bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Simple Test Method for Rapid Measurement of Fines Content in Soils
Authors: Mousa Ahmad , Mahgoub Mohamed , Wiszowaty Piotr 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Visual soil classification methods used for estimating fines content are often relied upon in geotechnical investigations. The estimations of these methods are highly judgmental, generally erratic, and typically necessitate a confirmation. Laboratory mass-based wash tests are regularly performed on selected soil samples in order to verify or complement in situ visual classifications. Therefore, there is a dire need to improve the accuracy of fines content estimates of the visual methods. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the principle of estimating fines content by measuring relative volumes of the coarse-grained to fine-grained soil fractions. The results indicated soundness and adequacy of the principle. Utilizing this volume-based concept and the standard sample washing methods, a pilot study was conducted to develop and evaluate a more precise testing method, the mold test. Triplicate test runs were carried out on 144 soil samples. With run times of 5 to 15 min, the test is sufficiently rapid. The estimated fines contents of the samples were compared with that determined by the ASTM D1140 test. The absolute differences between the two estimates fell within ±5 % range, which is an appreciably higher accuracy than those of commonly used visual soil classification methods. Analysis performed on the results of the pilot study attested statistical competences of the proposed test method. This study has proven that the mold test is convenient for measuring fines content in soils at almost no cost—except minor consumables. The test method eliminates the subjectivity associated with current visual classification tests as well as the time and cost of the standard laboratory wash tests. While it is not intended to be a substitute for the latter, the mold test is an economically viable option that maintains balance between laboratory accuracy and practicality of the field methods.
Influence of Shoulder Diameter, Plunge Depth, Welding Speed, Rotational Speed on the Tensile Behavior of Friction Stir Welded AA 6061-T6 Sheets
Authors: Janaki Ramulu Perumalla , Ganesh Narayanan R. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
In the present work, the effect of a few important process parameters like shoulder diameter, plunge depth, welding speed, rotational speed on the tensile behavior, namely flow strength, elongation, and hardness are studied. The relation between the thickness gradient of friction stir welded (FSW) sheets developed during the forming and strain hardening exponent of weld zone and elongation improvement has been explored. Micro-hardness showed a decreasing trend, from the base material to the centre of the nugget zone, except near the transition zone. With increase in shoulder diameter and welding speed, hardness has increased. However, with increase in plunge depth and rotational speed, hardness has decreased. The plunge depth effect on hardness distribution is negligible. The FSW sheets showed a decreased flow stress and improved elongation when compared to base material. The overall elongation of FSW sheets and weld zone has improved with increase in plunge depth, shoulder diameter, and rotational speed in most of the cases, while welding speed has shown insignificant effect. The thickness gradient is found to be severe in un-welded blanks as compared to FSW blanks. With increase in shoulder diameter, plunge depth, and rotation speed, the thickness gradient is found to decrease, while welding speed showed negligible effect. With improvement in strain hardening exponent of FSW sheets and weld zone with respect to changing welding conditions, the thinning gradient has reduced improving the overall elongation of welded sheets in most of the cases.
Influence of Control Mode on Thermomechanical Fatigue Testing of Circumferentially-Notched Specimens
Authors: Fernandez-Zelaia P. , Neu R. W. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The aim of this study is to understand the influence of experimentally applied boundary conditions on circumferentially-notched specimens under thermomechanical fatigue loadings (TMF) in two Ni-base superalloys, one equiaxed polycrystalline, and one directionally-solidified. TMF experiments were performed under both force-controlled and displacement-controlled conditions. Notch severities ranged from kt = 1.3 to kt = 2. The notch response was evaluated by finite element analysis using temperature-dependent viscoplasticity. The experiments and analyses are used to assess the impact of the applied boundary conditions on calculated and observed fatigue crack initiation lives.
Evaluation of right adrenal vein cannulation by computed tomography angiography in 140 consecutive patients undergoing adrenal venous sampling
