bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of irrigant activation techniques in removing intracanal smear layer and debris from mature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Virdee S. S. , Seymour D. W. , Farnell D. , Bhamra G. , Bhakta S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimsTo establish whether irrigant activation techniques (IATs) result in greater intracanal smear layer and debris removal than conventional needle irrigation (CNI).MethodologySix electronic databases were searched to identify scanning electron microscopy studies evaluating smear layer and/or debris removal following the use of manual dynamic activation (MDA), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), sonic irrigation (SI) or apical negative pressure (ANP) IATs in mature permanent teeth. Meta‐analyses were performed for each canal segment (coronal, middle, apical and apical 1 mm) in addition to subgroup analyses for individual IATs with respect to CNI. Outcomes were presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) alongside 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and chi‐squared analysis.ResultsFrom 252 citations, 16 studies were identified. The meta‐analyses demonstrated significant improvements in coronal (SMD: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.72–1.57 / SMD: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29–0.80), middle (SMD: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.59–2.53 / SMD: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.58–1.13) and apical thirds (SMD: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.83–1.62 / SMD: 1.86, 95% CI: 0.76–2.96) for smear layer and debris removal, respectively. In the apical 1 mm IATs improved cleanliness; however, differences were insignificant (SMD: 1.15, 95% CI: ‐0.47–2.77). Chi‐squared analysis revealed heterogeneity scores of 79.3–92.8% and 0.0–93.5% for smear layer and debris removal, respectively.ConclusionsIATs improve intracanal cleanliness across a substantial portion of the canal, and therefore, their use is recommended throughout root canal preparation. However, current data is too heterogeneous to compare and identify superiority of an individual technique highlighting the need to standardize experimental protocols and develop a more representative research model to investigate the in vivo impact of IATs on clinical outcomes and periapical healing following root canal treatment.
An audit of change in clinical practice: from oxygen‐driven to air‐driven nebulisers for prehospital patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)
Authors: Heys Deborah , Swain Andrew , Knowles Sarah , Waugh Amy , Bailey Mark 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn developed countries, ambulances normally carry oxygen cylinders, but not compressed air. Treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with oxygen‐driven nebulisers can result in hypercapnia and acidosis. Attempts to avoid this have involved interrupted administration of oxygen. However, small battery‐powered air nebulisers are now available. This study aims to compare the prehospital oxygen saturations and treatment of patients suffering from AECOPD before and after the introduction of air nebulisers.MethodsThe oxygen saturations and treatment of 200 AECOPD patients before and 200 AECOPD patients after the introduction of air nebulisers were compared. Compliance with a target saturation of 88–92% was calculated.ResultsThe median final oxygen saturation was lower for the post‐intervention category (94%) than the pre‐intervention category (96%). There was an increase in air nebuliser use from 0 to 56% (P < 0.001) and a decrease in oxygen use from 100 to 71.5% (P < 0.001). There was a numerical increase in the proportion of patients arriving at hospital with oxygen saturations of 88–92% following introduction of the air nebulisers (24 vs 16.5%) and a decrease in patients arriving with high saturations (67.5 vs 76.5%). The likelihood of achieving the target oxygen saturations following introduction of air nebulisers increased (odds ratio 1.598; 95% confidence interval 0.974, 2.621).ConclusionThe introduction of prehospital air nebulisers resulted in a reduction in oxygen therapy in patients with AECOPD and a lower median prehospital oxygen saturation. This study supports the use of air nebulisers in the prehospital setting.
Use of ceramic industry milling and glazing waste as an active addition in cement
Authors: Sánchez de Rojas María Isabel , Frías Moisés , Sabador Elvira , Asensio Eloy , Rivera Julián , Medina César 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe beneficial effects of pozzolans on cement manufacture have encouraged their use in that industry. Traditional natural pozzolan have become less available of late, however, due to a decline in quarrying intensity aimed at minimizing the impact on the landscape. At the same time, environmental policies pursue the reduction or elimination of spoil heaps by valorizing industrial waste and by‐products as raw materials, in keeping with the principles of the circular economy. The quest for new types of waste and by‐products with pozzolanic properties has consequently become a priority line of research. This study explored the valorization of one such by‐product, the ceramic sludge resulting from fired clay industry milling and glazing, as a component in new, more eco‐sustainable cements. The sludge was characterized physically, chemically, morphologically, and mineralogically to determine its suitability as a pozzolanic addition in cement. The findings showed that ceramic sludge consists in clustered particles ranging in size from 100 μm to 1 μm. SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 together comprise over 70% of the total composition, while the reactive silica content is greater than the 25% required by the existing legislation. The predominant minerals are quartz, kaolinite, and muscovite, with some zircon. A study of pozzolanic reaction kinetics in the ceramic sludge/lime system revealed that over time this waste can fix lime, generating products such as calcium aluminate hydrates and C–S–H gels. The cements made with ceramic sludge proved to be standard‐compliant in terms of water demand, setting, drying shrinkage and mechanical strength.
