bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increment of specific heat capacity of solar salt with SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Andreu-Cabedo Patricia , Mondragon Rosa , Hernandez Leonor , Martinez-Cuenca Raul , Cabedo Luis , Julia J Enrique 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Thermal energy storage (TES) is extremely important in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants since it represents the main difference and advantage of CSP plants with respect to other renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic, etc. CSP represents a low-carbon emission renewable source of energy, and TES allows CSP plants to have energy availability and dispatchability using available industrial technologies. Molten salts are used in CSP plants as a TES material because of their high operational temperature and stability of up to 500°C. Their main drawbacks are their relative poor thermal properties and energy storage density. A simple cost-effective way to improve thermal properties of fluids is to dope them with nanoparticles, thus obtaining the so-called salt-based nanofluids. In this work, solar salt used in CSP plants (60% NaNO3 + 40% KNO3) was doped with silica nanoparticles at different solid mass concentrations (from 0.5% to 2%). Specific heat was measured by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A maximum increase of 25.03% was found at an optimal concentration of 1 wt.% of nanoparticles. The size distribution of nanoparticle clusters present in the salt at each concentration was evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image processing, as well as by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cluster size and the specific surface available depended on the solid content, and a relationship between the specific heat increment and the available particle surface area was obtained. It was proved that the mechanism involved in the specific heat increment is based on a surface phenomenon. Stability of samples was tested for several thermal cycles and thermogravimetric analysis at high temperature was carried out, the samples being stable.

PACS

65.: Thermal properties of condensed matter; 65.20.-w: Thermal properties of liquids; 65.20.Jk: Studies of thermodynamic properties of specific liquids
A reference bacterial genome dataset generated on the MinION™ portable single-molecule nanopore sequencer
Authors: Quick Joshua , Quinlan Aaron R , Loman Nicholas J 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
The MinION™ is a new, portable single-molecule sequencer developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. It measures four inches in length and is powered from the USB 3.0 port of a laptop computer. The MinION™ measures the change in current resulting from DNA strands interacting with a charged protein nanopore. These measurements can then be used to deduce the underlying nucleotide sequence.

Findings
We present a read dataset from whole-genome shotgun sequencing of the model organism Escherichia coli K-12 substr. MG1655 generated on a MinION™ device during the early-access MinION™ Access Program (MAP). Sequencing runs of the MinION™ are presented, one generated using R7 chemistry (released in July 2014) and one using R7.3 (released in September 2014).

Conclusions
Base-called sequence data are provided to demonstrate the nature of data produced by the MinION™ platform and to encourage the development of customised methods for alignment, consensus and variant calling, de novo assembly and scaffolding. FAST5 files containing event data within the HDF5 container format are provided to assist with the development of improved base-calling methods.
Immobilizing hydroxycholesterol with apatite on titanium surfaces to induce ossification
Authors: Chen Cen , Yang Hyeong Cheol , Lee In-Seop 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background

Immobilizing bioactive molecules and osteoconductive apatite on titanium implants have investigated direct ossification. In this study, hydroxycholesterol (HC) was immobilized with apatite on titanium through simply adsorption or sandwich-like coating. Three kinds of hydroxycholesterol were chosen to induce ossification: 20α-hydroxycholesterol (20α- HC), 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol (22(S)-HC) and 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC).The effects of HC/apatite coating on ossification abilities were evaluated
in vitro
and
in vivo
.

Results

At 6 d, adsorbed apatite/25-HC and apatite/22(S)-HC coating exhibited some cytotoxicity, while the cell viability of apatite/20α-HC coating was similar as apatite coating. Immobilizing HC with apatite significantly enhanced the ALP activities compared with apatite coating. There was no significant difference in ALP value between adsorbed apatite/HC coating and sandwich-like apatite/HC/apatite coating. When compared with apatite coating, the mineral deposition improved by adsorbed HC with apatite at higher concentration
in vivo
.

Conclusions

When compared with apatite coating, immobilizing HC with apatite coating induced the ossification
in vitro
and
in vivo
.
Vascularity of the urethra in continent women using colour doppler high-frequency endovaginal ultrasonography
Authors: Lone Farah , Sultan Abdul H , Stankiewicz Aleksandra , Thakar Ranee , Wieczorek Andrzej Pawel 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the urethral vascularity in continent women using colour doppler high frequency endovaginal ultrasonography (EVUS).

Methods
We recruited 61 continent women attending gynaecology clinics between July and October 2009. Exclusion criteria included symptoms of urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse or urinary tract infection. The participants underwent EVUS using high frequency (9-12 MHz) biplane transducer (type 8848 BK Medical), according to a standardised protocol. Colour Doppler US was performed in sagittal plane and in transverse plane at the level of the mid-urethra. Ten seconds video files were recorded and following vascular parameters: flow velocity (Vmix), area of the vessels (Amix), intensity of vascularity (Imix), pulsatility index (PImix) and resistance index (RImix) was evaluated.

