bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioavailability of the major bioactive diterpenoids in a rosemary extract: Metabolic profile in the intestine, liver, plasma, and brain of Zucker rats
Authors: Romo Vaquero María , García Villalba Rocío , Larrosa Mar , Yáñez‐Gascón María J. , Fromentin Emilie , Flanagan John , Roller Marc , Tomás‐Barberán Francisco A. , Espín Juan C. , García‐Conesa María‐Teresa 
Published: April 2013

ScopeCarnosic acid (CA) and derived diterpenes abundant in rosemary extracts (REs) exert anti‐obesity effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of these compounds in a rat model of obesity.Methods and resultsA total of 26 compounds were tentatively identified based on accurate mass information and the isotopic pattern provided by TOF‐MS analyzer. The main metabolites detected in the gut content, liver, and plasma were the glucuronide conjugates of CA, carnosol, and rosmanol. Two other metabolites were also identified: CA 12‐methyl ether and 5,6,7,10‐tetrahydro‐7‐hydroxyrosmariquinone. All the metabolites were detected as early as 25 min following oral administration. Most of the compounds remained in the intestine, liver, and (or) plasma at substantial concentrations for several hours supporting their potential health benefits in these tissues. We also corroborated the presence of small quantities of CA and detected trace quantities of the main CA metabolites in the brain. Notably, we did not find significant differences in the metabolic profile between lean and obese rats.ConclusionWe report for the first time a comprehensive profile of metabolites in various organs following the oral consumption of an RE enriched in CA and contribute to establish the potential bioactive molecules.
A homogenization approach for evaluating the longitudinal shear stiffness of reinforced soils: column versus cross trench configuration
Authors: Gueguin Maxime , de Buhan Patrick , Hassen Ghazi 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThe macroscopic linear elastic behaviour of inclusion‐reinforced soils, regarded as periodic composite media, is investigated by means of the homogenization theory. Special attention is given here to the determination of their longitudinal shear stiffness properties, which strongly govern the reinforced ground response under lateral loading. Combining the use of analytical, variational and numerical methods, we thoroughly examined three particular engineering‐relevant configurations: single trench, column and cross trench reinforcements. Fairly accurate closed‐form expressions are thus obtained, giving the value of the reinforced soil longitudinal shear stiffness as a function of the individual components shear moduli and reinforcement volume fraction. It is shown in particular that adopting a cross trench reinforcement layout instead of the classical column configuration results in a much higher improvement of the longitudinal shear stiffness. The results are then applied to assessing the reduction of soil liquefaction risk, which can be attributed to the presence of the reinforcing inclusions. Again, they clearly demonstrate the excellent performance of the cross trench configuration as compared with the complete inefficiency of the column reinforcement technique. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lateral strength and critical depth in infinite slope stability analysis
Authors: Doglioni A. , Galeandro A. , Simeone V. 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYInfinite slope (IS) method is the simplest limit equilibrium method for slope stability analysis. It gives reliable results for slides where the longitudinal dimension prevails on the depth of the landslide. Usually results are conservative since ignoring the effects of the strength along lateral bounds. Here, starting from the assumption of considering the effects of the shear strength along lateral bounds by a rectangular cross section, a new expression of the safety factor is investigated, based first on an elliptical and then on a parabolic cross section of the landslide mass. The safety factor evaluated in this way can be quite different from those returned by the classic formula of IS model, in particular when the width of the landslide is narrow with respect to its depth and the ratio between the width and the depth of the landslide is lower than 5. An interesting implication of the proposed model is that if cohesion differs from zero, there is a ‘critical depth’, where the safety factor has a minimum value. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new numerical method of considering local longitudinal dispersion in single fractures
