bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum total proteins and related electrophoretic fractions in growing foals
Authors: Quartuccio M. , Arfuso F. , Giannetto C. , Giudice E. , Di Pietro S. , Piccione G.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of serum total proteins, albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2 and γ-globulins in growing foals during the first month of life. Nine clinically healthy foals (five females and four males, mean body weight 39.00 ± 3.50 kg) were enrolled in the study. From each animal, blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture every 3 days during the first month of life starting from the day of birth. Serum concentration of total proteins, albumin, α1, α2, β1, β2 and γ-globulins was assessed. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni post hoc comparison test, was used to determine statistically significant effect of the day of life on studied parameters. A statistically significant effect of the day of life on serum total proteins (P < 0.0001), albumin (P < 0.0001) and γ-globulins (P < 0.005) was observed during the first month of life. Our findings emphasize the importance of establishing different reference intervals for serum electrophoretic protein profiles in growing foals based on their physiological status. This study provides useful information that could help clinicians to better interpret clinical data and diagnose equine neonatal disease.
Finding candidate locations for aerosol pollution monitoring at street level using a data-driven methodology
Authors: Moosavi V. , Aschwanden G. , Velasco E.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Finding the number and significant locations of fixed air quality monitoring stations at ground level is challenging because of the complexity of the urban environment and the large number of factors affecting the pollutants concentration. Datasets of urban parameters such as land use, building morphology and street geometry in high resolution grid cells in combination with direct measurements of airborne pollutants in high frequency (1–10 s) along a reasonable number of streets can be used to interpolate concentration of pollutants in a whole gridded domain and determine the optimum number of monitoring sites and best locations for a network of fixed monitors at ground level. In this context, a data-driven modeling methodology is developed based on the application of Self Organizing Map (SOM) to approximate the nonlinear relations between urban parameters (80 in this work) and aerosol pollution data, such as mass and number concentrations measured along streets of a commercial/residential neighborhood of Singapore. Cross-validations between measured and predicted aerosol concentrations based on the urban parameters at each individual grid cell showed satisfying results. The urban parameters used in this case proved to be an appropriate indirect measure of aerosol concentrations within the studied area. The potential locations for fixed air quality monitors are identified through clustering of areas (i.e. group of cells) with similar urban patterns. The typological center of each cluster corresponds to the most representative cell for all other cells in the cluster. In the studied neighborhood four different clusters were identified and for each cluster potential sites for air quality monitoring at ground level are identified.
On Filter $(\alpha)$-convergence and Exhaustiveness of Function Nets in Lattice Groups and Applications
Authors: Boccuto Antonio , Dimitriou Xenofon
Published: March 2015

We consider (strong uniform)continuity of thelimit of a pointwise convergent net of latticegroup-valued functions, (strong weak)ex\-hau\-sti\-ve\-ness and (strong)$(\alpha)$-con\-ver\-gen\-ce with respect to a pairof filters, which in the setting of nets aremore natural than the corresponding notionsformulated with respect to a single filter. Somecomparison results are givenbetween such concepts, inconnection with suitable properties of filters.Moreover, some modes of filter(strong uniform) continuity for lattice group-valuedfunctions are investigated, givingsome characterization.As an application, we getsome Ascoli-type theorem in an abstract setting,extending earlier results to the context of filter$(\alpha)$-con\-ver\-gen\-ce.Furthermore, we pose some open problems.
De onderzoeksbevoegdheden van de Commissie scherpgesteld
Authors: de Vries Y.
Published: March 2015

De onderzoeksbevoegdheden van de Commissie scherpgesteld

In dit artikel wordt, mede aan de hand van het arrest Deutsche Bahn van het Gerecht en het arrest Delta Pekárny van het EHRM, ingegaan op de vraag of de Commissie een voorafgaande rechterlijke machtiging nodig heeft voor het verrichten van inspecties onder Verordening (EG) nr. 1/2003. Ook worden de arresten Nexans, Prysmian en Schwenk besproken, die inzicht geven in de effectiviteit van de rechterlijke controle die de Unierechter uitoefent over het gebruik van de onderzoeksbevoegdheden van de Commissie. Deze arresten verduidelijken de rechten en plichten van ondernemingen en de Commissie bij inspecties en verzoeken om inlichtingen onder Verordening (EG) nr. 1/2003.

Gerecht 6 september 2013, gevoegde zaken T-289/11, T-290/11 en T-521/11, Deutsche Bahn, ECLI:EU:T:2013:404, EHRM 2 oktober 2014, nr. 97/11, Delta Pekárny/Tsjechische Republiek, Gerecht 14 november 2012, zaak T-135/09, Nexans, ECLI:EU:T:2012:596, Gerecht 14 maart 2014, zaak T-306/11, Schwenk, ECLI:EU:T:2014:123
La médiation du livre à l’ère du numérique : l’enjeu des algorithmes de recommandation
Authors: Labbé Stéphane
Published: March 2015

