bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of mechanical properties of AA1070 aluminium by the addition of borax under different holding conditions
Authors: Yilmaz N. F. , Öztürk M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn this study, mechanical properties of Al‐B alloys, prepared by the addition of different amounts of borax to 99.70% pure commercial aluminum, were improved. The main objective is to study the influence of borax addition and holding conditions on the mechanical properties of cast Al‐B alloys. In this process, amount of borax, holding temperature and holding time were realized as affecting parameters. By considering these parameters three specimens were prepared for each condition and they were subjected to mechanical tests such as tensile, impact and hardness tests. As a result of tests, tensile strength of the alloy with the incorporation of borax was found 33% increase in comparison to pure aluminum while 21% increase in impact energy and 54% in hardness value. A substantial quantity of aluminum‐boride flakes were observed in the microstructural investigation of the samples. Microscopic observations of alloyed samples reveal homogeneous distribution of aluminum boride particles and fewer porosity levels.
Influence of near surface materials states and of hold‐times on thermal fatigue of magnesium base alloy AZ31
Authors: Anten K. , Lebsanft M. , Krauß M. , Noster U. , Scholtes B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDie vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit Untersuchungen zur thermischen Ermüdung der Magnesiumbasislegierung AZ31 im Temperaturbereich zwischen +50°C und +290°C. Die Experimente erfolgten unter konstanter Totaldeformation (out‐of‐phase‐Beanspruchung) und es wurde der Verlauf der Spannungsamplitude sowie der plastischen Dehnungsamplitude über die Zahl der Temperaturzyklen ermittelt. Insbesondere wurde der Einfluss einer mechanischen Oberflächenbehandlung (Festwalzen) sowie von Haltezeiten auf den Verlauf der Schädigung untersucht. In beiden Fällen konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied zu unbehandelten Proben bzw. Beanspruchungen ohne Haltezeit festgestellt werden, welches auf die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Verformungs‐ und Rekristallisationsprozessen bei der thermischen Ermüdung zurückzuführen ist.
Vitamin D concentration and lateral cerebral ventricle volume in older adults
Authors: Annweiler Cédric , Montero‐Odasso Manuel , Hachinski Vladimir , Seshadri Sudha , Bartha Robert , Beauchet Olivier 
Published: December 2012

ScopeVitamin D deficiency is associated with an enlargement of the lateral cerebral ventricles in rodents. The effect of low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on lateral cerebral ventricle volume has not been studied yet in humans. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with greater lateral cerebral ventricle volume in older adults.Methods and resultsNinety‐two Caucasian community‐dwellers with no clinical hydrocephalus (mean, 72.2 ± 6.2 years; 46.7% female) were divided into two groups according to serum 25OHD concentration (deficiency ≤ 50 nmol/L; normal > 50 nmol/L). Cerebral ventricular volume was quantified using semi‐automated software from three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI. Age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, education level, Mini‐Mental State Examination, white matter lesions, and serum calcium concentrations were used as covariates. There was an inverse linear association between 25OHD concentration and ventricular volume (p = 0.049). Compared to individuals with normal 25OHD, those with 25OHD deficiency (n = 33) had 28% larger lateral ventricles (46.9 ± 26.8 mL versus 36.6 ± 16.4 mL, p = 0.026). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increase in ventricular volume (adjustedβ = 16.55, p = 0.023). The ventricular enlargement involved ventricle bodies (p = 0.025) but not temporal horns (p = 0.112).ConclusionSerum 25OHD deficiency was associated with larger lateral cerebral ventricles. These findings provide a scientific base for vitamin D replacement trials.
