bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ca and Ag doping on the functional properties of BiFeO3 nanocrystalline powders and films
Authors: Albino Gina Montes , Perales-Pérez Oscar , Renteria-Beleño Boris , Cedeño-Mattei Yarilyn 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe present work addresses the systematic evaluation of the influence of the incorporation of dopant species (Ca+2, Ag+1) on the structural and functional properties of bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanocrystalline powders and films. Pure and doped BFO powders and thin films were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. The concentration of the doping species varied from 0 up to 7 at %. The development of the host BFO structure was confirmed by XRD analyses of samples annealed at 700°C for one hour in air and nitrogen atmosphere. Thicknesses of films varied between 80 and 200 nm, depending on the concentration of Ca+2 species. Doped BFO exhibited a magnetic behavior that turned from paramagnetic into ferrimagnetic with the increase of Ca+2 concentrations.
Tailoring of Nanotextured Zinc Oxide Thin Films for Enhanced Biosensing
Authors: Jacobs Michael , Munje Rujuta , Quadri Bilal , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis study demonstrates the development of a zinc oxide (ZnO) based microelectrode sensor for the ultra-sensitive detection of protein biomarkers. Our research focuses on utilizing a materials-based approach to achieve this objective by utilizing ZnO as part of our biosensor for (1) improved surface binding to enhance sensitivity and (2) creating a nanotextured surface for enhanced output signal response. Nanotextured ZnO thin films were integrated onto printed circuit boards using RF magnetron sputter deposition. Films sputtered with and without the presence of oxygen were examined for possible differences in biosensor efficacy. These fabrication conditions not only dictate the number of oxygen vacancies within the film but also regulate the amount of zinc and oxygen terminated ends occurring on the material surface. The correlation between the surface terminations of the nanotextured ZnO to its performance as a biosensor was evaluated using two cross-linker molecules, dithiobis succinimidyl propionate and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, that maintain different binding chemistries to ZnO. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of cross-linker binding was accomplished using fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent intensity measurements. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used as the transduction mechanism for detection of the well-established cardiac biomarker, troponin-T. Utilizing EIS with a functionalized immunoassay on the ZnO surface, troponin-T was detected as low as 10 fg/mL using ZnO films sputtered without oxygen. This enhanced detection of the cardiac biomarker can be directly attributed to 1) oxygen vacancies within the metal oxide film, 2) the nanotexturing of the sensing site surface, and 3) the ability to bind a significant amount of cross-linker molecules for immobilizing capture antibodies.
Absorption Saturation and Two-Photon Absorption in Graphene
Authors: Chen Weiqiang , Wang Yu , Ji Wei 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTWe have investigated the photon-energy dependence of nonlinear optical absorption in graphene in the near infrared (NIR) and visible range (1.13 – 3.1 eV). Two nonlinear processes, namely one-photon interband absorption saturation and two-photon absorption (2PA), have been unambiguously determined in high-quality, CVD-grown, multilayer graphene films with using femtosecond Z-scan technique. The absorption saturation is found to have a square dependence on the photon energy. The 2PA spectrum is measured to be close to the theoretical prediction of ω-4 dependence at NIR wavelengths. In the visible range, however, the photon-energy dependence of 2PA is dominated by the excitonic Fano resonance.
Case-control study of the effects of pimobendan on survival time in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure
Authors: Reina-Doreste Yamir , Stern Joshua A. , Keene Bruce W. , Tou Sandra P. , Atkins Clarke E. , DeFrancesco Teresa C. , Ames Marisa K. , Hodge Timothy E. , Meurs Kathryn M. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Objective—To assess survival time and adverse events related to the administration of pimobendan to cats with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
Design—Retrospective case-control study.
Animals—27 cats receiving treatment with pimobendan and 27 cats receiving treatment without pimobendan.
