bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a Planetary Differential for Use as a Continuously Variable Transmission
Authors: Randall Austin B. , Todd Robert H. 
Published: January 2015

With gas prices and pollution on the rise, the production of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles has been a focus of all major automobile manufacturers. The further advancement of this technology must not only continue to focus on fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles, but also decrease their cost to make them more available and enticing to the general public.
Results from this research include one potential solution to reduce the cost of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. An exploration of the functionality of a Planetary Differential (PD) has shown that it can simplify expensive and complex electronic control systems for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. This research is a furtherance of work performed previously and its main purpose is to discover a more efficient solution than what was already tested under similar circumstances. Recommendations for future work and implementation of the PD in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are presented herein.
Importance of Bacterial Replication and Alveolar Macrophage-Independent Clearance Mechanisms during Early Lung Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Camberlein Emilie , Cohen Jonathan M. , José Ricardo , Hyams Catherine J. , Callard Robin , Chimalapati Suneeta , Yuste Jose , Edwards Lindsey A. , Marshall Helina , van Rooijen Nico , Noursadeghi Mahdad , Brown Jeremy S. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Although the importance of alveolar macrophages for host immunity during early
Streptococcus pneumoniae
lung infection is well established, the contribution and relative importance of other innate immunity mechanisms and of bacterial factors are less clear. We have used a murine model of
S. pneumoniae
early lung infection with wild-type, unencapsulated, and
para
-amino benzoic acid auxotroph mutant TIGR4 strains to assess the effects of inoculum size, bacterial replication, capsule, and alveolar macrophage-dependent and -independent clearance mechanisms on bacterial persistence within the lungs. Alveolar macrophage-dependent and -independent (calculated indirectly) clearance half-lives and bacterial replication doubling times were estimated using a mathematical model. In this model, after infection with a high-dose inoculum of encapsulated
S. pneumoniae
, alveolar macrophage-independent clearance mechanisms were dominant, with a clearance half-life of 24 min compared to 135 min for alveolar macrophage-dependent clearance. In addition, after a high-dose inoculum, successful lung infection required rapid bacterial replication, with an estimated
S. pneumoniae
doubling time of 16 min. The capsule had wide effects on early lung clearance mechanisms, with reduced half-lives of 14 min for alveolar macrophage-independent and 31 min for alveolar macrophage-dependent clearance of unencapsulated bacteria. In contrast, with a lower-dose inoculum, the bacterial doubling time increased to 56 min and the
S. pneumoniae
alveolar macrophage-dependent clearance half-life improved to 42 min and was largely unaffected by the capsule. These data demonstrate the large effects of bacterial factors (inoculum size, the capsule, and rapid replication) and alveolar macrophage-independent clearance mechanisms during early lung infection with
S. pneumoniae
.
Slow Leakage of Ca-Dipicolinic Acid from Individual Bacillus Spores during Initiation of Spore Germination
Authors: Wang Shiwei , Setlow Peter , Li Yong-qing 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

When exposed to nutrient or nonnutrient germinants, individual
Bacillus
spores can return to life through germination followed by outgrowth. Laser tweezers, Raman spectroscopy, and either differential interference contrast or phase-contrast microscopy were used to analyze the slow dipicolinic acid (DPA) leakage (normally ∼20% of spore DPA) from individual spores that takes place prior to the lag time,
T
lag
, when spores begin rapid release of remaining DPA. Major conclusions from this work with
Bacillus subtilis
spores were as follows: (i) slow DPA leakage from wild-type spores germinating with nutrients did not begin immediately after nutrient exposure but only at a later heterogeneous time
T
1
; (ii) the period of slow DPA leakage (Δ
T
leakage
=
T
lag
−
T
1
) was heterogeneous among individual spores, although the amount of DPA released in this period was relatively constant; (iii) increases in germination temperature significantly decreased
T
1
times but increased values of Δ
T
leakage
; (iv) upon germination with
l
-valine for 10 min followed by addition of
d
-alanine to block further germination, all germinated spores had
T
1
times of less than 10 min, suggesting that
T
1
is the time when spores become committed to germinate; (v) elevated levels of SpoVA proteins involved in DPA movement in spore germination decreased
T
1
and
T
lag
times but not the amount of DPA released in Δ
T
leakage
; (vi) lack of the cortex-lytic enzyme CwlJ increased DPA leakage during germination due to longer Δ
T
leakage
times in which more DPA was released; and (vii) there was slow DPA leakage early in germination of
B. subtilis
spores by the nonnutrients CaDPA and dodecylamine and in nutrient germination of
Bacillus cereus
and
Bacillus megaterium
spores. Overall, these findings have identified and characterized a new early event in
Bacillus
spore germination.
