bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of image‐viewers and artifacts on implant length measurements in cone‐beam computed tomography: an in vitro study
Authors: Vazquez Lydia , Srinivasan Murali , Khouja Firas , Combescure Christophe , Carrel Jean‐Pierre 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis preclinical in vitro study compared the accuracy of implant lengths measured in two different image‐viewers, and examined whether implant‐induced artifacts affected the implant length measurements on CBCT images. A resin edentulous mandibular model, with multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments, was acquired with a CBCT machine. In two different image‐viewers, two observers independently measured the implant length. Vertical measurements on CBCT images were carried out twice at each session, and repeated one week later. The results demonstrated no significant differences between actual and measured implant lengths. The differences in the mean error for vertical measurements using the two different image‐viewers (cross‐sectional images: OsiriX viewer = −0.01 ± 0.03 mm, NewTom viewer = −0.05 ± 0.09 mm, p‐value = 0.056; sagittal images: OsiriX viewer = −0.03 ± 0.04 mm; NewTom viewer = −0.04 ± 0.10 mm, p‐value = 0.24) were not statistically significant. This in vitro investigation suggests that the accuracy of implant length measurements on CBCT images was not influenced by image‐viewers or by the presence of implant‐induced artifacts. The presence of multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments of the mandible is not likely to impact the measurements made between the implant apex and vital structures on CBCT images.
Application of Photovoltaic Pumping Technology for Growing Paddy Rice in China
Authors: Gao Zhanyi , Liu Jing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractLocated in north‐east China, Hei Longjiang Province is the largest paddy rice‐growing province in China. It plays an important role in guaranteeing food security for the whole country. Irrigation is essential for growing rice in the area and a large area of paddy rice is irrigated with groundwater pumping. The province is blessed with long hours of sunshine and is rich in solar energy. Therefore, a solar photovoltaic (PV) pumping system is an ideal solution for groundwater pumping for growing paddy rice in the province. A PV pumping system can not only save fuel and electricity, but can also achieve green growth and sustainable development. A pilot study for application of photovoltaic pumping irrigation for paddy rice was carried out in Hong Wei Farm in Hei Longjiang Province in 2014. This paper summarizes the pilot study of the PV pumping system in its technical, economic and environmental aspects. The results show that the photovoltaic pumping system is a solution for groundwater pumping to grow paddy rice in the region. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of scaffold morphology on co‐cultures of human endothelial and adipose tissue‐derived stem cells
Authors: Arnal‐Pastor M. , Martínez‐Ramos C. , Vallés‐Lluch A. , Pradas M. Monleón 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe interior of tissue engineering scaffolds must be vascularizable and allow adequate nutrients perfusion in order to ensure the viability of the cells colonizing them. The promotion of rapid vascularization of scaffolds is critical for thick artificial constructs. In the present study co‐cultures of human endothelial and adipose tissue‐derived stem cells have been performed in poly(ethyl acrylate) scaffolds with two different pore structures: grid‐like (PEA‐o) or sponge‐like (PEA‐s), in combination with a self‐assembling peptide gel filling the pores, which aims to mimic the physiological niche. After 2 and 7 culture days, cell adhesion, proliferation and migration, the expression of cell surface markers like CD31 and CD90 and the release of VEGF were assessed by means of immunocytochemistry, scanning electronic microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA analyses. The study demonstrated that PEA‐s scaffolds promoted greater cell organization into tubular‐like structures than PEA‐o scaffolds, and this was enhanced by the presence of the peptide gel. Paracrine signaling from adipose cells significantly improved endothelial cell viability, proving the advantageous combination of this system for obtaining easily vascularizable tissue engineered grafts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1523–1533, 2016.