Par la réalisation d’une réflexion théorique, nous avons analysé la médiation en ligne du livre à l’aide des algorithmes de recommandation. Nous avons adopté une approche communicationnelle, celle-ci portant un regard sur le processus même de la médiation. Nous avons tenté de circonscrire le concept d’algorithme de recommandation et décrit son fonctionnement. Cela nous a permis d’identifier les enjeux centraux que soulève le recours aux algorithmes de recommandation dans le processus de médiation en ligne du livre, c’est-à-dire l’enjeu de la diversité culturelle et celui du cloisonnement des individus dans des identités et des communautés numériques.
Intégrer la littérature jeunesse en classe à l’aide de réseaux littéraires
Authors: Dupin de Saint-André Marie , Montésinos-Gelet Isabelle , Bourdeau Robert
Published: March 2015

Pour intégrer la littérature jeunesse en classe de manière à soutenir les compétences langagières et disciplinaires des élèves, le recours aux réseaux littéraires s’avère précieux. Dans cet article, nous explorons ce type de dispositif, qui repose sur la mise en lien d’oeuvres littéraires, en décrivant d’abord différents types de réseaux, en présentant ensuite la manière dont un enseignant planifie son année scolaire en organisant les tâches confiées aux élèves autour de réseaux variés et, enfin, en mettant en lumière divers obstacles à leur création ainsi que des pistes pour aider les enseignants à les surmonter.
Multiple Simultaneous Metatarsal Stress Fractures in the Same Foot
Authors: Mert Murat , Unkar Ethem Ayhan , Ozluk Ali Volkan , Tuzuner Tolga , Erdoğan Sinan
Published: March 2015

Metatarsal stress fractures are common overuse injuries in athletes, military recruits, and ballet dancers, usually occurring in the second, third, and fourth metatarsals, respectively. Such fractures may also occur in a variety of other individuals, regardless of demographic characteristics, sex, or profession, and they are highly associated with excessive activity. Moreover, these types of fractures are usually diagnosed late and have poor outcomes. To our knowledge, there has been only one case report of an individual with stress fractures of all three central metatarsals in the same foot. We describe herein a racehorse training jockey who presented with multiple simultaneous metatarsal stress fractures in the same foot. We also discuss the possible mechanisms by which this entity occurred, as well as its management and outcome.
Spatial variability of solar quiet fields along 96° magnetic meridian in Africa: Results from MAGDAS
Authors: Bolaji O. S. , Rabiu A. B. , Bello O. R. , Yoshikawa A. , Yumoto K. , Odeyemi O. O. , Ogunmodimu O.
Published: March 2015

We have used chains of Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS) magnetometer records of the horizontal (H) and vertical (Z) magnetic field intensities during September 2008 to August 2009 (year of deep minimum) across Africa to study their variability during the quietest international days, which coincidently associated with the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event in January 2009. This selection of the most international quiet days is indicative of 80% that are strongly associated with days when unusually strong and prolonged sudden SSW event occurs in January 2009. Interestingly, in January, a significant magnitude depletion of solar quiet (Sq) equivalent current was observed near noon hours around the magnetic equator (Addis Ababa, ABB) compared to any other months along with a consistent significantly reduced value across the Northern Hemisphere and moderate decrease at the Southern Hemisphere. Also, we found that Nairobi and Dar es Salaam at the Southern Hemisphere, which are close to ABB (dip equator), are strongly prone to westward electric field compared to the magnetic equator and Khartoum at the Northern Hemisphere. Significant negative values of MSq(Z) magnitudes observed near noon hours at Hermanus indicate the presence of induced currents that suggest ocean effects along with reversal to significant positive values in the afternoon, which subsided before 1800 LT in almost all the months, indicate stronger influence of ionospheric currents. On seasonal variability of Sq(H), a slight depression at ABB during September equinox is one of the evidences of seasonal Sq focus shift. Latitudinal variability of Sq near‐noon hours was also investigated.
Comparing generic models for interplanetary shocks and magnetic clouds axis configurations at 1 AU
Authors: Janvier M. , Dasso S. , Démoulin P. , Masías‐Meza J. J. , Lugaz N.
Published: March 2015

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are the manifestation of solar transient eruptions, which can significantly modify the plasma and magnetic conditions in the heliosphere. They are often preceded by a shock, and a magnetic flux rope is detected in situ in a third to half of them. The main aim of this study is to obtain the best quantitative shape for the flux rope axis and for the shock surface from in situ data obtained during spacecraft crossings of these structures. We first compare the orientation of the flux rope axes and shock normals obtained from independent data analyses of the same events, observed in situ at 1 AU from the Sun. Then we carry out an original statistical analysis of axes/shock normals by deriving the statistical distributions of their orientations. We fit the observed distributions using the distributions derived from several synthetic models describing these shapes. We show that the distributions of axis/shock orientations are very sensitive to their respective shape. One classical model, used to analyze interplanetary imager data, is incompatible with the in situ data. Two other models are introduced, for which the results for axis and shock normals lead to very similar shapes; the fact that the data for MCs and shocks are independent strengthens this result. The model which best fits all the data sets has an ellipsoidal shape with similar aspect ratio values for all the data sets. These derived shapes for the flux rope axis and shock surface have several potential applications. First, these shapes can be used to construct a consistent ICME model. Second, these generic shapes can be used to develop a quantitative model to analyze imager data, as well as constraining the output of numerical simulations of ICMEs. Finally, they will have implications for space weather forecasting, in particular, for forecasting the time arrival of ICMEs at the Earth.
Sensitivity of a global climate model to the critical Richardson number in the boundary layer parameterization
Authors: Zhang Ning , Gao Zhiqiu , Liu Yangang , Li Dan
Published: March 2015