No consistent association between processes-of-care and health-related quality of life among patients with diabetes: a missing link?
Authors: Casillas Alejandra , Iglesias Katia , Flatz Aline , Burnand Bernard , Peytremann-Bridevaux Isabelle 
Published: January 2015

PurposeHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is considered a representative outcome in the evaluation of chronic disease management initiatives emphasizing patient-centered care. We evaluated the association between receipt of processes-of-care (PoC) for diabetes and HRQoL.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used self-reported data from non-institutionalized adults with diabetes in a Swiss canton. Outcomes were the physical/mental composites of the short form health survey 12 (SF-12) physical composite score, mental composite score (PCS, MCS) and the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL). Main exposure variables were receipt of six PoC for diabetes in the past 12 months, and the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) score. We performed linear regressions to examine the association between PoC, PACIC and the three composites of HRQoL.ResultsMean age of the 519 patients was 64.5 years (SD 11.3); 60% were male, 87% reported type 2 or undetermined diabetes and 48% had diabetes for over 10 years. Mean HRQoL scores were SF-12 PCS: 43.4 (SD 10.5), SF-12 MCS: 47.0 (SD 11.2) and ADDQoL: −1.6 (SD 1.6). In adjusted models including all six PoC simultaneously, receipt of influenza vaccine was associated with lower ADDQoL (β=−0.4, p≤0.01) and foot examination was negatively associated with SF-12 PCS (β=−1.8, p≤0.05). There was no association or trend towards a negative association when these PoC were reported as combined measures. PACIC score was associated only with the SF-12 MCS (β=1.6, p≤0.05).ConclusionsPoC for diabetes did not show a consistent association with HRQoL in a cross-sectional analysis. This may represent an effect lag time between time of process received and health-related quality of life. Further research is needed to study this complex phenomenon.
Waterfalls and the Romantic traveller
Authors: Hudson Brian J. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Waterfalls have long attracted the attention of travellers, some of whom were writers and artists who have left us a cultural legacy of their observations and interpretations. Likewise, geologists have studied and recorded these landscape features since the infancy of their science. An examination of travellers’ experiences of waterfalls since the emergence of Romanticism in eighteenth-century Europe reveals a variety of responses, both utilitarian and aesthetic. Seen as valuable sources of renewable energy, impediments to navigation, beautiful, sublime or picturesque natural wonders and resources for tourism, waterfalls continue to appeal to the Romantic traveller and the pleasure-seeking tourist. Increasingly, waterfalls are being threatened by schemes to exploit them, especially for power generation or intensive tourism development. In many parts of the world, this presents a serious challenge to those responsible for the management of this often spectacular aspect of geodiversity. This paper explores these various themes which are contextualized within the historical and cultural framework of Romanticism.
Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Endometrial Cancer in the United States: A Study in the SEER–Medicare Linked Database
Authors: Trabert Britton , Wentzensen Nicolas , Felix Ashley S. , Yang Hannah P. , Sherman Mark E. , Brinton Louise A. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome and its component feature, central obesity, are associated with endometrial cancer risk. It remains unclear whether associations with the other metabolic factors that comprise metabolic syndrome are independent of the obesity–endometrial cancer association. Furthermore, the link with specific endometrial cancer subtypes remains ill-defined, despite evidence of etiologic heterogeneity among these tumors.