Authors: Zhao Zhihong , Jing Lanru , Neretnieks Ivars , Moreno Luis 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThe solutions of advection–dispersion equation in single fractures were carefully reviewed, and their relationships were addressed. The classic solution, which represents the resident or flux concentration within the semi‐infinite fractures under constant concentration or flux boundary conditions, respectively, describes the effluent concentration for a finite fracture. In addition, it also predicts the cumulative distribution of solute particle residence time passing through a single fracture under pulse injection condition, based on which a particle tracking approach was developed to simulate the local advection–dispersion in single fractures. We applied the proposed method to investigate the influence of local dispersion in single fractures on the macrodispersion in different fracture systems with relatively high fracture density. The results show that the effects of local dispersion on macrodispersion are dependent on the heterogeneity of fracture system, but generally the local dispersion plays limited roles on marodispersion at least in dense fracture network. This trend was in agreement with the macrodispersion in heterogeneous porous media. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mucosal biomarkers of colorectal cancer risk do not increase at 6 months following sleeve gastrectomy, unlike gastric bypass
Authors: Kant Prashant , Perry Sarah L. , Dexter Simon P. , Race Amanda D. , Loadman Paul M. , Hull Mark A. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThe hypothesis that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is not associated with an increase in mucosal colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarkers, unlike Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), was tested.Design and MethodsRectal mucosa, blood, and urine were obtained from morbidly obese patients (n = 23) before and after (median 28 months) SG, as well as from nonobese controls (n = 20). Rectal epithelial cell mitosis and apoptosis, crypt size/fission, and pro‐inflammatory gene expression were measured, as well as systemic inflammatory biomarkers, including C‐reactive protein (CRP).ResultsThe mean pre‐operative body mass index in SG patients was 65.7 kg/m2 (24.7 kg/m2 in controls). Mean excess weight loss post‐SG was 38.2%. There was a significant increase in mitosis frequency, crypt size, and crypt fission (all P < 0.01) in SG patients versus controls, as well as evidence of a chronic inflammatory state (raised CRP and mononuclear cell p65 NFκB binding), but there was no significant change in these biomarkers after SG, except CRP reduction. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor mRNA levels were increased by 39% post‐SG (P = 0.038).ConclusionsMucosal biomarkers of CRC risk do not increase at 6 months following SG, unlike RYGB. Biomarkers of rectal crypt proliferation and systemic inflammation are increased in morbidly obese patients compared with controls.
Improved memory function two years after bariatric surgery
Authors: Alosco Michael L. , Spitznagel Mary Beth , Strain Gladys , Devlin Michael , Cohen Ronald , Paul Robert , Crosby Ross D. , Mitchell James E. , Gunstad John 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveObesity is as an independent risk factor for poor neurocognitive outcomes, including Alzheimer's disease. Bariatric surgery has recently been shown to result in improved memory at 12‐weeks postoperatively. However, the long‐term effects of bariatric surgery on cognitive function remain unclear.Design and MethodsEighty‐six individuals (63 bariatric surgery patients, 23 obese controls) were recruited from a prospective study examining the neurocognitive effects of bariatric surgery. All participants completed self‐report measurements and a computerized cognitive test battery prior to surgery and at 12‐week and 24‐month follow‐up; obese controls completed measures at equivalent time points.ResultsBariatric surgery patients exhibited high rates of pre‐operative cognitive impairments in attention, executive function, memory, and language. Relative to obese controls, repeated measures ANOVA showed improvements in memory from baseline to 12‐weeks and 24‐months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Regression analyses controlling for baseline factors revealed that a lower BMI at 24‐months demonstrated a trend toward significance for improved memory (β = −.30, P = 0.075).ConclusionThese findings suggest that cognitive benefits of bariatric surgery may extend to 24‐months postoperatively. Larger prospective studies with extended follow‐up periods are needed to elucidate whether bariatric surgery decreases risk for cognitive decline and possibly the development of dementia.