Authors: Onozawa Shiro , Murata Satoru , Tajima Hiroyuki , Yamaguchi Hidenori , Mine Takahiko , Ishizaki Akira , Sugihara Hitoshi , Oikawa Shinichi , Kumita Shin-ichiro 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveAs it is now known that primary aldosteronism (PA) is more prevalent than was previously recognized, and is a potentially curable cause of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases, the search for a safe and effective means of its diagnosis has reemerged as a topic of interest. Adrenal venous sampling is the gold standard for diagnosis of PA, but the technique is challenging and the small right adrenal vein can be particularly difficult to cannulate. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography during angiography (angio-CT) in increasing the success of adrenal venous sampling and to identify factors associated with cannulation failure.DesignRetrospective review.MethodsA total of 140 consecutive patients with suspected PA except Cushing's syndrome treated at a single hospital from June 2008 to May 2013 were included. Catheter misplacement and correct cannulation rates before angio-CT and success rate of sampling after angio-CT were calculated. Univariate analysis for factors related to incorrect cannulation included gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and adrenal nodules. Successful sampling was biochemically defined according to cortisol concentrations in the venous blood samples.ResultsAngio-CT detected misplaced catheters in 13 patients (9.3%). The calculated correct cannulation rate of adrenal vein sampling increased from 86.4% before angio-CT to 95.7% after CT (P<0.001, McNemar's test). Univariate analysis showed a tendency for a higher rate of failure of right adrenal venous sampling in taller patients (P=0.052, Mann–Whitney'sUtest).ConclusionAngio-CT improved success of adrenal venous sampling.
A new approach to atomic level characterization of grain boundaries by atom probe tomography
Authors: Yao L. , Miller M. K. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTA novel atom probe tomography (APT) method has been developed that enables a full description of the orientation relationship between individual grains to be determined together with estimates of the extents of solute segregation for all elements over the surface of the grain boundary with 1 nm by 1 nm spatial resolution. This approach also enables variations in the solute excess for the elements with the habit plane and curvature of the grain boundary to be evaluated. The method has been applied to a mechanically-alloyed nanostructured ferritic alloy (NFA) after high dose heavy ion irradiation. The innovative high-resolution two-dimensional mapping of the solute segregation across the surface of grain boundaries in the NFA clearly demonstrates that the distributions of chromium and tungsten are not uniform across the grain boundaries, and the distributions correlate with changes in its local curvature and the position of the grain boundary precipitates. These features pin the grain boundary against grain growth and provide the stability for excellent creep properties.
High Resolution Position Monitoring of Suspended MEMS towards Biological and Chemical Sensors
Authors: Putrino G. , Martyniuk M. , Keating A. , Dell J.M. , Faraone L. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTWe present an integrated readout technique for interrogating the suspension height of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) structures. This readout technique is envisaged to be useful in applications such as MEMS-based biological and chemical sensing, where it is necessary to obtain the accurate position of a MEMS beam. The approach is based on the suspended MEMS structure modulating light transmission in an underlying optical waveguide via Fabry-Perrot phenomena. The performance of the technique is predicted via finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations the results of which are confirmed by experimental measurements.
Information Asymmetry and the Ex Ante Impact of Public Disclosure Quality on Price Efficiency and the Cost of Capital: Evidence from a Laboratory Market
Authors: Barron Orie E. , Qu Hong 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT:
This paper examines the ex ante effects of public information quality on market prices and how such effects vary with information asymmetry among traders in a two-period experimental market. We vary public information quality by changing its precision and information asymmetry among traders by varying the distribution of private signals. We find high-quality public disclosure leads to increased price efficiency and decreased cost of capital in the pre-announcement period when information asymmetry is high. The impending high-quality public information increases the competition among informed traders, which leads prices to impound more private information and alleviates the adverse selection problems facing uninformed traders. Our study suggests building a high-quality public information environment (e.g., by adopting high-quality accounting standards or committing to transparent disclosure policies) would likely provide ex ante benefits for firms with significant adverse selection among traders.
Methodology and reporting of meta-analyses in the neurosurgical literature
Authors: Klimo Paul , Thompson Clinton J. , Ragel Brian T. , Boop Frederick A. 
Published: January 2014