The critical bulk Richardson number (Ricr) is an important parameter in planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes used in many climate models. This paper examines the sensitivity of a global climate model, the Beijing Climate Center atmospheric general circulation model, to Ricr. The results show that the simulated global average of PBL height increases nearly linearly with Ricr, with a change of about 114 m for a change of 0.5 in Ricr. The surface sensible (latent) heat flux decreases (increases) as Ricr increases. The influence of Ricr on surface air temperature and specific humidity is not significant. The increasing Ricr may affect the location of the Westerly Belt in the Southern Hemisphere. Further diagnosis reveals that changes in Ricr affect stratiform and convective precipitations differently. Increasing Ricr leads to an increase in the stratiform precipitation but a decrease in the convective precipitation. Significant changes of convective precipitation occur over the Intertropical Convergence Zone, while changes of stratiform precipitation mostly appear over arid land such as North Africa and Middle East.
Meteorological buoy observations from the central Iceland Sea
Authors: Harden B. E. , Renfrew I. A , Petersen G. N.
Published: March 2015

We present the first continuous in situ atmospheric observations from the central Iceland Sea collected from a meteorological buoy deployed for a 2 year period between 23 November 2007 and 21 August 2009. We use these observations to evaluate the ERA‐Interim reanalysis product and demonstrate that it represented low‐level meteorological fields and surface turbulent fluxes in this region very well. The buoy observations showed that moderate to strong winds were common from any direction, while wind speeds below 5 ms−1 were relatively rare. The observed low‐level air temperature and surface heat fluxes were related to the wind direction with cold‐air outbreaks most common from the northwest. Mean wintertime turbulent heat fluxes were modest (<60 Wm−2), but the range was substantial. High heat flux events, greater than 200 Wm−2, typically occurred every 1–2 weeks in the winter, with each event lasting on average 2.5 days with an average total turbulent heat flux of ∼200 Wm−2 out of the ocean. The most pronounced high heat flux events over the central Iceland Sea were associated with cold‐air outbreaks from the north and west forced by a deep Lofoten Low over the Norwegian Sea.
Impact of radiosonde observations on forecasting summertime Arctic cyclone formation
Authors: Yamazaki Akira , Inoue Jun , Dethloff Klaus , Maturilli Marion , König‐Langlo Gert
Published: March 2015

The impact of Arctic radiosonde observations on the forecasting of the 2012 early August Arctic cyclone AC12—the “strongest” since records began—has been investigated using an observing system experiment (OSE). An atmospheric ensemble reanalysis (ALERA2) was used as the control experiment (CTL) to reproduce the development of the Arctic cyclone and surrounding large‐scale atmospheric fields. The OSE applies the same reanalysis as the CTL except for the exclusion of radiosonde observations from the German icebreaker Polarstern, which cruised near Svalbard during mid‐July to early August 2012. Comparison of the two reanalyses revealed a difference in the upper tropospheric circulation over northern mid‐Eurasia, just before the Arctic cyclone developed, in the form of a stronger tropopause polar vortex in the CTL. This indicated that the upper tropospheric field in the CTL had greater potential for baroclinic instability over mid‐Eurasia. Ensemble predictions were then conducted using the two reanalyses as initial values at which the tropopause polar vortex approached northern mid‐Eurasia. The CTL prediction reproduced the formation of the Arctic cyclone, but the OSE shows a significantly weaker one. These results indicate that the improved reproduction of upper tropospheric circulation in the Arctic region due to additional radiosonde observations from a mobile platform was indispensable for the prediction of AC12. In particular, observations being acquired far from the Arctic cyclone affect the prediction of the cyclone via the upper tropospheric circulation in the atmospheric west wind drift.
Identifying multiscale zonation and assessing the relative importance of polygon geomorphology on carbon fluxes in an Arctic tundra ecosystem
Authors: Wainwright Haruko M. , Dafflon Baptiste , Smith Lydia J. , Hahn Melanie S. , Curtis John B. , Wu Yuxin , Ulrich Craig , Peterson John E. , Torn Margaret S. , Hubbard Susan S.
Published: March 2015

