bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel gas chromatography–combustion–isotope ratio mass spectrometry derivatization method for nitrogen isotope analysis of nitrate in water
Authors: Li An , Chen Qiusheng , Pan Ligang , Dong Jieqiong , Jin Xinxin 
Published: August 2018

RationaleThe stable nitrogen isotopic composition of nitrate (NO3−) can be an effective tool to identify NO3− sources and understand nitrogen cycling. However, the usefulness of this isotopic tool in environment research has been limited by complex analytical procedures for the nitrogen isotopic analysis of NO3−. We aimed to develop a novel method for the simple and rapid measurement of the δ15N value of NO3− in water.MethodsWater NO3− was transformed into nitrobenzene for nitrogen isotopic analysis by gas chromatography–combustion–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C‐IRMS). The derivatization procedure was optimized to maximize the nitrobenzene yield. 1.5‐fold 98% sulfuric acid and 0.5‐fold benzene with respect to the water sample were used to derive nitrobenzene with only 1 min of vortex at room temperature. The nitrobenzene derivatization product (dissolved in benzene) was then separated by GC, followed by combustion to N2 for δ15N analysis by IRMS.ResultsThe minimum amount of nitrogen required for accurate determination of the δ15N value was 8.6 ng at an m/z 28 intensity of 150 mV. The standard deviation of the GC/C‐IRMS method was ≤0.5‰ (three replicates) even at a low NO3− concentration of 9.58 mg L−1. The various standards and samples with different δ15N values exhibited good agreement with the assigned δ15N values obtained by using the proposed method.ConclusionsCompared with previous methods, the newly developed method provided shorter analysis time and easy operation, and eliminated the need for the removal of chloride and nitrite. The GC/C‐IRMS derivatization method offers a fully operational tool for δ15N measurement of NO3− in water.
Untold stories of the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil
Authors: Avelino‐Silva Vivian I. , Kallas Esper G. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe Zika virus infection outbreak in Brazil in 2014 to 2015 resulted in the identification of previously unknown consequences of the disease, including the notorious microcephaly among many defects in fetuses born to women infected during pregnancy. A number of individuals were involved in this remarkable discovery, from the detection of viral circulation in the country to the studies on the causal link with congenital abnormalities and the provision of awareness and social support to families affected by the disease. In this article, we review the background to this experience, describing aspects of the epidemiology, medical research, and scientific response to the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil.
Flooding tolerance of Sagittaria latifolia and Sagittaria rigida under controlled laboratory conditions
Authors: Kenow Kevin P. , Gray Brian R. , Lyon James E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPool‐scale growing‐season water‐level reductions (drawdowns) have been implemented on the Upper Mississippi River in an effort to improve fish and wildlife habitat. Aquatic vegetation is a key habitat component, with perennial emergent species, such as Sagittaria latifolia and Sagittaria rigida, especially important. River managers have assumed the need for continuous drawdown during the growing season with limited reflooding and used this guidance in assessing the potential for an ecologically successful drawdown. However, information on the effects of growing‐season flooding episodes on survival and growth of Sagittaria is limited. To assess the flooding tolerance of S. latifolia and S. rigida, we evaluated multiple levels of timing, duration, and depth on survival and productivity of plants. Plants were produced from S. latifolia and S. rigida seeds and S. latifolia tubers; all were reared under moist‐soil or shallow‐flooded rearing conditions. Mortality of plants was low (2%) among plants from large tubers, low (7%) among seedlings (and largely associated with early flooding treatments), and modest (11%) among plants from small tubers (with no clear effects of inundation). Flooding treatments generally had a positive effect on biomass production from seedlings, particularly when treatments occurred early, were relatively shallow, and were short in duration. There were no clear effects of depth, duration, or timing components of flooding treatments on plant biomass arising from tubers. This experiment indicates that S. latifolia and S. rigida are relatively tolerant of flooding events during the growing season and may actually benefit from some level of inundation.
A comparison of bias‐corrected empirical covariance estimators with generalized estimating equations in small‐sample longitudinal study settings
Authors: Ford Whitney P. , Westgate Philip M. 
Published: August 2018

