bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial Aridity and Its Response to Greenhouse Warming across CMIP5 Climate Models
Authors: Scheff Jacob , Frierson Dargan M. W. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The aridity of a terrestrial climate is often quantified using the dimensionless ratio of annual precipitation (P) to annual potential evapotranspiration (PET). In this study, the climatological patterns and greenhouse warming responses of terrestrial P, Penman–Monteith PET, and are compared among 16 modern global climate models. The large-scale climatological values and implied biome types often disagree widely among models, with large systematic differences from observational estimates. In addition, the PET climatologies often differ by several tens of percent when computed using monthly versus 3-hourly inputs.
With greenhouse warming, land P does not systematically increase or decrease, except at high latitudes. Therefore, because of moderate, ubiquitous PET increases, decreases (drying) are much more widespread than increases (wetting) in the tropics, subtropics, and midlatitudes in most models, confirming and expanding on earlier findings. The PET increases are also somewhat sensitive to the time resolution of the inputs, although not as systematically as for the PET climatologies.
The changes in the balance between P and PET are also quantified using an alternative aridity index, the ratio , which has a one-to-one but nonlinear correspondence with . It is argued that the magnitudes of changes are more uniformly relevant than the magnitudes of changes, which tend to be much higher in wetter regions. The ratio and its changes are also found to be excellent statistical predictors of the land surface evaporative fraction and its changes.
The Impact of the East Asian Subtropical Jet and Polar Front Jet on the Frequency of Spring Persistent Rainfall over Southern China in 1997–2011
Authors: Huang Dan-Qing , Zhu Jian , Zhang Yao-Cun , Wang Jun , Kuang Xue-Yuan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Spring persistent rainfall (SPR) over southern China has great impact on its society and economics. A remarkable feature of the SPR is high frequency. However, SPR frequency obviously decreases over the period of 1997–2011. In this study, the possible causes have been investigated from the perspective of the individual and concurrent effects of the East Asian subtropical jet (EASJ) and East Asian polar front jet (EAPJ). A close relationship is detected between SPR frequency and EASJ intensity (but not EAPJ intensity). Associated with strong EASJ, abundant water vapor is transported to southern China by the southwesterly flow, which may trigger the SPR. Additionally, frequencies of both strong EASJ and weak EAPJ events are positively correlated with SPR frequency. Further investigation of the concurrent effect indicates a significant positive correlation between the frequencies of SPR and the strong EASJ–weak EAPJ configuration. Associated with this configuration, southwesterly flow strengthens in the lower troposphere, while northerly wind weakens in the upper troposphere. This provides a dynamic and moist condition, as enhanced ascending motion and intensified convergence of abundant water vapor over southern China, which favors the SPR. All analyses suggest that the EASJ may play a dominant role in the SPR occurrence and that the EAPJ may play a modulation role. Finally, a possible mechanism maintaining the strong EASJ–weak EAPJ configuration is proposed. Significant cooling over the northeastern Tibetan Plateau may induce a cyclone anomaly in the upper troposphere, which could result in an accelerating EASJ and a decelerating EAPJ.
Structure design and photocatalytic properties of one-dimensional SnO2-TiO2 composites
Authors: Chen Yuan , Liu Bitao , Chen Junfang , Tian Liangliang , Huang Lei , Tu Mingjing , Tan Shuai 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
One-dimensional SnO2-TiO2 composites were prepared via emulsion electrospinning process. The obtained samples were characterized by a series of devices. The results showed that the porous core-shell SnO2-TiO2 photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity on the degradation of methyl orange (MO). It should be ascribed to the novel structure, which could separate the electrons and holes effectively.
High-frequency oscillation ventilation for hypercapnic failure of conventional ventilation in pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Friesecke Sigrun , Stecher Stephanie-Susanne , Abel Peter 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Introduction
High-frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) is regarded as particularly lung protective. Recently, HFOV has been shown to be not beneficial for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in general. Due to its special physical effects, it could be beneficial, however, in inhomogeneous ARDS. This study evaluates the effect of HFOV on PaCO2 removal in hypercapnic patients with ARDS of pulmonary origin.

