bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lake Basaka Expansion: Challenges for the Sustainability of the Matahara Irrigation Scheme, Awash River Basin (Ethiopia)
Authors: Dinka Megersa Olumana 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe Matahara Sugar Estate (MSE), after nearly 60 years of irrigation, is experiencing the effects of waterlogging and salinization in some fields. The problem is believed to be the result of the expansion of (saline and alkaline) Lake Basaka towards the plantation fields. The objective of this study was to determine the geometry of the lake (area and shape) in roughly the past half‐ century (1957–2015) from both Landsat images and local information and then assess its negative effects on MSE's soil and water quality. Monthly groundwater (GW) depth was monitored using piezometer tubes. Water and soil samples were collected from each of the piezometer locations and analysed for important physico‐chemical parameters. The results indicate that the lake expanded approximately 47.3 km2 in the past half‐century. The soil quality was found to be very poor in plantation sections with very shallow GW depth and severe salinity conditions. The lake, as revealed by the results, is intruding into the groundwater system of MSE on the Abadir side. Assuming continuation of the past trends, the lake is expected to inundate parts of MSE in the next few years and, hence, challenge the production and productivity of MSE significantly. The lake has the potential to join the Awash River, thereby impacting all downstream irrigation developments in the basin and the livelihood of the people depending on the water resources. As the area is situated in the uppermost part of Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, other factors are expected to exacerbate its expansion even in the future. Overall, the study results present the potential damage caused by the lake to MSE and provides valuable information for the reclamation measures to be taken for the sustainability of MSE. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student award for outstanding research winner in the Ph.D. category for the 2017 society for biomaterials annual meeting and exposition, april 5–8, 2017, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Characterization of protein interactions with molecularly imprinted hydrogels that possess engineered affinity for high isoelectric point biomarkers
Authors: Clegg John R. , Zhong Justin X. , Irani Afshan S. , Gu Joann , Spencer David S. , Peppas Nicholas A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMolecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with selective affinity for protein biomarkers could find extensive utility as environmentally robust, cost‐efficient biomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In order to develop recognitive, synthetic biomaterials for prohibitively expensive protein biomarkers, we have developed a molecular imprinting technique that utilizes structurally similar, analogue proteins. Hydrogel microparticles synthesized by molecular imprinting with trypsin, lysozyme, and cytochrome c possessed an increased affinity for alternate high isoelectric point biomarkers both in isolation and plasma‐mimicking adsorption conditions. Imprinted and non‐imprinted P(MAA‐co‐AAm‐co‐DEAEMA) microgels containing PMAO‐PEGMA functionalized polycaprolactone nanoparticles were net‐anionic, polydisperse, and irregularly shaped. MIPs and control non‐imprinted polymers (NIPs) exhibited regions of Freundlich and BET isotherm adsorption behavior in a range of non‐competitive protein solutions, where MIPs exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity in the Freundlich isotherm regions. In a competitive condition, imprinting with analogue templates (trypsin, lysozyme) increased the adsorption capacity of microgels for cytochrome c by 162% and 219%, respectively, as compared to a 122% increase provided by traditional bulk imprinting with cytochrome c. Our results suggest that molecular imprinting with analogue protein templates is a viable synthetic strategy for enhancing hydrogel‐biomarker affinity and promoting specific protein adsorption behavior in biological fluids. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1565–1574, 2017.
