bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution of the randomized controlled trial and its role in evidence‐based decision making
Authors: Devereaux P. J. , Yusuf S. 
Published: July 2003

Abstract.  Devereaux PJ, Yusuf S (McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). The evolution of the randomized controlled trial and its role in evidence‐based decision making (Clinical Trials). J Intern Med 2003; 254: 105–113.The randomized controlled trial has been used in medical research for a little over half a century. This manuscript provides an overview of some of the history and evolution of the randomized controlled trial during this period. There exists hierarchies of evidence for therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic questions, and the randomized controlled trial is at the top of the therapeutic hierarchy. Despite being at the top of the therapeutic hierarchy randomization in itself does not guarantee the trial results approximate the true effect. Issues that result in systematic and nonsystematic deviations from the truth in randomized controlled trials must also be considered. We present a model for evidence‐based decision making that includes the following components: the clinical state, patient preferences, research evidence from a range of studies and clinical expertise. We discuss the role of the randomized controlled trial within evidence‐based decision making.
A novel procedure for gentle isolation and separation of intact infected and uninfected protoplasts from the central tissue of Vicia faba L. root nodules
Authors: PEITER E. , IMANI J. , YAN F. , SCHUBERT S. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTThe central tissue of Vicia faba L. root nodules is composed of cells infected with Rhizobium bacteroids and uninfected cells. For the study of various processes, such as plasma membrane transport, it is essential to separate both cell types. Initial attempts to isolate protoplasts according to protocols described in the literature resulted in non‐spherical and osmotically inactive material, which is in agreement with previous descriptions. In the study reported herein, it was shown that the plasma membrane of non‐spherical infected protoplasts is not intact. A new isolation and separation protocol was developed, based on dissection of the nodule prior to cell wall digestion, non‐shaking digestion in hypertonic medium, and a combined procedure for release of protoplasts into slightly hypotonic medium and separation of protoplast fractions by isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. Infected and uninfected protoplasts that were isolated according to this protocol were spherical, osmotically active and excluded propidium iodide, confirming the intactness of their plasma membrane. The common fluorescein diacetate test was shown to be artefactual in infected cells, since viable bacteroids also stain in defective cells. Light and electron microscopic examination of infected protoplasts showed that protoplasts still contained starch after isolation and bacteroids in intact protoplasts had unusually high amounts of polyhydroxybutyrate. The vacuoles of infected protoplasts contained protein and membrane‐enclosed structures, and were of non‐acid pH; traits that are typical of protein storage vacuoles.
Estimating the Impact of the Minimum Wage Using Geographical Wage Variation*
Authors: Stewart Mark B. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper evaluates the impact on employment of the UK's introduction of a minimum wage in 1999 by exploiting the geographical variation in wages, which meant that the minimum wage's ‘bite’ into an area's wage distribution differed considerably across the country. The results indicate that, although the minimum wage had differential wage‐distribution effects across the 140 areas of the country, employment growth after its introduction was not significantly lower in areas of the country with a high proportion of low‐wage workers, whose wages had to be raised to comply, from that in areas with a low proportion of such workers.
Antigen Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Reston Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein
Authors: Ikegami Tetsuro , Niikura Masahiro , Saijo Masayuki , Miranda Mary E. , Calaor Alan B. , Hernandez Marvin , Acosta Luz P. , Manalo Daria L. , Kurane Ichiro , Yoshikawa Yasuhiro , Morikawa Shigeru 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT
Antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most useful methods to detect Ebola virus rapidly. We previously developed an antigen capture ELISA using a monoclonal antibody (MAb), 3-3D, which reacted not only to the nucleoprotein (NP) of Zaire Ebola virus (EBO-Z) but also to the NPs of Sudan (EBO-S) and Reston Ebola (EBO-R) viruses. In this study, we developed antigen capture ELISAs using two novel MAbs, Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8, specific to the NP of EBO-R. Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8 recognized epitopes consisting of 4 and 8 amino acid residues, respectively, near the C-terminal region of the EBO-R NP. The antigen capture ELISAs using these two MAbs detected the EBO-R NP in the tissues from EBO-R-infected cynomolgus macaques. The antigen capture ELISAs using Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8 are useful for the rapid detection of the NP in EBO-R-infected cynomolgus macaques.
