bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of masonry walls subjected to in‐plane loading: A slip failure along head joints / Zuverlässigkeit von Mauerwerkswänden bei Belastung in der Ebene: Versagen entlang der Stoßfugenflucht
Authors: Asenov Miloš , Mojsilović Nebojša , Mićić Tatjana 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMasonry structures are a sustainable, economical and traditionally widely used type of construction. However, current masonry design codes are rather conservative, so there is a growing need for revision i.e. calibration of safety factors to improve the allocation of material resources. In this paper, we investigate the probability of occurrence of slip failure along head joints (perpends) in masonry subjected to in‐plane loading. An appropriate limit state function is established and the masonry material properties and loads are defined as random variables in order to simulate likelihood of occurrence of a slip failure regime along the head joints. Furthermore, an example of masonry wall with probabilistic analysis outcomes using Monte Carlo simulation is presented and recommendations for further work are provided.
Rapid response to eating disorder treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Linardon Jake , Brennan Leah , de la Piedad Garcia Xochitl 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis review aimed to (a) examine the effects of rapid response on behavioral, cognitive, and weight‐gain outcomes across the eating disorders, (b) determine whether diagnosis, treatment modality, the type of rapid response (changes in disordered eating cognitions or behaviors), or the type of behavioral outcome moderated this effect, and (c) identify factors that predict a rapid response.MethodThirty‐four articles met inclusion criteria from six databases. End of treatment and follow‐up outcomes were divided into three categories: Behavioral (binge eating/purging), cognitive (EDE global scores), and weight gain. Average weighted effect sizes(r) were calculated.ResultsRapid response strongly predicted better end of treatment and follow‐up cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Moderator analyses showed that the effect size for rapid response on behavioral outcomes was larger when studies included both binge eating and purging (as opposed to just binge eating) as a behavioral outcome. Diagnosis, treatment modality, and the type of rapid response experienced did not moderate the relationship between early response and outcome. The evidence for weight gain was mixed. None of the baseline variables analyzed (eating disorder psychopathology, demographics, BMI, and depression scores) predicted a rapid response.DiscussionAs there is a solid evidence base supporting the prognostic importance of rapid response, the focus should shift toward identifying the within‐treatment mechanisms that predict a rapid response so that the effectiveness of eating disorder treatment can be improved. There is a need for future research to use theories of eating disorders as a guide to assess within‐treatment predictors of rapid response. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:905–919
Cell‐penetrating peptide–labelled smart polymers for enhanced gene delivery
Authors: Zhang Bingyang , Zhang Hu , Dai Sheng , Bi Jingxiu 
Published: August 2016

Highly efficient gene delivery vehicles are pursued to progress gene therapy. In this study, we developed the cell‐penetrating peptide‐labelled and degradable gene carriers for efficient external gene transfection. The cationic carriers were prepared by coupling low‐molecular‐weight polyethylenimine (PEI800) with 4ʹ4‐dithiodibutyric acid (DA), and HIV‐1 Trans‐Activator of Transcription (TAT) was conjugated to the carriers as a penetrating peptide. The resulted PEI‐DA‐TAT was able to condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) into a complex with a hydrodynamic size of around 150 nm under a neutral condition. PEI‐DA‐TAT showed negligible cytotoxicity to both Hela and HEK 293 cells with the cell viability of more than 80% beyond the carrier concentration of 50 μg/mL. This new carrier displayed better performance in regard to DNA transfection efficiency in comparison with the carriers of non‐TAT labelled PEI‐DA, commercial PEI25K and low‐molecular‐weight PEI (PEI800). The transfection efficiency of PEI‐DA‐TAT was increased by 8% compared with PEI‐DA and PEI25K. The experimental findings suggested that the developed PEI‐DA‐TAT is a promising carrier for efficient DNA delivery with low cytotoxicity for gene therapy.