Politics Can Limit Policy Opportunism in Fiscal Institutions: Evidence from Official General Fund Revenue Forecasts in the American States
Authors: Krause George A. , Lewis David E. , Douglas James W. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGovernments make policy decisions in the same areas in quite different institutions. Some assign policymaking responsibility to institutions designed to be insulated from myopic partisan and electoral pressures and others do not. In this study, we claim that differences in political context and institutional design constrain the policy choices governments make. Testable propositions based on an analysis of varying electoral incentives and time horizons created by these different contexts are empirically tested using panel data on official general fund revenue forecasts in the American states, 1987 to 2008. The empirical evidence reveals that executive branch agencies and independent commissions produce more conservative forecasts than legislatures with one important exception. Executive branch revenue forecasts in states with gubernatorial term limits are indistinguishable from legislative branch forecasts. Further, we find that legislative branch forecasts are more conservative in the presence of divided partisan legislatures than unified party government. In turn, this implies that entrusting policymaking authority to either the executive branch or an independent commission may only be consequential when the political system itself fails to check legislative excesses or executive myopia.
Characterizing phenotypes and outcomes of drug‐associated liver injury using electronic medical record data
Authors: Shin Janet , Hunt Christine M. , Suzuki Ayako , Papay Julie I. , Beach Kathleen J. , Cheetham T. Craig 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTPurposeTo evaluate the incidence, phenotypes, and outcomes of drug‐associated liver injury identified in electronic medical record (EMR) data using standardized criteria for drug‐induced liver injury (DILI).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used EMR data from a large integrated healthcare system. Study inclusion required 18 years of age or older, ≥1 prescription fill for any of 14 medications associated with hepatotoxicity between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2009, and ≥12 months of membership prior to the drug exposure. Patients with underlying non‐drug causes of liver injury were excluded to minimize capture of liver injury events unrelated to drugs. Drug‐associated liver injuries were identified by liver chemistry elevations temporally associated with drug use based on standardized criteria for DILI. Cases were classified by clinical pattern and severity. Outcomes of liver transplant and all‐cause and liver‐related death were examined.ResultsA total of 1 053 979 drug exposures were identified in 601 125 patients. We identified 265 drug‐associated liver injuries (32.8 per 100 000 persons) occurring in 250 patients. Isoniazid exhibited the highest incidence rate of 606 per 100 000 persons. Of the 265 cases, 41% were mild; 12% exhibited moderate drug‐associated liver injury (with concomitant ALT ≥ 5× ULN and bilirubin ≥2× ULN); and 17% exhibited coagulopathy, ascites, encephalopathy, or other organ failure. Last, seven cases (3%) were associated with death, and there were no liver transplants.ConclusionsStudy results align with earlier prospective studies, supporting the value of standardized methodology to identify drug‐associated liver injury in the EMR. These methods can potentially enhance safety and clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USING OTOLITH CHEMISTRY TAGS AND GROWTH PATTERNS TO DISTINGUISH MOVEMENTS AND PROVENANCE OF NATIVE FISH IN THE GRAND CANYON
Authors: Hayden T. A. , Limburg K. E. , Pine W. E. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTFish otolith and water chemistry were assessed in the Grand Canyon reach of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Aqueous strontium and selenium (in ratio to calcium) and carbon stable isotopic ratios were identified as markers with excellent potential to track the provenance and movements of the endangered humpback chub Gila cypha. Although otolith δ13C and Sr/Ca varied proportionately to water chemistry and provided a framework for detailed study of humpback chub movements, otolith Se/Ca showed ambiguous tracking of known water chemistries. As an application, we document the natal source and movement dynamics of n = 10 humpback chub and compare these findings from otolith microchemistry with the current paradigm of humpback chub spawning ecology. We found that seven of ten fish follow the current early life history paradigm and were spawned in the Little Colorado River and subsequently emigrated to the main stem Colorado River as juveniles. However, the otolith markers of three fish suggest an alternative early life trajectory with unknown provenance. Age and growth analyses demonstrate seasonally higher growth rates in the warmer Little Colorado River compared with the Colorado River. Combining natural markers with age and growth reconstructions provides a powerful tool for assessing the habitat use and success of humpback chub in the Grand Canyon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis: capturing intermittent and low‐frequency spatiotemporal patterns in high‐dimensional data
