bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing Drilling Efficiency in Saudi Arabia Gas Development Project: Consistent Incremental Gains Significantly Improve Project Economics
Authors: Ghoto Shabir , Kubaisi Abdullah , Platt James , Al Alsayednassir Alawi , Siddik Syed , Valliyappan Som , Karuppiah Venkatesh , Samy Ahmed , Khan Ajmal , Bits Smith
Published: December 2015

Because of high formation pressure in certain formations, there are three different casing designs available, including slim-bore wells and big-bore wells. The slim-bore wells are 12-in hole section applications, and big-bore wells drilled as 16-in hole sections. In 12-in slim-bore wells, a major challenge is to drill through different carbonate formations with unconfined compressive strength (UCS) between 10,000 and 30,000 psi with hard streaks peaking at 40,000 psi toward section end. Another challenge in the lower section is high formation abrasiveness, which increases PDC cutter wear rate and slows ROP to an unacceptable rate of less than 10 ft/h before reaching TD.

The challenges of this extensively drilled application are well known, and the most efficient bit design to date is a seven-bladed PDC with 16-mm cutters. The existing PDC delivers an acceptable ROP, but its dull condition suggests that a more efficient cutting structure would improve project economics in areas of slim-bore wells where the operator expected poor performance.

An R&D project to improve PDC bit performance produced a Conical Diamond Element (CDE) with twice the diamond thickness of a conventional PDC cutter. The CDE provides superior resistance to abrasive wear and impact load damage. To extract the maximum benefit from the CDE's enhanced durability, design engineers used a finite element analysis- based modeling system to position the element at bit center on the baseline design by reducing cutter volume. The new design would increase drilling efficiency at the center of the borehole, leading to higher ROP. This new type of PDC has also proven to reduce damage from torsional vibration for improved stability and borehole quality. The modeling system was also used to identify rpm and WOB combinations most likely to improve ROP and dynamic stability drilling through the difficult carbonate formations.

Two new 12-in bits were run in the satellite field wells and set new back-to-back benchmarks for the fastest ROP on their first run. In the X field, this bit achieved an 18% improvement in ROP (73.1 ft/h) compared with four offsets drilled with conventional PDC, resulting in a 10% reduction in cost per foot. In the Y field, the central CDE-type bit achieved a 9% improvement in ROP (72.8 ft/h) compared with a direct offset resulting in an 8% reduction in cost per foot. The authors will discuss operational challenges and the technical justification for running the CDE equipped PDC bit. The paper concludes with a discussion of economic benefits for the operator by utilizing this new technology.
Evaluating the Effects of Acid Stimulation Treatment Before and After Fines Migration on Petrophysical Properties in Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Hanafy Ahmed , Ali Abdalla , Nasr-El-Din Hisham A. , Heidari Zoya
Published: December 2015

Restoring formation damage by matrix acidizing is one of the common ways to increase productivity in sandstone formations. While sandstone formations are typically composed of the same types of minerals, the concentration and composition of these minerals, as well as the permeability and porosity of the matrix, can vary widely. Such variable petrophysical and compositional properties of sandstone formations can affect the severity of fines migration and the performance of acid stimulation treatments.

To evaluate the effect of acid stimulation on petrophysical properties before and after fines migration, coreflood experiments were conducted on Bandera sandstone cores. Half of the treatments were conducted on cores that were damaged by triggering fines migration by injecting deionized water, and the other half were conducted on undamaged cores. These cores contain a wide range of clay content, mineral compositions, permeability, pore size distribution, and porosity. A series of characterizing tests and measurements were performed before and after acid treatments. The objectives of this work include: (a) analyzing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements to determine the mineralogy and elemental composition of the rocks, (b) interpreting computational tomography (CT) scans to evaluate pore-scale heterogeneity and acid effect on cementing material, and (c) evaluating permeability by flooding the core samples with brine.

More than 20 coreflood experiments were conducted at constant temperatures of 72, 150, and 250°F and constant acid concentration on 6 in. x 1.5 in. core samples at different injection rates. The CT- scans proved, quantified, and localized the fines migration in the damaged cores. The effect of fines migration on the acid stimulation treatment success in terms of increasing permeability and ultimately productivity was determined. Additionally, acid reaction increases porosity and permeability. However, treatment of damaged cores yielded different pore-size distribution and permeability compared to undamaged cores. Furthermore, combining CT-scan and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) results proved an extremely high sensitivity of fines migration toward HCl at temperatures 150 and 250°F resulted in porosity deterioration toward the outlet compared to the gained porosity at the inlet of the treated cores.

The literature is rich with discussions about sandstone acidizing and acid systems. However, this comparative study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of fines migration on the success of the stimulation treatment and its effect on petrophysical properties. The outcome of this work will lead to a reliable design of matrix acid treatments and, hence, increase the chances of successful acid stimulation treatment that optimizes well productivity.
Mutation screening of the Otop1 gene in familial benign positional paroxysmal vertigo
Authors: Monzani Daniele , Fancello Tatiana , Alicandri-Ciufelli Matteo , Genovese Elisabetta , Tarugi Patrizia , Cavazza Elisa Aggazzotti , Percesepe Antonio
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a sporadic disorder in the vast majority of cases, although a familial, benign, recurrent form, in which the disease segregates in an autosomal dominant fashion has been described. After the evidence for a role of a novel murine gene, Otop1, in knock-out tlt (tilted) and mlh (Mergulhador) mice, lacking the perception of gravity and linear motion and showing a vestibular disorder due to non-syndromic agenesis of both utricular and saccular otoconia, we aimed at verifying the role of the human analogue of the Otop1 gene in BPPV pathogenesis in familial cases of BPPV, collected in our tertiary university referral centre.

