bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seismic hazard in Buenos Aires, Argentina: A preliminary study on the effects of long‐distance earthquakes on tall buildings
Authors: Bertero Raúl D. , Vaquero Sebastián , Mussat Juan M. , Bertero Agustín 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe 2015 Illapel earthquake produced self‐evacuation of tall buildings in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, located 1280 km away from the epicenter. The ground motions in Buenos Aires due to the main event (Mw 8.3) and its aftershocks were registered by a new seismometer. The data collected allowed to estimate the maximum story drift ratios and top floor accelerations for tall buildings in Buenos Aires. The similarities between the response spectra and the Fourier amplitude spectra for the mainshock and its aftershocks show the influence that the dynamic properties of the 300‐m soil deposit have on the large acceleration amplification produced in these groups of buildings.
The modified spring‐stiffness model for welded simple connection at elevated temperature
Authors: Saedi Daryan Amir 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe outbreak of fire events in high‐rise buildings in recent years and the vulnerability of steel structure buildings, which leads to partial or complete failure of structures, clearly illustrate the need for designing such buildings against fire. The first step in fire design of structures is to have access to simplified equations for analyzing structural components against fire. Regarding this issue, to provide moment‐rotation relationships for designing welded seated angle connections, a modified spring stiffness model is presented in this article. In this method, the effective connection components are represented as springs with certain strength and stiffness properties that change as the temperature changes. Considering the special effect of welds on the behavior of these types of connections, separate springs for each section of the welds are considered and the effects of temperature on welds and base metal are taken into account. Comparing the results obtained from the proposed formulas with those of the tests, as well as the numerical analysis results, shows that the results in this method can be provided fast and accurately.
Deficient supplementary motor area at rest: Neural basis of limb kinetic deficits in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kübel Stefanie , Stegmayer Katharina , Vanbellingen Tim , Walther Sebastian , Bohlhalter Stephan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) patients frequently suffer from limb kinetic apraxia (LKA) affecting quality of life. LKA denotes an impairment of precise and independent finger movements beyond bradykinesia, which is reliably assessed by coin rotation (CR) task. BOLD fMRI detected activation of a left inferior parietal‐premotor praxis network in PD during CR. Here, we explored which network site is most critical for LKA using arterial spin labeling (ASL). Based on a hierarchical model, we hypothesized that LKA would predominantly affect the functional integrity of premotor areas including supplementary motor areas (SMA). Furthermore, we suspected that for praxis function with higher demand on temporal‐spatial processing such as gesturing, inferior parietal lobule (IPL) upstream to premotor areas would be essential. A total of 21 PD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent ASL acquisition during rest. Behavioral assessment outside the scanner involved the CR, finger tapping task, and the test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA). Whole‐brain analysis of activity at rest showed a significant reduction of CR‐related perfusion in the left SMA of PD. Furthermore, the positive correlation between SMA perfusion and CR, seen in controls, was lost in patients. By contrast, TULIA was significantly associated with the perfusion of left IPL in both patients and controls. In conclusion, the findings suggest that LKA in PD are linked to an intrinsic disruption of the left SMA function, which may only be overcome by compensatory network activation. In addition, gestural performance relies on IPL which remains available for functional recruitment in early PD.
Is distribution of health expenditure in Iran pro‐poor?
