bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of multisegment injection on quantification of creatinine and standard addition analysis of urinary 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid simultaneously with creatinine normalization
Authors: Huang Zi‐Ao , Scotland Kymora B. , Li Yueyang , Guo Jian‐Ping , McGeer Patrick L. , Lange Dirk , Chen David D. Y. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, the development of a simple dilute‐and‐shoot method for quantifying urinary creatinine by CE–ESI–MS was described. The creatinine analysis time was about 7 min/sample by conventional single injection (SI) method and can be significantly reduced to less than 2 min/sample with multi‐segment injection (MSI). In addition, the standard addition analysis of 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5‐HIAA) and creatinine normalization was performed within one run by the MSI technique, and the total analysis time was 14‐min faster compared to the SI method for analyzing the same set of samples. The uses of isotopic and non‐isotopic internal standards (ISs) were compared. Creatinine‐(methyl‐13C) and 5‐hydroxyindole‐4,6,7‐D3‐3‐acetic‐D2 acid (5‐HIAA‐D5) used as isotopic ISs can provide both accurate and precise results. In contrast, 1,5,5‐trimethylhydantoin (1,5,5‐TH) used as the non‐isotopic IS for creatinine may cause a bias of over 13% in SI method and even worse when the MSI technique was used. Another compound, 2‐methyl‐3‐indoleacetic acid (2‐MIAA), was determined not suitable for MSI analysis of 5‐HIAA due to endogenous interferences despite its acceptable performance in conventional methods of analysis.
Material properties of clay and lime plaster for structural fire design
Authors: Johanna Liblik , Judith Küppers , Alar Just , Birgit Maaten , Siim Pajusaar 
Published: December 2019

SummaryClay and lime plaster are traditional surface finish materials used on historic timber walls and ceilings. Today, hardly any fire technical properties or design parameters exist that consider such plasters as fire protection materials for timber structures. This hinders the fire assessment of existing building structures and disadvantages their use in modern design solutions where healthy and sustainable materials are increasingly favoured. This research follows the safety philosophy of EN 1995‐1‐2 to describe the fire protection ability of plasters. This paper investigates the temperature‐dependent thermal properties of historic plasters by presenting series of material‐specific tests and furnace tests carried out under standard fire exposure conditions. Experimental studies are supported by numerical heat transfer simulations. Results demonstrate particularities between the fire protection ability of clay and lime plaster, however, highlight the need for further investigations in terms of their thermophysical performance and standardisation at the European level. Design parameters are presented and discussed in future perspective. This work demonstrates a basic research to plan and design full‐scale fire tests according to EN 13381‐7:2019.
Preparing high purity white carbon black from rice husk
Authors: Cheng Qunpeng , Xu Chenxi , Huang Wenwen , Ma Chao , Fan Guozhi , Yan Juntao , Jian Zhang , Zhang Yong , Song Guangsen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, rice husk (RH) was used as raw material to prepare white carbon black, and the key technological parameters of preparing white carbon black from RH were studied through single‐factor test, orthogonal experiment, and response surface analysis. Meanwhile, the characteristic of white carbon black was also analyzed. Through orthogonal experiment analysis, it was confirmed that the order of factors affecting the purity of white carbon black was calcination temperature > alkali treatment time > final pH > surfactant. Based on the response surface optimization analysis, the optimum parameters for preparation of white carbon black were as follows: calcination temperature 610°C, alkali treatment time of 2.3 hr, final pH of 10, CTMAB was used as the surfactant. Under this condition, the purity of silica prepared could be reached to 99.39%, and the particle size was uniform, spherical, and well dispersed, which satisfied the requirements of GB/T 34698‐2017 standard.
