bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of dynamical equatorial flattening and orientation of a triaxial core on prograde diurnal polar motion of the Earth
Authors: Sun Rong , Shen Wen Bin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe noise floor of empirical models of the prograde diurnal Earth rotation could reach as low as 1 µas as shown by several recent studies. In another aspect, the differences between these empirical models with the theoretical model predictions given by International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) Conventions (2010) for certain diurnal frequencies are more than 10 µas (e.g.,K1). The triaxiality of the core is ignored in the theoretical model given by IERS Conventions (2010) because it is highly uncertain. To explain the differences between the empirical models and the theoretical model, we consider the possible influence of a triaxial core. We use the differences between the empirical models and the theoretical model predictions given by IERS Conventions (2010) as inputs to invert the triaxiality parameter of the core. In the inversion, we assume the ocean tide response is subjected to the admittance theory. So extra six admittance parameters are introduced to model the differences between the smooth responses inferred from the empirical models and that given by theoretical model predictions from IERS Conventions (2010). The results show that adding core triaxiality into the theoretical model could narrow the differences between the empirical models and the theoretical model at the prograde diurnal band. As for the dynamical equatorial flattening of the core, the estimates inverted based on the different empirical models are consistent within standard deviation. The results also suggest that the principal axes of the triaxial core do not coincide with the principal axes of the whole Earth.
Pressure field induced in the water column by acoustic‐gravity waves generated from sea bottom motion
Authors: C. A. Oliveira Tiago , Kadri Usama 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAn uplift of the ocean bottom caused by a submarine earthquake can trigger acoustic‐gravity waves that travel at near the speed of sound in water and thus may act as early tsunami precursors. We study the spatiotemporal evolution of the pressure field induced by acoustic‐gravity modes during submarine earthquakes, analytically. We show that these modes may all induce comparable temporal variations in pressure at different water depths in regions far from the epicenter, though the pressure field depends on the presence of a leading acoustic‐gravity wave mode. Practically, this can assist in the implementation of an early tsunami detection system by identifying the pressure and frequency ranges of measurement equipment and appropriate installation locations.
Vernal distribution and turnover of dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the surface water of the Yellow Sea
Authors: Li Cheng‐Xuan , Yang Gui‐Peng , Wang Bao‐Dong , Xu Zong‐Jun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe spatial and interannual variations of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and its precursors, dissolved and particulate dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), were discussed on the basis of field observations in the surface waters of the Yellow Sea during spring 2007. Maxima of dimethylated sulfur compounds and low chlorophyll a concentrations were found in the central southern Yellow Sea, whereas low concentrations of DMS and DMSP were detected at the boundary between the northern and southern parts of the Yellow Sea. This frontal region is influenced by active water currents, air‐sea interface exchanges, and biological turnover. The horizontal variations in DMS production and consumption rates showed a decreasing tendency from the coastal to offshore areas mainly due to the complicated biological features. DMS positively correlated with dissolved CH4 and CO2 but negatively correlated with nutrients (nitrite and phosphate). Particulate DMSP concentrations and DMS production rates positively correlated with dinoflagellate abundances but negatively correlated with diatom cell densities. DMS and DMSP concentrations, as well as DMS production and consumption rates, exhibited approximately 2.0–2.8 fold increases from 2005 to 2012. This finding was likely caused by shifts in the phytoplankton communities from diatoms to dinoflagellates and the increases in abundances of zooplankton and bacteria. Average sea‐to‐air DMS fluxes were estimated to be 8.12 ± 1.24 µmol·(m−2·d−1), and DMS microbial consumption was approximately 1.68 times faster than the DMS sea‐air exchange. These findings imply that biological consumption, relative to ventilation, is a predominant mechanism in DMS removal from the surface water.