We develop a multiscale zonation approach to characterize the spatial variability of Arctic polygonal ground geomorphology and to assess the relative controls of these elements on land surface and subsurface properties and carbon fluxes. Working within an ice wedge polygonal region near Barrow, Alaska, we consider two scales of zonation: polygon features (troughs, centers, and rims of polygons) that are nested within different polygon types (high, flat, and low centered). In this study, we first delineated polygons using a digital elevation map and clustered the polygons into four types along two transects, using geophysical and kite‐based landscape‐imaging data sets. We extrapolated those data‐defined polygon types to all the polygons over the study site, using the polygon statistics extracted from the digital elevation map. Based on the point measurements, we characterized the distribution of vegetation, hydrological, thermal, and geochemical properties, as well as carbon fluxes, all as a function of polygon types and polygon features. Results show that nested polygon geomorphic zonation—polygon types and polygon features—can be used to represent distinct distributions of carbon fluxes and associated properties, as well as covariability among those properties. Importantly, the results indicate that polygon types have more power to explain the variations in those properties than polygon features. The approach is expected to be useful for improved system understanding, site characterization, and parameterization of numerical models aimed at predicting ecosystem feedbacks to the climate.
The behavior of trade‐wind cloudiness in observations and models: The major cloud components and their variability
Authors: Nuijens Louise , Medeiros Brian , Sandu Irina , Ahlgrimm Maike
Published: March 2015

Guided by ground‐based radar and lidar profiling at the Barbados Cloud Observatory (BCO), this study evaluates trade‐wind cloudiness in ECMWF's Integrated Forecast System (IFS) and nine CMIP5 models using their single‐timestep output at selected grid points. The observed profile of cloudiness is relatively evenly distributed between two important height levels: the lifting condensation level (LCL) and the tops of the deepest cumuli near the trade‐wind inversion (2–3 km). Cloudiness at the LCL dominates the total cloud cover, but is relatively invariant. Variance in cloudiness instead peaks at the inversion. The IFS reproduces the depth of the cloud field and its variability, but underestimates cloudiness at the LCL and the inversion. A few CMIP5 models produce a single stratocumulus‐like layer near the LCL, but more than half of the CMIP5 models reproduce the observed cloud layer depth in long‐term mean profiles. At single‐time steps, however, half of the models do not produce cloudiness near cloud tops along with the (almost ever‐present) cloudiness near the LCL. In seven models, cloudiness is zero at both levels 10 to 65% of the time, compared to 3% in the observations. Models therefore tend to overestimate variance in cloudiness near the LCL. This variance is associated with longer time scales than in observations, which suggests that modeled cloudiness is too sensitive to large‐scale processes. To conclude, many models do not appear to capture the processes that underlie changes in cloudiness, which is relevant for cloud feedbacks and climate prediction.
Where large deep‐ocean waves break
Authors: van Haren Hans , Cimatoribus Andrea , Gostiaux Louis
Published: March 2015

Underwater topography like seamounts causes the breaking of large “internal waves” with associated turbulent mixing strongly affecting the redistribution of sediment. Here ocean turbulence is characterized and quantified in the lowest 100 m of the water column at three nearby sites above the slope of a deep‐ocean seamount. Moored high‐resolution temperature sensors show very different turbulence generation mechanisms over 3 and 5 km horizontal separation distances. At the steepest slope, turbulence was 100 times more energetic than at the shallowest slope where turbulence was still 10 times more energetic than found in the open ocean, away from topography. The turbulence on this extensive slope is caused by slope steepness and nonlinear wave evolution, but not by bottom‐friction, “critical” internal tide reflection or lee wave generation.
Brittle versus ductile deformation as the main control of the deep fluid circulation in oceanic crust
Authors: Violay M. , Gibert B. , Mainprice D. , Burg J.‐P.
Published: March 2015

The brittle to ductile transition may strongly influence hydraulic properties of rocks at the depth and temperature ranges that hydrothermal fluids circulate. To examine this transition in the context of the oceanic crust, we conducted a series of deformation experiments on a natural basalt sample at in situ oceanic crust conditions. Dilatancy was measured during deformation. The method consisted in monitoring the volume of pore fluid that flows into or out of the sample at constant pore pressure. Mechanical and microstructural observations at experimental constant strain rate of 10−5 s−1 indicated that the basalt was brittle and dilatant up to 800°C. At higher temperature, the deformation mode became macroscopically ductile and samples compacted. These observations have important implications on heat transfer and fluid migration in oceanic crust.
Very shallow dyke intrusion and potential slope failure imaged by ground deformation: The 28 December 2014 eruption on Mount Etna
Authors: Bonforte Alessandro , Guglielmino Francesco
Published: March 2015

On 28 December 2014, eruptive activity resumed at Mount Etna with fire fountain activity feeding two lava flows on the eastern and southwestern upper flanks of the volcano. Unlike all previous summit activity, this eruption produced clear deformation at the summit of the volcano. GPS displacements and Sentinel‐1A ascending interferograms were calculated in order to image the ground deformation pattern accompanying the eruption. The displacements observed by GPS depict a local ground deformation pattern, affecting only the upper part of the volcano. Despite snow cover on the summit, differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) data allowed obtaining more detail on the ground deformation pattern on the upper eastern side of the volcano. Three‐dimensional GPS displacements inversion located a very shallow NE‐SW intrusion just beneath the New Southeast Crater. However, this model cannot justify all the deformation observed by DInSAR thus revealing a gravitational failure of the lava flow field.
Quantifying the net contribution of the historical Amazonian deforestation to climate change
Authors: Exbrayat Jean‐François , Williams Mathew
Published: March 2015

