bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The preparation of hard and super‐hydrophilic MgB2 coating by spray pyrolysis deposition
Authors: Bülbül F. , Jafarpour S. , Ertuğrul M. 
Published: September 2016

In this study, we report spray pyrolysis deposition using an alternative precursor solution for the fabrication of MgB2 films. Polycrystalline MgB2 films were prepared by spray pyrolysis, a precursor solution of magnesium diboride nanoparticles, sodium hypophosphite, sodium succinate, sodium acetate and dimethyl sulfoxide on AZ91 magnesium alloys. The spray was carried out using argon as carrier gas at a temperature of 150 °C and a spray rate of 5 ml/min for 60 min. After spraying, the deposited samples were annealed at 300 °C for 15, 30 and 45 min in order to investigate morphological changes and crystallization behaviour. The microstructure, hardness and wettability properties of approximately 30 μm coatings were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, microhardness tester and contact angle meter. Produced coatings showed dense and homogenous structural formation with strong grain connections. As‐deposited MgB2 films showed the most pronounced preferred orientation with the (101) reflection and the highest hardness value compared to other annealed coatings at different times. Besides, all the synthesized coatings had a super‐hydrophilic surface.
Effect of quenching on microstructure and wear‐resistance of Fe–10Cr–1.5B–2Al Alloy
Authors: Jiang J. , Fu H. , Zheng L. , Shu‐Qi G. , Yue M. , Yong‐ping L. 
Published: September 2016

Cast Fe–10Cr–1.5B–2Al alloy was quenched at different temperatures. The effects of quenching temperature on microstructure and hardness and wear‐resistance of Fe–10Cr–1.5B–2.0Al alloy were investigated by means of the optical microscopy, the scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer, Vickers hardness and Rockwell hardness tester, and the MM‐200 block‐on‐ring wear testing machine under dry friction condition. The results indicate that the as‐cast microstructure of Fe–10Cr–1.5B–2.0Al alloy consists of ferrite, pearlite and netlike eutectics which are distributed in the grain boundary. The eutectics mainly include herringbone M2B and chrysanthemum M7(C, B)3. The matrix gradually turns into single martensite with the increase of the quenching temperature. The type of borocarbides has no obvious change after quenching. The netlike boride almost totally fractures and transforms from the fish‐bone structure to the graininess. There is some retained austenite in the quenched structures when the quenching temperature is more than 1100 °C. When the quenching temperature is in a range of 1000 °C to 1100 °C, the hardness and wear resistance show a sharp increase with an increase of temperature, and show a slight decrease after surpassing 1100 °C.
Rat health status affects bioavailability, target tissue levels, and bioactivity of grape seed flavanols
Authors: Margalef Maria , Pons Zara , Iglesias‐Carres Lisard , Quiñones Mar , Bravo Francisca Isabel , Arola‐Arnal Anna , Muguerza Begoña 
Published: September 2016

