bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of beat-to-beat vectorcardiographic (VCG) parameters for analyzing repolarization variability in ECG signals
Authors: Hasan Muhammad A. , Abbott Derek 
Published: May 2015

AbstractElevated ventricular repolarization lability is believed to be linked to the risk of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. However, ventricular repolarization is a complex electrical phenomenon, and abnormalities in ventricular repolarization are not completely understood. To evaluate repolarization lability, vectorcardiography (VCG) is an alternative approach where the electrocardiographic (ECG) signal can be considered as possessing both magnitude and direction. Recent research has shown that VCG is advantageous over ECG signal analysis for identification of repolarization abnormality. One of the key reasons is that the VCG approach does not rely on exact identification of the T-wave offset, which improves the reproducibility of the VCG technique. However, beat-to-beat variability in VCG is an emerging area for the investigation of repolarization abnormality though not yet fully realized. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to explore the techniques, findings, and efficacy of beat-to-beat VCG parameters for analyzing repolarization lability, which may have potential utility for further study.
Towards biomarker-based tests that can facilitate decisions about prevention and management of preeclampsia in low-resource settings
Authors: Acestor Nathalie , Goett Jane , Lee Arthur , Herrick Tara M. , Engelbrecht Susheela M. , Harner-Jay Claudia M. , Howell Bonnie J. , Weigl Bernhard H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn recent years, an increasing amount of literature is emerging on candidate urine and blood-based biomarkers associated with incidence and severity of preeclampsia (PE) in pregnant women. While enthusiasm on the usefulness of several of these markers in predicting PE is evolving, essentially all work so far has focused on the needs of high-resource settings and high-income countries, resulting primarily in multi-parameter laboratory assays based on proteomic and metabolomics analysis techniques. These highly complex methods, however, require laboratory capabilities that are rarely available or affordable in low-resource settings (LRS). The importance of quantifying maternal and perinatal risks and identifying which pregnancies can be safely prolonged is also much greater in LRS, where intensive care facilities that can rapidly respond to PE-related health threats for women and infants are limited. For these reasons, simple, low cost, sensitive, and specific point-of-care (POC) tests are needed that can be performed by antenatal health care providers in LRS and that can facilitate decisions about detection and management of PE. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive systematic review of current and emerging blood and urine biomarkers for PE, not only on the basis of their clinical performance, but also of their suitability to be used in LRS-compatible test formats, such as lateral flow and other variants of POC rapid assays.
Compound Piezomechanical Systems of Algae Cell Disrupting
Authors: Vasiljev Piotr , Bareikis Regimantas , Borodinas Sergejus , Struckas Arunas , Kasperovicienė Jurate 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
One of the most attractive sources of raw materials for biofuel production can be algae oil processing into biofuels. In this paper, the authors are proposing a unique ultrasonic piezoelectric system, which would allow the reduction of internal energy losses and concentration of ultrasonic energy into a small closed volume. The current vibrating systems whose ultrasonic energy is concentrated inside of a hollow cylinder where the water–algae mixture is flowing. The ultrasonic energy is concentrated in a local volume to create a high-power bubble implosion process. Two, three or multiple ultrasonic composite systems to concentrate the total energy into a hollow cylinder in order to create a strong algae cell ultrasonication are used. The experiments and the numerical finite element method (FEM) analysis results using the proposed transducers as well as the biological test results on algae cell disruption by ultra-sonication are presented in this paper.
Bayesian Analysis of the Brown–Proschan Model
Authors: Nguyen Dinh Tuan , Dijoux Yann , Fouladirad Mitra 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The paper presents a Bayesian approach of the Brown–Proschan imperfect maintenance model. The initial failure rate is assumed to follow a Weibull distribution. A discussion of the choice of informative and non-informative prior distributions is provided. The implementation of the posterior distributions requires the Metropolis-within-Gibbs algorithm. A study on the quality of the estimators of the model obtained from Bayesian and frequentist inference is proposed.
An application to real data is finally developed.