Methods: In a case–control study within the SEER–Medicare linked database, we examined whether metabolic factors, individually or combined, were associated with endometrial cancer. Cases (n = 16,323) were women diagnosed with endometrial cancer from 1993 through 2007. Controls (n = 100,751) were a 5% sample of female Medicare enrollees residing in the same SEER registry area as cases. Metabolic syndrome was defined using ICD-9-CM codes from inpatient/outpatient diagnoses 1 to 3 years before case diagnosis and a comparable time period in controls. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression.
Results: Endometrial cancer risk was associated with metabolic syndrome [OR (95% CI): 1.39 (1.32–1.47)] and its component factors: overweight/obesity [1.95 (1.80–2.11)], impaired fasting glucose [1.36 (1.30–1.43)], high blood pressure [1.31 (1.25–1.36)], and high triglycerides [1.13 (1.08–1.18)]. After adjusting for overweight/obesity, the increased risks associated with the metabolic syndrome factors remained. Heterogeneity of associations by subtype were not identified (Pheterogeneity = 0.82).
Conclusions: Among women age 65 and older in the United States, metabolic syndrome, and its component factors, increased endometrial cancer risk similarly across endometrial cancer subtypes.
Impact: Strategies to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome factors might have a favorable effect on endometrial cancer incidence. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 261–7. ©2015 AACR.
Pharmacogenomic Determinants of the Cardiovascular Effects of Dalcetrapib
Authors: Tardif Jean-Claude , Rhéaume Eric , Lemieux Perreault Louis-Philippe , Grégoire Jean C. , Feroz Zada Yassamin , Asselin Géraldine , Provost Sylvie , Barhdadi Amina , Rhainds David , L’Allier Philippe L. , Ibrahim Reda , Upmanyu Ruchi , Niesor Eric J. , Benghozi Renée , Suchankova Gabriela , Laghrissi-Thode Fouzia , Guertin Marie-Claude , Olsson Anders G. , Mongrain Ian , Schwartz Gregory G. , Dubé Marie-Pierre 
Published: January 2015

Background—
Dalcetrapib did not improve clinical outcomes, despite increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 30%. These results differ from other evidence supporting high-density lipoprotein as a therapeutic target. Responses to dalcetrapib may vary according to patients’ genetic profile.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a pharmacogenomic evaluation using a genome-wide approach in the dal-OUTCOMES study (discovery cohort, n=5749) and a targeted genotyping panel in the dal-PLAQUE-2 imaging trial (support cohort, n=386). The primary endpoint for the discovery cohort was a composite of cardiovascular events. The change from baseline in carotid intima-media thickness on ultrasonography at 6 and 12 months was evaluated as supporting evidence. A single-nucleotide polymorphism was found to be associated with cardiovascular events in the dalcetrapib arm, identifying the
ADCY9
gene on chromosome 16 (rs1967309;
P
=2.41×10
–8
), with 8 polymorphisms providing
P
<10
–6
in this gene. Considering patients with genotype AA at rs1967309, there was a 39% reduction in the composite cardiovascular endpoint with dalcetrapib compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.41–0.92). In patients with genotype GG, there was a 27% increase in events with dalcetrapib versus placebo. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphism in the
ADCY9
gene, the majority in linkage disequilibrium with rs1967309, were associated with the effect of dalcetrapib on intima-media thickness (
P
<0.05). Marker rs2238448 in
ADCY9
, in linkage disequilibrium with rs1967309 (
r
2
=0.8), was associated with both the effects of dalcetrapib on intima-media thickness in dal-PLAQUE-2 (
P
=0.009) and events in dal-OUTCOMES (
P
=8.88×10
–8
; hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.78).

Conclusions—

The effects of dalcetrapib on atherosclerotic outcomes are determined by correlated polymorphisms in the
ADCY9
gene.