Hierarchical Porous Nanostructures of Manganese(III) Oxyhydroxide for All‐Solid‐State Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Dai Shuge , Liu Jianlin , Wang Chuanshen , Wang Xue , Xi Yi , Wei Dapeng , Hu Chenguo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA three‐dimensional porous MnOOH hierarchical nanostructure grown on flexible carbon fiber fabric is successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Monoclinic MnOOH has a crystalline structure layered in the [010] direction. The layered structure facilitates intercalation/deintercalation of Li+ into the interlayer space as well as the adsorption/desorption of Li+ onto the surface of each layer during fast charging/discharging process. This porous hierarchical structure provides many electroactive sites and efficient paths for ion transport. When used as flexible and lightweight electrodes for supercapacitors, the porous MnOOH electrode manifests good electrochemical performance with a high capacitance of 160 F g−1 at a current density of 0.2 mA cm−2, a high energy density of 14 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 162 W kg−1, and great cycling stability. Moreover, the application for the low‐cost and highly flexible supercapacitors in powering light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) highlights its enormous commercial potential in next‐generation energy storage systems.
Tough Ionogel‐in‐Mask Hybrid Gel Electrolytes in Supercapacitors with Durable Pressure and Thermal Tolerances
Authors: Liu Xinhua , Wu Billy , Brandon Nigel , Wang Qigang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA primary challenge of gel electrolytes in development of flexible and wearable devices is their weak mechanical performances, including their compressive stress, tensile strength, and puncture resistance. Here we prepare an ionogel‐mask hybrid gel electrolyte, which successfully achieves synergic advantages of the high mechanical strength of the mask substance and the superior electrochemical and thermal characteristics of the ionogel. The fabricated supercapacitor can maintain a relatively stable capacitive performance even under a high pressure of 3236 kPa. Meanwhile, with the good thermal stability of the composite gel electrolyte, the solid‐state supercapacitor can be operated at high temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 200 °C. The ionogel‐mask hybrid gel can be superior tough gel electrolyte for solid‐state flexible supercapacitors with durable advantages in both high temperatures and pressures.
Pretreatment of Graphite Anodes with Lithium Sulfate to Improve the Cycle Performance of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cui Xiaoling , Tang Fengjuan , Li Chunlei , Zhang Yu , Wang Peng , Li Shiyou , Ye Xiushen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractGraphite electrode surfaces are pretreated by spray‐deposition method with 0.5 mol L−1 Li2SO4 aqueous solution. The physical and electrochemical properties of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film formed on the surface of Li2SO4‐treated graphite electrode are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the SEI film formed, promoted by Li2SO4, is thin, stable, effective, and elastic to accommodate volume changes of graphite electrode during electrochemical cycles. Due to the fact that the Li/mesophase carbon microbeads (MCMB) cell based on Li2SO4‐treated graphite electrode exhibits excellent cycling performance and low interfacial impedance, we can deduce that such modifies have positive implications for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), offering the possibility of faster‐charging LIBs and LIBs that are suitable for rate‐demanding applications, such electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
A meta‐analytic framework for detection of genetic interactions
Authors: Liu Yulun , Chen Yong , Scheet Paul 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTWith varying, but substantial, proportions of heritability remaining unexplained by summaries of single‐SNP genetic variation, there is a demand for methods that extract maximal information from genetic association studies. One source of variation that is difficult to assess is genetic interactions. A major challenge for naive detection methods is the large number of possible combinations, with a requisite need to correct for multiple testing. Assumptions of large marginal effects, to reduce the search space, may be restrictive and miss higher order interactions with modest marginal effects. In this paper, we propose a new procedure for detecting gene‐by‐gene interactions through heterogeneity in estimated low‐order (e.g., marginal) effect sizes by leveraging population structure, or ancestral differences, among studies in which the same phenotypes were measured. We implement this approach in a meta‐analytic framework, which offers numerous advantages, such as robustness and computational efficiency, and is necessary when data‐sharing limitations restrict joint analysis. We effectively apply a dimension reduction procedure that scales to allow searches for higher order interactions. For comparison to our method, which we term phylogenY‐aware Effect‐size Tests for Interactions (YETI), we adapt an existing method that assumes interacting loci will exhibit strong marginal effects to our meta‐analytic framework. As expected, YETI excels when multiple studies are from highly differentiated populations and maintains its superiority in these conditions even when marginal effects are small. When these conditions are less extreme, the advantage of our method wanes. We assess the Type‐I error and power characteristics of complementary approaches to evaluate their strengths and limitations.