Sunflower Heat-Shock Protein Synthesis Study under Water Deficit Condition
Authors: Enferadi Sattar Tahmasebi , Rabiei Zohreh , Vannozzi Gian Paolo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTo follow heat shock proteins (HSPs) expression in sunflower seeds as portion of total seed storage proteins (SSPs), we kept all agronomic factors constant except temperature. In this research, a drought-tolerant sunflower hybrid was planted under normal and drought stress conditions in order to investigate the effect of temperature on protein synthesis and accumulation during achene filling phase. The analyses of proteins were carried out by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), after total protein extraction from achene 25 days after pollination. In total, at least 542 protein spots were detected in seeds at normal growth condition versus 551 protein spots in seeds of stress condition. The presence of a polypeptide bond of 17.7 kDa as a small heat shock protein (SHSP) was only observed in seed grown in drought stress and the accuracy of identification was confirmed by micro-lab-on-chip capillary electrophoresis.
Germination and Seedling Growth Response on Sunflower Seeds to Priming and Temperature Stress
Authors: Lekić S. , Draganić I. , Milivojević M. , Todorović G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe present paper shows results obtained on effects of priming of sunflower seeds, subjected to accelerated ageing and the cold test, on seed vigour. Seeds were primed with distilled water, the potassium nitrate solution (0.2%) and the gibberellic acid solution (0.04%). The following parameters were tested: energy of germination, germination, proportion of abnormal seedlings, lengths of roots and shoots of normal seedlings. Accelerated ageing in the course of 3 and 5 days resulted in a statistically significant reduction in energy of germination and germination; it adversely affected the length of roots and shoots and it increased the proportion of abnormal seedlings. Seed priming with all three solutions mitigated adverse effects of 3-day accelerated ageing on energy of germination. Furthermore, seed priming with gibberellic acid prior to 3-day accelerated ageing positively affected seed germination and neutralized a negative effect of accelerated ageing on the number of abnormal seedlings, as well as on lengths of shoots and roots of normal seedlings. The cold test (at 5°C for 7 days) negatively affected energy of germination and the root length, increased the proportion of abnormal seedlings and did not affect seed germination. Priming of seeds with distilled water prior to the cold test completely neutralized the adverse effect of low temperatures on energy of germination. Finally, priming of seeds with all three solutions completely neutralized the adverse effect of cold test on the root length.
Critical moisture conditions for fungal decay of modified wood by basidiomycetes as detected by pile tests
Authors: Meyer Linda , Brischke Christian , Treu Andreas , Larsson-Brelid Pia 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The aim of cell wall modification is to keep wood moisture content (MC) below favorable conditions for decay organisms. However, thermally modified, furfurylated, and acetylated woods partly show higher MCs than untreated wood in outdoor exposure. The open question is to which extent decay is influenced by the presence of liquid water in cell lumens. The present paper contributes to this topic and reports on physiological threshold values for wood decay fungi with respect to modified wood. In total, 4200 specimens made from acetylated, furfurylated, and thermally modified beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine sapwood (sW) (Pinus sylvestris L.) were exposed to Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor. Piles consisting of 50 small specimens were incubated above malt agar in Erlenmeyer flasks for 16 weeks. In general, pile upward mass loss (ML) and MC decreased. Threshold values for fungal growth and decay (ML≥2%) were determined. In summary, the minimum MC for fungal decay was slightly below fiber saturation point of the majority of the untreated and differently modified materials. Surprisingly, T. versicolor was able to degrade untreated beech wood at a minimum of 15% MC, and growth was possible at 13% MC. By contrast, untreated pine sW was not decayed by C.
puteana at less than 29% MC.