Recent large‐scale carbon (C) emissions from deforestation have been estimated by combining remotely‐sensed land use change information with satellite‐based aboveground biomass (AGB) data. However, these estimates are constrained to the satellite era while regions such as the Amazon basin have been heavily impacted by deforestation before this period. Assessing the net contribution of past tropical deforestation to the growth in atmospheric CO2 is therefore challenging. We address this lack of data by constructing two maps of potential AGB with a machine learning algorithm trained on the relationship between AGB and climate and topography in intact forest landscapes of the Amazon basin. Reconstructions converge to a current deficit of 11.5–12% in AGB or a net loss of ~7–8 Pg C of AGB in the Amazon basin compared to current estimates. This represents a net contribution of ~1.8 ppm of atmospheric CO2 or 1.5% of the historical growth.
Estimate of Rayleigh‐to‐Love wave ratio in the secondary microseism by colocated ring laser and seismograph
Authors: Tanimoto Toshiro , Hadziioannou Céline , Igel Heiner , Wasserman Joachim , Schreiber Ulrich , Gebauer André
Published: March 2015

Using a colocated ring laser and an STS‐2 seismograph, we estimate the ratio of Rayleigh‐to‐Love waves in the secondary microseism at Wettzell, Germany, for frequencies between 0.13 and 0.30 Hz. Rayleigh wave surface acceleration was derived from the vertical component of STS‐2, and Love wave surface acceleration was derived from the ring laser. Surface wave amplitudes are comparable; near the spectral peak about 0.22 Hz, Rayleigh wave amplitudes are about 20% higher than Love wave amplitudes, but outside this range, Love wave amplitudes become higher. In terms of the kinetic energy, Rayleigh wave energy is about 20–35% smaller on average than Love wave energy. The observed secondary microseism at Wettzell thus consists of comparable Rayleigh and Love waves but contributions from Love waves are larger. This is surprising as the only known excitation mechanism for the secondary microseism, described by Longuet‐Higgins (1950), is equivalent to a vertical force and should mostly excite Rayleigh waves.
Enhanced Heterogeneous Nucleation by Pulsed Magneto‐Oscillation Treatment of Liquid Aluminum Containing Al3Ti1B Additions
Authors: Liang Dong , Sun Jie , Liu Tianyu , Zhai Qijie , Wang Gui , StJohn David H. , Dong Hongbiao , Zhong Honggang
Published: March 2015

Pulsed Magneto‐Oscillation (PMO) promoted additional nucleation of commercial purity Al containing a range of Al3Ti1B master alloy resulting in a finer grain size. The grain density significantly increased with PMO treatment for all Ti contents. With PMO treatment the grain density is directly proportional to the amount of master alloy added and therefore the number of TiB2 particles implying that the TiB2 particle density had a major effect on refinement. The grain density almost doubled (from 307.4 to 507.2 mm−3) after PMO treatment at a normal commercial level addition of 1 000 parts per million (ppm) Ti by weight, and which increased from 499.5 to 941.1 mm−3 when 2 000 ppm Ti was added. It is proposed that PMO treatment significantly enhanced the nucleation capacity for TiB2. In contrast, without PMO treatment, the grain size follows a linear relationship with the inverse of the growth restriction factor (1/Q) indicating that Ti solute also has a significant effect on grain size. Since the cooling conditions were similar for both with and without PMO treatment, the convection generated by PMO produced a more uniform temperature field throughout the melt that promoted the transport and survival of grains contributing to a finer grain size.
Multifunctional Engineering Aluminum Surfaces for Self‐Propelled Anti‐Condensation
Authors: Jin Xu , Zhang Xiyao , Peng Yun , Cao Moyuan , Liu He , Pei Xiaohan , Liu Kesong , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2015

Learning from nature will give us some important inspiration in designing multifunctional materials and in developing new technology. Self‐propelled motion is ubiquitous in nature. Special wetting surfaces have considerable technological potential for various applications arising from their extreme repellent properties toward liquids. Here, we reported the spontaneous anti‐condensation on low adhesive superamphiphobic engineered Al surfaces. The mechanism of anti‐condensation was also investigated in this work. The dropwise condensation on engineering metals was removed autonomously without any external forces arising from the out‐of‐plane jumping motion of the coalesced drops. The self‐propelled jumping motion of merged drops is driven by the surface energy released upon drop coalescence. Besides the anti‐condensation, the resultant Al surfaces also showed robust repellency toward various polar, nonpolar liquids and even corrosive liquids, demonstrating stable superamphiphobicity, anti‐corrosion, and self‐cleaning properties. This will extend the practical applications of engineering metals in the fields of anti‐icing and heat exchange.
Microfluidic Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Technology for Advancement of Drug Development and Toxicology
Authors: Caplin Jeremy D. , Granados Norma G. , James Myra R. , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nastaran
Published: March 2015