Hydraulic characterization and hydrological behaviour of a pilot permeable pavement in an urban centre, Brazil
Authors: Coutinho Artur Paiva , Lassabatere Laurent , Montenegro Suzana , Antonino Antônio Celso Dantas , Angulo‐Jaramillo Rafael , Cabral Jaime J. S. P. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractConsidering all the alterations on hydrology and water quality that urbanization process brings, permeable pavement (PP) is an alternative to traditional impermeable asphalt and concrete pavement. The goal of the PP and other low impact development devices is to increase infiltration and reduce peak runoff flows. These structures are barely used in Brazil aiming stormwater management, one of the big hydrological issues in cities throughout the country, with increasing urbanization rates. The main objective of this paper is the hydraulic characterization of a PP and the assessment of its hydrological efficiency from the point of view of the infiltration process. The study focuses on a pilot area in a parking lot in an urban area (Recife, Brazil). Soil elements filling the voids between concrete elements were sampled (particle size density, water contents) and tested with water infiltration experiments at several points of the 3 m × 1.5 m surface pilot area. Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer parameters algorithm was applied to the infiltration experiment data to obtain the hydraulic characteristics of the soil composing the PP surface layer, the concrete grid pavers (with internal voids filled with natural soil) permeability being neglected. Results show that the soil hydraulic characteristics vary spatially within the pilot area and that the soil samples have different hydraulic behaviours. The hydraulic characteristics derived from Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer parameters analysis were implemented into Hydrus code to simulate runoff, infiltration and water balance over a year. The numerical simulation showed the good potential of the PP for rainfall–runoff management, which demonstrates that PP can be used to retrofit existing parking infrastructure and to promote hydrological behaviour close to natural soils. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An approach to analysing plot scale infiltration and runoff responses to rainfall of fluctuating intensity
Authors: Dunkerley David 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSimulated rainfall of fluctuating intensity was applied to runoff plots on bare dryland soils in order to explore a new method for analysing the non‐steady‐state responses of infiltration and overland flow. The rainfall events all averaged 10 mm/h but included intensity bursts of up to 70 mm/h and lasting 5–15 min, as well as periods of low intensity and intermittency of up to 25 min. Results were compared with traditional steady‐state estimates of infiltrability made under simulated rainfall sustained at a fixed intensity of 10 mm/h. Mean event infiltration rate averaged 13.6% higher under fluctuating intensities, while runoff ratios averaged only 63% of those seen under constant intensity. In order to understand the changing soil infiltrability, up to three affine Horton infiltration equations were fitted to segments of each experiment. All equations had the same final infiltrability fc, but adjusted values for coefficients f0 (initial infiltrability) and Kf (exponential decay constant) were fitted for periods of rainfall that followed significant hiatuses in rainfall, during which subsurface redistribution allowed near‐surface soil suction to recover. According to the fitted Horton equations, soil infiltrability recovered by up 10–24 mm/h during intra‐event rainfall hiatuses of 15 to 20‐min duration, contributing to higher overall event infiltration rates and to reduced runoff ratios. The recovery of infiltrability also reduced the size of runoff peaks following periods of low intensity rainfall, compared with the predictions based on single Horton infiltration equations, and in some cases, no runoff at all was recorded from late intensity peaks. The principal finding of this study is that, using a set of affine equations, the intra‐event time variation of soil infiltrability can be tracked through multiple intensity bursts and hiatuses, despite the lack of steady‐state conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast and accurate fuzzy C‐means algorithm for MR brain image segmentation
