bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional patterns and proximal causes of the recent snowpack decline in the Rocky Mountains, U.S.
Authors: Pederson Gregory T. , Betancourt Julio L. , McCabe Gregory J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe used a first‐order, monthly snow model and observations to disentangle seasonal influences on 20th century,regional snowpack anomalies in the Rocky Mountains of western North America, where interannual variations in cool‐season (November–March) temperatures are broadly synchronous, but precipitation is typically antiphased north to south and uncorrelated with temperature. Over the previous eight centuries, regional snowpack variability exhibits strong, decadally persistent north‐south (N‐S) antiphasing of snowpack anomalies. Contrary to the normal regional antiphasing, two intervals of spatially synchronized snow deficits were identified. Snow deficits shown during the 1930s were synchronized north‐south by low cool‐season precipitation, with spring warming (February–March) since the 1980s driving the majority of the recent synchronous snow declines, especially across the low to middle elevations. Spring warming strongly influenced low snowpacks in the north after 1958, but not in the south until after 1980. The post‐1980, synchronous snow decline reduced snow cover at low to middle elevations by ~20% and partly explains earlier and reduced streamflow and both longer and more active fire seasons. Climatologies of Rocky Mountain snowpack are shown to be seasonally and regionally complex, with Pacific decadal variability positively reinforcing the anthropogenic warming trend.
Hydroclimatic changes and analysis of floods in large river basins of southern East Siberia
Authors: Kichigina N. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractFlood risk in Siberia increased in recent years. This is most often associated with two main reasons: global climate change, and the increase in economic development in territories at risk of flooding and resulting human impacts on river basins. We tried to bring new data and results on this topic. The objective of this paper is to assess the change in the hydrological regime under climatic changes and the dynamics of flood recurrence on the river basins of southern East Siberia in the latter half of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century. We used information on run‐off and water levels obtained from hydrological stations of the Irkutsk and Ulan‐Ude Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.The annual and monthly mean run‐off data series were subjected to statistical analysis. Linear trends and their significance were evaluated in general for the identical period from 1961 to 2006 at 37 gauging stations. Flood recurrence in the Angara and Lena river basins was calculated for two periods – before the expressed climatic changes (1960–1979) and for the expressed climatic changes (1980–2005). In general, the value of the annual run‐off was unchanged. The intra‐annual redistribution of run‐off occurs, showing a reduction in the run‐off from spring snowmelt and an increase in run‐off for the autumn – winter low water period. Intra‐annual run‐off redistribution under climatic changes does not provoke an increase in extreme conditions. The analysis of flood recurrences showed no significant changes in the mean recurrence in basins. However, there was either a significant increase or decrease in the number of floods for some gauging stations. Remote sensing data were used to analyse the dynamics of human impact on such river basins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Winner for outstanding research in the Ph.D. category for the 2013 society for biomaterials meeting and exposition, April 10–13, 2013, Boston, Massachusetts
