bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer Demand for Beverages in Pakistan
Authors: Manan A. , Shahid B. , Sultan A. , Ahmed U.I. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis current research endeavors to study important factors having significant impact on consumer’s choice of beverages in Punjab province of Pakistan. Beverages in two major categories of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ have been studied to examine consumer consumption pattern. Data has been collected through interview from 80 respondents belonging to two major cities of Punjab, i.e. Lahore and Faisalabad, by incorporating stratified random sampling technique. These two cities of Punjab were selected because of big departmental stores opening like Metro Cash and Carry store, Al-Fateh and others. A pre tested and well-arranged questionnaire was used for data gathering from respondents. To estimate the outcome of factors affecting choices of consumers (demand function), multivariate analysis was incorporated. Results of this research showed that consumption pattern of cold beverages was affected significantly by consumer income, cold beverages prices, city selected for survey and number of adolescents in a family, whereas factors which affected the consumption of hot beverages were food expenditure, living area, marital status, income, working persons in a family, family size. Due to availability of copious brands of beverages, consumption is escalating with the passage of time and consumers are eager to pay but owing to high rates they are not relishing full taste of beverages. So, local industry should produce cost effective and quality drinks to enhance usage.
Subcritical crack growth and crack tip driving forces in relation to material resistance
Authors: Sadananda Kuntimaddi , Solanki Kiran N. , Vasudevan Asuri K. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBasic concepts, related to the crack tip driving forces in relation to the material resistance, are analyzed for the elastic and elastic-plastic crack growth condition. This defines the crack initiation and growth conditions, as well as for crack arrest. Environment provides an additional driving force, thereby reducing the mechanical driving force required for the crack to grow. It is shown that (a) crack initiation and its growth are inseparable and (b) the magnitude of the applied and/or internal stresses; their gradients are also important for initiation and continuous growth of a crack. Elastic-plastic crack growth is also analyzed using the discrete dislocation models. The results show that its behavior is similar to that of an elastic crack. These concepts are valid for all subcritical crack growth. Mechanical and mechanical equivalent of chemical forces are defined for estimating the life prediction of a component in service. Failure diagrams are defined based on the extension of classical Kitagawa-Takahashi diagram that bridges the behavior of smooth and fracture mechanics specimens. Connections between crack initiation, growth, arrest, and overload fracture are established via these failure diagrams. Application of these diagrams for engineering components in service is outlined for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.
Rehabilitation of Patients with Hip Joint Arthroplasty (Late Post-surgery Period – Hospital Rehabilitation)
Authors: Krastanova Maya S. , Ilieva Elena M. , Vacheva Danelina E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackground:Hip joint replacement (endoprosthesis, alloplasty) has become one of the most frequent surgery interventions of the 20th century.Aim:To conduct rehabilitation therapy in the late post-surgery period of hospital rehabilitation (45 days after surgery), to track patients’ progress and measure the results.Materials and methods:One hundred and fifty-two patients with hip joint endoprosthesis were included in the study. All underwent surgery and rehabilitation at the Department of Clinical Rehabilitation of the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic at Doctor G. Stranski University Hospital, Pleven. Kinesitherapy included therapeutic massage, isometric exercises for gluteal and hip muscles, isotonic exercises for the hip and the knee joint, breathing exercises, analytical gymnastics, exercises for balance and posture stability; gait control, exercises with gym equipment; occupational exercises included all activities of daily living (ADL) that were practiced at home; treatment with performed physical factors included applying magnetic field, interferential current therapy, electrostimulation of them. quadriceps femorisand the gluteal muscles.Results:The scores from the pain visual analog scale (VAS), the muscle strength test and the test for the movement volume of the hip joint were obtained at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation process and stored in an individual file for each patient.Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the complex rehabilitation program (kinesitherapy, performed physical factors and occupational therapy) can result in a considerably faster recovery and ensures that patients reach optimal functional results.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Hepatitis C
Authors: Mekov Evgeni V. , Petkov Rosen E. , Kostadinov Dimitar T. , Antonov Krasimir A. , Jelev Deian T. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable, treatable disease with significant extrapulmonary manifestations that could affect negatively its course in some patients. Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), on the other hand, is associated with a number of extrahepatic manifestations. COPD patients have increased prevalence of HCV and patients with HCV, especially older ones, have increased prevalence and faster progression of COPD. HCV infection exerts long-term effects on lung tissue and is an additional risk factor for the development of COPD. The presence of HCV is associated with an accelerated loss of lung function in COPD patients, especially in current smokers. COPD could represent extrahepatic manifestation associated with HCV infection. The aim of this article was to review the literature on prevalence of HCV in COPD and vice versa, pathogenetic link and the consequences of their mutual existence.
