bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The biological treatment of high salinity synthetic oilfield produced water in a submerged membrane bioreactor using a halophilic bacterial consortium
Authors: Sharghi Elham Abdollahzadeh , Bonakdarpour Babak , Roustazade Pegah , Amoozegar Mohammad A. , Rabbani Ahamad R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundProduced water (PW) is the most important wastewater of the oil industry and if disposed of without adequate treatment can cause serious environmental pollution. Biological treatment is one option explored in recent years for treatment of PW but traditional biological processes potentially fail when the salinity level of the PW is high. In the present study, a halophilic bacterial consortium was employed for treatment of high salinity synthetic PW in a membrane bioreactor (MBR).ResultsDuring the 112 days operation of the MBR at hydraulic retention time (HRT) and sludge retention time (SRT) of 48 h and 80 days respectively, there was a consistently low turbidity in the MBR effluent. Oil and grease (O&G) content of the effluent was also consistently below international limits for discharge to the sea or re‐injection to oil wells. With increase in organic loading rate from 0.3 to 0.9 kg COD m−3 d−1, O&G removal efficiency increased from 89.2% to 95.5% whereas chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (c. 83%) did not change. Also, the transmembrane pressure during operation of the MBR remained in the range 1–2 kPa.ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate the very good potential of the MBR, both in terms of removal performance and membrane fouling, for treatment of high salinity PW. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of neighborhood household income on early death or urgent hospital readmission
Authors: van Walraven Carl , Wong Jenna , Forster Alan J. 
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUNDThe relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) with hospital readmissions is unclear.METHODSWe used population‐based administrative datasets to randomly select 40,827 adult Ontarians discharged from hospital to the community. Patient postal codes were linked to average neighborhood household‐income quintiles. The association of this SES measure with 30‐day death or urgent readmission was measured after controlling for outcome risk using a validated index, LACE+: length of stay (L), acuity of the admission (A), comorbidity of the patient (measured with the Charlson Comorbidity Index score (C), and emergency‐department use (E).RESULTSWithin 1 month of discharge, 2638 (6.5%) people died or were urgently readmitted. Lower neighborhood income was significantly associated with both an increased outcome risk (P < 0.0001) and LACE+ score. After adjusting for LACE+ score, neighborhood income was no longer associated with 30‐day death or urgent readmission (P = 0.21).CONCLUSIONSAfter accounting for known risk factors, early death or readmission is not more common in people from lower‐income neighborhoods. Further study is required to determine if SES is associated with adverse postdischarge outcomes in settings without publicly funded healthcare. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:261–266. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Fetal liver T2* values: Defining a standardized scale
Authors: Goitein Orly , Eshet Yael , Hoffmann Chen , Raviv‐Zilka Lisa , Salem Yishay , Hamdan Ashraf , Goitein David , Kushnir Tamar , Eshed Iris , Di‐Segni Elio , Konen Eli 
Published: April 2013

PurposeTo define the normal T2* values of liver in the third trimester of pregnancy in normal fetuses.Materials and MethodsMulti‐echo gradient echo T2* sequence was applied to the fetal abdomen in the axial plane in women undergoing a fetal MRI (1.5 Tesla [T], MRI system). A region of interest, best visualizing in the liver parenchyma was used for measurements. Studies were independently read by two experienced readers to assess intra‐ and interobserver variability.ResultsThe study cohort included 46 pregnant women undergoing fetal MRI for any indication other than liver pathology evaluation. Three scans were excluded due to fetal motion. Average maternal and gestational age were 33 ± 4 years and 31.9 ± 3 weeks, respectively. Average T2* values were found to be 19.7 ± 7.4 ms. The intra‐ and interobserver agreement were very good: 0.93 and 0.8–0.084, respectively.ConclusionT2* MRI allows noninvasive evaluation liver iron content in the third trimester fetus. Measured values at this stage of pregnancy are significantly lower compared with values cited in the literature for adults. This is of major importance in the correct diagnosis of fetal iron overload states. We propose this as the standard reference when evaluating fetal iron overload pathology. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1342–1345. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass spectrometry based lipid(ome) analyzer and molecular platform: a new software to interpret and analyze electrospray and/or matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data of lipids: a case study from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sabareesh Varatharajan , Singh Gurpreet 