Authors: Emamgholipour Sara , Agheli Lotfali 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe size and distribution of households' health care expenditure indicate the financial burden on different income groups. Since the distribution of health expenditure evaluates the performance of health systems, this study aims to examine the health expenditure distribution among urban and rural households in Iran.MethodsThis research was conducted on the distribution of health expenditure among urban and rural households in 2014. The effects of households' health expenditure on distribution of personal incomes were measured by using Kakwani and Reynolds‐Smolensky indices. In addition, Theil T index was used to classify provinces based on inequality in health expenditure distribution. The calculations were made by using EXCEL.ResultsThe Kakwani indices for urban and rural households were calculated around −0.572 and −0.485, respectively. Reynolds‐Smolensky indices for urban and rural households were measured as much as −0.038 and −0.031, respectively. Regardless of income distribution, Theil T index shows that urban households face with the most unequal distribution in health expenditure.ConclusionBased on calculations, the distribution of health expenditure is against the poor households. In addition, this distribution is more regressive in urban than rural households. As well, Reynolds‐Smolensky indices indicate more uneven income distribution after paying for health care, and inequality is larger among urban than rural households. To this research, the health policymaking priorities should be given to the provinces with the highest inequality, and the expenditure burden of low‐income households should be reduced through expanding insurance coverage.
ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE‐USE PROBLEMS IN TRIBAL HOME VISITING
Authors: Novins Douglas K. , Ferron Cathy , Abramson Lisa , Barlow Allison 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTGiven the high rates for substance use among women and men of childbearing age, perinatal and early childhood home‐visiting programs serving tribal communities must consider how they will address substance‐use problems among the families they support. In this study, we explored the approaches to identifying and addressing family‐based substance‐use problems that were implemented by nine home‐visiting programs serving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities that are funded through the federal Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (Tribal MIECHV). These programs demonstrated a high awareness of substance‐use problems and took concrete action to address them above and beyond that included in the home‐visiting model they used. All nine programs reported that they provided substance‐use preventive services and screened for substance‐use problems. While all programs referred to substance‐use treatment programs when needed, in six programs the home visitor provided substance‐use services. Through Tribal MIECHV, the intense need for substance‐use education, assessment, service delivery, and referral in many AI/AN communities is pushing the home‐visiting field forward to address this increasingly critical issue for low‐income families across the United States and the world.
Applying partial root drying drip irrigation in the presence of organic mulching. Is that the best irrigation practice for arid regions? Field and modelling study using the saltmed model
Authors: Abdelraouf R.E. , Ragab R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis research aimed at investigating the impact of irrigation systems, a deficit irrigation strategy and organic mulching using rice straw on maize water productivity in Egypt's arid conditions. The field experiment included 16 treatments over 2 seasons, 2015 and 2016. Irrigation systems were a drip irrigation system (DIS) and a furrow irrigation system (FIS), while the irrigation strategies were 100% full irrigation (FI), 75% FI, 50% FI and partial root drying (PRD). Organic mulching using rice straw (OMRS) was also investigated. The experimental results indicated that there was a positive impact of applying a PRD strategy by drip irrigation in the presence of organic mulching on the yield (12.6 t ha‐1 for 2015 and 12 t ha‐1 for 2016) and on the water productivity of maize (4.81 kg m‐3 for 2015 and 4.58 kg m‐3 for 2016), but under the control treatment (FIS with 100% full irrigation and without organic mulching) yield was 7.22 t ha‐1 for 2015 and 7.34 t ha‐1 for 2016 and water productivity of maize was 0.64 kg m‐3 for 2015 and 0.62 kg m‐3 for 2016. The SALTMED model simulated reasonably well the soil moisture and salinity distribution as well as maize dry matter, yield and water productivity for all treatments, with R2 of 0.998, 0.997 and 0.996, respectively. The results support the use of a PRD strategy by a drip irrigation system accompanied by an organic mulch of rice straw instead of the commonly used furrow irrigation. The PRD would save more fresh water, achieve higher yields and water productivity. In addition, mulching would reduce evaporation losses, retain soil moisture and increase organic matter content. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles translocate through differentiated Caco‐2 cell monolayers, without disrupting the barrier functionality or inducing genotoxic damage
Authors: Vila Laura , García‐Rodríguez Alba , Marcos Ricard , Hernández Alba 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in commercial food products makes intestinal cells a suitable target. Accordingly, we have used the human colon adenocarcinoma Caco‐2 cells to detect their potential harmful effects. Caco‐2 cells can differentiate in to enterocytic‐like cells, forming consistent cell monolayers and are used as a model of the intestinal barrier. Using both undifferentiated and differentiated Caco‐2 cells, we have explored a set of biomarkers, aiming to evaluate undesirable effects associated to TiO2NP exposure. Results indicate non‐toxic effects in exposures ranging 1‐200 μg ml−1. Significant differences were observed in cell uptake, with a higher amount of incorporated TiO2NPs in undifferentiated cells, as visualized using confocal microscopy. In well‐established monolayers, translocation was detected using both confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. In spite of the observed uptake and translocation, TiO2NP exposures did not modify the integrity of the monolayer, as measured using the transepithelial electrical resistance and Lucifer yellow methods. The potential genotoxic effects in differentiated cells were evaluated in the comet assay, with and without formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase enzyme to detect oxidatively the damaged DNA bases. Although some changes were detected at the lower dose (10 μg ml−1), no effects were observed at higher doses.