Dynamic changes of amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Cui Qian , Sheng Wei , Chen Yuyan , Pang Yajing , Lu Fengmei , Tang Qin , Han Shaoqiang , Shen Qian , Wang Yifeng , Xie Ailing , Huang Jing , Li Di , Lei Ting , He Zongling , Chen Huafu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPrevious neuroimaging studies have mainly focused on alterations of static and dynamic functional connectivity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, the characteristics of local brain activity over time in GAD are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the abnormal time‐varying local brain activity of GAD by using the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method combined with sliding‐window approach. Group comparison results showed that compared with healthy controls (HCs), patients with GAD exhibited increased dynamic ALFF (dALFF) variability in widespread regions, including the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum; and left orbital frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, temporal pole, inferior temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. The abnormal dALFF could be used to distinguish between patients with GAD and HCs. Increased dALFF variability values in the striatum were positively correlated with GAD symptom severity. These findings suggest that GAD patients are associated with abnormal temporal variability of local brain activity in regions implicated in executive, emotional, and social function. This study provides insight into the brain dysfunction of GAD from the perspective of dynamic local brain activity, highlighting the important role of dALFF variability in understanding neurophysiological mechanisms and potentially informing the diagnosis of GAD.
Proton therapy for head and neck paragangliomas: A single institutional experience
Authors: Kang Kylie H. , Lebow Emily S. , Niemierko Andrzej , Bussière Marc R. , Dewyer Nicholas A. , Daly Jillian , McKenna Michael J. , Lee Daniel J. , Loeffler Jay S. , Busse Paul M. , Shih Helen A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlthough slow growing, head and neck paragangliomas (HNPG) can cause significant morbidity. We evaluated the efficacy of proton therapy in the management of HNPG.MethodsRetrospective review of an institutional proton therapy experience of treating patients between 1997 and 2016; 37 patients and 40 tumors were included.ResultsProton therapy was delivered to a median of 50.4 Gy(RBE) (range: 45‐68). Having a genetic/family predisposition for HNPG was associated with multifocal tumors (P = .02) and younger diagnosis age (P = .02). Twenty‐six (70%) patients had symptom improvement posttreatment, and 65% of treated tumors showed ≥20% volumetric shrinkage. The 5‐year recurrence‐free and overall survival rates were both 97%. Grade 2 to grade 3 toxicities (54%) included subjective hearing impairment (19%), middle ear inflammation (14%), and dry mouth (8%). There were no grade 4‐5 toxicities.ConclusionsPatients with HNPGs can be effectively and safely treated with proton therapy with excellent tumor control, successful volumetric tumor reduction, and symptomatic improvement.
Evaluating the suitability of three gridded‐datasets and their impacts on hydrological simulation at Scotty Creek in the southern Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Persaud Bhaleka D. , Whitfield Paul H. , Quinton William L. , Stone Lindsay E. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the southern Northwest Territories (NWT), long time series of historical observations of climate and hydrology are scarce. Gridded datasets have been used as an alternative to instrumental observations for climate analysis in this area, but not for driving models to understand hydrological processes in the southern NWT. The suitability of temperature and precipitation from three‐gridded datasets (Australian National University Spline [ANUSPLIN], ERA‐Interim, and Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application, Version 2 [MERRA‐2]) as forcings for hydrological modelling in a small subcatchment in the southern NWT are assessed. Multiple statistical techniques are used to ensure that structural and temporal attributes of the observational datasets are adequately compared. Daily minimum and maximum air temperatures in gridded datasets are more similar to observations than precipitation. The ANUSPLIN temperature time series are more statistically similar to observations, based on population statistics and temporal structure, than either of ERA‐Interim or MERRA‐2. The gridded datasets capture the seasonal and annual seasonal variability of precipitation but with large biases. ANUSPLIN precipitation compares better with observations than either ERA‐Interim or MERRA‐2 precipitation. The biases in these gridded datasets affect run‐off simulations. The biases in hydrological simulations are predictable from the statistical differences between gridded datasets and observations and can be used to make informed choices about their use.