Increase in Fracture Risk Following Unintentional Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women: The Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women
Authors: Compston Juliet E , Wyman Allison , FitzGerald Gordon , Adachi Jonathan D , Chapurlat Roland D , Cooper Cyrus , Díez-Pérez Adolfo , Gehlbach Stephen H , Greenspan Susan L , Hooven Frederick H , LaCroix Andrea Z , March Lyn , Netelenbos J Coen , Nieves Jeri W , Pfeilschifter Johannes , Rossini Maurizio , Roux Christian , Saag Kenneth G , Siris Ethel S , Silverman Stuart , Watts Nelson B , Anderson Frederick A 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Increased fracture risk has been associated with weight loss in postmenopausal women, but the time course over which this occurs has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of unintentional weight loss of ≥10 lb (4.5 kg) in postmenopausal women on fracture risk at multiple sites up to 5 years after weight loss. Using data from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW), we analyzed the relationships between self-reported unintentional weight loss of ≥10 lb at baseline, year 2, or year 3 and incident clinical fracture in the years after weight loss. Complete data were available in 40,179 women (mean age ± SD 68 ± 8.3 years). Five-year cumulative fracture rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and adjusted hazard ratios for weight loss as a time-varying covariate were calculated from Cox multiple regression models. Unintentional weight loss at baseline was associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture of the clavicle, wrist, spine, rib, hip, and pelvis for up to 5 years after weight loss. Adjusted hazard ratios showed a significant association between unintentional weight loss and fracture of the hip, spine, and clavicle within 1 year of weight loss, and these associations were still present at 5 years. These findings demonstrate increased fracture risk at several sites after unintentional weight loss in postmenopausal women. This increase is found as early as 1 year after weight loss, emphasizing the need for prompt fracture risk assessment and appropriate management to reduce fracture risk in this population. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Ameliorative Effects of Curcumin on Fibrinogen‐Like Protein‐2 Gene Expression, Some Oxido‐Inflammatory and Apoptotic Markers in a Rat Model of l‐Arginine‐Induced Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Shafik Noha M. , Abou‐Fard Ghada M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of curcumin on fibrinogen like protein‐2 (fgl‐2), some oxido‐inflammatory and apoptotic markers in rat‐induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Seventy‐five albino rats were divided into control group, l‐arginine (l‐Arg)‐induced AP group, curcumin pre‐treated group before AP induction, curcumin post‐treated group after AP induction, and curcumin injected group only. AP group showed severe necrotizing pancreatitis confirmed by histopathological changes and elevations in serum amylase and lipase activities, levels of epithelial neutrophil‐activating peptide 78, tissue content of protein carbonyls, levels of tumor necrosis factor α, and caspase‐3 as well as myeloperoxidase activity. Significant elevation in pancreatic fgl‐2 mRNA expression was detected in AP group. Improvement of all parameters was detected with increase of caspase‐3 in both curcumin‐treated groups that confirmed curcumin ameliorative effects against AP through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of micro‐thrombosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Electroosmotic micropump for lab‐on‐a‐chip biomedical applications
Authors: Dehghan Manshadi Mohammad Karim , Khojasteh Danial , Mohammadi Mehdi , Kamali Reza 
Published: February 2016

SummaryLab‐on‐a‐chip (LOC) integrated microfluidics has been a powerful tool for new developments in analytical chemistry. These microfluidic systems enable the miniaturization, integration and automation of complex biochemical assays through the reduction of reagent use and enabling portability. Electroosmotic micropumps could be employed as powerful tools to generate required flow in point of care (POC) devices. In the present study, parallel electroosmotic micropumps are investigated to improve the efficiency of simple micropumps. According to the results, parallel micropumps generate higher flow rate in comparison with conventional electroosmotic pump. In the last decade, a large variety of non‐Newtonian fluids have been utilized in biomedical application but requirements for a POC device such as high efficient driving flow, miniaturization and simple handling of POC devices remain unmet. As a consequence, in this study, power law model as non‐Newtonian fluids that flow through the parallel micropumps are investigated in order to enhance fluid pumping and decreasing voltage requirement.. It is found that as the power law index increases the mass flow rate decreases. Also, the flow rate is almost constant for the higher power law index. Obtained results, demonstrated that parallel micropump could enhance pumping of non‐Newtonian fluid (blood) up to 30%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial distribution and temporal variation of reference evapotranspiration in the Three Gorges Reservoir area during 1960–2013