Data arising from longitudinal studies are commonly analyzed with generalized estimating equations. Previous literature has shown that liberal inference may result from the use of the empirical sandwich covariance matrix estimator when the number of subjects is small. Therefore, two different approaches have been used to improve the validity of inference. First, many different small‐sample corrections to the empirical estimator have been offered in order to reduce bias in resulting standard error estimates. Second, critical values can be obtained from a t‐distribution or an F‐distribution with approximated degrees of freedom. Although limited studies on the comparison of these small‐sample corrections and degrees of freedom have been published, there is a need for a comprehensive study of currently existing methods in a wider range of scenarios. Therefore, in this manuscript, we conduct such a simulation study, finding two methods to attain nominal type I error rates more consistently than other methods in a variety of settings: First, a recently proposed method by Westgate and Burchett (2016, Statistics in Medicine 35, 3733‐3744) that specifies both a covariance estimator and degrees of freedom, and second, an average of two popular corrections developed by Mancl and DeRouen (2001, Biometrics 57, 126‐134) and Kauermann and Carroll (2001, Journal of the American Statistical Association 96, 1387‐1396) with degrees of freedom equaling the number of subjects minus the number of parameters in the marginal model.
An Efficient Catalytic Approach for Epoxidation of Styrene over Activated Marble Powder
Authors: Yadagiri Jyothi , Kannapu Hari Prasad Reddy , Suh Young‐Woong , Puppala Veera Somaiah , Kamaraju Seetha Rama Rao , Burri David Raju 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStyrene to styrene epoxide is conducted for the first time over marble powder (MP), consisting of CaO (62.12%), MgO (26.8%), SiO2 (9.24%) and minor amount of Fe (1.94%), Na (0.70%), P (0.019%), K (0.11%) and Mn (0.13%) under aqueous t‐butyl hydroperoxide as a simple and green process. Due to the calcium enriched marble, higher basicity (ca. CO2 3980 μ mol g−1) was observed from temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2. The excellent catalytic activity with styrene conversion of 98% and styrene epoxide selectivity of 84% during the course of recyclability test for five consecutive cycles is mainly attributed to the constant basicity of the marble.
Laser‐Induced Freestanding Graphene Papers: A New Route of Scalable Fabrication with Tunable Morphologies and Properties for Multifunctional Devices and Structures
Authors: Wang Yanan , Wang Yong , Zhang Peipei , Liu Fu , Luo Sida 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe recently emergent laser‐induced graphene (LIG) technology has endowed the fabrication of smart devices with one‐step processing and scalable/designable features. Graphene paper (GP), an important architecture of 2D layered carbon, however, is never produced through LIG. Herein, a novel strategy is reported for production of freestanding GP through LIG technology. It is first determined that the unique spatial configuration of polyimide (PI) paper is critical for the preparation of GP without the appearance of intense shape distortion. Benefiting from the mechanism, the as‐produced laser‐induced graphene paper (LIGP) is foldable, trimmable, and integratable to customized shapes and structures with the largest dimension of 40 × 35 cm2. Based on the processing–structure–property relationship study, one is capable of controlling and tuning various physical and chemical properties of LIGPs, rendering them unique for assembling flexible electronics and smart structures, e.g., human/robotic motion detectors, liquid sensors, water–oil separators, antibacterial media, and flame retardant/deicing/self‐sensing composites. With the key findings, the escalation of LIGP for commercialization, roll‐to‐roll manufacturing, and multidisciplinary applications are highly expected.
A model‐based systems engineering approach to critical infrastructure vulnerability assessment and decision analysis
Authors: Huff Johnathon , Medal Hugh , Griendling Kelly 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSecuring
critical infrastructure against attack presents significant challenges. As new infrastructure is built and existing infrastructure is maintained, a method to assess the vulnerabilities and support decision makers in determining the best use of security resources is needed. In response to this need, this research develops a methodology for performing vulnerability assessment and decision analysis of critical infrastructure using model‐based systems engineering, an approach that has not been applied to this problem. The approach presented allows architects to link regulatory requirements, system architecture, subject matter expert opinion and attack vectors to a Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF)‐based model that allows decision makers to evaluate system vulnerability and determine alternatives to securing their systems based on their budget constraints. The decision analysis is done using an integer linear program that is integrated with DoDAF to provide solutions for how to allocate scarce security resources. Securing an electrical substation is used as an illustrative case study to demonstrate the methodology. The case study shows that the method presented here can be used to answer key questions, for example, what security resources should a decision maker invest in based on their budget constraints? Results show that the modeling and analysis approach provides a means to effectively evaluate the infrastructure vulnerability and presents a set of security alternatives for decision makers to choose from, based on their vulnerabilities and budget profile.
Chemosensitizing effect of honokiol in oral carcinoma stem cells via regulation of IL‐6/Stat3 signaling
Authors: Chang Min‐Te , Lee Shiao‐Pieng , Fang Chih‐Yuan , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Liao Yi‐Wen , Lu Ming‐Yi , Tsai Lo‐Lin , Yu Cheng‐Chia , Liu Chia‐Ming 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with poor prognosis. Numerous studies have attempted to explore alternative regimens aimed at reducing cancer stem cells (CSCs) without compromising the efficacy of conventional chemoradiotherapy. The present study sought to assess the effect of a natural compound honokiol on the reduction of elevated cancer stemness, metastatic capacity, and chemoresistance of oral carcinoma stem cells (OCSCs). Our results demonstrated that honokiol attenuated the cell survival and self‐renewal of OCSCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, honokiol downregulated the expression of 2 selective markers of OCSCs, ALDH1, and CD44, as well as the migration and invasion abilities, indicating its potential to suppress cancer stemness. We showed that honokiol reduced the secretion of IL‐6 and phosphorylation of STAT3, and the honokiol‐inhibited self‐renewal, invasion and colony formation were reversed by administration of IL‐6. Most importantly, our data demonstrated that honokiol was able to potentiate the effect of Cisplatin, leading to a lower proportion of OCSCs and the decreased cancer stemness features. Taken together, this study demonstrated the benefits of utilizing honokiol as an adjunct therapy for OSCC treatment.
Correlation between central and uterine hemodynamics in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Perry H. , Lehmann H. , Mantovani E. , Thilaganathan B. , Khalil A. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivePregnancies affected by a hypertensive disorder (HDP) have increased uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) compared with that in healthy pregnancies. Women with HDP are also known to have lower cardiac output and increased systemic vascular resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between central and uterine hemodynamics in HDP and uncomplicated pregnancy.MethodsThis was a prospective study of HDP and normotensive control singleton pregnancies presenting at a tertiary referral hospital between January 2012 and December 2017. Paired measurements of maternal hemodynamics, using a non‐invasive device (USCOM‐1A®), and UtA‐PI were performed in the third trimester. HDP pregnancies were divided into preterm (onset < 37 weeks' gestation) and term (onset ≥ 37 weeks). Spearman's rank coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the central and uteroplacental hemodynamics. Regression analysis was performed to assess the association of UtA‐PI with independent variables.ResultsWe included 231 women with HDP (152 with preterm and 79 with term HDP) and 378 controls with normotensive pregnancy. Compared with controls, women with preterm HDP had significantly lower cardiac output (median (interquartile range (IQR)), 6.0 (5.1–7.2) vs 6.6 (5.8–7.5) L/min; P < 0.001) and significantly higher systemic vascular resistance (median (IQR), 1394 (1189–1670) vs 1063 (915–1222) dynes × s/cm5; P < 0.001) and UtA‐PI (median (IQR), 1.0 (0.75–1.4) vs 0.67 (0.58–0.83); P < 0.001). Conversely, in women with term HDP, there were no significant differences in heart rate, cardiac output or UtA‐PI compared with controls (all P > 0.05), while systemic vascular resistance was significantly higher (median (IQR), 1315 (1099–1527) vs 1063 (915–1222) dynes × s/cm5; P < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and stroke volume were associated significantly with mean UtA‐PI (all P < 0.001).ConclusionsDifferences observed between HDP and normotensive pregnancies in third‐trimester UtA resistance are mirrored in the central maternal hemodynamic parameters. Late pregnancy differences in the uteroplacental circulation in preterm and term HDP are an index of maternal cardiovascular function rather than being related to inadequate spiral artery remodeling and impaired placentation. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Aerodynamic measurements on wind turbines
Authors: Schepers J. G. , Schreck S. J. 
Published: August 2018

