bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential intra-specific stemflow funnelling efficiencies of Caragana korshinskii within arid desert ecosystems
Authors: Zhang Ya-feng , Wang Xin-ping , Hu Rui , Pan Yan-xia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractStemflow is known as a highly localized point input of rainwater and solutes around tree/shrub bases where roots are concentrated, thus having considerable effects on hydrology and biogeochemistry of vegetated ecosystems. Stemflow shows a pronounced inter-specific variation due to morphological differences among species, while the intra-specific variation of stemflow has been poorly explored. We systematically examined the effects of shrub morphological metrics on intra-specific funnelling efficiencies by quantifying the stemflow of nine shrubs of Caragana korshinskii within a water-limited arid desert ecosystem of northern China. Stemflow volume was used to compare the absolute amount of stemflow generated by shrubs of varying size, and funnelling ratio was used to assess their funnelling efficiencies. Both rainfall depth and shrub morphological metrics significantly affected stemflow volume, while funnelling ratio was more associated with shrub morphology. Under the same rainfall condition, smaller shrubs produced lower volumes of stemflow, while gaining access to rainfall via higher funnelling ratio than larger shrubs. Our findings highlight a large variation in funnelling efficiency among individual shrubs within the same species, and in particular, smaller shrubs might profit more from sporadic small rainfall events than larger shrubs.
Optimalisasi Strategi Bisnis Tower Sharing
Authors: Simbar Veronika 
Published: March 2017

Persaingan industri bisnis telekomunikasi khususnya layanan TowerSharing yang semakin ketat seiring dengan munculnya pendatangpendatangbaru dalam industri ini, ditambah dengan variasi permintaandari klien, mengharuskan PT. Protelindo sebagai perusahan TowerProvider untuk melakukan optimalisasi strategi bisnis, dengan caramengidentifikasi posisi perusahan terhadap industri; pencapaian apa sajayang telah diperoleh dan yang belum, faktor apa yang kemudianmenjadi penghambat serta langkah apa yang bisa ditempuh untukoptimalisasi dimaksud. Untuk mendukung tujuan analisa tersebutdigunakan Porter Five Forces dan IE Matriks sebagai alat filterisasiMASUKAN untuk mengetahui posisi perusahan, selanjutnya AnalisaSWOT, Matriks BCG dan Strategi Besar yang digunakan sebagai alatuntuk PENCOCOKAN, mencari rekomendasi rekomendasi strategistrategiyang sesuai dengan hasil identifikasi awal, dan untuk tahapanKEPUTUSANnya sendiri digunakan Matriks Perencanaan StrategiKuantitatif, dimana diperoleh Penetrasi Pasar sebagai strategi bisnisyang paling tepat untuk diimplementasikan saat ini oleh PT. Protelindodengan cara meningkatkan promosi, pendekatan ke klien, dan membuat diferensiasi layanan.
Association Between Diabetes and 1-Year Adverse Clinical Outcomes in a Multinational Cohort of Ambulatory Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Results From the ESC-HFA Heart Failure Long-Term Registry
Authors: Dauriz Marco , Targher Giovanni , Laroche Cécile , Temporelli Pier Luigi , Ferrari Roberto , Anker Stephan , Coats Andrew , Filippatos Gerasimos , Crespo-Leiro Maria , Mebazaa Alexandre , Piepoli Massimo F. , Maggioni Aldo P. , Tavazzi Luigi ,   for the ESC-HFA Heart Failure Long-Term Registry
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE
Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Because the prevalence of diabetes is rising worldwide and chronic heart failure (CHF) is becoming increasingly common with the aging population, it is timely to examine the impact of diabetes per se on 1-year adverse outcomes in patients with CHF.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We prospectively assessed whether diabetes status independently affected the 1-year risk of all-cause and CVD mortality and first hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HF) in a multinational cohort of 9,428 outpatients with CHF enrolled in the European Society of Cardiology and Heart Failure Association Long-Term Registry.