Effects of mesoscale eddies on the volume transport and branch pattern of the Kuroshio east of Taiwan
Authors: Yan Xiaomei , Zhu Xiao‐Hua , Pang Chongguang , Zhang Linlin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractUsing satellite altimeter data and a long‐term altimetric transport index for the Kuroshio inflow northeast of Taiwan, the effects of mesoscale eddies on the Kuroshio volume transport (KVT) at the East Taiwan Channel and the branching pattern of the Kuroshio east of Taiwan are investigated at scales from those of individual events to interannual timescales. Both anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies are found to be able either to strengthen or weaken the KVT, depending on the relative strength of mass convergence and divergence produced upstream and downstream of the eddies. The major factor influencing the intensity of the Kuroshio inflow is the meridional location of the eddies. For single eddy events, the KVT is significantly correlated with the latitude of the eddy's center, the correlations being 0.44 and −0.48 for anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies, respectively. For dipole eddy events, when the direction angle falls in the interval 40–150° (240–300°), the KVT anomaly tends to be positive (negative). Furthermore, low KVT events generally correspond to the formation of the Ryukyu Current branch, which is also generated from strong mass divergence produced by the eddies. In addition, on interannual timescales, the variation of KVT is closely related to the relative number of anticyclonic to cyclonic eddies west of 125°E, with a correlation of 0.5.
Improving snow process modeling with satellite‐based estimation of near‐surface‐air‐temperature lapse rate
Authors: Wang Lei , Sun Litao , Shrestha Maheswor , Li Xiuping , Liu Wenbin , Zhou Jing , Yang Kun , Lu Hui , Chen Deliang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn distributed hydrological modeling, surface air temperature (Tair) is of great importance in simulating cold region processes, while the near‐surface‐air‐temperature lapse rate (NLR) is crucial to prepare Tair (when interpolating Tair from site observations to model grids). In this study, a distributed biosphere hydrological model with improved snow physics (WEB‐DHM‐S) was rigorously evaluated in a typical cold, large river basin (e.g., the upper Yellow River basin), given a mean monthly NLRs. Based on the validated model, we have examined the influence of the NLR on the simulated snow processes and streamflows. We found that the NLR has a large effect on the simulated streamflows, with a maximum difference of greater than 24% among the various scenarios for NLRs considered. To supplement the insufficient number of monitoring sites for near‐surface‐air‐temperature at developing/undeveloped mountain regions, the nighttime Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer land surface temperature is used as an alternative to derive the approximate NLR at a finer spatial scale (e.g., at different elevation bands, different land covers, different aspects, and different snow conditions). Using satellite‐based estimation of NLR, the modeling of snow processes has been greatly refined. Results show that both the determination of rainfall/snowfall and the snowpack process were significantly improved, contributing to a reduced summer evapotranspiration and thus an improved streamflow simulation.
The effectiveness of simulation training in the teaching of skills required for sonographic fetal assessment in mid‐trimester pregnancy to novices: A pilot study
Authors: Osborne Brooke , Thoirs Kerry , Parange Nayana 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroduction/purposeUltrasound teaching has traditionally relied on access to patients or live model volunteers for the development of trainees' psychomotor skills. With recent developments in technology, simulators are increasingly becoming integrated into formal clinical skills training in medical and allied health education. This study aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of using a high‐fidelity ultrasound simulator as the sole training tool to teach mid‐trimester obstetric ultrasound skills to novice health and medical professionals who had no previous experience in using ultrasound imaging.MethodsThis pilot study used a prospective cohort design to recruit and train a small sample (n = 10) of health professionals who had no prior experience in obstetric ultrasound skills. The entire training programme used a high‐fidelity simulator as the sole skills trainer across three training sessions. Testing points occurred at each session throughout the 5‐week training programme. The final testing point, using live model patients, evaluated how well the skills learned using the simulator could be transferred to a more realistic setting.Results/DiscussionThe skills of trainees improved and the time taken to perform the skills decreased significantly over the training period. These findings are consistent with a broad acceptance that simulated learning advances psychomotor skills. However, at the final simulator testing, trainees did not reach a level of full competency, and this was replicated in the live model testing. Simulated training to develop obstetric sonography skills appears to be useful in alleviating some of the burden of training from the clinical setting.