Published: April 2013

Mass Spectrometry based Lipid(ome) Analyzer and Molecular Platform (MS‐LAMP) is a new software capable of aiding in interpreting electrospray ionization (ESI) and/or matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric data of lipids. The graphical user interface (GUI) of this standalone programme is built using Perl::Tk. Two databases have been developed and constituted within MS‐LAMP, on the basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) lipid database (www.mrl.colostate.edu) and that of Lipid Metabolites and Pathways Strategy Consortium (LIPID MAPS; www.lipidmaps.org).Different types of queries entered through GUI would interrogate with a chosen database. The queries can be molecular mass(es) or mass‐to‐charge (m/z) value(s) and molecular formula. LIPID MAPS identifier also can be used to search but not for M. tb lipids. Multiple choices have been provided to select diverse ion types and lipids. Satisfying to input parameters, a glimpse of various lipid categories and their population distribution can be viewed in the output. Additionally, molecular structures of lipids in the output can be seen using ChemSketch (www.acdlabs.com), which has been linked to the programme. Furthermore, a version of MS‐LAMP for use in Linux operating system is separately available, wherein PyMOL can be used to view molecular structures that result as output from General Lipidome MS‐LAMP.The utility of this software is demonstrated using ESI mass spectrometric data of lipid extracts of M. tb grown under two different pH (5.5 and 7.0) conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hot air treatment‐induced arginine catabolism is associated with elevated polyamines and proline levels and alleviates chilling injury in postharvest tomato fruit
Authors: Zhang Xinhua , Shen Lin , Li Fujun , Meng Demei , Sheng Jiping 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo understand whether arginine catabolism might be involved in hot air (HA)‐induced chilling tolerance mechanism in tomato fruit, we investigated the effect of HA treatment on endogenous arginine catabolism in relation to chilling injury.RESULTSTomato fruit were harvested at mature green stage and treated with HA at 38°C for 12 h and then stored at 2°C for 21 days. The effects of HA treatment on fruit chilling injury and gene expression levels or enzyme activity, and metabolites related to arginine catabolism were evaluated. HA treatment reduced the chilling injury symptoms of tomato fruit and enhanced the accumulation of endogenous polyamines, especially putrescine and proline. This accumulation is associated with the increased transcript levels of genes encoding arginase (LeARG1 and LeARG2), arginine decarboxylase (LeADC), ornithine decarboxylase (LeODC) and ornithine aminotransferase (LeOAT) at most sampling times. However, HA treatment had little effect on nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide concentration.CONCLUSIONThese results revealed that the reduction in chilling injury by HA treatment may be due to the accumulation of putrescine and proline induced primarily by activating the catabolism of endogenous arginine. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of nasal surgery on nasal continuous positive airway pressure compliance
Authors: Poirier Justin , George Charles , Rotenberg Brian 
Published: April 2013

Objectives/HypothesisNasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for sleep apnea; however, compliance rates are historically poor. Among the most commonly cited reasons for nonadherence is nasal obstruction. Our study sought to examine if nasal surgery actually increases CPAP compliance.Study DesignProspective case series.MethodsNasal CPAP‐intolerant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, with documented nasal obstruction, underwent septoplasty plus inferior turbinoplasty. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected on CPAP usage per night and subjective nasal obstruction with the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale questionnaire.ResultsEighteen patients met inclusion criteria and underwent septoplasty. CPAP usage increased significantly from 0.5 hours per night preoperatively to 5 hours per night postoperatively (P < .05). Subjective nasal obstruction on the NOSE Scale decreased from 16.1 preoperatively to 5.4 following surgical intervention (P < .05). CPAP pressure decreased from 11.9 preoperatively to 9.2 after surgery, with a trend toward signifiance (P = .062).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates improved CPAP compliance rates following septoplasty in OSA patients with nasal obstruction. Correction of nasal obstruction should be offered in nasal CPAP‐intolerant individuals to improve CPAP compliance.Level of Evidence3b Laryngoscope, 124:317–319, 2014
