bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of viscosity reducing agent on the properties of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Al-Saleh Mohammed H. , Irshidat Mohammad R. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Epoxy nanocomposites that are produced in a solvent-free environment suffer from the inadequate dispersion of nanofiller and poor interfacial interaction between the nanofiller and polymer matrix. In this work, the effect of replacing a portion of the epoxy resin with a viscosity reducing agent (VRA) on the structure, electrical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT)/epoxy nanocomposite have been investigated. Optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the structure of the nanocomposite at the microscale and nanoscale, respectively. For nanocomposites without VRA, it was found that the addition of CNT degrades the tensile strength and toughness; meanwhile, it enhances the flexural modulus, Young’s modulus and electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite. However, the addition of VRA retained the tensile strength of the epoxy system and maintained the improvements in flexural strength and electrical conductivity that have been achieved due to CNT addition.
Radiolytical oxidation of gaseous iodine by beta radiation
Authors: Kärkelä Teemu , Auvinen Ari , Kekki Tommi , Kotiluoto Petri , Lyyränen Jussi , Jokiniemi Jorma 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Iodine is one of the most radiotoxic fission product released from fuel during
a severe nuclear power plant accident. Within the containment building, iodine
compounds can react e.g. on the painted surfaces and form gaseous organic
iodides.
In this study, it was found out that gaseous methyl iodide (CH3I) is
oxidised when exposed to beta radiation in an oxygen containing atmosphere. As
a result, nucleation of aerosol particles takes place and the formation of
iodine oxide particles is suggested. These particles are highly
hygroscopic. They take up water from the air humidity and iodine oxides
dissolve within the droplets. In order to mitigate the possible source term,
it is of interest to understand the effect of beta radiation on the speciation
of iodine.
Pinus roxburghii plant needles as a three-season biomonitor for elemental air pollution monitoring along roadside
Authors: Daud Muhammad , Wasim Mohammad , Khalid Nasir , Waheed Shahida 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The present study deals with the determination of 36 elements in Pinus roxburghii plant needles to assess their potential as
biomonitor for elemental air pollution monitoring. The elemental quantification was made by employing Instrumental Neutron Activation
Analysis (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) techniques. The needles of Pinus roxburghii were collected in
spring, summer and winter seasons from various sites in Islamabad. The method validation was performed by analyzing two certified
reference materials i.e., Citrus leaves – NIST-SRM-1572 and IAEA-Soil-7. Pollution level was assessed by using three indicators:
enrichment factor, pollution load index and average toxic element concentration. The results indicated that the needles of
Pinus roxburghii plant had potential to monitor the extent of air pollution in the vicinity of high traffic areas.
Correlation of diffusion MRI with the Ki-67 index in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Karaman Adem , Durur-Subasi Irmak , Alper Fatih , Araz Omer , Subasi Mahmut , Demirci Elif , Albayrak Mevlut , Polat Gökhan , Akgun Metin , Karabulut Nevzat 
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Background. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) and Ki-67, an index for cellular proliferation, in non-small cell lung cancers. Also, we aimed to assess whether ADCmin values differ between tumour subtypes and tissue sampling method.

Methods. The patients who had diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) were enrolled retrospectively. The correlation between ADCmin and the Ki-67 index was evaluated.

Results. Ninety three patients, with a mean age 65 ± 11 years, with histopathologically proven adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and had technically successful DW-MRI were included in the study. The numbers of tumour subtypes were 47 for adenocarcinoma and 46 for squamous cell carcinoma. There was a good negative correlation between ADCmin values and the Ki-67 proliferation index (r = −0.837, p < 0.001). The mean ADCmin value was higher and the mean Ki-67 index was lower in adenocarcinomas compared to squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference between tissue sampling methods.