Infraorbital nerve transposition to expand the endoscopic transnasal maxillectomy
Authors: Salzano Giovanni , Turri‐Zanoni Mario , Karligkiotis Apostolos , Zocchi Jacopo , Dell'Aversana Orabona Giovanni , Califano Luigi , Battaglia Paolo , Castelnuovo Paolo 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundThe infraorbital nerve (ION) is a terminal branch of the maxillary nerve (V2) providing sensory innervation to the malar skin. It is sometimes necessary to sacrifice the ION and its branches to obtain adequate maxillary sinus exposure for radical resection of sinonasal tumors. Consequently, patients suffer temporary or permanent paresthesia, hypoestesthia, and neuralgia of the face. We describe an innovative technique used for preservation of the ION while removing the anterior, superior, and lateral walls of the maxillary sinus through a medial endoscopic transnasal maxillectomy.MethodsAll patients who underwent transnasal endoscopic maxillectomy with ION transposition in our institute were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsTwo patients were identified who had been treated for sinonasal cancers using this approach. No major complications were observed. Transient loss of ION function was observed with complete recovery of skin sensory perception within 6 months of surgery. One patient referred to a mild permanent anesthesia of the upper incisors. No diplopia or enophthalmos were encountered in any of the patients.ConclusionThe ION transposition is useful for selected cases of benign and malignant sinonasal tumors that do not infiltrate the ION itself but involve the surrounding portion of the maxillary sinus. Anatomic preservation of the ION seems to be beneficial to the postoperative quality of life of such patients.
Mimicking the Aromatic‐Ring‐Cleavage Activity of Gentisate‐1,2‐Dioxygenase by a Nonheme Iron Complex
Authors: Rahaman Rubina , Chakraborty Biswarup , Paine Tapan Kanti 
Published: September 2016

AbstractGentisate‐1,2‐dioxygenase (GDO), a nonheme iron enzyme in the cupin superfamily, catalyzes the cleavage of the aromatic‐ring of 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid) to form maleylpyruvic acid in the microbial aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. To develop a functional model of GDO, we have isolated a nonheme iron(II) complex, [(TpPh2)FeII(DHN‐H)] (TpPh2=hydrotris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazole‐1‐yl)borate, DHN‐H=1,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐naphthoate). In the reaction with O2, the biomimetic complex oxidatively cleaves the aromatic ring of the coordinated substrate with the incorporation of both the oxygen atoms from molecular oxygen into the cleavage product. The presence of para‐hydroxy group on the substrate plays a crucial role in directing the aromatic‐ring cleaving reaction.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Arylation of Carbasugars Enables the Discovery of Potent and Selective SGLT2 Inhibitors
Authors: Ng Wai‐Lung , Lau Kit‐Man , Lau Clara B.‐S. , Shing Tony K. M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSelective inhibition of the transporter protein sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) has emerged as a promising way to control blood glucose level in diabetes patients. Reported herein is a short and convergent synthetic route towards some small‐molecule SGLT2 inhibitors by a chemo‐ and diastereospecific palladium‐catalyzed arylation reaction. This synthetic strategy enabled the discovery of two highly selective and potent SGLT2 inhibitors, thereby paving the way towards the development of carbasugar SGLT2 inhibitors as potential antidiabetic/antitumor agents.
