bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
XRD and TGA, Swelling and Compacted Properties of Polymer Treated Sulfate Contaminated CL Soil
Authors: Vipulanandan C. , Mohammed A. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
In this study, the effect of up to 4 % calcium sulfate contamination on the soil properties of a natural clay with low liquid limit (CL) soil with and without polymer treatment was investigated and compared to 6 % lime treated soil. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods were used to identify and quantify the changes in the contaminated CL clay soil. XRD analyses showed the major constituents of the soil were calcium silicate (CaSiO3), aluminum silicate (Al2SiO5), magnesium silicate (MgSiO3), and quartz (SiO2). With 4 % calcium sulfate contamination, the liquid limit (LL) and plasticity index (PI) of the CL soil increased by 30 and 45 %, respectively. The addition of calcium sulfate resulted in the formation of calcium silicate sulfate (Ternesite Ca5(SiO4)2SO4) and aluminum silicate sulfate (Al5(SiO4)2SO4). TGA analyses showed a notable reduction in the weight of calcium sulfate contaminated soil between 600 and 800°C, possibly due to changes in soil mineralogy. In addition, the total weight loss at 800°C for 1.5 % polymer treated soil was about 40 % less than the 4 % calcium sulfate contaminated soil, and it was similar to the weight loss observed in the uncontaminated CL soil. The maximum dry density of compacted soil decreased and the optimum moisture content increased with 4 % of calcium sulfate. The addition of 4 % calcium sulfate increased the free swelling of compacted soil by 67 %. The addition of 6 % lime resulted in the formation of ettringite (Ca6Al2 (SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O). Polymer treatment decreased the LL, PI, swelling index, and optimum moisture content of the soil and increased the compacted maximum dry density. Behavior of sulfate contaminated CL soil with and without treatment was quantified using a unique model that represented both linear and nonlinear responses. Also the model predictions were compared with published data in the literature.
Experimental Comparison of Vehicle Vibration Simulation Techniques
Authors: Dunno Kyle , Batt Gregory S. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Performing accurate vehicle vibration simulation is imperative to understanding the adequacy of a packaged product's ability to withstand the rigors of transportation. Over the past decade, various vehicle vibration analysis techniques were proposed in order to provide better correlation to actual field shipments. This paper highlighted the observations made when an independent laboratory utilized four different methods in the simulation of vertical vibration and applied them to three different packaged products. A field data recorder was employed to record over-the-road vibration of a fully loaded steel spring truck traveling over interstates and highways. The collected data was analyzed independently using each of the different techniques and simulated in a lab with the necessary controller. This study is unique in that it considered the response of actual packaged products and through the use of a damage assessment tool, determined how well the techniques correlate with field vibration results. Additionally, two common industry vibration profiles were used to test the packaged products for comparison. The three packaged products used for these evaluations were a top-mount refrigerator, an electric hedge trimmer, and a gas-powered pressure washer. Results indicate that each of the proposed vehicle vibration analysis techniques produces product and package damage that correlates well with typical field vibration results for the three products tested. These results supported the further use of any of these techniques in the simulation of vehicle vibration.
Formative Measurement Test of Supplier Evaluation Indicators and Weight Models
Authors: Chen Suduan , Hung Hsu-Feng 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Supplier evaluation is very important for supply chain management, procurement management, cost accounting, and management accounting. The most critical step involved in constructing a supplier evaluation model is selecting supplier evaluation indicators and analyzing the corresponding weights. However, an effect will occur where supplier ratings moderate the correlation between supplier evaluation indicators and supplier performance. This study surveys 104 supplier evaluation specialists and collects evaluation data from 1028 suppliers. Statistical data analysis shows that, in the absence of supplier ratings, the supplier evaluation indicator can be considered as a reflective scale that represents supplier performance. If a supplier rating is in place, then the correlations between supplier evaluation indicators are significantly weakened, and supplier evaluation indicators are recognized as a formative scale. The study also finds, through an examination of six different weight models, that the importance of supplier evaluation indicators is ordered as: quality, price, delivery performance, customer service, and flexibility. The aforementioned research findings make a meaningful contribution to the literature on supply chain management and also serve as insightful references for business practices in supplier evaluation.
