bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal of hazardous trace elements from green liquor dregs by mechanical separation methods
Authors: Kinnarinen Teemu , Golmaei Mohammad , Jernström Eeva , Häkkinen Antti 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Green liquor dregs represent the most important inorganic residue of chemical pulp mills. The dregs are usually settled in thickeners, washed and deliquored with lime mud precoat filters, and transported to the landfill. The utilization of dregs is challenging, due to the high concentration of hazardous trace elements (HTE) in their solid phase. There are basically two potential strategies for the reduction of the HTE content of dregs: mechanical classification according to differences in the size and density of particles, and removal of HTE by various chemical treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of straightforward mechanical separation methods for the purification of dregs from HTE. The evaluated separation methods included particle size–based classification by sieving, and classification on the basis of differences in the settling properties of particles in gravitational and centrifugal separation. It can be concluded that all the evaluated separation methods could be used to reduce the HTE content of dregs, although the separation efficiency was not very high in most cases. Centrifugation had clearly the best performance of the investigated techniques. The fractions consisting of large particles contained consistently lower concentrations of HTE, compared to fractions containing a lot of fines.
The Effect of Sociodemographic Factors on the Patient Satisfaction with Health Care System
Authors: Djordjevic Ivana Mitrovic , Vasiljevic Dragan 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The goal of this paper is to determine the level of patient satisfaction with health care among adults in the Republic of Serbia and to analyze the correlation between the satisfaction and socio-demographic characteristics of the interviewees. The paper is based on the data provided by the National health survey of the Republic of Serbia. For the purposes of this paper, we used data on age and household of the people aged 19 and more. By eliminating the interviewees who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the health care services, we obtained the sample containing 18.206 interviewees. Demographic characteristics and well-being index represented independent variables in the research. Dependent variable of the patient satisfaction was transformed into a binary variable by categorizing satisfied and very satisfied interviewees into one group and by placing dissatisfied and very dissatisfied interviewees into group of dissatisfied patients. The connection between satisfaction and predictors was examined using Chi-Square test and logistic regression. The percentage of the satisfied patients with health care was 72.9%. The satisfaction level was directly connected to age, gender, marital status, employment, region the interviewee comes from and well-being index. Patients who were more satisfied included older people, women, as well as married people, the unemployed and those living in the cities. The analysis of the financial situation shows that the poorest interviewees were the most satisfied with health care.
Appropriate Method of Determination of Coefficient of Consolidation for Municipal Solid Waste
Authors: Naveen B. P. , Sivapullaiah P. V. , Sitharam T. G. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
To predict the rate of settlement of municipal solid waste specimens (MSW), it is essential to estimate the value of the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) using laboratory consolidation test results. Literature suggests that the various empirical curve-fitting methods used for assessing Cv are Casagrande’s logarithm of time fitting method and Taylor’s square root of time fitting method for the same test data. Both methods are derived from the time factor and degree of consolidation (T–U) relationship and corresponding laboratory time–compression (T–δ) relationship. For different types of wastes and loading conditions, the shapes of curves vary considerably, and the validity of these approaches is not established. In all these cases, the estimation of the Cv poses a serious problem. To overcome the above difficulties, the rectangular hyperbola method is used, in this article, to determine the Cv by U–T or t versus δ relationship. Earlier, this method was used for different coefficient of consolidation values of time for completion of different percentages of consolidation. It is found that the calculated values of Cv are found to be more reliable when the time for 60 % of consolidation is taken. The estimated Cv values from the rectangular hyperbola method lie between the existing standard methods of Casagrande’s and Taylor’s. The rectangular hyperbola method is simple and can be used for all shapes of time–compression curves, and the specific advantage of this method is that the initial compression need not be known and is devised to separate the initial, primary, and secondary compression for any load increment.