Phase evolution mechanism of non‐oxide bonded Al–Al2O3–MgO–ZrO2 composites at 1873 K in flowing nitrogen
Authors: Yan Mingwei , Li Yong , Wang Jiaojiao , Li Hongyu , Sun Yang , Ma Chenhong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn flowing nitrogen, non‐oxides such as Al4O4C, Al2OC, Zr2Al3C4, and MgAlON bonded Al2O3‐based composites were successfully prepared by a gaseous phase mass transfer pathway using aluminum, zirconia, alumina, and magnesia as raw materials at 1873 K, after an Al–AlN core‐shell structure was formed at 853 K. Resin bonded Al–Al2O3–MgO–ZrO2 composites after sintering were characterized and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and the influence of the MgO content on the sintered composites was studied. The results show that after sintering, the phase composition of the Al–Al2O3–ZrO2 composite is Al2O3, Al4O4C, Al2OC, and Zr2Al3C4, while the phase composition of the Al–Al2O3–ZrO2 composite with the addition of MgO 6 wt% and MgO 12 wt% is Al2O3, MgAlON, Al4O4C, Al2OC, and Zr2Al3C4 as well as Al2O3, MgAlON, Al2OC, and Zr2Al3C4, respectively. The addition of MgO changed the phase composition and distribution for the resin bonded Al–Al2O3–MgO–ZrO2 system composites after sintering. When the added MgO content is equal to or more than 12 wt%, the Al4O4C in the resin bonded Al–Al2O3–MgO–ZrO2 system composites is unable to exist in a stable phase.
Electronic structure and magnetic properties of Al‐doped Ca2Fe2O5 brownmillerite compounds
Authors: Phan The‐Long , Tran Ngo , Kim Deok Hyeon , Tho Pham T. , Huy Bui T. , Dang Toan N. , Yang Dong‐Seok , Lee Bowha 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPolycrystalline Ca2Fe2−xAlxO5 (x = 0‐1.4) samples were prepared by conventional solid‐state reactions. Their crystalline/electronic structures and magnetic properties were characterized in detail. Powder X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that the samples crystallized in orthorhombic brownmillerite‐type structures with the occurrence of the Pcmn‐Ibm2 phase separation in the region between x = 0.4 and 0.6. The results obtained from analyzing Raman scattering and X‐ray‐absorption fine‐structure spectra also indicated this phase separation. Although x in Ca2Fe2−xAlxO5 varies in a wide range from 0 to 1.4, the +3 oxidation state of Fe remained almost unchanged. Magnetization measurements revealed that all Ca2Fe2−xAlxO5 samples have weak ferromagnetic order, and both the saturation magnetization and coercive force are dependent on the temperature, x, and structure phases.
Control of electromechanical properties of multilayer ceramic capacitors for vibration reduction
Authors: Ohm Won‐Suk , Kim Dongjoon , Ko Byung‐Han , Park No‐Cheol 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) contains layers of ceramics as the dielectric materials. It has been known that Class 2 MLCCs, made of ferroelectric ceramics such as barium titanate, tend to suffer from electromechanical coupling hence vibration, which leads to the generation of acoustic humming noise, a source of annoyance in many modern electronic devices. In this article, a repoling method to control the electromechanical properties and the resulting vibration of MLCCs is presented. The repoling protocol hinges on the understanding that two independent mechanisms are responsible for the electromechanical coupling in MLCCs: piezoelectricity and electrostriction of the ceramic layers. The vibration due to piezoelectricity is linearly proportional to the input voltage, whereas the vibration due to electrostriction shows a quadratic dependence. Given the DC bias and the AC input voltage under normal operating conditions, the vibration is composed of the fundamental component at the frequency of the AC input and the second harmonic component spawned by the quadratic nonlinearity of electrostriction. It is demonstrated that by engineering the coefficients of piezoelectricity and electrostriction of the ceramic layers through a carefully designed repoling treatment, vibration reduction can be achieved for both the fundamental and second harmonic components. Especially, the fundamental component of vibration can be reduced significantly, as the piezoelectric effect is made to offset the electrostrictive effect.