Conclusions. Because ADCmin shows a good but negative correlation with Ki-67 index, it provides an opportunity to evaluate tumours and their aggressiveness and may be helpful in the differentiation of subtypes non-invasively.
River dynamics and invasion: distribution patterns of native and invasive woody vegetation at the Río Negro, Argentina
Authors: Thomas Lisa K. , Mosner Eva , Leyer Ilona 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSalicaceae are typical invaders of riparian ecosystems throughout the world and they have the potential to change much of the invaded habitats. Along Patagonian streams, riparian softwood forests composed of non-native Salicaceae are increasing in abundance, area and tree species diversity. Especially in the last decades, dense floodplain forests dominated by invasive willows and poplars and additionally Russian olive and tamarisk spread almost explosively e.g. along the Río Negro in northern Patagonia. This study focuses on the identification of ecological niches and niche overlaps of the native and invasive woody species in order to assess the impact on the native Salix humboldtiana Willd. Data on species (presence/ absence) and explanatory variables were gathered in the field using a grid-based, stratified-randomized sampling design. Different environmental variables were then related to species occurrence in different life stages (adult, juvenile, seedling) using habitat distribution models. In the final models, flood duration, the amount of gravel and the location (upper or middle river valley) were included to describe the probability of occurrence of native and invasive taxa. For all life stages, a strong niche overlap could be observed for S. humboldtiana and the invasive taxa with no remaining exclusive habitats indicating a potential threat to the native willow. The study contributes to a better understanding of Salicaceae invasion and its consequences for riparian ecosystems.
Optimization of preparation conditions of epoxy-containing nanocapsules
Authors: Cai Xiulan , Fu Datian , Qu Ailan 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Nanocapsules using epoxy and urea formaldehyde as core and shell materials, respectively, were prepared by in situ polymerization. The effects of processing conditions on the properties of epoxy nanocapsules were systematically investigated based on w(core) and average diameter of nanocapsules through the method of orthographic factorial design, and the optimum processing conditions were concluded. The results indicated that the key influencing factors on w(core) was agitation rate; on average, diameter of nanocapsules was emulsifier. The analysis of mechanical properties and thermal stability indicated that nanocapsules prepared in the optimum conditions are suitable for storage and the optimum content of nanocapsules was 10%. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that nanocapsules were well encapsuled and presented uniform spheres with rough surface. The broken nanocapsule indicated that the shell of the nanocapsule was thin and could coat more epoxy resin. The analysis of finite element method proved that nanocapsules prepared in the optimum conditions with an average of 110 nm shell thickness were suitable for self-healing materials.
Numerical Study of Unsteady Properties of Ethylene/Air Turbulent Jet Diffusion Flame with Detached Eddy Simulation
Authors: Ma Sugang , Zhong Fengquan , Zhang Xinyu 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this paper, unsteady process of ignition and combustion of turbulent plane-jet diffusion flame of ethylene/air is numerically simulated with detached eddy simulation (DES) and a reduced kinetic mechanism of ethylene. The kinetic mechanism consisting of 25 species and 131 steps is reduced from a 25 species/131 steps detailed mechanism via the method of error-propagation-based directed relation graph (DRGEP). The DES results of averaged temperature profiles at varied downstream locations are compared with the DNS results of Yoo et al. [
Dense Electron-Positron Pair Plasma Expansion
Authors: Djebli Mourad 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The expansion of an electron-positron plasma is studied based on quantum hydrodynamical equations for two fluids. The quasi-neutral expansion, depicted through the quantum screening distance, is investigated numerically when the annealing processes is very slow. It was found that the pair plasma behaves as a single fluid with a front expansion velocity that depends on the density and degenerate parameters. Faster expansion results from the existence of exchange-correlation potential, which is enhanced in high-density plasma. The present investigation may be useful in understanding the expansion of a dense plasma produced by the interaction between high-energy laser and solid targets.
Influence of metal ions on the formation of new metal complexes constructed from tetrachlorophthalic acid
Authors: Dai An-Qi , Yan Qi , Zhong Jing , Chen Sheng-Chun , He Ming-Yang , Chen Qun 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Reaction of 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,2-benzenedicarboxylyic acid (1,2-H2BDC-Cl4) with transitional metal salts at room temperature in mixed DMF/H2O solvent affords three complexes formulated as [Cu(1,2-HBDC-Cl4)2(DMF)2] (1), {[Cd(1,2-HBDC-Cl4)2(H2O)4]·2DMF} (2), and {[Ni(1,2-BDC-Cl4)(H2O)5]·DMF·H2O} (3) (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). All these complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In 1, the CuII ion is four-coordinated with a square-planar geometry formed by two 1,2-HBDC-Cl4 anions and two DMF ligands; in 2, the CdII ion takes an octahedral geometry coordinated by two 1,2-HBDC-Cl4 anions and four aqua ligands; while in 3, the NiII ion is octahedrally coordinated by one 1,2-BDC-Cl4 dianion and five aqua ligands. Intermolecular O–H···O hydrogen bonds and Cl···Cl (or C–H···Cl) interactions provide a significant contribution to stabilizing the three mononuclear structures in the solid state. The results suggest that structural differences among them are attributed to the influence of transition metal ions. The fluorescence of the complexes and of 1,2-H2BDC-Cl4 has been investigated. No significant metal effect has been observed.
Cost estimation in software engineering projects with web components development
Authors: De Andrés Suárez Javier , Fernández-Lanvin Daniel , Lorca Pedro 
Published: August 2015