Characteristics of a Surfactant Produced Warm Mix Asphalt Binder and Workability of the Mixture
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Wang Hainian , Zhang Chen , Diab Aboelkasim , You Zhanping 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies significantly reduced the mixing and compaction temperatures in the construction of asphalt pavement, which thus lowered the energy consumption and gas emissions. Different types of WMA additives have been developed and applied in the past decade. However, there are still several concerns associated with the application of WMA technologies. The objective of this study was to address the characteristics of WMA binder produced using a surfactant additive namely, ADDITIVE-A. Two binders, 70 penetration grade (70#) asphalt and 90 penetration grade (90#) asphalt were applied as the base binder to produce the WMA in this study. A portable workability device was presented in this paper to evaluate the torque values of WMAs since the workability is the main property to determine the mixing and compaction temperatures of WMA and a laboratory workability test has yet to be developed. The proper mixing and compaction temperatures were also obtained based on the proposed test. A series of tests, including penetration, softening point, ductility and viscosity of different WMA additive concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 % by the weight of asphalt binder) were conducted to investigate the mechanisms of the surfactant on asphalt binder. The contact angles of WMA binders were tested to investigate the modification mechanism of surfactant additive on asphalt binder. The laboratory tests indicate that the surfactant additive (ADDITIVE-A) makes the asphalt binder softer, more temperature sensitive, and having better low temperature property. However, the surfactant does not show a significant impact on the high temperature property and viscosity. The addition of the surfactant additive increased the workability of asphalt mixture and decreased the mixing and compaction temperatures of asphalt mixture. Based on the workability test results, the 0.7 % concentrations of the ADDITIVE-A provided a more obvious effect to reduce the production temperature of asphalt mixture.
Determination of the Reliability of Guidewires' Visibility Measurement
Authors: Pelyhe Liza , Bognár Eszter 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
In this study, the repeatability (variation in measurements) and reproducibility (precision between measuring persons) of a measuring method, developed by us, for quantifying the visibility of guidewires was investigated. Visibility was determined on a percentage scale against the background. The measuring method was tested by two persons with three repeats using X-ray images. Images were made from ten guidewires with the same material and type. X-ray images were made with the same settings on different days. Coefficients of variation (standard deviation as a proportion of the mean) for three repeats did not exceed 0.10 in measurement. Therefore, our method was repeatable. The average difference between the persons was 4 %, therefore our method was reproducible. Coefficients of variation for the mean of the ten images were under 0.10. Therefore, the images made with the same settings on different days could be averaged in case of the same samples. Significantly, there was a difference (p = 0.04) between the three tests by the first person. There were no significant differences in case of the second person (p = 0.74), and between the three-three test (p = 0.21). Using this method, available guidewires can be tested under laboratory conditions, so they may become comparable based on their visibility.
Effects of Different Quaternary Additions in the Properties of a Cu-Al-Mn Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Hussain Shahadat , Kumar Pravir , Jain Ashish Kumar , Pandey Abhishek , Dasgupta Rupa 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
In the present study, Cu-12.5 wt. %Al-5 wt. %Mn-80.5 wt. % shape memory alloy is chosen as the base alloy and 2 wt. % of quaternary additions of Fe, Ni, and Ti added to the base alloy. The effects of these additions on in terms of feasibility, microstructure, hardness, and transformation temperature were studied. The findings suggest the possibility to improve martensite formation, attain higher transitions temperatures, and longer retention over the base alloy through such additions.
Water-Resistant Barriers in Stucco Wall Cladding Systems: History, Design Guidelines, Lessons Learned, and Laboratory Testing
Authors: Patel Amrish K. 
Published: December 2015

Water-resistant barrier requirements (i.e., code and industry guidelines) within portland cement-based plaster (stucco) wall cladding systems have changed over the past decade. Various types of water-resistant barriers have been developed, and different configurations for their use within stucco wall cladding systems have been implemented successfully. However, improper use or lack of a proper water-resistant barrier can lead to deterioration or corrosion of exterior wall components, including sheathing, framing, and insulation, and can eventually result in water leakage into interior spaces.
This paper will review the changes in water-resistant barrier requirements for exterior stucco wall cladding systems. It discusses the mechanisms for failure and water leakage paths through stucco cladding systems and water-resistance barriers, presented through various case studies. Laboratory testing of various types of water-resistant barrier materials will also be performed. Comparisons of the results are explored along with examples of actual in-service installations.
Frequency-Dependent Representation of Reinforcement-Related Information in the Human Medial and Lateral Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Smith Elliot H. , Banks Garrett P. , Mikell Charles B. , Cash Syndey S. , Patel Shaun R. , Eskandar Emad N. , Sheth Sameer A. 