Methods:

Starting in 2007, families with at least two living members thought to have BPPV were considered for inclusion in the present study. The cases were both retrospectively and prospectively identified over the following two years.

Results:

Seven familial aggregations of BPPV were identified and Otop1 mutation screening showed the presence of a heterozygous mutation in one family, c.1013G> C p.Arg338Pro, which was considered possibly deleterious using the prediction software. It was absent in 100 control alleles, but was also found in two as yet unaffected relatives.

Conclusions:

The results of a mutation screening of the Otop1 gene in familial cases of BPPV do not support a major role of the gene in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Evaluation of non-linear frequency compression hearing aids using speech P1-cortical auditory evoked potential
Authors: Hazzaa Nagwa , Hassan Dalia Mohamed , Hassan Abeer
Published: December 2015

Objective:

To investigate the potential effects of frequency lowering technology on outcome measures of hearing aid efficacy. The detection of mid- and high-frequency syllables in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) fitted with non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) hearing aids was studied using speech P1 cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP).

Study design:

Thirty Arabic speaking children with bilateral high frequency SNH and with a history of regular binaural hearing aid use were included. All children were fitted with binaural Phonak Naida III UP with a NLFC feature. Verification of NLFC was achieved through aided sound field testing and aided speech P1-CAEP recordings. Aided P1-CAEPs were elicited using synthetic speech stimuli ‘da’ and ‘ga’. Fifteen age-matched normal hearing children served as a control group to provide a reference of typically maturing CAEPs without the influence of hearing impairment.

Results:

NLFC improved aided thresholds in the mid and high frequencies. No statistically significant difference existed between the control and study group in their CAEP responses to the ‘ga’ stimulus in both NLFC-disabled/enabled conditions. The ‘da’ stimulus elicited P1-CAEP in only 27% of the study group with the NLFC disabled condition; this increased to 83% with activation of NLFC. The P1-CAEP latency of the study group was prolonged compared to children of the control group for both stimuli. The presence of P1-CAEP to both ‘ga’ and ‘da’ stimuli was significantly negatively correlated with the age of the child, duration of hearing loss, and duration of hearing aid use.

Conclusion:

The NLFC significantly improved the audibility of high frequency sounds for children with severe high frequency SNHL. Speech P1-CAEP can be used as an objective validation tool in children to evaluate the benefit from NLFC especially when behavioural aided thresholds are difficult to obtain.
Preliminary Validation and Reliability Testing of the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, for Use by Veterinarians, in a Colony of Laboratory Cats
Authors: Klinck Mary , Rialland Pascale , Guillot Martin , Moreau Maxim , Frank Diane , Troncy Eric
Published: December 2015

Subtle signs and conflicting physical and radiographic findings make feline osteoarthritis (OA) challenging to diagnose. A physical examination-based assessment was developed, consisting of eight items: Interaction, Exploration, Posture, Gait, Body Condition, Coat and Claws, (joint) Palpation–Findings, and Palpation–Cat Reaction. Content (experts) and face (veterinary students) validity were excellent. Construct validity, internal consistency, and intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed via a pilot and main study, using laboratory-housed cats with and without OA. Gait distinguished OA status in the pilot ( p = 0.05) study. In the main study, no scale item achieved statistically significant OA detection. Forelimb peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF) correlated inversely with Gait (Rho s = −0.38 ( p = 0.03) to −0.41 ( p = 0.02)). Body Posture correlated with Gait, and inversely with forelimb PVF at two of three time points (Rho s = −0.38 ( p = 0.03) to −0.43 ( p = 0.01)). Palpation (Findings, Cat Reaction) did not distinguish OA from non-OA cats. Palpation—Cat Reaction (Forelimbs) correlated inversely with forelimb PVF at two time points (Rho s = −0.41 ( p = 0.02) to −0.41 ( p = 0.01)), but scores were highly variable, and poorly reliable. Gait and Posture require improved sensitivity, and Palpation should be interpreted cautiously, in diagnosing feline OA.
Synthesis and Physical and Chemical Properties of Hypergolic Chemicals such as N,N,N-Trimethylhydrazinium and 1-Ethyl-4-Methyl-1,2,4-Triazolium Salts
Authors: Kim Young-Seok , Son Gi-Hyuk , Na Tae-Kyung , Choi Seong-Ho
Published: December 2015