Authors: Rao Rameshwar R. , Peterson Alexis W. , Stegemann Jan P. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractModular tissue engineering applies biomaterials‐based approaches to create discrete cell‐seeded microenvironments, which can be further assembled into larger constructs for the repair of injured tissues. In the current study, we embedded human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASC) in collagen/fibrin (COL/FIB) and collagen/fibrin/hydroxyapatite (COL/FIB/HA) microbeads, and evaluated their suitability for bone tissue engineering applications. Microbeads were fabricated using a water‐in‐oil emulsification process, resulting in an average microbead diameter of approximately 130 ± 25 μm. Microbeads supported both cell viability and cell spreading of MSC and ASC over 7 days in culture. The embedded cells also began to remodel and compact the microbead matrix as demonstrated by confocal reflectance microscopy imaging. After two weeks of culture in media containing osteogenic supplements, both MSC and ASC deposited calcium mineral in COL/FIB microbeads, but not in COL/FIB/HA microbeads. There were no significant differences between MSC and ASC in any of the assays examined, suggesting that either cell type may be an appropriate cell source for orthopedic applications. This study has implications in the creation of defined microenvironments for bone repair, and in developing a modular approach for delivery of pre‐differentiated cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Aerosol Particle Size Does Not Predict Pharmacokinetic Determined Lung Dose in Children
Authors: Bønnelykke Klaus , Chawes Bo L. K. , Vindfeld Signe , Moore Alison C. , Bisgaard Hans 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn vitro measures of aerosol particles size, such as the fine particle mass, play a pivotal role for approval of inhaled anti‐asthmatic drugs. However, the validity as a measure of dose to the lungs in children lacks evidence. In this study we investigated for the first time the association between an in vivo estimate of lung dose of inhaled drug in children and the corresponding particle size segments assessed ex vivo. Lung dose of fluticasone propionate after inhalation from a dry powder inhaler (Diskus®) was studied in 23 children aged 4–7 and 12–15 years with mild asthma. Six‐hour pharmacokinetics was assessed after single inhalation. The corresponding emitted mass of drug in segments of aerosol particle size was assessed ex vivo by replicating the inhalation flows recorded by transducers built into the Diskus® inhaler and re‐playing them in a breathing simulator. There was no correlation between any inhaled particle size segment and lung dose assessed by pharmacokinetics and adjusted for age and body size. Measures of particles size segments were not related to lung dose in children. Until further evidence is provided it may be warranted to emphasize pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic assessments of drug delivery to the lung.
Impact of Sildenafil on Survival of Patients With Eisenmenger Syndrome
Authors: Sun Yun‐Juan , Yang Tao , Zeng Wei‐Jie , Gu Qing , Ni Xin‐Hai , Zhao Zhi‐Hui , Liu Zhi‐Hong , Xiong Chang‐Ming , He Jian‐Guo 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe favorable effects of short‐term use of sildenafil on patients with Eisenmenger syndrome have been reported. We further studied the impact of long‐term use of sildenafil on survival of these patients. In this study, the baseline data of patients newly diagnosed as Eisenmenger syndrome in our hospital between January 2005 and December 2009 were retrospectively collected. Patients were followed‐up either by telephone contacts or during visits in our out‐patient clinic. A total of 121 patients (68 patients in conventional group and 53 patients in sildenafil group) were finally included and 29 patients were re‐evaluated after sildenafil therapy for 3–4 months. Compared with the baseline, a 6‐minute walk distance, functional classes, plasma hemoglobin level, and hemodynamics were significantly improved after sildenafil treatment. During a median follow‐up period of 35.8 months, 15 patients died (11 patients in conventional group). The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates in sildenafil group were 97.0% and 95.2%, significantly higher than 90.6% and 82.9% in conventional group P = .025). Multivariate analysis showed that sildenafil therapy, functional class and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were independently associated with survival. Therefore, long‐term sildenafil therapy improved survival in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome.