RESULTS
Compared with those patients without diabetes, patients with diabetes (n = 3,440, 36.5%) had higher cumulative rates of 1-year all-cause death (9.4% vs. 7.2%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.28; 95% CI 1.07–1.54), CVD death (4.8% vs. 3.8%; adjusted HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99–1.66), and HF hospitalization (13.8% vs. 9.3%; adjusted HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17–1.60), all independent of age, sex, BMI, smoking, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, HF etiology, left ventricular ejection fraction, hypertension, statin use, and prior stroke or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among CHF patients with HbA1c measurements available at baseline (n = 2,567), there was a significant and independent association between increasing HbA1c levels and the risk of 1-year survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS
The presence of diabetes markedly increases the risk of 1-year adverse clinical outcomes in outpatients with CHF independent of multiple common risk factors. More effective and personalized treatment for diabetes should be considered in this particularly high-risk patient population.
Microleakage and Shear Bond Strength of Composite Restorations Under Cycling Conditions
Authors: Zanatta RF , Lungova M , Borges AB , Torres CRG , Sydow H-G , Wiegand A 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARY
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage and shear bond strength of composite restorations under different cycling conditions.
Methods and Materials: Class V cavities were prepared in the buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 human molars (n=60). A further 60 molars were used to prepare flat enamel and dentin specimens (n=60 each). Cavities and specimens were divided into six groups and pretreated with an adhesive (self-etch/Clearfil SE Bond or etch-and-rinse/Optibond FL). Composite was inserted in the cavities or adhered to the specimens' surfaces, respectively, and submitted to cycling (control: no cycling; thermal cycling: 10,000 cycles, 5°C to 55°C; thermal/erosive cycling: thermal cycling plus storage in hydrochloric acid pH 2.1, 5 minutes, 6×/day, 8 days). Microleakage was quantified by stereomicroscopy in enamel and dentin margins after immersion in silver nitrate. Specimens were submitted to shear bond strength testing. Statistical analysis was done by two-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p&lt;0.05).
Results: Microleakage in enamel margins was significantly lower in the control group compared with thermal cycling or thermal/erosive cycling. Erosive conditions increased microleakage compared with thermal cycling (significant only for Clearfil SE Bond). No significant differences were observed in dentin margins. Bond strength of enamel specimens was reduced by thermal cycling and thermal/erosive cycling when Clearfil SE Bond was used and only by thermal/erosive cycling when Optibond FL was used. No differences were observed among dentin specimens.
Conclusions: Thermal/erosive cycling can adversely affect microleakage and shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to enamel.
Coordination Spheres Effect On RecompositionAtoms In AB Alloys
Authors: Ali Abdulhalim Kh. , AL-Rubaiee A. A. , Abdulsttar Marwah M. 
Published: March 2017

This study focused on the variation of the long-range order parameters with temperature for nine coordination spheres. The computer simulation results showed several mechanismsof atoms disordering. These mechanisms are represented in: (Substitution point defect, Clusters and Segregations, Micro domain, Antiphase order and Antiphase boundaries. As the number of coordination spheres increase, the interatomic interaction increase with a decrease in the ordered phase stability. In the initial stages of the computer simulation two phases in the alloy is found, an ordered phase of long-range order and ordered phase of antiphase domain. In final stages an ordered phase of short –range order is found.
Evaluation of residual stresses present in spirally welded API grade pipeline steel using the hole drilling method
Authors: Baig Muneer , Khan Sohail M. A. , Rayes Magdy M. El , Seikh Asiful Hossain 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The mechanical and microstructural characterization of a material prior to its installation for the desired service is imperative to avoid material or structural failures. Of the several mechanical properties affecting the performance of a material, the residual stresses (RS) constitute an integral part of the material property and arise mostly during the manufacturing processes. They can be either beneficial or detrimental to material performance depending on their nature and magnitude. In this study, the microhardness, the tensile and the nature and magnitude of RS present in the weldment zones, base material (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld nugget (WN) of spiral welded (SWP) API grade line pipe steel, were determined. The microhardness and tensile responses were observed to have significant demarcation depending on the location where examined. The RS were measured using a nondestructive X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a semidestructive hole drilling (HD) technique. The results from both measurement techniques are found to be in good agreement. The BM microstructure consisted of ferrite and pearlite phases with ferrite constituting the dominant phase. The WN comprised of multi-passes, which consisted of root (hot) and the reinforcing (filling) pass. The microstructure of the reinforcing passes can be described as columnar grains/structure.