Electrical conductivity andEMIshielding effectiveness of polyurethane foam–conductive filler composites
Authors: Kim Ji Mun , Lee Yeongbeom , Jang Myung Geun , Han Chonghun , Kim Woo Nyon 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe morphological, electrical, and thermal properties of polyurethane foam (PUF)/single conductive filler composites and PUF/hybrid conductive filler composites were investigated. For the PUF/single conductive filler composites, the PUF/nickel‐coated carbon fiber (NCCF) composite showed higher electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) than did the PUF/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and PUF/graphite composites; therefore, NCCF is the most effective filler among those tested in this study. For the PUF/hybrid conductive fillers PUF/NCCF (3.0 php)/MWCNT (3.0 php) composites, the values of electrical conductivity and EMI SE were determined to be 0.171 S/cm and 24.7 dB (decibel), respectively, which were the highest among the fillers investigated in this study. NCCF and MWCNT were the most effective primary and secondary fillers, and they had a synergistic effect on the electrical conductivity and EMI SE of the PUF/NCCF/MWCNT composites. From the results of thermal conductivity and cell size of the PUF/conductive filler composites, it is suggested that a reduction in cell size lowers the thermal conductivity of the PUF/conductive filler composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2017,134, 44373.
Studies on ultrasonic disintegration kinetics of SEBS in PP melts and the influencing factors
Authors: Liu Ying , Xie Linsheng , Ma Yulu , Liao Yangwei , Xue Kaikai , Jin Jianli 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe ultrasonic disintegration behavior of polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylenes)‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS) in polypropylene (PP) melts was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic rheological measurements. A disintegration kinetics model of the dispersed phase in polymer matrix was proposed to explain the ultrasonic disintegration kinetics, and it is in accordance with the equation:
. The experimental results showed that the average particle diameter of SEBS decreased with sonication time and approached a limiting value (the equilibrium diameter), below which no further disintegration occurred. The effects of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic frequency, sonication distances, and heating temperatures on the morphology of PP/SEBS blends were also investigated. SEM results demonstrated that the increase of ultrasonic power could enhance the dispersion of SEBS. And SEBS particles were more easily disintegrated at 20 kHz. Moreover, the disintegration extent decreased with the increase of sonication distance or melt temperature. The dispersion state of SEBS was indirectly evaluated by the dynamic rheological properties. It was found that there was an increase in the complex viscosity, storage, and loss moduli as the ultrasonic intensity was in an appropriate scope. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44386.
Synergistic effect of SBS and trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) on dynamically vulcanized SEBS/PP blends
Authors: Wu Yijian , Shentu Baoqing , Weng Zhixue 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe SEBS/PP thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by melt blending. Di‐tert‐butyl peroxide (DTBP) was used as the curing agent in combination with trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐bstyrene) (SBS) as the coagents for the curing process. The synergistic effect of TMPTMA and SBS on the structure and properties of TPVs was studied by means of FT‐IR, DSC, torque rheometer, and universal testing machine. Both SEBS and PP crosslinked and the network structure formed under the participation of TMPTMA and SBS. Compared with the sole addition of the coagent, simultaneous loading of both TMPTMA and SBS could provide the TPVs with better solvent‐resistance and excellent mechanical properties. The crosslinking mechanism of the TPVs was also proposed. The slight lower value of Tm for the TPVs indicated the improved miscibility between PP and SEBS due to the crosslinking reaction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44392.
Polyurethane‐functionalized starch nanoparticles for the purification of biodiesel
Authors: Desai Shivang K. , Bera Smritilekha , Singh Man , Mondal Dhananjoy 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTPolyurethane‐functionalized starch nanoparticles (PUFSNPs) have been synthesized by chemical modification of polyhydroxylated starch nanocrystals (SNC) with aliphatic and aromatic diisocyanates. The covalent attachment of the diisocyanates to the backbone of SNC for the formation of starch‐derived nanopolyurethane polymers was unambiguously determined by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. PUFSNPs were entirely obtained from SNC with yields ranging from 41.5 to 86.0 wt % and their size distribution, size, porosity and morphology were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) adsorption techniques. The size and surface area of the cyclic aliphatic‐based PUFSNP (NPU4) is 27 nm and 52.64 m2 g−1, respectively, indicating one of the potential and promising biodegradable materials for the adsorption of acid impurities and contaminants that are found in crude biodiesel. The acid content of the biodiesel is remarkably reduced by 32–39% with PUFSNPs while 7–18% with their corresponding bulk materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44463.