Development of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles and its use in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Kong Chee Hoe , Steffi Chris , Shi Zhilong , Wang Wilson 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe incidence of bone disorders, from trauma, tissue degeneration due to ageing, pathological conditions to cancer, has been increasing. The pursuit for bone graft substitutes to assist in regenerating large bone defects is ever growing as a result of the shortage in conventional autografts and allografts, in addition to the associated risks of disease transmission. However, the use of alloplastic biomaterials is limited in clinical settings, as further investigations are required to address the properties of synthetic grafts to mimic the native bone tissue and deliver desirable biomolecules to facilitate bone regeneration. This review discusses the fundamental structure and properties of bone with the emphasis on organic and inorganic components that are important for the biomaterial design. The main focus will be on the advancement and usage of bioactive glass (BG) for bone tissue engineering due to its similarity to the natural inorganic constituent of bone. The various BG synthetic processes, modifications of composition, as well as the biomolecule delivery will be discussed in great detail. As the properties of BG are tuneable according to clinical needs, it creates a new paradigm in addition to displaying its superior potential for bone tissue engineering and translational medicine in the field of orthopedic surgery. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2878–2887, 2018.
Electronic and structural properties of Lin@Be2B8 (n = 1–14) and Lin@Be2B36 (n = 1–21) nanoflakes shed light on possible anode materials for Li‐based batteries
Authors: Goodarzi Moein , Nazari Fariba , Illas Francesc 
Published: May 2018

Systematic addition of Li atoms to the Be2B8 and Be2B36 backbones has been studied by density functional theory‐based calculations with the aim to investigate properties of interest on possible anode materials for Li‐based batteries. For the Be2B8Lin (n = 1–8) and the Be2B36Lin (n = 1–20) systems, lithium salts are dominant whereas a clear electride feature shows up for Be2B8Lin (n = 9–14) and Be2B36Li21. Addition of hydrogen radicals to these systems shows that the Be2B8Li14 electride becomes a Be2B8Li14H2 hydride electride whereas Be2B36Li21 leads to a Be2B36Li21H salt. Moreover, for the addition of Li atoms to Be2B8 and the Be2B36 backbones, large values of the interaction and of the adsorption energy per Li atom, high specific capacity of Be2B8Li14 and of Be2B36Li21 (1860 and 1017 mAh g−1, respectively) and low and flat voltage associated with lithiation have been found. Likewise, the considerable thermodynamic driving force (ΔG° = −29.66 kcal/mol) and the small energy barrier (
= 0.26 kcal/mol) associated with electron transfer in Be2B36Li21 and Be2B36 species confirm that boron rich species have potential abilities to be used in the Li‐based battery. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biochemical fingerprint of colorectal cancer cell lines using label‐free live single‐cell Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Gala de Pablo Julia , Armistead Fern J. , Peyman Sally A. , Bonthron David , Lones Michael , Smith Stephen , Evans Stephen D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLabel‐free live single‐cell Raman spectroscopy was used to obtain a chemical fingerprint of colorectal cancer cells including the classification of the SW480 and SW620 cell line model system, derived from primary and secondary tumour cells from the same patient. High‐quality Raman spectra were acquired from hundreds of live cells, showing high reproducibility between experiments. Principal component analysis with linear discriminant analysis yielded the best cell classification, with an accuracy of 98.7 ± 0.3% (standard error) when compared with discrimination trees or support vector machines. SW480 showed higher content of the disordered secondary protein structure Amide III band, whereas SW620 showed larger α‐helix and β‐sheet band content. The SW620 cell line also displayed higher nucleic acid, phosphates, saccharide, and CH2 content. HL60, HT29, HCT116, SW620, and