F.-X. , Lacour J.-L. , Robert E. , Benkoula S. , Yon J. , Miron C. , Sublemontier O. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe Laser-Induced Breakdown Detection technique (LIBD) was adapted to achieve fast in-situ characterization of nanoparticle beams focused under vacuum by an aerodynamic lens. The method employs a tightly focused, 21 μm, scanning laser microprobe which generates a local plasma induced by the laser interaction with a single particle. A counting mode optical detection allows the achievement of 2D mappings of the nanoparticle beams with a reduced analysis time thanks to the use of a high repetition rate infrared pulsed laser. As an example, the results obtained with Tryptophan nanoparticles are presented and the advantages of this method over existing ones are discussed.
Enhanced Dispersion of TiO2 Nanoparticles in a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Nanocomposite via Plasma-Liquid Interactions
Authors: Liu Yazi , Sun Dan , Askari Sadegh , Patel Jenish , Macias-Montero Manuel , Mitra Somak , Zhang Richao , Lin Wen-Feng , Mariotti Davide , Maguire Paul 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA facile method to synthesize a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid nanocomposite material in aqueous solution through direct current (DC) plasma processing at atmospheric pressure and room temperature has been demonstrated. The dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles is enhanced and TiO2/polymer hybrid nanoparticles with a distinct core shell structure have been obtained. Increased electrical conductivity was observed for the plasma treated TiO2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite. The improvement in nanocomposite properties is due to the enhanced dispersion and stability in liquid polymer of microplasma treated TiO2 nanoparticles. Both plasma induced surface charge and nanoparticle surface termination with specific plasma chemical species are proposed to provide an enhanced barrier to nanoparticle agglomeration and promote nanoparticle-polymer binding.
Self-aligned, full solution process polymer field-effect transistor on flexible substrates
Authors: Yan Yan , Huang Long-Biao , Zhou Ye , Han Su-Ting , Zhou Li , Zhuang Jiaqing , Xu Zong-Xiang , Roy V. A. L. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractConventional techniques to form selective surface energy regions on rigid inorganic substrates are not suitable for polymer interfaces due to sensitive and soft limitation of intrinsic polymer properties. Therefore, there is a strong demand for finding a novel and compatible method for polymeric surface energy modification. Here, by employing the confined photo-catalytic oxidation method, we successfully demonstrate full polymer filed-effect transistors fabricated through four-step spin-coating process on a flexible polymer substrate. The approach shows negligible etching effect on polymeric film. Even more, the insulating property of polymeric dielectric is not affected by the method, which is vital for polymer electronics. Finally, the self-aligned full polymer field-effect transistors on the flexible polymeric substrate are fabricated, showing good electrical properties and mechanical flexibility under bending tests.
2.1.1 Modern Variants of Wittig, Peterson, and Tebbe Protocols
Authors: Müller C. , Cokoja M. , Kühn F. E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe reaction of carbanions with aldehydes or ketones is the most established strategy for the preparation of alkenes via alkenation. Generally, the carbanion is stabilized by an electron-withdrawing group and, depending on its nature, these are known as Wittig, Horner–Wittig, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (phosphorus-based), Julia (sulfur-based), and Peterson (silicon-based) alkenation reactions. Carbonyl alkenations can also be carried out with metal carbenes, carbenoids, or gem-dimetal complexes, using titanium (Tebbe reagent), zinc, chromium, or zirconium.This section discusses the introduction of C-1 units using the Wittig, Peterson, and Tebbe protocols, with a special focus on new developments.
2.2.2 Carbonylation of Aryl and Vinyl Halides
Authors: Neumann H. , Schranck J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe carbonylation of aryl and vinyl halides gives arenecarboxylic acids and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, respectively. Alkoxycarbonylation and aminocarbonylation of the same substrates give esters and amides.Starting from aryl bromides, aromatic aldehydes can be synthesized in a palladium-catalyzed carbonylation using synthesis gas.The well-established Heck, Suzuki, and Sonogashira C—C cross-coupling reactions can be carried out in a carbonylative manner using carbon monoxide to give α,β-unsaturated ketones, unsymmetrical ketones, and alkynones, respectively.
2.3.1 Carbene Insertion into C—H Bonds with C-1
Authors: Nicasio M. C. , Belderrain T. R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTreatment of a diazo compound, i.e. a (diazomethyl)phosphonate or diazo(trimethylsilyl)methane, with a base, and subsequent alkenation of a carbonyl compound (Wittig–Horner reaction or Peterson elimination), followed by decomposition of the resulting diazoalkene affords an alkylidene carbene. This species may undergo intramolecular C—H insertion to generate five-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic systems. In this chapter, some applications of this methodology in organic synthesis are reviewed.
2.5.2 Cyanation of Epoxides
Authors: te Grotenhuis C. , Schoonen L. , Rutjes F. P. J. T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractOpening of epoxides with cyanide yields β-cyanohydrins (β-hydroxy nitriles), which are synthetically versatile intermediates that can be readily converted into a wide array of new functional groups. During the ring-opening reaction two contiguous stereocenters are generated, which can be controlled in several ways. When the reaction is performed without activation, terminal epoxides can be opened such that attack will take place at the least hindered carbon atom. Addition of a hard Lewis acidic catalyst will lead to activation of the epoxide, due to coordination to the epoxide oxygen atom, allowing the use of electronically and sterically more demanding substrates. Furthermore, ligands surrounding the metal of the catalyst can direct to which position of the epoxide attack will take place. If enantiopure ligands are used, meso-epoxides can be desymmetrized, resulting in the formation of a single enantiomer of the β-hydroxy nitrile product.
2.5.4 Carboxylation of Organometallic Reagents
Authors: Takaya J. , Iwasawa N. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractNucleophilic carboxylations of organometallic compounds, organic halides, and aromatic hydrocarbons with carbon dioxide are promoted by transition-metal catalysts or stoichiometric basic promoters. These reactions provide efficient methods for the synthesis of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
Local cathodic protection design based on numerical simulation
Authors: Cui Gan , Li Zili , Zhao Lingyu , Wei Xu 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this investigation was to study these problems and design regional cathodic protection, using numerical simulation. Regional cathodic protection technology is immature at home and abroad. This is reflected in the fact that in gas stations, there are many underground pipelines, which can lead to serious interference and shielding phenomena, and there are many grounding networks that can cause substantial loss of the cathodic protection current.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on the above, in this article, first of all, the mathematical model of the buried pipeline cathodic protection potential distribution was established and the control equations solved using the boundary element method. Second, the cathodic shielding effect in pipeline concentration areas, the effect of instrument equipment grounding systems on cathodic protection and the influence of DC stray current on the interference of pipeline corrosion were studied separately using BEASY software. Finally, the BEASY software was used for a regional cathodic protection design for a real gas station.