Removal of 2,4‐dichlorophenol by aluminium/O2/acid system
Authors: Lin Kunde , Cai Jianjun , Sun Jianqiang , Xue Xiuling 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the oxidative removal of organic compounds by the Al/O2/acid system has been previously studied, the in situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its influencing factors are not well understood. 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) is one of the priority control pollutants and widely present in the environment. In this study, the oxidative removal of 2,4‐DCP by the Al/O2/acid system was investigated, especially the in situ generation of ROS and influencing factors.ResultsMore than 90% of 2,4‐DCP was removed within 10 h in pH 2.5 solutions initially containing 10 g L−1 Al and 8.25 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen. The removal of 2,4‐DCP was acid and oxygen driven and was accompanied by the release of chloride ions. While the reduction of oxygen to H2O2 by Al was obtained only under conditions of pH < 4.0, the subsequent Al‐mediated transformation of H2O2 to •OH was achieved under pH < 5.0 conditions. Furthermore, five primary intermediates were identified and oxidation pathways of 2,4‐DCP by the Al/O2/acid system were proposed.ConclusionsThis work describes a potential method for the removal of 2,4‐DCP in aqueous environments. Oxygen levels and solution pH played important roles in the removal of 2,4‐DCP by Al/O2/acid system. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Removal of nickel from aqueous solution using cathodic deposition of nickel hydroxide at a modified electrode
Authors: Liu YaoXing , Wu XiaoYun , Yuan DongXing , Yan JunMei 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, an electrochemical technique was used to remove nickel from aqueous solutions on a laboratory scale using a self‐made Plexiglas cell. Electrodes comprising a stainless steel net coated with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs@SSN) were used as both the anode and the cathode. The effects of various parameters on the percentage of nickel removed were investigated, including the solution pH, applied voltage, electrolyte concentration, and the amount of SWCNTs coated on the electrodes.ResultsThe optimal parameters were found to be pH 10.0, applied voltage 2.5 V, and electrolyte concentration 10 g dm‐3. Under optimal conditions, 95.1% of the nickel present in nickel‐contaminated factory wastewater was removed. The mechanism of nickel removal was also investigated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed that the nickel ions were being removed in the form of Ni(OH)2, which was deposited on the cathode. The SWCNTs@SSN electrodes were regenerated easily.ConclusionThe results of the study proved that the method is a potential technique for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy‐metal ions. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Hybrid vapor stripping–vapor permeation process for recovery and dehydration of 1‐butanol and acetone/butanol/ethanol from dilute aqueous solutions. Part 1. Process Simulations
Authors: Vane Leland M. , Alvarez Franklin R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundFermentative production of butanol is limited to low concentrations, typically less than 2 wt% solvent, due to product inhibition. The result is high separation energy demand by conventional distillation approaches, despite favorable vapor–liquid equilibrium and partial miscibility with water. In previous work, a process integrating steam stripping, vapor compression, and vapor permeation separation was proposed for separating ethanol from water. Such a membrane assisted vapor stripping (MAVS) process is considered in this work for 1‐butanol/water and acetone/butanol/ethanol/water (ABE/water) separation.ResultsUsing process simulations, the earlier MAVS design was estimated to require 6.2 MJ‐fuel kg−1‐butanol to produce 99.5 wt% 1‐butanol from a 1 wt% 1‐butanol feed, representing an energy savings of 63% relative to a benchmark distillation/decanter system. Adding a fractional condensation step to the original MAVS design is predicted to reduce energy demand to only 4.8 MJ‐fuel kg−1‐butanol and reduce membrane area by 65%.ConclusionIn the hybrid distillation/membrane MAVS systems, the stripping column provides high butanol recovery and low effluent concentration while the vapor compression and membrane steps enable the efficient recovery of latent and sensible heat from both the retentate and permeate streams from the membrane system. Addition of the dephlegmator condenser reduces both compressor size and membrane area. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Removal of tributyltin from shipyard process wastewater by fly ash, activated carbon and fly ash/activated carbon composite: adsorption models and kinetics
