bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of droplet ejection of thermal inkjet printheads
Authors: Tan Hua , Torniainen Erik , Markel David P. , Browning Robert N K 
Published: January 2015

SummaryIn this study, we present a method to predict the droplet ejection in thermal inkjet printheads including the growth and collapse of a vapor bubble and refill of the firing chamber. The three‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a finite‐volume approach with a fixed Cartesian mesh. The piecewise‐linear interface calculation‐based volume‐of‐fluid method is employed to track and reconstruct the ink–air interface. A geometrical computation based on Lagrangian advection is used to compute the mass flux and advance the interface. A simple and efficient model for the bubble dynamics is employed to model the effect of ink vapor on the adjacent ink liquid. To solve the surface tension‐dominated flow accurately, a hierarchical curvature‐estimation method is proposed to adapt to the local grid resolution. The numerical methods mentioned earlier have been implemented in an internal simulation code, CFD3. The numerical examples presented in the study show good performance of CFD3 in prediction of surface tension‐dominated free‐surface flows, for example, droplet ejection in thermal inkjet printing. Currently, CFD3 is used extensively for printhead development within Hewlett‐Packard. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An unsteady preconditioning scheme based on convective‐upwind split‐pressure artificial dissipation
Authors: Folkner David , Katz Aaron , Sankaran Venke 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObtaining accurate computational results for low‐Mach‐number unsteady flows presents significant challenges for numerical schemes. In this work, we present a novel preconditioning scheme designed to provide good conditioning for these flows at all Strouhal numbers. The approach is based on the convective‐upwind split‐pressure scheme, which naturally facilitates the proper scaling of velocity and pressure dissipation terms for low‐Mach‐number unsteady flows. Unlike traditional matrix dissipation schemes, the preconditioned convective‐upwind split‐pressure scheme formulation provides scalar‐like efficiency and simplicity. Several test cases are presented for steady, unsteady, convection‐dominated, and acoustic‐dominated flows that demonstrate significant improvements in accuracy and convergence rate over traditional preconditioning schemes for a wide range of flow conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wavelength optimized cross‐polarized wide‐field imaging for noninvasive and rapid evaluation of dermal structures
Authors: Feng Xin , Patel Rakesh , Yaroslavsky Anna N. 
Published: January 2015

Changes in the morphology of dermal collagen may indicate aging or pathological processes. At present, there is no technology for in vivo real‐time assessment of collagen structures. Our goal was to introduce and validate polarization optical imaging for noninvasive quantitative evaluation of dermal collagen. Seventeen volunteers participated in the study. Cross‐polarized 440 nm images were acquired noninvasively from facial skin of the study subjects. Collagen content and intensity histogram were computed from the optical images. Quantitative results showed a decrease in the collagen content with increasing age of the subjects. Analysis of the collagen image histogram parameters demonstrated decreasing mean pixel value and increasing full width at half maximum (FWHM) with increasing age. Polarization optical imaging has the potential for rapid noninvasive in vivo evaluation of human dermis.
Cross‐polarized imaging at different wavelengths emphasizes different features of human skin. (A) Skin photograph. (B) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 440 nm. (C) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 570 nm. (D) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 690 nm.magnified imageCross‐polarized imaging at different wavelengths emphasizes different features of human skin. (A) Skin photograph. (B) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 440 nm. (C) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 570 nm. (D) In vivo cross‐polarized image at 690 nm.
A new approach for optical assessment of directional anisotropy in turbid media
Authors: Ghassemi Pejhman , Moffatt Lauren T. , Shupp Jeffrey W. , Ramella‐Roman Jessica C. 
Published: January 2015

A study of polarized light transport in scattering media exhibiting directional anisotropy or linear birefringence is presented in this paper. Novel theoretical and experimental methodologies for the quantification of birefringent alignment based on out‐of‐plane polarized light transport are presented here. A polarized Monte Carlo model and a polarimetric imaging system were devised to predict and measure the impact of birefringence on an impinging linearly polarized light beam. Ex‐vivo experiments conducted on bovine tendon, a biological sample consisting of highly packed type I collagen fibers with birefringent property, showed good agreement with the analytical results.
Top view geometry of the in‐plane (a) and the out‐of‐plane (b) detection. Letter C indicates the location of the detection arm.magnified imageTop view geometry of the in‐plane (a) and the out‐of‐plane (b) detection. Letter C indicates the location of the detection arm.
GJIC Enhances the phototoxicity of photofrin‐mediated photodynamic treatment by the mechanisms related with ROS and Calcium pathways
Authors: Wu Dengpan , Fan Lixia , Xu Chengfang , Liu Zhen , Zhang Yuan , Liu Lucy , Wang Qin , Tao Liang 
Published: January 2015