Hypergolic chemicals N,N,N-trimethylhydrazinium iodide, [TMH]+[I]−, and 1-ethyl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolium iodide, [EMT]+[I]− were firstly synthesized by nucleophilic substitution (SN2). The successful synthesis of hypergolic chemicals [TMH]+[I]− and [EMT]+[I]− was confirmed by IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy and, GC-mass spectrometry. Subsequently the hypergolic chemicals [TMH]+[X]− (X = CN−, N3−, NO3−, NO2−, ClO4−, AlCl4−) were prepared via an ion exchange reaction from [TMH]+[I]− and [EMT]+[I]−, respectively. After that, a mixture of hypergolic chemicals was prepared by dissolving the synthesized hypergolic chemicals in 2-hydroxyethylhydrazine (HOCH2CH2NHNH2). The physical and chemical properties of the mixture such as decomposition temperature (Td), density (d), viscosity (η), and decomposition energy (ΔHd) was then evaluated to determine suitability for use as liquid rocket fuels. The ignition delay (ID) time of the mixture of hypergolic chemicals with [TMH]+[N3]− and [TMH]+[CN]− using H2O2 as an oxidizer was determined as 55.6 ms and 97.4 ms; respectively. The ID time of the mixture of hypergolic chemicals with [EMT]+[N3]−; [EMT]+[CN]−; [EMT]+[AlCl4]−; and [EMT]+[I]− using H2O2 as an oxidizer was also determined as 18.0 ms; 32.6 ms; 27.6 ms; and 7.96 ms; respectively. The synthesized mixture of hypergolic chemicals could thus be used as a rocket propellant liquid fuel.
A New Method for the Synthesis of Heterospin Complexes
Authors: Ovcharenko Victor , Kuznetsova Olga , Fursova Elena , Romаnenko Gаlinа , Bogomyakov Artem
Published: December 2015

The interaction of binuclear Co(II) pivalate [Сo2(H2O)Piv4(HPiv)4] with nitronyl nitroxide HL1 (2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3-oxide-1-oxyl) in organic solvents led to the formation of a pentanuclear heterospin complex [Co5(Piv)4L14L22]. A nontrivial peculiarity of the complex is the presence of both the starting nitronyl nitroxide L1 and its deoxygenated derivative imino nitroxide L2 (HL2: 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-oxyl) in its coordination sphere. Based on this, a new synthetic approach was developed, which suggests the use of both the starting radical and the product of its reduction in the reaction with the metal. The suggested approach is a new method for the synthesis of heterospin compounds, including those that cannot be obtained by other methods. It was shown that the reaction of Co(II) pivalate with a mixture of HL1 and HL2 can give a trinuclear heterospin complex [Co3(Piv)2L12L22]. The replacement of Co(II) by Ni(II) completely suppresses the reduction of HL1 into HL2, and Ni(II) pivalate does not react with HL1. The use of a known mixture of HL1 and HL2 in the reaction with [Ni2(H2O)Piv4(HPiv)4], however, led to the formation of a heterospin complex [Ni3L1L22(Piv)3(HPiv)3] also containing both nitronyl nitroxide and imino nitroxide.
Prevalence of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Devshi Rajal , Shaw Sarah , Elliott-King Jordan , Hogervorst Eef , Hiremath Avinash , Velayudhan Latha , Kumar Satheesh , Baillon Sarah , Bandelow Stephan
Published: December 2015

A review of 23 studies investigating the prevalence of Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in the general and learning disability population and measures used to assess BPSD was carried out. BPSD are non-cognitive symptoms, which constitute as a major component of dementia regardless of its subtype Research has indicated that there is a high prevalence of BPSD in the general dementia population. There are limited studies, which investigate the prevalence of BPSD within individuals who have learning disabilities and dementia. Findings suggest BPSDs are present within individuals with learning disabilities and dementia. Future research should use updated tools for investigating the prevalence of BPSD within individuals with learning disabilities and dementia.
Control-Informed Geometric Optimization of Wave Energy Converters: The Impact of Device Motion and Force Constraints
Authors: Garcia-Rosa Paula , Bacelli Giorgio , Ringwood John
Published: December 2015

The energy cost for producing electricity via wave energy converters (WECs) is still not competitive with other renewable energy sources, especially wind energy. It is well known that energy maximising control plays an important role to improve the performance of WECs, allowing the energy conversion to be performed as economically as possible. The control strategies are usually subsequently employed on a device that was designed and optimized in the absence of control for the prevailing sea conditions in a particular location. If an optimal unconstrained control strategy, such as pseudo-spectral optimal control (PSOC), is adopted, an overall optimized system can be obtained no matter whether the control design is incorporated at the geometry optimization stage or not. Nonetheless, strategies, such as latching control (LC), must be incorporated at the optimization design stage of the WEC geometry if an overall optimized system is to be realised. In this paper, the impact of device motion and force constraints in the design of control-informed optimized WEC geometries is addressed. The aim is to verify to what extent the constraints modify the connection between the control and the optimal device design. Intuitively, one might expect that if the constraints are very tight, the optimal device shape is the same regardless of incorporating or not the constrained control at the geometry optimization stage. However, this paper tests the hypothesis that the imposition of constraints will limit the control influence on the optimal device shape. PSOC, LC and passive control (PC) are considered in this study. In addition, constrained versions of LC and PC are presented.
Relative Salt Tolerance of Seven Strawberry Cultivars
Authors: Sun Youping , Niu Genhua , Wallace Russ , Masabni Joseph , Gu Mengmeng
Published: December 2015