Association of Permeability and Lipid Content of Membrane
Authors: Ashara Kalpesh C. , Shah Ketan V. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackground:Rat skin and goatcul de sacare mostly used in optimization of formulations as the model of human skin andcul de sac.Aim:To explore the correlation between lipid content of rat skin and goatcul de sacand permeability.Materials and methods:Find out wavelength maximum for Sapat plus malam®, Ciplox eye ointment®and chloramphenicol eye caps and the standard curve was also derived.In vitrostudies using Cellophane®membrane andex vivostudies using rat skin or goatcul de sacof the formulations. Permeability coefficient, % dislodgeable dose, lag time, diffusion parameter, and partition coefficient were found for both studies after six and a half hours of penetration studies. Student’s unpaired t-test with equal variance was used to find any statistically significant difference in theex vivoandin vitrodiffusion transport studies at 95% level of confidence.Results:Permeability coefficient of Sapat plus malam®, Ciplox eye ointment®and chloramphenicol eye caps were 0.000316 ± 0.0000625, 0.00416 ± 0.0001, 0.0034 ± 0.00004 for Cellophane®membrane and 0.0001 ± 0.000001, 0.002254 ± 0.0002, 0.00303 ± 0.0001 forex vivomembrane in cm2/min, respectively. For all three formulations, there were calculated t values which were higher than tabulated t values at 95% of confidence level (P<0.05).Conclusion:Cellophane®membrane shows a better diffusion than rat skin or goatcul de sac. In the optimization of formulation, only Cellophane®membrane is advisable to use.
Fast separation of Cu2+ and Ni2+ in sulfate solution by Lix984N extraction using a microchannel chip
Authors: Xiao Biquan , Jiang Feng , Yin Shaohua , Zhang Libo , Peng Jinhui , Ju Shaohua , Zhang Lihua , Wang Shixing 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
A comparison study about the extraction and separation of Cu2+ and Ni2+ with Lix984N in a microchannel reactor and separating funnel has been conducted. The results showed that, in the microchannel reactor, the overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient of copper was 20 times that of nickel, whereas in the separating funnel, it was only 2 times that of nickel. In addition, the separation coefficient of copper and nickel in the microchannel reactor was 5 times that of the conventional one. Typically, at initial pH=2.5, contact time 1.95 s, volume fraction of extractant Lix984N 15% and within 1.9 g l−1 nickel ion concentration, the extraction rate of copper was higher than 95%, but the nickel was hardly extracted. In comparison, it needed almost 50 s to reach a Cu extraction of 95% in the separation funnel, with more than 5% Ni co-extraction rate. Although the microfluid extraction showed excellent extraction performance, there exists a need to further improve its processing capacity to apply it to industrial production. Furthermore, scaling up the microreactor has become increasingly promising under the fast developing 3D printing technology.
