bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nano Filler Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites
Authors: Suresha B , Varun C A , Indushekhara N M , Vishwanath H R , Venkatesh  
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Nano-sized functional fillers, such as Nano-clay (N-C) and Nano-calcium carbonate (N-CC), have attracted a great deal of awareness due to their unexpected intrinsic properties. Extensive research has been done on clay material for epoxy nanocomposites but only a few have ventured into a comparison with other Nanofillers. In this paper, a study has been made of the mechanical properties of epoxy containing N-C and N-CC fillers. These composites were studied for their mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile, flexural and impact strength as per ASTM standards. Fraction of void cohort in the samples was quantified following the rule of mixture. Experimental results demonstrated that incorporation of N-C fillers expanded the hardness, impact strength and module of epoxy nanocomposites. However, the tensile and flexural properties have shown declining trend for N-C/N-CC nanocomposites. The morphological and fractographic features were examined utilizing scanning electron microscopy.
Effect of Wood-Particles Aggregate Percentage on Some Physical Properties of Concrete
Authors: Al Numan Bayan Salim , Ahmed Junaid Kameran 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This paper is focused on light-weight aggregate concrete with wood particles and its issuesaccording to physical and thermal properties. The experimental work for the estimation of density, absorption and thermal conductivity of light-weight wood-particles aggregate concrete is presented. Wide range of wood-particles percentages were used in the experimental work. The thermal conductivity is related to the air-dry density of wood-particles aggregate concrete. The relation is liedclosely within the predictions presented in ACI 213 committee report. The range of air dry density was about 1400 to 1900 kg/m3.
Effect of Tio2 Nanoparticles In Spirulina Biodiesel-Diesel Blends at Various Injection Strategies: Performance, Combustion and Emission characteristics
Authors: Yaramati Suresh , Sakthimurugan V 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Since so many years all the automobile engines are running by using the fossil fuels. Day by day the usage is increasing. So, by using the fossil fuels it reaching the last stage and finally it leads to the depletion. So, the fossil fuels are the responsible for air pollution, global warming, and the gradually increasing of global climate. So, the algae biofuels are considered to be the most renewable source of energy and also it is eco-friendly. Microalgae considered to be the potential source which can produce biofuel from algae. Nitrates, phosphates, and carbon dioxide which were produced from atmosphere are consider to be growing environment for algae. Spirulina is a blue-green algae. Autotrophic and alkallophyletic are the two attributes of spirulina. For spirulina lesser amount of sunlight is needed than the homes. pH is the important ingredient in the culture medium. After the transesterification process about 87.75% of biodiesel yield was obtained at optimum level conditions. By comparing of both spirulina bio-oil and chlorella bio-oil the parameters like viscosity and density of chlorella were very equally to the conventional diesel fuel. By the above reasons spirulina is strongly considered to be a potential raw material or feedstock for the biodiesel production to be used in diesel engines. For this investigation to measure the engine performance parameters like exhaust temperature, brake specific fuel consumption and emission parameters like hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, oxygen, carbon monoxides and smoke are measured by changing the injection timings like retard 23 degree, retard 21 degree and retard 19 degree. Finally B20 is the blend taken and this blend is mixed with 75 ppm of Titanium dioxide as a nanoparticle experiment was conducted on four stroke, twin cylinder diesel engineused.
Exercise During the First Trimester and Infant Size at Birth: Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Causal Risk Difference
Authors: Ehrlich Samantha F , Neugebauer Romain S , Feng Juanran , Hedderson Monique M , Ferrara Assiamira 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis cohort study sought to estimate the differences in risk of delivering infants who were small or large for gestational age (SGA or LGA, respectively) according to exercise during the first trimester of pregnancy (vs. no exercise) among 2,286 women receiving care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in 2013–2017. Exercise was assessed by questionnaire. SGA and LGA were determined by the sex- and gestational-age-specific birthweight distributions of the 2017 US Natality file. Risk differences were estimated by targeted maximum likelihood estimation, with and without data-adaptive prediction (machine learning). Analyses were also stratified by prepregnancy weight status. Overall, exercise at the cohort-specific 75th percentile was associated with an increased risk of SGA of 4.5 (95% CI: 2.1, 6.8) per 100 births, and decreased risk of LGA of 2.8 (95% CI: 0.5, 5.1) per 100 births; similar findings were observed among the underweight and normal-weight women, but no associations were found among those with overweight or obesity. Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines was associated with increased risk of SGA and decreased risk of LGA but only among underweight and normal-weight women. Any vigorous exercise reduced the risk of LGA in underweight and normal-weight women only and was not associated with SGA risk.