Authors: Lv Ming‐quan , Chen Ji‐Long , Mirza Zakaria A. , Chen Chun‐Di , Wen Zhao‐Fei , Jiang Yi , Ma Mao‐hua , Wu Sheng‐Jun 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTMonitoring the spatial distribution of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and quantifying temporal variations offer valuable information about hydrology, irrigation water requirements and water resources management. Under climate warming and Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) impoundment conditions, it is critical to survey the ET0 variation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area (TGRA) China. Temporal and spatial patterns in ET0 over the TGRA were investigated for the period 1960–2013, based on daily data from 41 meteorological stations. The Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were used to examine ET0 trend. The presence of abrupt changes was checked using the Pettitt test, moving t‐test (MTT) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. The spatial distribution of the mean annual ET0 in the TGRA for 1960–2013 shows an east–west gradient structure with low ET0 in the area south of the TGR (STGR) and high ET0 in the area downstream of TGR (DTGR). The spatial distribution for post‐dam period is similar to that for 1960–2013. Abrupt changes of annual ET0 over the TGRA occurred in 1982. These changes were mainly related to climate warming in TGRA during the 1980s. ET0 in the region exhibited an obvious decreasing trend until the early 1980s (1982), at a rate of −1.41 mm a−1. However, the downward trend reversed in 1982, followed by a rate of increase of 1.11 mm a−1. For the whole period of 1960–2013, the overall decreasing trend in TGRA was mainly due to downward trend in 1960–1982. During the post‐dam period, the upward trends are still more pronounced. The TGR may have some effects on ET0 at stations that lie in or near the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in some cases. However, there is no evidence to indicate that the TGD would affect other locations. In general, ET0 variation is more related to climate change rather than dam‐related changes.
Urban heat island effects on growing seasons and heating and cooling degree days in Madison, Wisconsin USA
Authors: Schatz Jason , Kucharik Christopher J. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTUrban areas tend to be warmer than their rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. UHIs are nearly always described in terms of temperature. However, UHIs can also be described using derived climate indices, including growing season length, growing degree days (GDDs), and heating and cooling degree days, which may have more direct ecological and economic significance than temperature alone. To characterize UHI effects on these basic climate parameters, we used over 3 years of continuously collected temperature data from up to 150 locations in and around Madison, Wisconsin, USA, an urban area of population 402 000 surrounded by lakes and a rural landscape of agriculture, forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Compared to rural areas, Madison's UHI extended the freeze‐free season by several weeks each year. However, it only shifted the onset of spring and fall (represented by 10‐day moving average temperature crossing seasonal thresholds) by 1 day or less in spring and by a few days to a week in fall. The different effects on freeze dates versus running‐mean temperatures were primarily because the UHI could affect temperatures during individual freeze events much more than it could influence regional seasonal temperature trends. Urban effects on the meteorological growing season were nearly always greater in fall than in spring. We hypothesize that this is due to seasonal differences in sub‐surface temperatures, with urban and rural areas presumably having more uniform sub‐surface temperatures in spring after being frozen throughout the winter, contributing to weaker UHI effects in spring than in fall. In terms of degree days, densely built urban areas averaged 14% (209) more GDDs, 25% (117) more cooling degree days, and 6% (284) fewer heating degree days than rural areas, indicating that the UHI could have significant impacts on energy consumption in Madison.