Dynamic Water Mobility in Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicas) During Drying Process Assessed by LF-NMR and MRI in situ
Authors: Zang Xiu , Zu Yinxue , Zhang Tan , Xia Kexin , Song Yukun , Wang Yang , Dong Xiuping , Tan Mingqian 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the water dynamics in sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicas) during drying process in situ by the fast and non-destructive low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. T
2 relaxation spectra in three-dimensional (3D) color map surface image from LF-NMR showed three main peaks assigned to bound water with relaxation time less than 2 ms, immobilized water in the range of 15–150 ms and extra-collagen fibrillar bulk water or free water adhered onto the sea cucumber with the longest relaxation time 200–1600 ms. The water dynamics in sea cucumber during drying process was clearly observed from the 3D color map surface image. Significant correlations between the LF-NMR T
2 parameters (ATotal, A
23 and T
23) and TPA parameters were observed, demonstrating that LF-NMR might be a complementary technique in monitoring the textural properties of sea cucumber during drying process.
Building bridges across the Oxus: language, development, and globalization at the Tajik-Afghan frontier
Authors: Mostowlansky Till 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this article I set out to explore the Tajik-Afghan frontier in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region as a “contact zone” in which different actors engage in communicative encounters. Against this backdrop I take the construction of bridges across the Tajik-Afghan border river as a point of departure to analyse how these actors envisage processes of globalization. Following Pennycook, I argue that a focus on language as local practice reveals that the Tajik-Afghan frontier is marked by a high degree of different languages, but also by multiple meanings within and beyond these languages. As a result I maintain that highlighting the locality of languages at the Tajik-Afghan frontier provides an opportunity to frame language as tied to specific communicative encounters in semiotized time and space.
Monitoring Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated with Cardiogenic Shock — from the Emergency Room to Coronary Care Units
Authors: Barcan Andreea , Suciu Zsuzsanna , Rapolti Emese 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, despite many advances encountered in the last years in reperfusion, mechanical, and pharmacological therapies addressed to stabilization of the hemodynamic condition of these critical patients. Such patients require immediate initiation of the most effective therapy, as well as a continuous monitoring in the Coronary Care Unit. Novel biomarkers have been shown to improve diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with cardiogenic shock, and their proper use may be especially important for the identification of the critical condition, leading to prompt therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature data on complex biomarker assessment and monitoring of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock in the Coronary Care Unit.
Computed Tomography Assessment of Coronary Fistulas
Authors: Jáni Laura , Mester András , Hodas Roxana , Kovács István , Benedek Theodora , Bajka Balázs , Benedek Imre 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Coronary artery fistulas, a rare anomaly, are represented by an abnormal communication between the coronary arteries and other vascular structures or cardiac chambers and, in most cases, are detected incidentally. Regularly, they do not cause important pathological changes, but if the symptoms persist, they need to be treated. The hemodynamic impact depends on the localization and size of the fistulas. Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and multislice computed tomography, are widely used for the detection of coronary anomalies. The presence of symptoms (angina, dyspnea) is the primary indication for the surgical or percutaneous closure of the communications; therefore, a systematic follow-up is indicated in all cases. We present four cases of coronary artery fistulas, without important hemodynamic complications, detected by multislice computed tomography coronary angiography.
From vine to wine: photophysics of a pyranoflavylium analog of red wine pyranoanthocyanins
Authors: Freitas Adilson A. , Silva Cassio Pacheco , Silva Gustavo Thalmer M. , Maçanita António L. , Quina Frank H. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
In the ground state, the p-methoxyphenyl-substituted pyranoflavylium cation I, prepared by the reaction of the 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylflavylium cation with p-methoxybenzaldehyde, is a weak acid (pKa=3.7±0.1). In its lowest excited singlet state, I is a moderate photoacid (pKa*=0.67) in 30% methanol-water acidified with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In comparison to anthocyanins and 7-hydroxyflavylium cations, the photoacidity of I is much less pronounced and the rate of proton loss from the excited acid form of I much slower (by a factor of up to 100). In 50% ethanol:0.10 mol dm−3 HClO4, the excited state of the acid form of I undergoes fast (12 ps) initial relaxation (potentially in the direction of an intramolecular charge transfer state), followed by much slower (340 ps) adiabatic deprotonation to form the excited base. The excited base in turn exhibits a moderately fast relaxation (70 ps), consistent with solvent hydrogen-bond reorganization times, followed by slower but efficient decay (1240 ps) back to the ground state. As in uncomplexed anthocyanins and 7-hydroxyflavylium cations, the photophysical behavior of I points to excited state proton transfer as the dominant excited state deactivation pathway of pyranoanthocyanins, consistent with relatively good photostability of natural pyranoanthocyanins.