Authors: Hemanth D. Jude , Anitha J. , Balas Valentina Emilia 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTFuzzy theory based intelligent techniques are widely preferred for medical applications because of high accuracy. Among the fuzzy based techniques, Fuzzy C‐Means (FCM) algorithm is popular than the other approaches due to the availability of expert knowledge. But, one of the hidden facts is that the computational complexity of the FCM algorithm is significantly high. Since medical applications need to be time effective, suitable modifications must be made in this algorithm for practical feasibility. In this study, necessary changes are included in the FCM approach to make the approach time effective without compromising the segmentation efficiency. An additional data reduction approach is performed in the conventional FCM to minimize the computational complexity and the convergence rate. A comparative analysis with the conventional FCM algorithm and the proposed Fast and Accurate FCM (FAFCM) is also given to show the superior nature of the proposed approach. These techniques are analyzed in terms of segmentation efficiency and convergence rate. Experimental results show promising results for the proposed approach. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 26, 188–195, 2016
Three‐dimensional macroporous graphene scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Lalwani Gaurav , D'agati Michael , Gopalan Anu , Rao Manisha , Schneller Jessica , Sitharaman Balaji 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe assembly of carbon nanomaterials into three‐dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds is critical to harness their unique physiochemical properties for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. In this study, we report the fabrication, characterization, and in vitro cytocompatibility of true 3D (>1 mm in all three dimensions), macroscopic (3–8 mm in height and 4–6 mm in diameter), chemically cross‐linked graphene scaffolds prepared via radical initiated thermal cross‐linking of single‐ and multiwalled graphene oxide nanoribbons (SWGONRs and MWGONRs). SWGONR and MWGONR scaffolds possess tunable porosity (∼65‐80%) and interconnected macro‐, micro‐, and nanoscale pores. Human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and murine MC3T3 preosteoblast cells show good cell viability on SWGONR and MWGONR scaffolds after 1, 3, and 5 days comparable to 3D poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffolds. Confocal live‐cell imaging showed that cells were metabolically active and could spread on SWGONR and MWGONR scaffolds. Immunofluorescence imaging showed the presence of focal adhesion protein vinculin and expression of cell proliferation marker Ki‐67 suggesting that cells could attach and proliferate on SWGONR and MWGONR scaffolds. These results indicate that cross‐linked SWGONR and MWGONR scaffolds are cytocompatible and opens‐avenues toward the development of 3D multifunctional graphene scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 73–83, 2017.
Osteogenic capacity of alkali‐free bioactive glasses. In vitro studies
Authors: Brito Ana F. , Antunes Brígida , dos Santos Francisco , Fernandes Hugo R. , Ferreira José M. F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe high alkali content bioactive glasses commonly used to regenerate bone in dental, orthopedic, and maxillofacial surgeries induce some cytotoxicity in surrounding tissues. The present study aims the ability of some alkali‐free bioactive glasses compositions, recently developed by our research group, to stimulate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiation into osteoblasts in comparison to 45S5 Bioglass®. The obtained results demonstrated that alkali‐free bioactive glasses possess higher stimulating towards differentiation of hMSCs in comparison to the control 45S5 Bioglass®. The von Kossa assay demonstrated that all bioactive glasses studied were able to induce the appearance of calcium deposits even when the cells were cultured in DMEM, proving that these biomaterials per se induce hMSCs cell differentiation. It was also observed that in both cell culture medium used (DMEM, and osteogenesis differentiation medium) alkali‐free bioactive glasses clearly induced the appearance of more calcium deposits than the 45S5 Bioglass®, indicating their greater ability to induce cell differentiation. In summary, these results indicate that alkali‐free bioactive glasses are a safe and valid alternative to 45S5 Bioglass®. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2360–2365, 2017.