Impacts of shallow convection on the simulation of the tropical precipitation diurnal cycle
Authors: Cai Qiongqiong , Zhou Tianjun , Guo Zhun 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTWith the aim to examine the role of shallow convection in the simulation of the tropical precipitation diurnal cycle in boreal winter during 1998–2009, two simulations are carried out using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model Version 3.0 (NCAR CAM3.0) model: a control run using standard model settings and a sensitive run (no shallow convection run, NSC) in which the shallow convection is disabled below 700 hPa and between 20°S and 20°N. Evaluation of the mean state shows that the spatial pattern of precipitation amount, and the precipitation frequency and intensity are reasonably reproduced in the control run in comparison to that of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)‐3B42 data. However, the lack of shallow convection in the NSC run significantly affects precipitation distribution due to the changes of precipitation frequency. On diurnal scale, shallow convection affects the simulation of the mean state of tropical precipitation diurnal cycle in different ways over different underlying surfaces. The mechanisms dominating the changes in the precipitation diurnal cycle in two typical domains, the tropical western Pacific (10°S–10°N, 150°–180°E) and the tropical South America (20°S–10°N, 70°–40°W), are further investigated. The control run shows a better skill in representing the diurnal precipitation cycle over tropical South America, with an afternoon peak. Analysis of moist static energy (MSE) change shows that the amplitude of convection is weaker in the NSC run, because the changes of the solar radiation and diffusion disturbance tend to suppress the deep convection that follows a shallow convection. Over the tropical western Pacific, the simulated diurnal precipitation cycles with an early morning peak are associated with the recharge–discharge paradigm in both runs. Nonetheless, the amplitude of the diurnal cycle is too strong in the NSC run, because the change of solar radiation leads to a stronger contrast between radiative warming in the day and cooling at night without the shallow convection.
Hyperspectral volumetric coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy: quantitative volume determination and NaCl as non‐resonant standard
Authors: Karuna Arnica , Masia Francesco , Borri Paola , Langbein Wolfgang 
Published: February 2016

In this work, we demonstrate quantitative volume determination of chemical components in three dimensions using hyperspectral coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, phase‐corrected Kramers–Kronig retrieval of the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering susceptibility and factorization into concentration of chemical components. We investigate the influence of the refractive index contrast between water and polymer beads (polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate), showing that it leads mainly to concentration errors, while the spectral error is less affected. The volume of polystyrene beads of sizes from 200 nm to 3 μm is determined with 10% relative error and 1% absolute error in the region of interest. We furthermore establish the use of sodium chloride as non‐resonant reference material free of Raman‐active vibrational resonances. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Significance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and prognostic nutrition index as preoperative predictors of early mortality after liver resection for huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Goh Brian K.P. , Kam Juinn Huar , Lee Ser‐Yee , Chan Chung‐Yip , Allen John C. , Jeyaraj Premaraj , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Chow Pierce K.H. , Ooi London L.P.J. , Chung Alexander Y.F. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine preoperative predictors of early (<1 year) mortality from disease recurrence after liver resection (LR) for huge (≥10 cm) HCC, with special emphasis on the importance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI).MethodsBetween 2000 to 2013, 166 patients underwent LR for huge HCC. Optimal cut‐offs for alpha fetoprotein (AFP), NLR, PLR, and PNI were determined by plotting the receiver operator curves (ROC) in predicting early mortality and utilizing the Youden index.ResultsThe 30‐day/in‐hospital postoperative mortality rate was 4.2%. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was 43% and 24%, respectively. Early mortality from disease recurrence occurred in 35 of 159 (22%) patients. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that tumor rupture and high AFP (>1,085 ng/ml) were independent preoperative predictors of early mortality after LR for HCC, and both a low PNI (<41) and high AFP were independent predictors of early mortality for non‐ruptured HCC. In 51 patients who had none of these three factors, only four (7.8%) patients experienced early mortality from disease recurrence.ConclusionsSpontaneous rupture, high AFP, and low PNI were predictors of early mortality from disease recurrence after LR for huge HCC.J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:621–627. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extraordinary synergy in the thermal and electric properties of polymer matrix reinforced with hybrid fillers
Authors: Perets Y. S. , Vovchenko L. L. , Matzui L. Y. , Zhuravkov A. , Trukhanov A. V. , Lazarenko O. A. 