Results
There were 30 nulliparous (49.2%) women and 31 multiparous women (50.8%) with a mean (±SD) age of 32 (±4) and 46 (±6) years respectively. Significant impairment of vascularity was observed in multiparous patients as compared to nulliparous and was reflected by increased values of RImix (p < 0.001) and PImix (p < 0.001), and decreased values of Vmix (p < 0.001), Amix (p < 0.001), Imix (p < 0.001) in axial and midsagittal sections of the midurethra. A significant decrease of mean value ± SD of Imix- from 0.02 ± 0.02 in nulliparous to 0.005 ± 0.01 in multiparous was observed. Cronbach alpha, used to assess vascular correlations and parity demonstrated a reduction when expressed only for vascular parameters, indicating that number of deliveries is an important factor while assessing urethral vascularity.

Conclusions
Compared to continent nulliparous women, continent multiparous women demonstrated a significant reduction in the vascularity parameters in all measured variables when parity was accounted for.

Advances in knowledge
This study provides the basis for further research in assessing urethral vascularity in women.
Methylation profiling of ductal carcinoma in situand its relationship to histopathological features
Authors: Pang Jia-Min B , Deb Siddhartha , Takano Elena A , Byrne David J , Jene Nicholas , Boulghourjian Alice , Holliday Anne , Millar Ewan , Lee C Soon , O’Toole Sandra A , Dobrovic Alexander , Fox Stephen B 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
DNA methylation is a well-studied biomarker in invasive breast cancer, but its role in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is less well characterized. The aims of this study are to assess the methylation profile in DCIS for a panel of well-characterized genes that are frequently methylated in breast cancer, to investigate the relationship of methylation with pathological features, and to perform a proof-of-principle study to evaluate the practicality of methylation as a biomarker in diagnostic DCIS material.

Methods
Promoter CpG island methylation for a panel of 11 breast cancer-related genes was performed by methylation-sensitive high resolution melting (MS-HRM). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsies from 72 samples of pure DCIS (DCIS occurring in the absence of synchronous invasive carcinoma), 10 samples of mixed DCIS (DCIS adjacent to invasive carcinoma), and 18 samples of normal breast epithelium adjacent to a DCIS lesion were micro-dissected prior to DNA extraction.

Results
Methylation was seen for all the tested genes except BRCA1. RASSF1A was the most frequently methylated gene (90% of DCIS samples) and its methylation was associated with comedo necrosis (p = 0.018). Cluster analysis based on the methylation profile revealed four groups, the highly methylated cluster being significantly associated with high nuclear grade, HER2 amplification, negative estrogen receptor (ER) α status, and negative progesterone receptor (PgR) status, (p = 0.038, p = 0.018, p <0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Methylation of APC (p = 0.017), CDH13 (p = 0.017), and RARβ (p <0.001) was associated with negative ERα status. Methylation of CDH13 (p <0.001), and RARβ (p = 0.001) was associated with negative PgR status. Methylation of APC (p = 0.013) and CDH13 (p = 0.026) was associated with high nuclear grade. Methylation of CDH13 (p = 0.009), and RARβ (p = 0.042) was associated with HER2-amplification.

Conclusions
DNA methylation can be assessed in FFPE-derived samples using suitable methodologies. Methylation of a panel of genes that are known to be methylated in invasive breast cancer was able to classify DCIS into distinct groups and was differentially associated with phenotypic features in DCIS.
An Immunochip-based interrogation of scleroderma susceptibility variants identifies a novel association at DNASE1L3
Authors: Zochling Jane , Newell Felicity , Charlesworth Jac C , Leo Paul , Stankovich Jim , Cortes Adrian , Zhou Yuan , Stevens Wendy , Sahhar Joanne , Roddy Janet , Nash Peter , Tymms Kathleen , Rischmueller Maureen , Lester Sue , Proudman Susanna , Brown Matthew A 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of the study was to interrogate the genetic architecture and autoimmune pleiotropy of scleroderma susceptibility in the Australian population.

Methods
We genotyped individuals from a well-characterized cohort of Australian scleroderma patients with the Immunochip, a custom array enriched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at immune loci. Controls were taken from the 1958 British Birth Cohort. After data cleaning and adjusting for population stratification the final dataset consisted of 486 cases, 4,458 controls and 146,525 SNPs. Association analyses were conducted using logistic regression in PLINK. A replication study was performed using 833 cases and 1,938 controls.