Numerical Solution of MHD Stagnation Point Flow of Williamson Fluid Model over a Stretching Cylinder
Authors: Malik M. Y. , Salahuddin T. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The present paper deals with the numerical solution of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of Williamson fluid model over a stretching cylinder. The governing partial differential equation of Williamson fluid is converted into an ordinary differential equation using similarity transformations along with boundary layer approach, which is then solved numerically by applying the shooting method in conjunction with Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method. The effect of different parameters on velocity profile is thoroughly examined through graphs and tables.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Qinling Mountain Engineered Rocks during Pulse-Shaped SHPB Test
Authors: Liu Shi , Xu Jinyu 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
In order to study the dynamic compression mechanical properties of engineering rock under high strain rate （100~102 S−1）loads, dynamic compression tests of three common engineering rocks (marble, sandstone and granite) taken from the Qinling Mountain are studied subjected to five different kinds of shock air pressure using Φ 100 mm split Hopkinson pressure bar test system improved with purple copper waveform shaper. The dynamic compression stress-strain curves, dynamic compressive strength, peak strain, energy absorption rate and elastic modulus of three rocks variation with strain rate are researched. The dynamic compression failure modes under different strain rates are analyzed. Then the three-dimensional numerical simulations of waveform shaper shaping effects and stress wave propagation in the SHPB tests are carried out to reproduce the test results. The research results show that the dynamic compression stress-strain curves show certain discreteness, and there is an obvious rebound phenomenon after the peak. With the increase in strain rate, the dynamic compressive strength, peak strain and energy absorption rate are all in a certain degree of increase, but the elastic modulus have no obvious change trend. Under the same strain rate, the dynamic compressive strength of granite is greatest while of sandstone is least. With the increase in strain rate, the margin of increase in peak strain and energy absorption rate of granite is greatest while of sandstone is least. The failure modes of the sample experience a developing process from outside to inside with the increase of strain rate.
Albanien als Krisen- und Kriegsgebiet 1908–1921
Authors: Opfer-Klinger Björn 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The Albanian national movement was still quite young and heterogeneous when international conflicts lead to the foundation of the Albanian state in 1912/13. Located by the strategically important Strait of Otranto, it came into existence as a compromise and under the protection of the Great Powers in a time when the Osman Empire was collapsing and the South-eastern European States were practising an aggressive policy of expansion. Only a few months later World War I broke out and affected the region severely. Consequently, it took another ten years for the Albanian state to take permanent shape within the changed order of postwar Europe. At this point, however, the political self-concept of Albania had altered pertinently due to constant foreign intervention and occupation by opposing war parties. Some of these influences continue to affect Albania to the present day.
Bio-inspired approaches to accelerating metal ion-promoted reactions: enzyme-like rates for metal ion mediated phosphoryl and acyl transfer processes
Authors: Brown Robert Stan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIntense efforts by many research groups for more than 50 years have been directed at biomimetic approaches to understand how enzymes achieve their remarkable rate accelerations. Nevertheless, it was noted in 2003 that, despite numerous efforts to design models for catalyzing the cleavage of such species as phosphate diesters, “none of the several models so far described approaches the enormous catalytic efficiency of natural enzymes”. The same could be said for biomimetics of other enzymes promoting acyl or phosphoryl transfer reactions, particularly those mediated by metal ions such as Zn(II). Clearly other important factors were being overlooked or awaiting discovery. In this manuscript we describe two important effects that we have implemented to accelerate metal ion catayzed phosphoryl and acyl transfer reactions. The first of these relates to a medium effect where the polarity of the solution, as measured by dielectric constant, is reduced from that of water (ε= 78) to values of 31.5 and 24.3 when the solvent is changed to methanol or ethanol. Among organic solvents these light alcohols are closest to water in terms of structure and properties as well as retaining important H-bonding properties. The second important effect involves a known but difficult to demonstrate mode of catalysis where the leaving group (LG) in a solvolysis reaction is accelerated as it becomes progressively poorer. In the cases described herein, the LG’s propensity to depart from a substrate during the course of reaction is accelerated by coordination to a metal ion in a process known as leaving group assistance, or LGA. These two effects can each impart accelerations of 109–1017for certain metal ion catalyzed reactions relative to the corresponding solvent, or base induced reactions.