History of predator exposure affects cell-mediated immunity in female eastern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae)
Authors: Sprayberry Kristen , Tylan Catherine , Owen Dustin A S , Macleod Kirsty J , Sheriff Michael J , Langkilde Tracy 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
On exposure to stressors, energy is diverted from non-urgent functions towards those important for immediate survival. The degree and nature of reallocation may be affected by the evolutionary history of the animal. The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) coexists in parts of its range with invasive fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), which attack and wound lizards and elevate stress-relevant hormones (corticosterone), whereas other populations have never been exposed to fire ants. We examined how a history of fire ant invasion affected the immune response in female lizards after exposure to exogenous corticosterone (mimicking exposure to a stressor) during gestation (dosing regimens differed among corticosterone-exposed lizards owing to the constraints of the original studies, but we found no evidence that this affected the outcome of the present study). A history of exposure to predatory stressors (fire ants) and corticosterone treatment affected cell-mediated immunity. Lizards from fire ant-invaded sites had a reduced immune response compared with those from uninvaded sites. Corticosterone treatment had no effect on the immune response of lizards from invaded sites but reduced the immune response of lizards from uninvaded sites. This suggests that an evolutionary history of exposure to wounding alters the immune response to corticosterone. Future work on how the immune system responds to environmental threats will be informative for the prediction and management of these threats.
The electrocardiogram endeavour: from the Holter single-lead recordings to multilead wearable devices supported by computational machine learning algorithms
Authors: Vardas Panos , Cowie Martin , Dagres Nikolaos , Asvestas Dimitrios , Tzeis Stylianos , Vardas Emmanuel P , Hindricks Gerhard , Camm John 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This review aims to provide a comprehensive recapitulation of the evolution in the field of cardiac rhythm monitoring, shedding light in recent progress made in multilead ECG systems and wearable devices, with emphasis on the promising role of the artificial intelligence and computational techniques in the detection of cardiac abnormalities.
Artificial neural network-assisted Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for differentiation ofSalmonellaserogroups and its application on epidemiological tracing ofSalmonellaBovismorbificans outbreak isolates from fresh sprouts
Authors: Oberreuter Helene , Rau Jörg 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTSalmonellae represent one of the most common bacterial infection reagents in both humans and animals. For detection and epidemiological elucidation of Salmonella infections, determination of Salmonella serotypes and differentiation between different Salmonella isolates is crucial. In the first part of this study, Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-assisted Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to establish a method for subtyping Salmonella isolates according to their serogroups. For this, 290 Salmonella strains from 35 different serogroups were used to establish an ANN for differentiation between infrared spectra of 10 different Salmonella serogroups (B, C1, C2-C3, D1/D2, E1, E4, F, G, H, O:55) vs. the remaining serogroups. In the final ANN, sensitivity values ranged between 90 and 100% for most of the 10 serogroups under investigation. In the second part of this study, ANN-assisted FTIR spectroscopy was applied for epidemiological distinction of Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak isolates from fresh sprouts vs. isolates from other sources. Four Salmonella Bovismorbificans isolates from human and food origin in the context of a Southern German outbreak were successfully discriminated from other S. Bovismorbificans isolates from various sources. ANN-assisted FTIR spectroscopy is thus an effective tool for discrimination of Salmonella isolates at or even below serogroup level.
Measuring Quality of Life in Carers of People With Dementia: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Scales measuring the Impact of DEmentia on CARers (SIDECAR)
Authors: Horton Mike C , Oyebode Jan , Clare Linda , Megson Molly , Shearsmith Leanne , Brayne Carol , Kind Paul , Hoare Zoe , Al Janabi Hareth , Hewison Val , Tennant Alan , Wright Penny 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background and Objectives
A 2008 European consensus on research outcome measures in dementia care concluded that measurement of carer quality of life (QoL) was limited. Three systematic reviews (2012, 2017, and 2018) of dementia carer outcome measures found existing instruments wanting. In 2017, recommendations were published for developing reliable measurement tools of carers’ needs for research and clinical application. The aim of this study was to develop a new instrument to measure the QoL of dementia carers (family/friends).