The Effects of Seasonality in Estimating the C‐Factor of Soil Erosion Studies
Authors: Alexandridis Thomas K. , Sotiropoulou Anastasia M. , Bilas George , Karapetsas Nikolaos , Silleos Nikolaos G. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMonitoring soil erosion risk is an important part of soil conservation practices. It is usually estimated with the Universal Soil Loss Equation, and the C‐factor (vegetation cover) is derived from optical satellite images. However, because of lack of data and resources, or in rapid assessments, C‐factor is estimated using one or a few satellite observations, despite being temporally variable according to plants' phenology. The aim of this work was to study the effect of seasonality in estimating C‐factor. This was achieved by demonstrating first that there is a difference when estimating soil erosion with Universal Soil Loss Equation at variable time steps in a year, namely once, seasonally and monthly. Using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index images and statistical analysis at subcatchment scale, it was shown that there is a significant difference when estimating mean annual soil loss with the aforementioned temporal options. The highest differences were observed between monthly and annual time steps. The second objective was to identify which is the optimum time to estimate C‐factor in a year. The results show that November, October and March are the optimum months for single image estimation of annual soil erosion. Statistical analysis with a random point dataset suggested that the spatial variability of the results was influenced by the land cover type, especially in areas with variable leaf cover where a single date estimation of C‐factor was not representative of the whole year, such as annual crops and deciduous trees. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Vitro and In Vivo Enzyme‐Mediated Biomineralization of Oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) Fumarate Hydrogels
Authors: Bongio Matilde , Nejadnik M. Reza , Birgani Z. Tahmasebi , Habibovic Pamela , Kinard Lucas A. , Kasper F. Kurtis , Mikos Antonios G. , Jansen John A. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is added at different concentrations (i.e., 0, 2.5, and 10 mg · ml−1) to oligo(poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate) (OPF) hydrogels. The scaffolds are either incubated in 10 mM calcium glycerophosphate (Ca–GP) solution for 2 weeks or implanted in a rat subcutaneous model for 4 weeks. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and alizarin red staining show a strong ability to form minerals exclusively in ALP‐containing hydrogels in vitro. Additionally, the calcium content increases with increasing ALP concentration. Similarly, only ALP‐containing hydrogels induce mineralization in vivo. Specifically, small (≈5–20 µm) mineral deposits are observed at the periphery of the hydrogels near the dermis/scaffold interface using Von Kossa and alizarin red staining.magnified image
Parameter Selection and Estimation Techniques in a Styrene Polymerization Model
Authors: Woloszyn John D. , Hesse Pascal , Hungenberg Klaus‐Dieter , McAuley Kimberley B. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractStyrene polymerization literature is reviewed and a model with dicumyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxide initiators is developed. Nine parameters are selected for estimation using statistical methods that account for the influence of parameters on model predictions, correlated effects of parameters and uncertainties of initial literature values. Updated parameters result in improved fits to conversion and molecular weight data from three research groups, reducing the least‐squares objective function by 73%. Use of industrial data from 19 batch reactor runs increases the number of estimable parameters to 16. Good predictions are obtained for validation runs with temperature ramps using both initiators.magnified image
Kinetics and Modeling of Methacrylic Acid Radical Polymerization in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wittenberg Nils F. G. , Buback Michael , Hutchinson Robin A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBatch radical polymerization of non‐ionized methacrylic acid, 30 wt.‐% in aqueous solution, has been studied at 50 °C and ambient pressure with 2‐mercaptoethanol (ME) as the chain‐transfer agent (CTA). Initial polymerization rate decreases with CTA concentration, which has been varied up to 20 mol‐%. A kinetic model is presented which includes chain‐length‐dependent termination and uses an empirical function to account for the dependence of termination rate on both monomer conversion and molar mass of the polymeric product. In conjunction with PREDICI simulation, this model affords for an adequate representation of the measured monomer conversion vs. time profiles. magnified image
Implication of high‐body‐fat percentage on cardiometabolic risk in middle‐aged, healthy, normal‐weight adults