Musculoskeletal deterioration in men accompanies increases in body fat
Authors: Pasco Julie A , Gould Haslinda , Brennan Sharon L , Nicholson Geoff C. , Kotowicz Mark A 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo examine body fat and musculoskeletal changes in men over 5 years.MethodsBody composition was evaluated for men in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study using whole body dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) during two time‐periods. DXA was performed for 1329 men (25‐96 years) during 2001‐2006 and for 900 men (25‐98 years), 2006‐2011. The masses of fat, lean, and bone were expressed relative to the square of height (kg/m2). Each compartment was also expressed as a percentage relative to body weight (%fat, %lean, %bone).ResultsMean BMI increased from 26.9 kg/m2 in 2001‐2006, to 27.2 kg/m2 in 2006‐2011 (P = 0.04). Mean fat mass increased by 9.0% from 6.98 kg/m2 (95%CI 6.84‐7.11) in 2001‐2006, to 7.60 kg/m2 (7.44‐7.77) in 2006‐2011 (P < 0.001); mean lean mass decreased by 0.9%, from 18.92 kg/m2 (18.83‐19.01) to 18.75 kg/m2 (18.64‐18.86) (P = 0.02), and mean bone mass decreased 1.6% from 1.041 kg/m2 (1.034‐1.047), to 1.024 kg/m2 (1.016‐1.032). Mean %fat increased from 23.4% to 25.2%, mean %lean decreased from 72.6% to 70.9% and mean %bone decreased from 4.0% to 3.9% (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsAn increase in BMI, which reflects a substantial increase in body fat mass and declines in both lean and bone mass was reported. This may have implications for future development of bone fragility, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity.
Routine testing of fetal Rhesus D status in Rhesus D negative women using cell‐free fetal DNA: an investigation into the preferences and information needs of women
Authors: Oxenford Kerry , Silcock Caroline , Hill Melissa , Chitty Lyn 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe goal of this study is to investigate women's preferences and information needs for routine implementation of fetal Rhesus D (RhD) typing using cell‐free fetal DNA.MethodsA questionnaire was developed following focus groups and interviews with both health professionals and RhD negative (RhD−) women offered fetal RhD genotyping within a research study and distributed to RhD− women attending routine antenatal appointments in four National Health Service hospitals. Current knowledge of blood types, anti‐D administration, fetal RhD genotyping and future practices were explored.ResultsA total of 19 respondents participated in interviews and focus groups, and 270 respondents completed the questionnaires. Questionnaire respondents overwhelmingly felt that the test should be offered to all RhD− women (92.1%), and 75.9% said that they would accept this test. Most were happy to have the test even if it involved extra blood tests (89.3%) or appointments (79%). The knowledge of blood groups was poor. Although 90.7% knew that the baby could have a different blood group from themselves, only 34% knew that blood groups are inherited from both parents. More than 40% were not aware that anti‐D would not be required if their baby was RhD−.ConclusionsWomen would welcome the introduction of routine fetal RhD genotyping. Information leaflets and training of midwives will be essential for implementation to ensure good understanding regarding testing. © 2013 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Experimental analysis of a photovoltaic concentrator based on a single reflective stage immersed in an optical fluid
Authors: Victoria Marta , Domínguez César , Askins Stephen , Antón Ignacio , Sala Gabriel 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTThis article reviews all the experimental tests carried out to analyze the performance of a FluidReflex photovoltaic concentrator. This novel concentrator concept consists of a single reflective stage immersed in an optical fluid. The presence of the fluid entails significant advantages. It not only allows a high system optical efficiency and increases the attainable concentration but also enhances the heat dissipation from the cell. In addition, the electrical insulation is improved, and the problem of water vapor condensation inside the module is avoided. A complete characterization is addressed in this paper. Among the experimental results, a measured optical efficiency of 83.5% for a concentration of 1035× stands out. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UV nanoimprint for the replication of etched ZnO:Al textures applied in thin‐film silicon solar cells