Long‐Term Randomized Trial of Intensive Versus Symptomatic Management in Paget's Disease of Bone: The PRISM‐EZ Study
Authors: Tan Adrian , Goodman Kirsteen , Walker Allan , Hudson Jemma , MacLennan Graeme S , Selby Peter L , Fraser William D , Ralston Stuart H ,   for the PRISM‐EZ Trial Group
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIt has been suggested that normalization of bone turnover may improve clinical outcome in Paget's disease of bone (PDB) by preventing complications such as fractures and the development of osteoarthritis. Here we investigated the long‐term effects of a treatment strategy that aimed to normalize bone turnover in PDB with that of symptomatic treatment. The study group comprised 502 subjects who were enrolled into a 3‐year extension of the Paget's Disease: Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Symptomatic Management (PRISM) study. Intensive bisphosphonate therapy was continued in 270 of these subjects with the aim of normalizing bone turnover using zoledronic acid as the treatment of first choice. Symptomatic treatment continued in 232 subjects in whom bisphosphonates were only given for the treatment of bone pain. The primary outcome was fracture and secondary outcomes were orthopedic procedures, quality of life, and bone pain, adjusted for baseline characteristics. Serum total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were significantly lower in the intensive group on entry to the study and the differences between groups increased as the study progressed. There were no clinically important differences in quality of life measures or bone pain between the treatment groups. Intensive treatment was associated with a nonsignificant increase in fracture risk (hazard ratio = 1.90; 95% CI, 0.91 to 3.98; p = 0.087), orthopedic procedures (1.81; 95% CI, 0.71 to 4.61; p = 0.214), and serious adverse events (relative risk 1.28; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.42). We conclude that long‐term intensive bisphosphonate therapy confers no clinical benefit over symptomatic therapy and is associated with a nonsignificant increase in the risk of fractures, orthopedic events, and serious adverse events. The results of this study suggest that in patients with established PDB, bisphosphonate therapy should focus on control of symptoms rather than suppression of bone turnover. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Skeleton Is a Storehouse of Mineral That Is Plundered During Lactation and (Fully?) Replenished Afterwards
Authors: Kovacs Christopher S 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

During lactation, mammals resorb mineral from the maternal skeleton to provide calcium to milk. Rodents lose 25% to 35% of skeletal ash weight, ash calcium content, and bone mineral content as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and have compromised material properties of bone as assessed by crushing vertebrae and 3-point bend tests of femora or tibias. The strength, stiffness, and toughness of vertebrae, femora, and tibias are reduced by as much as 60%. The effects of lactation are not uniform throughout the skeleton, but instead resorption is much more marked in the trabecular-rich spine than in the appendicular skeleton or whole body. Women who breastfeed exclusively lose an average of 210 mg calcium in milk each day, whereas nursing of twins or triplets can double and triple the output of calcium. Clinical data are also consistent with skeletal calcium being released during lactation to provide much of the calcium needed for milk production. Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as assessed by DXA, declines by a mean of 5% to 10% among numerous studies during 3 to 6 months of exclusive lactation, whereas largely cortical sites (hip, forearm, whole body) show half that loss or no significant changes. Micro-CT of rodents and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) imaging of women confirm that lactation causes microarchitectural deterioration of bone. These skeletal losses occur through two pathways: upregulated osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteocytic osteolysis, in which osteocytes remove mineral from their lacunae and pericanalicular spaces. After weaning, the skeleton is fully restored to its prior mineral content and strength in both animal models and humans, despite persistent microarchitectural changes observed in high-resolution imaging. Osteoblasts upregulate to lay down new osteoid, while osteocytes remineralize their surroundings. The factors that stimulate this post-weaning skeletal recovery remain unclear. In most studies, a history of lactation does not increase the risk, but may protect against, low BMD and fragility fractures. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
THE COMMUNITY CULTURE SURVEY: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM A NEW APPROACH TO MEASUREMENT AND UNDERSTANDING HEALTH DISPARITIES
Authors: Pellegrin Karen L. , Nigg Claudio R. 
Published: February 2017

The Community Culture Survey (CCS) was designed to advance the measurement of culture and its link to health by asking individuals to describe the attitudes and behaviors of people in the local community where they live. To assess preliminary validity, 130 respondents completed the CCS, a health survey, and demographic questions. Five subscales were derived from the CCS, 2 of which were correlated with health survey items. Residents living in neighborhoods described as higher in Social Responsibility and Friendliness were less likely to report experiencing bodily pain and more likely to report experiencing better quality of life. There were no differences based on demographics. While race or ethnicity is often used as a proxy for culture, the lack of correlation between this variable and community culture subscales supports the distinction between these constructs. The CCS has potential to advance understanding of the effect of community environment on health and disparities.