ScopeStudying the flavanol metabolism is essential to identify bioactive compounds, as beneficial effects of flavanols have been attributed to their metabolic products. However, host‐related factors, including pathological conditions, may affect flavanol metabolism and, thus, their bioactivity. This study aims to elucidate whether hypertension affects grape seed flavanol metabolism, influencing their bioactivity in relation to hypertension.Methods and resultsGrape seed flavanols' effect on blood pressure (BP) was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and healthy Wistar rats 6 h after grape seed extract administration (375 mg/kg). Animals were then sacrificed, and plasma bioavailability and aorta distribution of flavanol metabolites were studied by HPLC‐MS/MS in both the groups. Grape seed flavanols were only able to decrease BP in SHR. Plasma total flavanol metabolites showed similar levels, being the difference noticed in specific metabolites' concentrations. Specifically, microbial metabolites showed quantitative and qualitative differences between both health states. Moreover, aorta total concentrations were found decreased in SHR. Interestingly, flavanol microbial metabolites were specifically increased SHR aortas, showing qualitative differences in small phenolic forms.ConclusionThis study demonstrates important differences in bioactivity and target tissue metabolite levels between healthy and diseased rats, indicating potential metabolites responsible of the anti‐hypertensive effect.
NMR‐based urinary profiling of lactulose/mannitol ratio used to assess the altered intestinal permeability in acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Pandey Gaurav , Bansal Deepak , Rawat Atul , Kumar Umesh , Dubey Durgesh , Guleria Anupam , Saraswat Vivek Anand 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe article presents a simplified NMR‐based protocol for urinary profiling of lactulose/mannitol ratio (LMR) and demonstrates here its utility to assess increased intestinal permeability (IP) in patients with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). ACLF is a serious clinical complication associated with chronic liver disease (cirrhosis). The major risk factor in its development is increased IP (‘leaky gut’), which has been linked to disease progression and to infectious complications. However, IP has seldom been investigated in patients with ACLF, even though patients frequently report gastrointestinal disorders and associated complications. To this end, we first optimized the NMR‐based targeted profiling of urinary metabolites (i.e. actulose, mannitol, and creatinine) and subsequently used this resulted protocol (a) first to evaluate the altered IP in ACLF patients and then (b) to explore its utility for monitoring the treatment response in these patients. The normal profiles were obtained for 7 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. The results revealed that the urinary LMR excretion was significantly higher in ACLF patients compared to normal controls (median ~0.7, range (0.12–2.84), vs median ~0.11, range (0.02–0.28), p < 0.001) suggesting that the ACLF patients' exhibit altered IP. However, the LMR excretion in six clinically improved follow‐up ACLF patients was comparable to normal controls indicating restored IP after the treatment. The protocol—as demonstrated here with ACLF—is equally applicable for evaluating IP or mucosal barrier function in other intestinal disorders with reasonable sensitivity and specificity, highlighting its general utility. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution 1H‐MRSI of the brain using SPICE: Data acquisition and image reconstruction
Authors: Lam Fan , Ma Chao , Clifford Bryan , Johnson Curtis L. , Liang Zhi‐Pei 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo develop data acquisition and image reconstruction methods to enable high‐resolution 1H MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the brain, using the recently proposed subspace‐based spectroscopic imaging framework called SPICE (SPectroscopic Imaging by exploiting spatiospectral CorrElation).Theory and MethodsSPICE is characterized by the use of a subspace model for both data acquisition and image reconstruction. For data acquisition, we propose a novel spatiospectral encoding scheme that provides hybrid data sets for determining the subspace structure and for image reconstruction using the subspace model. More specifically, we use a hybrid chemical shift imaging /echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging sequence for two‐dimensional (2D) MRSI and a dual‐density, dual‐speed echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging sequence for three‐dimensional (3D) MRSI. For image reconstruction, we propose a method that can determine the subspace structure and the high‐resolution spatiospectral reconstruction from the hybrid data sets generated by the proposed sequences, incorporating field inhomogeneity correction and edge‐preserving regularization.ResultsPhantom and in vivo brain experiments were performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. For 2D MRSI experiments, SPICE is able to produce high‐SNR spatiospectral distributions with an approximately 3 mm nominal in‐plane resolution from a 10‐min acquisition. For 3D MRSI experiments, SPICE is able to achieve an approximately 3 mm in‐plane and 4 mm through‐plane resolution in about 25 min.ConclusionSpecial data acquisition and reconstruction methods have been developed for high‐resolution 1H‐MRSI of the brain using SPICE. Using these methods, SPICE is able to produce spatiospectral distributions of 1H metabolites in the brain with high spatial resolution, while maintaining a good SNR. These capabilities should prove useful for practical applications of SPICE. Magn Reson Med 76:1059–1070, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transforming growth factor‐β signaling is upregulated in sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Noda Seiya , Koike Haruki , Maeshima Shinya , Nakanishi Hirotaka , Iijima Masahiro , Matsuo Koji , Kimura Seigo , Katsuno Masahisa , Sobue Gen 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn this study we aimed to determine whether transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling is dysregulated in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) muscle samples.MethodsWe examined TGF‐β signaling markers in muscle samples from 24 sIBM patients and compared them with those from 10 dermatomyositis (DM) patients using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses.ResultsCompared with the DM muscle fibers, the sIBM muscle fibers exhibited greater TGF‐β, TGF‐β receptor type I (TβRI), and TGF‐β receptor type II (TβRII) immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm, as well as greater phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2) immunoreactivity in the myonuclei. The signal intensities of TGF‐β, TβRI, and TβRII immunoreactivity correlated significantly with muscle fiber cross‐sectional areas. Western blot analyses indicated higher expression levels of TGF‐β, TβRI, TβRII, and pSmad2 in the sIBM muscle samples than in the DM muscle samples.ConclusionsThese data indicate that upregulation of TGF‐β signaling may be an important molecular event in sIBM. Muscle Nerve 55: 741–747, 2017
Consolidation in spatially random unsaturated soils based on coupled flow‐deformation simulation
Authors: Cheng Y. , Zhang L.L. , Li J.H. , Zhang L.M. , Wang J.H. , Wang D.Y. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThis paper integrates random field simulation of soil spatial variability with numerical modeling of coupled flow and deformation to investigate consolidation in spatially random unsaturated soil. The spatial variability of soil properties is simulated using the covariance matrix decomposition method. The random soil properties are imported into an interactive multiphysics software COMSOL to solve the governing partial differential equations. The effects of the spatial variability of Young's modulus and saturated permeability together with unsaturated hydraulic parameters on the dissipation of excess pore water pressure and settlement are investigated using an example of consolidation in a saturated‐unsaturated soil column because of loading. It is found that the surface settlement and the pore water pressure profile during the process of consolidation are significantly affected by the spatially varying Young's modulus. The mean value of the settlement of the spatially random soil is more than 100% greater than that of the deterministic case, and the surface settlement is subject to large uncertainty, which implies that consolidation settlement is difficult to predict accurately based on the conventional deterministic approach. The uncertainty of the settlement increases with the scale of fluctuation because of the averaging effect of spatial variability. The effects of spatial variability of saturated permeability ksat and air entry parameters are much less significant than that of elastic modulus. The spatial variability of air entry value parameters affects the uncertainties of settlement and excess pore pressure mostly in the unsaturated zone. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porous extraction paddle: a solid‐phase extraction technique for studying the urine metabolome
Authors: Shao Gang , MacNeil Michael , Yao Yuanyuan , Giese Roger W. 
Published: September 2016