Processing and characteristics of transparent Gd3TaO7 polycrystalline ceramics
Authors: Chen Ching‐Fong , Synowicki Ron A. , Brand Michael J. , Tegtmeier Eric L. , Montalvo J. D. , Ivy Jacob , Brennecka Geoff L. , Seeley Zach , Cherepy Nerine J. , Payne Steven A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTransparent polycrystalline Gd3TaO7 ceramics were successfully developed. A sol‐gel process was used to synthesize Gd3TaO7 powder with a uniform composition and an estimated average particle size of 100 nm. Simultaneous thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) was used to identify the decomposition sequence as a function of temperature for the as‐synthesized sol‐gel powders. Crystallization was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and a single phase was achieved by calcining at 1000°C. The calcined powders were hot‐pressed at 1400°C to achieve >96% theoretical density with closed pore structure followed by a hot isostatic pressing at 1400°C at 207 MPa to achieve a fully dense structure. Microstructural characterization shows a uniform grain size distribution with an average grain size of about 7 μm. In‐line transmission measurements revealed high transparency in the red and infrared. Thermal conductivity was measured to be >1.6 W/mK at room temperature, decreasing to ~1.3 W/mK by 500°C. Dielectric properties remain stable with relative permittivity values just above 200 and loss tangents <0.005 up to 350°C.
Magnetic solid phase extraction for chromatographic separation of carbamates
Authors: Issa Ahmed A. , Al‐Saad Khalid A. , Luyt Adriaan S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMagnetic solid phase extraction particles (MSPE) were produced using magnetite nanoparticles with diameters between 9 and 13 nm as nucleating agent. The produced particles with magnetite cores were smaller, and more irregular and poly‐dispersed, than those produced in the absence of the magnetite particles. The average diameters of the particles were 377 and 521 nm, respectively, for silica particles with and without magnetic core, whereas the diameters of the different grafted particles were of the same order of magnitude than the silica particles with magnetic cores. BET results indicated surface areas ranging between 9 and 37 m2 g−1 The TGA results showed that the particles contained about 10% water and other solvents, and between 5 to 6% grafted groups. The thermal decomposition of the particles (presented under Supplementary Information) was autocatalytic with activation energies of 367, 546, and 616 kJ mol−1 for particles grafted with cyanopropyl (cyano), octyl, and trimethyl (TMS), respectively. The order of dispersity of the particles in water followed the sequence cyano > PMA > TMS ≫ octyl, whereas the pesticides removing efficiency followed the reverse order.
Spatial distribution of nucleated bubbles in molten glasses undergoing coalescence and growth
Authors: Boloré Damien , Pigeonneau Franck 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTwo‐dimensional spatial distributions and growths of nucleated bubbles during the re‐melting of “float” glass samples are experimentally investigated. To follow the bubble population undergoing coalescence, the temporal behavior of the Voronoï tessellation built by the bubble positions are monitored. During coalescence, the Voronoï cell areas are fitted by a single‐parameter Gamma distribution. Numerical time simulation of population of bubbles undergoing coalescence shows an exponential increase in the parameter associated to the Gamma distribution with the fraction of coalesced bubbles in agreement with experimental observation. An initial density of nuclei is then estimated; direct observation would require an extremely high space resolution. The bubble number density is two orders of magnitude larger on the side which was in contact with tin bath than on the other side in contact with atmosphere. Moreover, bubbles grow faster on tin side. From a thermodynamic and mass transfer models, we prove that tin reduces the glass former liquid which leads to an increase in dissolved sulfur explaining the more abundant bubble population and the enhanced growth rate on tin side.
Community level niche overlap and broad scale biogeographic patterns of bee communities are driven by phylogenetic history
Authors: Sydenham Markus Arne Kjær , Eldegard Katrine , Hegland Stein Joar , Nielsen Anders , Totland Ørjan , Fjellheim Siri , Moe Stein R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimBecause the ecological similarity between species is expected to increase with relatedness and that speciation is a local process, phylogeny may provide a common measure for the influence of ecological and biogeographic processes on community assembly. We tested if similarities in floral visitation patterns within communities and the phylogenetic beta‐diversity among communities were related to the position of bees within the bee phylogeny.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe combined a genus level phylogeny with within‐genera phylogenies for the bee species occurring within 18 globally distributed bee‐flower networks. Networks consisted of a matrix of bee and plant species and information on whether or not a bee species had been observed visiting flowers of a given plant species. For each network, we used Abouheif's Cmean to test if the similarity in floral associations (niche similarity) between bees and the number of plant species visited displayed a significant phylogenetic signal. To test if biogeography influenced the relatedness among species within networks we tested if the phylogenetic beta‐diversity increased with geographical distance and dissimilarity in climatic conditions among networks.ResultsWe found a phylogenetic signal for niche similarity in only 50% of the bee‐flower networks. However, network size influenced the likelihood of observing a phylogenetic signal and for seven of the eight bee‐flower networks with >20 species it was statistically significant. On a global scale, the phylogenetic beta‐diversity increased with geographical distances and with climatic dissimilarity between sites.Main conclusionsBee communities are structured by processes of speciation and migration so that regional species pools are dominated by a subset of the global phylogenetic clades, resulting in increasing phylogenetic beta‐diversity with geographical distance. Moreover, ecological filtering processes operating at both local (floral resource use) and continental (climatic constraints) scale determine the distribution of species among resources and geographical regions. The assembly of bee communities should therefore be understood as a product of both biogeographic and community ecological processes.
