bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quasi‐thermal noise and shot noise spectroscopy on a CubeSat in Earth's ionosphere
Authors: Maj Ronald , Cairns Iver H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe investigate the practicality of using quasi‐thermal noise (QTN) and shot noise spectroscopy on a CubeSat in the Earth's ionosphere and constrain the satellite antenna length for optimal detection of these signals. The voltage spectra predicted for thermal Langmuir waves (QTN) and particle “shot noise” are modeled, and it is shown that the signals detected can provide two very good, independent, passive, in situ methods of measuring the plasma density and temperature in the ionosphere. The impact of the antenna potential ϕ is also discussed, and we show that the negative potential calculated for the ionosphere due to natural current flows has a significant impact on the voltage power level of the shot noise spectrum. The antenna configuration is also shown to play an important role in the shot noise, with a monopole configuration enhancing the spectrum significantly compared with a dipole. Antenna lengths on the order of 20–40 cm are found to be ideal for ionospheric plasma conditions, nicely matching CubeSat sizes and producing detectable thermal Langmuir waves and shot noise at the microvolt level. Further, with a continuous stream of data points at different latitudes and longitudes an orbiting CubeSat can produce a global picture for the ionospheric plasma density and temperature using QTN and shot noise signals. If implemented, especially in a constellation, these data would be more frequent and cover a much greater domain than current ground‐based or single‐satellite methods. This could lead to improved ionospheric models, such as the empirically based International Reference Ionosphere.
Testing the inference of creep on the northern Rodgers Creek fault, California, using ascending and descending persistent scatterer InSAR data
Authors: Jin Lizhen , Funning Gareth J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe revisit the question of whether the Rodgers Creek fault in northern California is creeping, a question with implications for seismic hazard. Using imagery acquired by Envisat between 2003 and 2010, we process two persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data sets, one from an ascending track and the other from a descending track, covering the northernmost segment of the Rodgers Creek fault between the cities of Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. The two different viewing geometries provided by the two different tracks allow us to distinguish vertical velocities, which may reflect nontectonic deformation processes, from fault‐parallel velocities, which can be used to identify creep. By measuring offsets in InSAR line‐of‐sight velocity from 12 fault‐perpendicular profiles through both data sets, we identify seven locations where we have a high degree of confidence that creep is occurring (estimated creep rate is more than two standard deviations above zero). The preferred creep rates at these locations are in the range 1.9–6.7 mm/yr, consistent within uncertainty with alignment array measurements. Creep is probable (P≥0.70) at another three locations, defining a creeping zone ∼20 km long in total, extending northwest from Santa Rosa. We also estimate the map patterns of fault‐parallel and vertical velocities in the region covered by both data sets; these suggest that the Rodgers Creek fault immediately southeast of Santa Rosa remains locked.
A global reconstruction of climate‐driven subdecadal water storage variability
Authors: Humphrey V. , Gudmundsson L. , Seneviratne S. I. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSince 2002, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has provided unprecedented observations of global mass redistribution caused by hydrological processes. However, there are still few sources on pre‐2002 global terrestrial water storage (TWS). Classical approaches to retrieve past TWS rely on either land surface models (LSMs) or basin‐scale water balance calculations. Here we propose a new approach which statistically relates anomalies in atmospheric drivers to monthly GRACE anomalies. Gridded subdecadal TWS changes and time‐dependent uncertainty intervals are reconstructed for the period 1985–2015. Comparisons with model results demonstrate the performance and robustness of the derived data set, which represents a new and valuable source for studying subdecadal TWS variability, closing the ocean/land water budgets and assessing GRACE uncertainties. At midpoint between GRACE observations and LSM simulations, the statistical approach provides TWS estimates (doi:10.5905/ethz-1007-85) that are essentially derived from observations and are based on a limited number of transparent model assumptions.
Effects of pore pressure in pyroclastic flows: Numerical simulation and experimental validation
Authors: Gueugneau V. , Kelfoun K. , Roche O. , Chupin L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPyroclastic flows are mixtures of volcanic gases and particles that can be very hazardous owing to their fluid‐like behavior. One possible mechanism to explain this behavior is the reduction of particles friction due to the internal gas pore pressure. To verify this hypothesis, we present a numerical model of a granular flow with high initial pore pressure that decreases with time as the gas‐particle mixture propagates. First, we validate the model by reproducing laboratory experiments. Then, the numerical code is applied to pyroclastic flows of Lascar volcano (1993 eruption, Chile). The simulation reproduces the runout and the morphological features of the deposits, with lateral levées, a central channel, and a lobate front. Our results support the hypothesis of the role of gas pore pressure in pyroclastic flows and explain both the fluid‐like behavior of the flows and the formation of lateral levees.