Light‐sheet based lithography technique for patterning an array of microfluidic channels
Authors: Mohan Kavya , Mondal Partha Pratim 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe propose a Light‐sheet laser interference lithography technique for fabricating periodic microfluidic channels. This technique uses multiple light‐sheet illumination pattern that is generated using a spatial filter at the back‐aperture of the cylindrical lens. Specially designed spatial filter is used that give rise to a periodic pattern at the focal plane which is essentially a 1D Fourier transform of the spatial filter transfer function. One‐dimensional focusing property of the cylindrical lens result in the generation of line shaped channel geometry. To design microfluidic channels, the illumination pattern is exposed to the glass substrate coated with a photopolymer sensitized to 532 nm and subsequently developed using standard chemical protocols. Experimentally, the 1D periodic channel structure has an approximate width and periodicity of approximately 11.25 microns. Light‐sheets based lithography technique offer a fast and single‐shot process to generate microfluidic channels.
Diffusion radiomics analysis of intratumoral heterogeneity in a murine prostate cancer model following radiotherapy: Pixelwise correlation with histology
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chun , Lin Gigin , Hong Ji‐Hong , Lin Yi‐Ping , Chen Fang‐Hsin , Ng Shu‐Hang , Wang Chun‐Chieh 
Published: February 2017

PurposeTo investigate the biological meaning of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in tumors following radiotherapy.Materials and MethodsFive mice bearing TRAMP‐C1 tumor were half‐irradiated with a dose of 15 Gy. Diffusion‐weighted images, using multiple b‐values from 0 to 3000 s/mm2, were acquired at 7T on day 6. ADC values calculated by a two‐point estimate and monoexponential fitting of signal decay were compared between the irradiated and nonirradiated regions of the tumor. Pixelwise ADC maps were correlated with histological metrics including nuclear counts, nuclear sizes, nuclear spaces, cytoplasmic spaces, and extracellular spaces.ResultsAs compared with the nonirradiated region, the irradiated region exhibited significant increases in ADC, extracellular space, and nuclear size, and a significant decrease in nuclear counts (P < 0.001 for all). Optimal ADC to differentiate the irradiated from nonirradiated regions was achieved at a b‐value of 800 s/mm2 by the two‐point method and monoexponential curve fitting. ADC positively correlated with extracellular spaces (r = 0.74) and nuclear sizes (r = 0.72), and negatively correlated with nuclear counts (r = –0.82, P < 0.001 for all).ConclusionAs a radiomic biomarker, ADC maps correlating with histological metrics pixelwise could be a means of evaluating tumor heterogeneity and responses to radiotherapy.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:483–489
An auto‐tracking algorithm for mesoscale eddies using global nearest neighbor filter
Authors: Yi Jiawei , Du Yunyan , Liang Fuyuan , Zhou Chenghu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMany tracking algorithms have been developed to automatically track mesoscale ocean eddies. They are successful in most situations except when there is more than one successor candidate. This study presents a tracking approach using the global nearest neighbor filter (GNNF) to tackle this problem. The GNNF method implements the Kalman filter to model and track the process of ocean eddies, and then employs an optimization method to identify the most possible successor from the multiple candidates. The method was evaluated using an eddy dataset from the South China Sea (SCS) and its performance was compared against the distance‐based search (DBS) and the overlap‐based search (OBS) methods. Results show that GNNF is the most successful method to correctly identify a successor for a specific eddy with multiple potential candidates (accounts for nearly 2% of the total eddies in our dataset). We also evaluated the methods using synthetic eddy tracks and results show that the performance of all three methods is strongly affected by the number of tracks and the variations of eddy propagation velocity. The average pairing error of GNNF, DBS, and OBS are about 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.5%, respectively, when the synthetic tracks were generated with experiment parameters best fit the survey results of ocean eddies in the SCS. The GNNF method is still the most successful algorithm in identifying the correct successor regardless of the complexity of synthetic tracks.
