bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanostructured high insulating autoclaved aerated concrete
Authors: Stumm Andreas , Schweike Uwe , Stemmermann Peter 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEfficient insulation for residential buildings is one of the keys for implementing an energy transition. The technology used for exterior walls is usually made by combining load‐bearing and difficult to recycle insulating components. For this reason, Celitement GmbH, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Xella Technology and Research have joined their forces to develop a high insulating AAC block, which is also resource efficient using the main components quick lime, sand, and water. The thermal conductivity of the AAC was reduced. Macropores formed in the conventional production process by hydrogen gas, diameter of approximately 1 mm, could be partially replaced by lightweight aggregates, with an average pore diameter of 50 nm. A process for producing lightweight aggregate, which is based on optimized, hydraulically active calcium hydro silicate binders (Celitement), was developed. The aggregate quantity in AAC could be raised to 40% by weight through optimizing formulation and mixing. This project, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, ended in 2017. Based on the results so far, it is worth pursuing this approach in the future, whereby the material properties of the CSH granules could be further improved to obtain the sought final AAC product.
Effect of carbonation on the performance of autoclaved aerated concrete
Authors: Łaskawiec Katarzyna , Woyciechowski Piotr 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAnthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect and represent a major concern for environmental protection. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere range from 0.03 to 0.3%. Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation are the main human activities that have led to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by making industrial use of the emitted carbon dioxide, notably in the production of construction products containing mineral binders. In the majority of published results of research on carbonation, the main focus of research was to examine the effect of carbonation on corrosion risk of reinforcement steel and the estimated service life of reinforced concrete structures. However, there are relatively few studies that analyze the effect of carbonation on matrices in composites based on mineral binders, including autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). This paper presents preliminary results of studies to determine the influence of carbonation on the specific qualities of AAC linked to its durability. Structural research will also be presented to determine the levels of CO2 absorption and the degree of carbonation of AAC.
Requirements for renders on modern autoclaved aerated concrete
Authors: Hartmann Andrea , Loderer Franz 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe development of modern autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) leads to high thermal insulating masonry. Over the last years the reduction of the thermal conductivity of masonry units has been reached by reducing the bulk density and partly reducing the strength properties. AAC masonry is covered with an external rendering system to resist weathering and also to determine the appearance of the building. The structure of rendering systems is mainly influenced by the composition and characteristics of the substrate on which it shall be applied and to resist properly the impact of weathering. Looking to the future of the development of modern AAC with the aim to improve the material properties, for example, the thermal insulation, render systems for these modern AAC products have to be developed. “Modern renders” have to orient to the special properties and behavior of such wall materials not only because of lower densities and lower strength but also regarding deformation behavior.
Size effect of monotonically sheared masonry walls made of AAC masonry units
Authors: Jasiński Radosław 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe paper presents results of shear tests on 13 walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry units. Four series of walls varying in length equal to l = 4.43, 2.95, 2.36, and 1.48 m, and an identical height of h = 2.43 m were made and tested. The thickness of all walls was identical and equal to t = 0.18 m. Compressive strength of material masonry units and mortar for thin joints was equal to fb = 4.0 N/mm2 and fm = 6.1 N/mm2. The wall compression strength (according to EN 1052‐1:2000) was fc,mv = 2.97 N/mm2 (fk = 2.48 N/mm2) and elastic modulus was Ecm = 2.040 N/mm2. Walls were tested at various initial compressive stresses perpendicular to the plane of support joints σc = 0.1, 0.75, and 1.00 N/mm2. Shear load was applied to the upper edge of walls in a monotonic manner, controlling the load increment. The morphology of cracking and the mechanism of destruction were analyzed. In addition, empirical dependencies were formulated to determine the effect of initial compressive stresses and the impact of wal thickness h/l.