Procedures—Medical records between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed. All cats with HCM or HOCM treated with a regimen that included pimobendan (case cats) were identified. Control cats (cats with CHF treated during the same period with a regimen that did not include pimobendan) were selected by matching to case cats on the basis of age, sex, body weight, type of cardiomyopathy, and manifestation of CHF. Data collected included signalment, physical examination findings, echocardiographic data, serum biochemical values, and survival time from initial diagnosis of CHF. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed and compared by means of a log rank test.
Results—Cats receiving pimobendan had a significant benefit in survival time. Median survival time of case cats receiving pimobendan was 626 days, whereas median survival time for control cats not receiving pimobendan was 103 days. No significant differences were detected for any other variable.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The addition of pimobendan to traditional treatment for CHF may provide a substantial clinical benefit in survival time for HCM-affected cats with CHF and possibly HOCM-affected cats with CHF.
Analysis of the relationship of extrahepatic portosystemic shunt morphology with clinical variables in dogs: 53 cases (2009–2012)
Authors: Kraun Michael B. , Nelson Laura L. , Hauptman Joseph G. , Nelson Nathan C. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Objective—To investigate differences in clinical variables among dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSSs) of various morphologies.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—53 dogs with EHPSSs.
Procedures—Medical records of dogs undergoing preoperative CT angiography of an EHPSS over a 3-year period were reviewed. Analysis was performed to investigate relationships of clinical variables with shunt morphology. Morphologies were analyzed individually as well as in several groups.
Results—Shunt morphologies included 10 splenocaval, 9 splenophrenic, 11 splenoazygos, 10 right gastric-caval, 12 right gastric-caval with a caudal loop, and 1 right gastric-azygos with a caudal loop. Several biochemical variables associated with EHPSS were lowest in dogs with splenocaval shunts. Preoperative clinical signs were more common in dogs that had shunts with vena caval than right azygos vein insertion (36/41 [88%] vs 7/12 [58%]) and insertion caudal to the liver than diaphragmatic insertion (29/32 [91%] vs 14/21 [67%]). Neurologic signs were more common when shunts inserted into the vena cava caudal to the liver than in other locations (21/32 [66%] vs 6/21 [29%]) and were most frequent with splenocaval shunts. Urinary tract signs were more common when shunts had right gastric vein origin than gastrosplenic vein origin (14/23 [61%] vs 10/30 [33%]).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Splenocaval shunts caused more clinical abnormalities than did other shunt morphologies. Results suggested that dogs with shunt insertion in the caudal vena cava, especially caudal to the liver, were most likely to have clinical signs.
Meta-analysis of the effects of sometribove zinc suspension on the production and health of lactating dairy cows
Authors: St-Pierre Normand R. , Milliken George A. , Bauman Dale E. , Collier Robert J. , Hogan Joseph S. , Shearer Jan K. , Smith K. Larry , Thatcher William W. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Objective—To provide an updated evaluation of the efficacy and safety of sometribove zinc suspension (rbST-Zn), a form of recombinant bovine somatotropin, in lactating dairy cows.
Design—Meta-analysis.
Sample—26 studies published in peer-reviewed journals or reviewed by a regulatory agency.
Procedures—To be included, a study had to involve the use of the rbST-Zn formulation available to US producers in accordance with the label instructions for treatment initiation (57 to 70 days postpartum), dose (500 mg, q 14 d), and route (SC).
Results—For cows treated with rbST-Zn, mean milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, fat, and protein yields were increased by 4.00, 4.04, 0.144, and 0.137 kg/d (8.8, 8.89, 0.32, and 0.30 lb/d), respectively; however, the concentration of milk components did not change. Pregnancy proportion for the first 2 breeding cycles was increased by 5.4%, and pregnancy proportion for the duration of the trial was reduced by 5.5% for rbST-Zn–treated cows, compared with proportions for untreated cows. Mean body condition score (1 to 5 scale) was reduced by 0.06 points during the period of rbST-Zn use for treated cows. Administration of rbST-Zn had no effect on milk somatic cell count, the number of days to pregnancy, or inseminations per pregnancy; rates of fetal loss, twins, cystic ovaries, clinical lameness, lameness lesions, or traumatic lesions of the integumentary system; and odds of clinical mastitis or culling.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that rbST-Zn administration to dairy cows effectively increases milk production with no adverse effects on cow health and well-being.