This article reviews the aerodynamic measurement programs on wind turbines that have been performed in the last decades. It is largely based on results from four projects carried out under auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which are denoted as IEA Tasks 14, 18, 20, and 29. The aim of these projects was to collect and analyze aerodynamic measurements on five field facilities (IEA Tasks 14 and 18), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Phase VI turbine placed in the large NASA Ames wind tunnel (IEA Task 20), and the Mexico turbine placed in the Large Low Speed Facility of the German Dutch Wind tunnel DNW (IEA Task 29). Other experimental programs with an important aerodynamic content are touched upon as well. Research areas for which these measurements have led to important progress are identified. The progress is illustrated with analyses on these experiments. It is shown that detailed aerodynamic measurements are an absolute necessity for the validation and improvement of wind turbine design codes, where it is also concluded that the amount of measurement data which has been produced until now is still far too limited.This article is categorized under:

Wind Power > Science and Materials
Toward automatic verification of quantum programs
Authors: Ying Mingsheng 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
This paper summarises the results obtained by the author and his collaborators in a program logic approach to the verification of quantum programs, including quantum Hoare logic, invariant generation and termination analysis for quantum programs. It also introduces the notion of proof outline and several auxiliary rules for more conveniently reasoning about quantum programs. Some problems for future research are proposed at the end of the paper.
Gray matter density reduction associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer
Authors: Chen Bihong T. , Jin Taihao , Patel Sunita K. , Ye Ningrong , Sun Can-Lan , Ma Huiyan , Rockne Russell C. , Root James C. , Saykin Andrew J. , Ahles Tim A. , Holodny Andrei I. , Prakash Neal , Mortimer Joanne , Waisman James , Yuan Yuan , Li Daneng , Somlo George , Vazquez Jessica , Levi Abrahm , Tan Heidi , Yang Richard , Katheria Vani , Hurria Arti 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in brain gray matter density (GMD) before and after adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer.