Microalgae of Protected Lakes of Northwestern Ukraine
Authors: Malakhov Yuriy , Kryvosheia Olha , Tsarenko Petro 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe paper reports the first comprehensive study of microalgal species composition in four lakes of Volhynian Polissya (northwestern Ukraine), in which 271 species (279 intraspecific taxa) of 11 microalgal phyla were identified. Four dominant phytoplankton assemblages were determined for each lake. Bacillariophyta and Charophyta formed more than half (59.2%) of the taxonomic list, accounting for 94 and 66 species respectively. Desmidiaceae was the most diverse family, with 44 species (47 intraspecific taxa) of microalgae. The four lakes are highly dissimilar in species richness and composition, having only 8 (2.9%) species in common. Lake Cheremske had the highest number of algal species – 137 (144). Lake Bile, Lake Somyne and Lake Redychi were much less diverse, with 105, 79 (80) and 75 (78) species respectively. Morphological descriptions, original micrographies and figures are presented for a number of species, including some not previously documented in Ukraine: Chromulina cf. verrucosa G. A. Klebs, Eunotia myrmica Lange-Bert. and E. tetraodon Ehrenb. The lakes, which are almost pristine or are recovering, maintain diverse and valuable algal floras, making them important sites in the Pan-European ecological network.
Thermally activated persulfate treatment and mineralization of a recalcitrant high TDS petrochemical wastewater
Authors: Jorfi Sahand , Pourfadakari Sudabeh , Ahmadi Mehdi , Akbari Hamideh 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Thermally activated persulfate efficiency for the treatment of a recalcitrant high TDS wastewater was investigated. The specific character of studied wastewater was high TDS content of around 23820 mg/L and BOD5/COD ratio of 0.07. Effective operational parameters including initial pH values of 3–9, reaction temperature of 40–80°C and persulfate concentrations of 0.5–5 g/L for COD removal were investigated in batch mode experiments. Removal efficiency was pH and temperature dependent. The COD and TOC removal of 94.3% and 82.8% were obtained at persulfate concentration of 4 g/L, initial pH value of 5 and temperature of 70°C after 180 min for initial COD concentration of 1410 mg/L. The pseudo first-order kinetic model was best fitted with COD removal (R2 = 0.94).
The application of RANS CFD for design of SNCR technology for a pulverized coal-fired boiler
Authors: Ruszak Monika , Inger Marek , Wilk Marcin , Nieścioruk Jan , Saramok Magdalena , Kowalik Wojciech , Rajewski Jakub , Wajman Tomasz , Kacprzak Wojciech , Tadasiewicz Dariusz 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The article describes the technology of NOx emission abatement by SNCR method. The scope of research included CDF simulations as well as design and construction of the pilot plant and tests of NOx reduction by urea in the plant located in industrial pulverized-coal fired boiler. The key step of research was to determine the appropriate temperature window for the SNCR process. The proposed solution of the location of injection lances in the combustion chamber enabled to achieve over a 30% reduction of NOx. It is possible to achieve higher effectiveness of the proposed SNCR technology and meet the required emission standards via providing prior reduction of NOx to the level of 350 mg/um3 using the primary methods.
