bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex‐Related Changes in Tissue Doppler Imaging Parameters Among Patients With Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Jenab Yaser , Ghaffari-Marandi Neda , Safir Azam , Ejmalian Gita , Zoroufian Arezou , Jalali Arash , Sahebjam Mohammad 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesThere are few studies evaluating serial changes in tissue Doppler imaging parameters in acute pulmonary thromboembolism. We aimed to compare these changes in male and female patients separately.MethodsBetween September 2010 and September 2011, 41 of 64 hemodynamically stable acute patients with pulmonary thromboembolism were included in the study. Twenty‐two healthy individuals served as a control group.ResultsCompared to the control group, the acute pulmonary thromboembolism group had a lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, basal peak systolic velocity of the tricuspid valvular annulus, right ventricular (RV) peak systolic strain, and RV peak systolic strain rate and a higher RV diameter, peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and RV myocardial performance index (P < .05). Values for these parameters were not different between men and women in the patient group. In men, compared to admission, predischarge echocardiography showed significant improvement in the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (mean ± SD, 16.08 ± 4.33 versus 19.29 ± 3.74 mm; P = .002), basal tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (10.11 ± 3.66 versus 11.66 ± 3.38 cm/s; P = .007), and peak systolic strain (−13.00% ± 14.99% versus −23.20% ± 10.23%; P = .001), whereas in women, predischarge and 3‐month follow‐up echoacrdiography showed marked improvement in the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (17.50 ± 4.88 versus 19.79 ± 5.58 mm; P = .021) and peak systolic strain (−15.70% ± 13.52% versus −21.01% ± 10.57%, respectively; P= .045). Female patients did not show improvement in these parameters during hospitalization.ConclusionsPatterns of changes in the RV function over time during a 3‐month follow‐up might differ between male and female patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and the recovery process could be slower in women. Moreover, the midventricular peak systolic strain might be useful for serial evaluation of the recovery process.
The cloud population and onset of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation over the Indian Ocean during DYNAMO‐AMIE
Authors: Powell Scott W. , Houze Robert A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractVariability of the cloud population in the central equatorial Indian Ocean was observed in the context of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) during the Dynamics of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Madden‐Julian Investigation Experiment (AMIE) field campaigns. Radar observations from the polarimetric S‐band radar on Addu Atoll in the Maldives characterize the types of convective and stratiform radar echoes and the heights their 20 dBZ contours reach. To gain insight into the relationship between clouds and humidification of the troposphere leading up to and during an active MJO event, the work relates variability of the observed precipitation structure to that of tropospheric humidity and upper level zonal wind. The variability in stratiform precipitation areas dominates variability in the nature of precipitating convection associated with the MJO. Areal coverage of precipitating radar echo, convective echo top height, and tropospheric humidity above 850 hPa rapidly increase over ~3–7 days near MJO onset. This rate of increase is substantially faster than the 10–20 days needed for buildup of moisture prior to MJO onset as hypothesized by the “discharge‐recharge” hypothesis. Convective echoes become more common during the days prior to MJO onset, and the increased convection occurs before low‐tropospheric moistening. The upper troposphere rapidly moistens as the first widespread stratiform region passes over an area. Thus, clouds likely play a role in tropospheric humidification. Whether increased low‐tropospheric humidity causes vertical growth of convection has not yet been determined.