Findings
– It was concluded that impressed current used in combination with sacrificial anodes for regional cathodic protection design is often the most economic and effective approach. However, the output current of the auxiliary anode is large with high energy consumption. In consequence, it may be recommended that the station pipelines should be laid on the ground, rather than under it.

Originality/value
– It is considered that the results can guide regional cathodic protection design for real-life installations very well.
Correlation between AC magnetic susceptibility and pitting behaviour of sigma-phase containing duplex stainless steel
Authors: Lo Kin Ho , Kwok Chi Tat , Kuan Hong Cheng , Chan Weng Kin , Ai Wenji 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to characterize the pitting behaviour of sigma-phase-containing duplex stainless steel and investigate the correlation between magnetic susceptibility and pitting potentials.

Design/methodology/approach
– Use an alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptometer to trace the change in magnetic susceptibility associated with sigma phase formation and systematic study of the effects of sigma precipitation on pitting parameters as obtained using the anodic potentiodynamic polarization test.

Findings
– The precipitation of sigma phase impairs the general and pitting corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel. The pitting potential, the corrosion potential and the AC magnetic susceptibility have good correlations. Unlike the pitting potential and the corrosion potential, the passive current and the corrosion current do not seem to possess any trend with annealing time.

Originality/value
– The correlation between AC magnetic susceptibility and pitting parameters has not been reported in the literature before.
Does supported living work for people with severe intellectual disabilities?
Authors: Marlow Elizabeth , Walker Nina 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to look at whether a move to a supported living model of care from traditional residential group homes could improve the quality of life for those with a severe intellectual disability and other challenging needs.