Published: December 2015

The feedback-related negativity (FRN) is a commonly observed potential in scalp electroencephalography (EEG) studies related to the valence of feedback about a subject's performance. This potential classically manifests as a negative deflection in medial frontocentral EEG contacts following negative feedback. Recent work has shown prominence of theta power in the spectral composition of the FRN, placing it within the larger class of “frontal midline theta” cognitive control signals. Although the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is thought to be the cortical generator of the FRN, conclusive data regarding its origin and propagation are lacking. Here we examine intracranial electrophysiology from the human medial and lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) to better understand the anatomical localization and communication patterns of the FRN. We show that the FRN is evident in both low- and high-frequency local field potentials (LFPs) recorded on electrocorticography. The FRN is larger in medial compared with lateral PFC, and coupling between theta band phase and high-frequency LFP power is also greater in medial PFC. Using Granger causality and conditional mutual information analyses, we provide evidence that feedback-related information propagates from medial to lateral PFC, and that this information transfer oscillates with theta-range periodicity. These results provide evidence for the dACC as the cortical source of the FRN, provide insight into the local computation of frontal midline theta, and have implications for reinforcement learning models of cognitive control.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUsing intracranial electrophysiology in humans, this work addresses questions about a frequently studied feedback-related electroencephalographic signal, illuminating anatomical and functional properties of the representation of feedback-related reinforcement during decision-making across the medial to lateral extent of the human prefrontal cortex.
CCL2 Mediates Neuron–Macrophage Interactions to Drive Proregenerative Macrophage Activation Following Preconditioning Injury
Authors: Kwon Min Jung , Shin Hae Young , Cui Yuexian , Kim Hyosil , Thi Anh Hong Le , Choi Jun Young , Kim Eun Young , Hwang Dong Hoon , Kim Byung Gon 
Published: December 2015

CNS neurons in adult mammals do not spontaneously regenerate axons after spinal cord injury. Preconditioning peripheral nerve injury allows the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory axons to regenerate beyond the injury site by promoting expression of regeneration-associated genes. We have previously shown that peripheral nerve injury increases the number of macrophages in the DRGs and that the activated macrophages are critical to the enhancement of intrinsic regeneration capacity. The present study identifies a novel chemokine signal mediated by CCL2 that links regenerating neurons with proregenerative macrophage activation. Neutralization of CCL2 abolished the neurite outgrowth activity of conditioned medium obtained from neuron–macrophage cocultures treated with cAMP. The neuron–macrophage interactions that produced outgrowth-promoting conditioned medium required CCL2 in neurons and CCR2/CCR4 in macrophages. The conditioning effects were abolished in CCL2-deficient mice at 3 and 7 d after sciatic nerve injury, but CCL2 was dispensable for the initial growth response and upregulation of GAP-43 at the 1 d time point. Intraganglionic injection of CCL2 mimicked conditioning injury by mobilizing M2-like macrophages. Finally, overexpression of CCL2 in DRGs promoted sensory axon regeneration in a rat spinal cord injury model without harmful side effects. Our data suggest that CCL2-mediated neuron–macrophage interaction plays a critical role for amplification and maintenance of enhanced regenerative capacity by preconditioning peripheral nerve injury. Manipulation of chemokine signaling mediating neuron–macrophage interactions may represent a novel therapeutic approach to promote axon regeneration after CNS injury.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCNS axons do not regenerate spontaneously after injury. However, preconditioning peripheral nerve injury enables dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons to regenerate central axons beyond spinal lesion. The exact mechanism by which the conditioning injury enhances axon regeneration capacity remains elusive. We report here that neuronal CCL2 induced by conditioning injury mediates neuron–macrophage interactions, resulting in accumulation of perineuronal macrophages with a proregenerative phenotype. Genetic or immunological inhibition of CCL2 abolished conditioning effectsin vitroandin vivo, indicating that CCL2-mediated activation of proregenerative macrophages is essential in the conditioning injury-induced enhanced regenerative capacity. Intraganglionic CCL2 gene delivery recapitulates conditioning effects after spinal cord injury, suggesting that a chemokine signal mediating neuron–macrophage interaction may be a novel target for axon regeneration therapeutics.
Maternal Stress Combined with Terbutaline Leads to Comorbid Autistic-Like Behavior and Epilepsy in a Rat Model
Authors: Bercum Florencia M. , Rodgers Krista M. , Benison Alex M. , Smith Zachariah Z. , Taylor Jeremy , Kornreich Elise , Grabenstatter Heidi L. , Dudek F. Edward , Barth Daniel S. 