In recent years, the exploitation of phenomena surrounding microfluidics has seen an increase in popularity, as researchers have found a way to use their unique properties to create superior design alternatives. One such application is representing the properties and functions of different organs on a microscale chip for the purpose of drug testing or tissue engineering. With the introduction of “organ‐on‐a‐chip” systems, researchers have proposed various methods on various organ‐on‐a‐chip systems to mimic their in vivo counterparts. In this article, a systematic approach is taken to review current technologies pertaining to organ‐on‐a‐chip systems. Design processes with attention to the particular instruments, cells, and materials used are presented.
Impact of Swift Heavy Ions and Gamma Radiation upon Optical, Structural, and Chemical Properties of Polypropylene Polymer Films
Authors: Gupta Sanjeev Kumar , Singh Paramjit , Singh Rajinder , Kumar Rajesh
Published: March 2015

The present work focuses on the effects of two different ions (70 MeV carbon and 50 MeV lithium) and gamma radiation upon the structural, optical, and chemical properties of 125‐μm thick polypropylene (PP) polymer films. The different samples of PP were irradiated with ions to the fluences in the range 1011–1013 ions/cm2 and exposed to gamma radiation of doses in the range 100–1250 kGy. A comparative study is carried out upon different parameters of irradiated polymer samples such as crystallite size and band gap energy. The structural properties are effectively modified by the ions irradiation, whereas gamma exposure shows insignificant changes in this regard; however, gamma exposure is observed to be effective in gradually decreasing the band gap energy of the PP samples with an increase in the gamma dose. The formation of new chemical bands is observed in the ion‐irradiated and gamma‐exposed PP polymer samples.
Preparation, Characterization, and Modeling of Ultrahigh Coercivity Sm–Co Thin Films
Authors: Akdogan O. , Sepehri‐Amin H. , Dempsey N. M. , Ohkubo T. , Hono K. , Gutfleisch O. , Schrefl T. , Givord D.
Published: March 2015

Isotropic Sm–Co thin films with different SmxCoy phases (1:7, 1:5, and 2:7) are prepared by triode sputtering of targets of variable composition. A room‐temperature coercivity value of 6.8 T is achieved in the film with the SmCo5 phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 3D atom probe analyses of films that comprise this compound reveal the presence of Sm‐rich 4‐nm‐sized precipitates within grains and along grain boundaries. Atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy/high‐resolution high‐angle annular dark‐field (STEM/HAADF) imaging show that stacking faults occur within SmCo5 grains, which correspond to local phase variants including Sm2Co7, Sm5Co19 and SmCo3. The contribution to domain wall pinning of precipitates and stacking faults, as well as grain boundaries between misaligned grains, is discussed semi‐quantitatively. Micromagnetic simulations are carried out to evaluate the influence of stacking faults and grain boundaries on magnetization reversal. The results indicate that the high coercivity values achieved can mainly be attributed to the strong pinning of magnetic domains at the grain boundaries of randomly oriented SmCo5 nanograins.
Self‐Aligned Megahertz Organic Transistors Solution‐Processed on Plastic
Authors: Higgins Stuart G. , Muir Beinn V. O. , Wade Jessica , Chen Jiaren , Striedinger Bernd , Gold Herbert , Stadlober Barbara , Caironi Mario , Kim Ji‐Seon , Steinke Joachim H. G. , Campbell Alasdair J.
Published: March 2015

The processing of complex nanoscale electronic structures on plastic substrates is a significant challenge, requiring the combination of low temperature, nonaggressive, and high resolution methods. Here a scalable process flow on plastic is presented tbat enables the fabrication of flexible nano­imprinted organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) with self‐aligned contacts and solution‐processed semiconductor and dielectric layers, at processing temperatures ≤ 150 °C. OFETs are fabricated with device cutoff frequencies f > 1 MHz at low operating bias V
DS = −15 V. The technique allows the patterning of metal structures over four orders of magnitude from 375 nm to 1 mm without the need for a rigid carrier, and provides a fabrication pathway to high performance nanostructured organic circuitry.
Investment optimization model for freshwater acquisition and wastewater handling in shale gas production
Authors: Yang Linlin , Grossmann Ignacio E. , Mauter Meagan S. , Dilmore Robert M.
Published: March 2015

Major challenges of water use in the drilling and fracturing process in shale gas production are large volumes required in a short‐period of time and the nonsteady nature of wastewater treatment. A new mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) model for optimizing capital investment decisions for water use for shale gas production through a discrete‐time representation of the State‐Task Network is presented. The objective is to minimize the capital cost of impoundment, piping, and treatment facility, and operating cost including freshwater, pumping, and treatment. The goal is to determine the location and capacity of impoundment, the type of piping, treatment facility locations and removal capability, freshwater sources, as well as the frac schedule. In addition, the impact of several factors such as limiting truck hauling and increasing flowback volume on the solution is examined. A case study is optimized to illustrate the application of the proposed formulation. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1770–1782, 2015
Mesoscopic coarse‐grained simulations of hydrophobic charge induction chromatography (HCIC) for protein purification
Authors: Yu Gaobo , Liu Jie , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2015