Ion-exchange separation of radioiodine and its application to production of 124I by alpha particle induced reactions on antimony
Authors: Uddin Md. Shuza , Qaim Syed M. , Hermanne Alex , Spahn Ingo , Spellerberg Stefan , Scholten Bernhard , Hossain Syed Mohammod , Coenen Heinz H. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The basic parameters related to radiochemical separation of iodine from tellurium and antimony by anion-exchange chromatography using
the resin Amberlyst A26 were studied. The separation yield of 124I amounted to 96% and the decontamination factor
from 121Te and 122Sb was > 104. The method was applied to the production of 124I via the
123Sb(α, 3n) reaction. In an irradiation of 110 mg of natSb2O3 (thickness
∼ 0.08 g/cm2) with 38 MeV α-particles at 1.2 μA beam current for 4 h,
corresponding to the beam energy range of E

α
= 37 → 27 MeV, the batch yield of 124I obtained was
12.42 MBq and the 125I and 126I impurities amounted to 3.8% and 0.7%,
respectively. The experimental batch yield of 124I amounted to 80% of the theoretically calculated value but the
level of the radionuclidic impurities were in agreement with the theoretical values. About 96% of the radioiodine was in the
form of iodide and the inactive impurities (Te, Sb, Sn) were below the permissible level. Due to the relatively high level of
radionuclidic impurity the 124I produced would possibly be useful only for restricted local consumption or for animal
experiments.
Parasexual Ploidy Reduction Drives Population Heterogeneity Through Random and Transient Aneuploidy in Candida albicans
Authors: Hickman Meleah A , Paulson Carsten , Dudley Aimee , Berman Judith 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans has a large repertoire of mechanisms to generate genetic and phenotypic diversity despite the lack of meiosis in its life cycle. Its parasexual cycle enables shifts in ploidy, which in turn facilitate recombination, aneuploidy, and homozygosis of whole chromosomes to fuel rapid adaptation. Here we show that the tetraploid state potentiates ploidy variation and drives population heterogeneity. In tetraploids, the rate of losing a single heterozygous marker [loss of heterozygosity (LOH)] is elevated ∼30-fold higher than the rate in diploid cells. Furthermore, isolates recovered after selection for LOH of one, two, or three markers were highly aneuploid, with a broad range of karyotypes including strains with a combination of di-, tri-, and tetrasomic chromosomes. We followed the ploidy trajectories for these tetraploid- and aneuploid-derived isolates, using a combination of flow cytometry and double-digestion restriction-site-associated DNA analyzed with next-generation sequencing. Isolates derived from either tetraploid or aneuploid isolates predominately resolved to a stable euploid state. The majority of isolates reduced to the conventional diploid state; however, stable triploid and tetraploid states were observed in ∼30% of the isolates. Notably, aneuploid isolates were more transient than tetraploid isolates, resolving to a euploid state within a few passages. Furthermore, the likelihood that a particular isolate will resolve to the same ploidy state in replicate evolution experiments is only ∼50%, supporting the idea that the chromosome loss process of the parasexual cycle is random and does not follow trajectories involving specific combinations of chromosomes. Together, our results indicate that tetraploid progenitors can produce populations of progeny cells with a high degree of genomic diversity, from altered ploidy to homozygosis, providing an excellent source of genetic variation upon which selection can act.
Virulence Gene Regulation by l-Arabinose in Salmonella enterica
Authors: López-Garrido Javier , Puerta-Fernández Elena , Cota Ignacio , Casadesús Josep 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Invasion of the intestinal epithelium is a critical step in Salmonella enterica infection and requires functions encoded in the gene cluster known as Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1). Expression of SPI-1 genes is repressed by l-arabinose, and not by other pentoses. Transport of l-arabinose is necessary to repress SPI-1; however, repression is independent of l-arabinose metabolism and of the l-arabinose-responsive regulator AraC. SPI-1 repression by l-arabinose is exerted at a single target, HilD, and the mechanism appears to be post-translational. As a consequence of SPI-1 repression, l-arabinose reduces translocation of SPI-1 effectors to epithelial cells and decreases Salmonella invasion in vitro. These observations reveal a hitherto unknown role of l-arabinose in gene expression control and raise the possibility that Salmonella may use L-arabinose as an environmental signal.