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Han Sang‐Hwan , Yang Bong‐Min 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThis study investigated the number of Korean adults who had a normal body mass index (BMI) but high body‐fat percentage (BF%) and determined their increased risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.Design and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was based on 12,386 subjects (6,534 men and 5,852 women), with a normal BMI, between 30 and 49 years of age. Subjects were categorized into two groups by BF% (normal BF% group, BF% <25 for men, and BF% <30 for women; high BF(%) group, BF% ≥25 for men, and BF% ≥30 for women).ResultsThe proportion of subjects with a normal BMI and high BF% was 12.7% (n = 1,572; 291 [4.5%] men and 1,281 [21.9%] women). Subjects with a high BF% had a significantly higher prevalence of high blood pressure (men only), hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that subjects with a normal BMI and high BF% had a 1.63 (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–2.19) in men and 1.56 (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.80) in women increased risk of one or more cardiovascular risk factors compared to subjects in the normal BMI and normal BF% group, even after adjusting for abdominal obesity.ConclusionHigh BF% is associated with a high cardiometabolic risks, regardless of abdominal obesity, in normal‐weight Korean adults. Thus, follow‐up screening of those with a high BF% may be necessary to detect and prevent cardiometabolic diseases, particularly for women with a normal BMI.
Improving integral square error performance with implementable fractional‐order PI controllers
Authors: Rahimian Mohammad Amin , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper, an algebraic rule for tuning the integer realizations of fractional‐order PI controllers is developed, with an integral square error performance index, which outperforms that of an optimal ordinary PI controller. To this end, the PIλ control structure is used in conjunction with a third‐order integer approximating filter to provide a three parameter fixed‐structure extension of the ordinary PI controller. Next, the extra degree of freedom in setting the order of integration λ is leveraged to introduce a steepest descent direction in the extended controller parameter space. It is then stated that shifting the parameters of an ordinary PI controller along the proposed descent direction will result in a fractional‐based three parameter controller with a performance index, which is superior to that of the original PI controller. The stability of the controller parameters derived in this manner is then analyzed, and examples and simulation results are offered to verify the theoretical expectations and analyses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Induced Graft Polymerization of C6 Fluorocarbons on Cotton Fabrics for Sustainable Finishing Applications
Authors: Ramamoorthy Amsarani , El‐Shafei Ahmed , Hauser Peter 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe main objective of this research is to achieve atmospheric plasma induced graft polymerization of non‐C8 fluorocarbons onto cotton fabrics to achieve a durable nanolayer fluorocarbon coating that is water, alcohol, and oil repellent through home launderings. The influence of process parameters on the performance of polyfluorocarbon was studied using water contact angle measurements, water/alcohol, and oil repellency tests, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A design of experiments for different processing conditions was used. Plasma assisted‐graft polymerization of fluorocarbon in presence of the crosslinker di(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (10:1 molar ratio of monomer/crosslinker) resulted in a polyfluorocarbon nanolayer on cotton, which was hydrophobic and durable to five home launderings.magnified image
Reinterpretation of the GaAsP far‐infrared spectra within the framework of the Verleur and Barker model of the alloy phonon spectra
Authors: Cebulski J. , Woźny M. , Sheregii E. M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this research, the model of five basic structural units (tetrahedra) proposed by Verleur and Barker [Phys. Rev. 149, 715 (1966)] (VB‐model) is completed by the statistical approach, which enables us to derive quantitative relations for the oscillator strengths of separate lines. The rule of proportionality of the oscillator strength sum to the content of the components for each dipole pair is developed as a criterion of random distribution of atoms in the lattice. Thus, a proper identification of observed lines was performed. It is shown that the optical‐reflection spectra obtained experimentally by the VB‐model authors for GaAsP solid solutions can be successfully explained using the VB‐model, without the hypothesis of clustering of binary GaAs as well as GaP tetrahedra, which they introduced.