Regional Disparities in the Slovak Republic from the Point of View of Structural Employment
Authors: Poláková Zuzana , Sojková Zlata , Obtulovič Peter 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Recently, much attention has been paid to the topic of employment in Slovakia and regional disparities. The aim of this paper is, on the basis of available data from regional databases and through the use of appropriate methodological apparatus, to draw attention to the development of Slovak regions’ structural employment proportion on the total employment according to the sectors of agriculture, industry, construction and services in the time period from 2004 to 2012. The article examined the similarity of regions in terms of structural employment through cluster analysis at NUTS 2 level. Counties are grouped into four mutually similar clusters.
Possibile Applications of Magnetic Microwires in Aviation
Authors: Draganová Katarína , Blažek Josef , Praslička Dušan , Kmec František 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Magnetic microwires have been rediscovered due to a number of the unusual magnetic properties and their potential applications. The paper concerns glass-coated magnetic microwires composed of a ferromagnetic metallic core with a diameter of 0.6 - 30 jj.m and of a glass coat with a thickness of 2 - 20 jj.m. The fabrication process and magnetic properties of these microwires are described. Due to their unique properties microwires can be used as a sensing element of sensors. Microwire-based sensors can be used in a wide range of aviation applications as magnetic field sensors, tensile stress sensors or temperature sensors. The main advantages of microwire-based sensors are associated with their small dimensions and weight, which play a very important role in aviation.
Local Phenomena During Riveting Process
Authors: Kaniowski Jerzy , Wronicz Wojciech 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The paper presents experimental and numerical study of the local phenomena during the riveting process.
It is commonly accepted that technological factors of the riveting process has a strong influence on the fatigue life of riveted joints. The authors analysed the papers concerned the experimental researches of the riveting force influence on fatigue life. The magnitude of the life increase caused by the riveting force increase suggests the authors that this is not only the result of beneficial stress system but the change of the joint formation mechanism has taken place. This was an inspiration to undertake more detailed researches of the riveting process.
The strain progress during the riveting process has been experimentally investigated for four types of aluminium rivets used in airframes. Measurements confirm very high strains near the driven head. For some types of rivets the reversal strain signal has been recorded. Several FE model has been use to investigate the riveting process. The axisymmetric and solid models were used. The agreement of experimental and numerical results in some cases were good, in other cases the numerical models demand further development. In any calculations, the reversal strain effect has not been obtained, This suggest that it is result of the phenomenon which has not been taken into account in numerical modelling.
The working hypothesis has been assumed that during the riveting process adhesive joints (called cold welding) were formed and destroyed during the process, what was the reason of the observed reversal strain signal. The authors are going to continue this investigation.
Managing Sustainability with Eco-Business Intelligence Instruments
Authors: Valentin Grecu , Silviu Nate 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
In response to increasing concerns of society about environmental degradation and increasing demands for a transition to a more sustainable society, the business companies are increasingly active in aligning their processes and services with a sustainability agenda. Production, distribution and supply of goods and services require material and energy consumption, having an impact on natural resources both quantitatively and qualitatively, generating waste, pollution and disrupting ecosystems. Ecobusiness intelligence is the capacity of people, processes and applications/tools to organize business information, to facilitate consistent access to them and analyse them in order to improve management decisions, for better performance management of the organizations that are increasingly pressed to synchronize their processes and services with a sustainable development agenda, through the development, testing and implementation of decision support software. This paper advances the idea that BI methods and tools have an important but as yet not well studied role to play in helping organizations implement and monitor sustainable and socially responsible business practices.