Authors: Giannakis Dimitrios , Majda Andrew J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe present a technique for spatiotemporal data analysis called nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis (NLSA), which generalizes singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to take into account the nonlinear manifold structure of complex datasets. The key principle underlying NLSA is that the functions used to represent temporal patterns should exhibit a degree of smoothness on the nonlinear data manifold M; a constraint absent from classical SSA. NLSA enforces such a notion of smoothness by requiring that temporal patterns belong in low‐dimensional Hilbert spaces Vl spanned by the leading l Laplace‐‐Beltrami eigenfunctions on M. These eigenfunctions can be evaluated efficiently in high ambient‐space dimensions using sparse graph‐theoretic algorithms. Moreover, they provide orthonormal bases to expand a family of linear maps, whose singular value decomposition leads to sets of spatiotemporal patterns at progressively finer resolution on the data manifold. The Riemannian measure of M and an adaptive graph kernel width enhances the capability of NLSA to detect important nonlinear processes, including intermittency and rare events. The minimum dimension of Vl required to capture these features while avoiding overfitting is estimated here using spectral entropy criteria.As an application, we study the upper‐ocean temperature in the North Pacific sector of a 700‐year control run of the CCSM3 climate model. Besides the familiar annual and decadal modes, NLSA recovers a family of intermittent processes associated with the Kuroshio current and the subtropical and subpolar gyres. These processes carry little variance (and are therefore not captured by SSA), yet their dynamical role is expected to be significant. The intermittent modes are eliminated from the spectrum if seasonal detrending is performed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 6: 180–194, 2013
Patterns of sedentary behaviours in Irish female adolescents
Authors: Regan Áine , Heary Caroline 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTEngagement in excessive sedentary behaviour represents a health risk for adolescents. The current study aimed to investigate patterns of sedentary behaviour amongst Irish female adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old. 314 adolescents completed a questionnaire on their sedentary behaviour habits, health behaviours (physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use), enjoyment of sedentary behaviour, value on health, and sedentary facilitators in their home. Parents provided information on parental education, the child's weight and height, and parental sedentary behaviour habits. Cluster analysis found that five distinct sedentary clusters existed in this sample: Unproductive/Social Sedentary, Reading/Productive Behaviours, Mixed Sedentary Interests, Restricted Interests/High Television, and Academic Sedentary. The clusters differed on smoking and alcohol use, enjoyment of sedentary behaviour, and parental engagement in sedentary behaviour. The findings from this study support the use of a socio‐ecological framework for investigating the development of sedentary behaviour patterns.
N6-Methyl-Adenosine (m6A) in RNA: An Old Modification with A Novel Epigenetic Function
Authors: Niu Yamei , Zhao Xu , Wu Yong-Sheng , Li Ming-Ming , Wang Xiu-Jie , Yang Yun-Gui 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) is one of the most common and abundant modifications on RNA molecules present in eukaryotes. However, the biological significance of m6A methylation remains largely unknown. Several independent lines of evidence suggest that the dynamic regulation of m6A may have a profound impact on gene expression regulation. The m6A modification is catalyzed by an unidentified methyltransferase complex containing at least one subunit methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3). m6A modification on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) mainly occurs in the exonic regions and 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) as revealed by high-throughput m6A-seq. One significant advance in m6A research is the recent discovery of the first two m6A RNA demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and ALKBH5, which catalyze m6A demethylation in an α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)- and Fe2+-dependent manner. Recent studies in model organisms demonstrate that METTL3, FTO and ALKBH5 play important roles in many biological processes, ranging from development and metabolism to fertility. Moreover, perturbation of activities of these enzymes leads to the disturbed expression of thousands of genes at the cellular level, implicating a regulatory role of m6A in RNA metabolism. Given the vital roles of DNA and histone methylations in epigenetic regulation of basic life processes in mammals, the dynamic and reversible chemical m6A modification on RNA may also serve as a novel epigenetic marker of profound biological significances.