An Underwater Plate Load Testing for the Sand Compaction Pile Ground at Island-Tunnel Conversion Area
Authors: Wang Yan-ning , Zhang Qiang , Jiang Bin-song 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The sand compaction pile (SCP) method is a widely used ground improvement technique, especially in offshore engineering. The thick, soft marine clay in Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge was reinforced using this method at its island-tunnel conversion area. A large-scale plate loading test was conducted to evaluate the bearing capacity and deformability of the SCP composite ground. An improved settlement result was obtained by utilizing a high-sensitivity liquid level sensor system underwater. The research results showed that the stress concentration ratio of the SCP composite ground was closely related to the load level, which decreased when the load level increased. When the stress stayed constant, the ratio was found to reduce gradually to a certain value. Three computing theories were discussed in the bearing capacity calculation of the SCP composite ground. The results calculated by the Hughes and Withers method were more consistent with the field experimental results. For the settlement calculation, it was found that the results were closer to the experiment results calculated by Aboshi’s first empirical formula. The experiment results differed greatly when calculated by Aboshi’s second empirical formula and the modified method proposed by Ahn and Kim. The study may provide some useful data for marine SCP composite ground designs and underwater field testing techniques.
Examining Stress Relaxation in a Dissimilar Metal Weld Subjected to Postweld Heat Treatment
Authors: Abburi Venkata K. , Khayatzadeh S. , Achouri A. , de Oliveira J. Araujo , Forsey A. N. , Gungor S. , Bouchard P. J. , Truman C. E. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Dissimilar metal welds are often required in nuclear power plants to join components made from austenitic steels to those from ferritic steels, particularly in fast breeder reactor plants, in order to join the intermediate heat exchanger to the steam generator. The process of welding alters the microstructure of the base materials and causes residual stresses to form, both because of the change in the microstructure and the differing thermal histories in various regions. Postweld heat treatment (PWHT) is required to relieve the residual stresses and achieve preferable microstructural gradients across the weld joint. Therefore, in order to arrive at the optimal PWHT process, it is necessary to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the joint integrity, microstructure, and residual stress relaxation in the welds. To investigate the effect of PWHT on the residual stress relaxation and corresponding alteration of microstructure across a welded joint, a dissimilar weld between modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and austenitic stainless steel AISI 316LN was made using autogenous electron beam welding. To achieve this, the welding process was first modeled numerically using finite element analysis, and the residual stress predictions were validated by experimental investigation using neutron diffraction. The validated model was then used to study the residual stress relaxation through the simulation of PWHT. The predicted stress relaxation was compared with contour method measurement of residual stresses in the actual welded plate subjected to PWHT. The results indicate that, although some relaxation of residual stresses occurred during PWHT, there is still a significant portion of highly localized residual stresses left in the specimen.
Transneuronal Downregulation of the Premotor Cholinergic System After Corticospinal Tract Loss
Authors: Jiang Yu-Qiu , Sarkar Adrish , Amer Alzahraa , Martin John H. 
Published: July 2018