University Rankings: The Many Sides of the Debate
Authors: Mmantsetsa Marope , Peter J. Wells , Silvia Florea 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Within the context of bourgeoning institutions that rank higher education institutions, this paper examines the merits and demerits of university rankings and diverse ranking methodologies. It explores and presents recent developments and diversification of international rankings and highlights their general trend towards more broadly balanced and multidimensional criteria. The paper concludes that like any other complex endeavour, rankings have their pros and cons but the latter does not justify their abandonment. What is required is public education that builds a discerning user who can optimally gain from the use of rankings while avoiding their pitfalls. The original version of this article was first published in the UNESCO volume Rankings and Accountability in Higher Education: Uses and Misuses (2013) Paris: UNESCO.
In Search of a Quality Culture: The Awkward Truths of an Indeterminate Maxim
Authors: Peter J. Wells , Diana Florea 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The paper explores the evolutions and realities of institutional “Quality Culture” (QC) and unpicks blurred definitions of QC that are to determine whether it has a valid voice in the modern quality assurance vernacular. The authors question whether QC is a practical and achievable goal, or if it is little less than a theoretical conceptual buzz-term that ignores the realities of existing impregnable structures or individual malaise barring real progress towards a process of quality enhancement. It queries whether a QC is equally achievable in the private sector and public sectors. Taking a tertiary educational institution and a cultural institution (opera company) as examples, the authors demonstrate how a culture of quality can be bread via a process that is at once both systematic and organic, individual and inclusive, guided yet self-monitored.
Dual Tasking With the Timed “Up & Go” Test Improves Detection of Risk of Falls in People With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Vance Roisin C. , Healy Dan G. , Galvin Rose , French Helen P. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundFalls are a common and disabling feature of Parkinson disease (PD). Early identification of patients at greatest risk of falling is a key goal of physical therapy assessment. The Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), a frequently used mobility assessment tool, has moderate sensitivity and specificity for identifying fall risk.ObjectiveThe study objective was to investigate whether adding a task (cognitive or manual) to the TUG (TUG-cognitive or TUG-manual, respectively) increases the utility of the test for identifying fall risk in people with PD.DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study of people with PD (N=36).MethodsParticipants were compared on the basis of self-reported fall exposure in the preceding 6 months (those who had experienced falls [“fallers”] versus those who had not [“nonfallers”]). The time taken to complete the TUG, TUG-cognitive, and TUG-manual was measured for both groups. Between-group differences were calculated with the Mann-Whitney U test. The discriminative performance of the test at various cutoff values was examined, and estimates of sensitivity and specificity were based on receiver operating characteristic curve plots.ResultsFallers took significantly longer than nonfallers (n=19) to complete the TUG under all 3 conditions. The TUG-cognitive showed optimal discriminative performance (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve=0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.64, 0.92) at a cutoff of 14.7 seconds. The TUG-cognitive was more likely to correctly classify participants with a low risk of falling (positive likelihood ratio=2.9) (&lt;14.7 seconds) and had higher estimates of sensitivity (0.76; 95% CI=0.52, 0.90) than of specificity (0.73; 95% CI=0.51, 0.88) at this threshold (negative likelihood ratio=0.32).LimitationsRetrospective classification of fallers and nonfallers was used.ConclusionsThe addition of a cognitive task to the TUG enhanced the identification of fall risk in people with PD. The TUG-cognitive should be considered a component of a multifaceted fall risk assessment in people with PD.
Do Maternal Interactive Behaviors Correlate With Developmental Outcomes and Mastery Motivation in Toddlers With and Without Motor Delay?
