bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of biochar properties on soil conditions and agricultural sustainability: A review
Authors: Al‐Wabel Mohammad I. , Hussain Qaiser , Usman Adel R.A. , Ahmad Mahtab , Abduljabbar Adel , Sallam Abdulazeem S. , Ok Yong Sik 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis review summarizes the influences of pyrolysis conditions and feedstock types on biochar properties and how biochar properties in turn affect soil properties. Mechanistic evidence of biochar's potential for enhancing crop productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient use efficiency are also discussed. The review identifies the knowledge gaps, limitations, and future research directions for large‐scale use of biochar. Both pyrolytic parameters and feedstock types are considered to be the main factors controlling biochar properties such as nutrient content, recalcitrance, and pH. Biochar produced at low temperatures may improve nutrient availability and crop yield in acidic and alkaline soils, whereas high‐temperature biochar may enhance long‐term soil carbon sequestration. Biochar can also improve the efficiency of inorganic and organic fertilizers by enhancing microbial functions and reducing nutrient loss, thereby making nutrients more available to plants. Integration of biochar and chemical or organic fertilizers generally provides for better nutrient management and crop yield in most types of soils. Although biochar can improve degraded soils, it is not a panacea; as such, soil‐ and crop‐specific biochar are needed in order to ensure optimum crop yield and agricultural sustainability.
Advances in pH‐Sensitive Polymers for Smart Insulin Delivery
Authors: Xie Jing , Li Anqi , Li Jianshu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSince diabetes mellitus has become one of the most serious threats to human health, researchers have been designing new drugs and developing new technologies to control the blood glucose level (BGL) while improving patient compliance. In addition to the traditional subcutaneous injection method, alternative routes of insulin delivery have been investigated and tested, including oral, pulmonary, transdermal, and nasal. The final goal of all these technologies is to develop a system that releases insulin in a controlled manner depending on the BGL. pH‐Sensitive polymers appear to be good candidates to achieve this goal because they exhibit a conformational transition when the pH in the surrounding medium fluctuates, which changes the solubility of the polymers and leads to the swelling of hydrogels. Many pH‐sensitive polymers, such as poly(2‐dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate) and natural biopolymers such as chitosan, have been used in different delivery systems. This review focuses on the most commonly used pH‐sensitive polymers and their applications in insulin delivery systems. In particular, the relationship between the chemical structure of the polymeric systems and their insulin delivery performance is discussed.
Kinetics and related studies of the formation of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones in the presence of different benzaldehyde derivatives
Authors: Mostafa Bahareh , Shahraki Mehdi , Habibi‐Khorassani Sayyed Mostafa 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe kinetics and activation parameters for the reaction between 2‐amino‐benzamide and some benzaldehyde derivatives in the presence of formic acid have been reported and discussed. A linear plot of lnk vs l/T showed that the reactions obey the Arrhenius equation. Both the Arrhenius and the Eyring equations were used to calculate the activation energy. The effect of nitro groups was studied on different positions of benzaldehyde. For all substituents, the reactions followed second‐order kinetics, and the partial orders of reactions were recognized with respect to each reactant. Comparisons between the magnitudes of ΔH‡ and TΔS‡showed that the reactions were enthalpy controlled. The validity of the isokinetic relationship and the compensation effect was tested, and the isokinetic temperature (β) was obtained. A linear enthalpy‐entropy plot (ΔH‡versusΔS‡) showed that the compensation effect is established, and this process occurs via a same mechanism across a series of reactions. From the Van't Hoff and Exner's plots, the isokinetic temperature was obtained.