RationaleA method was needed to accomplish solid‐phase extraction of a large urine volume in a convenient way where resources are limited, towards a goal of metabolome and xenobiotic exposome analysis at another, distant location.MethodsA porous extraction paddle (PEP) was set up, comprising a porous nylon bag containing extraction particles that is flattened and immobilized between two stainless steel meshes. Stirring the PEP after attachment to a shaft of a motor mounted on the lid of the jar containing the urine accomplishes extraction. The bag contained a mixture of nonpolar and partly nonpolar particles to extract a diversity of corresponding compounds.ResultsElution of a urine‐exposed, water‐washed PEP with aqueous methanol containing triethylammonium acetate (conditions intended to give a complete elution), followed by MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS, demonstrated that a diversity of compounds had been extracted ranging from uric acid to peptides.ConclusionsThe PEP allows the user to extract a large liquid sample in a jar simply by turning on a motor. The technique will be helpful in conducting metabolomics and xenobiotic exposome studies of urine, encouraging the extraction of large volumes to set up a convenient repository sample (e.g. 2 g of exposed adsorbent in a cryovial) for shipment and re‐analysis in various ways in the future, including scaled‐up isolation of unknown chemicals for identification. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene–environment interactions in development and disease
Authors: Lovely C. , Rampersad Mindy , Fernandes Yohaan , Eberhart Johann 
Published: September 2016

