bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conditional spectrum‐based ground motion record selection using average spectral acceleration
Authors: Kohrangi Mohsen , Bazzurro Paolo , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Spillatura Andrea 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThe use of a seismic intensity measure (IM) is paramount in decoupling seismic hazard and structural response estimation when assessing the performance of structures. For this to be valid, the IM needs to be sufficient;that is, the engineering demand parameter (EDP) response should be independent of other ground motion characteristics when conditioned on the IM. Whenever non‐trivial dependence is found, such as in the case of the IM being the first‐mode spectral acceleration, ground motion selection must be employed to generate sets of ground motion records that are consistentvis‐à‐visthe hazard conditioned on the IM. Conditional spectrum record selection is such a method for choosing records that are consistent with the site‐dependent spectral shape conditioned on the first‐mode spectral acceleration. Based on a single structural period, however the result may be suboptimal, or insufficient, for EDPs influenced by different period values, for example, peak interstory drifts or peak floor accelerations at different floors, potentially requiring different record suites for each. Recently, the log‐average spectral acceleration over a period range,AvgSA, has emerged as an improved scalar IM for building response estimation whose hazard can be evaluated using existing ground motion prediction equations. Herein, we present a recasting of conditional spectrum record selection that is based onAvgSAover a period range as the conditioning IM. This procedure ensures increased efficiency and sufficiency in simultaneously estimating multiple EDPs by means of a single IM. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SOFC Stacks Operating under Direct Internal Steam Reforming of Methane
Authors: Fu Q. , Freundt P. , Bomhard J. , Hauler F. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThree SOFC test stacks were operated under conditions of direct internal steam reforming of methane at 750 °C. The influence of anode gas compositions (H2/N2, CH4/H2O, CH4/H2/H2O) on the stack degradation rate has been investigated through long‐term durability testing. It has been found that complete internal steam reforming of methane leads to much faster degradation in comparison to partial pre‐reforming. Possible reason for that is the depletion of Ni‐catalyst due to the formation of volatile Ni(OH)2 at the fuel entrance. Though this effect was observed previously at 950 °C, the present results indicate that it might still play an important role at 750 °C. The lowest degradation was observed with Stack‐3 (ca. 12 mV kh−1 per RU or 1.5% kh−1), which shows also a reasonably high electrical efficiency (>50%) under fuel utilisation of 70.2%.
The Effect of the 2009 Influenza Pandemic on Absence from Work
Authors: Duarte Fabian , Kadiyala Srikanth , Masters Samuel H. , Powell David 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn July 2009, the World Health Organization declared the first flu pandemic in nearly 40 years. Although the health effects of the pandemic have been studied, there is little research examining the labor productivity consequences. Using unique sick leave data from the Chilean private health insurance system, we estimate the effect of the pandemic on missed days of work. We estimate that the pandemic increased mean flu days missed by 0.042 days per person‐month during the 2009 peak winter months (June and July), representing an 800% increase in missed days relative to the sample mean. Calculations using the estimated effect imply a minimum 0.2% reduction in Chile's labor supply. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjunctive antidepressant use in schizophrenia in China: A national survey (2002–2012)
Authors: Li Qian , Su Yun‐Ai , Xiang Yu‐Tao , Shu Liang , Yu Xin , Ungvari Gabor S. , Ng Chee H. , Chiu Helen F.K. , Ning Yu‐Ping , Wang Gao‐Hua , Zhang Ke‐Rang , Li Tao , Sun Li‐Zhong , Shi Jian‐Guo , Chen Xian‐Sheng , Mei Qi‐Yi , Li Ke‐Qing , Si Tian‐Mei 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined the pattern of adjunctive antidepressant use in schizophrenia patients and its demographic and clinical correlates in a nationwide survey in China.MethodsFourteen thousand and thirteen patients in 45 Chinese psychiatric hospitals or centers were interviewed (4,486 in 2002, 5,288 in 2006, and 4,239 in 2012). Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. Chi‐square test, independent‐samples t test, Mann–Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used in data analyses.ResultsAntidepressant use was found in 5.2% of the study population with 4.6% in 2002, 4.3% in 2006, and 6.9% in 2012, respectively. A significant increase in use from 2006 to 2012 was found (p < .001). Multiple logistic regression analyses in the whole population revealed that patients receiving adjunctive antidepressants were more likely to be outpatients in tertiary referral centers (level‐III hospitals) and who had an earlier age of onset, less severe global illness, but more depressive symptoms. They were less likely to receive first‐generation antipsychotics but more likely to receive benzodiazepines (R2 = 0.255, p < .001).ConclusionsDespite an increasing trend, the frequency of antidepressant use in schizophrenia in China was considerably lower than in Western countries. The benefits and risks associated with concomitant use of antidepressants in schizophrenia need to be studied further.
