bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon Dioxide Splitting in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Aerts Robby , Somers Wesley , Bogaerts Annemie 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPlasma technology is gaining increasing interest for the splitting of CO2 into CO and O2. We have performed experiments to study this process in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with a wide range of parameters. The frequency and dielectric material did not affect the CO2 conversion and energy efficiency, but the discharge gap can have a considerable effect. The specific energy input has the most important effect on the CO2 conversion and energy efficiency. We have also presented a plasma chemistry model for CO2 splitting, which shows reasonable agreement with the experimental conversion and energy efficiency. This model is used to elucidate the critical reactions that are mostly responsible for the CO2 conversion. Finally, we have compared our results with other CO2 splitting techniques and we identified the limitations as well as the benefits and future possibilities in terms of modifications of DBD plasmas for greenhouse gas conversion in general.
Mobility management schemes for real‐time traffic and resource allocation in IEEE 802.16e mobile network
Authors: El‐Hammani Sihame , Ibrahimi Khalil , Bouyakhf El‐Houssine , El‐Azouzi Rachid 
Published: January 2015

SummaryIn this paper, our aim is to develop in IEEE802.16e Wireless Networks with link adaptation, in the presence of real‐time traffic call admission control (CAC) schemes. These CAC propose various scenarios of resource splitting and handling the intracell mobility. In particular, we consider two types of intracell mobility classes : low mobility class for mobiles moving usually with low speed between the neighboring regions of the cell and high mobility class for those moving with high speed and that can skip more than one region before changing their modulation. For this reason, we assume a time threshold Tth that determines the minimum time a call must remain in a region before the base station changes its modulation. And we compare it with the time that a call may spend in a region to decide whether the base station will change its modulation or not.In the beginning, we introduce two CAC schemes. In the first one, we reserve a portion of resources to mobiles in migration with both high and low mobility. And in the second one, we give the priority just to mobiles in migration with high mobility. Then, we calculate the impact in the blocking and dropping probabilities. We show by numerical results that by the proposed CAC schemes, we can find a resource management that outperforms well under different types of mobility. But, to find a good tradeoff between dropping the calls in migration and blocking the new calls, we introduce the optimization problem in the second part. So, we are faced to the necessity of optimizing the results found in the first part. Therefore, we define an objective function to optimize, in order to ensure the highest quality of service for users and to give a better stability state between the dropping and blocking probability. We show that the proposed objective function gives the optimal resources allocation between the migrating and new arriving calls in the cell. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A review of scalability and topological stability issues in IEEE 802.11s wireless mesh networks deployments
Authors: Sampaio S. , Souto P. , Vasques F. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryScalability and topological stability are two of the most challenging issues in current wireless mesh networks (WMNs) deployments. In the literature, both the scalability and the topological stability of WMNs are described as likely to suffer from poor performance due to the ad hoc nature of the underlying IEEE 802.11 mechanisms. The main contribution of this article is a comprehensive review of the main topological stability and scalability‐related issues in IEEE 802.11s‐based networks. Moreover, the most relevant proposed solutions are surveyed, where both the drawbacks and the merits of each proposal are highlighted. At the end of the article, some open research challenges are presented and discussed. It is expected that this work may serve as motivation for more and deeper research on these issues to allow the design of future more stable and scalable IEEE 802.11s mesh networks deployments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practical Application of ±250‐kV DC‐XLPE Cable for Hokkaido–Honshu HVDC Link
Authors: Watanabe Chizuo , Itou Yasuo , Sasaki Hidetaka , Murata Yoshinao , Suizu Makoto , Sakamaki Masatoshi , Watanabe Masaru , Katakai Shoshi 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYThe long‐term dc properties of DC‐XLPE insulation materials, which have been developed for dc use, were investigated. It was found that the lifetime of DC‐XLPE under dc voltage application is extended by the addition of nano‐sized filler. The time dependence of the space charge distribution at 50 kV/mm was observed for 7 days. Almost no accumulation of space charge in DC‐XLPE was found. The 250‐kV DC‐XLPE cables and accessories were manufactured and subjected to a type test and PQ test for use in the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link facility owned by the Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. These tests were performed under conditions that included a polarity reversal test for line commutated converter (LCC) systems as recommended in CIGRE TB 219. The test temperature was 90 °C. The type test and PQ test were successfully completed. The DC‐XLPE cable and accessories were installed in summer 2012 for the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link. After the installation of the dc extruded cable system, a dc high‐voltage test at 362.5 kV (=1.45 PU) for 15 min was successfully completed in accordance with CIGRE TB 219. This dc extruded cable system was put into operation in December 2012 as the world's highest‐voltage extruded dc cable in service and the world's first dc extruded cable for a LCC system including polarity reversal operation.