Thermally Controlled Shape-Memory Investigations of Nanocomposites Based on Oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) and Magnetic Nanoparticles Acting as Crosslinks
Authors: Razzaq M. Yasar , Behl M. , Lendlein A. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTCovalent integration of inorganic nanoparticles into polymer matrices leads to a homogenization of their distribution and enhances the structural properties. Here, we report on a thermally-controlled reversible shape-memory effect (R-SME) of magnetic nanocomposites under stress-controlled conditions. The magnetic nanocomposites consisted of an oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) (OPDL) matrix with covalently integrated or physically added magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). The R-SME of these materials was based on crystallization-induced elongation (CIE) and melting-induced contraction (MIC) under a constant stress in thermomechanical experiments. Furthermore, the adjustability of the recovery stress in magnetic nanocomposites as a function of MNP content was investigated. A slight increase in the recovery stress from 0.9 MPa for pure OPDL network to 1.2 MPa for H-NC containing 9 wt% of covalently integrated MNP was observed.
Computational modeling of nanosecond time-scale charge carrier dynamics in organic semiconductors
Authors: Johnson Brian , Paudel Keshab , Ostroverkhova Oksana 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTWe present a study of photoinduced charge carrier dynamics in single crystals and polycrystalline thin films of a functionalized fluorinated anthradithiophene (ADT) derivative, ADT-TES-F, combining measurements of time-resolved photocurrent with computational modeling. Simulations revealed two competing charge generation pathways: ultrafast charge separation and nanosecond (ns) time-scale exciton dissociation. Single crystals exhibited significantly enhanced fast charge photogeneration and charge carrier mobilities, as well as lower charge trap densities and free hole-trapped electron recombination, as compared to thin films. At sub-ns time scales after photoexcitation, the light intensity dependence of the photocurrents obtained in single crystals was determined by the carrier density-dependent recombination. At longer time scales, and at lower intensities, taking into account carrier concentration-dependent mobility improved agreement between numerically simulated and experimentally measured photocurrent data.
Breakdown of the Dipole-Dipole Approximation at Short Distances and Hot Spot Formation between a Pair of Silver Nanocubes
Authors: Hooshmand Nasrin , Bordley Justin A , El-Sayed Mostafa A 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTAg or Au nanocubes are known to be plasmonic nanoparticles with strong plasmonic fields concentrated around their corners1. When these nanoparticles aggregate the individual plasmonic oscillations of each particle begin to couple. The coupling between the two plasmonic nanoparticles is assumed to be dipolar in nature which results in an exponential red shift dependence of their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on the dimer separation2. Unfortunately, this exponential behavior is shown to fail as the separation distance between the two 42 nm nanocube dimer becomes 6nm or smaller3. Hooshmand et al4 have noted that these separation distances are marked by the formation of hot spots between the facets of the dimer.This dipolar exponential behavior results from a treatment of the coupling between the two excited nanocubes as a coupling between two oscillating dipole moments2. As a result, the vectorial addition of all the oscillating electronic dipoles is assumed to interact with the nearest nanoparticle as a single oscillating electronic dipole. Herein we suggest that as the separation distance becomes increasingly small, the coupling between the individual oscillating dipoles on the different nanocubes becomes significant. Thus, the dipolar exponential behavior fails to accurately predict the near field coupling between two nanoparticles with small separation distances.This leads to the realization that the interaction between the individual oscillating dipoles on the two nanocubes changes in a complicated manner as a function of separation distance. At 2nm, a good fraction of the oscillating dipoles are between the adjacent facets of the nanocubes as well as between the the corners. While at 3 nm less are in between the two facets of the nanocubes and a larger portion are localized at the corners. Thus, the coupling is not only dependent on the separation distance but also on what the separation does to the net interaction between the oscillating dipoles on each facet of the two coupled nanocubes. This results in the failure of the exponential behavior as the dipole moment on each nanocube is changing with distance in a complicated manner.