Results
A total of eight loci with suggestive association (P <10−4.5) were identified, of which five showed significant association in the replication cohort (HLA-DRB1, DNASE1L3, STAT4, TNP03-IRF5 and VCAM1). The most notable findings were at the DNASE1L3 locus, previously associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and VCAM1, a locus not previously associated with human disease. This study identified a likely functional variant influencing scleroderma susceptibility at the DNASE1L3 locus; a missense polymorphism rs35677470 in DNASE1L3, with an odds ratio of 2.35 (P = 2.3 × 10−10) in anti-centromere antibody (ACA) positive cases.

Conclusions
This pilot study has confirmed previously reported scleroderma associations, revealed further genetic overlap between scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus, and identified a putative novel scleroderma susceptibility locus.
Patients' perspectives on timing of urinary catheter removal after surgery
Authors: Bhardwaj Rashmi , Pickard Robert , Carrick-Sen Debbie , Brittain Katie 
Published: October 2014

A prolonged catheter duration is a major risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, with bacteriuria increasing by 5% per day ( Gokula et al. 2004 ). Aim: In this study, the authors explored patients' perceptions of the care process relating to peri-operative catheterisation to identify patient factors that encourage early removal. Method: Semi-structured interviews, incorporating a grounded theory approach, were performed on three men and seven women during 2010. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using constant comparative method and thematic framework analysis. Results: Catheter duration ranged 1–10 days. Main themes elicited included: lack of understanding of the purpose and catheterisation process; loss of patient autonomy and dignity; and impact of environmental factors. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge of the catheterisation process among participants led to fears and concerns that may have contributed to delayed catheter removal. Changes to patient care that are likely to reduce catheter duration include ensuring the provision of pre-operative information, greater patient involvement in catheter removal decisions, and provision of easily accessible toilet facilities.
A glimpse inside the Banarasi mind: What do linguistic categories reveal about Banarasi toys?
Authors: Patil Koumudi 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
This study focuses on the design of Banarasi Khilona, which are wooden lacquer toys from Banaras, India. The study presents a category-based approach to elucidate how these craft-based artefacts are designed for acceptability and for novelty. For this purpose, the study traces the community perceptions of Banarasi Khilona by examining the expression of linguistic categories that both shape and are shaped by the Khilona. This vocabulary, which reflects how Banarasi people structure their world, suggests a system of categorization in which objects have multiple ways of being categorized. It further suggests that it is at the community-acceptable common intersection point of multiple categories that the Banarasi craftspersons produce a Khilona. This study shows that although the community-acceptable combinations of multiple categories appear fixed, they are yet open to deviant members in the fuzzy boundary of the categories where the hold of myths, taboos and traditions is relatively weaker. Thus there is a potential space for occurrence and sometimes acceptance of deviant members in an otherwise tradition-bound craft practice.
Understanding artefacts through and between categories, instead of studying them in isolation of their natural groupings, facilitates their decoding as acceptable/unacceptable or typical/untypical rather than conventional/new or traditional/innovative. Distinctions of acceptability and typicality have the potential to inform design decisions of culturally relevant artefacts in a globalized context.
Geological time, biological events and the learning transfer problem
Authors: Johnson Claudia C , Middendorf Joan , Rehrey George , Dalkilic Mehmet M , Cassidy Keely 
Published: October 2014