The drivers of high Rhododendron diversity in south‐west China: Does seasonality matter?
Authors: Shrestha Nawal , Su Xiangyan , Xu Xiaoting , Wang Zhiheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimIs high diversity in tropical and subtropical mountains due to topographical complexity alone or a combination of topography and temperature seasonality? Here, we aim to assess the contribution of these two factors on Rhododendron diversity in China. Specifically, we evaluate how low temperature seasonality in subtropical China jointly with heterogeneous environment accounts for increased species diversity across montane landscapes relative to those of the more seasonal temperate zone in north China.LocationChina.MethodsWe compiled distributional data for all Rhododendron species in China and then estimated the species richness patterns of rare versus common species, and of shrubs versus trees at spatial resolutions of 50 × 50 km. Bivariate regressions were performed to evaluate the effects of environmental variables on species richness followed by stepwise regression to select the best set of predictors.ResultsThe variables of habitat heterogeneity and climate seasonality were consistently the strongest predictors of species richness for all species groups, while the contribution of water and energy variables was proportionately much lower. Winter coldness had very low predictive power, which indicated that unlike other woody plants, the northward dispersal of Rhododendron is not limited by cold winter temperature.Main conclusionsHigh Rhododendron diversity in south‐west China appears to be influenced jointly by the climatic gradients induced by topographical complexity and temperature seasonality as suggested by Janzen's hypothesis. The increased topographical complexity in combination with low temperature seasonality in south‐west China might have promoted species accumulation by offering more niche space, preventing extinction and providing increased opportunities for allopatric speciation. While our findings strongly indicate the effect of habitat heterogeneity on species diversity, they also suggest the role of seasonal uniformity of temperature for increased diversity towards the tropics. The effect of seasonality may, however, be more pronounced in plants because of their limited ability to use behaviour to avoid environmental influences.
Investigating the cardiac pathology of SCO2‐mediated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using patients induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Hallas Tova , Eisen Binyamin , Shemer Yuval , Ben Jehuda Ronen , Mekies Lucy N. , Naor Shulamit , Schick Revital , Eliyahu Sivan , Reiter Irina , Vlodavsky Eugene , Katz Yeshayahu (Shai) , Õunap Katrin , Lorber Avraham , Rodenburg Richard , Mandel Hanna , Gherghiceanu Mihaela , Binah Ofer 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMutations in SCO2 are among the most common causes of COX deficiency, resulting in reduced mitochondrial oxidative ATP production capacity, often leading to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). To date, none of the recent pertaining reports provide deep understanding of the SCO2 disease pathophysiology. To investigate the cardiac pathology of the disease, we were the first to generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC‐CMs) from SCO2‐mutated patients. For iPSC generation, we reprogrammed skin fibroblasts from two SCO2 patients and healthy controls. The first patient was a compound heterozygote to the common E140K mutation, and the second was homozygote for the less common G193S mutation. iPSC were differentiated into cardiomyocytes through embryoid body (EB) formation. To test the hypothesis that the SCO2 mutation is associated with mitochondrial abnormalities, and intracellular Ca2+‐overload resulting in functional derangements and arrhythmias, we investigated in SCO2‐mutated iPSC‐CMs (compared to control cardiomyocytes): (i) the ultrastructural changes; (ii) the inotropic responsiveness to β‐adrenergic stimulation, increased [Ca2+]o and angiotensin‐II (AT‐II); and (iii) the Beat Rate Variability (BRV) characteristics. In support of the hypothesis, we found in the mutated iPSC‐CMs major ultrastructural abnormalities and markedly attenuated response to the inotropic interventions and caffeine, as well as delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and increased BRV, suggesting impaired SR Ca2+ handling due to attenuated SERCA activity caused by ATP shortage. Our novel results show that iPSC‐CMs are useful for investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the SCO2 mutation syndrome.
Dihydroartemisinin up‐regulates VE‐cadherin expression in human renal glomerular endothelial cells
Authors: Li Liqun , Chen Xiaocui , Dong Fengyun , Liu Qiang , Zhang Caiqing , Xu Dongmei , Allen Thaddeus D. , Liu Ju 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe antimalarial agent dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been shown to be anti‐inflammatory. In this study, we found that DHA increased the expression of the junctional protein vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin in human renal glomerular endothelial cells. In addition, DHA inhibited TGF‐β RI‐Smad2/3 signalling and its downstream effectors SNAIL and SLUG, which repress VE‐cadherin gene transcription. Correspondingly, DHA decreased the binding of SNAIL and SLUG to the VE‐cadherin promoter. Together, our results suggest an effect of DHA in regulating glomerular permeability by elevation of VE‐cadherin expression.