Injury to the supraspinal motor systems, especially the corticospinal tract, leads to movement impairments. In addition to direct disruption of descending motor pathways, spinal motor circuits that are distant to and not directly damaged by the lesion undergo remodeling that contributes significantly to the impairments. Knowing which spinal circuits are remodeled and the underlying mechanisms are critical for understanding the functional changes in the motor pathway and for developing repair strategies. Here, we target spinal premotor cholinergic interneurons (IN) that directly modulate motoneuron excitability via their cholinergic C-bouton terminals. Using a model of unilateral medullary corticospinal tract lesion in male rats, we found transneuronal downregulation of the premotor cholinergic pathway. Phagocytic microglial cells were upregulated in parallel with cholinergic pathway downregulation and both were blocked by minocycline, a microglia activation inhibitor. Additionally, we found a transient increase in interneuronal complement protein C1q expression that preceded cell loss. 3D reconstructions showed ongoing phagocytosis of C1q-expressing cholinergic INs by microglia 3 d after injury, which was complete by 10 d after injury. Unilateral motor cortex inactivation using the GABAAreceptor agonist muscimol replicated the changes detected at 3 d after lesion, indicating activity dependence. The neuronal loss after the lesion was rescued by increasing spinal activity using cathodaltrans-spinal direct current stimulation. Our finding of activity-dependent modulation of cholinergic premotor INs after CST injury provides the mechanistic insight that maintaining activity, possibly during a critical period, helps to protect distant motor circuits from further damage and, as a result, may improve motor functional recovery and rehabilitation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSupraspinal injury to the motor system disrupts descending motor pathways, leading to movement impairments. Whether and how intrinsic spinal circuits are remodeled after a brain injury is unclear. Using a rat model of unilateral corticospinal tract lesion in the medulla, we show activity-dependent, transneuronal downregulation of the spinal premotor cholinergic system, which is mediated by microglial phagocytosis, possibly involving a rapid and transient increase in neuronal C1q before neuronal loss. Spinal cord neuromodulation after injury to augment spinal activity rescued the premotor cholinergic system. Our findings provide the mechanistic insight that maintaining activity, possibly during an early critical period, could protect distant motor circuits from further damage mediated by microglia and interneuronal complement protein and improve motor functional outcomes.
BGGE: A New Package for Genomic-Enabled Prediction Incorporating Genotype × Environment Interaction Models
Authors: Granato Italo , Cuevas Jaime , Luna-Vázquez Francisco , Crossa Jose , Montesinos-López Osval , Burgueño Juan , Fritsche-Neto Roberto 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
One of the major issues in plant breeding is the occurrence of genotype × environment (GE) interaction. Several models have been created to understand this phenomenon and explore it. In the genomic era, several models were employed to improve selection by using markers and account for GE interaction simultaneously. Some of these models use special genetic covariance matrices. In addition, the scale of multi-environment trials is getting larger, and this increases the computational challenges. In this context, we propose an R package that, in general, allows building GE genomic covariance matrices and fitting linear mixed models, in particular, to a few genomic GE models. Here we propose two functions: one to prepare the genomic kernels accounting for the genomic GE and another to perform genomic prediction using a Bayesian linear mixed model. A specific treatment is given for sparse covariance matrices, in particular, to block diagonal matrices that are present in some GE models in order to decrease the computational demand. In empirical comparisons with Bayesian Genomic Linear Regression (BGLR), accuracies and the mean squared error were similar; however, the computational time was up to five times lower than when using the classic approach. Bayesian Genomic Genotype × Environment Interaction (BGGE) is a fast, efficient option for creating genomic GE kernels and making genomic predictions.
Transcriptome Analysis of Four Arabidopsis thaliana Mediator Tail Mutants Reveals Overlapping and Unique Functions in Gene Regulation
Authors: Dolan Whitney L , Chapple Clint 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The Mediator complex is a central component of transcriptional regulation in Eukaryotes. The complex is structurally divided into four modules known as the head, middle, tail and kinase modules, and in Arabidopsis thaliana, comprises 28-34 subunits. Here, we explore the functions of four Arabidopsis Mediator tail subunits, MED2, MED5a/b, MED16, and MED23, by comparing the impact of mutations in each on the Arabidopsis transcriptome. We find that these subunits affect both unique and overlapping sets of genes, providing insight into the functional and structural relationships between them. The mutants primarily exhibit changes in the expression of genes related to biotic and abiotic stress. We find evidence for a tissue specific role for MED23, as well as in the production of alternative transcripts. Together, our data help disentangle the individual contributions of these MED subunits to global gene expression and suggest new avenues for future research into their functions.
Developmental Bias and Evolution: A Regulatory Network Perspective
Authors: Uller Tobias , Moczek Armin P , Watson Richard A , Brakefield Paul M , Laland Kevin N 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA recurrent theme in evolutionary biology is to contrast natural selection and developmental constraint – two forces pitted against each other as competing explanations for organismal form. Despite its popularity, this juxtaposition is deeply misleading....Phenotypic variation is generated by the processes of development, with some variants arising more readily than others—a phenomenon known as “developmental bias.” Developmental bias and natural selection have often been portrayed as alternative explanations, but this is a false dichotomy: developmental bias can evolve through natural selection, and bias and selection jointly influence phenotypic evolution. Here, we briefly review the evidence for developmental bias and illustrate how it is studied empirically. We describe recent theory on regulatory networks that explains why the influence of genetic and environmental perturbation on phenotypes is typically not uniform, and may even be biased toward adaptive phenotypic variation. We show how bias produced by developmental processes constitutes an evolving property able to impose direction on adaptive evolution and influence patterns of taxonomic and phenotypic diversity. Taking these considerations together, we argue that it is not sufficient to accommodate developmental bias into evolutionary theory merely as a constraint on evolutionary adaptation. The influence of natural selection in shaping developmental bias, and conversely, the influence of developmental bias in shaping subsequent opportunities for adaptation, requires mechanistic models of development to be expanded and incorporated into evolutionary theory. A regulatory network perspective on phenotypic evolution thus helps to integrate the generation of phenotypic variation with natural selection, leaving evolutionary biology better placed to explain how organisms adapt and diversify.
“REPERTORIO AMERICANO”, INTELECTUALES Y MEDIO AMBIENTE (1919-1929)
Authors: Urbina Gaitán Chester 
Published: July 2018