<p class="ADYNAAbstrac"><span lang="ES-TRAD">La correcta predicción de costes es crucial para el éxito de un proyecto de ingeniería del software, dado que una estimación incorrecta puede derivar en el fracaso del mismo. Existen multitud de modelos propuestos para abordar esta parte de la gestión del proyecto, algunos orientados específicamente para proyectos de componente Web. Este trabajo trata de analizar si esta gestión específica de proyectos Web está justificada, examinando el comportamiento diferencial de los costes entre proyectos de desarrollo software Web y no Web. El análisis se centra en dos aspectos del cálculo de costes: las deseconomías de escala que se dan en este tipo de proyectos, y el impacto que conllevan algunas características de estos proyectos que son frecuentemente utilizados como cost drivers. Tras una revisión de las características principales de los desarrollos de proyectos Web, se enuncian dos hipótesis: (a) en estos proyectos las deseconomías de escala son mayores y (b) el efecto del incremento de coste que provocan los cost drivers de coste es menor para los proyectos Web. Se contrastaron estas hipótesis utilizando una base de datos con datos de proyectos reales. Los resultados sugieren que ambas hipótesis se cumplen, lo que justificaría el desarrollo y uso de modelos específicos para este tipo de proyectos.</span></p>
Methodology for Relative Location of Voltage Sags Source using Voltage Measurements Only
Authors: Blanco Solano Jairo , Petit Suárez Johann F. , Ordóñez Plata Gabriel Ordóñez Plata 
Published: August 2015

<p>This paper presents a methodology for the relative location of voltage sags source based on voltage measurements only. Network faults are the most frequent disturbances in the electrical systems and in turn are the causes that generate most voltage sags. Thus, the proposed algorithm considers only voltage sags by network faults and a minimum of three voltage meters are required. Power quality can be evaluated automatically using the characterising and extracting information from voltage records. The positive sequence voltages are the descriptors used to determine the relative location of the voltage sags causes and the methodology is applied to a simulation where its effectiveness is verified. Matlab was used for validating this methodology, receiving voltage records of simulated voltage sags in ATP-EMTP. </p>
Complete power distribution system representation and state determination for fault location
Authors: Panesso-Hernández Andres Felipe , Mora-Flórez Juan , Pérez-Londoño Sandra 
Published: August 2015

<p>The impedance-based approaches for fault location in power distribution systems determine a faulted line section. Next, these require of the estimation of the voltages and currents at one or both section line ends to exactly determine the fault location. It is a challenge because in most of the power distribution systems, measurements are only available at the main substation. This document presents a modeling proposal of the power distribution system and an easy implementation method to estimate the voltages and currents at the faulted line section, using the measurements at the main substation, the line, load, transformer parameters and other serial and shunt connected devices and the power system topology. The approach here proposed is tested using a fault locator based on superimposed components, where the distance estimation error is lower than 1.5% in all of the cases. </p>
Highly crystalline graphene formation from graphene oxides by ultrahigh temperature process using solar furnace
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshihiro , Ishida Takashi , Miyata Yuichiro , Shinoda Yoshihiko 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThis work reports the efficient structural restoration of defective graphene oxide (GO) to a crystalline graphene by an ultrahigh temperature process at around 1800 °C achieved by a solar furnace. The GO samples were treated at high temperature by irradiating concentrated sunlight and focusing it on the sample under an inert nitrogen environment at atmospheric and reduced pressure. The structural restoration of GO was analyzed by Raman spectra, and the features of their D- and 2D-bands were remarkably improved at ultrahigh temperatures. The restoration was induced not by a photochemical reaction but dominantly by a thermally stimulated reaction. The process under reduced pressure gives rise to significantly better features in the Raman spectra than that of the atmospheric condition. This tendency shows that a trace amount of impurities contained in pure nitrogen gas are not negligible and attack the GO surfaces to induce considerable defects. These results indicate the superiority of the ultrahigh temperature process at reduced pressure for efficient GO restoration and the formation of highly crystalline graphene.
Randomized Phase II Trial of Erlotinib Beyond Progression in Advanced Erlotinib-Responsive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Halmos Balazs , Pennell Nathan A. , Fu Pingfu , Saad Shumaila , Gadgeel Shirish , Otterson Gregory A. , Mekhail Tarek , Snell Michael , Kuebler J. Philip , Sharma Neelesh , Dowlati Afshin 
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Background.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is clearly beneficial in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, acquired resistance develops uniformly and the benefit of continuation of EGFR TKI therapy beyond progression remains unclear.

Materials and Methods.
This was a randomized phase II study of chemotherapy (arm A: pemetrexed or docetaxel) versus chemotherapy plus erlotinib (ERL) (arm B) in patients with progressive NSCLC following clinical benefit from erlotinib. In arm B, chemotherapy was given with erlotinib at an oral daily dose of 150 mg on days 2–19 of each cycle to minimize negative pharmacodynamic interactions. The primary endpoint was that continuation of erlotinib in this patient population could extend progression-free survival (PFS) by 50%.