Use of quality seed as a means to sustainably intensify northern European barley production
Authors: PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , RAJALA A. 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYRates of commercial certified seed (CCS) use are low, but comprehensive upgrading of farm-saved seed (FSS) is also often neglected in northern Europe, represented in the present paper by Finland. In general, available growth resources are particularly underutilized in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, in contrast with the prime agricultural areas of western Europe. The present paper demonstrates the potential of increasing CCS use, and/or upgrading FSS, to boost yields at regional and national level. The assessment indicated that a substantial increase in CCS use in Finland, to correspond with that of Sweden and Denmark, is a basic, readily available and easily applicable means of sustainably intensifying northern European barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production. Yield benefits averaged 440 kg/ha, corresponding to a 13% increase at national scale. Cultivar change contributed to about one-third of the benefit. At the national scale, an additional 20 000 tonnes of nitrogen (c. 8% increase) would be removed with the yields that would considerably exceed 2000 Gg annually compared with the present c. 1900 Gg total production of barley. Higher use of CCS represents a win–win situation for farmers, plant breeding companies and industry.
Investigation of Organic Matter Entrapped in Synthetic Carbonates—A Multimethod Approach
Authors: Chalmin Emilie , Perrette Yves , Fanget Bernard , Susini Jean 
Published: December 2012

AbstractOrganic matter (OM) entrapped in calcite is regularly used for environmental studies; however, insertion mechanisms and types of interaction remain poorly understood. The present study used a new methodology to investigate interactions between OM and the calcite matrix during crystallization processes with humic acid (HA) entrapment. A multimethod approach confirmed that HA is both adsorbed onto the calcite surface and incorporated into the calcite lattice during crystallization. Our results also confirm the log-linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and calcite matrix HA concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that HA in colloidal conformation is adsorbed onto the calcite surface as a result of the structure of the OH stretching band. We also developed a new method based on synchrotron analysis that uses sulfur as a tracer element for entrapped HA and that localizes the OM electrostatically adsorbed onto the calcite surface. Changes in the sulfur environment, determined using X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, indicated more complex insertion mechanisms than simple adsorption of HA during calcite crystallization. Desorption experiments revealed the stability of the OM atomic structure and its layered nature. These results allowed us to draw up a general model of OM insertion in calcite.
Wideband transformer-coupled E-band power amplifier in 90 nm CMOS
Authors: Gertman Igor , Socher Eran 
Published: December 2012

In this work, the design of the wideband millimeter-wave power amplifier for multiband communication is presented. In order to achieve compact, simple and robust design, a differential cascade transformer-coupled topology is used. The amplifier is implemented in 90 nm low-leakage CMOS technology and achieves 3 dB bandwidth of 8 GHz (from 60 to 68 GHz) and a peak gain of 18 dB. The PO1dB is better than 5 dBm from 58 to 80 GHz, and peak output power is 11.9 dBm with 1 dB flatness from 62 to 77 GHz. The chip consumes an area of 0.25 mm2 including bond pads and DC current of 125 mA from a 2.2 V supply.
Laminitis in horses.
Authors: Menzies-Gow N. J. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Laminitis is characterized by failure of the attachment of the laminar epidermal cells to the underlying basement membrane of the dermal laminae. It can arise in association with gastrointestinal disease, diseases associated with sepsis such as pneumonia and metritis, mechanical overload, endocrine disorders associated with excess glucocorticoids such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and endocrine disorders associated with insulin resistance such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). However, most commonly, laminitis arises in association with ingestion of non-structural carbohydrates from pasture. Estimates of laminitis frequency range from 1.5 to 34% depending on the population evaluated. There are several different theories concerning the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in laminitis with evidence to support a role for inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, extracellular matrix degradation and vascular and endothelial dysfunction. However, further research is required to fully elucidate the pathways involved and perhaps determine a unifying concept. A diagnosis of laminitis is based on history, clinical signs and radiographs. Furthermore, diagnostic tests are performed if an underlying endocrinopathy is suspected. Treatment involves the use of analgesic drugs, foot support and possibly modification of the digital blood supply. In addition, treatments specific to an underlying endocrinopathy may be employed. Various clinical and radiographic parameters can be used to help determine the prognosis. Prevention is extremely important and is based on management changes focused on minimizing ingestion of non-structural carbohydrates in order to prevent pasture-associated laminitis and on promoting weight loss in obese animals and cryotherapy and foot support in animals with diseases associated with laminitis.