Methods
Items were generated directly from carers following an inductive needs-led approach. Carers (n = 566) from 22 English and Welsh locations then completed the items and comparator measures at three time points. Rasch, factor, and psychometric (reliability, validity, responsiveness, and minimally important differences [MIDs]) analyses were undertaken.

Results
Following factor analysis, the pool of 70 items was refined to three independent scales: primary SIDECAR-D (direct impact of caring upon carer QOL, 18 items), secondary SIDECAR-I (indirect impact, 10 items), and SIDECAR-S (support and information, 11 items). All three scales satisfy Rasch model assumptions. SIDECAR-D, I, S psychometrics: reliability (internal ≥ .70; test–retest ≥ .85); convergent validity (as hypothesized); responsiveness (effect sizes: D: moderate; I and S: small); MIDs (D = 9/100, I = 10/100, S = 11/100).

Discussion and Implications
SIDECAR scales demonstrate robust measurement properties, meeting COSMIN quality standards for study design and psychometrics. SIDECAR provides a theoretically based needs-led QoL profile specifically for dementia carers. SIDECAR is free for use in public health, social care, and voluntary sector services, and not-for-profit organizations.
Hybrid de novo genome assembly of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima)
Authors: Xing Yu , Liu Yang , Zhang Qing , Nie Xinghua , Sun Yamin , Zhang Zhiyong , Li Huchen , Fang Kefeng , Wang Guangpeng , Huang Hongwen , Bisseling Ton , Cao Qingqin , Qin Ling 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is widely cultivated in China for nut production. This plant also plays an important ecological role in afforestation and ecosystem services. To facilitate and expand the use of C. mollissima for breeding and its genetic improvement, we report here the whole-genome sequence of C. mollissima.

Findings
We produced a high-quality assembly of the C. mollissima genome using Pacific Biosciences single-molecule sequencing. The final draft genome is ~785.53 Mb long, with a contig N50 size of 944 kb, and we further annotated 36,479 protein-coding genes in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. mollissima diverged from Quercus robur, a member of the Fagaceae family, ~13.62 million years ago.

Conclusions
The high-quality whole-genome assembly of C. mollissima will be a valuable resource for further genetic improvement and breeding for disease resistance and nut quality.
Variations and surgical management of pulmonary vein in living-donor lobectomy
Authors: Kayawake Hidenao , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi Fengshi , Tanaka Satona , Yamada Yoshito , Yutaka Yojiro , Nakajima Daisuke , Ohsumi Akihiro , Hamaji Masatsugu , Date Hiroshi 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In a living-donor lobectomy, the donor undergoes a right or left lower lobectomy. The surgical procedures for living-donor lobectomy are sometimes influenced by the anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein (PV). The goal of this study was to analyse the PV variations in living donors and to review the influence of these variations on the surgical procedures used.

METHODS
Between June 2008 and September 2018, 154 living donors underwent right or left lower lobectomy. The PV variations were analysed using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT), and the surgical management of these variations was reviewed.

