bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses to extreme hydrological events in the Pantanal wetland: heterogeneity of a plant community containing super‐dominant species
Authors: Dalmagro Higo J. , Lathuillière Michael J. , Vourlitis George L. , Campos Roberto C. , Pinto Osvaldo Borges , Johnson Mark S. , Ortíz Carmen E.R. , Lobo Francisco de A. , Couto Eduardo G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimsWe tested two mechanisms of adaptation to extreme hydrological stresses (flooding and drought) of species making up a tropical wetland plant community by measuring leaf gas exchange and water potential. We hypothesized that anoxic conditions that occur during flooding will decrease leaf gas exchange when compared to the dry season, and that ‘super‐dominant’ species will have a distinctive physiological advantage when compared to other plants within the community.LocationNorthern Pantanal wetland, Private Natural Heritage Reserve of the Brazilian Social Service of Commerce (RPPN‐SESC Pantanal), Mato Grosso, Brazil.MethodsTwo periods representing typical extreme hydrological conditions in the Pantanal wetland were selected based on historical soil and meteorological measurements: (1) a drought period when plants experience stress due to soil moisture deficits during a dry season that persists for several months (May to Sept), and (2) a flooding period when oxidation‐reduction potential is negative for 30 d or more (Mar or Apr), indicating anoxic stress. Measurements of gas exchange and leaf water potential were made on seven species in drought and flood stress conditions. The seven species represent the majority of the plant community.ResultsAs a whole, the plant community showed significantly lower potential net photosynthesis (PN) during flooding when soil oxidation‐reduction potential reached close to −900 mV when compared to the dry season, but the magnitude of the decline in PN was species specific. Not all super‐dominant species showed higher PN compared to non‐dominant species, but they did demonstrate higher stomatal conductance and transpiration leading to lower water use efficiency. The combination of higher PN despite low soil water content suggests that the plant community had access to deep water resources. This access was also confirmed by the midday leaf water potential, which was similar for the flood and dry seasons.ConclusionsResults suggest that the plant community may have high physiological performance under a wide range of soil oxidation‐reduction potentials. Higher PN rates of super‐dominant species indicate a physiological advantage of these species in the different hydrological conditions.
Provision of specialist‐led minor oral surgery service in Scottish NHS dental practices – analysis of benefits and costs
Authors: Bharadwaj G.V. , Rice M.J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis article evaluates the benefits of specialist‐led minor oral surgery service in Scottish primary care dental practice.ObjectivesThe aims of the study were to:

Study practice‐based minor oral surgery service delivery.
Estimate waiting times for these patients.
Explore complications.
Evaluate cost allocated for procedures in minor oral surgery in primary and secondary sector.
Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of procedures carried out, waiting times, complications and comparative cost in minor oral surgery from two NHS dental practices located in Lothian health board area.ResultsA total of 1896 procedures in 982 patients having minor oral surgery were analysed across two sites. Of procedures, 51% (971) were simple extractions; 31% (580) of the procedures were surgical removal of non‐third molar teeth; 15% (275) of the procedures were surgical extraction of third molars; and 3% (70) of the procedures were complex procedures such as surgical exposure of canines, removal of simple cysts and closure of oroantral communication. Two hundred and nine procedures were carried out under intravenous sedation. It was difficult to estimate waiting times although all patients were treated within 4 weeks. The overall complication rate was 8.1%. There is a considerable difference in cost allocated to similar procedures in primary and secondary care and the money allocated for carrying out minor oral surgery in primary care is not cost neutral.ConclusionsIt is cost efficient to treat minor oral surgery patients in primary care. Like for like procedures in minor oral surgery are expensive and potentially wait longer before receiving treatment in secondary care.
Self‐initiated actions result in suppressed auditory but amplified visual evoked components in healthy participants
Authors: Mifsud Nathan G. , Oestreich Lena K. L. , Jack Bradley N. , Ford Judith M. , Roach Brian J. , Mathalon Daniel H. , Whitford Thomas J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSelf‐suppression refers to the phenomenon that sensations initiated by our own movements are typically less salient, and elicit an attenuated neural response, compared to sensations resulting from changes in the external world. Evidence for self‐suppression is provided by previous ERP studies in the auditory modality, which have found that healthy participants typically exhibit a reduced auditory N1 component when auditory stimuli are self‐initiated as opposed to externally initiated. However, the literature investigating self‐suppression in the visual modality is sparse, with mixed findings and experimental protocols. An EEG study was conducted to expand our understanding of self‐suppression across different sensory modalities. Healthy participants experienced either an auditory (tone) or visual (pattern‐reversal) stimulus following a willed button press (self‐initiated), a random interval (externally initiated, unpredictable onset), or a visual countdown (externally initiated, predictable onset—to match the intrinsic predictability of self‐initiated stimuli), while EEG was continuously recorded. Reduced N1 amplitudes for self‐ versus externally initiated tones indicated that self‐suppression occurred in the auditory domain. In contrast, the visual N145 component was amplified for self‐ versus externally initiated pattern reversals. Externally initiated conditions did not differ as a function of their predictability. These findings highlight a difference in sensory processing of self‐initiated stimuli across modalities, and may have implications for clinical disorders that are ostensibly associated with abnormal self‐suppression.
Differential atrial performance at rest and exercise in athletes: Potential trigger for developing atrial dysfunction?
Authors: Gabrielli L. , Bijnens B. H. , Brambila C. , Duchateau N. , Marin J. , Sitges‐Serra I. , Mont L. , Brugada J. , Sitges M. 
Published: January 2016