Dissecting the Mechanism of Oligomerization and Macrocyclization Reactions of NRPS‐Independent Siderophore Synthetases
Authors: Rütschlin Sina , Böttcher Thomas 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMacrocyclic and linear hydroxamate siderophores produced by NRPS‐independent siderophore (NIS; NRPS=nonribosomal peptide synthetase) synthetases are important in the bacterial competition for iron, as virulence factors, and as drugs for medical use in humans. Despite their importance, the mechanistic details of NIS synthetases have so far remained obscure. Using synthetic substrate analogues as tools allowed for an interrogation of the mechanism of the two closely related NIS synthetases AvbD and DesD. While AvbD produces macrocyclic homo‐ and heterodimers as native products, DesD is responsible for the synthesis of trimeric desferrioxamines. These enzymes comprise two adjacent binding sites with different substrate selectivities, which direct oligomerization and macrocyclization steps. Exploiting this difference, synthetic substrates were used to invert the native affinities for the sites resulting in switching from trimerization to dimerization reactions for DesD. Based on this work, a comprehensive model explaining the mechanistic details of the reactions and the differences between trimerizing and dimerizing enzymes was developed. Finally, a DesD mutant demonstrated the tuneability of the enzyme's substrate selectivity by only minor changes in the protein sequence. This finding confirms the affinity‐directed mechanism responsible for the iterativity of oligomerization and macrocyclization steps.
The diffusion of corporate social responsibility through social network ties: From the perspective of strategic imitation
Authors: Zou Hailiang , Xie Xuemei , Meng Xiaohua , Yang Mengyu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDrawing on institutional and organizational learning theories, this study empirically investigates the imitation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) between firms tied by board interlocks, an important type of corporate social network tie. We propose a positive relationship between the CSR engagement of a focal firm and that of its tied‐to partners and examine how this relationship is moderated by the characteristics of both the focal and tied‐to firms. Using a sample of Chinese‐listed companies, empirical evidence is provided to show that a firm's engagement in symbolic CSR is in a positive relationship with that of its tied‐to partners; this relationship becomes stronger for smaller firms and those facing high uncertainty. Furthermore, when firms are linked to smaller firms, this relationship becomes more prominent. Our findings contribute to the CSR and social network literature, as well as the research on strategic imitation. Finally, implications for business management and government policy are discussed.
Murine eosinophil development and allergic lung eosinophilia are largely dependent on the signaling adaptor GRB2
Authors: Willebrand Ralf , Dietschmann Axel , Nitschke Lars , Krappmann Sven , Voehringer David 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEosinophils are innate effector cells associated with allergic inflammation. Their development and survival is largely dependent on IL‐5 and the common beta chain (βc) of the IL‐5 receptor that serves as docking site for several proteins that mediate down‐stream signaling cascades including JAK/STAT, PI3 kinase, NFκB, and RAS‐MAP kinase pathways. The relative contribution of these signaling pathways for eosinophil development and homeostasis in vivo are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of GRB2, an adaptor protein that binds to βc and other proteins and elicits the RAS‐MAP kinase pathway. By using GRB2 inhibitors and inducible deletion of the Grb2 gene in mouse eosinophils we demonstrate that GRB2 plays a critical role for development of eosinophils from bone marrow precursors. Furthermore, Aspergillus fumigatus‐induced allergic lung eosinophilia was significantly reduced in mice with induced genetic deletion of Grb2. Our results indicate that GRB2 is important for eosinophil development in steady‐state conditions and during allergic inflammation. Based on these findings pharmacologic GRB2 inhibitors may have the potential to dampen tissue eosinophilia in various eosinophil‐associated diseases.
