bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Bowel Endometriosis Surgery on Bowel and Bladder Function, Pain Symptoms and Quality of Life
Authors: Michalak Katarzyna A. , Cameron-Jeffs Ruth , Yen Aileen H.F. , Fernandes Hugo M. , Shedda Susan M. , Chen Frank C. , Healey Martin G. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose To evaluate the impact of bowel endometriosis surgery on obstructive defecation syndrome symptoms, bladder dysfunction, pain symptoms and quality of life (QOL). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent surgery for endometriosis where bowel was involved between 2005 and 2013. Patients were grouped according to extent of bowel endometriosis treatment: Group 1 - no treatment of bowel endometriosis, Group 2 - “shaving” of endometriosis, Group 3 - wedge resection, or Group 4 - segmental bowel resection. Data were collected via chart review and a mail-out survey consisting of six validated questionnaires designed to evaluate the study aims. Results Of 337 eligible patients, completed survey responses were returned by 99. There were 22 patients in Group 1, 61 in Group 2, 5 in Group 3 and 11 in Group 4. Patient demographic data were similar across the groups. There was no difference in disease severity between Groups 1-4, nor between respondents and non-respondents. Patients in Group 4 were more likely to have open surgery (p<0.001) and to have a stoma placed (p = 0.001). Patients in Group 3 were more likely to have dysmenorrhoea post-operatively (p = 0.02). Otherwise, bowel and bladder symptoms, pain, and health status were comparable between the groups, with a low incidence of bladder symptoms, generally low pain scores, and high QOL for all patients. Conclusions Deciding the extent of surgical aggressiveness based on symptom severity has resulted in similar long-term post-operative bowel and bladder symptoms, pain scores, quality of life and overall health across the groups.
Determining the Technical Efficiency of Hospitals in Tabriz City Using Data Envelopment Analysis for 2013-2014
Authors: Farzianpour Fereshteh , Emami Amir Hossein , Foroushani Abbas Rahimi , Ghiasi Akbar 
Published: September 2016

<p><strong>BACKGROUND &amp; OBJECTIVES: </strong>This study was conducted to evaluate the technical efficiency of hospitals (training and non-training hospitals of Tabriz city) affiliated with the Medical Science University, based on performance indicators and mathematical model of data envelopment analysis (DEA) in 2014.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>The present research is a cross sectional study conducted to assess the scale, technical and managerial efficiency of hospitals from2013 to2014. Then, a comparison of the collected data was made among the hospitals under study. The model of minimization of production factors and variable return was used in analyzing the data.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The collected information included two input groups which consisted of the number of physicians (general physicians and specialists), total personnel and active beds, and output groups which consisted of the number of out-patients and bed occupancy rate. Then, the technical, scale and managerial efficiency of the hospitals were calculated and the efficient (Performance Coefficient of E =1) and inefficient (below 1) hospitals were obtained. The average technical, scale and managerial efficiencies in both 2013 and 2014 was equal to 0.817, 0.956 and 0.856, respectively.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong><strong><em> </em></strong>Hospitals having lower efficiency can model efficient reference hospitals, so as to increase their performance and also approach the efficiency border by better management of human and financial resources.</p>
Concise Review: Paracrine Functions of Vascular Niche Cells in Regulating Hematopoietic Stem Cell Fate
Authors: Sasine Joshua P. , Yeo Kelly T. , Chute John P. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The functions of endothelial cells (ECs) in regulating oxygen delivery, nutrient exchange, coagulation, and transit of inflammatory cells throughout the body are well––established. ECs have also been shown to regulate the maintenance and regeneration of organ-specific stem cells in mammals. In the hematopoietic system, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are dependent on signals from the bone marrow (BM) vascular niche for their maintenance and regeneration after myelosuppressive injury. Recent studies have demonstrated the essential functions of BM ECs and perivascular stromal cells in regulating these processes. In the present study, we summarize the current understanding of the role of BM ECs and perivascular cells in regulating HSC maintenance and regeneration and highlight the contribution of newly discovered EC-derived paracrine factors that regulate HSC fate.