Flux response of glycolysis and storage metabolism during rapid feast/famine conditions in Penicillium chrysogenum using dynamic 13C labeling
Authors: de Jonge Lodewijk , Buijs Nicolaas A. A. , Heijnen Joseph J. , van Gulik Walter M. , Abate Alessandro , Wahl S. Aljoscha 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe scale‐up of fermentation processes frequently leads to a reduced productivity compared to small‐scale screening experiments. Large‐scale mixing limitations that lead to gradients in substrate and oxygen availability could influence the microorganism performance. Here, the impact of substrate gradients on a penicillin G producing Penicillium chrysogenum cultivation was analyzed using an intermittent glucose feeding regime. The intermittent feeding led to fluctuations in the extracellular glucose concentration between 400 μM down to 6.5 μM at the end of the cycle. The intracellular metabolite concentrations responded strongly and showed up to 100‐fold changes. The intracellular flux changes were estimated on the basis of dynamic 13C mass isotopomer measurements during three cycles of feast and famine using a novel hybrid modeling approach. The flux estimations indicated a high turnover of internal and external storage metabolites in P. chrysogenum under feast/famine conditions. The synthesis and degradation of storage requires cellular energy (ATP and UTP) in competition with other cellular functions including product formation. Especially, 38% of the incoming glucose was recycled once in storage metabolism. This result indicated that storage turnover is increased under dynamic cultivation conditions and contributes to the observed decrease in productivity compared to reference steady‐state conditions.
Limiting the Pollutant Content in the Sewage Sludge Producer Gas through Staged Gasification
Authors: Hernández A. B. , Ferrasse J.‐H. , Roche N. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSewage sludge gasification deals with the release of nitrogen and sulfur compounds, the main sources for pollutants during the final combustion. In order to handle these compounds, a staged gasification process is proposed. During the low‐temperature thermal treatment of the first stage, nitrogen and sulfur compounds are removed from the solid fuel. The second stage converts the remaining solid into combustible compounds through gasification reactions. The producer gas obtained during this stage is compared to the producer gas of a simple gasification. The presence of pollutant precursors was considerably diminished during the staged experiments. A successful staged gasification may eliminate the need for downstream cleanup and thus limit the energy consumption. This work proves that staged gasification may be the key to obtain energy from waste fuel, limiting the concerns about pollutants.
Efficient Chemical and Visible‐Light‐Driven Water Oxidation using Nickel Complexes and Salts as Precatalysts
Authors: Chen Gui , Chen Lingjing , Ng Siu‐Mui , Lau Tai‐Chu 
Published: October 2013

AbstractChemical and visible‐light‐driven water oxidation catalyzed by a number of Ni complexes and salts have been investigated at pH 7–9 in borate buffer. For chemical oxidation, [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was used as the oxidant, with turnover numbers (TONs) >65 and a maximum turnover frequency (TOFmax) >0.9 s−1. Notably, simple Ni salts such as Ni(NO3)2 are more active than Ni complexes that bear multidentate N‐donor ligands. The Ni complexes and salts are also active catalysts for visible‐light‐driven water oxidation that uses [Ru(bpy)3]2+ as the photosensitizer and S2O82− as the sacrificial oxidant; a TON>1200 was obtained at pH 8.5 by using Ni(NO3)2 as the catalyst. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed the formation of nanoparticles in chemical and visible‐light‐driven water oxidation by the Ni catalysts. These nanoparticles aggregated during water oxidation to form submicron particles that were isolated and shown to be partially reduced β‐NiOOH by various techniques, which include SEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XRD, and IR spectroscopy. These results suggest that the Ni complexes and salts act as precatalysts that decompose under oxidative conditions to form an active nickel oxide catalyst. The nature of this active oxide catalyst is discussed.
Hierarchical Sulfur‐Based Cathode Materials with Long Cycle Life for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wang Jiulin , Yin Lichao , Jia Hao , Yu Haitao , He Yushi , Yang Jun , Monroe Charles W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractComposite materials of porous pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile–sulfur@graphene nanosheet (pPAN–S@GNS) are fabricated through a bottom‐up strategy. Microspherical particles are formed by spray drying of a mixed aqueous colloid of PAN nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets, followed by a simple heat treatment with elemental sulfur. The pPAN–S primary nanoparticles are wrapped homogeneously and loosely within a three‐dimensional network of graphene nanosheets (GNS). The hierarchical pPAN–S@GNS composite shows a high reversible capacity of 1449.3 mAh g−1sulfur or 681.2 mAh g−1composite in the second cycle; after 300 cycles at a 0.2 C charge/discharge rate the capacity retention is 88.8 % of its initial reversible value. Additionally, the coulombic efficiency (CE) during cycling is near 100 %, apart from in the first cycle, in which CE is 81.1 %. A remarkable capacity of near 700 mAh g−1sulfur is obtained, even at a high discharge rate of 10 C. The superior performance of pPAN–S@GNS is ascribed to the spherical secondary GNS structure that creates an electronically conductive 3D framework and also reinforces structural stability.