Authors: Meier Matthias , Paetzold Ulrich W. , Prömpers Michael , Merdzhanova Tsvetelina , Carius Reinhard , Gordijn Aad 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTIn this work, we present a technology for a high precision nanostructure replication process based on ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography for the application in the field of thin‐film photovoltaics. The potential of the technology is demonstrated by the fabrication of microcrystalline silicon thin‐film prototype solar cells. The high accuracy replication of random microstructures made from sputtered and etched ZnO:Al, used to scatter the incident light in thin solar cells, is shown by local topography investigations of the same 7.5 × 7.5 µm2 area on the master and the replica. Different types of imprint resists and imprint moulds were investigated to find the optimal, high precision replication technology. Two types of thin‐film silicon solar cells, in p‐i‐n and n‐i‐p configuration, were fabricated to study the potential of the imprint technology for different applications. It is shown that solar cells deposited on an imprinted glass hold similar performances compared with reference solar cells fabricated with a standard process on textured ZnO:Al. Thus, it is demonstrated that the replication of light scattering structures by using an imprint process is an attractive method to decouple the scattering properties from the layer forming the electrical front contact. Because a simple and cheap high throughput process is used, this study additionally proves the relevance for the industrial mass production in the field of photovoltaics. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amphiphilic depsipeptide‐based block copolymers as nanocarriers for controlled release of ibuprofen with doxorubicin
Authors: Zhang Li , Feng Yakai , Tian Hong , Zhao Miao , Khan Musammir , Guo Jintang 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTWell‐defined amphiphilic multiblock copolymers PDMAEMA‐b‐P(IBMD‐co‐PDO)‐b‐PEG‐b‐P(IBMD‐co‐PDO)‐b‐PDMAEMA [PDMAEMA‐PIBMD‐PPDO‐PEG], based on poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) block (PDMAEMA), poly(3(S)‐isobutyl‐morpholine‐2,5‐dione‐co‐p‐dioxanone) block (P(IBMD‐co‐PDO)), and poly(ethylene glycol) block (PEG) were successfully synthesized by combination of ring‐opening polymerization (using 3(S)‐isobutyl‐morpholine‐2,5‐dione and p‐dioxanone initiated by hydroxyl end of PEG) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Furthermore, all these copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Fourier transformed‐infrared, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements. The degradation experiments showed that the molecular weight of PDMAEMA‐PIBMD‐PPDO‐PEG decreased along with degradation time. In addition, these copolymers could readily self‐assemble into nanosized microspheres in phosphate buffered solution. Ibuprofen (IBU) and doxorubicin (DOX) as a kind of combined model drugs were loaded into these microspheres by the combination of ionic interaction and hydrophobic effect. These copolymer microspheres exhibited high loading capacity (LC, up to 26.88%), encapsulation efficiency (EE, up to 61.29%), and sustained release behavior of IBU–DOX in phosphate buffered solution. The results of transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering showed that the microspheres were well‐defined uniform spherical particles with average diameter less than 120 nm. Therefore, it can be envisaged that these copolymer systems are promising candidates for controlled release application. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3213–3226
Intercepted signals for ionospheric science
Authors: Lind F. D. , Erickson P. J. , Coster A. J. , Foster J. C. , Marchese J. R. , Berkowitz Z. , Sahr J. D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe ISIS array (Intercepted Signals for Ionospheric Science) is a distributed, coherent software radio array designed for the study of geospace phenomena by observing the scatter of ambient radio frequency (RF) signals. ISIS data acquisition and analysis is performed using the MIDAS‐M platform (Millstone Data Acquisition System ‐ Mobile). Observations of RF signals can be performed between HF and L‐band using the Array nodes and appropriate antennas. The deployment of the Array focuses on observations of the plasmasphere boundary layer. We discuss the concept of the coherent software radio array, describe the ISIS hardware, and give examples of data from the system for selected applications. In particular, we include the first observations of E region irregularities using the Array. We also present single‐site passive radar observations of both meteor trails and E region irregularities using adaptive filtering techniques.