Biochemical and cellular properties of Gluconacetobacter xylinus cultures exposed to different modes of rotating magnetic field
Authors: Fijałkowski Karol , Drozd Radosław , Żywicka Anna , Junka Adam F. , Kordas Marian , Rakoczy Rafał 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on cellular and biochemical properties of Gluconacetobacter xylinus during the process of cellulose synthesis by these bacteria. The application of the RMF during bacterial cellulose (BC) production intensified the biochemical processes in G. xylinus as compared to the RMF-unexposed cultures. Moreover, the RMF had a positive impact on the growth of cellulose-producing bacteria. Furthermore, the application of RMF did not increase the number of mutants unable to produce cellulose. In terms of BC production efficacy, the most favorable properties were found in the setting where RMF generator was switched off for the first 72 h of cultivation and switched on for the further 72 h. The results obtained can be used in subsequent studies concerning the optimization of BC production using different types of magnetic fields including RMF, especially.
An investigation of the impact of an amino-ended hyperbranched polymer as a new type of modifier on the compatibility of PLA/PBAT blends
Authors: Jin Yujuan , Men Shuang , Weng Yunxuan 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends using amino-ended hyperbranched polymers (HBP) as modifiers were prepared by melt-mixing through a double-roller mill and injection molding. It was found that when the content of HBP was 2.5 phr, the elongation at break and the impact strength of PLA/PBAT blends both reached peak values. Moreover, by addition of HBP, the ΔTg of the blends was smaller. These results, together with Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images on the fractured morphology of the blends, indicate that the compatibility between PLA and PBAT is improved upon addition of HBP. The mechanism of the impact of HBP on the improvement of the compatibility between PLA and PBAT is proposed based upon Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra.
Monitoring of a Cold Roof Thatched with Reed (Phragmites australis) Using Wooden Substitute Sensors for Moisture Content Measurements
Authors: Brischke C. , Bornemann T. , Rapp A.O. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractReed (Phragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) is a traditional building material in many parts of the world and provides service lives of more than 50 years when used for thatching. However, during the last decades a significant number of thatched roofs showed premature failure due to decay. Potential reasons for this are manifold but not clearly identified, yet. This monitoring project aimed therefore on investigating the moisture and temperature conditions within a thatched roof structure showing severe degradation after only seven years in service to obtain more information about the decay risk of reed and its potential causes. Highest moisture loads were found on the outermost layers of the North-faced roof, which also showed superficial growth of algae, lichens, and mosses. However, it stayed unclear if increased moisture content (MC)was the reason for or the consequence of decay. An increasedMCwas also found where the roof pitch turned from steep to flat. The use of so-called substitute sensors made from preservative treated wood turned out as a useful method to determine equilibrium moisture contents as well as time of wetness in reed structures and might be applied also for further field testing and monitoring with reed, straw, or other organic fibrous materials.
The role of ubiquitin proteasomal system and autophagy-lysosome pathway in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Chen Xu , Zhao Yanfang , Ponnusamy Murugavel , Liu Ying 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia in the elderly population. AD is associated with the buildup of β-amyloid and tau, which aggregate into extracellular plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Although the exact mechanism of pathological process of AD is unclear, the dysfunction of protein degradation mechanisms has been proposed to play an important role in AD. The cellular degradation of abnormal or misfolded proteins consists of three different mechanisms: the ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS), autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP), and interaction of molecular chaperones with UPS or ALP. Any disturbance to these systems causes proteins to accumulate, resulting in pathological process of AD. In this review, we summarize the knowledge of protein degradation pathways in the pathogenesis of AD in light of the current literature. In the future, the regulation UPS or ALP machineries could be the cornerstones of the treatment of AD.
Towards a dynamic model of the sign
Authors: Ding Ersu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper argues that a linguistic or any other type of sign should not be viewed as a static unit in a synchronic system, but rather as a dynamic entity that appears in real communicative events. As discrete entries in a dictionary, words are given definitions as their meanings, but these definitions may lead to interpretations that have not been sanctioned by a language community and yet are totally reasonable and understandable. In this way, “old” words can be used to stand for “new” segments of our life experience through which some meanings are born and others modified. It is through our inferential use of this living sign that we keep adapting to an ever expanding world.