SW480 live single‐cell spectra were classified using principal component analysis or linear discriminant analysis with an accuracy of 92.4 ± 0.4% (standard error), showing differences mainly in the β‐sheet content, the cytochrome C bands, the CH‐stretching regions, the lactate contributions, and the DNA content. The lipids contributions above 2,900 cm−1 and the lactate contributions at 1,785 cm−1 appeared to be dependent on the colorectal adenocarcinoma stage, the advanced stage cell lines showing lower lipid, and higher lactate content. The results demonstrate that these cell lines can be distinguished with high confidence, suggesting that Raman spectroscopy on live cells can distinguish between different disease stages, and could play an important role clinically as a diagnostic tool for cell phenotyping.
Outcomes of microvascular flap reconstruction of the head and neck in patients receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation
Authors: Schaverien Mark V. , Dean Riley A. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Fang Lin , Largo Rene D. , Yu Peirong 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundFor organ transplant recipients, cancer secondary to immunosuppressive therapy threatens long‐term survival. The associated multiple comorbidities make major free flap reconstruction following cancer surgery a complicated event. This study evaluates the outcomes of free flap reconstruction in this population.MethodsA retrospective chart review of all head and neck free flap cases in patients with a history of organ transplantation receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy between 2005 and 2017 at a single‐institution was conducted.ResultsOf 57 organ transplant patients, 25 patients (28 flaps) were included. Flaps used included the anterolateral thigh (n = 17), radial forearm (n = 4), latissimus dorsi (n = 3), fibula (n = 2), lateral arm (n = 1), and thoracodorsal artery perforator (n = 1) flaps. The most common organ transplant was kidney, then lung, liver, and heart. Mean inpatient stay was 8.2 days (range, 4‐28). Complications occurred in 15 patients, with no total or partial flap losses.ConclusionMajor head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery can be performed safely in organ transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Meticulous multidisciplinary care is required to achieve consistently successful outcomes.
Revegetation using the deep planting of container seedlings to overcome the limitations associated with topsoil desiccation on exposed steep earthy road slopes in the semiarid loess region of China
Authors: Zhao Xingkai , Li Zengyao , Zhu Danhong , Zhu Qingke , Robeson Michael D. , Hu Jia 
Published: May 2018

AbstractExposed, steep earthy road slopes (ESERs) in the semiarid loess region of China are prone to soil erosion and are difficult to revegetate. Topsoil desiccation (TSD) leads to land degradation, which limits the revegetation success. In this study, TSD was assessed on south‐facing ESERs (with slopes of 45–55°, 55–65°, 65–75°, and >75°), and a revegetation method using the deep planting of container seedlings of 3 species (both native and introduced species) was designed to overcome the problems associated with TSD. Plant growth was evaluated by measuring plant height and diameter of the stem base after 4 growing seasons. The following results were obtained: (a) TSD occurs on south‐facing ESERs and persists after the rainy season. The thickness of the TSD layer remained at approximately 15 cm (<20 cm for all studied slope grades) on the slopes with a formation time of approximately 3 years as of the beginning of this study, and the thickness increased to 35–40 cm on the control slope after 4 years of the study. (b) Using the deep planting of container seedlings method, plant roots can completely penetrate the TSD layer. The selected native species (Caragana korshinskii Kom. and Tamarix chinensis Lour.) and introduced species (Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’) all survived; among them, T. chinensis Lour. exhibited the best growth and the best adaptation to changes in slope grade. The applied method can also effectively inhibit further increases in TSD and can be used in semiarid loess regions and similar areas.