Effect of operating conditions on the tribological performance of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
Authors: Fareed Muhammad Irfan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTribological performance of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) subjected to various heat treatments namely, annealing, normalizing, water quenching and oil quenching, respectively, after being heated to a temperature of 250°C is evaluated. It is observed that the different cooling rates have a significant effect on the crystallinity of PEEK which is found to be a governing factor in determining its mechanical and tribological properties. Micro hardness testing and ball‐on‐disk wear test results showed that both hardness and wear resistance increased with an increase in the crystallinity of PEEK. It is observed that the annealed samples showed the highest wear resistance when compared with the water‐quenched samples which is attributed to the increased crystallinity in the case of the annealed samples.
Variations in estimates of underweight, overweight, and obesity in pregnant women from Argentina comparing two reference charts
Authors: Malpeli Agustina , Ferrari María G. , González Horacio F. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe prevalence of low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in a sample of Argentinian pregnant women using two reference charts, the Rosso and Mardones (RM) and the Calvo Chart were compared.MethodsA descriptive, cross‐sectional, comparative study of data from pregnant women beneficiaries of food aid programs collected in the period 2003–2010 in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed.ResultsEvaluations with the Calvo and RM charts showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of all nutritional conditions (low weight, 22% vs. 28%; normal weight, 45% vs. 28%; overweight, 21% vs. 15%; obesity, 11% vs. 29%, respectively). Such differences were more marked in normal weight and obese pregnant women.ConclusionsChanges in prevalences as a result of replacing the RM with the Calvo Chart should be borne in mind to avoid misinterpretations about changes in the nutritional condition of pregnant women.
Discordant frequencies of tissue‐resident and circulating CD180‐negative B cells in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Miljkovic Dijana , Ou Judy , Kirana Chandra , Hulse Kathryn E. , Hauben Ehud , Psaltis Alkis , Wormald Peter‐John , Vreugde Sarah 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundThe unconventional toll‐like receptor (TLR) CD180 is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases; however, its role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has yet to be investigated. Here we study the expression of CD180, its homologue TLR4 and myeloid differentiation factor 1 (MD1) on mucosal and systemic immune cell populations in relation to serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels.MethodsA total of 70 patients were recruited to the study. Mucosal and peripheral blood samples were prospectively collected from CRS patients and non‐CRS controls without evidence of sinus disease. The expression of TLR4, MD1, and CD180 was investigated using qualitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Serum IgG levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsCRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients had significantly increased messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of CD180 and MD1 compared to controls (5.54‐fold and 2.1‐fold, respectively, p < 0.01). B cells lacking CD180 were lower in CRSwNP tissue compared to CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and controls (21.07 ± 6.41 vs 41.61 ± 7.82 vs 40.06 ± 8.06; p < 0.01) but higher in blood (39.18 ± 8.3 vs 17.95 ± 7.82 and 12.49 ± 4.92; p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionChanges in mucosal and peripheral CD180‐expressing B cells were identified in CRSwNP patients compared to CRSsNP and controls. This suggests a role for these cells in the dysregulated immune response in these patients.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms related to cystic fibrosis in chronic rhinositus—a pilot study
Authors: Hull Benjamin P. , Jiramongkolchai Pawina , Turner Justin H. , Olson Lana , Chandra Rakesh K. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundThe clinical association between cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is well known. Studies have identified several non‐CF transmembrane conductance regulator single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with disease severity in CF patients. We hypothesized that prevalence of these SNPs would be different between CRS patients and age/gender‐matched non‐CRS controls.MethodsThis is a targeted SNP study of 1231 CRS patients identified through a large university hospital database who were compared with 8796 age‐ and gender‐matched controls without a history of rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies, or asthma. Prevalence of 5 relevant SNPs was compared between groups, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Stratification by race and gender was performed among groups when statistically appropriate.ResultsCRS patients exhibited a statistically significant (p = 0.036) lower prevalence of rs12883884 (associated with an ion transporter) compared with controls. This association was lost when patients were stratified by race. CRS patients manifested a greater prevalence of rs1403543 (chromosome 23) in both Caucasian and African American subgroups (p = 0.036 and p = 0.026, respectively). Statistical significance disappeared among Caucasians when stratified by gender, but persisted among African American women (p = 0.047). rs12188164 and rs12793173 were both more prevalent in African Americans with CRS than controls (p = 0.042 and p = 0.020, respectively). A trend was also observed for decreased prevalence of rs12883884 in CRS patients compared with controls in the African American subgroup (p = 0.086).ConclusionThe identified SNPs were differentially prevalent in CRS compared with control groups, with some variability as a function of race and gender. Further research is required to confirm these findings and elucidate clinical significance.