Charge Transport Calculation along Two‐Dimensional Metal/Semiconductor/Metal Systems
Authors: Stan Gabriela Ben‐Melech , Dhaka Kapil , Toroker Maytal Caspary 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTwo‐dimensional transistors are promising candidates for the next generation of nanoscale devices. Like the other alternatives, they also encounter problems such as instability under standard condition (STP), low channel mobility, small band gaps, and difficulty to integrate metal contacts. The latter poses a great challenge since metal/semiconductor interface significantly affects the transistor‘s performance. Some of these obstacles can be solved by using two‐dimensional transition metal di‐chalcogenides (TMDC) materials. In this study, we performed charge transport calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) followed by wave dynamics to evaluate the performance of six two‐dimensional TMDC metal/semiconductor/metal systems. Each semiconductor monolayer was laterally connected, at both ends to metal contacts consisting of VS2 or FeS2 monolayers. We found that charge transport was more efficient in systems containing a CrS2 semiconductor monolayer compared to systems with MoS2 or WS2 as the semiconductor monolayer. The electronic characterization of the monolayer TMDC materials by DFT estimates well the trend in charge transport efficiency calculated using wave packet dynamics.
EFFECTS OF CANAL AUTOMATION ON REDUCING GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION WITHIN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS: CASE STUDY OF QAZVIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT†
Authors: Hosseini Jolfan Mohsen , Hashemy Shahdany Seied Mehdy , Javadi Saman , Mallakpour Iman , Neshat Aminreza 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe impact of upgrading irrigation canal water distribution and delivery systems on reducing the pumping of water from aquifers was investigated. Consequently, energy consumption and carbon emission reduction were investigated. For this purpose, a decentralized integrated control system and a centralized control system were designed. The arrangements were tested on the main canal of the Qazvin Irrigation District under a water shortage scenario. In this research, the centralized automatic control system was satisfactorily implemented in water distribution under the water shortage scenario. The decentralized control system (PI) did not show significant operational performance. According to the results, obtained values of the index of adequacy by upgrading utilization to decentralized automated control systems (PI) were 70 and 77% for the centralized automated control system. Accordingly, the reduction in harvesting from the aquifer was 69.7 and 71.5%, respectively, the reduction of energy consumption was 54.5 and 63.7%, and greenhouse gas emission reduction was 52.4 and 62.5%. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comovements in the real activity of developed and emerging economies: A test of global versus specific international factors
Authors: Djogbenou Antoine A. 
Published: December 2019

SummaryAlthough globalization has shaped the world economy in recent decades, emerging economies have experienced impressive growth compared to developed economies, suggesting specific comovements within developed and emerging business cycles. Using observed developed and emerging real economy activity variables, we investigate whether the latter assertion can be supported by observed data. Based on a two‐level factor model, we assume these activity variables can be decomposed into global components, emerging or developed common components, and idiosyncratic national shocks. We propose a statistical test for the null hypothesis of a one‐level specification, where it is irrelevant to distinguish between emerging and developed latent factors against the two‐level alternative. This paper provides a theoretical justification and Monte Carlo simulations that document the testing procedure. An application of the test to various data sets of developed and emerging countries leads to strong statistical evidence of specific comovements within these two groups.
Treating posttraumatic stress disorder across cultures: A systematic review of cultural adaptations of trauma‐focused cognitive behavioral therapies
Authors: Ennis Naomi , Shorer Shai , Shoval‐Zuckerman Yael , Freedman Sara , Monson Candice M. , Dekel Rachel 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveAlthough trauma‐focused cognitive‐behavioral therapies (CBTs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been applied worldwide, the nature of how these Western‐based interventions are applied in diverse settings has varied. This paper systematically reviewed the literature on how trauma‐focused CBTs have been applied and adapted cross‐culturally.MethodA systematic review of studies that discuss the process of cultural adaptation of trauma‐focused CBTs.ResultsSeventeen papers were included and varied in the comprehensiveness of the adaptation process. Two studies stated that a theoretical framework was followed. Almost one‐third of the studies did not report whether local stakeholders were involved in the process of application. Fifteen studies examined the efficacy of the adaptations and the results were positive, but the methodology and quality varied.ConclusionThere are inconsistencies in how trauma‐focused CBTs are culturally adapted. A systematic approach to the transportation of such therapies would enable greater investigation into the necessity and efficacy of such adaptations.