Aerosol and monsoon climate interactions over Asia
Authors: Li Zhanqing , Lau W. K.‐M. , Ramanathan V. , Wu G. , Ding Y. , Manoj M. G. , Liu J. , Qian Y. , Li J. , Zhou T. , Fan J. , Rosenfeld D. , Ming Y. , Wang Y. , Huang J. , Wang B. , Xu X. , Lee S.‐S. , Cribb M. , Zhang F. , Yang X. , Zhao C. , Takemura T. , Wang K. , Xia X. , Yin Y. , Zhang H. , Guo J. , Zhai P. M. , Sugimoto N. , Babu S. S. , Brasseur G. P. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe increasing severity of droughts/floods and worsening air quality from increasing aerosols in Asia monsoon regions are the two gravest threats facing over 60% of the world population living in Asian monsoon regions. These dual threats have fueled a large body of research in the last decade on the roles of aerosols in impacting Asian monsoon weather and climate. This paper provides a comprehensive review of studies on Asian aerosols, monsoons, and their interactions. The Asian monsoon region is a primary source of emissions of diverse species of aerosols from both anthropogenic and natural origins. The distributions of aerosol loading are strongly influenced by distinct weather and climatic regimes, which are, in turn, modulated by aerosol effects. On a continental scale, aerosols reduce surface insolation and weaken the land‐ocean thermal contrast, thus inhibiting the development of monsoons. Locally, aerosol radiative effects alter the thermodynamic stability and convective potential of the lower atmosphere leading to reduced temperatures, increased atmospheric stability, and weakened wind and atmospheric circulations. The atmospheric thermodynamic state, which determines the formation of clouds, convection, and precipitation, may also be altered by aerosols serving as cloud condensation nuclei or ice nuclei. Absorbing aerosols such as black carbon and desert dust in Asian monsoon regions may also induce dynamical feedback processes, leading to a strengthening of the early monsoon and affecting the subsequent evolution of the monsoon. Many mechanisms have been put forth regarding how aerosols modulate the amplitude, frequency, intensity, and phase of different monsoon climate variables. A wide range of theoretical, observational, and modeling findings on the Asian monsoon, aerosols, and their interactions are synthesized. A new paradigm is proposed on investigating aerosol‐monsoon interactions, in which natural aerosols such as desert dust, black carbon from biomass burning, and biogenic aerosols from vegetation are considered integral components of an intrinsic aerosol‐monsoon climate system, subject to external forcing of global warming, anthropogenic aerosols, and land use and change. Future research on aerosol‐monsoon interactions calls for an integrated approach and international collaborations based on long‐term sustained observations, process measurements, and improved models, as well as using observations to constrain model simulations and projections.
On the recent destabilization of the Gulf Stream path downstream of Cape Hatteras
Authors: Andres M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMapped satellite altimetry reveals interannual variability in the position of initiation of Gulf Stream meanders downstream of Cape Hatteras. The longitude where the Gulf Stream begins meandering varies by 1500 km. There has been a general trend for the destabilization point to shift west, and 5 of the last 6 years had a Gulf Stream destabilization point upstream of the New England Seamounts. Independent in situ data suggest that this shift has increased both upper‐ocean/deep‐ocean interaction events at Line W and open‐ocean/shelf interactions across the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) shelf break. Mooring data and along‐track altimetry indicate a recent increase in the number of deep cyclones that stir Deep Western Boundary Current waters from the MAB slope into the deep interior. Temperature profiles from the Oleander Program suggest that recent enhanced warming of the MAB shelf may be related to shifts in the Gulf Stream's destabilization point.