Water use of Juniperus virginiana trees encroached into mesic prairies in Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Caterina Giulia L. , Will Rodney E. , Turton Donald J. , Wilson Duncan S. , Zou Chris B. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTJuniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) is encroaching into mesic prairies of the southern Great Plains, USA, and is altering the hydrologic cycle. We used the thermal dissipation technique to quantify daily water use of J. virginiana into a mesic prairie by measuring 19 trees of different sizes from different density stands located in north‐central Oklahoma during 2011. We took the additional step to calibrate our measurements by comparing thermal dissipation technique estimates to volumetric water use for a subset of trees. Except for days with maximum air temperature below −3 °C, J. virginiana trees used water year round, reached a peak in late May, and exhibited reduced water use in summer when soil water availability was low. Overall daily average water use was 24 l (±21.8 l s.d.) per tree. Trees in low density stands used more water than trees with similar diameters from denser stands. However, there was no difference in water use between trees in different density stands when expressed on a canopy area basis. Approximately 50% of variation in water use that remained after accounting for the factors site, tree, and day was explained using a physiologically‐based model that included daily potential evapotranspiration, maximum vapour pressure deficit, maximum temperature, solar radiation, and soil water storage between 0 and 10 cm. Our model suggested that a J. virginiana woodland with a closed canopy is capable of transpiring almost all precipitation reaching the soil in years with normal precipitation, indicating the potential for encroachment to reduce water yield for streamflow and groundwater recharge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biodegradable sodium alginate‐based semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels for antibacterial application
Authors: Madhusudana Rao K. , Krishna Rao K. S. V. , Ramanjaneyulu G. , Chowdoji Rao K. , Subha M. C. S. , Ha Chang‐Sik 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA series of biodegradable, semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) hydrogels were synthesized from a combination of carbohydrate polymer and sodium alginate (NaAlg) with acrylamide and dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate, and crosslinked with N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide via radical redox polymerization. The cytocompatibility of the hydrogels with respect to their monomers and semi‐IPN hydrogels was evaluated in vitro using cultures of mouse fibroblast cell lines. This study allowed the entrapment of silver nanoparticles (NPs) into semi‐IPN hydrogel networks by the in situ reduction of Ag+ ions using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. UV–visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of silver NPs in the semi‐IPN hydrogel matrix. The formation of silver NPs was also confirmed from a themogravimetric analysis weight loss difference between hydrogel and silver nanocomposite as 32%. The morphology and structure of the AgNPs present in the hydrogel networks were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy revealed silver NPs with a size of ∼5 nm. The silver nanocomposite hydrogel exhibited good antibacterial activity against both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. These results suggest that the hydrogel can be applied as wound dressings and for water purification purposes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3196–3206, 2014.