Design/methodology/approach
– Six men with severe intellectual disabilities moved from two residential homes into new-build individual flats. Their quality of life was measured using a battery of assessments looking at; environment, relationships, community participation, interactions, mood interest and pleasure, activities, physical health and challenging behaviour. These measures were taken before the move, immediately after and six months after the move. The views of staff and family carers were also assessed at each stage.

Findings
– The move had a positive effect on the tenants in that it caused an improvement in their mood and a decrease in their challenging behaviours. Further improvements could be made in the tenant’s quality of life by introducing more activities. The initial concerns of family members about the move decreased over time. However staff found the changes to their working practices stressful.

Research limitations/implications
– The study was a small scale one because of the small number of tenants. The tenants were unable to express their own views because of their limited communication abilities so a combination of direct observation and indirect measures were used.

Practical implications
– In the light of the Winterbourne view report by Stephen Bubb this study looks at the impact on quality of life of a move to supported living for a group of people with complex and challenging needs who might otherwise be placed in an out of borough placement similar to Winterbourne view.

Social implications
– The study also looks at the impact of such a move on the family members of the individuals and on the staff who had to change their working practices to adapt to both a new working environment and model of care.

Originality/value
– This study also looks at the impact of a model of supported living for people with severe intellectual disabilities and complex needs rather than those with mild intellectual disabilities. This is particularly important in the post Winterbourne view climate when the authors need to look carefully at positive alternative models of care for these individuals.
Predictors of challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Koritsas Stella , Iacono Teresa 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which mental health, physical health, communication, learned function of the behaviour(s), severity of disability, living arrangement, age, and gender, alone or in combination, predicted challenging behaviours in adults with intellectual disability.

Design/methodology/approach
– In total, 74 adults with intellectual disability and their paid carers were recruited into the study from adult disability services in Victoria, Australia. Paid carers provided information about participants with intellectual disability on a range of measures targeting each variable of interest.

Findings
– Based on principle components analyses of three challenging behaviour measures, two topographies of challenging behaviour emerged: contact and non-contact behaviours. Multiple regression analysis revealed that contact behaviours were predicted by anxiety scores and severity of disability. In addition to severity of disability and anxiety scores, non-contact behaviours were also predicted by sensory scores.

Practical implications
– The results of the current study indicate that contact and non-contact behaviours were determined by multiple factors. Clinicians and others who work with people who display challenging behaviour may, therefore, find it helpful to utilise the biopsychosocial model in their formulations of possible reasons that motivate a person to engage in challenging behaviour.

Originality/value
– These results contribute to the evidence base available to clinicians and researchers to guide future assessment for challenging behaviour. Expansion of functional assessment methods to explore factors not traditionally included, such as mental health and severity of intellectual disability, as causes of challenging behaviour, may prove helpful.
Educational data mining for improving learning outcomes in teaching accounting within higher education
Authors: Chamizo-Gonzalez Julian , Cano-Montero Elisa Isabel , Urquia-Grande Elena , Muñoz-Colomina Clara Isabel 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper are twofold. First, to disclose whether accounting students who participate more in online activities proposed by the teacher achieve better learning outcomes. Second, to identify which virtual learning activities achieve improved outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data mining is a computer-based tool devoted to analyzing massive data sources, generating information and discovering deeper knowledge and links among variables.

Findings
– There were differences between universities and subjects in the association of level of activity and learning outcomes. These findings will help teachers adjust their teaching guide, schedule and explanations.

Research limitations/implications
– Further developments should include the level of online compromise of the lecturers, and the correspondence of the online activity with the designed activities in the teaching guide. In order to identify the value-added activities performed by the students to achieve better deep learning outcomes.

Practical implications
– Higher Education should provide students with cognitive and transversal skills for successful incorporation into the labor market. In this sense, teaching methodology combined with online tools facilitates the process of teaching and learning with the implementation of different multimedia resources.

Originality/value
– Recently, the impact of virtual platform usage on students’ learning outcomes has started to be analyzed using “data mining” techniques. Educational data mining is a new focus to disclose existing links among students, lecturers and its activity.