RESULTS
Among 154 donors, 21 PV variations that could influence the surgical procedure for a right lower lobectomy were found in 19 (12.3%) donors, whereas no such variations for a left lower lobectomy were found. Detected PV variations were dorsal branch of the right upper PV (n = 12), middle PV draining into the right lower PV (n = 6) and the superior segment branch of the right lower PV draining into the right upper PV (n = 3). Among 96 donors undergoing right lower lobectomy, 9 (9.4%) donors had PV variations that could influence the surgical procedure. In 2 donors, sparing of PV branches with multiple vascular clamps was required. Pulmonary venoplasty was not required in any donor, whereas pulmonary venoplasty in recipient surgery was required in 4 recipients. There were no complications related to the surgical procedures performed on the PV.

CONCLUSIONS
Living-donor lobectomy was performed safely owing to the preoperative evaluation of PV on 3D-CT and the use of appropriate surgical approaches to PV.
Gardnerella vaginalis Clade Distribution Is Associated With Behavioral Practices and Nugent Score in Women Who Have Sex With Women
Authors: Plummer Erica L , Vodstrcil Lenka A , Murray Gerald L , Fairley Christopher K , Danielewski Jennifer A , Garland Suzanne M , Chow Eric P F , Bulach Dieter M , Fethers Katherine A , Hocking Jane S , Bradshaw Catriona S 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundGardnerella vaginalis is detected in women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV). Identification of 4 G. vaginalis clades raised the possibility that pathogenic and commensal clades exist. We investigated the association of behavioral practices and Nugent Score with G. vaginalis clade distribution in women who have sex with women (WSW).MethodsLongitudinal self-collected vaginal specimens were analyzed using established G. vaginalis species-specific and clade-typing polymerase chain reaction assays. Logistic regression assessed factors associated with detection of G. vaginalis clades, and multinomial regression assessed factors associated with number of clades.ResultsClades 1, 2, and 3 and multiclade communities (<2 clades) were associated with Nugent-BV. Clade 1 (odds ratio [OR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–6.84) and multiclade communities (relative risk ratio [RRR], 9.51; 95% CI, 4.36–20.73) were also associated with Lactobacillus-deficient vaginal microbiota. Clade 4 was neither associated with Nugent-BV nor Lactobacillus-deficient microbiota (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.67–3.33). Specific clades were associated with differing behavioral practices. Clade 1 was associated with increasing number of recent sexual partners and smoking, whereas clade 2 was associated with penile-vaginal sex and sharing of sex toys with female partners.ConclusionsOur results suggest that G. vaginalis clades have varying levels of pathogenicity in WSW, with acquisition occurring through sexual activity. These findings suggest that partner treatment may be an appropriate strategy to improve BV cure.
A Mathematical Modeling Approach to the Cort-Fitness Hypothesis
Authors: El Moustaid F , Lane S J , Moore I T , Johnson L R 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The Cort-Fitness Hypothesis has generated much interest from investigators integrating field endocrinology with evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation. The hypothesis was developed to test the assumption that if glucocorticoid levels increase with environmental challenges and fitness decreases with environmental challenges, then there should be a negative relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels and fitness. Indeed, studies across diverse taxa have found that the relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels and fitness are not consistent: some studies show a positive relationship, others negative, and some show no correlation. Hence, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels, environmental challenges, and fitness is needed. We propose a mathematical model representing the links between baseline glucocorticoid levels, environmental challenges, and fitness. Our model describes how variation in the predictability and intensity of environmental challenges, reproductive strategies, and fitness metrics can all contribute to the variability observed in empirical tests of the Cort-Fitness Hypothesis. We provide qualitative results showing that much of the inconsistency in previous studies can be explained and we discuss how the model can be used to inform future Cort-Fitness studies.
Novel Spiroplasma sp. Isolated From CWD Is an Extreme Bacterial Thermoacidophile That Survives Autoclaving, Boiling, Formalin Treatment, and Significant Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Bastian Frank O , Lynch James , Wang Wei-Hsung 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRapid spreading of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wildlife and captive cervid populations has exposed lack of progress in dealing with the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) of man and animals. Since the TSE transmissible agent was resistant to extremes in environmental and chemical treatments, focus was on an unconventional agent including the prion theory. Recent breakthrough research has revealed consistent isolation of a novel Spiroplasma sp. from TSE-affected tissues that propagates in cell-free media and on agar. Here, we developed a live culture assay to test whether the CWD spiroplasma isolate possessed unconventional biologic properties akin to those of the transmissible agent of TSE. The CWD spiroplasma isolate survived boiling for 1 hour, standard liquid autoclaving, 10% formalin treatment overnight, and gamma irradiation of 20 kGy. The CWD spiroplasma isolate is an acidophile, growing best at pH 2. The biologic resistance of the CWD spiroplasma isolate may be due to unusual phage-like viruses found in the bacterial pellet or to DNA-protein binding. Because the CWD spiroplasma isolate has biologic properties consistent with the causal agent of the TSEs, TSE research focus should be redirected to development of diagnostic tests and preventive vaccines for control of CWD based upon the bacterium.
Longitudinal Colonization With Streptococcus pneumoniae During the First Year of Life in a Healthy Newborn Cohort
Authors: Meropol Sharon B , Jacobs Michael R , Stange Kurt C , Bajaksouzian Saralee , Bonomo Robert A 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to characterize longitudinal colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae during the first year of life within a community newborn infant cohort, and assess the relationship between antibiotic exposure and colonization with antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Methods
During April 2013–February 2014, 326 infants were enrolled from an urban academic hospital well-baby nursery. At ages 4, 8, and 12 months, we collected antibiotic data, other exposure data, and nasopharyngeal cultures for pneumococcal isolation.