UPTe, ThPTe and U2PTe2O: Actinide Pnictide Chalcogenides with Diphosphide Anions
Authors: Stolze Karoline , Isaeva Anna , Schwarz Ulrich , Doert Thomas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCrystal structure determination of UPTe revealed a UGeTe derivative structure with a pseudo‐tetragonal unit cell with lattice parameters a = 410.1(1) pm and c = 1697.1(1) pm at 120(2) K. ThPTe can be regarded as isotypic according to powder X‐ray diffraction data, its pseudo‐tetragonal lattice parameters are a = 425.05(1) pm and c = 1726.8(1) pm at 296(1) K. Real‐space topological analysis of the chemical bonding and Raman data reveal the presence of P2 units. U2PTe2O can be considered as a partially oxidised phosphide telluride with a pseudo‐tetragonal unit cell, a = 403.7(1) pm, and c = 3206.8(10) pm at 120(2) K. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data of UPTe and U2PTe2O indicate an ordered orientation of the P2 dumbbells leading to a monoclinic distortion, which implies a symmetry decrease to space group I11m.
Perfluoroalkylation of Nitrones for the Synthesis of a Series of Fucosidase Inhibitors
Authors: Paszkowska Jadwiga , Fernandez Olalla Novo , Wandzik Ilona , Boudesoque Stéphanie , Dupont Laurent , Plantier‐Royon Richard , Behr Jean‐Bernard 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFucosidase inhibitors represent captivating targets for various biological applications. Iminosugars featuring a fluoroalkyl chain in the pseudoanomeric position were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of a perfluoroalkyl Grignard reagent to a nitrone. Reduction of the N–O bond of the hydroxylamine was achieved by treatment with an aqueous solution of sulfur dioxide. The pKa = 4.5 of the target pyrrolidine reflected a strong electronic effect of the fluoroalkyl chain. Inhibitory potencies of the fluorinated iminosugars and their corresponding hydroxylamines were evaluated against α‐L‐fucosidase at various pH values.
An Overview of the Latest Graphene‐Based Sensors for Glucose Detection: the Effects of Graphene Defects
Authors: Carbone Marilena , Gorton Lo , Antiochia Riccarda 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this review, we analyze several types of graphene‐based sensors for glucose detection with respect to their preparation, properties and efficiency in electrochemical processes. Graphene may display different types of defects, which play a role in the electron transfer processes. Oxygenated groups on the edges of graphene planes reduce the graphene in‐plane conductivity, but may enhance the heterogeneous electron/proton transfer constant. Other positive effects of defects are related to the shortening of the distance between active centers and electrodes upon enzyme or protein immobilization. However, though by different mechanisms, all types of graphene enhance the electrochemical response at the electrode.
