bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimentelle Bestimmung der thermischen Leitfähigkeit von Böden
Authors: Schwiteilo Erik , Männer Jörg , Herle Ivo 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDie thermische Leitfähigkeit ist eine Bodeneigenschaft, die zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnt. Immer öfter werden präzise Kenntnisse der Wärmeausbreitung im Boden nötig, um die aktuellen Anwendungen, z.B. bei geothermischen Anlagen oder bei Bodenvereisungen, zu optimieren und neue Möglichkeiten zu schaffen. Eine wichtige Eigenschaft bei der Wärmeausbreitung ist die thermische Leitfähigkeit. Zur Bestimmung dieser sind einige Verfahren bekannt, welche sich nicht alle für Untersuchungen an Bodenproben eignen.Es wird ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der thermischen Leitfähigkeit beschrieben, mit welchem es möglich ist, die thermische Leitfähigkeit von Böden zu analysieren. Im weiteren Verlauf wird ein Versuchsaufbau erläutert, mit dessen Hilfe verschiedene Einflussfaktoren untersucht werden können. Es wird unter anderen auf den Einfluss des Bodenmaterials, der Bodendichte sowie des Sättigungsgrads eingegangen.Experimental determination of the thermal conductivity of soils. Thermal conductivity is one of the soil parameters which becomes more and more important. Precise knowledge of the heat propagation in soil is necessary to optimise and develop applications like geothermal energy or soil freezing. Thermal conductivity is an important characteristic of heat propagation. Several methods are being used for the determination of thermal conductivity, but not all of them are suitable for soil testing.One appropriate method to determine the thermal conductivity of soils is described. An experimental set‐up to analyze different factors influencing the thermal conductivity is introduced. Among others the influence of soil type, dry density and degree of saturation is analyzed.
Efficiency of weak brain connections support general cognitive functioning
Authors: Santarnecchi Emiliano , Galli Giulia , Polizzotto Nicola Riccardo , Rossi Alessandro , Rossi Simone 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBrain network topology provides valuable information on healthy and pathological brain functioning. Novel approaches for brain network analysis have shown an association between topological properties and cognitive functioning. Under the assumption that “stronger is better”, the exploration of brain properties has generally focused on the connectivity patterns of the most strongly correlated regions, whereas the role of weaker brain connections has remained obscure for years. Here, we assessed whether the different strength of connections between brain regions may explain individual differences in intelligence. We analyzed‐functional connectivity at rest in ninety‐eight healthy individuals of different age, and correlated several connectivity measures with full scale, verbal, and performance Intelligent Quotients (IQs). Our results showed that the variance in IQ levels was mostly explained by the distributed communication efficiency of brain networks built using moderately weak, long‐distance connections, with only a smaller contribution of stronger connections. The variability in individual IQs was associated with the global efficiency of a pool of regions in the prefrontal lobes, hippocampus, temporal pole, and postcentral gyrus. These findings challenge the traditional view of a prominent role of strong functional brain connections in brain topology, and highlight the importance of both strong and weak connections in determining the functional architecture responsible for human intelligence variability. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4566–4582, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Review of Rodent Models of Type 2 Diabetic Skeletal Fragility
Authors: Fajardo Roberto J , Karim Lamya , Calley Virginia I , Bouxsein Mary L 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Evidence indicating that adult type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased fracture risk continues to mount. Unlike osteoporosis, diabetic fractures are associated with obesity and normal to high bone mineral density, two factors that are typically associated with reduced fracture risk. Animal models will likely play a critical role in efforts to identify the underlying mechanisms of skeletal fragility in T2D and to develop preventative treatments. In this review we critically examine the ability of current rodent models of T2D to mimic the skeletal characteristics of human T2D. We report that although there are numerous rodent models of T2D, few have undergone thorough assessments of bone metabolism and strength. Further, we find that many of the available rodent models of T2D have limitations for studies of skeletal fragility in T2D because the onset of diabetes is often prior to skeletal maturation and bone mass is low, in contrast to what is seen in adult humans. There is an urgent need to characterize the skeletal phenotype of existing models of T2D, and to develop new models that more closely mimic the skeletal effects seen in adult-onset T2D in humans. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Inhibition of Cathepsin K Increases Modeling-Based Bone Formation, and Improves Cortical Dimension and Strength in Adult Ovariectomized Monkeys
Authors: Pennypacker Brenda L , Chen Charles M , Zheng Helen , Shih Mei-Shu , Belfast Mary , Samadfam Rana , Duong Le T 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Treatment with the cathepsin K (CatK) inhibitor odanacatib (ODN) protects against bone loss and maintains normal biomechanical properties in the spine and hip of ovariectomized (OVX) preclinical models. Here, we characterized the effects of ODN on the dynamics of cortical modeling and remodeling, and dimension and strength of the central femur in adult OVX-rhesus monkeys. Animals were treated with vehicle or ODN (6 or 30 mg/kg, once per day [q.d., p.o.]) in prevention mode for 21 months. Calcein and tetracycline double-labeling were given at 12 and 21 months, and the femoral cross-sections were subjected to dynamic histomorphometric and cement line analyses. ODN treatment significantly increased periosteal and endocortical bone formation (BFR/BS), accompanied with an increase in endocortical mineralizing surface (102%, p &lt; 0.01) with the 6 mg/kg dose. ODN at both doses reduced remodeling hemiosteon numbers by 51% and 66% (p &lt; 0.05), respectively, and ODN 30 mg/kg numerically reduced activation frequency without affecting wall thickness. On the same endocortical surface, ODN increased all modeling-based parameters, while reducing intracortical remodeling, consistent with the observed no treatment effects on cortical porosity. ODN 30 mg/kg markedly increased cortical thickness (CtTh, p &lt; 0.001) and reduced marrow area (p &lt; 0.01). Lastly, ODN treatment increased femoral structural strength (p &lt; 0.001). Peak load was positively correlated with the increases in bone mineral content (BMC) (r2 = 0.9057, p &lt; 0.0001) and CtTh (r2 = 0.6866, p &lt; 0.0001). Taken together, by reducing cortical remodeling-based and stimulating modeling-based bone formation, ODN significantly improved cortical dimension and strength in OVX monkeys. This novel mechanism of CatK inhibition in stimulating cortical formation suggests that ODN represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteoporosis. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Exercise During Growth and Young Adulthood Is Independently Associated With Cortical Bone Size and Strength in Old Swedish Men
Authors: Nilsson Martin , Sundh Daniel , Ohlsson Claes , Karlsson Magnus , Mellström Dan , Lorentzon Mattias 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have reported an association between exercise during youth and increased areal bone mineral density at old age. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if exercise during growth was independently associated with greater cortical bone size and whole bone strength in weight-bearing bone in old men. The tibia and radius were measured using both peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) (XCT-2000; Stratec) at the diaphysis and high-resolution pQCT (HR-pQCT) (XtremeCT; Scanco) at the metaphysis to obtain cortical bone geometry and finite element–derived bone strength in distal tibia and radius, in 597 men, 79.9 ± 3.4 (mean ± SD) years old. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about previous and current physical activity. In order to determine whether level of exercise during growth and young adulthood or level of current physical activity were independently associated with bone parameters in both tibia and radius, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analyses were used. Adjusting for covariates and current physical activity, we found that men in the group with the highest level of exercise early in life (regular exercise at a competitive level) had higher tibial cortical cross-sectional area (CSA; 6.3%, p &lt; 0.001) and periosteal circumference (PC; 1.6%, p = 0.011) at the diaphysis, and higher estimated bone strength (failure load: 7.5%, p &lt; 0.001; and stiffness: 7.8%, p &lt; 0.001) at the metaphysis than men in the subgroup with the lowest level of exercise during growth and young adulthood. Subjects in the group with the highest level of current physical activity had smaller tibial endosteal circumference (EC; 3.6%, p = 0.012) at the diaphysis than subjects with a lower current physical activity, when adjusting for covariates and level of exercise during growth and young adulthood. These findings indicate that exercise during growth can increase the cortical bone size via periosteal expansion, whereas exercise at old age may decrease endosteal bone loss in weight-bearing bone in old men. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Novel Osteogenic Oxysterol Compound for Therapeutic Development to Promote Bone Growth: Activation of Hedgehog Signaling and Osteogenesis Through Smoothened Binding
Authors: Montgomery Scott R , Nargizyan Taya , Meliton Vicente , Nachtergaele Sigrid , Rohatgi Rajat , Stappenbeck Frank , Jung Michael E , Johnson Jared S , Aghdasi Bayan , Tian Haijun , Weintraub Gil , Inoue Hirokazu , Atti Elisa , Tetradis Sotirios , Pereira Renata C , Hokugo Akishige , Alobaidaan Raed , Tan Yanlin , Hahn Theodor J , Wang Jeffrey C , Parhami Farhad 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Osteogenic factors are often used in orthopedics to promote bone growth, improve fracture healing, and induce spine fusion. Osteogenic oxysterols are naturally occurring molecules that were shown to induce osteogenic differentiation in vitro and promote spine fusion in vivo. The purpose of this study was to identify an osteogenic oxysterol more suitable for clinical development than those previously reported, and evaluate its ability to promote osteogenesis in vitro and spine fusion in rats in vivo. Among more than 100 oxysterol analogues synthesized, Oxy133 induced significant expression of osteogenic markers Runx2, osterix (OSX), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin (OCN) in C3H10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblasts and in M2-10B4 mouse marrow stromal cells. Oxy133-induced activation of an 8X-Gli luciferase reporter, its direct binding to Smoothened, and the inhibition of Oxy133-induced osteogenic effects by the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine, demonstrated the role of Hh pathway in mediating osteogenic responses to Oxy133. Oxy133 did not stimulate osteogenesis via BMP or Wnt signaling. Oxy133 induced the expression of OSX, BSP, and OCN, and stimulated robust mineralization in primary human mesenchymal stem cells. In vivo, bilateral spine fusion occurred through endochondral ossification and was observed in animals treated with Oxy133 at the fusion site on X-ray after 4 weeks and confirmed with manual assessment, micro-CT (µCT), and histology after 8 weeks, with equal efficiency to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Unlike rhBMP-2, Oxy133 did not induce adipogenesis in the fusion mass and resulted in denser bone evidenced by greater bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) ratio and smaller trabecular separation. Findings here suggest that Oxy133 has significant potential as an osteogenic molecule with greater ease of synthesis and improved time to fusion compared to previously studied oxysterols. Small molecule osteogenic oxysterols may serve as the next generation of bone anabolic agents for therapeutic development. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Electrokinetic remediation of soil containing Cr(VI) by photovoltaic solar panels and a DC‐DC converter
Authors: Zhang Shunxi , Zhang Jian , Cheng Xianzhong , Mei Yunjun , Hu Chun , Wang Mei , Li JianFen 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn China, soil pollution is becoming more and more serious with the national economy rapidly developing. How to remedy soil containing heavy metals in an effective and low cost way is increasingly becoming an urgent problem. Utilization of renewable photovoltaic energy in the environmental protection field brings forward a solution.RESULTSCr(VI) removal from soil using an electrokinetic remediation process powered by photovoltaic solar modules and a DC–DC converter was studied. The results show that under solar irradiation intensity of 650 ± 20 W m−2 and 9 V output voltage of the converter, Cr(VI) removal efficiency of an iron electrode can increase to 99.8% in 30 min. For output voltage in the range 3–11.5 V, voltage has a significant effect on Cr(VI) removal efficiency. When initial Cr(VI) concentration is increased from 200 mg kg−1 to 450 mg kg−1, Cr(VI) removal efficiency and removal rate decrease. Total Cr concentrations and XRD analysis show that chromium in soil is accumulated near the anodic zone after electrokinetic remediation. For the highest voltage of 11.5 V, although sunlight utilization efficiency is the highest, electric energy consumption is the largest, and EPV and EPM are 249.4 kWh kg−1 and 156.1 kWh m−3, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe process used for removal of Cr(VI) from soil is feasible. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Degradation of carbamazepine and toxicity evaluation using the UV/persulfate process in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Qin , Chen Jiabin , Dai Chaomeng , Zhang Yalei , Zhou Xuefei 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDUsing persulfate in an advanced oxidation process to degrade organic pollutants has gained more attention in recent years. In this study, an ultraviolet activated persulfate oxidation process used to degrade carbamazepine (CBZ) in aqueous solution was investigated. The effect of persulfate dosage, pH, inorganic anions and humic acid on the degradation of CBZ was determined. In addition, the transformation intermediates produced during the process were identified using gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Photobacteria were used to evaluate the toxicity of the transformation products.RESULTSThe results showed that the degradation efficiency increased with increasing persulfate dosage but decreased with the addition of Cl− and NO3−. Acidic conditions were more suitable for the treatment. Sulfate radical was identified to be the predominant radical in the oxidation process when the solution pH was not adjusted. Several compounds including 10, 11‐epoxycarbamazepine, acridine‐9‐carbaldehyde, acridine and other low molecular compounds were identified. A possible degradation pathway was also proposed. Acute toxicity tests indicated that the inhibition ratio decreased from 100% to 65% in 60 min, illustrating that the toxicity significantly decreased with the degradation of CBZ.CONCLUSIONConsidering all of the factors, UV/persulfate may be a promising option for CBZ treatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Boron removal from aqueous solutions using alginate gel beads in fixed‐bed systems
Authors: Demey‐Cedeño Hary , Ruiz Montserrat , Barron‐Zambrano Jesús Alberto , Sastre Ana Maria 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDA column sorption study was carried out using calcium alginate gel beads as adsorbent for the removal of boron from aqueous solutions. The breakthrough curve was obtained as a function of pH, initial concentration of boron, feed flow rate, adsorbent mass and column diameter. The breakthrough capacity values and adsorption percentage of calcium alginate gel for boron were calculated. Column data obtained at different conditions were described using the Adams–Bohart model and bed‐depth service time (BDST), derived from the Adams–Bohart equation to predict breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic column parameters required for process design.RESULTSThe maximum adsorption percentage of boron on calcium alginate gel beads using an initial concentration of boron of 50 mg L−1 at pH 11 and room temperature (20±1°C) was calculated to be 55.14%.CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that calcium alginate can be used in a continuous packed‐bed column for boron adsorption. The optimal conditions for boron adsorption were obtained at high pH, higher initial boron concentration, increased column depth and lower flow velocity. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Cranial sonography in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Pekcevik Yeliz , Ozer Esra Arun , Guleryuz Handan 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTSurvival rates of extremely preterm infants have risen dramatically, paralleling improvements in prenatal and neonatal care. Cranial sonography is the primary imaging technique for the evaluation of brain injury in these patients. Extremely preterm infants have some unique features related to ongoing maturation, and associated findings on cranial sonography should be considered for accurate and early diagnosis. The aim of this pictorial essay is to illustrate normal anatomy, normal variants, and pitfalls that lead to misinterpretation of cranial sonography in extremely preterm infants. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:283–290, 2014
Investigation of glutamine and GABA levels in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy using MEGAPRESS
Authors: Chowdhury Fahmida A. , O'Gorman Ruth L. , Nashef Lina , Elwes Robert D. , Edden Richard A. , Murdoch James B. , Barker Gareth J. , Richardson Mark P. 