Comparisons among cultivars of wheat, hulless and hulled oats: Dry matter, N and P accumulation and partitioning as affected by N supply
Authors: Zhou Qing‐Ping , Kumar Biswas Dilip , Ma Bao‐Luo 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA better understanding of the impact of fertilizer nitrogen (N) on biomass and N accumulation, and their partitioning into different plant components is needed to optimize crop yield and quality. A field experiment with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum), hulless (Avena nuda), and hulled (Avena sativa) oats was conducted for 3 years in Ottawa, ON, Canada, to determine the crop responses to N addition (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha–1). Biomass, N, and phosphorus (P) accumulation and partitioning into different plant components were examined during the growth season. Lodging score was determined for all crops when it occurred and again at harvest. During the growth season, both hulless and hulled oats and the wheat cultivar showed almost similar patterns of N and P accumulation with maximum contents at late grain filling or at harvest. Plant N concentration was up to 60 g kg–1 during the seedling stage, decreased gradually with advancing growth stages, and was lowest at harvest. Nitrogen treatments significantly increased plant N and P contents. At heading stage, N treatments enhanced dry matter (24%–45%), N (35%–135%), and P (27%–45%) contents in plant components (i.e., culm, leaf, and head), but also enhanced crop lodging, especially in oats. Both hulled and hulless oats had higher total plant N (5%–35%), N : P ratio, and dry‐matter content in leaf (6%–43%) and head (0%–129%) along with higher P (up to 27%) in culm than the wheat cultivar. The wheat cultivar accumulated greater dry matter and higher N content in kernels than both hulled and hulless oats at harvest. Both hulled and hulless oat cultivars exhibited similar lodging susceptibility to N addition (75 or 150 kg N ha–1), produced lower dry weight and lower kernel N, and hence lower grain yield than the wheat cultivar. The larger vegetative dry‐matter accumulation at heading coupled with higher P content in culms under high‐N‐supply conditions may be related to severe lodging in oat cultivars.
Biochar application to temperate soils: Effects on soil fertility and crop growth under greenhouse conditions
Authors: Kloss Stefanie , Zehetner Franz , Wimmer Bernhard , Buecker Jannis , Rempt Franziska , Soja Gerhard 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBiochar (BC) application as a soil amendment has aroused much interest and was found to considerably improve soil nutrient status and crop yields on poor, tropical soils. However, information on the effect of BC on temperate soils is still insufficient, with effects expected to differ from tropical soils. We investigated the effects of BC on soil nutrient dynamics, crop yield, and quality in a greenhouse pot experiment. We compared three agricultural soils (Planosol, Cambisol, Chernozem), and BCs of three different feedstocks (wheat straw [WS], mixed woodchips [WC], vineyard pruning [VP]) slowly pyrolyzed at 525°C, of which the latter was also pyrolyzed at 400°C. The BCs were applied at two rates (1% and 3%, which would correspond to 30 and 90 t ha–1 in the field). Three crops, namely mustard (Sinapis alba L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) were grown successively within one year. The investigated soil properties included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation‐exchange capacity (CEC), calcium‐acetate‐lactate (CAL)–extractable P (PCAL) and K (KCAL), C, N, and nitrogen‐supplying potential (NSP). The results show a pH increase in all soils. The CEC increased only on the Planosol. The C : N ratio increased at 3% application rate. Despite improving the soil nutrient status partly, yields of the first crop (mustard) and to a lesser extent of the second crop (barley) were significantly depressed through BC application (by up to 68%); the yield of clover as third crop was not affected. Only the BC from WS maintained yields in the range of the control and even increased barley yield by 6%. The initial yield reduction was accompanied by notable decreases (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) and increases (Mo) in micronutrient concentrations of plant tissues while nitrogen concentrations were hardly affected. The results of the pot experiment show that despite additional mineral fertilization, short‐term growth inhibition may occur when applying BC without further treatment to temperate soils.
High temperature wear testing of a Ni‐based superalloy pin on a cast iron disc
Authors: Rynio C. , Hattendorf H. , Klöwer J. , Lüdecke H.‐G. , Eggeler G. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA pin‐on‐disc wear test rig is described, which allows to extract reproducible mechanical and microstructural wear data from very small sample volumes at temperatures up to 900°C. The friction and wear behavior of Alloy 80A against a cast iron is evaluated at temperatures from ambient to 800°C. The wear rate of Alloy 80A decreased with increasing temperature. This was attributed to the development of protective tribolayers, which prevented a direct contact between the two sliding partners. Energy Dispersive X‐Ray (EDX) mapping of surface wear products and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results for the evolution of subsurface microstructures are exemplarily presented for wear experiments performed for 10 min at 300°C (frequency: 20 Hz, load: 20 N, stroke: 1 mm). EDX investigations provide a good insight into material transfers and oxide layer generations during sliding wear. TEM‐micrographs revealed cell structure formation and very small nanograins directly beneath the surface.