Despite initially positive responses, recurrences after Photodynamic treatment (PDT) can occur and there is need for improvement in the effectiveness of PDT. Our study uniquely showed that there was a significantly gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC)‐dependent PDT cytotoxicity. The presence of GJIC composed of Connexin 32 increased the PDT phototoxicity in transfected HeLa cells and in the xenograft tumors, and the enhanced phototoxicity of Photofrin‐mediated PDT by GJIC was related with ROS and calcium pathways. Our study indicates the possibility that up‐regulation or maintenance of gap junction functionality may be used to increase the efficacy of PDT.
The phototoxicity effect of Photofrin was substantially greater in Dox‐treated cells, which expressed the Cx32 and formed the GJ, than Dox‐untreated.magnified imageThe phototoxicity effect of Photofrin was substantially greater in Dox‐treated cells, which expressed the Cx32 and formed the GJ, than Dox‐untreated.
Rapid adsorption for oil using superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polyurethane sponge
Authors: Li Beibei , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Xinying , Zou Junchen , Chai Wenbo , Lou Yanyan 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDCleanup of oil spills is a worldwide task needed to avoid serious environmental pollution. Recently, polyurethane (PU) sponge has been used as an oil absorbent, however, its efficacy is limited by its hydrophilic property.RESULTSThis work describes the modification of PU sponge with ZnO microrods and palmitic acid (PA). A coating of ZnO microrods made the surface of PU sponge rough, which improved the hydrophobicity and oil‐adsorption capacity of the sponge. Further immersion in PA solution reduced the surface energy, which enabled the rough surface to be superhydrophobic (water contact angle (CA) > 150°). The contact angles of water and oil on the prepared ZnO and PA modified (ZnO‐PA sponge) sponge were 168.9° and 0°, respectively. Adsorption capacities of ZnO‐PA sponge varied between 33 and 44 g g−1 for different oil samples, which were higher than those of the non‐modified PU sponge (21–23 g g−1). Adsorption equilibrium for the adsorption process of ZnO‐PA sponge was achieved within tens of seconds. Additionally, the ZnO‐PA sponge showed excellent selectivity for oil over water, and high reusability.CONCLUSIONThese findings indicated that the superhydrophobic PU sponge was a promising oil adsorbent for large‐scale oil‐spill collection. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing African Microfinance: An Exploratory Case Study of Ghana's Central Region
Authors: Reiter Bernd , Peprah James Atta 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis article presents the findings from a 5‐week exploratory research project on microfinance in Ghana. The aim of this project was to develop initial hypotheses that can be tested in a follow‐up systematic research project. Our preliminary findings are that informality is a major roadblock to successful lending that lenders redirect loans to other, nonexplicit needs and wants thus indicating a different set of priorities than the lenders and that the most successful component of microfinance is not lending but saving. We also found that gender and religion constitute important factors interfering with and potentially distorting successful microfinance practices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the Curing Process of DGEBA Epoxy Resin Through Structural Investigation
Authors: Alessi Sabina , Caponetti Eugenio , Güven Olgun , Akbulut Meshude , Spadaro Giuseppe , Spinella Alberto 
Published: January 2015

In this work, a multi‐scale approach with different analytical methods is applied to study the curing process and the structural properties of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin. This monomer, thermally cured using 4,4′‐diaminodiphenilsulfone (DDS) as hardener, is analyzed after 10, 45, 90, and 120 min of reaction time at 180 °C to obtain information on samples with different cross‐linking densities. Samples are also characterized after extraction in acetone in order to obtain structural information on the insoluble parts. For this purpose, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (ss‐NMR), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) are employed. The importance of this multi‐method approach lies in the possibility to obtain a more complete knowledge of the investigated system, overcoming the limits inherent to the use of a single technique, through the correlation among results obtained from different structural investigation methodologies.
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Glucose Oxidase and Glucose for Redox‐Initiating the Free Radical Copolymerization of N‐(ferrocenoylmethyl)acrylamide in Aqueous Cyclodextrin Solution
Authors: Szillat Florian , Shamout Fadi , Ritter Helmut 
Published: January 2015

The glucose oxidase and glucose mediated formation of amphipilic copolymers of N‐(ferrocenoylmethyl)acrylamide (NFMA) and N,N‐diethylacrylamide (DEA) in aqueous cyclodextrin solution is presented. Thereby, NFMA is not only a comonomer but also part of the redox initiation system. The obtained copolymers contain NFMA units between 1 and 10 mol%. The molecular masses of the copolymers are dependent on the ferrocene content, whereupon molecular weights between 38 000 and 71 000 g mol−1 are achieved.
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Consequences of weak Allee effect on prey in the May–Holling–Tanner predator–prey model
Authors: González‐Olivares Edward , Gallego‐Berrío Lina M. , González‐Yañez Betsabé , Rojas‐Palma Alejandro 
Published: January 2015