Methods
Between October 2010 and June 2014 patients with ARDS of pulmonary origin with PaO2/FiO2 ratio >60 mmHg, but respiratory acidosis (pH <7.26) under optimized protective ventilation were switched to HFOV, using moderate airway pressure (adopting the mean airway pressure of the prior ventilation). Data from these patients were analyzed retrospectively; PaCO2 and pH before, 1 h and 24 h after the start of HFOV were compared.

Results
Twenty-six patients with PaO2/FiO2 ratio 139 ± 49 and respiratory acidosis (PaCO2 68 ± 12 mmHg) were put on HFOV after 17 ± 22 h of conventional ventilation. Mean airway pressure was 19 cm H2O (15 to 28). PaCO2 decreased significantly: after 1 hour the mean difference was −14 ± 10 mmHg; P <0.01 and after 24 hours −17 ± 12 mmHg; P <0.01; n = 24. CO2 clearance improved in all but two patients; in those, extracorporeal lung support was initiated. Oxygenation remained unchanged after 1 h and slightly increased after 24 h. No complications related to HFOV were observed. Twenty-two patients improved and could be weaned from HFOV. Twenty patients (77%) were alive on day 30.

Conclusions
HFOV could be a useful alternative in patients with ARDS of pulmonary origin with hypercapnic failure of lung-protective conventional ventilation.
Transcriptomic landscape of lncRNAs in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Mirza Aashiq H , Berthelsen Claus HB , Seemann Stefan E , Pan Xiaoyong , Frederiksen Klaus S , Vilien Mogens , Gorodkin Jan , Pociot Flemming 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex multi-factorial inflammatory disease with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the two most common forms. A number of transcriptional profiling studies have provided compelling evidence that describe the role of protein-coding genes and microRNAs in modulating the immune responses in IBD.

Methods
In the present study, we performed a genome-wide transcriptome profiling of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes in 96 colon pinch biopsies (inflamed and non-inflamed) extracted from multiple colonic locations from 45 patients (CD = 13, UC = 20, controls = 12) using an expression microarray platform.

Results
In our study, we identified widespread dysregulation of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes in both inflamed and non-inflamed CD and UC compared to the healthy controls. In cases of inflamed CD and UC, we identified 438 and 745 differentially expressed lncRNAs, respectively, while in cases of the non-inflamed CD and UC, we identified 12 and 19 differentially expressed lncRNAs, respectively. We also observed significant enrichment (P-value <0.001, Pearson’s Chi-squared test) for 96 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 154 protein-coding genes within the IBD susceptibility loci. Furthermore, we found strong positive expression correlations for the intersecting and cis-neighboring differentially expressed IBD loci-associated lncRNA-protein-coding gene pairs. The functional annotation analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed their involvement in the immune response, pro-inflammatory cytokine activity and MHC protein complex.

Conclusions
The lncRNA expression profiling in both inflamed and non-inflamed CD and UC successfully stratified IBD patients from the healthy controls. Taken together, the identified lncRNA transcriptional signature along with clinically relevant parameters suggest their potential as biomarkers in IBD.
ApproxMap - a method for mapping blank nodes in RDF datasets
Authors: Almeida Monte-Mor Juliano de , da Cunha Adilson Marques 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background
Versioning has proven to be essential in areas like software development or data and knowledge management. For systems or applications making use of documents formatted according to the Resource Description Framework (RDF) standard, it is difficult to calculate the difference between two versions, owing to the presence of blank nodes, also known as bnodes in RDF graphs. These are anonymous nodes that can assume different identifiers between versions. In this case, the challenge lies in finding a mapping between the sets of blank nodes in the two versions while minimizing the operations needed to convert one version into another.

Methods
Within this context, we propose an algorithm, named ApproxMap, for mapping bnodes based on extended concepts of rough set theory, which provides a way to measure the proximity of bnodes and map them with closer approximations. Our heuristic method considers various strategies for reducing both the number of comparisons between blank nodes and the delta between the compared versions. The proposed algorithm has a worst-case time complexity of O(n
2).