Effect of tillage on soil erosion before and after rill development
Authors: Zhao Longshan , Hou Rui , Wu Faqi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTillage has a large effect on soil surface microtopography and consequently on soil erosion. Here, we measured soil and water loss from soil prepared by contour tillage (CT) and reservoir tillage (RT), and to analyse why tilled slopes produce more sediment run‐off. Rainfall experiments (90 mm/hr) were carried out to simulate the overland and rill flow erosion processes. Soil type is silt clay loam. Results showed that CT and RT reduced surface run‐off by 60% compared with a smooth slope during overland flow, whereas only a small reduction in run‐off occurred during rill flow. Sediment erosion from CT was reduced by about 30–60% compared with a smooth slope for both overland and rill flow erosion processes. Although RT also resulted in reduced sediment erosion during overland flow, sediment erosion increased by 25% during rill flow, leading to an overall increase in sediment flow on the RT‐treated slope. For slopes with CT, sediment production depends on the ridges, but furrows limit sediment transport. For slopes with RT, sediment production depends on the depressions, but once the depressions fill with sediment, rainwater outflowing from the depressions cause rill flow erosion and greater sediment loss compared with CT. Our results suggest that sediment and run‐off differences for different surface microtopographies induced by tillage are significant, especially during the rill flow erosion process. Future studies should address rill erosion on tilled sloped land with different microtopographies to better determine how rills are triggered and change during rainfall.
Enhanced Thermal Ageing Stability of Mechanophore in Polyurethane Network by Introducing Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)
Authors: Xing Chong , Wang Li , Xian Lei , Wang Yikai , Zhang Linna , Xi Kai , Zhang Qiuhong , Jia Xudong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSpiropyran (SP) shows excellent ability in light‐ or force‐triggered color and fluorescence generation. However, it has the fatal weakness of poor antithermal bleaching properties in polymers, especially when exposed to severe environments, which will shorten the life of mechanical responsive materials. Here, a strategy is reported to protect SP through incorporation of multifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as cross‐linkers into a polyurethane network. The introduction of POSS not only improves the mechanical strength of the elastomer, but also enhances the thermal stability of the mechanophore, showing much more sensitive force‐responsive and photoresponsive properties, especially after thermal annealing. POSS contributes to the construction of a 3D network and hinders the mobility of the hard domains of molecular chains, thus enhancing the thermal stability of the mechanophore in the network. The strategy can not only extend the life of the stimuli‐responsive materials, but also promote the application temperature of the mechanically responsive polymers.
Orientation Preferences of Interchain Stackings for Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Nanowires Prepared Using Template‐Based Wetting Methods
Authors: Jeng Kai‐Sheng , Chu Chien‐Wei , Liu Chien‐Liang , Jean Woan‐Mei , Chen Hsin‐Lung , Chen Jiun‐Tai 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPoly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanowires have drawn great attention recently because of their unique properties that can be applied to optoelectronic devices such as conjugated polymer solar cells and organic field‐effect transistors. There is still an urgent need, however, to study the fabrication and characterization of P3HT nanowires with controllable morphologies and molecular orientations. In this work, feasible routes are presented to fabricate P3HT nanowires using the solution wetting template method and the solvent‐annealing‐induced nanowetting in template (SAINT) method. The morphologies and chemical compositions of the P3HT nanowires prepared using these two methods are confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. From the ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering results, it is concluded that the degrees of the crystallinity and the orientation preferences of interchain stackings along the pore axis for the P3HT nanowires prepared by the SAINT method are higher than those prepared by the solution wetting template method.