Published: March 2014

PurposeIdiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) comprise a group of clinical syndromes associated with spike wave discharges, putatively linked to alterations in neurotransmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with IGE have altered glutamine and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels indicative of altered excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in frontal regions.Materials and MethodsSingle‐voxel MEGA‐edited PRESS magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectra were acquired from a 30‐mL voxel in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in 13 patients with IGE (8 female) and 16 controls (9 female) at 3T. Metabolite concentrations were derived using LCModel. Differences between groups were investigated using an unpaired t‐test.ResultsPatients with IGE were found to have significantly higher glutamine than controls (P = 0.02). GABA levels were also elevated in patients with IGE (P = 0.03).ConclusionPatients with IGE have increased frontal glutamine and GABA compared with controls. Since glutamine has been suggested to act as a surrogate for metabolically active glutamate, it may represent a marker for excitatory neurotransmission. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:694–699. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rim sign in breast lesions on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging: Diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness
Authors: Kang Bong Joo , Lipson Jafi Alyssa , Planey Katie RoseMary , Zackrisson Sophia , Ikeda Debra M. , Kao Jennifer , Pal Sunita , Moran Catherine J. , Daniel Bruce Lewis 
Published: March 2014

PurposeTo investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness of the rim sign in breast lesions observed in diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI).Materials and MethodsThe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 98 pathologically confirmed lesions (62 malignant and 36 benign) in 84 patients were included. Five breast radiologists were asked to independently review the breast MRI results, to grade the degree of high peripheral signal, the “rim sign,” in the DWI, and to confirm the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) values. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy and compared the consensus (when ≥4 of 5 independent reviewers agreed) results of the rim sign with the ADCmean values. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between the dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI morphologic appearance and DWI rim sign.ResultsAccording to the consensus results, the rim sign in DWI was observed on 59.7% of malignant lesions and 19.4% of benign lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) value for the rim sign in DWI were 59.7%, 80.6%, and 0.701, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC value for the ADCmean value (criteria ≤1.46 × 10−3 mm2/sec) were 82.3%, 63.9%, and 0.731, respectively. Based on consensus, no correlation was observed between the DCE‐MRI and DWI rim signs.ConclusionIn DWI, a high‐signal rim is a valuable morphological feature for improving specificity in DWI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:616–623. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface air temperature patterns on a decadal scale in China using self‐organizing map and their relationship to Indo‐Pacific warm pool
Authors: Shan Haixia , Guan Yuping , Huang Jianping 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTIn this study, nine decadal‐scale surface air temperature (SAT) patterns in China during 1902–2007 were obtained from Climatic Research Unit data using the self‐organizing map based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition. To further investigate the relationship between decadal SAT patterns in China and the Indo‐Pacific warm pool (IPWP), we aggregated the selected nine neurons into three significant types based on the similarities of the reference vectors using a hierarchical agglomerative clustering approach. Among the three patterns, Pattern 1 is a cold pattern and Pattern 3 is a warm pattern. Pattern 2 is a medium mode, in which the west of China is cold, but eastern China is warm. The relationship between the IPWP and SAT in China at the decadal scale can be summarized as follows. When the IPWP is warmer, easterly wind anomalies are stronger over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, the IPWP shrinks westwards predominantly and the heat centre is to the west. Furthermore, easterly wind anomalies strengthen the trade winds, so that poleward energy transport by the ocean increases, while poleward energy transport by the atmosphere decreases in the tropics. Meanwhile, the Aleutian Low and East Asian trough strengthen, and the meridional circulation is dominated, which is of benefit to cold air from the high latitude that move to the southeast, making the temperature in China colder. In contrast, the warm pool is colder, and the westerly wind anomalies are prevailing, making the IPWP extending eastward. Zonal circulation is dominant in the mid‐latitudes, which weakens the cold airflow into China and leads to warmer temperatures there.