Mechanical properties of pipeline steel welds
Authors: Tas Zakir 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Pipeline systems are used as the most economical solution for the transportation of the media used in the oil and gas industry. The major fabrication process representing the period elapsed from production of the pipes to service installation is welding. The weld zone represents the most critical zone in terms of the material properties in the respective pipeline components. In addition to the chosen welding method, selection of the steel material and welding consumables appropriate for the selected material are of significant importance. Today, most of line pipes are manufactured according to API standards. Cost savings have been achieved by the reduction of the wall thickness, transportation and the welding processes. In this study, the mechanical properties of welded microalloyed X42, X52, X60, X65, and X70 steels, which are generally used in the oil and gas industry based on API standards, were examined by taking into consideration their microalloying elements and the carbon content. Then, these steels were joined by using submerged arc welding (SAW). The weld zones and changes in the post-weld mechanical properties were investigated. As expected, while tensile and hardness values were increased compared to base material, the toughness values decreased.
Reliability and sensitivity of visible liquid penetrant NDT for inspection of welded components
Authors: Zolfaghari Abolfazl , Kolahan Farhad 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Welding, as an approach to join components, is used extensively by various industries. Generating several types of defects is one of the major weaknesses of the technique. Thus, inspection to detect the defects is normally considered as a stage of welding procedure. One of the main categories of the defects is surface cracks, which are found by nondestructive testing methods. However, visible liquid penetrant as a technique to reveal this kind of flaws is broadly used, the method capabilities in defect detection of welded components have not been comprehensively studied. In this paper, utilizing reliability and sensitivity concepts of nondestructive testing, its abilities in detecting of surface crack of welded joints are investigated. The results of the paper illustrate that the detection and missing rates are 52 % and 48 %. In addition, taking into account 95 % degree of confidence, probability of detection for defects with length equal to 3.73 mm is 90 %.
Stress Corrosion Cracking on a Stainless Steel Container Triggered by the Ageing of a Polyurethane Insulation
Authors: Strobl S. , Haubner R. , Partlic T. , Linhardt P. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
A failure in the form of leakages caused by crack formation occurred after approximately 25 years of operationn on a type 1.4301 stainless steel container thermally insulated with polyurethane. From the appearance of the damages it was clear that the failure was caused by stress corrosion cracking. It was shown that chloride release by the ageing of the PU foam was responsible for the corrosion. The damages were documented via 3D digital microscopy and metallography. To avoid these kinds of damages, insulation materials free of halogen compounds should be used. Regular checks of old stainless steel reactors insulated with PU foam and operated at elevated temperatures are recommended.
Study on Crystal Form Transition and Non-Isothermal Crystallization of Glycidyl Methacrylate Grafted Isotactic Polybutene-1
Authors: Zhao Y.-X. , Xu W. , Zhou Y.-F. , Chen J.-Y. , Han L. , Li D. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
We report the impact of grafting glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) at different degrees onto isotactic polybutene-1 (iPB-1) on the crystallization process. The study of the crystal form transition using FTIR and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed that the conversion degree from form II to form I of the grafted iPB-1 (iPB-g-GMA) was higher than that of iPB-1 under the same experimental conditions and increased with increasing grafting degree. The spherulitic size of iPB-g-GMA was smaller compared to iPB-1 at the same amplification factor in Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM). The kinetic parameters of the non-isothermal crystallization process have been determined based on Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) experiments and the Ozawa and Mo equation. The results showed that the crystallization rate of iPB-g-GMA was higher than that of iPB-1. The activation energy for the non-isothermal crystallization process of iPB-g-GMA (with a grafting degree of 1.54%) was lower than that of iPB-1, which further illustrated that grafting GMA on iPB-1 accelerated the crystallization rate.