Results.
A total of 46 patients were randomized (arm A: 24; arm B: 22). Patient characteristics were well balanced except there were more female patients in arm A (p = .075). The median PFS of patients in arm A was 5.5 months and for those in arm B, 4.4 months (p = .699). The response rates were 13% and 16% in arms A and B, respectively (p = .79). EGFR status data were available for 39 of the 46 patients and no significant difference in PFS was seen for continuing ERL beyond progression in mutation-positive patients. Substantially more toxicity was seen in arm B than arm A.

Conclusion.
There was added toxicity but no benefit with the continuation of ERL beyond progression along with chemotherapy as compared with chemotherapy alone.

Implications for Practice:
The benefits of continuing erlotinib upon progression alongside conventional chemotherapy are unclear. This randomized phase II study, initiated prior to the establishment of routine epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing, addressed this clinically relevant issue through randomizing patients with prior clinical benefit from erlotinib (thereby enriching for EGFR-mutated tumors) upon progression in the second- or third-line setting to conventional chemotherapy (single-agent pemetrexed or docetaxel) with or without continued erlotinib. The results showed no benefit to continuing erlotinib beyond progression, while significantly more side effects were noted in the combination arm. Along with other recently presented study findings, these results argue against the routine practice of continuing erlotinib in this setting.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung (Typical and Atypical Carcinoid): Current Status and Future Considerations
Authors: Wolin Edward M. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the lung represent approximately 25% of all primary lung tumors and can be classified as low grade (typical carcinoids), intermediate grade (atypical carcinoids), or high grade (large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma or small cell lung carcinoma). Low- and intermediate-grade lung NET are increasingly recognized as biologically distinct from high-grade lung NET based on clinical behavior and underlying molecular abnormalities. This review summarizes current knowledge and challenges in the diagnosis and management of low- and intermediate-grade lung NET. Accurate histopathologic classification of lung NET is critical to determining appropriate treatment options but can be challenging even for experts. For low- and intermediate-grade lung NET, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for localized disease. Although no standard systemic therapy has been established for the treatment of advanced, unresectable disease, a number of promising treatment options are emerging, including somatostatin analogs, temozolomide-based chemotherapy, targeted therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Given the difficulty in accurately diagnosing these tumors, and the paucity of data supporting establishment of standard systemic therapy options, management of patients within the setting of a multidisciplinary team, including specialists with expertise in NET, is recommended. Ongoing and future clinical trials hopefully will provide stronger evidence to support treatment recommendations for low- and intermediate-grade lung NET.

Implications for Practice:
Treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET), particularly those of lung origin, continues to evolve. This review seeks to educate oncologists on the most up-to-date options and supporting data regarding management of two rare lung neoplasms, typical and atypical carcinoid tumors. Although surgical resection has been the mainstay of treatment, several systemic options have been studied in the treatment of NET of various origins that may potentially play a role in treating typical carcinoid tumors and atypical carcinoid tumors.
Experimental Fusion of Contrast Enhanced High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and High-Resolution Micro-Computed Tomography in Imaging the Mouse Inner Ear
Authors: S Allen Counter , Damberg Peter , Aski Sahar Nikkhou , Nagy Kálmán , Berglin Cecilia Engmér , Laurell Göran 
Published: August 2015

Objective:
Imaging cochlear, vestibular, and 8th cranial nerve abnormalities remains a challenge. In this study, the membranous and osseous labyrinths of the wild type mouse inner ear were examined using volumetric data from ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium contrast at 9.4 Tesla and high-resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT) to visualize the scalae and vestibular apparatus, and to establish imaging protocols and parameters for comparative analysis of the normal and mutant mouse inner ear.

Methods:
For in vivo MRI acquisition, animals were placed in a Milleped coil situated in the isocenter of a horizontal 9.4 T Varian magnet. For µCT examination, cone beam scans were performed ex vivo following MRI using the µCT component of a nanoScan PET/CT in vivo scanner.

Results:
The fusion of Gd enhanced high field MRI and high-resolution µCT scans revealed the dynamic membranous labyrinth of the perilymphatic fluid filled scala tympani and scala vestibule of the cochlea, and semicircular canals of the vestibular apparatus, within the µCT visualized contours of the contiguous osseous labyrinth. The ex vivo µCT segmentation revealed the surface contours and structural morphology of each cochlea turn and the semicircular canals in 3 planes.

Conclusions:
The fusion of ultra high-field MRI and high-resolution µCT imaging techniques were complementary, and provided high-resolution dynamic and static visualization of the complex morphological features of the normal mouse inner ear structures, which may offer a valuable approach for the investigation of cochlear and vestibular abnormalities that are associated with birth defects related to genetic inner ear disorders in humans.