Diagnosing Drainage Problems in Coastal Areas Using Machine‐Learning and Geostatistical Models
Authors: Darzi‐Naftchali Abdullah , Karandish Fatemeh , Asgari Ahmad 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study focuses on diagnosing drainage problems in the coastal areas of Iran by using geostatistical methods, support vector machines (SVMs) and the adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Groundwater level (WD) and quality were monitored at 37 shallow wells scattered over a 25 000 ha area at different times. Using prepared raster maps of pH, ESP, EC and WD by the best method, drainage problems were categorized into eight classes. Both SVM and ANFIS models significantly improved predicted data for pH, ESP, EC and WD compared with geostatistical models, while SVMs provided slightly better results which were used for further analysis. More than 60% of the area needs drainage to lower the groundwater table in pre‐planting and post‐harvest periods, while during the growing seasons, more than about 72% of the area requires drainage for salinity control. Based on the results, identifying drainage problems at basin scale is possible with cost‐efficient machine learning models with minimum time and data requirements and investment for detailed field surveys. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water Deficit Irrigation and Nitrogen Response of Sudan Grass under Arid Land Drip Irrigation Conditions
Authors: Al‐Solaimani Samir G. , Alghabari Fahad , Ihsan Muhammad Zahid , Fahad Shah 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe present study evaluated the interactive effect of water deficit irrigation (WDI) and nitrogen application on Sorghum sudanense growth, biomass accumulation, nitrogen content and water productivity for two consecutive seasons and three cuts. The WDI of 50, 30 and 10% depletion ratios (different application rate and frequency) along with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha−1) of nitrogen fertilizer were applied in three splits. The WDI of 10% depletion ratio recorded significantly higher (15–17%) fresh and dry biomass accumulation of both leaf and stem as compared with WDI of 50%. Nitrogen application improved all growth traits irrespective of the applied levels of WDI, season and cut number. The interaction of WDI of 30% depletion ratio and N200 outcompeted all other treatments for plant nitrogen and protein contents, as the resulting increment was 10–22% higher as compared to control. Of the different cut numbers, the first cutting ascribed the maximum value for plant protein contents and stated up to 32% improvement over second and third cuttings. By increasing the rate of nitrogen application, a significant increment in crop water productivity was also measured that attributed at least a threefold higher value for stem over leaf. In essence, WDI of 10% depletion ratio and nitrogen rate of 200 kg ha−1 were the optimum levels that improved Sudan grass growth, biomass and water use efficiency; moreover, the 30% depletion ratio favoured plant nitrogen content. By using a WDI approach, we can improve our forage yield with a limited amount of water by increasing irrigation frequency. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipocalin‐2 expression and serum levels as early predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese women
Authors: Rashad Nearmeen M. , El‐Shal Amal S. , Etewa Rasha L. , Wadea Fady M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObesity and diabetes are increasing in epidemic proportions globally. Lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2) is an inflammatory adipocytokine and obesity‐related marker of low‐grade inflammation. We aimed to investigate, for first time, the possible role of LCN‐2 expression and serum levels in prediction of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among obese Egyptian women. This study included 188 obese women and 180 controls. Obese women were subdivided into three subgroups according to their fasting blood glucose, normal glucose tolerance (NGT), IGT and T2DM. Circulating LCN‐2 expression levels were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction. Serum LCN‐2 concentrations were assessed by ELISA. Our findings revealed that LCN‐2 expression and serum levels were higher in obese women compared to lean controls. They were higher in IGT and T2DM obese cases than in NGT obese women. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that LCN‐2 expression level was a useful biomarker discriminating IGT from NGT and T2DM from IGT obese women (AUC were 0.735 and 0.740, respectively). It was an independent predictor of IGT and T2DM among obese women. Serum LCN‐2 level was a useful biomarker discriminating IGT from NGT and T2DM from IGT obese women (AUC were 0.705 and 0.728, respectively). It was independent predictor of T2DM without predicting IGT among obese women. The power of combined LCN‐2 serum levels and expression in discriminating between IGT from NGT and T2DM from IGT obese women was high (AUC = 0.717 and 0.741, respectively). In conclusion, LCN‐2 expression and serum levels could discriminate IGT from NGT and T2DM from IGT obese women and early predicting T2DM among obese women. While, LCN‐2 expression level was the independent predictor of IGT in obese women. Combination of both LCN‐2 expression and serum levels improved their diagnostic value in early detection of IGT and T2DM among obese women. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(2):88–97, 2017
Effective impregnation for the preparation of magnetic mesoporous carbon: application to dye adsorption
Authors: Saroyan Hayarpi S , Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A , Sarafidis Charalampos S , Lazaridis Nikolaos K , Deliyanni Eleni A 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, magnetic mesoporous activated carbons were synthesized either via co‐precipitation of iron salts onto activated carbon or via impregnation of activated carbon with magnetic nanoparticles by sonication. The resulting impregnated carbons were examined as adsorbents for the removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) from aqueous solutions.RESULTSThe magnetic nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques (nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscope measurements). The results of characterization analyses revealed that co‐precipitation was unsuccessful for the preparation of magnetic carbon while sonication led to a super‐paramagnetic activated carbon. Adsorption studies revealed that although magnetic carbon presented a decreased adsorption capacity compared with raw carbon, it was an acceptable dye adsorbent. High pH and high ionic strength values favored dye adsorption, while the data of adsorption isotherms and kinetics were better fitted by the Freundlich isotherm model and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, respectively. Regeneration of dye‐loaded activated carbons by thermal re‐activation and re‐use of regenerated samples were also investigated.CONCLUSIONMesoporous magnetic activated carbon, with a saturation magnetization of 18 emu g−1, was successfully synthesized by sonication of activated carbon and magnetite nanoparticles. The magnetic carbon was found to be an adequate dye adsorbent with a maximum adsorption capacity of 445.294 mg g−1. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Morphology and force probing of primary murine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
Authors: Zapotoczny B. , Owczarczyk K. , Szafranska K. , Kus E. , Chlopicki S. , Szymonski M. 
Published: January 2017

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) represent unique type of endothelial cells featured by their characteristic morphology, ie, lack of a basement membrane and presence of fenestrations—transmembrane pores acting as a dynamic filter between the vascular space and the liver parenchyma. Delicate structure of LSECs membrane combined with a submicron size of fenestrations hinders their visualization in live cells.In this work, we apply atomic force microscopy contact mode to characterize fenestrations in LSECs. We reveal the structure of fenestrations in live LSECs. Moreover, we show that the high‐resolution imaging of fenestrations is possible for the glutaraldehyde‐fixed LSECs. Finally, thorough information about the morphology of LSECs including great contrast in visualization of sieve plates and fenestrations is provided using Force Modulation mode. We show also the ability to precisely localize the cell nuclei in fixed LSECs. It can be helpful for more precise description of nanomechanical properties of cell nuclei using atomic force microscopy.Presented methodology combining high‐quality imaging of fixed cells with an additional nanomechanical information of both live and fixed LSECs provides a unique approach to study LSECs morphology and nanomechanics that could foster understanding of the role of LSECs in maintaining liver homeostasis.