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars (“Albion”, “Benicia”, “Camarosa”, “Camino Real”, “Chandler”, “Radiance”, and “San Andreas”) were evaluated for salt tolerance in a greenhouse environment. Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.1 dS·m−1 (control) or a nutrient solution with the addition of salts (salt solution) with ECs of 2.2, 3.3, or 4.4 dS·m−1 for four months. Salinity reduced plant growth and fruit yield of strawberry; however, the magnitude of reduction varied with cultivar. For example, at an EC of 4.4 dS·m−1, “Benicia” and “Chandler” had 39% and 44% less shoot dry weight (DW) respectively, compared with control plants. At ECs of 3.3 and 4.4 dS·m−1, “Camino Real” had equal shoot DW, which was about 50% lower than that of the control. The fruit yield of “Benicia” and “Camino Real” at 4.4 dS·m−1 was reduced by 56%, while the other salt treatments did not affect their shoot DW or fruit yield. To distinguish differences among the cultivars with respect to their tolerance to salinity, cluster analysis was performed based on growth parameters and visual quality. The results indicated that “Albion”, “Camarosa”, and “San Andreas” were more salt tolerant, while “Camino Real”, “Benicia”, “Chandler”, and “Radiance” were less salt tolerant.
Impact of Heat and Cold on Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Vadu HDSS—A Rural Setting in Western India
Authors: Ingole Vijendra , Rocklöv Joacim , Juvekar Sanjay , Schumann Barbara
Published: December 2015

Many diseases are affected by changes in weather. There have been limited studies, however, which have examined the relationship between heat and cold and cause-specific mortality in low and middle-income countries. In this study, we aimed to estimate the effects of heat and cold days on total and cause-specific mortality in the Vadu Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area in western India. We used a quasi-Poisson regression model allowing for over-dispersion to examine the association of total and cause-specific mortality with extreme high (98th percentile, >39 °C) and low temperature (2nd percentile, <25 °C) over the period January 2003 to December 2012. Delays of 0 and 0–4 days were considered and relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Heat was significantly associated with daily deaths by non-infectious diseases (RR = 1.57; CI: 1.18–2.10). There was an increase in the risk of total mortality in the age group 12–59 years on lag 0 day (RR = 1.43; CI: 1.02–1.99). A high increase in total mortality was observed among men at lag 0 day (RR = 1.38; CI: 1.05–1.83). We did not find any short-term association between total and cause-specific mortality and cold days. Deaths from neither infectious nor external causes were associated with heat or cold. Our results showed a strong and rather immediate relationship between high temperatures and non-infectious disease mortality in a rural population located in western India, during 2003–2012. This study may be used to develop targeted interventions such as Heat Early Warning Systems in the area to reduce mortality from extreme temperatures.
Accidental Water Pollution Risk Analysis of Mine Tailings Ponds in Guanting Reservoir Watershed, Zhangjiakou City, China
Authors: Liu Renzhi , Liu Jing , Zhang Zhijiao , Borthwick Alistair , Zhang Ke
Published: December 2015

Over the past half century, a surprising number of major pollution incidents occurred due to tailings dam failures. Most previous studies of such incidents comprised forensic analyses of environmental impacts after a tailings dam failure, with few considering the combined pollution risk before incidents occur at a watershed-scale. We therefore propose Watershed-scale Tailings-pond Pollution Risk Analysis (WTPRA), designed for multiple mine tailings ponds, stemming from previous watershed-scale accidental pollution risk assessments. Transferred and combined risk is embedded using risk rankings of multiple routes of the “source-pathway-target” in the WTPRA. The previous approach is modified using multi-criteria analysis, dam failure models, and instantaneous water quality models, which are modified for application to multiple tailings ponds. The study area covers the basin of Gutanting Reservoir (the largest backup drinking water source for Beijing) in Zhangjiakou City, where many mine tailings ponds are located. The resultant map shows that risk is higher downstream of Gutanting Reservoir and in its two tributary basins (i.e., Qingshui River and Longyang River). Conversely, risk is lower in the midstream and upstream reaches. The analysis also indicates that the most hazardous mine tailings ponds are located in Chongli and Xuanhua, and that Guanting Reservoir is the most vulnerable receptor. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are performed to validate the robustness of the WTPRA method.
Repositioning of Thiourea-Containing Drugs as Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Authors: Choi Joonhyeok , Jee Jun-Goo
Published: December 2015

Tyrosinase catalyzes two distinct sequential reactions in melanin biosynthesis: The hydroxylation of tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and the oxidation of DOPA to dopaquinone. Developing functional modulators of tyrosinase is important for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Given the abundance of thiourea moiety in known tyrosinase inhibitors, we studied other thiourea-containing drugs as potential tyrosinase inhibitors. The thiourea-containing drugs in clinical use were retrieved and tested for their ability to inhibit tyrosinase. We observed that methimazole, thiouracil, methylthiouracil, propylthiouracil, ambazone, and thioacetazone inhibited mushroom tyrosinase. Except for methimazole, there was limited information regarding the activity of other drugs against tyrosinase. Both thioacetazone and ambazone significantly inhibited tyrosinase, with IC50 of 14 and 15 μM, respectively. Ambazone decreased melanin content without causing cellular toxicity at 20 μM in B16F10 cells. The activity of ambazone was stronger than that of kojic acid both in enzyme and melanin content assays. Kinetics of enzyme inhibition assigned the thiourea-containg drugs as non-competitive inhibitors. The complex models by docking simulation suggested that the intermolecular hydrogen bond via the nitrogen of thiourea and the contacts via thione were equally important for interacting with tyrosinase. These data were consistent with the results of enzyme assays with the analogues of thiourea.
gga-miR-101-3p Plays a Key Role in Mycoplasma gallisepticum (HS Strain) Infection of Chicken
Authors: Chen Jiao , Wang Zaiwei , Bi Dingren , Hou Yue , Zhao Yabo , Sun Jianjun , Peng Xiuli
Published: December 2015