Object
Neurosurgeons are inundated with vast amounts of new clinical research on a daily basis, making it difficult and time-consuming to keep up with the latest literature. Meta-analysis is an extension of a systematic review that employs statistical techniques to pool the data from the literature in order to calculate a cumulative effect size. This is done to answer a clearly defined a priori question. Despite their increasing popularity in the neurosurgery literature, meta-analyses have not been scrutinized in terms of reporting and methodology.

Methods
The authors performed a literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE to locate all meta-analyses that have been published in the JNS Publishing Group journals (Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and Neurosurgical Focus) or Neurosurgery. Accepted checklists for reporting (PRISMA) and methodology (AMSTAR) were applied to each meta-analysis, and the number of items within each checklist that were satisfactorily fulfilled was recorded. The authors sought to answer 4 specific questions: Are meta-analyses improving 1) with time; 2) when the study met their definition of a meta-analysis; 3) when clinicians collaborated with a potential expert in meta-analysis; and 4) when the meta-analysis was the only focus of the paper?

Results
Seventy-two meta-analyses were published in the JNS Publishing Group journals and Neurosurgery between 1990 and 2012. The number of published meta-analyses has increased dramatically in the last several years. The most common topics were vascular, and most were based on observational studies. Only 11 papers were prepared using an established checklist. The average AMSTAR and PRISMA scores (proportion of items satisfactorily fulfilled divided by the total number of eligible items in the respective instrument) were 31% and 55%, respectively. Major deficiencies were identified, including the lack of a comprehensive search strategy, study selection and data extraction, assessment of heterogeneity, publication bias, and study quality. Almost one-third of the papers did not meet our basic definition of a meta-analysis. The quality of reporting and methodology was better 1) when the study met our definition of a meta-analysis; 2) when one or more of the authors had experience or expertise in conducting a meta-analysis; 3) when the meta-analysis was not conducted alongside an evaluation of the authors' own data; and 4) in more recent studies.

Conclusions
Reporting and methodology of meta-analyses in the neurosurgery literature is excessively variable and overall poor. As these papers are being published with increasing frequency, neurosurgical journals need to adopt a clear definition of a meta-analysis and insist that they be created using checklists for both reporting and methodology. Standardization will ensure high-quality publications.
Neuromonitoring changes in pediatric spinal deformity surgery: a single-institution experience
Authors: Ferguson Joseph , Hwang Steven W. , Tataryn Zachary , Samdani Amer F. 
Published: January 2014

Object
Intraoperative monitoring of the spinal cord has become the standard of care during surgery for pediatric spinal deformity correction. The use of both somatosensory and motor evoked potentials has dramatically increased the sensitivity and specificity of detecting intraoperative neurophysiological changes to the spinal cord, which assists in the intraoperative decision-making process. The authors report on a large, single-center experience with neuromonitoring changes and outline the surgical management of patients who experience significant neuromonitoring changes during spinal deformity correction surgery.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective review of all cases involving pediatric patients who underwent spinal deformity correction surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, between January 2007 and March 2010. Five hundred nineteen consecutive cases were reviewed in which neuromonitoring was used, with 47 cases being identified as having significant changes in somatosensory evoked potentials, motor evoked potentials, or both. These cases were reviewed for patient demographic data and surgical characteristics.

Results
The incidence of significant neuromonitoring changes was 9.1% (47 of 519 cases), including 6 cases of abnormal Stagnara wake-up tests, of which 4 had corroborated postoperative neurological deficits (8.5% of 47 cases, 0.8% of 519). In response to neuromonitoring changes, wake-up tests were performed in 37 (79%) of 47 cases, hardware was adjusted in 15 (32%), anesthesiology interventions were reported in 5 (11%), hardware was removed in 5 (11%), the patient was successfully repositioned in 3 (6%), and the procedure was aborted in 13 (28%). In 1 of the 4 patients with new postoperative deficits, the deficit had fully resolved by the last follow-up; the other 3 patients had persistent neurological impairment as of the most recent follow-up examination. The authors observed a sensitivity of 100% for intraoperative neuromonitoring.