Optimized Mechanical Performance of Welded and Molded Butt Joints: Part II - Weld and Knit Lines Integrity
Authors: Kagan Val 
Published: July 2003

Recent developments were oriented on the analysis of the mechanical performance at local (knit lines and welds) and bulk (molded part) areas, with the influence of molding and welding conditions. It has been found that for non-reinforced and reinforced nylon, the mechanical performance in the knit planes and welded areas are approximately equal to the mechanical performance of a base resin (matrix). The observations on similarities and differences in the formation of knit and weld lines are presented in Part I of this paper. Analysis of mechanical performance at weld at knit lines of various nylons is discussed in Part II.
Processing and Characterization of NiTi Porous SMA by Elevated Pressure Sintering
Authors: Lagoudas Dimitris C. , Vandygriff Eric L. 
Published: July 2003

Currently, three methods are commonly used for producing porous NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) from elemental powders. These include conventional sintering, Self-propagating High temperature Synthesis (SHS), and sintering at elevated pressure via a Hot Isostatic Press (HIP). Conventional sintering requires long heating times and samples are limited in shape and pore size. SHS is initiated by a thermal explosion ignited at one end of the specimen, which then propagates through the specimen in a self-sustaining manner. One of the difficulties with SHS is the inability to control intermetallic phases. This work will focus on the fabrication and characterization of porous NiTi SMA material produced from elemental powders via HIPping. Porous NiTi SMA was produced from elemental Ni and Ti powders at elevated temperature and pressure using a HIP. Small and large pore specimens containing average pore sizes ranging from 20 μm up to 1 mm have been produced by slightly varying the HIPping sintering temperatures and times. Quasi-static and dynamic loading experiments are conducted on various samples produced using the presented methodology and their shape recovery and energy absorption characteristics are measured during the forward and reverse phase transformation and detwinning. Their phase transformation characteristics were found using calorimetric measurements and their composition has been studied using optical and electron microscopy and microprobe X-ray analysis.
Towards an Engineering Model of Material Characteristics for Input to Ham Transport Simulations - Part 1: An Approach
Authors: Grunewald John , Häupl Peter , Bomberg Mark 
Published: July 2003

Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) modelling of building performance is a quite young research subject but the experimental determination of material properties is often based on classical methods. One should review the manner in which we define characteristic material parameters and there is a need to develop an approximation used to generate the required material functions for input to HAM-transport simulations. The paper presents such an approach, called an engineering model for hygrothermal material characterisation. The paper poses the question, how to arrive at input data that can be used for a model based on thermodynamically defined potentials (Only such a model allows introduction of new potential components (freezing depression, osmotic pressure, air pressure, overburden envelope pressure)) (e.g., Grunewald, J. (1997) and Grunewald, J. (1999)) and yet the respective functions used to describe changes in the material response as a function of the variables of state. Such functions should have a reasonable precision and goodness of fit while the number of measured points must be reduced to a minimum. Those measurements should be relatively easy to perform (i.e., they would not require determination of temporal and spatial profiles of moisture). This discussion paper highlights steps already taken (Part 1), and lists issues that need to be resolved before reaching this goal (Part 2).