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), one of the most pathogenic Mycoplasma, has caused tremendous economic loss in the poultry industry. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are involved in microbial pathogenesis. However, little is known about potential roles of miRNAs in MG infection of chicken. In the present study, using miRNA Solexa sequencing we have found that gga-miR-101-3p was up-regulated in the lungs of MG-infected chicken embryos. Moreover, gga-miR-101-3p regulated expression of the host enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) through binding to the 3’ un-translated region (3’-UTR) of EZH2 gene. Over-expression of gga-miR-101-3p significantly inhibited EZH2 expression and hence inhibited proliferation of chicken embryonic fibroblast (DF-1 cells) by blocking the G1-to-S phase transition. Similar results were obtained in MG-infected chicken embryos and DF-1 cells, where gga-miR-101-3p was significantly up-regulated, while EZH2 was significantly down-regulated. This study reveals that gga-miR-101-3p plays an important role in MG infection through regulation of EZH2 expression and provides a new insight into the mechanisms of MG pathogenesis.
Mutations of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Durham, Santa-Maria and A+ Variants Are Associated with Loss Functional and Structural Stability of the Protein
Authors: Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Marcial-Quino Jaime , Vanoye-Carlo America , Enríquez-Flores Sergio , De la Mora-De la Mora Ignacio , González-Valdez Abigail , García-Torres Itzhel , Martínez-Rosas Víctor , Sierra-Palacios Edgar , Lazcano-Pérez Fernando , Rodríguez-Bustamante Eduardo , Arreguin-Espinosa Roberto
Published: December 2015

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy in the world. More than 160 mutations causing the disease have been identified, but only 10% of these variants have been studied at biochemical and biophysical levels. In this study we report on the functional and structural characterization of three naturally occurring variants corresponding to different classes of disease severity: Class I G6PD Durham, Class II G6PD Santa Maria, and Class III G6PD A+. The results showed that the G6PD Durham (severe deficiency), and the G6PD Santa Maria and A+ (less severe deficiency) (Class I, II and III, respectively) affect the catalytic efficiency of these enzymes, are more sensitive to temperature denaturing, and affect the stability of the overall protein when compared to the wild type WT-G6PD. In the variants, the exposure of more and buried hydrophobic pockets was induced and monitored with 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence, directly affecting the compaction of structure at different levels and probably reducing the stability of the protein. The degree of functional and structural perturbation by each variant correlates with the clinical severity reported in different patients.
Microstructural Changes Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction during Standard Mortar Test
Authors: Shin Jun-Ho , Struble Leslie , Kirkpatrick R.
Published: December 2015

The microstructural development of mortar bars with silica glass aggregate undergoing alkali-silica reaction (ASR) under the conditions of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Test C1260 was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and qualitative X-ray microanalysis. Cracking in the aggregate, the hydrated paste, and the paste-aggregate interface was important in the development of the microstructure. Cracks were characterized according to their location, their relationship to other cracks, and whether they are filled with ASR gel. Expansion of the bars was approximately 1% at 12 days and 2% at 53 days. They fell apart by 63 days. The bars contained two zones, an inner region that was undergoing ASR and an outer and much more highly damaged zone that extended further inward over time. Evidence of ASR was present even during the period when specimens were immersed in water, prior to immersion in NaOH solution.
Polypropylene/Short Glass Fibers Composites: Effects of Coupling Agents on Mechanical Properties, Thermal Behaviors, and Morphology
Authors: Lin Jia-Horng , Huang Chien-Lin , Liu Chi-Fan , Chen Chih-Kuang , Lin Zheng-Ian , Lou Ching-Wen
Published: December 2015

This study uses the melt compounding method to produce polypropylene (PP)/short glass fibers (SGF) composites. PP serves as matrix while SGF serves as reinforcement. Two coupling agents, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, (PP-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) are incorporated in the PP/SGF composites during the compounding process, in order to improve the interfacial adhesion and create diverse desired properties of the composites. According to the mechanical property evaluations, increasing PP-g-MA as a coupling agent provides the composites with higher tensile, flexural, and impact properties. In contrast, increasing SEBS-g-MA as a coupling agent provides the composites with decreasing tensile and flexural strengths, but also increasing impact strength. The DSC results indicate that using either PP-g-MA or SEBS-g-MA as the coupling agent increases the crystallization temperature. However, the melting temperature of PP barely changes. The spherulitic morphology results show that PP has a smaller spherulite size when it is processed with PP-g-MA or SEBS-g-MA as the coupling agent. The SEM results indicate that SGF is evenly distributed in PP matrices, but there are distinct voids between these two materials, indicating a poor interfacial adhesion. After PP-g-MA or SEBS-g-MA is incorporated, SGF can be encapsulated by PP, and the voids between them are fewer and indistinctive. This indicates that the coupling agents can effectively improve the interfacial compatibility between PP and SGF, and as a result improves the diverse properties of PP/SGF composites.
Elastic Properties and Enhanced Piezoelectric Response at Morphotropic Phase Boundaries
Authors: Cordero Francesco
Published: December 2015