Conclusions
Due to the profound risks associated with spinal deformity surgery, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is an integral tool to warn of impending spinal cord injury. Intraoperative neuromonitoring appears to provide a safe and useful warning mechanism to minimize spinal cord injury that may arise during scoliosis correction surgery in pediatric patients.
Les comptes d'un hôpital portugais, 1379-1383
Authors: Johnson H. B. 
Published: January 2014

The Accounts of a Portuguese Hospital 1379-13830.
After examining the accounts kept by the scribe of a small Portuguese hospital from 1379 to 1383, this article explains how these and similar documents can better our understanding of Portugal's late medieval agrarian economy. In addition to revealing the corruptibility of the administrators who generously helped themselves to the institution's resources, and the yields of a small property worked by a single peasant, the accounts indicate that, despite being shortchanged, the hospital inmates received a ration of grain definitely superior to their minimum requirements. Taking into consideration this relative prosperity, the article questions the validity of recent interpretations of 14th century Portuguese living standards.
Contribution à l'étude des sociétés étagées des Andes : la vallée de Yucay (Pérou). Suivi de Quelques commentaires par J. V. Murra
Authors: Fioravanti-Molinié Antoinette 
Published: January 2014

Contribution to the Study of Vertical Societies in the Andes: the Yucay Valley (Peru.)
On the basis of a detailed analysis of "verticality" in a well-delimited Peruvian region, the author proves that the "vertical archipelago" model defined by J. Murra using data on pre-conquest Andean societies is still valid, even though the traditional economy has been modified. After describing the principal vertical environments of the Yucay Valley (the deep, narrow river valley with luxuriant vegetation; the high, snow-covered mountains; the arid, eroded plateau; the sub-tropical valleys), she studies the patterns of human settlement and exploitation associated with each ecological level, explaining the different systems of land tenure and the complementarity of economic activities as shown by the vertical exchange of both traditional and commercial products. With the introduction of a market economy, capitalist relations arise parallel to, or replace traditional reciprocal relations, characteristic of the production and distribution circuits that link the inhabitants of different levels. After presenting a table formalizing these various vertical relations, the author gives several examples illustrating how populations living at different levels differ not only economically and socially but also culturally and ideologically.
Adaptabilité d'une agriculture tropicale traditionnelle : le pays Dagari (Haute-Volta)
Authors: Pradeau Christian 
Published: January 2014

Adaptability of Traditional Farming Methods in Tropical Africa: The Dagari Territory (Haute-Volta).
In studying the agricultural developments and the farming system of the Haute-Volta Dagari, a paleonegritic population, the author found that through numerous though very limited means, traditional fanning methods are being adapted to new conditions. The Dagari are constantly worrying about problems of water control, soil exhaustion and of agricultural techniques. The carrying capacity of their territory reaches, in this specific Sudan climate, 50 people/km2. To achieve this result, they resort to all the farming methods known to preindustrial and precapitalist people: terraced cultivation, draining and irrigation networks, crop rotation and shifting cultivation.
To help solve remaining problems, new techniques obviously should be introduced. But they should take into account the original capacity for adjustement, as revealed by the study of Dagari agriculture, and that has not been the case so far.
Quatre siècles de systèmes de culture dans le Kent, 1500-1900
Authors: Fussell G. E. 
Published: January 2014