Authors: Ayanda Olushola S. , Fatoki Olalekan S. , Adekola Folahan A. , Ximba Bhekumusa J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe removal of tributyltin (TBT) from shipyard process wastewater using fly ash, activated carbon and fly ash/activated carbon composite was investigated.ResultsAdsorption experiments performed on TBT‐contaminated artificial process wastewater revealed that the adsorption capacity of TBT increases with increase in the adsorbent amount, contact time, pH, stirring speed and initial TBT concentration. The adsorption isotherms and the kinetic data were well described by the Freundlich and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, respectively. The negative values of the Gibbs energy change (ΔGo) indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption and the positive values of the enthalpy change (ΔHo) showed that the adsorption process is endothermic. Optimal conditions for the adsorption of TBT from contaminated artificial process wastewater were applied to TBT removal from natural shipyard process wastewater and the results showed that 94.2%, 99.2% and 99.8% TBT were removed by the fly ash, activated carbon and fly ash/activated carbon composite, respectively.ConclusionThis study showed that the precursors as well as the composite could be employed as efficient adsorbents for the removal of TBT from contaminated shipyard process wastewater with the composite material exhibiting the highest adsorption efficiency. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
MRT letter: Visual attention driven framework for hysteroscopy video abstraction
Authors: Ejaz Naveed , Mehmood Irfan , Baik Sung Wook 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTDiagnostic hysteroscopy is a popular method for investigating the regions in the female reproductive system. The videos generated by hysteroscopy sessions of patients are recurrently archived in medical libraries. Gynecologists often need to browse these libraries in search of similar cases or for reviewing old videos of a patient. Diagnostic hysteroscopy videos contain a lot of information with abundant redundancy. Key frame extraction‐based video summarization can be used to reduce this huge amount of data. Moreover, key frames can be used for browsing and indexing of hysteroscopy videos. In this article, a domain specific visual attention driven framework for summarization of hysteroscopy videos is proposed. The visual attention model is materialized by computing saliency based on color, texture, and motion. The experimental results, in comparison with other techniques, demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:559–563, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A method for structure analysis of nanomaterials by electron diffraction: Phase identification and unit cell determination
Authors: Honglong Shi , Guling Zhang , Bin Zou , Minting Luo , Wenzhong Wang 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTWe report a quick and easy method for a random selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern without rotating and tilting the specimen to perform phase identification and unit cell determination by combined with the XRD softwares. If your TEM is well aligned and camera length is carefully corrected, two‐dimensional (2D)‐SAED pattern can be directly transformed to 1D‐profile after the center determination of pattern, this profile is then imported to XRD analysis packages. Finally, phase identification and unit cell determination can be performed after peak search or precise peak position determined by profile fitting. Two examples, flaky‐like TiO2 nanomaterial and TiO2 nanotubes precipitated by the silver nanoparticles, were tested and verified for the validation of phase identification and unit cell determination using this method; the successful crystallographic analysis of one single gold nanocrystal indicates it is still validate for the nanocrystals with the smaller diffraction volume, but need two or more random tilt SAED patterns. This method could be further used in the quantitative phase analysis, structure determination and Rietveld refinement for the nanomaterials if the reliable integrated intensity can be extracted. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:641–647, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deterministic chaos in frictional wedges revealed by convergence analysis
Authors: Mary B.C.L. , Maillot B. , Leroy Y.M. 
Published: March 2013

SUMMARYA triangular wedge, composed of a frictional material such as sand, and accreting additional material at its front, is the classical prototype for accretionary wedges and fold‐and‐thrust belts. A simplified method is proposed to capture the internal deformation of this structure resulting from a large number of faulting events during compression. The method combines the application of the kinematic approach of limit analysis to predict the optimum thrust‐fold and a set of geometrical rules to update the geometry accordingly, at each increment of shortening. It is shown that the structure topography remains approximately planar with a slope predicted by the critical Coulomb wedge theory. Failure by faulting occurs anywhere within the wedge at criticality, and its exact position is sensitive to topographic perturbations resulting from the deformation history. The convergence analysis in terms of the shortening increments and of the topography discretization reveals that the timing and the position of a single faulting event cannot be predicted. The convergence is achieved nevertheless in terms of the statistics of the distribution of the faulting events throughout the structure and during the entire deformation history. It is these two convergence properties that are presented to justify the claim that these compressed frictional wedges are imperfection sensitive, chaotic systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical determination of the tensile response and the dissipated fracture energy of concrete: role of the mesostructure and influence of the loading rate
Authors: Gatuingt F. , Snozzi L. , Molinari J. F. 