Results

ApproxMap showed satisfactory performance in our groups of experiments, as the algorithm that obtained solutions closest to the optimal values. This algorithm succeeded in finding the optimal delta size in 59% of the tests involving optimal values. ApproxMap achieved a delta size smaller than or equal to those of existing algorithms in at least 95% of the tested cases.

Conclusions
The results show that the proposed algorithm can be successfully applied to versioning RDF documents, such as that produced by software processes with iterative and incremental development. We recommend applying ApproxMap in various situations, particularly those involving similar versions and directly connected bnodes.
Electrostatic power generation using carbon-activated cotton thread on textile
Authors: Kim Baek Hyun , Barnhart Benjamin S , Kwon Jae W 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper describes a novel thread-shaped power generator which can be incorporated into cloth. A carbon-activated cotton thread is utilized for harvesting electrostatic energy from environment using contact and friction electrifications. A core of cotton thread was treated with carbon black nano particles to provide conductivity, and then encapsulated with a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane for stability and protection. Electrostatic charges have been collected from carbon-activated threads stitched on pieces of textiles by repeated rubbing and tapping with a ploytetrafluoethylene sheet. An average open-circuit voltage of approximately -60.9 V has been generated from the thread-shaped generator with rubbing mode.
Verbal processes in academic language in Spanish: exploring discourse genres within the systemic functional framework
Authors: Ignatieva Natalia , Rodríguez-Vergara Daniel 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis work is part of the research project “Verbal processes in academic writing in the light of Systemic Functional Grammar” which was developed at the Foreign Language Centre of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The objective of the project is to analyze verbal transitivity in student writing and research articles from the Systemic Functional Linguistics perspective. Verbal transitivity analyzes locutional and symbolic processing constructions, and the participants involved in these constructions. Our goal in this paper is to present a study of student texts belonging to three genres of the university curriculum (question-answer, essay and review) and of expert texts (research articles) in terms of the verbal process frequency in each genre and each area. Besides, we are going to explore projecting characteristics of our corpus in general, and of the ten most frequent verbs in this corpus, in particular. The results indicate that there is an important variation among the verbal process frequencies and their projecting characteristics in different genres and areas under analysis.
Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions
Authors: Middelveen Marianne J. , Burke Jennie , Sapi Eva , Bandoski Cheryl , Filush Katherine R. , Wang Yean , Franco Agustin , Timmaraju Arun , Schlinger Hilary A. , Mayne Peter J. , Stricker Raphael B. 
Published: April 2015