Extended Kalman filter for material parameter estimation in nonlinear structural finite element models using direct differentiation method
Authors: Ebrahimian Hamed , Astroza Rodrigo , Conte Joel P. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThis paper presents a novel nonlinear finite element (FE) model updating framework, in which advanced nonlinear structural FE modeling and analysis techniques are used jointly with the extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate time‐invariant parameters associated to the nonlinear material constitutive models used in the FE model of the structural system of interest. The EKF as a parameter estimation tool requires the computation of structural FE response sensitivities (total partial derivatives) with respect to the material parameters to be estimated. Employing the direct differentiation method, which is a well‐established procedure for FE response sensitivity analysis, facilitates the application of the EKF in the parameter estimation problem. To verify the proposed nonlinear FE model updating framework, two proof‐of‐concept examples are presented. For each example, the FE‐simulated response of a realistic prototype structure to a set of earthquake ground motions of varying intensity is polluted with artificial measurement noise and used as structural response measurement to estimate the assumed unknown material parameters using the proposed nonlinear FE model updating framework. The first example consists of a cantilever steel bridge column with three unknown material parameters, while a three‐story three‐bay moment resisting steel frame with six unknown material parameters is used as second example. Both examples demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed parameter estimation framework even in the presence of high measurement noise. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modified Fe/silica floating magnetic materials for efficient oil removal
Authors: Carvalho Lílian Amaral , Martins Bárbara Carolina Lourenço Papa , Lago Rochel Montero , Araujo Maria Helena 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDRemediation of oil spillage accidents requires efficient and low cost floating absorbents to remove small amounts of contaminant oil. In this work, a highly hydrophobic floating magnetic macroporous structure based on silica encapsulated Fe nanoparticles was prepared and used for oil absorption from water.RESULTSThe magnetic macroporous materials were prepared by silica encapsulation of iron oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles followed by a thermal treatment with H2. Mössbauer, XRD, SEM/TEM, CHN, IR, TG/DTA and contact angle analyses showed that the Fe oxides nanoparticles are reduced by H2 to form Feo cores protected by silica which sinters to form a macroporous network. The surface reaction with octadecyltrimethoxysilane (Si(CH3O)3C18H37) was used to produce highly hydrophobic materials.CONCLUSIONSThe materials obtained showed very high oil absorption capacities for different model contaminants, i.e. petroleum, soy bean oil, diesel, gasoline and xylene removal. The results are discussed in terms of a macroporous structure with strong capillarity combined with a very hydrophobic surface. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Redefining Informality and Measuring its Determinants: Evidence from the Russian Labour Market
Authors: Lehmann Hartmut , Zaiceva Anzelika 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAlthough informality impacts countries' economic development, the recent recession may have increased the incidence of informal activities. We take advantage of a rich data set on Russia before and after the economic downturn and demonstrate that the incidence of informal employment varies across the definitions. However, the determinants of informal employment are roughly stable across different measures, apart from firm size. Employing a direct measure of risk attitudes, we also show that risk‐averse individuals are less likely to select themselves into informality. Regressions suggest a lower likelihood to be a formal employee post‐2008, especially for individuals with little education and immigrants. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth, survival, and heavy metal (Cd and Ni) uptake of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) in a biochar‐amended sewage‐irrigated contaminated soil
Authors: Younis Uzma , Qayyum Muhammad Farooq , Shah M. Hasnain Raza , Danish Subhan , Shahzad Ahmad Naeem , Malik Saeed Ahmad , Mahmood Seema 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIrrigation of arable land with contaminated sewage waters leads to the accumulation of trace metals in soils with subsequent phyto‐/zootoxic consequences. In this study, biochar derived from cotton sticks was used to amend an agricultural silt‐loam soil that had been previously irrigated with trace metal contaminated sewage waters. Metal accumulation and toxicity to spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) was investigated by measuring concentrations of Cd and Ni in plant tissues and various photosynthetic and biochemical activities of plants. Positive impacts of biochar on both spinach and fenugreek were observed in terms of biomass production that increased from 29% to 36% in case of spinach, while for fenugreek this increase was 32% to 36%. In the control treatment there was an increase in malondialdihyde, soluble sugar, and ascorbic acid contents, indicating heavy metal stress. Biochar applications increased soluble proteins and amino acids in plants and reduced the uptake of Cd from 5.42 mg kg−1 at control to 3.45 mg kg−1 at 5% biochar amended soil and Ni (13.8 mg kg−1 to 7.3 mg kg−1 at 5% biochar) by the spinach plants. In fenugreek, the Cd was reduced from 7.72 mg kg−1 to 3.88 mg kg−1 and reduction in Ni was from 15.45 mg kg−1 to 9.46 mg kg−1 at 5% biochar treated soil, reducing the possibility of transfer up the food chain. This study demonstrates that the use of biochar made from cotton‐sticks, as an amendment to arable soils that have received contaminated irrigation water, could improve plant growth and decrease Cd and Ni uptake to crops, alleviating some of the negative impacts of using sewage waters on arable land.