Clinical Trial Information—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT00658515 and NCT01059682
An Estimation of Finger-Tapping Rates and Load Capacities and the Effects of Various Factors
Authors: Ekşioğlu Mahmut , İşeri Ali 
Published: January 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the finger-tapping rates and finger load capacities of eight fingers (excluding thumbs) for a healthy adult population and investigate the effects of various factors on tapping rate. Background: Finger-tapping rate, the total number of finger taps per unit of time, can be used as a design parameter of various products and also as a psychomotor test for evaluating patients with neurologic problems. Method: A 1-min tapping task was performed by 148 participants with maximum volitional tempo for each of eight fingers. For each of the tapping tasks, the participant with the corresponding finger tapped the associated key in the standard position on the home row of a conventional keyboard for touch typing. Results: The index and middle fingers were the fastest fingers for both hands, and little fingers the slowest. All dominant-hand fingers, except little finger, had higher tapping rates than the fastest finger of the nondominant hand. Tapping rate decreased with age and smokers tapped faster than nonsmokers. Tapping duration and exercise had also significant effect on tapping rate. Conclusion: Normative data of tapping rates and load capacities of eight fingers were estimated for the adult population. In designs of psychomotor tests that require the use of tapping rate or finger load capacity data, the effects of finger, age, smoking, and tapping duration need to be taken into account. Application: The findings can be used for ergonomic designs requiring finger-tapping capacity and also as a reference in psychomotor tests.
Outcomes of Pressure‐Induced Cranial Neuropathies from Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Illing Elisa A. , Dunlap Quinn , Woodworth Bradford A. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesAllergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) may present with significant bone erosion of the orbital walls or cranial base. Although proptosis is fairly common, cranial neuropathies are rarely reported. The objectives of this study are to describe strategies for AFRS‐induced neuropathies and evaluate ophthalmologic outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary referral center.Subject and MethodsA retrospective review identified 9 patients treated from 2008 to 2014 with AFRS‐induced cranial neuropathies. Data regarding patient demographics, preoperative imaging, ophthalmologic symptoms, surgical intervention, histopathologic findings, and postoperative sinonasal and ophthalmologic outcomes were recorded.ResultsPatients with AFRS (average age, 38 years) presented with optic neuropathy or abducens nerve palsy. Clinical presentation included unilateral visual loss secondary to optic nerve compression (n = 5), diplopia from unilateral (n = 2) or bilateral (n = 1) abducens nerve palsy, and bitemporal hemianopsia secondary to optic chiasm compression (n = 1). On average, the duration of ocular symptoms was 17 days. All patients underwent endoscopic surgical decompression of the sinuses and oral steroid therapy. Two individuals had an additional optic nerve decompression at the time of surgery. Seven patients had complete return of nerve function, whereas 2 had partial recovery at an average of 5 weeks following surgery.ConclusionBone erosion of the sphenoid sinus walls by AFRS can lead to compression of surrounding neural structures producing cranial neuropathies. Identification of these symptoms and prompt surgical decompression and removal of disease, along with aggressive medical therapy, provided excellent outcomes in the current series of patients.
Combined Anatomic Factors Predicting Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury for Males and Females
Authors: Sturnick Daniel R. , Vacek Pamela M. , DeSarno Michael J. , Gardner-Morse Mack G. , Tourville Timothy W. , Slauterbeck James R. , Johnson Robert J. , Shultz Sandra J. , Beynnon Bruce D. 