The impact of glacier geometry on meltwater plume structure and submarine melt in Greenland fjords
Authors: Carroll D. , Sutherland D. A. , Hudson B. , Moon T. , Catania G. A. , Shroyer E. L. , Nash J. D. , Bartholomaus T. C. , Felikson D. , Stearns L. A. , Noël B. P. Y. , van den Broeke M. R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMeltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet often drains subglacially into fjords, driving upwelling plumes at glacier termini. Ocean models and observations of submarine termini suggest that plumes enhance melt and undercutting, leading to calving and potential glacier destabilization. Here we systematically evaluate how simulated plume structure and submarine melt during summer months depends on realistic ranges of subglacial discharge, glacier depth, and ocean stratification from 12 Greenland fjords. Our results show that grounding line depth is a strong control on plume‐induced submarine melt: deep glaciers produce warm, salty subsurface plumes that undercut termini, and shallow glaciers produce cold, fresh surface‐trapped plumes that can overcut termini. Due to sustained upwelling velocities, plumes in cold, shallow fjords can induce equivalent depth‐averaged melt rates compared to warm, deep fjords. These results detail a direct ocean‐ice feedback that can affect the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Decaying shock studies of phase transitions in MgO‐SiO2 systems: Implications for the super‐Earths' interiors
Authors: Bolis R. M. , Morard G. , Vinci T. , Ravasio A. , Bambrink E. , Guarguaglini M. , Koenig M. , Musella R. , Remus F. , Bouchet J. , Ozaki N. , Miyanishi K. , Sekine T. , Sakawa Y. , Sano T. , Kodama R. , Guyot F. , Benuzzi‐Mounaix A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe report an experimental study of the phase diagrams of MgO, MgSiO3, and Mg2SiO4 at high pressures. We measured the shock compression response, including pressure‐temperature Hugoniot curves of MgO, MgSiO3, and Mg2SiO4 between 0.2–1.2 TPa, 0.12–0.5 TPa, and 0.2–0.85 TPa, respectively, using laser‐driven decaying shocks. A melting signature has been observed in MgO at 0.47 ± 0.04 TPa and 9860 ± 810 K, while no such phase changes were observed either in MgSiO3 or in Mg2SiO4. Increases of reflectivity of MgO, MgSiO3, and Mg2SiO4 liquids have been detected above 0.55 TPa (12760 K), 0.15 TPa (7540 K), 0.2 TPa (5800 K), respectively. In contrast to SiO2, melting and metallization of these compounds do not coincide, implying the presence of poorly electrically conducting liquids close to the melting lines. This has important implications for the generation of dynamos in super‐Earth's mantles.
MyShake: Initial observations from a global smartphone seismic network
Authors: Kong Qingkai , Allen Richard M. , Schreier Louis 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMyShake is a global smartphone seismic network that harnesses the power of crowdsourcing. In the first 6 months since the release of the MyShake app, there were almost 200,000 downloads. On a typical day about 8000 phones provide acceleration waveform data to the MyShake archive. The on‐phone app can detect and trigger on P waves and is capable of recording magnitude 2.5 and larger events. More than 200 seismic events have been recorded so far, including events in Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan, and across North America. The largest number of waveforms from a single earthquake to date comes from the M5.2 Borrego Springs earthquake in Southern California, for which MyShake collected 103 useful three‐component waveforms. The network continues to grow with new downloads from the Google Play store everyday and expands rapidly when public interest in earthquakes peaks such as during an earthquake sequence.
Ion and aerosol precursor densities in Titan's ionosphere: A multi‐instrument case study
Authors: Shebanits O. , Wahlund J.‐E. , Edberg N. J. T. , Crary F. J. , Wellbrock A. , Andrews D. J. , Vigren E. , Desai R. T. , Coates A. J. , Mandt K. E. , Waite J. H. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe importance of the heavy ions and dust grains for the chemistry and aerosol formation in Titan's ionosphere has been well established in the recent years of the Cassini mission. In this study we combine independent in situ plasma (Radio Plasma and Wave Science Langmuir Probe (RPWS/LP)) and particle (Cassini Plasma Science Electron Spectrometer, Cassini Plasma Science Ion Beam Spectrometer, and Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer) measurements of Titan's ionosphere for selected flybys (T16, T29, T40, and T56) to produce altitude profiles of mean ion masses including heavy ions and develop a Titan‐specific method for detailed analysis of the RPWS/LP measurements (applicable to all flybys) to further constrain ion charge densities and produce the first empirical estimate of the average charge of negative ions and/or dust grains. Our results reveal the presence of an ion‐ion (dusty) plasma below ~1100 km altitude, with charge densities exceeding the primary ionization peak densities by a factor ≥2 in the terminator and nightside ionosphere (ne/ni ≤ 0.1). We suggest that ion‐ion (dusty) plasma may also be present in the dayside ionosphere below 900 km (ne/ni < 0.5 at 1000 km altitude). The average charge of the dust grains (≥1000 amu) is estimated to be between −2.5 and −1.5 elementary charges, increasing toward lower altitudes.