Comparison of defect processes in REAlO3 perovskites and RE3Al5O12 garnets
Authors: Patel Ankoor P. , Stanek Chris R. , Grimes Robin W. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDefects can decrease the efficiency of scintillators by trapping electrons. Here, point defects in REAlO3 and RE3Al5O12 are predicted with pair potential simulations, where RE is yttrium or a trivalent rare earth cation. It was found that REAlO3 shows a preference for Al2O3‐excess whereas RE3Al5O12 most readily exhibits RE2O3‐excess. Also, lattice volume changes for the energetically favorable intrinsic mechanisms are relatively invariant as a function of RE cation size in RE3Al5O12, but not in REAlO3. However, in non‐stoichiometric RE3Al5O12, the energetically preferred disorder mechanism results in an increasing lattice expansion with increasing RE radius whereas, in non‐stoichiometric perovskites, a relatively small, radius independent, lattice contraction is predicted. These results illustrate that defect behavior in REAlO3 perovskites and RE3Al5O12 garnets is quite disimilar.
Microwave techniques for diagnostic laboratories
Authors: Leong Anthony S‐Y 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMicrowaves (MWs) were first introduced as a method of fixation just over 20 years ago. In recent years their use has extended far beyond that of a safe, clean, and rapid method of fixation of tissue blocks and large specimens, including brains. MWs accelerate the action of cross‐linking fixatives and can greatly accelerate the various stages of tissue processing to produce a paraffin block in 30 min. An extensive range of ultrafast MW‐stimulated special stains has been developed, and immunohistochemical procedures can be completed in 20 min by employing MWs. Cellular antigens are distinctly better preserved in tissues fixed by MWs than by conventional cross‐linking fixatives. Also, the cytomorphology of cryostat sections irradiated in Wolman's solution is clearly improved. MWs can similarly be applied for fixation and staining of preparations for transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and they also greatly accelerate polymerisation of resins. In the current climate of cost containment, this wide range of applications makes the MW oven an invaluable addition to the diagnostic laboratory.
Thermochronologic insight into late Cenozoic deformation in the basement‐cored Terskey Range, Kyrgyz Tien Shan
Authors: Macaulay Euan A. , Sobel Edward R. , Mikolaichuk Alexander , Landgraf Angela , Kohn Barry , Stuart Finlay 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBasement‐cored ranges formed by reverse faulting within intracontinental mountain belts are often composed of poly‐deformed lithologies. Geological data capable of constraining the timing, magnitude, and distribution of the most recent deformational phase are usually missing in such ranges. In this paper, we present new low temperature thermochronological and geological data from a transect through the basement‐cored Terskey Range, located in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan. Using these data, we are able to investigate the range's late Cenozoic deformation for the first time. Displacements on reactivated faults are constrained and deformation of thermochronologically derived structural markers is assessed. These structural markers postdate the earlier deformational phases, providing the only record of Cenozoic deformation and of the reactivation of structures within the Terskey Range. Overall, these structural markers have a southern inclination, interpreted to reflect the decreasing inclination of the reverse fault bounding the Terskey Range. Our thermochronological data are also used to investigate spatial and temporal variations in the exhumation of the Terskey Range, identifying a three‐stage Cenozoic exhumation history: (1) virtually no exhumation in the Paleogene, (2) increase to slightly higher exhumation rates at ~26–20 Ma, and (3) significant increase in exhumation starting at ~10 Ma.