Molecular Induced Patching Process Improving Film Quality for High‐Efficiency Cd‐Free Antimony Selenosulfide Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Yue , Huang Lei , Che Bo , Wang Haolin , Liu Aoxing , Zhu Changfei , Tang Rongfeng , Chen Tao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe preparation of thin films with flat, compact morphology and fewer defects is the key to the efficiency of solar cells. For antimony selenosulfide (Sb2(S,Se)3), developing flexible preparation methods that can regulate the structure of the films is crucial for the defect control and performance of the devices. Herein, an effective strategy is developed of intervening in the intermediate deposition process of Sb2(S,Se)3 film to regulate its growth on the titanium dioxide (TiO2) electron transport layer (ETL). Thioacetamide (TA) is introduced as an additive and sulfur source during the chemical bath deposition. By reacting with (SbO)OH, it not only eliminates the Sb2O3 phase, but also in‐situ patches the pinholes in the Sb2(S,Se)3 film. In addition, it is found that the increase in sulfur content promotes the transformation of SbS defect to VS defect, while a lower S/Se atomic ratio can simultaneously reduce the formation of SbS and VS defects. As a result, a PCE of 8.52% is obtained, which is the champion efficiency for the solution‐processed TiO2/Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. This work provides a guidance for synthesizing high‐quality metal chalcogenide films on oxide substrates in terms of morphology and defect control.
Pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene Stabilizes Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces for Sodium‐Ion Pouch Cells of 145 Wh Kg−1
Authors: Liao Yaqi , Yuan Lixia , Han Yan , Liang Chaofan , Li Zezhuo , Li Zhen , Luo Wei , Wang Donghai , Huang Yunhui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries are competitive candidates for large‐scale energy storage batteries due to the abundant sodium resource. However, the electrode interface in the conventional electrolyte is unstable, deteriorating the cycle life of the cells. Introducing functional electrolyte additives can generate stable electrode interfaces. Here, pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (FPPN) serves as a functional electrolyte additive to stabilize the interfaces of the layered oxide cathode and the hard carbon anode. The fluorine substituting groups and the π–π conjugated ─PN─ structure decrease the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and increase the highest occupied molecular orbital of FPPN, respectively, realizing the preferential reduction and oxidization of FPPN on the anode and cathode simultaneously, which results in the formation of a uniform, ultrathin, and inorganic‐rich solid electrolyte interlayer and cathode electrolyte interphase. The sodium‐ion pouch cells of 5 Ah capacity rather than coin cells are assembled to evaluate the effect of FPPN. It can retain a high capacity of 4.46 Ah after 1000 cycles, corresponding to a low decay ratio of 0.01% per cycle. The pouch cell also achieves a high energy density of 145 Wh kg−1 and a wide operating temperature of −20–60 °C. This work can attract more attention to the rational electrolyte design for practical applications.
Modulating Luminescence of Double Perovskites by Intrinsic Strain Effect and Applications in White Light Emitting Devices
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Fan , Dong Xingchen , Guan Wei , Wang Peng , Zhang Shuo , Sui Lina , Gan Zhixing , Dong Lifeng , Yu Liyan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDouble perovskite (DP) is considered as a promising candidate for single‐component white‐light emitters. However, the photoluminescence (PL) efficiency of the small sized DP, such as microcrystals and nanocrystals, is generally unsatisfactory. In this work, by comparing the Sb/Bi co‐doped Cs2NaInCl6 microcrystals prepared at different conditions, it is revealed that the PL spectral profile and efficiency are highly dependent on intrinsic strain effect. All the Sb/Bi co‐doped Cs2NaInCl6 DPs exhibit blue PL at ≈445 nm and yellow PL at ≈560 nm. When the crystal size decreases, the release of local strain results in a significant quenching in the emission intensity. Accordingly, by optimizing the reaction conditions to introduce sufficient lattice mismatch, high PL quantum yields (QYs) of 76.38% and 86.44% are obtained for blue and yellow PL, respectively. Moreover, a white light‐emitting convertor with a high colour rendering index (CRI) of 90.0 is fabricated, which shows a luminous efficiency of 40.4 lm W−1.
Substrate‐induced Selective α‐C(sp3)−H Activation of N‐alkyl Amines: Synthesis of Coumarin‐fused Quinolinones under Air
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Wan Juan , Yin Lu , Fu Meitian , Huang Chao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA substrate‐induced synthesis of coumarin‐fused quinolinones is achieved from 4‐(phenylamino)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones using N‐alkyl amines as the solvent and a carbon source under air conditions without any catalysts in one pot. This protocol highlights the special roles of 4‐(phenylamino)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones which were not only used as reactants but also as an internal oxidant selectively activated N‐α‐C(sp3)−H bond. This reaction features catalyst‐free, broad substrate scopes (N‐alkyl amines 27 examples and quinolinones 24 examples), operationally simple for the one‐step synthesis, and recovery and recycling of the solvent.