A bioaugmentation agent allowing the advanced treatment of refractory refinery wastewater in a biological aerated filter and analysis of its microbial community
Authors: Feng Lei , He Qingsheng , Wen Jianping 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe performance of a biological aerated filter (BAF) with activated sludge and nut shell activated carbon was evaluated for the advanced treatment of intractable refinery wastewater. Bioaugmenting the BAF with Pseudomonas sp. FS‐01 and Bacillus sp. FS‐02 and the microbial community structure between the upgrade system and the original system were also studied.RESULTSDuring the steady state of the BAF, the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) was in the range 80–128 mg L−1, and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+‐N) was in the range 15–20 mg L−1. The BAF with activated carbon from nut shells as a supporting material can remove over 32% of influent COD and 95% of NH4+‐N. On bioaugmentation, the average effluent COD and NH4+‐N concentrations were 31.8 and 0.4 mg L−1, respectively. The predominant genera in BAF1 were Nitrospira, an unranked member of the Anaerolineaceae and an unclassified member of the Rhizobiales, while the dominant genera in BAF2 were Pseudomonas, Bacillus and an unranked member of the Anaerolineaceae.CONCLUSIONSThe coconut shell activated carbon has outstanding properties for removing COD and NH4+‐N, along with high shock loading resistance. Bioaugmentation can improve the COD remove efficiency by 35% in relation to only adding sludge. Microbial diversity analysis indicated that bioaugmentation accelerated the transformation of the bacterial community structure, quickly becoming dominant strains. This bioaugmented process may be a promising alternative technology for the treatment of refractory wastewater. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Survival benefit associated with early detection of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in veteran inpatients with cirrhotic ascites
Authors: Townsend Luke , Blais Pierre , Huh Alex , Nayak Leela , Elwing Jill E , Sayuk Gregory S 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is common in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with ascites and carries high mortality. This study aimed to determine whether early diagnostic paracentesis (EDP) <12 h of hospitalization conveys an intermediate‐term (6‐month) survival benefit in cirrhotic patients diagnosed with SBP.MethodsConsecutive US veterans with cirrhosis diagnosed with SBP over 13 years at a single VA medical center were reviewed retrospectively. Kaplan‐Meyer analyses assessed the effects of EDP on survival.ResultsA total of 79 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed with SBP (61.8 ± 8.8 years, n = 77 male, n = 52 [66.8%] Caucasian, n = 23 [29.1%] African‐American). Underlying liver diseases included hepatitis c viral infection (HCV) (17.5%), alcohol (28.6%), alcohol and HCV (30.1%), and cryptogenic/metabolic (15.9%). Median baseline model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) was 12 (range 6–34), and median MELD at presentation was 18. Seven subjects had a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (11.1%), and 26 (41.3%) presented with sepsis. Thirty‐three (52.4%) subjects died within 6 months after the SBP admission. Of the subjects, 41 (65.1%) underwent EDP, of which 23 (56.0%) survived at least 6 months, compared to only 7 of the 22 patients (31.8%) undergoing paracentesis >12 h from presentation (P = 0.057). The maximal benefit of EDP on survival was observed beyond days 14 and 30; at these time points, no statistical difference in mortality was discernable (P = 0.55 and 0.71). In a multivariate model including age, MELD at admission, hepatocellular cancer, and sepsis criteria, EDP (p 0.034) positively impacted patient survival at 6 months.ConclusionsEDP is associated with improved 6‐month mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites. In this veteran cohort, EDP was as important as MELD as a predictor of intermediate‐term survival.
Biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis RH5 against sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Jamali Hena , Sharma Anjney , Roohi  , Srivastava Alok Kumar 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe sheath blight disease of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani is widely prevalent and one of the most destructive diseases, affecting rice cultivation and loss worldwide. In the present study, a set of twenty Bacillus isolates from saline soil of Uttar Pradesh were tested for their biocontrol activity against R. solani with the aim to obtain a potential strain for the control of sheath blight disease toward ecofriendly and sustainable agriculture. The results of dual‐culture assay and scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the strain RH5 exhibited significant antagonistic activity (84.41%) against the fungal pathogen R. solani. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, the potential biocontrol strain RH5 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, the strain RH5 was characterized by different plant growth‐promoting (PGP) activities and induction of defense‐related enzymes in rice plants against R. solani. The strain RH5 posses various PGP attributes (indole acetic acid, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide production and phosphate, Zn, K solubility), hydrolytic enzymatic (chitinase, protease, cellulase, xylanase) activity, and presence of antimicrobial peptide biosynthetic genes (bacylisin, surfactin, and fengycin), which support the strain for efficient colonization of hyphae and its inhibition. Finally, the results of the greenhouse study confirmed that strain RH5 significantly increased plant growth and triggered resistance in rice plants through the production of defense‐related antioxidant enzymes.
Ultrasensitive amyloid β‐protein quantification with high dynamic range using a hybrid graphene–gold surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform
Authors: Yu Xinke , Hayden Eric Y. , Wang Pu , Xia Ming , Liang Owen , Bai Yu , Teplow David B. , Xie Ya‐Hong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSurface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) holds great promise in biosensing because of its single‐molecule, label‐free sensitivity. We describe here the use of a graphene–gold hybrid plasmonic platform that enables quantitative SERS measurement. Quantification is enabled by normalizing analyte peak intensities to that of the graphene G peak. We show that two complementary quantification modes are intrinsic features of the platform and that through their combined use, the platform enables accurate determination of analyte concentration over a concentration range spanning seven orders of magnitude. We demonstrate, using a biologically relevant test analyte, the amyloid β‐protein (Aβ), a seminal pathologic agent of Alzheimer's disease, that linear relationships exist between (a) peak intensity and concentration at a single plasmonic hot spot smaller than 100 nm and (b) frequency of hot spots with observable protein signals, that is, the colocation of an Aβ protein and a hot spot. We demonstrate the detection of Aβ at a concentration as low as 10−18 M after a single 20 μl aliquot of the analyte onto the hybrid platform. This detection sensitivity can be improved further through multiple applications of analyte to the platform and by rastering the laser beam with smaller step sizes.
Analysis of the characteristics and driving forces of water footprint productivity in paddy rice cultivation in China
Authors: Chen Sheng , Wu Mengyang , Cao Xinchun , Guo Xiangping 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDWater productivity improvement is fundamental to agricultural water use control, and the water footprint provides a new and comprehensive method for identifying the crop‐water relationship. This study is intended to explore the spatiotemporal pattern and driving forces underlying the rice water footprint productivity (WFP) in China during the years 1996–2015 based on calculations of the provincial blue, green, gray, and white water footprints.RESULTSThe national water footprint in paddy rice cultivation was 240.97 Gm3, and green water accounted for 43.9% of the total. The WFP was 0.795 kg m−3 and increased over time in all 30 provinces for which it was calculated. The growth rate in the northern provinces was greater than that in the southern part of the country. The WFP clustered geographically in all years observed. High‐value provinces were concentrated to the south of the Yangtze River, whereas most of the provinces that showed a low WFP were distributed in the north China and northwest subregions. Precipitation and sunshine hours were the most obvious driving factors of rice WFP. The effects of agricultural input, e.g., agricultural machinery power, pesticides, and irrigation efficiency, on WFP also could not be ignored.CONCLUSIONThe WFP is a comprehensive and useful index of the crop‐water relationship and water‐use efficiency. Improving agricultural input and irrigation technology are reliable approaches for WFP promotion. Areas in northeast China showed the most urgent need for improving the rice WFP, and the inclusion of the main grain producing areas in the Yangtze River Basin will further reduce ineffective water occupancy to improve water‐use efficiency. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry