bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a hydraulically induced crystalline‐rock fracture
Authors: Burbey Thomas J. , Brandon Ryan A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHydraulic fracturing has become an important technique for enhancing the permeability of hydrocarbon source rocks and increasing aquifer transmissivity in many hard rock environments where natural fractures are limited, yet little is known about the nature or behaviour of these hydraulically induced fractures as conduits to flow and transport. We propose that these fractures tend to be smooth based on observed hydraulic and transport behaviour. In this investigation a multi‐faceted approach was used to quantify the properties and characteristics of an isolated hydraulically induced fracture in crystalline rocks. Packers were used to isolate the fracture that is penetrated by two separate observation wells located approximately 33 m apart. A series of aquifer tests and an induced gradient tracer test were performed to better understand the nature of this fracture. Aquifer test results indicate that full recovery is slow because of the overall low permeability of the crystalline rocks. Drawdown tests indicate that the fracture has a transmissivity of 1–2 m2/day and a specific storage on the order of 2–9 × 10−7/m. Analysis of a potassium–bromide tracer test break through curve shows classic Fickian behaviour with minimal tailing analogous to parallel plate flow. Virtually all of the tracer was recovered, and the breakthrough curve dilution indicates that the swept area is only about 11% of a radial flow field and the estimated aperture is ≤0.5 mm, which implies a narrow linear flow region. These outcomes suggest that transport within these hydraulically induced ‘smooth’ fractures in crystalline rocks is rapid with minimal mixing, small local velocity fluctuations and no apparent diffusion into the host rock or secondary fractures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating weather observations and the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis as inputs for hydrologic modelling in the tropics
Authors: Auerbach Daniel A. , Easton Zachary M. , Walter M. Todd , Flecker Alexander S. , Fuka Daniel R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCorrectly representing weather is critical to hydrological modelling, but scarce or poor quality observations can often compromise model accuracy. Reanalysis datasets may help to address this basic challenge. The Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) dataset provides continuous, globally available records, and CFSR data have produced satisfactory hydrological model performance in some temperate and monsoonal locations. However, the use of CFSR for hydrological modelling in tropical and semi‐tropical basins has not been adequately evaluated. Taking advantage of exceptionally high rainfall station density in the catchments of the Rio Grande de Loiza above San Juan, Puerto Rico, we compared model performance based on CFSR records with that based on publicly available weather stations in the Global Historical Climate Network (GHCN, n = 21) and on a dataset of rainfall records maintained by the United States Geological Survey Caribbean Water Science Center (USGS, n = 24). For an implementation of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with subbasins defined at 11 streamflow gages, uncalibrated measures of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) were >0 at 8 of 11 gages using USGS precipitation data for daily simulations over the period 1998–2012, but were <0 using GHCN weather station records (8 of 11) and CFSR reanalysis data (9 of 11). Autocalibration of individual SWAT models for each of the 11 basins against each of the available weather datasets yielded NSE values > 0 using all precipitation inputs, including CFSR. However, the ground weather station closest to the geographic basin centre produced the highest NSE values in only 5 of 11 cases. The spatially interpolated CFSR data performed as well or better than single ground observations made further than 20–30 km, and sometimes better than individual weather stations <10 km from the basin centroid. In addition to demonstrating the need to evaluate available weather inputs, this research reinforces the value of CFSR data as a means to supplement ground records and consistently determine a baseline for hydrologic model performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) impairs the proliferation of C17.2 neural stem cells via the downregulation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Dong Xuan , Yang Jianbin , Nie Xiaoke , Xiao Jing , Jiang Shengyang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe neurotoxic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have attracted significant research attention in recent years. In the present study, we investigated the impact of PFOS exposure on the physiology of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. We showed that PFOS exposure markedly attenuated the proliferation of C17.2 neural stem cells in both dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. Additionally, we found that PFOS decreased Ser9 phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (pSer9‐GSK‐3β), leading to the activation of GSK‐3β and resultant downregulation of cellular β‐catenin. Furthermore, blockage of GSK‐3β with lithium chloride significantly attenuated both the PFOS‐induced downregulation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin and the proliferative impairment of C17.2 cells. Notably, the expression of various downstream targets was altered accordingly, such as c‐myc, cyclin D1 and survivin. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PFOS decreased the proliferation of C17.2 cells via the negative modulation of the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway. We present the potential mechanisms underlying the PFOS‐induced toxic effects on NSCs to provide novel insights into the neurotoxic mechanism of PFOS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutational Analysis on Membrane Associated Transporter Protein (MATP) and Their Structural Consequences in Oculocutaeous Albinism Type 4 (OCA4)—A Molecular Dynamics Approach
Authors: Kamaraj Balu , Purohit Rituraj 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTOculocutaneous albinism type IV (OCA4) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder which is characterized by reduced biosynthesis of melanin pigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes and caused by the genetic mutations in the membrane‐associated transporter protein (MATP) encoded by SLC45A2 gene. The MATP protein consists of 530 amino acids which contains 12 putative transmembrane domains and plays an important role in pigmentation and probably functions as a membrane transporter in melanosomes. We scrutinized the most OCA4 disease‐associated mutation and their structural consequences on SLC45A2 gene. To understand the atomic arrangement in 3D space, the native and mutant structures were modeled. Further the structural behavior of native and mutant MATP protein was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) approach in explicit lipid and water background. We found Y317C as the most deleterious and disease‐associated SNP on SLC45A2 gene. In MDS, mutations in MATP protein showed loss of stability and became more flexible, which alter its structural conformation and function. This phenomenon has indicated a significant role in inducing OCA4. Our study explored the understanding of molecular mechanism of MATP protein upon mutation at atomic level and further helps in the field of pharmacogenomics to develop a personalized medicine for OCA4 disorder. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2608–2619, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells Support Lymphangiogenic Parameters In Vitro
Authors: Strassburg S. , Torio‐Padron N. , Finkenzeller G. , Frankenschmidt A. , Stark G.B. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTIt is a common complication to develop a secondary lymphedema after surgery or radiation, for example, after axillary lymph node dissection due to breast cancer and current therapies are mainly symptomatic. Since these surgical procedures result in both, loss of adipose tissue and loss of lymphatic nodes and vessels, tissue engineering could be a new promising approach, to create an adipose tissue substitute comprised with a lymphatic network. We have conducted co‐culture experiments to investigate the effects of human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) on human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in terms of gene expression profile, proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro. In this respect, both cell types were co‐cultured either indirectly or directly with or without the recombinant growth factor VEGF‐C. Indirect co‐cultures were performed with the aid of a transwell chamber. In case of direct co‐culture, immunomagnetic separation by CD31 magnetic beads allowed examination of the LEC population. Direct and indirect co‐culture of ASCs induced mRNA expression of lymphatic marker genes, proliferation, and migration by LECs without affecting tube formation. Thus, we have shown that co‐culture of ASCs with LECs might be a feasible approach that could be used in cell‐based tissue engineering therapies to heal or improve a secondary lymphedema. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2620–2629, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Internal jugular vein/common carotid artery cross‐sectional area ratio and central venous pressure
Authors: Hossein‐Nejad Hooman , Mohammadinejad Payam , Ahmadi Faezeh 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeTo investigate the accuracy of the sonographic assessment of internal jugular vein/common carotid artery (IJV/CCA) cross‐sectional area ratio in predicting central venous pressure (CVP) in critically ill patients.MethodsIn adult patients who underwent central venous catheterization for monitoring of hemodynamic status, we used bedside sonography for diameter and cross‐sectional area measurement of IJV and CCA. The IJV/CCA ratio was then calculated, and its correlation with CVP as well as its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were analyzed.ResultsWe enrolled 52 patients with a mean age of 58.8 ± 10.7 years. The mean IJV/CCA ratio was 1.89 ± 0.83 and 1.90 ± 0.83, respectively, at inspiration and expiration. A significant correlation was observed between IJV/CCA ratio and CVP (r = 0.728, p < 0.0001 at inspiration, and r = 0.736, p < 0.0001 at expiration). Sensitivity was 90%, specificity 86.36%, positive predictive values 90%, and negative predictive values 86.36% for the prediction of CVP <10 cm H2O.ConclusionsAssessing the IJV/CCA ratio with a portable sonographic device could be a noninvasive alternative for central venous catheterization in order to evaluate the hemodynamic status of critically ill patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:312–318, 2016
MRI‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer pain: Efficacy and safety
Authors: Liu Shangang , Fu Weiwei , Liu Zengjun , Liu Ming , Ren Ruimei , Zhai Huaxu , Li Chengli 
Published: March 2016

PurposeTo prospectively determine the efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for pancreatic cancer pain.Materials and MethodsIn all, 39 patients with pancreatic cancer underwent 0.23T MRI‐guided CPN with ethanol via the posterior approach. The pain relief, the opioid intake, and pain interference with appetite, sleep, and communication in patients were assessed after CPN during a 4‐month follow‐up period. The complications were also evaluated during or after CPN.ResultsCPN procedures were successfully completed for all patients. Minor complications included diarrhea (9 of 39; 23.1%), orthostatic hypotension (14 of 39; 35.9%), and local backache (20 of 39; 51.3%). No major complication occurred. Pain relief was observed in 36 (92.3%), in 15 (40.5%), and in 11 (35.5%) patients at 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits, respectively. The median duration of pain relief was 2.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4–3.4). The opioid intake significantly decreased at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits (P < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.001 respectively), and there was significant improvement in sleep at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits (P < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.001 respectively), and appetite and communication were significantly improved at the 1‐ and 2‐month visits (all P < 0.001); all compared with baseline.ConclusionMRI‐guided CPN appears to be an effective and minimally invasive procedure for palliative pain management of pancreatic cancer. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:923–928.
Quantification of Hydrologic Response of Staggered Contour Trenching for Horti‐pastoral Land Use System in Small Ravine Watersheds: A Paired Watershed Approach
Authors: Ali Shakir , Sethy B. K. , Singh R. K. , Parandiyal A. K. , Kumar Ashok 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA paired watershed approach was used to quantifying the effects of staggered contour trenching (SCT) densities on runoff and soil loss from a long‐term field experiment. Four adjacent physiographical similar ravine watersheds were selected. After 2‐year calibration period, three of the four watersheds were treated with different SCT densities and leaving one watershed as untreated control (WC). The SCT densities of 139, 278 and 417 trenches ha−1 were determined based on the targeted 25, 50 and 75% runoff trapping potential of the WT1, WT2 and WT3 treatment watersheds, respectively. Runoff and soil loss were recorded for a period of 11 years including 2 years of calibration period. The calibration and treatment prediction equations for the treatment watershed with respect to untreated control watershed were developed by the simple linear regression. F‐test and t‐test (p < 0·0001) suggested that calibration predictions were highly significant and treatment prediction equations differ significantly. Results showed mean runoff reductions of 86·1, 60·5 and 37·7% in the WT3, WT2 and WT1 treatment watershed over the control, respectively. Similar trends as the runoff were also recorded in soil loss reduction by 124·9, 77·1 and 40·0% for the WT3, WT2 and WT1 over Wc, respectively. Paired t‐test (p < 0·001) indicated that the means of the treatment effects on runoff and soil loss in treatment watersheds differ significantly with control watershed. It was concluded that 417 staggered contour trenches ha−1 is an optimum trenching density for supporting the horti‐pastoral land use system in ravine lands of India. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Corn‐Cellulose Fibers Reinforced Polyester Composites
Authors: Balaji N. S. , Jayabal S. , Kalayana Sundaram S. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThis research work is focused on utilizing waste agricultural residues as reinforcement in polymer composites. Natural cellulose fibers from corn involucre petals were used as reinforcement materials in order to improve the mechanical properties of the polyester composites. Corn involucre petals fibers are the newly identified fiber which are extracted from the corn plants (Zea Mays subsp) using simple manual extraction. The extracted fiber were reinforced in polyester matrix with five level of fiber loading ranging from 10% to 70% and five levels of fiber length ranging from 10 to 50 mm. Hand layup process was used for composite fabrication and the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were determined experimentally as per ASTM standards and Scanning Electron Microscopy was used for fractography study. The Corn involucre petal fibers reinforced polyester composites exhibited promising mechanical properties which suits their use for commercial and engineering applications.
Molecular, dynamic, and structural origin of inhomogeneous magnetization transfer in lipid membranes
Authors: Swanson Scott D. , Malyarenko Dariya I. , Fabiilli Mario L. , Welsh Robert C. , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Srinivasan Ashok 
Published: March 2016

PurposeTo elucidate the dynamic, structural, and molecular properties that create inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) contrast.MethodsAmphiphilic lipids, lamellar phospholipids with cholesterol, and bovine spinal cord (BSC) specimens were examined along with nonlipid systems. Magnetization transfer (MT), enhanced MT (eMT, obtained with double‐sided radiofrequency saturation), ihMT (MT – eMT), and dipolar relaxation, T1D, were measured at 2.0 and 11.7 T.ResultsThe amplitude of ihMT ratio (ihMTR) is positively correlated with T1D values. Both ihMTR and T1D increase with increasing temperature in BSC white matter and in phospholipids and decrease with temperature in other lipids. Changes in ihMTR with temperature arise primarily from alterations in MT rather than eMT. Spectral width of MT, eMT, and ihMT increases with increasing carbon chain length.ConclusionsConcerted motions of phospholipids in white matter decrease proton spin diffusion leading to increased proton T1D times and increased ihMT amplitudes, consistent with decoupling of Zeeman and dipolar spin reservoirs. Molecular specificity and dynamic sensitivity of ihMT contrast make it a suitable candidate for probing myelin membrane disorders. Magn Reson Med 77:1318–1328, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
The Effect of English Language Learner Reclassification on Student ACT Scores, High School Graduation, and Postsecondary Enrollment: Regression Discontinuity Evidence from Wisconsin
Authors: Carlson Deven , Knowles Jared E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe recent increase in the number of students classified as English language learners (ELLs) has focused significant attention on reclassification policy, which governs the process by which ELLs move toward, and are deemed to reach, full English proficiency. In this paper, we draw on a data set containing annual individual‐level records for every Wisconsin student ever classified as an ELL between the 2006–07 and 2012–13 school years to estimate the effects of being reclassified at the end of 10th grade—a crucial period on the pathway to postsecondary education—on several measures related to students’ postsecondary attainments. We estimate these effects in a regression discontinuity framework, exploiting Wisconsin's policy rule that automatically reclassifies ELLs who score above a specified cutoff on the state's English language proficiency exam. Our analysis indicates that being reclassified as fully English proficient in 10th grade has a positive effect on students’ ACT scores. It also provides some evidence of a positive effect on high school graduation and the probability of enrolling in a postsecondary institution the fall after graduation. Together, our analyses provide evidence on the effects of a policy directly relevant to the country's fastest growing student population, and we close the paper with a discussion of the implications for research and policy.
Open source non‐invasive prenatal testing platform and its performance in a public health laboratory
Authors: Johansen Peter , Richter Stine R. , Balslev‐Harder Marie , Miltoft Caroline B. , Tabor Ann , Duno Morten , Kjaergaard Susanne 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to introduce non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal autosomal trisomies and gender in a Danish public health setting, using semi‐conductor sequencing and published open source scripts for analysis.MethodsPlasma‐derived DNA from a total of 375 pregnant women (divided into three datasets) was whole‐genome sequenced on the Ion Proton™ platform and analyzed using a pipeline based on WISECONDOR for fetal autosomal aneuploidy detection and SeqFF for fetal DNA fraction estimation. We furthermore validated a fetal sex determination analysis.ResultsThe pipeline correctly detected 27/27 trisomy 21, 4/4 trisomy 18, and 3/3 trisomy 13 fetuses. Neither false negatives nor false positives (chromosomes 13, 18, and 21) were observed in our validation dataset. Fetal sex was identified correctly in all but one triploid fetus (172/173). SeqFF showed a strong correlation (R2 = 0.72) to Y‐chromosomal content of the male fetus samples.DiscussionWe have implemented NIPT into Danish health care using published open source scripts for autosomal aneuploidy detection and fetal DNA fraction estimation showing excellent false negative and false positive rates. SeqFF provides a good estimation of fetal DNA fraction. This coupled with an analysis of fetal sex that provides a complete NIPT workflow, which may easily be adapted for implementation in other public health laboratories. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy of the Structured Medication History Assessment Tool (MedHAT) Compared with Recorded Real‐Time Medication Use
Authors: Heard Kennon , Anderson Victoria E. , Dart Richard C. , Green Jody L. 
Published: March 2016

Study ObjectiveMedication histories are collected to measure drug exposure in epidemiologic studies, to identify adverse drug events and in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of a structured medication history obtained by using the Medication History Assessment Tool (MedHAT) with a medication diary in which subjects recorded real‐time medication use.DesignProspective observational study.SettingOutpatient research center.SubjectsSixty‐seven adult healthy volunteers.InterventionsSubjects were provided diaries to record the product name, dose quantity, and time that they used a prescription or nonprescription medication, supplement, or vitamin. After a minimum of 30 continuous days of diary use, a final interview was conducted, and medication history data were collected by using the MedHAT.Measurements and Main ResultsWe compared the medications reported during the interview with the medications recorded in the diary for each day to determine the accuracy of the verbal history. The primary outcome was the proportion of matches for each day for each subject. Overall accuracy for medication use for the day preceding the interview was 90%, and accuracy during the 30 days preceding the interview was 76%. Recall was higher for subjects taking prescription medications, those who had more recent medication use, older subjects, and subjects taking a higher proportion of prescription medications.ConclusionThe MedHAT system provided relatively high accuracy for immediate past use and for prescription medications and may offer better accuracy than other methods. Medication histories are often inaccurate, however, and may represent an important source of misclassification in epidemiologic studies. Thus medication histories alone should be used cautiously when measuring associations between drug exposure and health outcomes.
Assessing Understanding of the Energy Concept in Different Science Disciplines
Authors: PARK MIHWA , LIU XIUFENG 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTEnergy is one of the most central and richly connected ideas across all science disciplines. The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing students’ understanding of the energy concept within and across different science disciplines. To achieve this goal, the Inter‐Disciplinary Energy concept Assessment (IDEA) was developed through a pilot test, consisting of 49 items presented in pairs: multiple‐choice questions followed by open‐ended justification questions. The IDEA was administered to 356 college students in the United States. The partial credit Rasch model was applied to establish evidence of validity and reliability of measures for the IDEA. Results showed that the IDEA can produce reliable and valid measures of student understanding of the energy concept in different science disciplines. No statistical difference was found between the average difficulties of items across disciplines. In addition, the four science disciplines were positively correlated in terms of student understanding of the energy concept. When item difficulties were analyzed by science content topics, it was found that students have difficulty in understanding the energy concept in atomic structure, wave, electric and magnetic energy, and modern physics content areas. This result suggests that students’ difficulty in understanding the energy concept is compounded with specific science contents.