Highly trained athletes show an increased risk of atrial arrhythmias. Little is known about atrial volumes and function during exercise in this population. Our aim was to analyze atrial size and contractile function during exercise. Fifty endurance athletes with 11 ± 8 h of training per week and 30 sedentary control subjects were included. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and during exercise. Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) size and function were assessed by two‐dimensional echocardiography. Peak negative strain (Sa) during atrial contraction and active atrial emptying volume (AEV) were measured. Athletes and control subjects showed a significant increment of deformation and AEV of both atria with exercise (P < 0.01 vs baseline for LA and RA). Among athletes, a subgroup with significant LA (n = 8)/RA (n = 15) dilatation (≥40 mL/m2) showed a significantly lower increment in AEV with exercise (LA∆AEV: 1.4 ± 1.1 mL/m2 vs 2.1 ± 0.9 mL/m2, P = 0.04; RA∆AEV: 0.9 ± 0.8 mL/m2 vs 2.3 ± 1.1 mL/m2, P < 0.01) and lower increment in deformation vs other athletes (LA∆Sa: −3.2 ± 2.9% vs −9.5 ± 4.4%, P < 0.01; RA∆Sa: −2.5 ± 3.3% vs. −9.8 ± 3.3%, P < 0.01). During exercise, active atrial strain increases, but less in athletes compared to controls, but due to larger atrial volumes, they reached similar increases in atrial emptying volume. However, this overall lesser deformation increases from a subgroup with significant atrial dilatation showing impairment in atrial contractile reserve.
Late aspergilloma of a renal allograft without need for operative management: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Shannon E.M. , Reid M.J.A. , Chin‐Hong P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAspergillus infection localized to the renal allograft is a rare and potentially life‐threatening infection and typically requires a combination of operative and medical management. We report the case of a renal allograft aspergilloma in a renal transplant patient presenting 2 years post transplant, successfully managed non‐surgically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient presenting with an allograft aspergilloma so long after transplantation and being successfully managed with antifungal therapy alone.
Phenotyping Rh/Kell and risk of alloimmunization in haematological patients
Authors: Baía F. , Correia F. , Alves B. , Martinez F. , Koch C. , Carneiro A. , Araújo F. 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYBackgroundOne of the biggest concerns in transfusion medicine is to avoid red blood cell alloimmunization. We evaluated the rate of alloimmunization in two groups of chronically transfused patients (A – not phenotyped and B – phenotyped for Rh/K antigens before the first transfusion) with primary haematological disorders and its distribution among the main haematological diseases, in order to adopt an efficient transfusional strategy.Study design and methodsAs methodology, we used the SIBAS and SAM databases for the retrospective study of all patients with primary haematological disorder between January 2011 and April 2013.ResultsA statistical difference in the rate of alloimmunization comparing groups A and B was found (P <0·0001). We also observed that alloimmunization was not homogeneously distributed in all primary haematological diseases.ConclusionsThe Rh/K phenotype should be performed on all patients diagnosed with bone marrow failure, plasma cell dyscrasia and myelodysplastic syndrome in order to avoid alloimmunization. In patients with acute leukaemia and lymphoma it seems not necessary to perform it. In patients with haemoglobinopathy and myeloproliferative disorders, a larger group of patients is needed to decide its efficacy.
Ranavirus in an outbreak of dermatophilosis in captive inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Tamukai Kenichi , Tokiwa Toshihiro , Kobayashi Hideki , Une Yumi 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundVarious pathogens cause skin diseases in lizards. An outbreak of skin disease occurred in a population of 100 inland bearded dragons at a breeding facility in Japan; 50 developed skin lesions and 15 mortalities were reported.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify the pathogens responsible for the skin lesions and to determine the cause of death.AnimalsEight specimens (three dead, two euthanized, three living) were randomly selected from a group of inland bearded dragons with skin lesions consisting of multifocal superficial dermatitis.MethodsBiopsy samples were taken from skin lesions and healthy skin of the live specimens. Postmortem examinations were performed on the dead and euthanized specimens. Skin samples were processed for microbiological culture, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing for bacteria, ranavirus major capsid protein (MCP) gene sequencing and histopathological examination. Histopathological examinations were also performed on postmortem tissue samples.ResultsBoth Austwickia chelonae and ranavirus (DNA) were detected in the skin lesions. Pathological examination revealed no significant visceral lesions caused by A. chelonae or ranavirus infection in dead specimens.Conclusions and clinical importanceTo the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of dermatophilosis due to A. chelonae infection in lizards and the first description of a concurrent infection with a ranavirus. The combined infection associated with the skin lesions may have been the primary cause of death. Co‐infection with a ranavirus should be considered as a possible factor in cases of reptilian dermatophilosis.
Acoustical Simulation of a Hydraulic Swash Plate Motor
Authors: Schleihs Christian , Murrenhoff Hubertus 
Published: January 2016