The search for improved piezoelectric materials is based on the morphotropic phase boundaries (MPB) between ferroelectric phases with different crystal symmetry and available directions for the spontaneous polarization. Such regions of the composition x − T phase diagrams provide the conditions for minimal anisotropy with respect to the direction of the polarization, so that the polarization can easily rotate maintaining a substantial magnitude, while the near verticality of the TMPB(x) boundary extends the temperature range of the resulting enhanced piezoelectricity. Another consequence of the quasi-isotropy of the free energy is a reduction of the domain walls energies, with consequent formation of domain structures down to nanoscale. Disentangling the extrinsic and intrinsic contributions to the piezoelectricity in such conditions requires a high level of sophistication from the techniques and analyses for studying the structural, ferroelectric and dielectric properties. The elastic characterization is extremely useful in clarifying the phenomenology and mechanisms related to ferroelectric MPBs. The relationship between dielectric, elastic and piezoelectric responses is introduced in terms of relaxation of defects with electric dipole and elastic quadrupole, and extended to the response near phase transitions in the framework of the Landau theory. An account is provided of the anelastic experiments, from torsional pendulum to Brillouin scattering, that provided new important information on ferroelectric MPBs, including PZT, PMN-PT, NBT-BT, BCTZ, and KNN-based systems.
Very High Cycle Fatigue Failure Analysis and Life Prediction of Cr-Ni-W Gear Steel Based on Crack Initiation and Growth Behaviors
Authors: Deng Hailong , Li Wei , Sakai Tatsuo , Sun Zhenduo
Published: December 2015

The unexpected failures of structural materials in very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) regime have been a critical issue in modern engineering design. In this study, the VHCF property of a Cr-Ni-W gear steel was experimentally investigated under axial loading with the stress ratio of R = −1, and a life prediction model associated with crack initiation and growth behaviors was proposed. Results show that the Cr-Ni-W gear steel exhibits the constantly decreasing S-N property without traditional fatigue limit, and the fatigue strength corresponding to 109 cycles is around 485 MPa. The inclusion-fine granular area (FGA)-fisheye induced failure becomes the main failure mechanism in the VHCF regime, and the local stress around the inclusion play a key role. By using the finite element analysis of representative volume element, the local stress tends to increase with the increase of elastic modulus difference between inclusion and matrix. The predicted crack initiation life occupies the majority of total fatigue life, while the predicted crack growth life is only accounts for a tiny fraction. In view of the good agreement between the predicted and experimental results, the proposed VHCF life prediction model involving crack initiation and growth can be acceptable for inclusion-FGA-fisheye induced failure.
Polar Order Evolutions near the Rhombohedral to Pseudocubic and Tetragonal to Pseudocubic Phase Boundaries of the BiFeO3-BaTiO3 System
Authors: Wei Yongxing , Jin Changqing , Zeng Yiming , Wang Xiaotao , Xu Gang , Wang Xiaoli
Published: December 2015

Solid solutions of (1-x)BiFeO3-xBaTiO3 (BF-BT, 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.98) were prepared and characterized. It was found that the dielectric constant εm, remnant polarization Pr and piezoelectric coefficient d33 reach their maximum values near the rhombohedral–pseudocubic phase boundary. In particular, the 0.7BF-0.3BT composition shows large polarization (Pr > 20 μC/cm2) and a temperature-stable piezoelectric property (d33 > 100 pC/N when the annealing temperature is lower than ~400 °C). Near the tetragonal–pseudocubic phase boundary, εm and Pr decrease, and the piezoelectric property vanishes when the BF content reaches 4 mol %.
Free W*-Dynamical Systems From p-Adic Number Fields and the Euler Totient Function
Authors: Cho Ilwoo , Jorgensen Palle
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we study relations between free probability on crossed product W * -algebras with a von Neumann algebra over p-adic number fields ℚp (for primes p), and free probability on the subalgebra Φ, generated by the Euler totient function ϕ, of the arithmetic algebra A , consisting of all arithmetic functions. In particular, we apply such free probability to consider operator-theoretic and operator-algebraic properties of W * -dynamical systems induced by ℚp under free-probabilistic (and hence, spectral-theoretic) techniques.
A Fast, Large-Stroke Electrothermal MEMS Mirror Based on Cu/W Bimorph
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyang , Zhou Liang , Xie Huikai
Published: December 2015