In this work, a modified Holling–Tanner predator–prey model is analyzed, considering important aspects describing the interaction such as the following: the predator growth function is of a logistic type, and a weak Allee effect acting in the prey growth function and the functional response is of hyperbolic type.By making a change of variables and a time rescaling, we obtain a polynomial differential equations system topologically equivalent to the original one, in which the nonhyperbolic equilibrium point (0,0) is an attractor for all parameter values.An important consequence of this property is the existence of a separatrix curve dividing the behavior of trajectories in the phase plane, and the system exhibits the bistability phenomenon, because the trajectories can have different ω‐limit sets, as an example, the origin (0,0) or a stable limit cycle surrounding an unstable positive equilibrium point.We show that, under certain parameter conditions, a positive equilibrium may undergo saddle‐node, Hopf, and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations; the existence of a homoclinic curve on the phase plane is also proved, which breaks in an unstable limit cycle.Some simulations to reinforce our results are also shown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Esophageal versus surface recording of diaphragm compound muscle action potential
Authors: Ackermann Karin A. , Brander Lukas , Tuchscherer Daniel , Schröder Ralph , Jakob Stephan M. , Takala Jukka , Z'graggen Werner J. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Repeated diaphragm compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recordings may help to understand the pathophysiology of respiratory muscle weakness. Neurally adjusted ventilator assist (NAVA) uses esophageal EMG electrodes to drive the ventilator. We evaluated the feasibility of CMAP recordings using these electrodes and established normal values.Methods: Bilateral cervical phrenic nerve electrical stimulation was performed in 15 healthy volunteers. CMAP recordings with esophageal NAVA electrodes were compared with surface electrode recordings during inspiratory and expiratory pause.Results: Compared with surface recordings, esophageal CMAP amplitudes were higher with increased latencies. Differences between the 2 techniques were most prominent in inspiration. For both recording techniques, amplitudes were higher, and latencies were longer during inspiration. Latencies were also longer when measured on the left side.Conclusions: Diaphragm CMAPs can be measured using the commercially available esophageal NAVA probe. This may facilitate repeated diaphragm CMAP studies in mechanically ventilated patients.Muscle Nerve51: 598–600, 2015
Influence of spinal cord lesion level and severity on H‐reflex excitability and recovery curve
Authors: Kumru Hatice , Albu Sergiu , Valls‐Sole Josep , Murillo Narda , Tormos Josep Maria , Vidal Joan 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIntroductionChanges in spinal reflexes can result from alterations in the spinal cord and descending pathways. We studied whether H‐reflex excitability and its recovery depend on the level and/or severity of spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsThe soleus Hmax and Mmax responses and the H‐reflex recovery curve (HRC) at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 50 to 1,000 ms were recorded in 38 SCI individuals and 18 healthy subjects.ResultsAmplitude of Mmax correlated with level and severity of lesion (smaller amplitude correlated with more severe SCI or with more caudal lesion). Hmax/Mmax correlated only with age in the SCI group. HRC was increased significantly in complete SCI at ISIs < 500 ms and in incomplete SCI at ISIs > 200 ms with respect to healthy subjects.ConclusionsThe changes in spinal reflexes as measured by the H‐reflex and its recovery curve after SCI depend on the severity, but not on the level of the lesion. Muscle Nerve 52: 616–622, 2015
Left ventricular obstruction with restrictive inter‐atrial communication leads to retardation in fetal lung maturation
Authors: Goltz Diane , Lunkenheimer Jean‐Marc , Abedini Mojtaba , Herberg Ulrike , Berg Christoph , Gembruch Ulrich , Fischer Hans‐Peter 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveIntact atrial septum or highly restrictive inter‐atrial communication (I/HRAS) combined with either severe aortic stenosis (SAS) or hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), respectively, is associated with adverse outcome. This study focusses on changes in alveolo‐septal lung parenchyma due to increased left atrial pressure.MethodIn a retrospective cross‐sectional autoptic study, we investigated fetal/neonatal lung specimens of 18 patients with SAS/HLHS with I/HRAS, 11 patients with SAS/HLHS and unrestrictive inter‐atrial communications and 18 controls. Pulmonary maturation was investigated by means of morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsIn a comparison of all three groups, alveolo‐capillary membrane maturation was significantly disturbed in I/HRAS fetuses from week 23 of pregnancy on. I/HRAS lungs showed angiomatoid hyper‐capillarisation and significantly wider inter‐airspace mesenchyme. Differences in width ranged between 34.58 µm (95% CI: 11.41–57.75 µm) and 46.74 µm (95% CI: 13.97–79.50 µm) in the second and third trimesters. In I/HRAS infants with HLHS, inter‐airspace mesenchymal diameters steadily normalised with age; however, significant fibroelastosis of alveolar septae developed.ConclusionFetal lung maturation with respect to alveolo‐capillary membrane formation is severely disordered in patients with SAS/HLHS with I/HRAS. Our findings indicate that, from a morphological point of view, timing of fetal invention in fetuses with I/HRAS should be fixed within the second trimester of pregnancy. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐invasive prenatal testing for trisomies 21, 18 and 13: clinical experience from 146 958 pregnancies