Characterization and assessment of the meteotsunami hazard in northern Lake Michigan
Authors: Linares Álvaro , Bechle Adam J. , Wu Chin H. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe meteotsunami hazard is assessed in northern Lake Michigan from both short‐term and long‐term records of water level, wind speed, and air pressure. Cross‐wavelet analysis reveals that meteotsunamis can be caused by atmospheric disturbances that are pressure dominated, wind dominated, or both pressure and wind forced. In total, air pressure and wind stress are found to contribute similarly to meteotsunami initiation in northern Lake Michigan. The pressure‐driven meteotsunamis tend to be associated with convective storms, whereas meteotsunamis that are mainly wind‐driven are associated more with cyclonic‐type storms. The atmospheric disturbances responsible for largest meteotsunamis in northern Lake Michigan are found to have a propagation speed close to 32 m/s and from the south to north direction. A heuristic approach is developed to estimate the maximum meteotsunami height from the atmospheric disturbance strength and velocity. Overall, the heuristic approach is shown to be an effective methodology to assess the meteotsunami hazard over a wide range of potential atmospheric disturbance conditions.
Late Cretaceous–earliest Paleogene deformation in the Longmen Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt, eastern Tibetan Plateau margin: Pre‐Cenozoic thickened crust?
Authors: Tian Yuntao , Kohn Barry P. , Phillips David , Hu Shengbiao , Gleadow Andrew J. W. , Carter Andrew 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study presents structural and40Ar/39Ar geochronological data from the southern part of the Longmen Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt that forms the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Investigations focused on hinterland ductile top‐to‐the‐WNW shear deformation, which has been linked previously to late Cenozoic lower crustal flow. Consistent with previous studies, the sense of deformation is mapped as top‐to‐the‐WNW in the Longmen Shan hinterland. The timing of the deformation is constrained by40Ar/39Ar geochronological data of recrystallized minerals aligned along the shear foliation as Late Cretaceous–earliest Paleogene, thus predating the inferred late Cenozoic crustal flow. This deformation is contemporaneous with SE verging thrusting and loading along the Longmen Shan front, which formed a coeval ~2–3 km thick foredeep sequence along the southwestern margin of the Sichuan Basin. In the context of the regional geology, this tectonic configuration could result from either extrusion of a crustal wedge or back thrust in a duplex. Compared to other orogens, where similar crustal configurations have been reported, it is speculated that the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin acquired thickened crust and highly elevated topography in Late Cretaceous–earliest Paleogene time.
Efficient Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Methanol in a Bifunctional Zeolite Membrane Reactor
Authors: Zhou Chen , Wang Nanyi , Qian Yanan , Liu Xiaoxing , Caro Jürgen , Huang Aisheng 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA sandwich FAU–LTA zeolite dual‐layer membrane has been developed and used as a catalytic membrane reactor for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME). In the top H‐FAU layer with mild acidity, methanol is dehydrated to DME. The other reaction product, water, is removed in situ through a hydrophilic Na‐LTA layer, which is located between the porous alumina support and the H‐FAU top layer. The combination of mild acidity with the continuous removal of water results in high methanol conversion (90.9 % at 310 °C) and essentially 100 % DME selectivity. Furthermore, owing to the selective and continuous removal of water through the Na‐LTA membrane, catalyst deactivation can be effectively suppressed.
Fabrication and characterization of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride microporous membranes via thermally induced phase separation process
Authors: Zhang Chunfang , Min Ying , Bai Yunxiang , Gu Jin , Sun Yuping 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTMicroporous chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) membranes were prepared via thermally induced phase separation process for the first time using diphenyl ether (DPE) as diluent. The CPVC/DPE blends exhibit upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type phase behavior, which undergoes liquid‐liquid phase separation followed by sol‐gel transition during cooling process. Therefore, the resulting CPVC membranes presented symmetric morphology with uniformly distributed cellular pores. The cloud point (liquid‐liquid phase separation temperature) decreased with increasing CPVC content, while the sol‐gel transition temperature showed an opposite trend. Both the growth rate of diluent‐rich phase droplets and the gelation rate of the CPVC/DPE blends increased by decreasing CPVC concentration or cooling rate, leading to an increase of the pore size in the final membranes. Results of water permeation tests confirmed that the water flux of the membranes have a significant dependence on their porosity and pore size, that is the water flux increased with the increase of porosity and pore size. Moreover, the CPVC microporous membranes prepared by the TIPS process showed a high mechanical strength and excellent acid/alkali resistance, which has presented a great potential for application in the fields of water and wastewater treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44346.