Four Centuries of Farming Systems in Kent, 1500-1900.
The story of farming in the county of Kent during the four centuries from 1500 to 1900 is one of change and fluctuating fortunes — as in other places. The great monasteries who were farmers on a large scale in the early sixteenth century were replaced in the seventeenth by progressive landowners. The county was already famous for sheep and grazed some cattle, produced some milk and dairy goods. The introduction of hop culture led to a famous industry. Fruit, both bush and tree varieties, were introduced and became famous as did market garden produce in the North of the county. Romney sheep were bred in the marshes of that name, and other breeds were kept in the Isle of Sheppey and else-where. The Weald, formerly covered with forest, was gradually reclaimed and made into smallish farms, partly because of the heavy soil, mainly arable with rather low yields. The essay attempts to describe the methods of the farmers as they changed and were improved by new inventions, new crops that were introduced, and better ways of breeding, keeping and feeding domestic animals; and the economic and other difficulties that had to be overcome. It would be impossible here to set out all the events that are recorded in the essay. where. The Weald, formerly covered with forest, was gradually reclaimed and made into smallish farms, partly because of the heavy soil, mainly arable with rather low yields. The essay attempts to describe the methods of the farmers as they changed and were improved by new inventions, new crops that were introduced, and better ways of breeding, keeping and feeding domestic animals; and the economic and other difficulties that had to be overcome. It would be impossible here to set out all the events that are recorded in the essay.
L'orangeraie et les cultures maraîchères d'Ambohijafy. Paysage original dans les Plaines de Tananarive
Authors: Champigny-Giroflier Danielle 
Published: January 2014

The Orange-Groves and Market-Gardens at Ambohijafy. An Uncommon Sight in the Plains of Tananarive.

The Plains of Tananarive are composed of two areas: the lowlands (about 4,200 feet above sea-level) which can be flooded and are devoted to rice-growing; and the hills (tanety) overlooking these lowlands by 70-850 feet. Most often, people grow subsistence crops on these hills (such as cassava plants, yams. . .), but for about 50 years and particularly since the end of the last war, part of the tanety cultivated land has been devoted to market-gardening and fruit-growing. Ambohijafy village concentrates on that marketable produce in the small valleys penetrating into the mass of the hill, and on the lower slopes. That cultivation, particularly that of citrus fruit, gives the Ambohijafy area quite a particular look and above all provides the villagers with high income as compared to loca conditions.
Ambohijafy, supplying the market of Tananarive, gives us an uncommon image of the relations between a village and a large city in Madagascar, an image of "active dependence".
Société d'ici, société d'ailleurs. Rapports de force et stratégies dans un espace à économie rétrécie, les Baronnies
Authors: Bonnain Rolande , Sautter Gilles 
Published: January 2014

Societies, here and way out.

This paper attempts to show a small rural society of the Pyrénées' piedmont, undergoing demographical and economical crisis, protects itself against the external, urban and national society; what it tries to keep under its control, how and to what extent it succeeds.
The reasons why the two societies (local and external) oppose each other are to be found in the different finalities assigned to space: the peasants use it for production, the townsmen for enjoyment. Until now, a balance has been kept ; but for how long?
A l'ombre des usines, comme si de rien n'était... Industrialisation et maintien d'une communauté paysanne en Lorraine
Authors: Delbos Geneviève 
Published: January 2014

Cet article n'est que la première partie d'une étude plus générale où sera comparé le comportement de ceux qui, dans cinq villages français, quittent l'agriculture.
Grand-Failly présente les caractéristiques d'un exode rural étouffé dans l'œuf par la présence à proximité du village du vaste complexe industriel de Longwy. Alors que dans une autre situation géographique G. F. aurait subi un dépeuplement lié à la modernisation de l'agriculture, après la guerre, on voit rester au village les familles de ceux qui deviennent ouvriers. G. F. offre l'exemple de la continuation d'un mode de vie paysan, et du système de valeurs qui lui est associé, alors que les trois-quarts de ses habitants ont cessé d'exercer une activité agricole.
Au sein du monde rural français, cette commune est un modèle de ce que C. Lévi- Strauss a qualifié, dans un autre contexte, d' « illusion archaïque », illusion à laquelle, semble-t-il, les ethnologues ont succombé.