Large‐scale teleconnection patterns and synoptic climatology of major snow‐avalanche winters in the Presidential Range (New Hampshire, USA)
Authors: Martin Jean‐Philippe , Germain Daniel 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThe relationships between the synoptic climatology, large‐scale teleconnections and the regional avalanche activity index (RAAI) inferred from tree‐rings were evaluated for the Presidential Range in the White Mountains (New Hampshire, USA). During the period 1936–2012, 18 years of regional avalanche activity were compared with the winter‐scale prevailing joint temperature/climatic modes (cold/wet (CW), cold/dry (CD), warm/wet (WW) and warm/dry (WW)), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the 500‐mbar composite anomaly maps and the ratio of snow from different storm tracks. The total winter snowfall and the NAO negatively correlate with the RAAI. There is also a significant difference in avalanche activity between winters with a NAO under or above −3. Winters of regional avalanche activity were present in the four climatic modes, albeit the ratio of avalanche/non‐avalanche years is superior for CW winters compared to the three other modes, as well as for wet winters compared to dry winters. CW, CD and WW winters exhibit a negative NAO anomaly, which is eastbound for the wet years. Cold winters (CW, CD) receive more snow from the Great Lakes, whereas coastal depressions are more important during wet winters (CW, WW). The NAO is an adequate predictor of snowfall, but does not provide information about the storm tracks. On the contrary, the ENSO is poorly correlated with snowfall, but its relationship is significant with the ratio of snow produced by coastal depressions (positive relationship) and Great Lakes storms (negative relationship). These are the first results quantifying the atmospheric circulation – synoptic meteorology – snow avalanche relationships in Northeastern North America.
Effects of active feedback gait retraining to produce a medial weight transfer at the foot in subjects with symptomatic medial knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Erhart‐Hledik Jennifer C. , Asay Jessica L. , Clancy Caitlin , Chu Constance R. , Andriacchi Thomas P. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to determine if active feedback gait retraining to produce a medial weight transfer at the foot significantly reduces the knee adduction moment in subjects with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Secondarily, changes in peak knee flexion moment, frontal plane knee and ankle kinematics, and center of pressure were investigated. Ten individuals with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (9 males; age: 65.3 ± 9.8 years; BMI: 27.8 ± 3.0 kg/m2) were tested at self‐selected normal and fast speeds in two conditions: Intervention, with an active feedback device attached to the shoe of their more affected leg, and control, with the device de‐activated. Kinematics and kinetics were assessed using a motion capture system and force plate. The first peak, second peak, and impulse of the knee adduction moment were significantly reduced by 6.0%, 13.9%, and 9.2%, respectively, at normal speed, with reductions of 10.7% and 8.6% in first peak and impulse at fast speed, respectively, with the active feedback system, with no significant effect on the peak knee flexion moment. Significant reductions in peak varus knee angle and medialized center of pressure in the first half of stance were observed, with reductions in peak varus knee angle associated with reductions in the knee adduction moment. This study demonstrated that active feedback to produce a medial weight‐bearing shift at the foot reduces the peaks and impulse of the knee adduction moment in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Future research should determine the long‐term effect of the active feedback intervention on joint loading, pain, and function. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2251–2259, 2017.