Comprehension of geologic time does not come easily, especially for students who are studying the earth sciences for the first time. This project investigated the potential success of two teaching interventions that were designed to help non-science majors enrolled in an introductory geology class gain a richer conceptual understanding of the geologic time scale. Our research centered on the results of those interventions since we hypothesized that students who correctly answered exam questions on relative geologic time early in the semester would be able to respond with equal facility to exam questions at the end of the semester that asked them to apply relative geologic time to associated biologic events.The instructor of the course began this study by using the Decoding the Disciplines model (Pace & Middendorf, 1998). During the first step of the model, the instructor identified the place where a majority of students in previous classes had the greatest difficulty; that is, in addressing the relative geologic time scale. Next, the instructor articulated the mental moves an expert geologist makes when solving problems using the geological time scale. During lecture the instructor modeled those very same mental tasks for students. Students were then given the opportunity to practice those mental tasks by creating their own personal timeline. Later in the course students completed the second intervention, a categorization grid that also functioned as a classroom assessment of their learning. Students were given exams after both interventions were completed.Results from the first and second interventions indicated that students were able to understand the conceptual framework of the relative geological time scale. On an exam administered after both interventions were completed, 66% of the students answered correctly the questions about relative geologic time, an indication that they had gained conceptual knowledge of the subject. In contrast, only 36% of students answered correctly the exam questions at the end of the semester that focused on relative geologic time with associated biologic events. Pearson Chi-Square tests with P<0.05 were used to test our hypothesis. Statistically significant results at P=0.00 were attained for all tests, indicating the hypothesis can be rejected.We conclude that a second, more prevalent, underlying problem exists for non-science majors, one that Thorndike and Woodworth (1901), Byrnes (1996), Bransford, Brown, and Cocking (2000) and Bransford and Schwartz (2001) describe as the learning transfer problem. Similar problems have been discussed as a knowledge transfer problem (Graham et al., 2006). Learning transfer is problematic for students using the geological time scale and calls for additional classroom interventions – interventions designed and scaffolded to provide students the opportunity to practice the set of difficult mental moves required to apply biological events to the relative geological timeline.
Information Security Risk Assessment of Smart Grid Based on Absorbing Markov Chain and SPA
Authors: Jianye Zhang , Qinshun Zeng , Yiyang Song , Cunbin Li 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
To assess and prevent the smart grid information security risks more effectively, this paper provides risk index quantitative calculation method based on absorbing Markov chain to overcome the deficiencies that links between system components were not taken into consideration and studies mostly were limited to static evaluation. The method avoids the shortcomings of traditional Expert Score with significant subjective factors and also considers the links between information system components, which make the risk index system closer to the reality. Then, a smart grid information security risk assessment model on the basis of set pair analysis improved by Markov chain was established. Using the identity, discrepancy, and contradiction of connection degree to dynamically reflect the trend of smart grid information security risk and combining with the Markov chain to calculate connection degree of the next period, the model implemented the smart grid information security risk assessment comprehensively and dynamically. Finally, this paper proves that the established model is scientific, effective, and feasible to dynamically evaluate the smart grid information security risks.
Factors affecting the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Japanese university students
Authors: Ujiie Yasuhiro , Okada Hiroki 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background: Patients suffering from intractable diseases and individuals seeking relief from mild symptoms resort to treatments outside the modern medical paradigm, such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In order to improve doctor–patient communication about CAM, it is essential to evaluate CAM usage among social groups likely to choose it in the future. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate how university students – individuals highly subject to future CAM usage – perceive CAM and the factors affecting their choice of CAM use.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey with 1,096 Japanese university students not studying medical subjects.

Results: The term CAM was known to 11% of the subjects. Modalities they most associated with CAM were art therapy (353 subjects), hot spring therapy (349), and aromatherapy (345). They had experience taking vitamins, trace elements, other supplements (498), and nutritional drinks (483). Several subjects wanted to experience shiatsu massage (373) and hot spring therapy (303). Multiple regression analysis of the modalities that the subjects wanted to experience revealed a 42% multiple coefficient of determination for prioritizing modalities that the subject associated with CAM, showing a large contribution of this deciding factor.

Conclusions: Although most subjects were not familiar with the term CAM, many of them had decided to ingest substances in the CAM category on the basis of self-judgment and without adequate knowledge. Because such behavior can be detrimental to health, medical professionals should be aware of CAM usage among their patients and seek effective communication with them in order to enable safe CAM practice.
Statistical Analysis of Process Parameters in Drilling of Al/Al2O3p Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Singh Yashvir , Singla Amneesh , Kumar Ajay 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a statistical analysis of process parameters for surface roughness in drilling of Al/Al2O3p metal matrix composite. The experimental studies were conducted under varying spindle speed, feed rate, point angle of drill. The settings of drilling parameters were determined by using Taguchi experimental design method. The level of importance of the drilling parameters is determined by using analysis of variance. The optimum drilling parameter combination was obtained by using the analysis of signal-to-noise ratio. Through statistical analysis of response variables and signal-to-noise ratios, the determined significant factors are depth of cut and drill point angle with the contributions of 87% and 12% respectively, whereas the cutting speed is insignificant contributing by 1% only. Confirmation tests verified that the selected optimal combination of process parameter through Taguchi design was able to achieve desired surface roughness.
Insulin secretion response during oral glucose tolerance test is related to low cardiorespiratory fitness in obese adolescents
Authors: Maggio Albane B.R. , Bou Puigdefabregas Julie Wacker , Schwitzgebel Valerie M. , Chamay-Weber Catherine , Beghetti Maurice , Farpour-Lambert Nathalie J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe obesity paradox refers to a category of subjects who may be less prone to develop co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been identified as one of the key factors. We aimed at exploring the difference in insulin metabolism between fit and unfit obese adolescents.We recruited 22 obese adolescents and assessed CRF during an incremental treadmill test. According to a cut-off at 80% of predicted maximal oxygen consumption (VOCompared to adolescents with normal CRF, the ones with low CRF had higher insulin resistance indices (p=0.023) and insulin secretion response (p=0.010), independently of the body mass index z-score.Interventions in obese adolescents should focus on the maintenance or improvement of CRF to at least 80% of predicted VO