Ubiquitin‐Conjugating Enzyme E2 L3 is Downregulated by the Chikungunya Virus nsP2 Protease
Authors: Ramphan Suwipa , Khongwichit Sarawut , Saisawang Chonticha , Kovanich Duangnapa , Ketterman Albert J. , Ubol Sukathida , Auewarakul Prasert , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Smith Duncan R. , Kuadkitkan Atichat 
Published: October 2017

PurposeChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito transmitted alphavirus that causes chikungunya fever in humans. The CHIKV non‐structural protein 2 (nsP2) is a multifunctional protein that additionally modulates the host cell to dampen the innate immune response and inhibit other cellular processes.Experimental designTo further investigate the interactions of nsP2 with host cells, the protease domain of CHIKV nsP2 (nsP2‐pro) is transfected into Hela cells, and differential protein expression is detected by 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.ResultsA total of 21 differentially regulated (six upregulated, 15 downregulated) spots are observed, of which five are identified by mass spectrometry. The downregulation of one of the identified proteins, ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme E2 L3 (UBE2L3) is confirmed by western blotting of both nsP2‐pro transfection and CHIKV natural infection, and the downregulation of UBE2L3 is additionally shown to require an enzymatically active nsP2 protease domain. Transfection of full length UBE2L3 into HEK293T/17 cells prior to CHIKV infection reduce levels of infection and E protein expression but do not alter RNA genome levels.ConclusionThese results suggest that UBE2L3 is a cellular target of the CHIKV nsP2 protease, and this possibly mediates the pathogenesis of chikungunya fever.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease satisfactorily treated with traditional Japanese kampo medicine
Authors: Shimada Yutaka , Fujimoto Makoto , Nogami Tatsuya , Watari Hidetoshi , Kitahara Hideyuki , Misawa Hiroki , Kimbara Yoshiyuki 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTCaseAn obese 17‐year‐old male patient with right hemiparesis secondary to cerebral infarction presented for kampo treatment. The hemiparesis and resultant lack of exercise had led to an increase in bodyweight. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was elevated and abdominal ultrasound identified fatty liver. The patient was diagnosed with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aspirin and tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), previously prescribed, were continued, and kampo medicines were prescribed.OutcomeTwo years and 6 months after the initial visit, we prescribed keishikashakuyakuto (Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang) extract, in addition to keishibukuryogan (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan) extract. Thereafter, serum ALT gradually decreased, despite no significant change in bodyweight or blood platelet count.ConclusionKampo medicine may be effective for the treatment of NAFLD.
Fetal hemodynamic response to aortic valvuloplasty and postnatal outcome: a European multicenter study
Authors: Kovacevic A. , Öhman A. , Tulzer G. , Herberg U. , Dangel J. , Carvalho J. S. , Fesslova V. , Jicinska H. , Sarkola T. , Pedroza C. , Averiss I. E. , Mellander M. , Gardiner H. M. ,   the Fetal Working Group of the AEPC
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveFetal aortic stenosis may progress to hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Fetal valvuloplasty (FV) has been proposed to improve left heart hemodynamics and maintain biventricular (BV) circulation. The aim of this study was to assess FV efficacy by comparing survival and postnatal circulation between fetuses that underwent FV and those that did not.MethodsThis was a retrospective multicenter study of fetuses with aortic stenosis that underwent FV between 2005 and 2012, compared with contemporaneously enrolled natural history (NH) cases sharing similar characteristics at presentation but not undergoing FV. Main outcome measures were overall survival, BV‐circulation survival and survival after birth. Secondary outcomes were hemodynamic change and left heart growth. A propensity score model was created including 54/67 FV and 60/147 NH fetuses. Analyses were performed using logistic, Cox or linear regression models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) restricted to fetuses with a propensity score of 0.14–0.9, to create a final cohort for analysis of 42 FV and 29 NH cases.ResultsFV was technically successful in 59/67 fetuses at a median age of 26 (21–34) weeks. There were 7/72 (10%) procedure‐related losses, and 22/53 (42%) FV babies were delivered at < 37 weeks. IPTW demonstrated improved survival of liveborn infants following FV (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23–0.64; P = 0.0001), after adjusting for circulation and postnatal surgical center. Similar proportions had BV circulation (36% for the FV cohort and 38% for the NH cohort) and survival was similar between final circulations. Successful FV cases showed improved hemodynamic response and less deterioration of left heart growth compared with NH cases (P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionsWe report improvements in fetal hemodynamics and preservation of left heart growth following successful FV compared with NH. While the proportion of those achieving a BV circulation outcome was similar in both cohorts, FV survivors showed improved survival independent of final circulation to 10 years' follow‐up. However, FV is associated with a 10% procedure‐related loss and increased prematurity compared with the NH cohort, and therefore the risk‐to‐benefit ratio remains uncertain. We recommend a carefully designed trial incorporating appropriate and integrated fetal and postnatal management strategies to account for center‐specific practices, so that the benefits achieved by fetal therapy vs surgical strategy can be demonstrated clearly. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Cerebrovascular response to maternal hyperoxygenation in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome depends on gestational age and baseline cerebrovascular resistance