7T‐guided super‐resolution of 3T MRI
Authors: Bahrami Khosro , Shi Feng , Rekik Islem , Gao Yaozong , Shen Dinggang 
Published: February 2017

PurposeHigh‐resolution MR images can depict rich details of brain anatomical structures and show subtle changes in longitudinal data. 7T MRI scanners can acquire MR images with higher resolution and better tissue contrast than the routine 3T MRI scanners. However, 7T MRI scanners are currently more expensive and less available in clinical and research centers. To this end, we propose a method to generate super‐resolution 3T MRI that resembles 7T MRI, which is called as 7T‐like MR image in this paper.MethodsFirst, we propose a mapping from 3T MRI to 7T MRI space, using regression random forest. The mapped 3T MR images serve as intermediate results with similar appearance as 7T MR images. Second, we predict the final higher resolution 7T‐like MR images based on sparse representation, using paired local dictionaries for both the mapped 3T MR images and 7T MR images.ResultsBased on 15 subjects with both 3T and 7T MR images, the predicted 7T‐like MR images by our method can best match the ground‐truth 7T MR images, compared to other methods. Meanwhile, the experiment on brain tissue segmentation shows that our 7T‐like MR images lead to the highest accuracy in the segmentation of WM, GM, and CSF brain tissues, compared to segmentations of 3T MR images as well as the reconstructed 7T‐like MR images by other methods.ConclusionsWe propose a novel method for prediction of high‐resolution 7T‐like MR images from low‐resolution 3T MR images. Our predicted 7T‐like MR images demonstrate better spatial resolution compared to 3T MR images, as well as prediction results by other comparison methods. Such high‐quality 7T‐like MR images could better facilitate disease diagnosis and intervention.
Endogenous Fluorescence Analysis: Preliminary Study Revealing the Potential of this Non‐invasive Method to Study Mummified Samples
Authors: Zanello M. , Pallud J. , Jacqueline S. , Augias A. , Varlet P. , Devaux B. , Nielsen O. , Abi Haidar D. , Charlier P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAutofluorescence analysis allows new insights on human tissue without any dye in a non‐invasive way and therefore seems well suited to study historical samples. An optical set‐up recorded emitted autofluorescence in 1/spectral and 2/lifetime domains from different samples' regions of interest. The studied samples were a mummified right hand, bog body (Tollund Man) feet and a male Caucasian hand (control sample). Spectral analysis revealed that mummified hand exhibited broad autofluorescence spectra, whereas Tollund Man's feet exhibited a weak single peak with 405‐nm excitation wavelength. Control sample spectra are weaker than that of the mummified hand but higher than the Tollund Man's feet. Lifetime measurements indicated the presence of classical endogenous fluorophores on the mummified right hand. The Tollund Man's feet exhibited two patterns of lifetime measurements: healthy zone exhibited lifetime values at four emission wavelengths but skin lesions at only two wavelengths. This first report of mummified samples' autofluorescence analysis suggests the potential of optical analysis for archeologic research. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fine tuning the assembly and gel behaviors of PEGylated polypeptide conjugates by the copolymerization of l‐alanine and γ‐benzyl‐l‐glutamate N‐carboxyanhydrides
Authors: Zhang Yumin , Song Huijuan , Zhang Hao , Huang Pingsheng , Liu Jinjian , Chu Liping , Liu Jianfeng , Wang Weiwei , Cheng Zhen , Kong Deling 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTTuning the secondary structure of polypeptide is an effective strategy to modulate the assembly behaviors of polypeptide‐based copolymers. In this study, ring‐opening polymerization of l‐alanine (Ala) and γ‐benzyl‐l‐glutamate (BLG) N‐carboxyanhydrides was adopted using mPEG‐NH2 as the initiator to prepare mPEG‐poly(l‐alanine‐co‐γ‐benzyl‐l‐glutamate) (PEAB) copolymers with various Ala to BLG ratios. 1H NMR spectra and GPC test confirmed their well‐defined chemical structures. FT‐IR spectra indicated that at the powder state, all copolymers adopted both β‐sheet and α‐helical conformations. With the content of PBLG increased, the crystallization temperature and melting points of PEAB copolymers first rose then fell indicated by DSC curves. The self‐assembly of PEAB copolymers in dilute aqueous solution studied by DLS, TEM and circular dichroism spectra showed that PEAB copolymers self‐assembled into nanostructures with diverse morphologies and sizes due to distinct polypeptide conformations. Rheological analysis indicated that the alteration of the polypeptide composition can effectively modulate the modulus of PEAB assemblies in concentrated solutions. In all, copolymerization of two hydrophobic amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides into the polypeptide block maybe an effective approach for modulating the assembly properties of PEGylated polypeptide. Besides, nanosilver‐encapsulated PEA or PEAB hydrogel showed promising antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtillis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1512–1523
N‐Bromosuccinimide Promoted Direct Thiolation of Imidazoheteroaryl C‐H bonds with Disulfides
Authors: Maddi Raghavender Reddy , Shirsat Prashishkumar K. , Kumar Santosh , Meshram H. M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA one‐pot protocol has been demonstrated for the regioselective sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with disulfides. In this method, thiols are converted to sulfenyl bromides and reacted with 2‐phenylimidazo [1, 2‐a] pyridines. This simple procedure is highly capable for sulfenylation with readily available starting materials in good to excellent yields under transition metal and base free conditions.