A review of innate immune functions in crocodilians.
Authors: Finger J. W., Jr. , Isberg S. R. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The immune function of crocodilians is understudied but is of interest for medical, ecological and evolutionary purposes. Crocodiles share a common ancestor with birds, comprising the archosaurian lineage, so they are an important link in our understanding of immune system evolution. As top trophic carnivores, they inhabit temperate and tropical climates in their semi-aquatic environment. However, they are also ectothermic, whereby environmental temperatures affect their physiological processes, including immune function, adding to the complexity of research in this area. Anecdotal observations and recent research have augmented enthusiasm in the realm of crocodilian immunology. Despite comprising both adaptive and innate systems, most research has investigated the innate system, which comprises peptides, proteins and leucocytes functioning in defence. Herein, we provide an overview into the innate immune system of the crocodile and areas for further research.
Immunosenescence‐associated microRNAs in age and heart failure
Authors: Seeger Timon , Haffez Fatima , Fischer Ariane , Koehl Ulrike , Leistner David M. , Seeger Florian H. , Boon Reinier A. , Zeiher Andreas M. , Dimmeler Stefanie 
Published: December 2012

AimsAgeing of the immune system, immunosenescence, is characterized by impaired lymphopoiesis, especially B‐lymphocyte maturation, and is a hallmark of chronic heart failure (CHF). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non‐coding, small RNAs, which post‐transcriptionally control gene expression of multiple target genes. The miR‐181 family is known to control haematopoietic lineage differentiation. Here, we study the role of the miR‐181 family in immunosenescence and CHF.Methods and resultsWe conducted a clinical study analysing peripheral blood (PB) for miRNA expression and leucocyte distribution of young healthy controls (25 ± 4 years; n = 30), aged healthy controls (64 ± 5 years; n = 13), and age‐matched CHF patients (64 ± 11years; n = 18). The expression of miR‐181 family members was reduced, whereas miR‐34a was increased in PB of aged individuals. In particular, miR‐181c was further reduced in age‐matched CHF patients. In PB, we observed reduced numbers of lymphocytes, in particular cytotoxic T cells and B cells, with rising age, and the expression of miR‐181 correlated with the number of B cells. Notably, in CHF patients, ischaemic heart failure was associated with a further reduction of total B cells as well as their subpopulations, such as memory B cells, compared with age‐matched healthy volunteers.ConclusionsAgeing‐ and CHF‐associated changes in PB leucocyte subsets are paralleled by alterations in the expression of miRNAs involved in lymphopoiesis, which might play an important role in the age‐related and CHF‐mediated dysregulation of immune functions resulting in immunosenescence. Furthermore, miR‐181c may serve as a marker for reduced immune functions in CHF patients.
Cooperation in Strategic Games Revisited*
Authors: Kalai Adam , Kalai Ehud 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
For two-person complete-information strategic games with transferable utility, all major variable-threat bargaining and arbitration solutions coincide. This confluence of solutions by luminaries such as Nash, Harsanyi, Raiffa, and Selten, is more than mere coincidence. Staying in the class of two-person games with transferable unility, the article presents a more complete theory that expands their solution. Specifically, it presents: (1) a decomposition of a game into cooperative and competitive components, (2) an intuitive and computable closed-form formula for the solution, (3) an axiomatic justification of the solution, and (4) a generalization of the solution to games with private signals, along with an arbitration scheme that implements it. The objective is to restart research on cooperative solutions to strategic games and their applications.