Authors: Szwast A. , Putt M. , Gaynor J. W. , Licht D. J. , Rychik J. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesCompared with normal fetuses, fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) have smaller brain volumes and are at higher risk of brain injury, possibly due to diminished cerebral blood flow and oxygen content. By increasing cerebral oxygen delivery, maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) might improve brain development and reduce the risk of brain injury in these fetuses. This study investigated whether gestational age and baseline cerebrovascular resistance affect the response to MH in fetuses with HLHS.MethodsThe study population comprised 43 fetuses with HLHS or HLHS variant referred for fetal echocardiography between January 2004 and September 2008. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI), a surrogate measure of cerebrovascular resistance, was assessed between 20 and 41 weeks' gestation at baseline in room air (RA) and after 10 min of MH. Z‐scores of MCA‐PI were generated. A mixed‐effects model was used to determine whether change in MCA‐PI depends upon gestational age and baseline MCA‐PI.ResultsIn RA and following MH, MCA‐PI demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with gestational age in fetuses with HLHS, peaking at around 28 weeks and then falling more steeply near term. MCA‐PI Z‐score declined in a linear manner, such that it was 1.4 SD below that in normal fetuses at 38 weeks. Increase in MCA‐PI Z‐score after MH was first seen at ≥ 28 weeks. A baseline MCA‐PI Z‐score ≤ −0.96 was predictive of an increase in cerebrovascular resistance in response to MH.ConclusionIn fetuses with HLHS, MCA‐PI first increases in response to MH at ≥ 28 weeks' gestation. A baseline MCA‐PI Z‐score ≤ −0.96 predicts an increase in cerebrovascular resistance in response to MH. These results may have implications for clinical trials utilizing MH as a neuroprotective agent. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Unraveling Pancreatic Segmentation
Authors: Renard Yohann , de Mestier Louis , Perez Manuela , Avisse Claude , Lévy Philippe , Kianmanesh Reza 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundLimited pancreatic resections are increasingly performed, but the rate of postoperative fistula is higher than after classical resections. Pancreatic segmentation, anatomically and radiologically identifiable, may theoretically help the surgeon removing selected anatomical portions with their own segmental pancreatic duct and thus might decrease the postoperative fistula rate. We aimed at systematically and comprehensively reviewing the previously proposed pancreatic segmentations and discuss their relevance and limitations.MethodsPubMed database was searched for articles investigating pancreatic segmentation, including human or animal anatomy, and cadaveric or surgical studies.ResultsOverall, 47/99 articles were selected and grouped into 4 main hypotheses of pancreatic segmentation methodology: anatomic, vascular, embryologic and lymphatic. The head, body and tail segments are gross description without distinct borders. The arterial territories defined vascular segments and isolate an isthmic paucivascular area. The embryological theory relied on the fusion plans of the embryological buds. The lymphatic drainage pathways defined the lymphatic segmentation. These theories had differences, but converged toward separating the head and body/tail parts, and the anterior from posterior and inferior parts of the pancreatic head. The rate of postoperative fistula was not decreased when surgical resection was performed following any of these segmentation theories; hence, none of them appeared relevant enough to guide pancreatic transections.ConclusionCurrent pancreatic segmentation theories do not enable defining anatomical–surgical pancreatic segments. Other approaches should be explored, in particular focusing on pancreatic ducts, through pancreatic ducts reconstructions and embryologic 3D modelization.
Designing distribution systems with reverse flows
Authors: Cilacı Tombuş Ayşe , Aras Necati , Verter Vedat 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Closed-loop supply chains involve forward flows of products from production facilities to customer zones as well as reverse flows from customer zones back to remanufacturing facilities. We present an integrated modeling framework for configuring a distribution system with reverse flows so as to minimize the total cost of satisfying customer demand and remanufacturing the returned items that are recoverable. Given a set of existing plants and customer zones, our basic model identifies the optimal number and location of distribution centers and return centers assuming that all plants have remanufacturing capability. We devise a Lagrangian heuristic for this problem. The proposed solution method proved to be computationally efficient for solving large-scale instances of the closed-loop supply chain design problem. The potential benefits of the integrated model are demonstrated by comparing its results with those obtained from an alternative approach that determines optimal forward and reverse network structures sequentially. We also extend the basic model to determine the optimal locations for establishing remanufacturing facilities. Using the extended model, we study the conditions under which the return centers can be co-located with remanufacturing facilities rather than being established at the downstream echelons of the supply chain. Different from the existing works on facility location-allocation models for closed-loop supply chain network design, the main focus in this paper is on the investigation of structural properties of the network such as co-locating return centers with remanufacturing facilities and quantifying the benefit of modeling forward and reverse flows simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Modularization in material flow simulation for managing production releases in remanufacturing
Authors: Gaspari Lorenzo , Colucci Lorenzo , Butzer Steffen , Colledani Marcello , Steinhilper Rolf 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Remanufacturing is recognized as a major circular economy option to recover and upgrade functions from post-use products. However, the inefficiencies associated with operations, mainly due to the uncertainty and variability of material flows and product conditions, undermine the growth of remanufacturing. With the objective of supporting the design and management of more proficient and robust remanufacturing processes, this paper proposes a generic and reconfigurable simulation model of remanufacturing systems. The developed model relies upon a modular framework that enables the user to handle multiple process settings and production control policies, among which token-based policies. Customizable to the characteristics of the process under analysis, this model can support logistics performance evaluation of different production control policies, thus enabling the selection of the optimal policy in specific business contexts. The proposed model is applied to a real remanufacturing environment in order to validate and demonstrate its applicability and benefits in the industrial settings.