Effects of amaranth addition on the pro‐vitamin A content, and physical and antioxidant properties of extruded pro‐vitamin A‐biofortified maize snacks
Authors: Beswa Daniso , Dlamini Nomusa R , Amonsou Eric O , Siwela Muthulisi , Derera John 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDPro‐vitamin A‐biofortified maize snacks with added leafy vegetable may have a potential as nutritious and health‐promoting products, especially in addressing vitamin A deficiency, which is prevalent in developing regions. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of adding amaranth leaf powder on the physical, antioxidant properties and pro‐vitamin A content of extruded pro‐vitamin A‐biofortified maize snacks. Extruded snacks were processed using four pro‐vitamin A‐biofortified maize varieties that were composited with amaranth leaf powder at 0%, 1% and 3% (w/w) substitution levels.RESULTSAt higher amaranth concentration, the expansion ratio of the snacks decreased, while their hardness increased by as much as 93%. The physical quality of the snacks may therefore need improvement. As amaranth was increased, the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the snacks increased as well as the pro‐vitamin A content.CONCLUSIONPro‐vitamin A‐biofortified maize with added amaranth has a potential for use in nutritious and healthy extruded snacks. There are limited studies reporting on processing pro‐vitamin A maize with complementary plant foods, which is common with white maize in southern Africa; thus the current study serves as a baseline. Copyright © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of New Cu(II) Complexes of Schiff Base: Effective Catalysts for Decolorization of Acid Red 37 Dye Solution
Authors: Elsherbiny Abeer S. , El‐Ghamry Hoda A. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIn this paper, three new Cu(II) Schiff base complexes with three different anions (acetate, chloride, and nitrate) were successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, molar conductance, FT‐IR, NMR,UV–vis spectroscopy, magnetic moment, ESR, and thermal analysis. The catalytic performances of these complexes in decolorization of azo dye, Acid Red 37, were evaluated. Copper(II) complexes were found to be an efficient catalyst for decolorization of Acid Red 37 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic investigation revealed that the Cu(II) complex with acetate anion (complex 1) performed the highest catalytic activity. The kinetics of the decolorization of AR37 with this catalyst was studied, and the observed rate constant was determined. The effects of different reaction parameters such as catalyst dosage, solution pH, initial concentration of H2O2, dye solution, and reaction temperature on the reaction rate constant were studied. The best reacting conditions should be catalyst dosage = 0.004 g, initial pH 4.0, [H2O2]0 = 0.8 M, and [AR37]0 = 1.16 M at temperature 25°C. Under these conditions, about 99% of AR37 was decolorized within 60 min. The results indicated that the Cu(II) complex with the acetate anion is a promising catalyst for wastewater treatment.
Water‐Soluble Thermoresponsive α‐Helical Polypeptide with an Upper Critical Solution Temperature: Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermoresponsive Phase Transition Behaviors
Authors: Deng Yong , Xu Yanzhi , Wang Xi , Yuan Qiulin , Ling Ying , Tang Haoyu 
Published: January 2015

Water‐soluble polypeptides bearing 1‐alkylimidazolium (methyl or n‐butyl) and various counter‐anions (i.e., Cl−, I− or BF4−) are prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of γ‐4‐chloromethylbenzyl‐l‐glutamate‐based N‐carboxyanhydride (3), post‐polymerization of poly(γ‐4‐chloromethylbenzyl‐l‐glutamate) (4), and ion‐exchange reaction. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis reveals that the resulting polypeptides adopt an α‐helical conformation in water with a fractional helicity in the range of 30%–56% at 20 °C and exhibit good conformational stability against temperature variations. The polypeptides exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST)‐type or upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type transitions in organic solvents or in water. The UCST‐type transition temperature (Tpt) in water is independent on the molecular weight, yet it decreases upon addition of NaCl and increases upon addition of NaI or NaBF4, suggesting a mainly electrostatic interaction mechanism.