Published: March 2013

SUMMARYAt the mesoscopic scale, concrete can be considered as a mix of coarse aggregates with a mortar paste matrix. In this paper, we investigate numerically the influence of aggregates arrangements and loading rate on the tensile response of concrete. Each coarse aggregate is assumed to be circular with six different radiuses following the aggregates size distribution of real gravel. Rate‐independent cohesive elements are used to model failure within the mesostructure. Our results show that the spatial distribution of heterogeneities does not influence the peak strength, while it changes the post‐peak macroscopic response. This implies that our specimen size is large enough for strength computation but that larger mesostructures should be considered to obtain fully reliable toughness predictions. Although the cohesive approach is able to capture the transition from one macro‐crack in quasi‐static to multiple micro‐cracks in fast dynamics, which increases the dissipated fracture energy, our results suggest that the full extent of the high‐rate strengthening of concrete observed experimentally for loading rates greater than 1/s cannot be captured with rate independent constitutive laws.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical and adipocytokine changes after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese women
Authors: Auguet Teresa , Terra Ximena , Hernández Mercè , Sabench Fàtima , Porras Jose Antonio , Orellana‐Gavaldà Josep Maria , Llutart Jordi , Guiu‐Jurado Esther , Berlanga Alba , Martinez Salomé , Aguilar Carmen , Castillo Daniel Del , Richart Cristóbal 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveRecent studies report the effect of bariatric surgery on glycaemia control and prevention of type‐2‐diabetes in obese patients. This study is about the pathophysiological mechanisms associated to these changes.Design and MethodsCirculating levels of receptors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐RI, TNF‐RII), visfatin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and C reactive protein (CRP) in 30 morbidly obese women (body mass index, BMI>40 kg/m2) and 60 normal‐weight controls (BMI>25 kg/m2) were analyzed. Morbidly obese were studied at three time‐points: before surgery (baseline), and 6 and 12 months after.ResultsAfter surgery, the levels of TNF‐RI, TNF‐RII, visfatin, and CRP were significantly lower than its baseline levels, whereas HMW adiponectin was higher. Fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR) levels were markedly lower postoperatively. High density lipoproteins (HDL) moderately increased, and triglyceride levels had sharply decreased. The study of the predictive value of variables indicated that preoperative levels of TNF‐RI and visfatin correlated positively with levels of glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, and HOMA2‐IR postoperatively, whereas adiponectin levels correlated negatively. Baseline CRP levels negatively linked to HDL and TNF‐RII positively to triglyceride.ConclusionsThe preoperative profile with high levels of proinflammatory adipocytokines is linked to smaller improvements in glucose homeostasis and lipid factors. The use of a range of biomarkers may predict the level of metabolic changes following bariatric surgery.
Body‐mass index and mortality risk in US Blacks compared to Whites
Authors: Jackson Chandra L. , Wang Nae‐Yuh , Yeh Hsin‐Chieh , Szklo Moyses , Dray‐Spira Rosemary , Brancati Frederick L. 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo compare body‐mass index (BMI)‐related mortality risk in US Blacks vs. Whites as the relationship appears to differ across race/ethnicity groups.MethodsCross‐sectional surveys of nationally representative samples of 11,934 Blacks and 59,741 Whites aged 35‐75 in the National Health Interview Survey from 1997 to 2002 with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer were pooled. Mortality follow‐up was available through 2006. BMI was calculated from self‐reported height and weight. We used adjusted Cox regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders.ResultsOver 9 years of follow‐up, there were 4303 deaths (1205 among never smokers). Age‐adjusted mortality rates were higher in Blacks compared to Whites at BMI < 25 kg/m2 and showed no increase at higher levels of BMI. In men, adjusted hazard ratios for all‐cause death rose in a similar fashion across upper BMI quintiles in Blacks and Whites; in women, however, BMI was positively associated with mortality risk in Whites, but inversely associated in Blacks (P interaction = 0.01). Racial disparities were amplified in subsidiary analyses that introduced a 12‐month lag for mortality or focused on CVD mortality.ConclusionsThe relationship of elevated BMI to mortality appeared weaker in US Blacks than in Whites, especially among women.