Iodine‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction of 2‐Styrylbenzaldehydes with Indoles in the Synthesis of 1H‐Indenes via 4π‐Electrocyclization
Authors: Suresh Sundaram , Tsai Hao‐Yu , Han Xin‐Lun , Kavala Veerababurao , Palla Sowndarya , Yao Ching‐Fa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA cascade reaction between 2‐styrylbenzaldehydes and indoles has been developed for the synthesis of 1H‐indenes. An iodine‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition of indoles to an aldehyde group of 2‐styrylbenzaldehydes leads to the formation of carbocation intermediates that undergo 4π‐electrocyclization to give indenes with a trisubstituted double bond. These indenes are transformed into thermodynamically more stable products with a fully substituted double bond under the reaction conditions. Minor quantities of indolylbenzo[b]carbazoles are also produced as by‐products.
Recent Developments in Copper‐Based Catalysts for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yesupatham Manova Santhosh , Honnappa Brahmari , Agamendran Nithish , kumar Sai Yeswanth , Chellasamy Gayathri , Govindaraju Saravanan , Yun Kyusik , Selvam N. Clament Sagaya , Maruthapillai Arthanareeswari , Li Wei , Sekar Karthikeyan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe drastic climate change imposing adverse environmental effects receives serious research attention for finding a suitable solution. The replacement of conventional fossil energy sources with renewable and sustainable energy sources is the potential route; and thus, manifests as a viable solution. Accordingly, the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction process coupled with the renewable energy source is an emerging strategy for adopting a sustainable approach. However, the existing challenges in designing suitable catalyst, support material, electrolyte, inadequate selectivity, and intermediate reactions of CO2 reduction demand substantial research advancement. Numerous studies reported for the CO2 reduction process highlight the importance of catalyst design and product selectivity. Importantly, the copper‐based catalysts, capable in the output of multi‐carbon products, are reported as a “star” material. This review; therefore, focuses on catalyst design strategies, unique structural/morphological features, and product selectivity of diverse copper‐based catalysts. The outstanding findings of copper‐based catalysts and the corresponding products are critically discussed with adequate figures of merits. The impact of structural/morphological features on product selectivity is discussed in detail. The future scope and author perspectives on copper‐based catalysts for the feasible electrocatalytic CO2 reduction application are summarized.
OptiMo‐LDLr: An Integrated In Silico Model with Enhanced Predictive Power for LDL Receptor Variants, Unraveling Hot Spot Pathogenic Residues
Authors: Larrea‐Sebal Asier , Sasiain Iñaki , Jebari‐Benslaiman Shifa , Galicia‐Garcia Unai , Uribe Kepa B. , Benito‐Vicente Asier , Gracia‐Rubio Irene , Bediaga‐Bañeres Harbil , Arrasate Sonia , Cenarro Ana , Civeira Fernando , González‐Díaz Humberto , Martín Cesar 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited metabolic disease affecting cholesterol metabolism, with 90% of cases caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene (LDLR), primarily missense mutations. This study aims to integrate six commonly used predictive software to create a new model for predicting LDLR mutation pathogenicity and mapping hot spot residues. Six predictive‐software are selected: Polyphen‐2, SIFT, MutationTaster, REVEL, VARITY, and MLb‐LDLr. Software accuracy is tested with the characterized variants annotated in ClinVar and, by bioinformatic and machine learning techniques all models are integrated into a more accurate one. The resulting optimized model presents a specificity of 96.71% and a sensitivity of 98.36%. Hot spot residues with high potential of pathogenicity appear across all domains except for the signal peptide and the O‐linked domain. In addition, translating this information into 3D structure of the LDLr highlights potentially pathogenic clusters within the different domains, which may be related to specific biological function. The results of this work provide a powerful tool to classify LDLR pathogenic variants. Moreover, an open‐access guide user interface (OptiMo‐LDLr) is provided to the scientific community. This study shows that combination of several predictive software results in a more accurate prediction to help clinicians in FH diagnosis.