Whole‐Exome Sequencing Study of Extreme Phenotypes of NAFLD
Authors: Kleinstein Sarah E. , Rein Matthew , Abdelmalek Manal F. , Guy Cynthia D. , Goldstein David B. , Mae Diehl Anna , Moylan Cynthia A. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a heterogeneous disease with highly variable outcomes. Patients with simple steatosis typically experience a benign course, whereas those with more advanced liver injury, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and advanced stage fibrosis suffer increased risk for complications such as cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and liver cancer. Genetic variants in patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3 (PNPLA3) and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) and clinical factors including diabetes, obesity, and older age increase a patient's risk for NASH, advanced fibrosis, and worse outcomes. Despite substantial investigation and identification of some common variants associated with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis, the genetics and functional mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify genetic variants by whole‐exome sequencing of NAFLD phenotypes to provide novel insights into mechanisms behind NAFLD pathogenesis and variability. We sequenced 82 patients with liver biopsy–confirmed NAFLD and 4455 population controls. NAFLD patients were divided into extreme phenotypes based on liver fibrosis stage and clinical risk factors to investigate rare variants that might predispose to or protect from advanced NAFLD fibrosis. We compared NAFLD extremes to each other and individually to population controls, exploring genetic variation at both the single‐variant and gene‐based level. We replicated known associations with PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 and advanced fibrosis, despite sample‐size limitations. We also observed enrichment of variation in distinct genes for progressor or protective NAFLD phenotypes, although these genes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: We report the first whole‐exome sequencing study of genetic variation in liver biopsy–confirmed NAFLD susceptibility and severity, using a small cohort of extreme NAFLD phenotypes and a large cohort of population controls.
Designing interoperable health information systems using Enterprise Architecture approach in resource‐limited countries: A literature review
Authors: Higman Susan , Dwivedi Vikas , Nsaghurwe Alpha , Busiga Moses , Sotter Rulagirwa Hermes , Smith Dasha , Wright Chris , Nyinondi Ssanyu , Nyella Edwin 
Published: September 2018

SummaryBackgroundEnterprise Architecture (EA) integrates business and technical processes in health information systems (HIS). Low‐income and middle‐income countries (LMIC) use EA to combine management components with disease tracking and health care service monitoring. Using an EA approach differs by country, addressing specific needs.MethodsArticles in this review referenced EA, were peer‐reviewed or gray literature reports published in 2010 to 2016 in English, and were identified using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.ResultsFourteen articles described EA use in LMICs. India, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, and Rwanda reported building the system to meet country needs and implement a cohesive HIS framework. Jordan and Taiwan focused on specific HIS aspects, ie, disease surveillance and electronic medical records. Five studies informed the context. The Millennium Villages Project employed a “uniform but contextualized” approach to guide systems in 10 countries; Malaysia, Indonesia, and Tanzania used interviews and mapping of existing components to improve HIS, and Namibia used of Activity Theory to identify technology‐associated activities to better understand EA frameworks. South Africa, Burundi, Kenya, and Democratic Republic of Congo used EA to move from paper‐based to electronic systems.ConclusionsFour themes emerged: the importance of multiple sectors and data sources, the need for interoperability, the ability to incorporate system flexibility, and the desirability of open group models, data standards, and software. Themes mapped to EA frameworks and operational components and to health system building blocks and goals. Most articles focused on processes rather than outcomes, as countries are engaged in implementation.
Migratory, metabolic and functional alterations of fibrocytes in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Walker Audrey , Nissen Erwin , Geiger Adolf 
Published: September 2018

SUMMARYFibrocytes are bloodborne mesenchymal progenitor cells that are recruited to injured tissue sites and contribute to the repair process by acquiring a myofibroblast‐like phenotype and producing extracellular matrix components and growth factors. Treatment with normal fibrocytes or their exosomes restores the ability of genetically diabetic mice to heal skin wounds, suggesting the existence of dysfunctional alterations in diabetic fibrocytes. This study compared the migratory, metabolic and functional characteristics of fibrocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DPs) and healthy controls (HCs). It was found that the frequency of these cells was abnormally low in the peripheral blood of T2DPs. Diabetic fibrocytes showed reduced expression of the C‐X‐C motif and C‐C motif chemokine receptors (CXCR)4, (CCR)5, and CCR7, and demonstrated reduced migration in response to their ligands (CXCL)12, (CCL)5, and CCL21. They exhibited increased expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end product, suppression of the alternative AGE receptor 1, increased intracellular concentrations of AGEs, decreased expression of sirtuin‐1 and elevated oxidative stress. In short‐term cultures, fibrocytes from T2DPs released larger amounts of proinflammatory cytokines than those from HCs. Unlike normal fibrocytes, diabetic fibrocytes did not exhibit increased expression of type I collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin on stimulation with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and this abnormal response was associated with downregulation of TGF‐β1 type II receptor on the cell surface. Study findings uncover multiple migratory and functional alterations of diabetic fibrocytes that may contribute to explain why T2DPs experience impaired wound healing and chronic ulcers. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(11):1122–1132, 2018
Brazilin induces T24 cell death through c‐Fos and GADD45β independently regulated genes and pathways
Authors: Zhang Tingting , He Jiao , Zhang Shuaina , Wang Guangying , Ma Enbo , Wang Jianbing , Yang Xihua , Zheng Yaowu , Zhang Jianzhen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurified Brazilin from Sappan wood extract has been reported with significant antitumor effect, especially on human T24 cells and bladder cancer mouse models. Brazilin can significantly induce expression of c‐Fos and GADD45β and transfection expression of c‐Fos and GADD45β in T24 cells can induce significant cell morphology changes, reduced viability and cell death, while transfection of siRNA‐c‐Fos and siRNA‐GADD45β can reverse the induced cell death. Co‐transfection of both c‐Fos and GADD45β into T24 cells resulted in a significantly additive effect when compared to single transfection with only c‐Fos or GADD45β. Meanwhile, transfection of interfering siRNA‐c‐Fos or siRNA‐GADD45β can partially rescue the cell viability and siRNA co‐transfection showed increased rescue rate. The transfection expression and interference with pcDNA3.1‐c‐Fos/siRNA‐c‐Fos or pcDNA3.1‐GADD45β/siRNA‐GADD45β did not affect each other's expression. Moreover, analysis of c‐Fos and GADD45β regulated genes and signal pathways showed that no common regulated genes or pathways were present. All the results indicated that c‐Fos and GADD45β mediate independent Brazilin‐inducible genes and pathways. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(11):1101–1110, 2018
Wear at the taper‐trunnion junction of contemporary ceramic‐on‐ceramic hips shown in a multistation hip simulator
Authors: Bhalekar Rohan M. , Smith Simon L. , Joyce Thomas J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCeramic‐on‐ceramic (CoC) total hip replacements (THR) have a substantially lower wear rate than metal‐on‐polyethylene (MoP) hips, as shown by hip simulator testing. However, the revision rates of CoC and MoP hips are comparable. To try and explain this discrepancy the wear, at both the bearing surfaces and taper‐trunnion interface of 36 mm BIOLOXdelta CoC THRs, mounted on 12/14 titanium (Ti6Al4V) trunnions was investigated using a hip simulator (n = 3) and a dynamically loaded CoC sample in a separate test station. Wear was assessed gravimetrically and surface roughness measurements of the articulating and taper surfaces taken at regular intervals. Scanning electron microscopy, surface roughness, and gravimetric measurements of trunnions was performed. After 5 million cycles, the mean total wear from the ceramic articulating surfaces was 0.25 mm3 from the hip simulator test, and that from the titanium trunnions was 0.29 mm3. This metal wear may provide an explanation for adverse reaction to metal debris found in contemporary CoC hip joints. It is therefore vital to consider taper‐trunnion wear in preclinical testing of artificial hip joints. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1199–1209, 2019.
Inflammatory markers in women with postpartum depressive symptoms
Authors: Bränn Emma , Fransson Emma , White Richard A. , Papadopoulos Fotios C. , Edvinsson Åsa , Kamali‐Moghaddam Masood , Cunningham Janet L. , Sundström‐Poromaa Inger , Skalkidou Alkistis 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPostpartum depression (PPD) is a devastating disorder affecting not only more than 10% of all women giving birth, but also the baby, the family, and the society. Compiling evidence suggests the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of major depression; yet, the immune response in perinatal depression is not as well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in peripheral levels of inflammatory biomarkers in 169 Swedish women with and without depressive symptoms according to the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale or the M.I.N.I neuropsychiatric interview at eight weeks postpartum. Among the 70 markers analyzed with multiplex proximity extension assay, five were significantly elevated in women with postpartum depressive symptoms in the adjusted LASSO logistic regression analysis: Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member (TRANCE) (OR‐per 1 SD increase = 1.20), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (OR = 1.17) Interleukin (IL)‐18 (OR = 1.06), Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF‐23) (OR = 1.25), and C‐X‐C motif chemokine 1 (CXCL1) (OR 1.11). These results indicate that women with PPD have elevated levels of some inflammatory biomarkers. It is, therefore, plausible that PPD is associated with a compromised adaptability of the immune system.