Insecticide‐induced hormesis and arthropod pest management
Authors: Guedes Raul Narciso C , Cutler G Christopher 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEcological backlashes such as insecticide resistance, resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks are frequent problems associated with insecticide use against arthropod pest species. The last two have been particularly important in sparking interest in the phenomenon of insecticide‐induced hormesis within entomology and acarology. Hormesis describes a biphasic dose–response relationship that is characterized by a reversal of response between low and high doses of a stressor (e.g. insecticides). Although the concept of insecticide‐induced hormesis often does not receive sufficient attention, or has been subject to semantic confusion, it has been reported in many arthropod pest species and natural enemies, and has been linked to pest outbreaks and potential problems with insecticide resistance. The study of hormesis remains largely neglected in entomology and acarology. Here, we examined the concept of insecticide‐induced hormesis in arthropods, its functional basis and potential fitness consequences, and its importance in arthropod pest management and other areas. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
TOPAAS: An Alternative Approach to Software Reliability Quantification
Authors: van Manen Sipke , Brandt Ed , van Ekris Jaap , Geurts Wouter 
Published: October 2013

In the realm of safety related systems, a growing number of functions are realized by software, ranging from ‘firmware’ to autonomous decision‐taking software.To support (political) real‐world decision makers, quantitative risk assessment methodology quantifies the reliability of systems. The optimal choice of safety measures with respect to the available budget, for example, the UK (as low as reasonably practicable approach), requires quantification. If a system contains software, some accepted methods on quantification of software reliability exist, but none of them is generally applicable, as we will show.We propose a model bringing software into the quantitative risk assessment domain by introducing failure of software modules (with their probabilities) as basic events in a fault tree. The method is known as ‘TOPAAS’ (Task‐Oriented Probability of Abnormalities Analysis for Software). TOPAAS is a factor model allowing the quantification of the basic ‘software’ events in fault tree analyses. In this paper, we argue that this is the best approach currently available to industry.Task‐Oriented Probability of Abnormalities Analysis for Software is a practical model by design and is currently put to field testing in risk assessments of programmable electronic safety‐related systems in tunnels and control systems of movable storm surge barriers in the Netherlands.The TOPAAS model is constructed to incorporate detailed fields of knowledge and to provide focus toward reliability quantification in the form of a probability measure of mission failure. Our development also provides context for further in‐depth research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multidisciplinary Overview of Vaginal Atrophy and Associated Genitourinary Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Goldstein Irwin , Dicks Brian , Kim Noel N. , Hartzell Rose 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Vaginal atrophy, which may affect up to 45% of postmenopausal women, is often associated with one or more urinary symptoms, including urgency, increased frequency, nocturia, dysuria, incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infection.

Aims
To provide an overview of the current literature regarding cellular and clinical aspects of vaginal atrophy and response to treatment with local vaginal estrogen therapy.

Methods
PubMed searches through February 2012 were conducted using the terms “vaginal atrophy,” “atrophic vaginitis,” and “vulvovaginal atrophy.” Expert opinion was based on review of the relevant scientific and medical literature.

Main Outcome Measure
Genitourinary symptoms and treatment of vaginal atrophy from peer-reviewed published literature.

Results
Typically, a diagnosis of vaginal atrophy is made based on patient-reported symptoms, including genitourinary symptoms, and an examination that reveals signs of the disorder; however, many women are hesitant to report vaginal-related symptoms, primarily because of embarrassment.

Conclusions
Physicians in various disciplines are encouraged to initiate open discussions about vulvovaginal health with postmenopausal women, including recommended treatment options.