Interforce initiated by magnetic nanoparticles for reducing internal concentration polarization in CTA forward osmosis membrane
Authors: Chi Xiang‐Yu , Zhang Ping‐Yun , Guo Xue‐Jiao , Xu Zhen‐Liang 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe interforce between the magnetic composite forward osmosis (FO) membranes and the magnetic draw solution was proposed to reduce the internal concentration polarization (ICP) of FO process, and realized the synergetic permeability improvement of resultant FO membranes. The key factor was the successful fabrication of the Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with small‐size and narrow distribution via co‐precipitation method. The cellulose triacetate (CTA) magnetic composite FO membranes were fabricated using Fe3O4 as additive via in situ interfacial polymerization, and named CTA‐Fe3O4. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta results showed that the coated sodium oleate on the MNPs explained their reducing aggregation and the stability of various pHs. The MNPs' surface segregation during demixing process resulted in the improvement of hydrophilicity, Fe content and roughness of resultant CTA‐Fe3O4 composite FO membranes. Furthermore, the in situ interfacial polymerization resulted in the formation of the polyamide selective layer, and the CTA‐Fe3O4 membrane's N content was 11.02% to 11.12%. The permeability properties (FO and pressure retarded osmosis modules) were characterized using 1.0M NaCl and 100 mg/L Fe3O4 as draw solutions, respectively. The results indicated that the higher concentration of MNPs supplied more interforce and better FO permeability properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44852.
An efficient fully bio‐based reactive diluent for epoxy thermosets: 2‐[(Oxiran‐2‐ylmethoxy) methyl] furan versus a petroleum‐based counterpart
Authors: Karami Zeinab , Nademi Fateme , Zohuriaan‐Mehr Mohammad Jalal , Rostami Ali 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTFurfuryl alcohol and bio‐based epichlorohydrin were used to prepare a fully bio‐based reactive diluent, 2‐[(oxiran‐2‐ylmethoxy) methyl] furan (FOM). After spectral characterization, FOM was blended with epoxy resin, diglycidylether bisphenol A (DGEBA), at different ratios for reducing the viscosity. For a comparison, Cardura (one of the most common commercial reactive diluents), was separately incorporated to DGEBA. Amine‐curing process of the blends was recorded by FTIR and DSC. Similar trends of curing progression for DGEBA containing the reactive diluents were observed. Thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, mechanical (hardness, adhesion, and stress–strain) and morphological properties were also investigated to study characteristics of the epoxy matrices formulated with FOM or Cardura. It was concluded that FOM could be considered as an efficient reactive diluent in formulations of polymer composites, structural adhesives and surface coatings based on epoxy resins. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44957.
Improved specific thermomechanical properties of polyurethane nanocomposite foams based on castor oil and bacterial nanocellulose
Authors: Gimenez Rocío Belén , Leonardi Luciano , Cerrutti Patricia , Amalvy Javier , Chiacchiarelli Leonel Matías 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBacterial nanocellulose (BNC) was used to synthesize polyurethane foams (PUFs) prepared from castor oil polyol and MDI diisocyanate using water as the blowing agent. The BNC reacted with the isocyanate, increasing the weight content of urethane hard segments (HS). It did not behave as a nucleation agent, forming a nanometric distribution of cells within the struts followed by a reduction of the apparent density (−7.6%) and a relevant increase of cell size in the growth direction (+37.9%). An alignment of the BNC parallel to the cell walls was observed, producing a nanocomposite with a higher reinforcement weight fraction in that area. At only 0.2 wt %, the BNC behaved as a nanostructured reinforcement, improving the specific compression modulus and strength by +4.67% and +23.6%, respectively, as well as the thermomechanical properties, with an improvement of the specific E′ at 30 °C of +52.4%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44982.
A novel polybenzimidazole composite modified by sulfonated graphene oxide for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells in anhydrous atmosphere
Authors: Cai Yangben , Yue Zhouying , Xu Shiai 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTA novel functional graphene with high ion exchange capacity (IEC) was prepared by grafting reaction induced by 60Co γ‐ray irradiation using graphene oxide. Then, polybenzimidazole/radiation grafting graphene oxide (PBI/RGO) composite membranes were prepared by the solution‐casting method and doped with phosphoric acid (PA) to improve their proton conductivity. The properties of PBI/GO/PA and PBI/RGO/PA membranes including the PA doping level, chemical stability, proton conductivity and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared. The tensile strength of PBI/RGO/PA membranes (ranging from 27.3 to 38.5 MPa) increases at first and then decreases with the increase of the RGO content, and is significantly higher than that of other PA doped PBI‐based membranes. The proton conductivity of PBI/RGO‐3/PA membrane is 28.0 mS cm−1 at 170 °C without humidity, with an increase of 72.0% compared with that of PBI/PA membrane. These results suggest that PBI/RGO/PA membranes have the potential to be used as high‐temperature proton exchange membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44986.