Methods
We recruited 16 women aged ≥ 60 years with stage I–III breast cancers receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). The CT group underwent brain MRI and the NIH Toolbox for Cognition testing prior to adjuvant chemotherapy (time point 1, TP1) and within 1 month after chemotherapy (time point 2, TP2). The HC group underwent the same assessments at matched intervals. GMD was evaluated with the voxel-based morphometry.

Results
The mean age was 67 years in the CT group and 68.5 years in the HC group. There was significant GMD reduction within the chemotherapy group from TP1 to TP2. Compared to the HC group, the CT group displayed statistically significantly greater GMD reductions from TP1 to TP2 in the brain regions involving the left anterior cingulate gyrus, right insula, and left middle temporal gyrus (pFWE(family-wise error)-corrected < 0.05). The baseline GMD in left insula was positively correlated with the baseline list-sorting working memory score in the HC group (pFWE-corrected < 0.05). No correlation was observed for the changes in GMD with the changes in cognitive testing scores from TP1 to TP2 (pFWE-corrected < 0.05).

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that GMD reductions were associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer. Future studies are needed to understand the clinical significance of the neuroimaging findings. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01992432).
“A SACRED TRUST FOR THE FUTURE”: REGULATING INSURANCE, 1800–70
Authors: Rawlings Philip 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe history of commercial law has often been written as if it were merely a product of the common law, disregarding the role played by legislation. The principal exception to this has been work on company law. Until recently, the prevailing view has been that the Companies Acts 1844–62 represented the triumph of the free market and the expulsion of the state from business. But, although these laws did make incorporation easier and granted companies privileges, what this view ignores is that they also imposed regulation, such as obligations to register the company and charges on its assets and to hold shareholder meetings. At the forefront of these legal changes were insurance companies. Yet, in spite of the proliferation of these companies and their role in, for example, the inquiry that led to the 1844 Act, they have been neglected. This may be because, while the successful campaign in 1824 to remove restrictions on access to the marine-insurance market would seem to support the view of legislation driven by free-market ideas, that explanation seems contradicted by the closing of access to the life-assurance market and the imposition of various obligations on life offices in 1870, a time when the liberalisation of company laws seemed at their peak. Neither development can, however, be so easily explained, and both show the effect of fierce divisions within the insurance industry.
Family status and later-life depression among older adults in urban Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Quashie Nekehia T. , Andrade Flavia C.D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRapid fertility declines in Latin American and Caribbean countries since the 1960s have contributed to smaller family sizes among the current cohorts of older adults. This may have mental health implications in these societies as the family unit is highly valued as a source of social support. Utilising data from the 2000 Survey of Health, Well-being and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (SABE), this study examines the association between parental status, marital status and the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms among adults 60 years and older in seven cities within Latin America and the Caribbean (N = 9,756): Buenos Aires, Bridgetown, São Paulo, Santiago, Havana, Mexico City and Montevideo. Results from multivariate logistic regressions indicate that parental status is not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, unmarried older adults, both those living alone and those living with others, are more vulnerable to experiencing depressive symptoms than their married counterparts. Marriage is especially protective for older adults in Havana and Montevideo. Older adults’ perceived income adequacy significantly moderates the relationship between marital status and depressive symptoms. Other significant covariates, such as experiencing disability and comorbidity, showed positive associations with depressive symptoms. While families may still represent a critical component for the mental health of older adults, broader investments in health across the lifespan are needed to improve individual psychological wellbeing.
Twelve shades of grey: encountering urban colour in the street in British provincial towns,c. 1945–1970
Authors: FAIRE LUCY , MCHUGH DENISE 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThis article examines the neglected sensory experience of visual physical colour in the city/town centre or what is now referred to as the Central Business District. It focuses on the post-war period when reconstruction, town planning, new architecture, novel materials and technologies, and investment were all transforming British city centres. The research uses film, photographs, planning documents, oral history and social media reminiscences to research the users’ experience of colour in the city centre streets. It argues that, although new materials in construction opened up the possibilities of bright, ‘non-natural’ colours in the urban built environment, the visual experience of colour was found mainly in the ephemera of everyday life. Furthermore, it argues that colour was an important component in constructing people's sense of place and belonging in the city.