Published: February 2016

The effect of the incorporation of different combinations of electric conducting and non‐conducting nanofillers into epoxy resin on the thermal and electric conductivity was studied. Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs), multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs) were used as the conductive fillers. The non‐conductive ones were boron nitride (BN) or barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19). The content of nanocarbon in composite materials (CMs) was varied from 1.0 to 6.0 vol%, the content of dielectric filler in composite materials was equal to 15.0 vol% boron nitride and 8.0 vol% BaFe12O19, respectively. The combination of electroconductive nanocarbon and non‐conductive boron nitride particles showed an increase of the thermal conductivity (by a factor of 2 for hybrid composite materials boron nitride/graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy (4.5 vol% of nanocarbon) compared to the thermal conductivity of composite materials with single graphite nanoplatelets filler) and the electric conductivity, whereas the hybrid conductive fillers of various morphology (graphite nanoplatelets/carbon nanotubes or graphite nanoplatelets/carbon fibers) did not show an improvement. On the other hand, the use of graphite nanoplatelets/carbon nanotubes and graphite nanoplatelets/carbon fibers hybrid fillers lead to the anisotropy of the electric conductivity and a reversible change of the electric resistance after a compression up to 50 MPa due to improved elastic properties.
Characterization of T1 bias in skeletal muscle from fat in MOLLI and SASHA pulse sequences: Quantitative fat‐fraction imaging with T1 mapping
Authors: Larmour Sarah , Chow Kelvin , Kellman Peter , Thompson Richard B. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeTo characterize the effects of fat on commonly used T1 mapping sequences and evaluate a new method of quantitative fat fraction (FF) imaging for low fractions based on the modulation of T1 values by the fat pool.MethodsBloch equation simulations and phantom and in vivo (skeletal muscle) experiments were used to characterize the response of the modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) and saturation recovery single‐shot acquisition (SASHA) T1 mapping sequences to fat–water systems with known FFs (0%–10%) at 1.5T. FFs were measured with single voxel spectroscopy and Dixon imaging methods. A new T1‐based FF imaging method was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations and phantom and in vivo experiments.ResultsSASHA and MOLLI had similar T1 dependence on FF, with characteristic under‐ or overestimation of T1 values as a function of off‐resonance frequency (30–70 ms variation in native T1 per 1% FF). FF maps generated from the SASHA method yielded a low variability of ±0.25% for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 150:1 in the nonsaturation image, with good agreement with spectroscopy and a performance that is superior to that of Dixon methods at low FFs.ConclusionFat results in negative or positive shifts in native tissue T1 measured with MOLLI and SASHA over a narrow range of off‐resonance frequencies; T1 shifts from fat can be used to accurately quantify FF. Magn Reson Med 77:237–249, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of mechanical behaviour and internal stability of granular materials using discrete element method
Authors: Abdoulaye Hama N. , Ouahbi T. , Taibi S. , Souli H. , Fleureau J.M. , Pantet A. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryGranular materials like sand are widely used in civil engineering. They are composed of different sizes of grains, which generate a complex behaviour, difficult to assess experimentally. Internal instability of a granular material is its inability to prevent the loss of its fine particles under flow effect. It is geometrically possible if the fine particles can migrate through the pores of the coarse soil matrix and results in a change in its mechanical properties. This paper uses the three‐dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D/DEM) to study the stability/instability of granular materials and their mechanical behaviour after suffusion. Stability properties of widely graded materials are analysed by simulating the transport of smaller particles through the constrictions formed by the coarse particles under the effect of a downward flow with uniform pressure gradient. A sample made by an initially stable material according to the Kenney & Lau geometrical criterion was divided into five equal layers. The classification of these layers by this criterion before and after the test shows that even stable granular materials can lose fine particles and present local instability. The failure criterion of eroded samples, in which erosion is simulated by progressive removal of fine particles, evolves in an unexpected way. Internal friction angle increases with the initial porosity, the rate of lost fine particles and the average diameter D50. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.