Simultaneous determination of wogonin, oroxylin a, schisandrin, paeoniflorin and emodin in rat serum by HPLC–MS/MS and application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Chen Minting , Wei Suying , Luo Chaohua , Chen Feilong , Song Shuai , Shen Qun , Mo Zhixian , Wei Fenghuan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWogonin and oroxylin A in Scutellariae Radix, schisandrin in Chinensis Fructus, paeoniflorin in Moutan Cortex and emodin in Polygoni Cuspidate Rhizome et Radix are anti‐inflammatory active compounds. A method for simultaneous determination of the five compounds in rat was developed and validated using high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). The separation was performed on a Symmetry C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm) with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phases. The detection was performed using multiple‐reaction monitoring with electrospray ionization source in positive–negative ion mode. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9955). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL for wogonin and schisandrin, 10 ng/mL for oroxylin A and emodin, and 15 ng/mL for paeoniflorin, respectively. The relative standard deviations of intraday and interday precisions were <11.49 and 14.28%, respectively. The extraction recoveries and matrix effects were acceptable. The analytes were stable under the experiment conditions. The validated method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of the five compounds in rats after oral administration of Hu‐gan‐kan‐kang‐yuan capsule. This paper would be a valuable reference for pharmacokinetic studies of Chinese medicine preparations containing the five compounds.
Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods
Authors: Su Hsiu‐Wei , Yi Yu‐Chiao , Wei Ting‐Yen , Chang Ting‐Chang , Cheng Chao‐Min 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe ability to identify the precise time of ovulation is important for women who want to plan conception or practice contraception. Here, we review the current literature on various methods for detecting ovulation including a review of point‐of‐care device technology. We incorporate an examination of methods to detect ovulation that have been developed and practiced for decades and analyze the indications and limitations of each—transvaginal ultrasonography, urinary luteinizing hormone detection, serum progesterone and urinary pregnanediol 3‐glucuronide detection, urinary follicular stimulating hormone detection, basal body temperature monitoring, and cervical mucus and salivary ferning analysis. Some point‐of‐care ovulation detection devices have been developed and commercialized based on these methods, however previous research was limited by small sample size and an inconsistent standard reference to true ovulation.
Synthetic Biomarker Design by Using Analyte‐Responsive Acetaminophen
Authors: Nishihara Tatsuya , Inoue Joe , Tabata Sho , Murakami Shinnosuke , Ishikawa Takamasa , Saito Natsumi , Fukuda Shinji , Tomita Masaru , Soga Tomoyoshi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe use of synthetic biomarkers is an emerging technique to improve disease diagnosis. Here, we report a novel design strategy that uses analyte‐responsive acetaminophen (APAP) to expand the catalogue of analytes available for synthetic biomarker development. As proof‐of‐concept, we designed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐responsive APAP (HR‐APAP) and succeeded in H2O2 detection with cellular and animal experiments. In fact, for blood samples following HR‐APAP injection, we demonstrated that the plasma concentration ratio [APAP+APAP conjugates]/[HR‐APAP] accurately reflects in vivo differences in H2O2 levels. We anticipate that our practical methodology will be broadly useful for the preparation of various synthetic biomarkers.
Specific Picomolar Detection of a Breast Cancer Biomarker HER‐2/neu Protein in Serum: Electrocatalytically Amplified Electroanalysis by the Aptamer/PEG‐Modified Electrode
Authors: Salimian Razieh , Kékedy‐Nagy László , Ferapontova Elena E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSpecific and sensitive electroanalysis of blood‐circulating protein cancer biomarkers is often complicated by interference from serum proteins nonspecifically adsorbing at the biosensing interface and masking specific reactions of interest. Here, we have developed an electrocatalytically amplified assay for specific and sensitive analysis of human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER‐2/neu, a protein cancer biomarker over‐expressed in breast cancers) that allows us to avoid both the interference from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and electrocatalytic amplification of the signal stemming from the specific aptamer−HER‐2/neu binding. A HER‐2/neu‐specific thiolated aptamer sequence was co‐adsorbed on gold together with a C11 alkanethiol bearing two ethylene glycol (EG)2 head groups that prevented non‐specific adsorption of BSA. On such layers, electrochemical reduction of a ferricyanide redox indicator is inhibited and is shown to be electrocatalyzed by methylene blue electrostatically interacting with negatively charged HER‐2/neu. The electrocatalytic signal increased upon HER‐2/neu binding to the aptamer, which allowed 10−12–10−8 M HER‐2/neu detection in 1 % serum, being practically applicable for clinical testing. The developed strategy can be considered as general and applicable for the electroanalysis of other blood‐circulating proteins once the electrostatic compatibility between the protein and redox probe is established.