Configuring effective navigation models and abstract test cases for web applications by analysing user behaviour
Authors: Sprenkle Sara E. , Pollock Lori L. , Simko Lucy M. 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYAs web applications become more complex and are used more pervasively, testing demands are increasing without corresponding automated support. One promising approach to automatic test generation is statistical model‐based testing, where logged user behaviour is used to build a usage‐based model of web application navigation, from which abstract test cases are generated. Executable test cases are then created by adding parameter values to the abstract test cases. Several researchers have proposed variations of this approach; however, no one has empirically examined the tradeoffs and implications of the different ways to represent user behaviour in a navigation model and the characteristics of the test cases automatically generated from different models. This paper reports on our exploratory study of automatically generated abstract test cases and the underlying usage‐based navigation models constructed from over 19,000 user sessions across five publicly deployed web applications. Our results suggest how web testers can easily configure statistical model‐based automatic test case generators for web applications toward generating tests closely related to user behaviour or toward new navigations without using large additional test resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Situated embodied cognition: Monitoring orientation cues affects product evaluation and choice
Authors: Eelen Jiska , Dewitte Siegfried , Warlop Luk 
Published: April 2013

AbstractConsumers generally prefer products that are easy to interact with. In three studies, we show that this preference arises from the fit between product orientation and monitored situational constraints. Flexible right‐handers, who monitor situational constraints, recall product orientations better and prefer products for which the handle is oriented in the direction of the hand used for grasping. When their ability to monitor situational constraints is impaired, the preference for easy‐to‐grasp products is attenuated. The findings highlight that motor fluency is a relevant cue for decision making when consumers assess how to interact with a product. The implications of these results for embodiment and fluency research are discussed.
Flame front/turbulence interaction for syngas fuels in the thin reaction zones regime: turbulent and stretched laminar flame speeds at elevated pressures and temperatures
Authors: Daniele S. , Mantzaras J. , Jansohn P. , Denisov A. , Boulouchos K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractExperiments were performed in dump-stabilized axisymmetric flames to assess turbulent flame speeds (${S}_{T} $) and mean flamelets speeds (stretched laminar flame speeds, ${S}_{L, k} $). Fuels with significantly different thermodiffusive properties have been investigated, ranging from pure methane to syngas (${\mathrm{H} }_{2} \text{{\ndash}} \mathrm{CO} $ blends) and pure hydrogen, while the pressure was varied from 0.1 to 1.25 MPa. Flame front corrugation was measured with planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of the OH radical, while turbulence quantities were determined with particle image velocimetry (PIV). Two different analyses based on mass balance were performed on the acquired flame images. The first method assessed absolute values of turbulent flame speeds and the second method, by means of an improved fractal methodology, provided normalized turbulent flame speeds (${S}_{T} / {S}_{L, k} $). Deduced average Markstein numbers exhibited a strong dependence on pressure and hydrogen content of the reactive mixture. It was shown that preferential-diffusive-thermal (PDT) effects acted primarily on enhancing the stretched laminar flame speeds rather than on increasing the flame front corrugations. Interaction between flame front and turbulent eddies measured by the fractal dimension was shown to correlate with the eddy temporal activity.
Shear-induced diffusion of red blood cells in a semi-dilute suspension
Authors: Omori T. , Ishikawa T. , Imai Y. , Yamaguchi T. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe diffusion of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood is important to the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. In this study, we investigate flow-induced diffusion of RBCs in a semi-dilute system by calculating the pairwise interactions between RBCs in simple shear flow. A capsule with a hyperelastic membrane was used to model an RBC. Its deformation was resolved using the finite element method, whereas fluid motion inside and outside the RBC was solved using the boundary element method. The results show that shear-induced RBC diffusion is significantly anisotropic, i.e. the velocity gradient direction component is larger than the vorticity direction. We also found that the motion of RBCs during the interaction is strongly dependent on the viscosity ratio of the internal to external fluid, and the diffusivity decreases monotonically as the viscosity ratio increases. The scaling argument also suggests that the diffusivity is proportional to the shear rate and haematocrit, if the suspension is in a semi-dilute environment and the capillary number is invariant. These fundamental findings are useful to understand transport phenomena in blood flow.