Toluene Oxidation in the Absence and Presence of CO, CO2, Water and H2 over ZrO2‐Based Gasification Gas Clean‐Up Catalysts
Authors: Viinikainen Tiia S. , Lehtonen Juha S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGasification of biomass is an environmentally friendly way to produce electricity and syngas when combined with effective gas cleaning. ZrO2‐based catalysts have been proven to remove undesired tar molecules when a convenient amount of oxygen is added. However, high activity in the tar oxidation is not the only requirement for the catalyst performance. The valuable gasification gas components, such as CO and H2, must be protected while passing the complex gasification gas over the catalyst. Oxidation of toluene as a tar model compound was addressed by applying temperature‐programmed surface reaction (TPSR) experiments with continuous feed of toluene, oxygen and one main gasification gas component (CO, CO2, H2 or water) over pure and doped zirconias. The most water tolerant catalyst was pure ZrO2 and the least was SiO2‐ZrO2. A new indicator called ‘Preferentiality’ was introduced and it expresses in one single quantity how well the catalyst is performing in tar conversion while protecting the valuable components of the gas. At 600 °C, the highest preferentiality of toluene oxidation over both CO and H2 oxidation was achieved over pure ZrO2.
Crystallography as Forensic Tool for Understanding Electrolyte Degradation in Dye–sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Gao Jiajia , Fischer Andreas , Svensson Per H. , Kloo Lars 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe precipitation of solid compounds from model electrolytes for liquid dye‐sensitized solar cells has a story to tell regarding decomposition processes to be expected in such systems. Of course, the crystal lattice energy for a specific crystalline compounds plays a role in what compound that will eventually precipitate, but the compounds nevertheless serve as indicators for what type of processes that take place in the solar cell electrolytes upon ageing. From the compounds isolated in this study we learn that both ligand exchange processes, double‐salt precipitation and oxidation are degradation processes that should not be overlooked when formulating efficient and stable electrolytes for this type of electrochemical system.
Sulfimine‐Promoted Fast O Transfer: One–step Synthesis of Sulfoximine from Sulfide
Authors: Xie Yongtao , Zhou Biying , Zhou Sha , Zhou Shaa , Wei Wei , Liu Jingbo , Zhan Yizhou , Cheng Dandan , Chen Minggui , Li Yuxin , Wang Baolei , Xue Xiao‐song , Li Zhengming 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTransfer of electrophilic NH to sulfides and a subsequent sulfimine‐promoted fast O transfer have been achieved in a one‐pot process unprecedentedly for the preparation of sulfoximines at ambient temperature under air. The transformations, which are metal‐, ligand‐, base‐, additive‐free, and operationally simple, proceed in just 5 min and furnish NH‐sulfoximines in good‐to‐excellent yields (up to 99 %) by treatment of sulfides with a combination of PhI(OAc)2 and ammonia source. A variety of commercially available and inexpensive electrophilic nitrogen sources are successfully used in the oxidative sulfide‐to‐sulfoximine conversions. This method features a high efficiency, excellent functional‐group tolerance, and broad substrate scope, which may facilitate its applications in medicinal chemistry area.