Developmental geneticists continue to make substantial jumps in our understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate development. This understanding stems predominantly from analyses of genetically tractable model organisms developing in laboratory environments. This environment is vastly different from that in which human development occurs. As such, most causes of developmental defects in humans are thought to involve multifactorial gene–gene and gene–environment interactions. In this review, we discuss how gene–environment interactions with environmental teratogens may predispose embryos to structural malformations. We elaborate on the growing number of gene–ethanol interactions that might underlie susceptibility to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e247. doi: 10.1002/wdev.247This article is categorized under:

Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan
Birth Defects > Associated with Preimplantation and Gastrulation
Birth Defects > Craniofacial and Nervous System Anomalies
Toward universal electrification in Ghana
Authors: Kemausuor Francis , Ackom Emmanuel 
Published: September 2016

In 1989, the government of Ghana set in motion an electrification plan that aims to provide universal access to electricity within a 30‐year period, from 1990 to 2020. About 25 years down the line, Ghana seems to be inching closer toward universal electrification. However, a number of challenges remain. As is the case in many other countries, urban communities have greater access to the national electricity grid than rural communities. Also, electricity generation in the country has not matched demand. This has resulted in load shedding/power rationing that has become the bane of the power sector in Ghana, negatively impacting all sectors of the economy and leading to economic losses. The low generation capacity is partly due to poor fuel supply to existing thermal power plants, meaning that installed capacity is often not available for use. This is coupled with low investment in transmission and distribution systems’ infrastructure. Going forward, the government of Ghana would have to explore alternative ways of obtaining fuel, such as regasification, to solve the chronic issue of poor fuel supply for electricity generation. Distributed generation systems, using community mini‐grid and off‐grid systems are other alternatives that could be explored within the framework of the access agenda in order to reach the unserved poor located in remote rural communities. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e225. doi: 10.1002/wene.225This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Climate and Environment
Energy and Development > Climate and Environment
Friends' drinking norms and male adolescents' alcohol consumption: The moderating role of performance‐based peer influence susceptibility
Authors: Teunissen Hanneke A. , Kuntsche Emmanuel , Scholte Ron H.J. , Spijkerman Renske , Prinstein Mitchell J. , Engels Rutger C.M.E. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThis study examined whether the relationship between friends' drinking norms and male adolescents' alcohol use is moderated by performance‐based peer influence susceptibility. Seventy‐three male adolescents (M = 17 years) from three schools in the Netherlands were exposed to the drinking norms of “peers” (electronic confederates) in a chat room experiment. These peers were either popular or unpopular, and conveyed pro‐ or anti‐alcohol norms. Peer influence susceptibility was defined as the change in adolescents' answers before and after exposure to the peer norms. Multilevel regression analyses indicated that the relationship between friends' drinking norms and adolescents' alcohol use (assessed during eight weekends) was moderated by susceptibility to the pro‐alcohol norms of popular peers. This relationship was stronger for adolescents who were highly susceptible. These findings suggest that a behavioral measure of peer influence susceptibility could be useful in alcohol prevention programs to select adolescents at risk for negative peer socialization.
Classification of spectra of the Neumann–Poincaré operator on planar domains with corners by resonance
Authors: Helsing Johan , Kang Hyeonbae , Lim Mikyoung 
Published: September 2016

We study spectral properties of the Neumann–Poincaré operator on planar domains with corners with particular emphasis on existence of continuous spectrum and pure point spectrum. We show that the rate of resonance at continuous spectrum is different from that at eigenvalues, and then derive a method to distinguish continuous spectrum from eigenvalues. We perform computational experiments using the method to see whether continuous spectrum and pure point spectrum appear on domains with corners. For the computations we use a modification of the Nyström method which makes it possible to construct high-order convergent discretizations of the Neumann–Poincaré operator on domains with corners. The results of experiments show that all three possible spectra, absolutely continuous spectrum, singularly continuous spectrum, and pure point spectrum, may appear depending on domains. We also prove rigorously two properties of spectrum which are suggested by numerical experiments: symmetry of spectrum (including continuous spectrum), and existence of eigenvalues on rectangles of high aspect ratio.