Work Disability Among Native-born and Foreign-born Americans: On Origins, Health, and Social Safety Nets
Authors: Engelman Michal , Kestenbaum Bert M. , Zuelsdorff Megan L. , Mehta Neil K. , Lauderdale Diane S. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Public debates about both immigration policy and social safety net programs are increasingly contentious. However, little research has explored differences in health within America’s diverse population of foreign-born workers, and the effect of these workers on public benefit programs is not well understood. We investigate differences in work disability by nativity and origins and describe the mix of health problems associated with receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Our analysis draws on two large national data sources—the American Community Survey and comprehensive administrative records from the Social Security Administration—to determine the prevalence and incidence of work disability between 2001 and 2010. In sharp contrast to prior research, we find that foreign-born adults are substantially less likely than native-born Americans to report work disability, to be insured for work disability benefits, and to apply for those benefits. Overall and across origins, the foreign-born also have a lower incidence of disability benefit award. Persons from Africa, Northern Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia have the lowest work disability benefit prevalence rates among the foreign-born; persons from Southern Europe, Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, and the Caribbean have the highest rates.
Identification of freeplay and aerodynamic nonlinearities in a 2D aerofoil system with via higher-order spectra
Authors: Candon M. , Carrese R. , Ogawa H. , Marzocca P. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTHigher-Order Spectra (HOS) are used to characterise the nonlinear aeroelastic behaviour of a plunging and pitching 2-degree-of-freedom aerofoil system by diagnosing structural and/or aerodynamic nonlinearities via the nonlinear spectral content of the computed displacement signals. The nonlinear aeroelastic predictions are obtained from high-fidelity viscous fluid-structure interaction simulations. The power spectral, bi-spectral and tri-spectral densities are used to provide insight into the functional form of both freeplay and inviscid/viscous aerodynamic nonlinearities with the system displaying both low- and high-amplitude Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO). It is shown that in the absence of aerodynamic nonlinearity (low-amplitude LCO) the system is characterised by cubic phase coupling only. Furthermore, when the amplitude of the oscillations becomes large, aerodynamic nonlinearities become prevalent and are characterised by quadratic phase coupling. Physical insights into the nonlinearities are provided in the form of phase-plane diagrams, pressure coefficient distributions and Mach number flowfield contours.
Flow and structure in a dendritic glacier with bedrock steps
Authors: JISKOOT HESTER , FOX THOMAS A , VAN WYCHEN WESLEY 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTWe analyse ice flow and structural glaciology of Shackleton Glacier, a dendritic glacier with multiple icefalls in the Canadian Rockies. A major tributary-trunk junction allows us to investigate the potential of tributaries to alter trunk flow and structure, and the formation of bedrock steps at confluences. Multi-year velocity-stake data and structural glaciology up-glacier from the junction were assimilated with glacier-wide velocity derived from Radarsat-2 speckle tracking. Maximum flow speeds are 65 m a−1 in the trunk and 175 m a−1 in icefalls. Field and remote-sensing velocities are in good agreement, except where velocity gradients are high. Although compression occurs in the trunk up-glacier of the tributary entrance, glacier flux is steady state because flow speed increases at the junction due to the funnelling of trunk ice towards an icefall related to a bedrock step. Drawing on a published erosion model, we relate the heights of the step and the hanging valley to the relative fluxes of the tributary and trunk. It is the first time that an extant glacier is used to test and support such model. Our study elucidates the inherent complexity of tributary/trunk interactions and provides a conceptual model for trunk flow restriction by a tributary in surge-type glaciers.
Morphological and molecular characterization ofTrophurus wuhuensisn. sp. (Nematoda: Telotylenchinae) from soil associated withCinnamomum camphorain China
Authors: Li Y. , Du J. , Wang Z.Y. , Wang K. , Li H.L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA new plant nematode species,Trophurus wuhuensisn. sp., was collected from the soil associated withCinnamomum camphorain Wuhu, Anhui Province, China. The new species is characterized by having a female with a slender body 660.5–801.5 μm in length, stylet 12–14 μm long, knobs directed laterad, lateral field marked by short and scattered grooves, post-vulval uterine sac shorter than vulval body diameter, post-rectal intestinal sac absent, tail cylindroid, terminus with deep wrinkles; and male with a pointed tail terminus and spicules 16–18 μm long. The internal transcribed spacer sequences of ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) and partial 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) fromT. wuhuensisn. sp. were amplified and sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of 18S rDNA fragments is given in this study.