Authors: Zhang H. , Gao Y. , Jiang F. , Fu M. , Yuan Y. , Guo Y. , Zhu Z. , Lin M. , Liu Q. , Tian Z. , Zhang H. , Chen F. , Lau T. K. , Zhao L. , Yi X. , Yin Y. , Wang W. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo report the clinical performance of massively parallel sequencing‐based non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in detecting trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in over 140 000 clinical samples and to compare its performance in low‐risk and high‐risk pregnancies.MethodsBetween 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2013, 147 314 NIPT requests to screen for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 using low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing of plasma cell‐free DNA were received. The results were validated by karyotyping or follow‐up of clinical outcomes.ResultsNIPT was performed and results obtained in 146 958 samples, for which outcome data were available in 112 669 (76.7%). Repeat blood sampling was required in 3213 cases and 145 had test failure. Aneuploidy was confirmed in 720/781 cases positive for trisomy 21, 167/218 cases positive for trisomy 18 and 22/67 cases positive for trisomy 13 on NIPT. Nine false negatives were identified, including six cases of trisomy 21 and three of trisomy 18. The overall sensitivity of NIPT was 99.17%, 98.24% and 100% for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively, and specificity was 99.95%, 99.95% and 99.96% for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively. There was no significant difference in test performance between the 72 382 high‐risk and 40 287 low‐risk subjects (sensitivity, 99.21% vs 98.97% (P = 0.82); specificity, 99.95% vs 99.95% (P = 0.98)). The major factors contributing to false‐positive and false‐negative NIPT results were maternal copy number variant and fetal/placental mosaicism, but fetal fraction had no effect.ConclusionsUsing a stringent protocol, the good performance of NIPT shown by early validation studies can be maintained in large clinical samples. This technique can provide equally high sensitivity and specificity in screening for trisomy 21 in a low‐risk, as compared to high‐risk, population. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Where are the strongest associations between autistic traits and traits of ADHD? evidence from a community-based twin study
Authors: Taylor Mark J. , Charman Tony , Ronald Angelica 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) regularly co-occur. Twin studies increasingly indicate that these conditions may have overlapping genetic causes. Less is known about the degree to which specific autistic traits relate to specific behaviours characteristic of ADHD. We hence tested, using the classical twin design, whether specific dimensional autistic traits, including social difficulties, communication atypicalities and repetitive behaviours, would display differential degrees of aetiological overlap with specific traits of ADHD, including hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. Parents of approximately 4,000 pairs of 12-year-old twins completed the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale. These measures were divided into subscales corresponding to different types of autistic and ADHD behaviours. Twin model fitting suggested that the degree of genetic overlap was particularly strong between communication difficulties and traits of ADHD (genetic correlations = .47−.51), while repetitive behaviours and social difficulties showed moderate (genetic correlations = .12−.33) and modest (.05−.11) genetic overlap respectively. Environmental overlap was low across all subscales (correlations = .01−.23). These patterns were also apparent at the extremes of the general population, with communication difficulties showing the highest genetic overlap with traits of ADHD. These findings indicate that molecular genetic studies seeking to uncover the shared genetic basis of ASC and ADHD would benefit from taking a symptom-specific approach. Furthermore, they could also help to explain why studies of the communication abilities of individuals with ASC and ADHD have produced overlapping findings.
Comparing the conservatism of ecological interactions in plant–pollinator and plant–herbivore networks
Authors: Fontaine Colin , Thébault Elisa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractConservatism in species interaction, meaning that related species tend to interact with similar partners, is an important feature of ecological interactions. Studies at community scale highlight variations in conservatism strength depending on the characteristics of the ecological interaction studied. However, the heterogeneity of datasets and methods used prevent to compare results between mutualistic and antagonistic networks. Here we perform such a comparison by taking plant–insect communities as a study case, with data on plant–herbivore and plant–pollinator networks. Our analysis reveals that plants acting as resources for herbivores exhibit the strongest conservatism in species interaction among the four interacting groups. Conservatism levels are similar for insect pollinators, insect herbivores and plants as interacting partners of pollinators, although insect pollinators tend to have a slightly higher conservatism than the two others. Our results thus clearly support the current view that within antagonistic networks, conservatism is stronger for species as resources than for species as consumer. Although the pattern tends to be opposite for plant–pollinator networks, our results suggest that asymmetry in conservatism is much less pronounced between the pollinators and the plant they interact with. We discuss these differences in conservatism strength in relation with the processes structuring plant–insect communities.