A Closed‐Loop Recyclable Low‐Density Polyethylene
Authors: Unger Christoph , Schmalz Holger , Lipp Jannis , Kretschmer Winfried P. , Kempe Rhett 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLow‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most important plastics, which is produced unfortunately under extreme conditions. In addition, it consists of robust aliphatic C─C bonds which are challenging to cleave for plastic recycling. A low‐pressure and ‐temperature (pethylene = 2 bara, T = 70 °C) macromonomer‐based synthesis of long chain branched polyethylene is reported. The introduction of recycle points permits the polymerization (grafting to) of the macromonomers to form the long chain branched polyethylene and its depolymerization (branch cleavage). Coordinative chain transfer polymerization employing ethylene and co‐monomers is used for the synthesis of the macromonomers, permitting a high flexibility of their precise structure and efficient synthesis. The long chain branched polyethylene material matches key properties of low‐density polyethylene.
Retention amount and flow behavior of droplets on cross‐fiber intersections during coalescence separation
Authors: Lu Zhaojin , Zhang Lian , Yang Xiaoyong , Ding Zhenjie , Bai Zhishan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCross fibers at different angles are essential for enhancing the separation of emulsions as the basic structure in fiber fillers. In this article, the retention and detachment process of droplets on fiber intersection were investigated using high‐speed camera technology to explore the critical volume, slip path and droplet oscillation. The results indicate that the critical volume retained on the intersection is significantly affected by the fiber slope, cross angle between fibers, and liquid viscosity. A droplet‐fiber interfacial force balance model is established to predict the critical volume and the tilt angle corresponding to maximum critical volume. The switching behaviors of selected fiber slippage depend on the slope, diameter, and affinity of the fiber. Compared with the lipophobic fiber woven mesh, the droplets on the lipophilic fiber mesh slip upward with a larger oscillate deformation and obvious periodicity. The mean deformation of droplets is 1.16 times that on lipophobic fiber.
Green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles mediated by Acer L. leaves as reducing agent, stabilizer, and carrier for Suzuki reaction
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wu Mianyuan , Lv Zhaoyi , Bai Xuefeng 
Published: January 2024

Plant fiber‐supported palladium nanocatalysts (Pdx/FAL) with high catalytic activity and good stability were synthesized by one‐pot method using Na2PdCl4 as palladium source, Acer L. leaves as reducing agent, stabilizer, and carrier without adding chemical reducing agents or stabilizers. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, and so forth. During the preparation process, the extraction of organic matter from Acer L. leaves, the reduction and stabilization of Pd2+, and the loading of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were carried out simultaneously, which greatly simplified the preparation steps and reduced the cost. Oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing groups in the Acer L. leaf extract preferentially formed complexes with Pd2+, and then, the polyphenols reduced Pd2+ to Pd0, which ensured that PdNPs with small particle sizes were formed and embedded in porous plant fibers (extraction residue of Acer L. leaves) with oxygen‐containing groups, thereby improving the catalytic activity and stability of the catalyst. The characterization results showed that the prepared PdNPs with a face‐centered cubic structure were uniformly distributed on the support, and the average particle size was 3.08 nm. The Suzuki coupling reaction of 4‐bromonitrobenzene and phenylboronic acid by the prepared catalysts at 40°C showed that the reaction yield could reach 97.72%, and the TOF could reach 3,240.6 h−1, exhibiting high catalytic performance. The reaction of 4‐bromotoluene with phenylboronic acid gave a yield of 98.58%, which remained above 90% after seven repetitions. This article provided a simple, high‐performance, and eco‐friendly synthesis idea for nanopalladium catalysts.