Soil salinity prediction and mapping by machine learning regression in Central Mesopotamia, Iraq
Authors: Wu Weicheng , Zucca Claudio , Muhaimeed Ahmad S. , Al‐Shafie Waleed M. , Fadhil Al‐Quraishi Ayad M. , Nangia Vinay , Zhu Minqiang , Liu Guangping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSoil salinization affects crop production and food security. Mapping spatial distribution and severity of salinity is essential for agricultural management and development. This study was aimed to test the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms for soil salinity mapping taking the Mussaib area in Central Mesopotamia as an example. A combined dataset consisting of Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and ALOS L‐band radar data acquired at the same time was used for fulfilling the task. Relevant biophysical indicators were derived from the TM images, and the soil component was retrieved by removing the vegetation contribution from the L‐band radar backscattering coefficients. Field‐measured salinity at the three corner plots of triangles were averaged to represent the salinity of these triangular areas. These averaged plots were converted into raster by either direct rasterization or buffering‐based rasterization into different cell size to create the training set (TS). One of the three triangle corners was randomly selected to constitute a validation set (VS). Using this TS, the support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression (RFR) algorithms were then applied to the combined dataset for salinity prediction. Results revealed that RFR performed better than SVR with higher accuracy (93.4–94.2% vs. 85.2–89.4%) and less normalized root mean square error (NRMSE; 6.10–7.69% vs. 10.29–10.52%) when calibrated with both TS and VS. In comparison, prediction by multivariate linear regression (MLR) achieved in our previous study using the same datasets also showed less NRMSE than SVR. Hence, both RFR and MLR are recommended for soil salinity mapping.
Relevance of time‐dependence for clinically viable diffusion imaging of the spinal cord
Authors: Grussu Francesco , Ianuş Andrada , Tur Carmen , Prados Ferran , Schneider Torben , Kaden Enrico , Ourselin Sébastien , Drobnjak Ivana , Zhang Hui , Alexander Daniel C. , Gandini Wheeler‐Kingshott Claudia A. M. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTime‐dependence is a key feature of the diffusion‐weighted (DW) signal, knowledge of which informs biophysical modelling. Here, we study time‐dependence in the human spinal cord, as its axonal structure is specific and different from the brain.MethodsWe run Monte Carlo simulations using a synthetic model of spinal cord white matter (WM) (large axons), and of brain WM (smaller axons). Furthermore, we study clinically feasible multi‐shell DW scans of the cervical spinal cord (b = 0; b = 711 s mm−2; b = 2855 s mm−2), obtained using three diffusion times (Δ of 29, 52 and 76 ms) from three volunteers.ResultsBoth intra‐/extra‐axonal perpendicular diffusivities and kurtosis excess show time‐dependence in our synthetic spinal cord model. This time‐dependence is reflected mostly in the intra‐axonal perpendicular DW signal, which also exhibits strong decay, unlike our brain model. Time‐dependence of the total DW signal appears detectable in the presence of noise in our synthetic spinal cord model, but not in the brain. In WM in vivo, we observe time‐dependent macroscopic and microscopic diffusivities and diffusion kurtosis, NODDI and two‐compartment SMT metrics. Accounting for large axon calibers improves fitting of multi‐compartment models to a minor extent.ConclusionsTime‐dependence of clinically viable DW MRI metrics can be detected in vivo in spinal cord WM, thus providing new opportunities for the non‐invasive estimation of microstructural properties. The time‐dependence of the perpendicular DW signal may feature strong intra‐axonal contributions due to large spinal axon caliber. Hence, a popular model known as “stick” (zero‐radius cylinder) may be sub‐optimal to describe signals from the largest spinal axons.