This paper reports a large-range electrothermal bimorph microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror with fast thermal response. The actuator of the MEMS mirror is made of three segments of Cu/W bimorphs for lateral shift cancelation and two segments of multimorph beams for obtaining large vertical displacement from the angular motion of the bimorphs. The W layer is also used as the embedded heater. The silicon underneath the entire actuator is completely removed using a unique backside deep-reactive-ion-etching DRIE release process, leading to improved thermal response speed and front-side mirror surface protection. This MEMS mirror can perform both piston and tip-tilt motion. The mirror generates large pure vertical displacement up to 320 μm at only 3 V with a power consumption of 56 mW for each actuator. The maximum optical scan angle achieved is ±18° at 3 V. The measured thermal response time is 15.4 ms and the mechanical resonances of piston and tip-tilt modes are 550 Hz and 832 Hz, respectively.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Curcumin Derivatives with Water-Soluble Groups as Potential Antitumor Agents: An in Vitro Investigation Using Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Ding Luyang , Ma Shuli , Lou Hongxiang , Sun Longru , Ji Mei
Published: December 2015

Three series of curcumin derivatives including phosphorylated, etherified, and esterified products of curcumin were synthesized, and their anti-tumor activities were assessed against human breast cancer MCF-7, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2, and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Compared with curcumin, compounds 3, 8, and 9 exhibited stronger antitumor cell line growth activities against HeLa cells. Compound 12 also showed higher antitumor cell line growth activities on MCF-7 cells than curcumin. Among them, 4-((1E,6E)-7-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,5-dioxohepta-1,6-dienyl)-2-methoxyphenyl dihydrogen phosphate(3) showed the strongest activity with an half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.78 µM against HeLa cells compared with curcumin with an IC50 of 17.67 µM. Stabilities of representatives of the three series were tested in rabbit plasma in vitro, and compounds 3 and 4 slowly released curcumin in plasma. The effect of compound 3 on HeLa cell apoptosis was determined by examining morphological changes by DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining as well as Annexin V-FITC/ Propidium Iodide (PI) double staining and flow cytometry. The results showed that 3 induced cellular apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Together our findings show that 3 merits further investigation as a new potential antitumor drug candidate.
Synthesis of a Stable Primary-Alkyl-Substituted Selenenyl Iodide and Its Hydrolytic Conversion to the Corresponding Selenenic Acid
Authors: Sase Shohei , Kakimoto Ryo , Kimura Ryutaro , Goto Kei
Published: December 2015

A primary-alkyl-substituted selenenyl iodide was successfully synthesized through oxidative iodination of a selenol with N-iodosuccinimide by taking advantage of a cavity-shaped steric protection group. The selenenyl iodide exhibited high thermal stability and remained unchanged upon heating at 100 °C for 3 h in [D8]toluene. The selenenyl iodide was reduced to the corresponding selenol by treatment with dithiothreitol. Hydrolysis of the selenenyl iodide under alkaline conditions afforded the corresponding selenenic acid almost quantitatively, corroborating the chemical validity of the recent proposal that hydrolysis of a selenenyl iodide to a selenenic acid is potentially involved in the catalytic mechanism of an iodothyronine deiodinase.
Technological Aspects of Chemoenzymatic Epoxidation of Fatty Acids, Fatty Acid Esters and Vegetable Oils: A Review
Authors: Milchert Eugeniusz , Malarczyk Kornelia , Kłos Marlena
Published: December 2015

The general subject of the review is analysis of the effect of technological parameters on the chemoenzymatic epoxidation processes of vegetable oils, fatty acids and alkyl esters of fatty acids. The technological parameters considered include temperature, concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide relative to the number of unsaturated bonds, the amounts of enzyme catalysts, presence of solvent and amount of free fatty acids. Also chemical reactions accompanying the technological processes are discussed together with different technological options and significance of the products obtained.
Gestational Vitamin 25(OH)D Status as a Risk Factor for Receptive Language Development: A 24-Month, Longitudinal, Observational Study
Authors: Tylavsky Frances , Kocak Mehmet , Murphy Laura , Graff J. , Palmer Frederick , Völgyi Eszter , Diaz-Thomas Alicia , Ferry Robert
Published: December 2015

Emerging data suggest that vitamin D status during childhood and adolescence can affect neurocognitive development. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gestational 25(OH)D status is associated with early childhood cognitive and receptive language development. The Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood Study (CANDLE) study enrolled 1503 mother-child dyads during the second trimester of healthy singleton pregnancies from Shelby County TN. Among 1020 participants of the total CANDLE cohort for whom 25(OH)D levels were available, mean gestational 25(OH)D level during the second trimester was 22.3 ng/mL (range 5.9–68.4), with 41.7% of values <20 ng/dL. Cognitive and language scaled scores increased in a stair-step manner as gestational 25(OH)D levels in the second trimester rose from <20 ng/dL, through 20–29.99 ng/dL, to ≥30 ng/dL. When controlling for socioeconomic status, race, use of tobacco products, gestational age of the child at birth, and age at the 2-year assessment, the gestational 25(OH)D was positively related to receptive language development (p < 0.017), but not cognitive or expressive language.
Processed Food Contributions to Energy and Nutrient Intake Differ among US Children by Race/Ethnicity
Authors: Eicher-Miller Heather , Fulgoni Victor , Keast Debra
Published: December 2015