Mesoscopic coarse‐grained simulations are adopted to investigate interfacial mechanisms of hydrophobic charged induction chromatography for protein purification by regulating pH. Simulations results indicate that: (i) lysozyme can be adsorbed mainly with “top end‐on” and “bottom end‐on” orientation on hydrophobic surfaces, dominated by the two hydrophobic regions located at both ends of lysozyme's long axis. Elution from the “top end‐on” orientation is more difficult than that from the “bottom end‐on” orientation; (ii) a higher ligand density can get a faster adsorption rate and stronger adsorption. Interestingly, the effect of ligand density on the desorption is mainly determined by the distribution probability of the positively charged groups of ligands; (iii) a higher ionic strength can lead to a wider orientation distribution, a stronger adsorption and a lower elution rate. This work might provide an efficient way to optimize the operating conditions and designing novel ligands. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2035–2047, 2015
Developing intermolecular‐potential models for use with the SAFT‐VRMie equation of state
Authors: Dufal Simon , Lafitte Thomas , Galindo Amparo , Jackson George , Haslam Andrew J.
Published: March 2015

A major advance in the statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT) for potentials of variable range (SAFT‐VR) has recently been made with the incorporation of the Mie (generalized Lennard–Jones [LJ]) interaction between the segments comprising the molecules in the fluid (Lafitte et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2013;139:154504). The Mie potential offers greater versatility in allowing one to describe the softness/hardness of the repulsive interactions and the range of the attractions, which govern fine details of the fluid‐phase equilibria and thermodynamic derivative properties of the system. In our current work, the SAFT‐VR Mie equation of state is employed to develop models for a number of prototypical fluids, including some of direct relevance to the oil and gas industry: methane, carbon dioxide and other light gases, alkanes, alkyl benzenes, and perfluorinated compounds. A complication with the use of more‐generic force fields such as the Mie potential is the additional number of parameters that have to be considered to specify the interactions between the model molecules, leading to a degree of degeneracy in the parameter space. A formal methodology to isolate intermolecular‐potential models and assess the adequacy of the description of the thermodynamic properties in terms of the complex parameter space is developed. Fluid‐phase equilibrium properties (the vapor pressure and saturated‐liquid density) are chosen as the target properties in the refinement of the force fields; the predictive capability for other properties such as the enthalpy of vaporization, single‐phase density, speed of sound, isobaric heat capacity, and Joule–Thomson coefficient, is appraised. It is found that an overall improvement of the representations of the thermophysical properties of the fluids is obtained using the more‐generic Mie form of interaction; in all but the simplest of fluids, one finds that the LJ interaction is not the most appropriate. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2891–2912, 2015
Solvent evaluation for desulfurization and denitrification of gas oil using performance and industrial usability indices
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Srivastava Vimal Chandra , Nanoti Shrikant Madhusudan , Kumar Abhishek
Published: March 2015

A new strategy for screening of solvents for sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatic compounds removal from gas oil is presented. This ranking is based on comparative assessment of solvents’ capacity, selectivity, performance, and newly defined industrial usability indices. Twenty eight solvents comprising of six most widely used industrially proven conventional solvents and 22 imidazolium‐based ionic liquids solvents were selected to illustrate the strategy. The solvents were ranked for removal of sulfur compounds namely benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and their alkylated derivatives, and nitrogenous compounds namely quinoline, indole and carbazole from gas oil. Performance index (PI) which combines the effect of both capacity and selectivity seems to be better index than individual capacity and selectivity indices to rank the solvents. Industrial usability index (SIUI) of solvents which includes PI and process complexity factor for solvent recovery section seems more practical and realistic criteria for solvent assessment. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2257–2267, 2015
The role of narrative medicine in the management of joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type
Authors: Knight Isobel
Published: March 2015

Joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers–Danlos syndrome hypermobility type (JHS/EDS‐HT) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder affecting every bodily system. It is largely underdiagnosed by many practitioners, with the result of a considerable delay in diagnosis and, consequently, in the onset of adequate management schedule and treatment. Patients may also experience to be misbelieved, erroneously considered affected by a psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders, and rejected by the medical profession, which can lead to feelings of anger and resentment. Patient journeys are often long and complicated, but if doctors allowed the patient time to tell the full story, and were more prepared to think holistically, there may be a far more positive outcome. Here, the patients' perspective is presented with a narrative medicine approach, illustrating the tri‐dimensional experience of a JHS/EDS‐HT patient, who is also a Bowen Practitioner and a medical writer/educator. Narrative medicine would be invaluable in working with JHS/EDS‐HT so that the patient can tell the story, and offer the practitioner a whole picture of her/his suffering and, often, the key for understanding the cause(s). Once this has been achieved, it might be possible to build upon a more positive and therapeutic dialogue which would result in better treatment and more effective management. It is also important for doctors to communicate with JHS/EDS‐HT experts who will ultimately improve the patient journey and treatment outcomes of such a complex connective tissue disorder. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential diagnosis and diagnostic flow chart of joint hypermobility syndrome/ehlers‐danlos syndrome hypermobility type compared to other heritable connective tissue disorders
Authors: Colombi Marina , Dordoni Chiara , Chiarelli Nicola , Ritelli Marco
Published: March 2015

Joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers–Danlos syndrome hypermobility type (JHS/EDS‐HT) is an evolving and protean disorder mostly recognized by generalized joint hypermobility and without a defined molecular basis. JHS/EDS‐HT also presents with other connective tissue features affecting a variety of structures and organs, such as skin, eye, bone, and internal organs. However, most of these signs are present in variable combinations and severity in many other heritable connective tissue disorders. Accordingly, JHS/EDS‐HT is an “exclusion” diagnosis which needs the absence of any consistent feature indicative of other partially overlapping connective tissue disorders. While both Villefranche and Brighton criteria include such an exclusion as a mandatory item, a systematic approach for reaching a stringent clinical diagnosis of JHS/EDS‐HT is still lacking. The absence of a consensus on the diagnostic approach to JHS/EDS‐HT concerning its clinical boundaries with similar conditions contribute to limit our actual understanding of the pathologic and molecular bases of this disorder. In this review, we revise the differential diagnosis of JHS/EDS‐HT with those heritable connective tissue disorders which show a significant overlap with the former and mostly include EDS classic, vascular and kyphoscoliotic types,osteogenesis imperfecta, Marfan syndrome, Loeys–Dietz syndrome, arterial tortuosity syndrome, and lateral meningocele syndrome. A diagnostic flow chart is also offered with the attempt to support the less experienced clinician in stringently recognizing JHS/EDS‐HT and stimulate the debate in the scientific community for both management and research purposes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gastrointestinal and nutritional issues in joint hypermobility syndrome/ehlers–danlos syndrome, hypermobility type
Authors: Castori Marco , Morlino Silvia , Pascolini Giulia , Blundo Carlo , Grammatico Paola
Published: March 2015

Gastrointestinal involvement is a well known complication of Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDSs), mainly in form of abdominal emergencies due to intestinal/abdominal vessels rupture in vascular EDS. In the last decade, a growing number of works investigated the relationship between a wide spectrum of chronic gastrointestinal complaints and various EDS forms, among which the hypermobility type (a.k.a. joint hypermobility syndrome; JHS/EDS‐HT) was the most studied. The emerging findings depict a major role for gastrointestinal involvement in the health status and, consequently, management of JHS/EDS‐HT patients. Nevertheless, fragmentation of knowledge limits its impact on practice within the boundaries of highly specialized clinics. In this paper, literature review on gastrointestinal manifestations in JHS/EDS‐HT was carried out and identified papers categorized as (i) case‐control/cohort studies associating (apparently non‐syndromic) joint hypermobility and gastrointestinal involvement, (ii) case‐control/cohort studies associating JHS/EDS‐HT and gastrointestinal involvement, (iii) case reports/series on various gastrointestinal complications in (presumed) JHS/EDS‐HT, and (iv) studies reporting gastrointestinal features in heterogeneous EDS patients' cohorts. Gastrointestinal manifestations of JHS/EDS‐HT were organized and discussed in two categories, including structural anomalies (i.e., abdominal/diaphragmatic hernias, internal organ/pelvic prolapses, intestinal intussusceptions) and functional features (i.e., dysphagia, gastro‐esophageal reflux, dyspepsia, recurrent abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea), with emphasis on practice and future implications. In the second part of this paper, a summary of possible nutritional interventions in JHS/EDS‐HT was presented. Supplementation strategies were borrowed from data available for general population with minor modifications in the light of recent discoveries in the pathogenesis of selected JHS/EDS‐HT features. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting euarchontan body mass: A comparison of tarsal and dental variables
Authors: Yapuncich Gabriel S. , Gladman Justin T. , Boyer Doug M.
Published: March 2015

Objective: Multiple meaningful ecological characterizations of a species revolve around body mass. Because body mass cannot be directly measured in extinct taxa, reliable body mass predictors are needed. Many published body mass prediction equations rely on dental dimensions, but certain skeletal dimensions may have a more direct and consistent relationship with body mass. We seek to evaluate the reliability of prediction equations for inferring euarchontan body mass based on measurements of the articular facet areas of the astragalus and calcaneus. Methods: Surface areas of five astragalar facets (n = 217 specimens) and two calcaneal facets (n = 163) were measured. Separate ordinary least squares and multiple regression equations are presented for different levels of taxonomic inclusivity, and the reliability of each equation is evaluated with the coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate, mean prediction error, and the prediction sum of squares statistic. We compare prediction errors to published prediction equations that utilize dental and/or tarsal measures. Finally, we examine the effects of taxonomically specific regressions and apply our equations to a diverse set of non‐primates. Results: Our results reveal that predictions based on facet areas are more reliable than most linear dental or tarsal predictors. Multivariate approaches are often better than univariate methods, but require more information (making them less useful for fragmentary fossils). While some taxonomically specific regressions improve predictive ability, this is not true for all primate groups. Conclusions: Among individual facets, the ectal and fibular facets of the astragalus and the calcaneal cuboid facet are the best body mass predictors. Since these facets have primarily concave curvature and scale with positive allometry relative to body mass, it appears that candidate skeletal proxies for body mass can be identified based on their curvature and scaling coefficients. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:472–506, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.