Characterization of Stereocomplex Polylactide/Nanoclay Nanocomposites
Authors: Srithep Y. , Pholharn D. , Turng L.-S. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA)/nanoclay nanocomposites with nanoclay contents ranging from 1% to 8% w/w were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results confirmed that complete stereocomplex polylactide (PLA) crystallites without any homocrystallites were produced when equal amounts of PLLA and PLDA were mixed. The nanoclay in the stereocomplex polylactide nanocomposites acted as a nucleating agent that significantly enhanced stereocomplex crystallization, resulting in smaller and finer spherulites. Compared to neat PLLA, the melting temperature of the stereocomplex polylactide and its nanocomposites was about 55°C higher. The crystallization temperature of the stereocomplex nanocomposites was also 16°C and 55°C higher than that of the stereocomplex PLA and neat PLLA, respectively. These significant increases in transition temperatures improved the thermal stability of the stereocomplex nanocomposites compared to regular polylactide, which was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA results also showed that increasing nanoclay content increased the thermal stability of the stereocomplex nanocomposites. Finally, XRD and transmission electron microscopy showed an intercalation nanoclay basal spacing of 3.22 nm in the stereocomplex nanocomposites; a slight increase from the 1.86 nm basal spacing in the as-received nanoclay.
Noninvasive assessment of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status in cerebral gliomas by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a clinical setting
Authors: Tietze Anna , Choi Changho , Mickey Bruce , Maher Elizabeth A. , Parm Ulhøi Benedicte , Sangill Ryan , Lassen-Ramshad Yasmin , Lukacova Slavka , Østergaard Leif , von Oettingen Gorm 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVEMutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes are of proven diagnostic and prognostic significance for cerebral gliomas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of using a recently described method for determining IDH mutation status by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to detect the presence of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), the metabolic product of the mutant IDH enzyme.METHODSBy extending imaging time by 6 minutes, the authors were able to include a point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) MRS sequence in their routine glioma imaging protocol. In 30 of 35 patients for whom this revised protocol was used the lesions were subsequently diagnosed histologically as gliomas. Of the remaining 5 patients, 1 had a gangliocytoma, 1 had a primary CNS lymphoma, and 3 had nonneoplastic lesions. Immunohistochemistry and/or polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the presence of IDH mutations in the glioma tissue resected.RESULTSIn vivo MRS for 2HG correctly identified the IDH mutational status in 88.6% of patients. The sensitivity and specificity was 89.5% and 81.3%, respectively, when using 2 mM 2HG as threshold to discriminate IDH-mutated from wildtype tumors. Two glioblastomas that had elevated 2HG levels did not have detectable IDH mutations, and in 2 IDH-mutated gliomas 2HG was not reliably detectable.CONCLUSIONSThe noninvasive determination of the IDH mutation status of a presumed glioma by means of MRS may be incorporated into a routine diagnostic imaging protocol and can be used to obtain additional information for patient care.
Effect of intrathecal milrinone injection via lumbar catheter on delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Koyanagi Masaomi , Fukuda Hitoshi , Lo Benjamin , Uezato Minami , Kurosaki Yoshitaka , Sadamasa Nobutake , Handa Akira , Chin Masaki , Yamagata Sen 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVEDelayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is an important complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Although intrathecal milrinone injection via lumbar catheter to prevent DCI has been previously reported to be safe and feasible, its effectiveness remains unknown. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether intrathecal milrinone injection treatment after aSAH significantly reduced the incidence of DCI.METHODSThe prospectively maintained aSAH database was used to identify patients treated between January 2010 and December 2015. The cohort included 274 patients, with group assignment based on treatment with intrathecal milrinone injection or not. A propensity score model was generated for each patient group, incorporating relevant patient variables.RESULTSAfter propensity score matching, 99 patients treated with intrathecal milrinone injection and 99 without treatment were matched on the basis of similarities in their demographic and clinical characteristics. There were significantly fewer DCI events (4% vs 14%, p = 0.024) in patients treated with intrathecal milrinone injection compared with those treated without it. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to their 90-day functional outcomes (46% vs 36%, p = 0.31). The likelihood of chronic secondary hydrocephalus, meningitis, and congestive heart failure as complications of intrathecal milrinone injection therapy was also similar between the groups.CONCLUSIONSIn propensity score–matched groups, the intrathecal administration of milrinone via lumbar catheter showed significant reduction of DCI following aSAH, without an associated increase in complications.