New insights into the interaction of proteins and disaccharides—The effect of pH and concentration
Authors: Reichert Detlef , Gröger Stefan , Hackel Christiane 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTo gain new insights into the interaction of proteins and disaccharides, we investigated the hydrodynamic radii,
, of lysozyme molecules in solution and in a ternary protein‐sugar‐water system by PFG‐NMR. Our approach is based on the assumption that the anhydrobiotic properties of disaccharides like trehalose are based on aggregation of sugar molecules to the proteins, i.e., accumulation of sugar molecules close to the protein, and that this process can be investigated by the experimentally detectable
value of the protein. The Rh values are calculated from the experimentally determined diffusion coefficients and the application of a viscosity correction using the inert molecule dioxane as an internal viscosity reference. The experiments were performed as a function of sugar concentration, the overall particle concentration and the pH value. We investigated the disaccharides trehalose and sucrose, mainly for the reason that trehalose has well know cryptobiotic properties while sucrose, which is similar in size and structure, lacks these properties. The results show the formation of a protective sugar shell around the proteins over a wider range of concentrations and pH values in the case of trehalose.
Discovery of Escherichia coli CRISPR sequences in an undergraduate laboratory
Authors: Militello Kevin T. , Lazatin Justine C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) represent a novel type of adaptive immune system found in eubacteria and archaebacteria. CRISPRs have recently generated a lot of attention due to their unique ability to catalog foreign nucleic acids, their ability to destroy foreign nucleic acids in a mechanism that shares some similarity to RNA interference, and the ability to utilize reconstituted CRISPR systems for genome editing in numerous organisms. In order to introduce CRISPR biology into an undergraduate upper‐level laboratory, a five‐week set of exercises was designed to allow students to examine the CRISPR status of uncharacterized Escherichia coli strains and to allow the discovery of new repeats and spacers. Students started the project by isolating genomic DNA from E. coli and amplifying the iap CRISPR locus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were analyzed by Sanger DNA sequencing, and the sequences were examined for the presence of CRISPR repeat sequences. The regions between the repeats, the spacers, were extracted and analyzed with BLASTN searches. Overall, CRISPR loci were sequenced from several previously uncharacterized E. coli strains and one E. coli K‐12 strain. Sanger DNA sequencing resulted in the discovery of 36 spacer sequences and their corresponding surrounding repeat sequences. Five of the spacers were homologous to foreign (non‐E. coli) DNA. Assessment of the laboratory indicates that improvements were made in the ability of students to answer questions relating to the structure and function of CRISPRs. Future directions of the laboratory are presented and discussed. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(3):262–269, 2017.
Dopaminergic modulation of default mode network brain functional connectivity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Silberstein Richard B. , Pipingas Andrew , Farrow Maree , Levy Florence , Stough Con K. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionRecent evidence suggests that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a range of brain functional connectivity abnormalities, with one of the most prominent being reduced inhibition of the default mode network (DMN) while performing a cognitive task. In this study, we examine the effects of a methylphenidate dose on brain functional connectivity in boys diagnosed with ADHD while they performed a cognitive task.MethodBrain functional connectivity was estimated using steady‐state visual evoked potential partial coherence before and 90 min after the administration of a methylphenidate dose to 42 stimulant drug‐naïve boys newly diagnosed with ADHD while they performed the A‐X version of the continuous performance task (CPT A‐X).ResultsMethylphenidate robustly reversed the transient functional connectivity increase in the A‐X interval seen premedication to a postmedication decrease during this interval. In addition, methylphenidate‐induced reductions in individual reaction time were correlated with corresponding reductions in functional connectivity.ConclusionThese findings suggest that methylphenidate suppresses the increased functional connectivity observed in ADHD and that such suppression is associated with improved performance. Our findings support the suggestion that the increased functional connectivity we have observed in ADHD is associated with abnormal DMN activity. In addition, we comment on the significance of specific frequency channels mediating top‐down communication within the cortex and the extent to which our findings are selectively sensitive to top‐down intracortical communication.