Studies of inherent lubricity coatings for low surface roughness galvanised steel for automotive applications
Authors: Hill Donald , Holliman Peter J. , McGettrick James , Searle Justin , Appelman Marco , Chatterjee Pranesh , Watson Trystan M. , Worsley David 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSurface lubricity on TiO2‐coated galvanised steels can be controlled by solution depositing perfluorooctanoic (C8), lauric (C12) or stearic (C18) acids to avoid lubricating oils/emulsions or substrate pre‐etching to remove surface oxide that add cost and waste. Water contact angles reveal increased surface hydrophobicity on coated samples that correlate with linear friction testing, suggesting water contact angle can be used to screen lubricity compounds. Linear friction testing shows that C12 and C18 lower the coefficient of friction (μ) by 50–60% compared with uncoated substrates whilst C8 drops μ from 0.31 to 0.22. Surfaces have been characterised by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, whilst infrared confirms that as‐deposited coatings contain physisorbed and deprotonated acids chemisorbed through esters and thermal gravimetric analysis confirms increasing loadings from C8 to C12 to C18. Surface washing removes physisorbed material and lowers μ by increasing surface organisation and alkyl chain packing that enhances frictional energy dissipation through steric quenching. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technical Note: A novel interdigital transparent thin‐film detector for medical dosimetry
Authors: Brivio Davide , Sajo Erno , Zygmanski Piotr 
Published: January 2017

PurposeA new type of thin‐film interdigital detector (TFID) for medical dosimetry is investigated. The focus of this study was to characterize the detector response as a function of detector geometry in an attempt to optimize it and to understand the underlying radio‐electrical effects leading to signal formation.MethodsWe characterize the detector response to kilovoltage x‐ray beams used in fluoroscopy and computed tomography. Each element (pixel) of the detector is composed of conductive intercombing digits deposited on a thin‐film dielectric substrate by nanofabrication or using a printing process. The detector is practically transparent to x‐ray radiation, yet it generates sufficient signal for many types of medical dosimetry and quality assurance tasks. The thin‐film detector has negligible surface mass density (about 2.5 mg/cm2 for a 1‐μm‐thick Cu TFID on 12.5‐μm‐thick Kapton substrate) and it is conformable to curved geometries found in the medical x‐ray equipment or on patient skin surface. The prototype detectors were made using glass and Kapton substrates with copper‐copper and copper‐aluminum interdigits. Although in principle the detector can be operated without any external bias voltage when the digits are made of disparate materials (e.g., Cu‐Al), we also characterized the detector properties under small electric fields via its current‐voltage curve (IV curve).ResultsUsing 120 kVp, 25 mA x‐ray beam with 10V external bias, the Cu‐Cu detector response was about 0.2 nA/cm2. We also measured a one‐dimensional transmitted dose profile for a phantom under fluoroscopic x‐rays and found relatively good agreement with a commercial photodiode (XR R12‐0191, IBA Dosimetry).ConclusionsWe demonstrated the potential of TFID detectors for kilovoltage dosimetry and we defined its optimal geometry. For digits made of the same material and for digit width equal to the separation between them, we found that the thin‐film detector has optimal performance when the distance between the digit centers is about 1 mm, while in the fixed digit width cases we observed that the signal is higher when their edge‐to‐edge separation is as small as possible.
Combined and passivity control for networked control systems with random gain fluctuations and sojourn probabilities: A switched system approach
Authors: Sasirekha R. , Rakkiyappan R. , Cao Jinde 
Published: January 2017

SummaryOn the basis of the passivity theory, the problem of designing non‐fragile
control for a class of networked control systems (NCSs) with the plant being a switched system is presented. The NCSs under consideration are modeled by considering the network‐induced imperfections like transmission delays and packet dropouts as a single time‐varying delay. The network status is assumed to vary on the basis of sojourn probabilities, and these probabilities are known a prior. The controller is designed including stochastic fluctuations in its gain matrix by considering the Bernoulli distributed white sequence along with time‐varying probability measures. The key steps in this method are to construct an improved Lyapunov–Krasovskii Functional and to utilize reciprocally convex technique. The sojourn probability‐dependent sufficient criteria are obtained to ensure the closed‐loop, mode‐dependent switched NCSs to be robustly stochastically stable on the basis of the combined
and passivity performance. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through an example. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.