Published: December 2015

Human autism is comorbid with epilepsy, yet, little is known about the causes or risk factors leading to this combined neurological syndrome. Although genetic predisposition can play a substantial role, our objective was to investigate whether maternal environmental factors alone could be sufficient.We examined the independent and combined effects of maternal stress and terbutaline (used to arrest preterm labor), autism risk factors in humans, on measures of both autistic-like behavior and epilepsy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pregnant dams were exposed to mild stress (foot shocks at 1 week intervals) throughout pregnancy. Pups were injected with terbutaline on postnatal days 2–5.Either maternal stress or terbutaline resulted in autistic-like behaviors in offspring (stereotyped/repetitive behaviors and deficits in social interaction or communication), but neither resulted in epilepsy. However, their combination resulted in severe behavioral symptoms, as well as spontaneous recurrent convulsive seizures in 45% and epileptiform spikes in 100%, of the rats. Hippocampal gliosis (GFAP reactivity) was correlated with both abnormal behavior and spontaneous seizures.We conclude that prenatal insults alone can cause comorbid autism and epilepsy but it requires a combination of teratogens to achieve this; testing single teratogens independently and not examining combinatorial effects may fail to reveal key risk factors in humans. Moreover, astrogliosis may be common to both teratogens. This new animal model of combined autism and epilepsy permits the experimental investigation of both the cellular mechanisms and potential intervention strategies for this debilitating comorbid syndrome.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe comorbidity of human autism and epilepsy has been recognized for decades with little understanding of factors that increase risk. We show that two common human risk factors for autism (maternal stress and terbutaline), only when combined, result in severe ASD-like behavior and epilepsy. The significance of this work is fourfold: (1) combinations of teratogens are required to assess true risk in humans; (2) maternal stress and terbutaline, which are frequently combined in pregnant mothers, may be far more of a risk factor than previously appreciated; (3) astrogliosis may be a common mechanism for this syndrome; and (4) this first animal model of environmentally induced autism/epilepsy permits experimental investigation of cellular mechanisms and intervention strategies.
Serum PTH reference values established by an automated third-generation assay in vitamin D-replete subjects with normal renal function: consequences of diagnosing primary hyperparathyroidism and the classification of dialysis patients
Authors: Souberbielle Jean-Claude , Massart Catherine , Brailly-Tabard Sylvie , Cormier Catherine , Cavalier Etienne , Delanaye Pierre , Chanson Philippe 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo determine parathyroid hormone (PTH) reference values in French healthy adults, taking into account serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), renal function, age, gender, and BMI.Participants and main biological measurementsWe studied 898 healthy subjects (432 women) aged 18–89 years with a normal BMI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 81 patients with surgically proven primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and 264 dialysis patients. 25OHD and third-generation PTH assays were implemented on the LIAISON XL platform.ResultsMedian PTH and 25OHD values in the 898 healthy subjects were 18.8 ng/l and 23.6 ng/ml respectively. PTH was lower in subjects with 25OHD ≥30 ng/ml than in those with lower values. Among the 183 subjects with 25OHD ≥30 ng/ml, those aged ≥60 years (n=31) had higher PTH values than younger subjects, independent of 25OHD, BMI, and eGFR (P<0.001). Given the small number of subjects aged ≥60 years, we adopted the 95% CI of PTH values for the entire group of 183 vitamin D-replete subjects (9.4–28.9 ng/l) as our reference values. With 28.9 ng/l as the upper limit of normal (ULN) rather than the manufacturer's ULN of 38.4 ng/l, the percentage of PHPT patients with ‘high’ PTH values rose to 90.1% from 66.6% (P<0.001), and 18.6% of the dialysis patients were classified differently in view of the KDIGO target range (two to nine times the ULN).ConclusionWhen only subjects with 25OHD ≥30 ng/ml were included in the reference population, the PTH ULN fell by 22.4%, diagnostic sensitivity for PHPT improved, and the classification of dialysis patients was modified.
The Role of Recombination in Evolutionary Rescue
Authors: Uecker Hildegard , Hermisson Joachim 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHow likely is it that a population escapes extinction through adaptive evolution? The answer to this question is of great relevance in conservation biology, where we aim at species’ rescue and the maintenance of biodiversity, and in agriculture and medicine, where we seek to hamper the emergence of pesticide or drug resistance. By reshuffling the genome, recombination has two antagonistic effects on the probability of evolutionary rescue: it generates and it breaks up favorable gene combinations. Which of the two effects prevails depends on the fitness effects of mutations and on the impact of stochasticity on the allele frequencies. In this article, we analyze a mathematical model for rescue after a sudden environmental change when adaptation is contingent on mutations at two loci. The analysis reveals a complex nonlinear dependence of population survival on recombination. We moreover find that, counterintuitively, a fast eradication of the wild type can promote rescue in the presence of recombination. The model also shows that two-step rescue is not unlikely to happen and can even be more likely than single-step rescue (where adaptation relies on a single mutation), depending on the circumstances.