During the past decade tightened safety and health regulations concerning noise pollution in the work place have led to an increased importance of acoustic emissions in machinery. In the course of widespread R&D efforts internal combustion engines have received much attention, leading to their optimization and therefore to a higher contribution of hydraulic components, especially pumps and motors, to the overall machinery sound level.
However, hydraulic industrial design engineering has only recently begun to take acoustic issues into account at an early design stage. This may be due to the situation that the simulation of sound radiation of complex (hydraulic) machinery is not yet as far developed as other finite element analysis (FEA) fields.
In order to improve the sound emission of a variable displacement hydraulic swash plate motor, this paper deals with its acoustic simulation. Therefore an acoustic FEA model is presented. This paper mainly addresses the simulation model setup, the derivation of the resulting dynamic loads and the acoustic analysis, which includes the calculation of the surrounding acoustical near and far field. The simulated sound pressure levels are compared with experimental sound measurements conducted on the motor. Additionally, the influence of different valve plate designs is analyzed.
Variable Displacement Gear and Gerotor Pumps
Authors: Avery Nicholas , Johnston Nigel 
Published: January 2016

Three concepts for variable displacement gear and gerotor pumps were proposed. CAD models and physical prototypes were built for demonstrating and understanding the concepts. One concept was taken to the stage of a working prototype. This was constructed using commonly available rapid prototyping techniques. Though it was a crude prototype, the device was found to be able to pump effectively, and the flow varied as expected when the displacement was varied.
The proposed concepts may be suitable for mass market applications such as automotive power steering and engine lubrication, and could provide very significant energy savings.
SI Engine Top Ring Coating Resistance to Accelerated Scuff and Spalling
Authors: Chen Yu , Sytsma Steve 
Published: January 2016

Modern SI (spark ignition) engines are continuing to evolve for improved fuel economy by utilizing increased peak cylinder pressure, reduced section size piston rings, reduced cylinder bore surface finish, reduced lubricating oil viscosity, usage of alternative fuels, and with potentially increased fuel dilution. These changes all increase the potential for asperity contact between the top ring outer periphery and the cylinder wall, thereby creating a more challenging operational environment for the top ring.
To evaluate the resistance of new advanced top ring coatings, a new aggressive test cycle promoting ring face fatigue and scuffing was developed. The test cycle has been shown to be successful in failing a production GNS (gas nitride steel) coating in 10 hrs of run time.
This paper also presents relative performance data for different top ring face materials and ring features. The ring coatings evaluated include traditional coatings such as GNS and PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating as well as thermal spray coatings consisting of conventional plasma, HDAP (high density air plasma), and HVOF (high velocity oxygen fuel).
In-Situ Thermophysical Properties of an Evolving Carbon Nanoparticle Based Deposit Layer Utilizing a Novel Infrared and Optical Methodology
Authors: Salvi Ashwin A. , Hoard John , Styles Dan , Assanis Dennis 
Published: January 2016