Experimental research of hydroquinone (HQ)/hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA) gel for water plugging treatments in high‐temperature and high‐salinity reservoirs
Authors: Fang Jichao , Zhang Xiao , He Long , Zhao Guang , Dai Caili 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTPolymer gel, as a water plugging treatment agent, has been successfully used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of mature oil fields. A new thermal‐resistance and salt‐tolerance polymer gel was developed based on HPAM and HQ/HMTA under the condition of high‐temperature (100.8 °C) and high‐salinity (up to 19.8 × 104 mg/L and Ca2+&Mg2+ 0.8 × 104 mg/L). The influence factors of gelling performance and coreflood performances were studied, the microstructure of the gel was observed with the environmental scanning electron microscopy, and gelation mechanism was proposed to illuminate the detailed gelation process. The gelation time decreases and the gel strength increases with the increase of polymer concentration, crosslinker concentration, or temperature. Although shearing had a negative effect on the viscosity of gelling solution, the gel strength, and the stability of gel have not been affected. The gelling solution has a good ability of injection and could selectively flow into high permeable zone. Additionally, the plugging rate increases and stays above 85% with the increase of the permeability or the gel strength. The microstructure of the gel confirms that the gel formed a three‐dimensional network structure. Based on the microstructure and the reaction process of the gel, a possible gelation mechanism is proposed. This study suggests that the gel system can be used in harsh reservoir conditions and the gelation time and gel strength can be controlled with adjusting the formation rate and the concentration of crosslinking agents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44359.
Thin film initiation of cracks for fracture toughness measurements in epoxy resins
Authors: McAninch Ian M. , La Scala John J. , Palmese Giuseppe R. , Robinette E. Jason 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe first step in accurately measuring the fracture toughness of a polymeric material is to generate a sharp crack in the sample. Often this is accomplished by tapping a razor blade into the sample, allowing a natural crack to grow; however, it can be difficult to control the crack propagation. Alternate methods for initial crack generation are investigated, including scoring the sample with a razor blade and inserting thin films or foils into the samples during cure. Fluoropolymer films and aluminum and stainless steel foils of various thicknesses are examined in a number of epoxy‐amine resins with a range of toughness and glass transition values. None of the alternative methods replicate the results of starting with a natural crack. Furthermore, it is difficult to form satisfactory test samples using fluoropolymer films. For relative toughness comparisons, either the scoring method or thin, ≤25.4 μm, foils can be used to initiate cracks with similar results. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44364.
Morphology and blowing agent encapsulation efficiency of vinylidene chloride copolymer microspheres synthesized by suspension polymerization in the presence of a blowing agent
Authors: Xie Guiming , Pan Pengju , Bao Yongzhong 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTPolymer microspheres were synthesized by the suspension copolymerization of vinylidene chloride (VDC), acrylonitrile (AN), and/or methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a paraffin blowing agent. The effects of the monomer composition, crosslinking agent content, blowing agent type, and content on the morphology and blowing agent encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres were investigated. The porous and non‐core–shell structure microspheres with a low encapsulation efficiency of blowing agent were formed when VDC was copolymerized with individual AN or MMA, whereas microspheres with a good core–shell structure and a high encapsulation efficiency of blowing agent were formed when the feeding monomer mass ratios of VDC–AN–MMA were 50/20/30, 60/20/20, and 70/20/10. The addition of 0.2–0.4 wt % divinyl benzene crosslinking agent (on the basis of monomer mass) was favorable to the formation of core–shell structure microspheres with a high encapsulation efficiency of blowing agent. Microspheres with wrinkled surfaces and a pronounced internal topography were formed as the carbon atom number of paraffin increased from 5 to 7. The encapsulation efficiency of blowing agent increased as the carbon atom number and content of paraffin blowing agent increased. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44376.