Background:Recent reports indicate that more than 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed yearly in the USA. Preliminary clinical, epidemiological and immunological studies suggest that infection with the Lyme disease spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferi(Bb) could be transferred from person to person via intimate human contact without a tick vector. Failure to detect viableBorreliaspirochetes in vaginal and seminal secretions would argue against this hypothesis.Methods:Patients with and without a history of Lyme disease were selected for the study after informed consent was obtained. Serological testing for Bb was performed on all subjects. Semen or vaginal secretions were inoculated into BSK-H medium and cultured for four weeks. Examination of genital cultures and culture concentrates for the presence of spirochetes was performed using light and darkfield microscopy, and spirochete concentrates were subjected to Dieterle silver staining, anti-Bb immunohistochemical staining, molecular hybridization and PCR analysis for further characterization. Immunohistochemical and molecular testing was performed in three independent laboratories in a blinded fashion. Positive and negative controls were included in all experiments.Results:Control subjects who were asymptomatic and seronegative for Bb had no detectable spirochetes in genital secretions by PCR analysis. In contrast, spirochetes were observed in cultures of genital secretions from 11 of 13 subjects diagnosed with Lyme disease, and motile spirochetes were detected in genital culture concentrates from 12 of 13 Lyme disease patients using light and darkfield microscopy. Morphological features of spirochetes were confirmed by Dieterle silver staining and immunohistochemical staining of culture concentrates. Molecular hybridization and PCR testing confirmed that the spirochetes isolated from semen and vaginal secretions were strains ofBorrelia, and all cultures were negative for treponemal spirochetes. PCR sequencing of cultured spirochetes from three couples having unprotected sex indicated that two couples had identical strains of Bbsensu strictoin their semen and vaginal secretions, while the third couple had identical strains ofB. hermsiidetected in their genital secretions.Conclusions:The culture of viableBorreliaspirochetes in genital secretions suggests that Lyme disease could be transmitted by intimate contact from person to person. Further studies are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.
Efficiency of aerobic biodegradation of beet molasses vinasse under non-controlled pH: conditions for betaine removal / Efektywność tlenowej biodegradacji buraczanego wywaru melasowego przy nieregulowanym pH podłoża: określenie warunków usunięcia betainy
Authors: Ryznar-Luty Agnieszka , Cibis Edmund , Krzywonos Małgorzata , Miśkiewicz Tadeusz 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The aim of the study was to establish such conditions that would provide high-efficiency aerobic biodegradation of beet molasses vinasse with a mixed culture of thermo- and mesophilic bacteria of the genus Bacillus in batch processes without controlling the pH of the medium. Particular consideration was given to the betaine removal (the main pollutant of vinasse), which accounted for as much as 37.6% of total organic carbon. Biodegradation was performed in a stirred tank reactor at 27-63°C with initial pH (pH0) of 6.5 and 8.0. Efficiency of biodegradation was expressed in terms of reduction in SCODsum, which is a sum of SCOD (soluble chemical oxygen demand, i.e. COD determined after suspended solids separation) and theoretical COD of betaine. The values achieved at 27 and 36°C with pH0 = 8.0 exceeded 77.7%, whereas those obtained at 36 and 45°C with pH0 = 6.5 were higher than 83.6%. The high biodegradation efficiency obtained in the four processes is attributable to the betaine removal by the bacterial strains used in the study. Maximal extent of reduction in SCODsum (85.41%), BOD5 (97.91%) and TOC (86.32%), and also the fastest rate of biodegradation (1.17 g O2/l∙h) was achieved at 36°C and pH0 = 8.0
Cyanobacterial blooms in kaliski region water reservoirs and water quality parameters / Zakwity sinicowe w zbiornikach okolic Kalisza a wskaźniki jakości wody
Authors: Szczukocki Dominik , Dałkowski Radosław , Krawczyk Barbara , Juszczak Renata , Kubisiak-Banaszkiewicz Luiza , Olejniczak Barbara , Andrijewski Grzegorz 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Cyanobacterial blooms occur frequently in artificial lakes, especially in water reservoirs with small retention exposition to anthropopressure. The abundant occurrence of cyanobacteria is accompanied by danger of oxygen imbalance in the aquatic environment and the secretion of toxins that are possible threat to human health and life. Cyanobacterial cell growth depends on a number of physical (temperature, light exposure), chemical (pH, concentration of compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and biological (the presence of other organisms) factors. This paper presents the results of the analysis of water from reservoirs located in southern Wielkopolska region (Pokrzywnica-Szałe, Gołuchów and Piaski-Szczygliczka). Some important physico-chemical parameters of water samples taken from investigated reservoirs as well as cyanotoxins concentration were determined. Furthermore, the cyanobacterial species were identified. There was also an attempt made to correlate the water parameters with the cyanobacteria development and cyanotoxins production. On the basis of the results obtained in the analyzed season, it can be concluded that water from Pokrzywnica and Gołuchów reservoirs was rich in nutrients, hence the intense cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxins in water were observed