The use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in internal combustion engines has significant impacts on engine combustion and emissions. EGR can be used to reduce in-cylinder NOx production, reduce fuel consumption, and enable advanced forms of combustion. To maximize the benefits of EGR, the exhaust gases are often cooled with liquid to gas heat exchangers. However, the build up of a fouling deposit layer from exhaust particulates and volatiles result in the decrease of heat exchanger efficiency, and increase the outlet temperature of the exhaust gases, and decrease the advantages of EGR.
This paper presents experimental data from a novel in-situ measurement technique in a visualization rig during the development of a 378 micron thick deposit layer. Measurements were performed every 6 hours for up to 24 hours. Results show a non-linear increase in deposit thickness with an increase in layer surface area as deposition continued. Deposit surface temperature and temperature difference across the thickness of the layer was shown to increase with deposit thickness while heat transfer decreased. The provided measurements combine to produce deposit thermal conductivity.
A thorough uncertainty analysis of the in-situ technique is presented and suggests higher measurement accuracy at thicker deposit layers and with larger temperature differences across the layer. The interface and wall temperature measurements are identified as the strongest contributors to the measurement uncertainty. Due to instrument uncertainty, the influence of deposit thickness and temperature could not be determined. At an average deposit thickness of 378 microns and at a temperature of 100°C, the deposit thermal conductivity was determined to be 0.044 ± 0.0062 W/mK at a 90% confidence interval based on instrument accuracy.
Characterization of N-Butanol High Pressure Injection From Modern Common Rail Injection System
Authors: Gao Tongyang , Xie Kelvin , Yu Shui , Han Xiaoye , Wang Meiping , Zheng Ming 
Published: January 2016

Increasing attention has being paid to alternative fuels that have the potential to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence. The alcohol fuel n-butanol, as one of the advanced biofuels, can be potentially utilized as a partial or complete substitute for the diesel fuel in diesel engines. Experimental results from literature, as well as from the authors’ previous research, have shown promising trend of low soot and nitrogen oxides emissions from the combustion with n-butanol high pressure direct injection. However, due to the significant fuel property differences between n-butanol and diesel, the fuel delivery mechanism and combustion control algorithm need to be optimized for n-butanol use. A better understanding of the high pressure n-butanol injection characteristics, such as the injector opening/closing delays and spray droplet sizes, can provide the guidance for the control optimization and insights to the empirical observations of engine combustion and emissions. Meanwhile, the experimental data could be used for the model development of the n-butanol high pressure fuel injection events.
In this work, injection rate measurement, high-speed video direct imaging, and phase Doppler anemometry (PDA) analysis of neat n-butanol and diesel fuel have been conducted with a light-duty high pressure common-rail fuel injection system. The injection rate measurement was performed with an offline injection rate analyzer at 20 bar backpressure to obtain the key parameters of the injector opening/closing delays, and the instantaneous pressure rise. The spray direct imaging was carried out in a pressurized chamber, and the PDA measurement was conducted on a test bench at ambient temperature and pressure. The injector dynamics and spray behavior with respect to the different fuels, variation of injection pressures, and variation of injection durations are discussed.
Role of context in care transition interventions for medically complex older adults: a realist synthesis protocol
Authors: Pitzul Kristen B , Lane Natasha E , Voruganti Teja , Khan Anum I , Innis Jennifer , Wodchis Walter P , Baker G Ross 
Published: January 2016

IntroductionApproximately 30–50% of older adults have two or more conditions and are referred to as multimorbid or complex patients. These patients often require visits to various healthcare providers in a number of settings and are therefore susceptible to fragmented healthcare delivery while transitioning to receive care. Care transition interventions have been implemented to improve continuity of care, however, current evidence suggests that some interventions or components of interventions are only effective within certain contexts. There is therefore a need to unpack the mechanisms of how and within which contexts care transition interventions and their components are effective. Realist review is a synthesis method that explains how complex programmes work within various contexts. The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of context on the activities and mechanisms of care transition interventions in medically complex older adults using a realist review approach.Methods and analysisThis synthesis will be guided by Pawson and colleagues’ 2004 and 2005 protocols for conducting realist reviews. The underlying theories of care transition interventions were determined based on an initial literature search using relevant databases. English language peer-reviewed studies published after 1993 will be included. Several relevant databases will be searched using medical subject headings and text terms. A screening form will be piloted and titles, abstracts and full text of potentially relevant articles will be screened in duplicate. Abstracted data will include study characteristics, intervention type, contextual factors, intervention activities and underlying mechanisms. Patterns in Context-Activity-Mechanism-Outcome (CAMO) configurations will be reported.Ethics and disseminationInternal knowledge translation activities will occur throughout the review and existing partnerships will be leveraged to disseminate findings to frontline staff, hospital administrators and policymakers. Finalised results will be presented at local, national and international conferences, and disseminated via peer-reviewed publications in relevant journals.