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Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and bacterial pneumonia in patients with Parkinson disease
Authors: Wang Han‐Cheng , Lin Che‐Chen , Lau Chi‐Ieong , Chang Anna , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the association of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers with pneumonia development in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsThe study cohort consisted of patients aged 50 years or older who were initially diagnosed with PD and had hypertension. We assessed the patients' exposure statuses and accumulated doses of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. We then evaluated the risk of pneumonia development in the patients who were exposed to these drugs and those who were not.ResultsWe examined 2,310 patients. During the observation period, 608 patients developed pneumonia. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of pneumonia. This association was dose‐dependent.ConclusionAngiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor use was associated with a dose‐dependent reduction in the risk of pneumonia in patients with PD and hypertension. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Astrocytes facilitate melanoma brain metastasis via secretion of IL‐23
Authors: Klein Anat , Schwartz Hila , Sagi‐Assif Orit , Meshel Tsipi , Izraely Sivan , Ben Menachem Shlomit , Bengaiev Roman , Ben‐Shmuel Amir , Nahmias Clara , Couraud Pierre‐Olivier , Witz Isaac P , Erez Neta 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMelanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer mortality. The major cause of melanoma mortality is metastasis to distant organs, frequently to the brain. The microenvironment plays a critical role in tumourigenesis and metastasis. In order to treat or prevent metastasis, the interactions of disseminated tumour cells with the microenvironment at the metastatic organ have to be elucidated. However, the role of brain stromal cells in facilitating metastatic growth is poorly understood. Astrocytes are glial cells that function in repair and scarring of the brain following injury, in part via mediating neuroinflammation, but the role of astrocytes in melanoma brain metastasis is largely unresolved. Here we show that astrocytes can be reprogrammed by human brain‐metastasizing melanoma cells to express pro‐inflammatory factors, including the cytokine IL‐23, which was highly expressed by metastases‐associated astrocytes in vivo. Moreover, we show that the interactions between astrocytes and melanoma cells are reciprocal: paracrine signalling from astrocytes up‐regulates the secretion of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP2 and enhances the invasiveness of brain‐metastasizing melanoma cells. IL‐23 was sufficient to increase melanoma cell invasion, and neutralizing antibodies to IL‐23 could block this enhanced migration, implying a functional role for astrocyte‐derived IL‐23 in facilitating the progression of melanoma brain metastasis. Knocking down the expression of MMP2 in melanoma cells resulted in inhibition of IL‐23‐induced invasiveness. Thus, our study demonstrates that bidirectional signalling between melanoma cells and astrocytes results in the formation of a pro‐inflammatory milieu in the brain, and in functional enhancement of the metastatic potential of disseminated melanoma cells. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of imaging technology in the assessment of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome—imaging of the fetal thymus
Authors: Sciaky‐Tamir Yael , Hershkovitz Reli , Mazor Moshe , Shelef Ilan , Erez Offer 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) describes a state of extensive fetal multi organ involvement during chorioamnionitis, and is associated with grave implications on perinatal outcome. The syndrome has been linked to the preterm parturition syndrome and is associated with inflammation/infection processes in most of the fetal organs. The fetal thymus, a major organ in the developing immune system involutes during severe neonatal disease and has been shown to be smaller in fetuses with FIRS. Various methods for imaging of the fetal thymus and measurement are described. Currently the only method to diagnose FIRS prenatally is through amniocentesis. We suggest that women who are admitted with preterm labor with intact membranes and those with PPROM should have a detailed sonographic examination of the fetal thymus as a surrogate marker of fetal involvement in intrauterine infection/inflammation processes. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.