Application of biosurfactants for heavy netals leaching from immobilized activated sludge / Zastosowanie biosurfaktantów do wymywania metali ciężkich z immobilizowanego osadu czynnego
Authors: Kuczajowska-Zadrożna Małgorzata , Filipkowska Urszula , Jóźwiak Tomasz 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of biosurfactants - saponin, tannin and rhamnolipids JBR 515 and 425, for the removal of cadmium, zinc and copper from activated sludge immobilized in 1.5% sodium alginate with 0.5% polyvinyl alcohol. We also established the impact of pH value on biosorbent regeneration with the analyzed biosurfactants and determined the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in solutions containing the biosorbent and biosurfactant and in exact samples with heavy metals. Saponin exhibited the highest effectiveness of metals leaching at pH 1-5, and rhamnosides at pH 5-6. In addition, the study demonstrated a significant effect of the ratio of biosorbent mass to washing agent volume (m/V) on the effectiveness of metals leaching. Of the biosurfactants analyzed, saponin was ca. 100% effective in leaching zinc and copper. The effectiveness of the other biosurfactants was lower and depended on the metal being leached
Laboratory investigation of self-healing properties on geosynthetic clay liners with flaw
Authors: Zhang Guang-Wei , Zhang Hu-Yuan , Wang Jin-Fang , Zhou Lang , Liu Ping , Jiang Xiao 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the self- healing properties of a commercially-available geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) using flexible-wall permeameter. The GCLs are produced by the same factory, but the contents of bentonite are different. Also the hydraulic conductivities (HC) of GCLs with no defect are different. In this study, specimens were completely saturated under the backpressure of 20 kPa before the test. Permeability tests were performed on GCL specimens with penetrating flaw and also on specimens permeated with distilled water and CaCl2 solutions. The test results were presented and discussed. Experimental results showed that the GCL with penetrating flaw did not exhibit complete self-healing in the case of flaw. After 120 days, the hydraulic conductivity increased by approximately an order of magnitude. In addition, CaCl2 solutions had a significant influence on the hydraulic conductivity. The research findings might be of interest to researchers and engineers who design liners for landfills and other liquid containment facilities
Influence of increasing nickel content in soil on Miscanthus × giganteus Greef and Deu. Yielding and on the content of nickel in above-ground biomass / Wpływ wzrastającej zawartości niklu w glebie na plonowanie Miscanthus x giganteus Greef i Deu. i zawartość niklu w nadziemnej biomasie
Authors: Bosiacki Maciej 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The aim of the research conducted in a 2-year pot experiment in an unheated plastic tunnel was to determine suitability of Miscanthus × giganteus for phytoextraction of nickel from soil as well as to assess tolerance of this species on increasing concentrations of this metal in soil. Pots were filled with mineral soil (sand) and a mixture of soil with high-moor peat and three levels of nickel were introduced, i.e. 75 mg dm-3, 150 mg dm-3 and 600 mg dm-3 and the control combinations used substrates without the addition of nickel. Nickel was introduced only in the first year of the experiment in the form of nickel sulfate (NiSO4 · 6H2O). Miscanthus × giganteus accumulated a considerable amount of nickel in biomass. Miscanthus × giganteus growing in contaminated mineral soil turned out to be a species tolerant to high nickel concentrations
Effect of Caponization on Meat Quality of Greenleg Partridge Cockerels
Authors: Calik Jolanta , Połtowicz Katarzyna , Świątkiewicz Sylwester , Krawczyk Józefa , Nowak Joanna 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of caponizing Greenleg Partridge cockerels on slaughter parameters and meat quality. In total 80 Greenleg Partridge cockerels were assigned to two groups with 40 birds per group. Group I (control) consisted of uncastrated cockerels and group II contained birds that were castrated at 8 weeks of age. Birds were kept until 24 weeks of age and fed the same diet ad libitum. Body weight was recorded at 1, 8, 16 and 24 weeks of age. Dressing percentage, proportion of breast and leg muscles, giblets and abdominal fat, and microstructure of the pectoralis superficialis muscle were determined postmortem. Physicochemical characteristics of meat (pH, CIE L*a*b* colour, water holding capacity, drip loss, thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, texture parameters and chemical composition) were determined and sensory evaluation was performed. The castration of Greenleg Partridge cockerels contributed to increases in body weight, dressing percentage, and carcass muscle and fat content, and changed the colour of bird skin and muscles. The leg muscles of capons were characterized by higher pH24h, better water holding capacity, a tendency for higher fat concentration, and better sensory quality. The breast muscles of castrated cockerels lost more water and were tougher than the same muscles from uncastrated cockerels, but received better scores for flavour. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the caponized Greenleg Partridge cockerels can be used as a valuable material for production of high quality meat.