A protocol for postoperative admission of elective craniotomy patients to a non-ICU or step-down setting
Authors: Florman Jeffrey E. , Cushing Deborah , Keller Lynne A. , Rughani Anand I. 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVESelecting the appropriate patients undergoing craniotomy who can safely forgo postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring remains a source of debate. Through a multidisciplinary work group, the authors redefined their institutional care process for postoperative monitoring of patients undergoing elective craniotomy to include transfer from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to the neurosurgical floor. The hypothesis was that an appropriately selected group of patients undergoing craniotomy could be safely managed outside the ICU in the postoperative period.METHODSThe work group developed and implemented a protocol for transfer of patients to the neurosurgical floor after 4-hour recovery in the PACU following elective craniotomy for supratentorial tumor. Criteria included hemodynamically stable adults without significant new postoperative neurological impairment. Data were prospectively collected including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical details, postoperative complications, and events surrounding transfer to a higher level of care.RESULTSOf the first 200 consecutive patients admitted to the floor, 5 underwent escalation of care in the first 48 hours. Three of these escalations were for agitation, 1 for seizure, and 1 for neurological change. Ninety-eight percent of patients meeting criteria for transfer to the floor were managed without incident. No patient experienced a major complication or any permanent morbidity or mortality following this care pathway.CONCLUSIONSCare of patients undergoing uneventful elective supratentorial craniotomy for tumor on a neurosurgical floor after 4 hours of PACU monitoring appears to be a safe practice in this patient population. This tailored practice safely optimized hospital resources, is financially responsible, and is a strong tool for improving health care value.
Validation of the baseline severity stratification of objective functional impairment in lumbar degenerative disc disease
Authors: Stienen Martin N. , Smoll Nicolas R. , Joswig Holger , Corniola Marco V. , Schaller Karl , Hildebrandt Gerhard , Gautschi Oliver P. 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVEThe Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple, objective, and standardized method to measure objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). The objective of the current work was to validate the OFI baseline severity stratification (BSS; with levels of “none,” “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe”).METHODSData were collected in a prospective IRB-approved 2-center study. Patients were assessed with a comprehensive panel of scales for measuring pain (visual analog scale [VAS] for back and leg pain), functional impairment (Roland-Morris Disability Index [RMDI] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL; EQ-5D and SF-12). OFI BSS was determined using age- and sex-adjusted cutoff values.RESULTSA total of 375 consecutive patients scheduled for lumbar spine surgery were included. Each 1-step increase on the OFI BSS corresponded to an increase of 0.53 in the back pain VAS score, 0.69 in the leg pain VAS score, 1.81 points in the RMDI, and 5.93 points in the ODI, as well as to a decrease in HRQOL of −0.073 in the EQ-5D, −1.99 in the SF-12 physical component summary (PCS), and −1.62 in the SF-12 mental component summary (MCS; all p < 0.001). Patients with mild, moderate, and severe OFI had increased leg pain by 0.90 (p = 0.044), 1.54 (p < 0.001), and 1.94 (p < 0.001); increased ODI by 7.99 (p = 0.004), 12.64 (p < 0.001), and 17.13 (p < 0.001); and decreased SF-12 PCS by −2.57 (p = 0.049), −3.63 (p = 0.003), and −6.23 (p < 0.001), respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe OFI BSS is a valid measure of functional impairment for use in daily clinical practice. The presence of OFI indicates the presence of significant functional impairment on subjective outcome measures.