Published: January 2015

Background: Knee joint geometry has been associated with risk of suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury; however, few studies have utilized multivariate analysis to investigate how different aspects of knee joint geometry combine to influence ACL injury risk. Hypotheses: Combinations of knee geometry measurements are more highly associated with the risk of suffering a noncontact ACL injury than individual measurements, and the most predictive combinations of measurements are different for males and females. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 88 first-time, noncontact, grade III ACL-injured subjects and 88 uninjured matched-control subjects were recruited, and magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired. The geometry of the tibial plateau subchondral bone, articular cartilage, and meniscus; geometry of the tibial spines; and size of the femoral intercondylar notch and ACL were measured. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to develop risk models for ACL injury in females and males separately. Results: For females, the best fitting model included width of the femoral notch at its anterior outlet and the posterior-inferior–directed slope of the lateral compartment articular cartilage surface, where a millimeter decrease in notch width and a degree increase in slope were independently associated with a 50% and 32% increase in risk of ACL injury, respectively. For males, a model that included ACL volume and the lateral compartment posterior meniscus to subchondral bone wedge angle was most highly associated with risk of ACL injury, where a 0.1 cm3 decrease in ACL volume (approximately 8% of the mean value) and a degree decrease in meniscus wedge angle were independently associated with a 43% and 23% increase in risk, correspondingly. Conclusion: Combinations of knee joint geometry measurements provided more information about the risk of noncontact ACL injury than individual measures, and the aspects of geometry that best explained the relationship between knee geometry and the risk of injury were different between males and females. Consequently, a female with both a decreased femoral notch width and an increased posterior-inferior–directed lateral compartment tibial articular cartilage slope combined or a male with a decreased ACL volume and decreased lateral compartment posterior meniscus angle were most at risk for sustaining an ACL injury.
Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of Bi3B5O12 Powders
Authors: Liang Feng , Zhou Yuan-Lin , Wang Shan-Qiang , Zhang Quan-Ping 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
In this letter, we report on oxoborate (Bi3B5O12) powders synthesized by a self-propagating high-temperature method for the first time. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated a partial orientation in the (200) plane promotes an improvement in optical properties related to photoluminescence (PL) intensity at room temperature and broad green PL emissions were tested with the excited wavelength at 250 nm, which offers much more possibilities as a sensitizer with bismuth phosphors for energy-saving lamps.
Ni0.85Se Nanostructures with Plate-like and Particle Morphologies and Their Catalytic Performances
Authors: Wang Xian-Wen , Wu Kong-Lin , Zhao Meng-Li , Zhang Zai-Xian , Ling Min , Liu Kun , Wei Xian-Wen , Liu Xiaowang , Yun Ruirui 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Ni0.85Se plate-like nanostructures (PNSs) had been prepared by a template method, and by a similar process, the Ni0.85Se nanoparticles were obtained by using NiCl2·6H2O as the nickel source. The Ni0.85Se nanostructures (NSs) with different shapes exhibited high catalytic activities for hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with excess NaBH4. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first report on using Ni0.85Se NSs as catalysts for the reduction of 4-NP.
Numerical Methods for Three-Dimensional Reservoir Models
Authors: Azizi K. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
This paper presents techniques for the mathematical modeling of physical systems which are described by linear and non-linear partial differential equations. The most popular numerical methods for the solution of non- linear and even some linear problems are based on finite-difference approximations for the derivatives. This paper presents finite-difference methods which are most suitable when changes are taking place in all three space coordinate directions and in the time direction. The main concern here is with physical systems – such as petroleum reservoirs – which are often described by a set of parabolic and/or elliptic partial differential equations.
Use of Polymers to Control Clay Swelling
Authors: Slobod R.L. , Beiswanger J.P.G. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The injection of water to displace oil is one of the main methods used to increase oil recovery. High injection rates are generally desired, and in some cases the flood will not be economic unless high rates are maintained. The presence of clays which swell in the presence of water offers a complication to the problem of maintaining adequate infectivity. In the course of this study we observed that certain polymers, when present in dilute concentrations in the water, had the ability to reduce the response of these clays to fresh water. Two polymers, one anionic and the other nonionic, were found to be very effective in controlling the clays present in Berea cores. Successful control of clay swelling was obtained by the use of solutions containing as little as 1.0 ppm of polymer, but at this low concentration appreciable volumes of treating solution were required.
These results suggest that some minimum amount of polymer must be adsorbed to prevent clay swelling. In Berea sandstone, this minimum amount appeared to be of the order of 0.03 mg per cc of pore space. A series of tests made using 10.0 ppm polymer showed that the polymer could be made to move through the porous system in which 0.066/mg of polymer was adsorbed per cc of pore space. This amount, equivalent to 0.023 lb of polymer per barrel of pore space, appears to be of economic interest.