Résumé
Nous étudions les propriétés spectrales de l'opérateur Neumann–Poincaré sur les domaines planaires avec coins. Un accent particulier est mis sur l'existence d'un spectre continu et d'un point isolé du spectre. Nous montrons que le taux de résonance du spectre continu est différent de celui des valeurs propres. Nous dérivons ensuite une méthode pour distinguer spectre continu et valeurs propres. Nous effectuons des expériences numériques afin de voir si le spectre continu et les valeurs propres apparaissent pour des domaines avec coins. Pour les calculs, nous utilisons une modification de la méthode de Nyström. Elle permet la discrétisation convergente de l'opérateur Neumann–Poincaré d'ordre élevé sur des domaines avec coins. Les résultats des expériences montrent que tous les trois spectres possibles, spectre absolument continu, spectre singulier et point isolé du spectre, peuvent apparaître en fonction des domaines. Nous montrons aussi rigoureusement deux propriétés spectrales qui sont suggérées par des expériences numériques : la symétrie du spectre (y compris spectre continu), et de l'existence des valeurs propres sur des rectangles ayant des rapports d'aspect élevés.
Differential ligand regulation of PlexB signaling in motor neuron axon guidance in Drosophila
Authors: Roh Seyun , Yang Da‐som , Jeong Sangyun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPlexins (Plexs) are a large family of phylogenetically conserved guidance receptors that bind specifically to semaphorins (Semas), another large family of guidance molecules. In the Drosophila embryonic central nervous system (CNS), the secreted semaphorins Sema‐2a and Sema‐2b both act as ligands for PlexB, but mediate mutually independent and opposite functions (repulsive and attractive guidance, respectively). PlexB is also known to regulate motor axon guidance in the embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, it is unclear whether the mechanisms of ligand regulation of PlexB seen in the CNS are similar or the same as those that exist in PNS motor axon guidance. Here, we find that two distinct modes of ligand regulation underlie differential roles of PlexB in PNS motor axon pathfinding during embryonic development. Epistasis analyses in the intersegmental nerve b (ISNb) pathway suggest that PlexB serves as a receptor for both Sema‐2a and Sema‐2b and integrates their mutually dependent but opposite guidance functions. Furthermore, we present evidence that PlexB mediates not only Sema‐2a/2b‐dependent guidance functions, but also Sema‐2a/2b‐independent target recognition in establishing the segmental nerve a (SNa) motor axon pathway. These results demonstrate that a single guidance receptor can elicit diverse effects on the establishment of neuronal connectivity via regulation of its ligands themselves.
Communication Bridge: A pilot feasibility study of Internet‐based speech–language therapy for individuals with progressive aphasia
Authors: Rogalski Emily J. , Saxon Marie , McKenna Hannah , Wieneke Christina , Rademaker Alfred , Corden Marya E. , Borio Kathryn , Mesulam M.‐Marsel , Khayum Becky 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionIndividuals with aphasia symptoms due to neurodegenerative disease are under‐referred for speech–language therapy (SLT) services. We sought to determine the feasibility of utilizing telepractice, via Internet videoconferencing, to connect individuals with progressive aphasia to a speech–language pathologist (SLP) for treatment.MethodsParticipants received an initial evaluation, 8 person‐centered Internet‐based SLT sessions, and 2 post‐therapy evaluations. The feasibility of providing Web‐based SLT, strategies used and their compliance, functional gains, and the duration of benefit were assessed.ResultsThirty‐four participants from 21 states and Canada were enrolled. Thirty‐one participants completed the 6‐month evaluation. SLP‐assessed and self‐reported functional gains and increased confidence in communication were documented at 2 months and maintained at 6 months postenrollment.DiscussionInternet‐based SLT using person‐centered interventions provides a feasible model for delivering care to individuals with dementia and mild and/or moderate aphasia symptoms who have an engaged care‐partner and prior familiarity with a computer.