Molecular and biochemical evidence on the protective effects of quercetin in isoproterenol‐induced acute myocardial injury in rats
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Kasala Eshvendar Reddy , Bodduluru Lakshmi Narendra , Kumar Vikas , Lahkar Mangala 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCardioprotection represents one of the most important and realistic aspects of preventive therapy today. Quercetin, a naturally occurring dietary flavone, has been studied extensively for its antioxidant properties. The objective of present study is to find out the cardioprotective activity and to explore the underlying mechanisms of quercetin pretreatment (50 mg/kg body weight, orally) for 14 days against isoproterenol (ISO; 100 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. Cardiac diagnostic markers, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology along with gene expression analysis of calpain 1 and 2 were carried out in experimental rats. Quercetin pretreatment showed protective effects on heart by significantly attenuating the ISO‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation, protecting heart architecture, and by downregulation of the expression of calpain. Overall, these findings revealed the cardio‐protective potential of quercetin and its mechanism of action against ISO‐induced MI in rats.
Testosterone and Haemosporidian Parasites Along a Tropical Elevational Gradient in Rufous‐Collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis)
Authors: Escallón Camilo , Weinstein Nicole M. , Tallant James A. , Wojtenek Winfried , Rodríguez‐Saltos Carlos A. , Bonaccorso Elisa , Moore Ignacio T. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTElevation has been proposed as a dominant ecological variable shaping life history traits and subsequently their underlying hormonal mechanisms. In an earlier meta‐analysis of tropical birds, elevation was positively related to testosterone levels. Furthermore, parasitism by avian haemosporidians should vary with elevation as environmental conditions affect vector abundance, and while testosterone is needed for breeding, it is hypothesized to be immunosuppressive and thus could exacerbate haemosporidian infection. Our objective in this study was to examine the relationships between elevation, testosterone levels, and parasitism by avian haemosporidians. We surveyed breeding male rufous‐collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) across a wide elevational range along the equator. We measured baseline testosterone levels, haemosporidian infection at four elevations spanning the species’ natural range in the Ecuadorian Andes (600, 1500, 2100, 3300 m). Testosterone levels from breeding males were not related to elevation, but there was high intrapopulation variability. Testosterone levels were not related to the probability of parasitism, but our results from one population suggested that the likelihood of being infected by haemosporidian parasites was greater when in breeding condition. In conclusion, even though there is variation in life history strategies among the studied populations, wider divergence in seasonality and life history traits would probably be needed to detect an effect of elevation on testosterone if one exists. Additionally, our results show that variation in testosterone is not related to infection risk of haemosporidians, thus other factors that take a toll on energetic resources, such as reproduction, should be looked at more closely.
Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Foxl2 and Ftz‐F1 in Chinese Giant Salamander Andrias Davidianus
Authors: HU QIAOMU , MENG YAN , TIAN HAIFENG , ZHANG YU , XIAO HANBING 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTFoxl2 and FTZ‐F1 play a crucial role in the regulation of gonad development in fish and mammals, but studies of their function in amphibians are scarce. We isolated the full length of Foxl2 (adFoxl2) and Ftz‐F1 (adFtz‐f1) cDNA from the Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus and quantified its expression in various tissues and developing gonads. The adFoxl2 gene encodes 301aa including a conserved forkhead box, and the adFtz‐f1 gene encodes 467aa containing an Ftz‐F1 box. The amino acid sequences showed high homology with other amphibians. adFoxl2 expression was high in ovary, whereas adFtz‐f1 was higher in testis, moderate in pituitary, ovary, and kidney; and low in the remaining tested tissues. Expression of adFoxl2 gradually increased from 1Y to 5Y in ovary, whereas adFtz‐f1 expression gradually decreased in testis. In addition, adFoxl2 and adFtz‐f1 were detected in granulosa cell in ovary and in spermatocytes in testis. The adFoxl2 transcription was inhibited in brain and ovary after treatment with methyltestosterone and with letrozole, whereas adFtz‐f1 expression was upregulated. High‐temperature suppressed the expression of adFxl2 in ovary and enhanced the transcription of adFtz‐f1. These results suggest that adFoxl2 functioned in ovary differentiation, whereas adFtz‐f1 played a role in testis development, which lays a foundation for study of the sex differentiation mechanism in A. davidianus.