Repertorio Americano publicó entre 1919 y 1929 un conjunto de escritos que brindan una percepción alternativa a la visión utilitarista capitalista sobre la naturaleza y el Medio Ambiente. En general, los textos emitidos enfatizan la dependencia del ser humano de la naturaleza, la necesidad de enseñar sobre este tema en la educación primaria, el nivel espiritual superior que tiene la naturaleza – principalmente el árbol – frente a la sociedad humana, la visión socialista de que los intereses de la tierra están primero; en ella reside la verdadera democracia, aparte de que los recursos naturales no se pueden privatizar ya que pertenecen a todo el género humano. Además, se relaciona la naturaleza con el mundo espiritual y el daño que se le haga a esta se devolverá en la destrucción del ser humano.
The Association Between Common Clinical Characteristics and Postoperative Morbidity and Overall Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Wenli , Qdaisat Aiham , Yeung Jason , Lopez Gabriel , Weinberg Jeffrey , Zhou Shouhao , Cohen Lorenzo , Bruera Eduardo , Yeung Sai-Ching J. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
The impact of noncancerous factors on the morbidity and mortality of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has not been well studied. Using a large surgical cohort, we examined the association between multiple clinical characteristics and postoperative morbidities and survival in patients with GBM.

Materials and Methods
The study included 404 consecutive GBM patients who underwent initial tumor resection at MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. Data about clinical characteristics, treatments, and postoperative complications were collected. The associations between clinical parameters and postoperative complications and survival were analyzed.

Results
Charlson Comorbidity Index was positively related to a higher incidence of postoperative total (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20; p = .002) and neurological (OR = 1.18; p = .011) complications. Preoperative systolic blood pressure (SBp) over 140 mmHg was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 4.42; p = .039) and longer hospital stay (OR = 2.48; p = .015). Greater postoperative fluctuation of SBp (OR = 1.14; p = .025) and blood glucose (mmol/L; OR = 1.48; p = .023) were related to a higher incidence of neurological complications, whereas higher postoperative blood glucose (OR = 0.64; p &lt; .001) was related to a lower incidence. Long-term lower SBp (&lt;124 mmHg; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.47; p = .010) and higher blood glucose (HR = 1.12; p &lt; .001) were associated with shorter survival. Long-term serum albumin level (g/dL; HR = 0.32; p &lt; .001) was positively associated with survival.

Conclusion
Short-term SBp and blood glucose levels and fluctuations are associated with postoperative complications in GBM patients. Their long-term optimization may impact survival of these patients. Future clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefit of optimizing medical comorbidities on GBM patients' outcomes.

Implications for Practice
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most feared cancer diagnoses because of its limited survival and treatment. This study revealed significant associations of noncancerous factors on the morbidity and mortality of GBM. The complexity of medical comorbidities, as well as short-term postoperative levels and fluctuations of blood pressure and blood glucose, was associated with postoperative complications, but not overall survival. However, long-term levels of these common clinical parameters were significantly associated with survival. Optimization of medical conditions may be critical for reducing the morbidity and mortality of GBM patients. Future clinical trials are needed to validate the observed associations in an independent cohort.
MicroRNA-214-3p in the Kidney Contributes to the Development of Hypertension
Authors: Liu Yong , Usa Kristie , Wang Feng , Liu Pengyuan , Geurts Aron M. , Li Junhui , Williams Anna Marie , Regner Kevin R. , Kong Yiwei , Liu Han , Nie Jing , Liang Mingyu 
Published: July 2018

Background
In spite of extensive study, the mechanisms for salt sensitivity of BP in humans and rodent models remain poorly understood. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been associated with hypertension, but few have been shown to contribute to its development.

Methods
We examined miRNA expression profiles in human kidney biopsy samples and rat models using small RNA deep sequencing. To inhibit an miRNA specifically in the kidney in conscious, freely moving rats, we placed indwelling catheters to allow both renal interstitial administration of a specific anti-miR and measurement of BP. A rat with heterozygous disruption of the gene encoding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was developed. We used bioinformatic analysis to evaluate the relationship between 283 BP-associated human single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1870 human miRNA precursors, as well as other molecular and cellular methods.

Results
Compared with salt-insensitive SS.13BN26 rats, Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats showed an upregulation of miR-214-3p, encoded by a gene in the SS.13BN26 congenic region. Kidney-specific inhibition of miR-214-3p significantly attenuated salt-induced hypertension and albuminuria in SS rats. miR-214-3p directly targeted eNOS. The effect of miR-214-3p inhibition on hypertension and albuminuria was abrogated in SS rats with heterozygous loss of eNOS. Human kidney biopsy specimens from patients with hypertension or hypertensive nephrosclerosis showed upregulation of miR-214-3p; the gene encoding miR-214-3p was one of several differentially expressed miRNA genes located in proximity to human BP-associated SNPs.

Conclusions
Renal miR-214-3p plays a functional and potentially genetic role in the development of hypertension, which might be mediated in part by targeting eNOS.