Authors: Wang Pei-Jung , Morgan George A. , Hwang Ai-Wen , Chen Li-Chiou , Liao Hua-Fang 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundMaternal interactive behaviors theoretically affect developmental outcomes and mastery motivation in young children. However, these associations are inconsistent in the literature.ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were: (1) to examine the differences in maternal behaviors between toddlers with motor delay (MD) and those with typical development (TD), (2) to investigate the correlation of maternal behaviors and developmental quotients (DQs) in toddlers with MD and TD, and (3) to examine the correlation of maternal behaviors and mastery motivation in toddlers with MD and TD.DesignThis was a sex- and mental age–matched case-control study.MethodsTwenty-two mother-child dyads of toddlers with MD (ages 23–47 months) and 22 dyads of sex- and mental age–matched toddlers with TD (ages 15–29 months) were recruited. Maternal scores from the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale, 2 indicators of motivation (persistence and mastery pleasure) from individualized mastery tasks and the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire, and DQs from the Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Children were assessed.ResultsMothers of children in the MD group showed significantly lower cognitive growth fostering scores than mothers of children in the TD group. Maternal total scores were significantly correlated with whole DQs in both groups. In the MD group, maternal total scores correlated significantly with DMQ mastery pleasure but not with mastery task motivation.LimitationsThe study design makes it impossible to know the causal relationships between maternal behaviors and children’s DQs and motivation.ConclusionsMothers of toddlers with MD exhibited less adequate interactive behaviors than mothers of toddlers with TD. Because higher-quality maternal behaviors correlated with higher DQs in the MD group, clinicians should encourage parents to participate in early intervention programs and model high-quality parenting behavior to enhance parents’ and children’s outcomes.
Development of approximation method to evaluate isotopic composition of burnt fuel
Authors: Aleshin S. S. , Shcherenko A. I. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
This paper deals with the development of an approximation method to evaluate the isotopic composition of burnt VVER fuel rods (with U-Gd) by engineering codes (TVS-M, PERMAK-A) and taking into account fuel rods depletion conditions. Burn-up conditions for fuel rods differ from each other during operation due to the presence of water cavities, absorber and other within FA. Therefore, the isotopes evolution during burn-up in different fuel rods goes on in different manner even with identical values of fuel burn-up (MW · day/kg U). The isotopic content evolution can be described in detail by spectral codes. However, a full-size core calculation takes much running time. The approximation method, which takes into account fuel rods spectral differences during operation, was considered. The method is based on spectral functionality (a non asymptotic factor) usage, which allows to take into account the spectral conditions and history of exposure.
Assessment of reactor scram effectiveness based on measured worth of separate CR groups
Authors: Afanasiev D. , Pinegin A. , Afanasiev V. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The paper proposes the assessment techniques for reactor scram effectiveness (including the case of getting stuck CR of the greatest effectiveness) based on the comparison of measured and calculated effectiveness of individual CR groups. The paper assesses the weight coefficients with which the differences between measured and calculated effectiveness of individual CR groups are taken into account in reactor scram efficiency assessment. Methodological uncertainties of this technique are evaluated in the paper.
Investigation of the hot-channel calculation methodology in case of shroud-less assemblies
Authors: Tóta Á. , Keresztúri A. , Panka I. , Molnár A. , Temesvári E. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The fulfillment of the safety analysis acceptance criteria and the normal operation safety related limitations are usually evaluated by using separate hot-channel or/and hot-assembly thermal hydraulic calculations, especially for the closed VVER-440 assemblies. However, the shroud-less assemblies of the expected new NPP units in Hungary or even those of some recently foreseen VVER-440 are raising several questions; like what is the role of the coolant mixing between the neighboring assemblies and can the closed assembly approximation be regarded as conservative for DBA analyses. Focusing an anticipated transient without scram (ATWS) event, the paper evaluates the thermal hydraulic calculation methodology of the shroud-less assemblies by supplementing the computational domain step by step with the closest pins and subchannels of the neighboring assemblies. We concluded that assembly-wise coolant cross-flows and significant changes in the hot-channel DNBR can appear in case of shroud-less assemblies.