This study determined and compared the mean daily intake of energy and nutrients from processed foods by level of processing (minimally processed; processed for preservation, nutrient enhancement, and freshness; mixtures of combined ingredients; ready-to-eat processed foods; and prepared foods/meals) among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican American US children. Data from participants 2–18 years old (n = 10,298) of the nationally representative cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2008 with a complete one day, 24-h dietary recall were used to determine mean intake of energy and nutrients recommended for increase and decrease, as per the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, among child race/ethnic groups by category of food processing. Regression analysis was used to estimate and compare covariate-adjusted (gender, age, and poverty-income-level) least square means (p < 0.05/3 race/ethnic groups). All children, regardless of race or ethnicity consumed processed foods. Approximately 66% to 84% of total daily energy, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, total sugar, added sugars, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and sodium intake are contributed by one of the five categories of processed foods. Clinicians and policy should primarily advise consideration of the energy and nutrient composition of foods, rather than the processing level, when selecting a healthy diet for children.
Growing Strong and Healthy with Mister Bone: An Educational Program to Have Strong Bones Later in Life
Authors: Pampaloni Barbara , Cianferotti Luisella , Gronchi Giorgio , Bartolini Elisa , Fabbri Sergio , Tanini Annalisa , Brandi Maria
Published: December 2015

Optimal peak bone mass and bone health later in life are favored by a sufficient calcium intake in infancy, childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to test a new educational program created to monitor and to improve calcium and vitamin D intake in children. Nutritional habits in children were evaluated through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess the intake of calcium, vitamin D, dairy products, and total caloric energy at baseline and after seven months of exposure to a unique educational program applied between November 2013 and May 2014 in 176 schoolchildren (48% male, 52% female) attending the fourth and fifth grades of two selected primary schools in Florence, Italy. A significant increase of calcium (from 870 ± 190 to 1100 ± 200 mg/day, p < 0.05), and vitamin D (from 3.6 ± 1.53 to 4.1 ± 2 µg/day) intake in children was documented after the educational program. The amount of specific foods important for bone health consumed, such as milk and vegetables, increased significantly, both in male and female children (p < 0.05). The proposed educational program appears to be effective in modifying calcium intake in children, with a significant increase in the consumption of dairy products and vegetables, but without a significant change in the total caloric intake.
RETRACTED: An Assessment of the Potential Impact of Fortification of Staples and Condiments on Micronutrient Intake of Young Children and Women of Reproductive Age in Bangladesh
Authors: Leyvraz Magali , Laillou Arnaud , Rahman Sabuktagin , Ahmed Tahmeed , Rahman Ahmed , Alam Nurul , Ireen Santhia , Panagides Dora
Published: December 2015

Bangladesh has experienced rapid economic growth and achieved major health improvements in the past decade, but malnutrition rates remain high. A nationally representative study conducted in 2011 assessed the dietary habits of 841 children 24–59 months old; 1428 children 6–14 years old; and 1412 non-pregnant, non-lactating women. The study’s objective was to assess dietary intakes of key micronutrients and the consumption pattern of potentially fortifiable foods, and then to model the potential impact of fortification of key staple foods. The current intakes of several micronutrients, namely, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A and vitamin B12, were found to be insufficient to meet the needs of Bangladesh’s children and women. The fortification of rice with iron and zinc and edible oil with vitamin A has the potential to fill a significant part of the nutrient gap, as these are consumed widely and in significant amounts. Wheat flour and sugar are not as promising food vehicles in the Bangladeshi context, as they were consumed by a smaller portion of the population and in smaller amounts. In conclusion, fortification of rice and oil is recommended to address the large gap in micronutrient intakes.
High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Infertile Women Referring for Assisted Reproduction
Authors: Pagliardini Luca , Vigano’ Paola , Molgora Michela , Persico Paola , Salonia Andrea , Vailati Simona , Paffoni Alessio , Somigliana Edgardo , Papaleo Enrico , Candiani Massimo
Published: December 2015

A comprehensive analysis of the vitamin D status of infertile women is the first step in understanding hypovitaminosis impact on reproductive potential. We sought to determine vitamin D profiles of women attending an infertility center and to investigate non-dietary determinants of vitamin D status in this population. In this cross-sectional analysis, a cohort of 1072 women (mean age ± standard deviation 36.3 ± 4.4 years) attending an academic infertility center was used to examine serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in relation to demographic characteristics, seasons and general health risk factors. Both unadjusted and adjusted levels of serum 25(OH)D were examined. Median 25(OH)D concentration was below 30 ng/mL for 89% of the entire year. Over the whole year, 6.5% of patients had 25(OH)D levels ≤10 ng/mL, 40.1% ≤20 ng/mL, and 77.4% ≤30 ng/mL. Global solar radiation was weakly correlated with 25(OH)D levels. At multivariable analysis, 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with BMI; conversely, 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with height and endometriosis history. Serum 25(OH)D levels are highly deficient in women seeking medical help for couple’s infertility. Levels are significantly associated with body composition, seasonal modifications and causes of infertility. Importantly, this deficiency status may last during pregnancy with more severe consequences.
Proceedings of the 2015 Meeting of the Australasian Section of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AAOCS)
Authors: Miller Matthew , Nalder Tim , Adcock Jacqui
Published: December 2015

The Australasian section of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AAOCS) held their 9th biennial meeting in Geelong, Australia from 9 to 11 September 2015.[...]