Results
Follow-up visits were completed for 211, 158, and 144 infants at ages 4, 8, and 12 months, respectively. By 12 months, 33% of infants attending the visits had ever been exposed to antibiotics, 67% if exposures to maternal antibiotics at birth are included. Pneumococci were isolated at 38/839 (4.5%) visits from 38 infants, including one 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) serotype (6A). There were 1 (0.3%), 15 (7%), 7 (4%), and 15 (10%) infants who were colonized at 0-, 4-, 8-, and 12-month visits, respectively. By age 12 months, at least 35 (11%) infants had ever been colonized. Sixteen isolates (42%) exhibited nonsusceptibility to at least 1 antibiotic. Infants with recent antibiotic exposure were not more likely to be colonized or to harbor nonsusceptible organisms.

Conclusions
Within a hospital birth cohort followed in the community, pneumococcal colonization and related antibiotic resistance were lower than previously reported, likely associated with PCV13 use. Antibiotic exposure was not associated with subsequent colonization with resistant isolates. The influence of other environmental factors needs further study.
sitoolbox: A package for Bayesian estimation of the isotropy violation in the CMB sky
Authors: Das Santanu 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT
The standard model of cosmology predicts a statistically isotropic (SI) cosmic microwave background (CMB) sky. However, the SI violation signals are always present in an observed sky-map. Different cosmological artefacts, measurement effects, and unavoidable effects during data analysis, etc. may lead to isotropy violation in an otherwise SI sky. Therefore, a proper data analysis technique should calculate all these SI violation signals, so that they can be matched with SI violation signals from the known sources, and then conclude if there is any intrinsic SI violation in the CMB sky. In one of our recent works, we presented a general Bayesian formalism for measuring the isotropy violation signals in the CMB sky in the presence of an idealized isotropic noise. In this paper, we have extended the mechanism and develop a software package, sitoolbox, for measuring SI violation in presence of anisotropic noise and masking.