bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Midregional Pro–Atrial Natriuretic Peptide for the Diagnosis of Cardiac-Related Dyspnea according to Renal Function in the Emergency Department: A Comparison with B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal ProBNP
Authors: Chenevier-Gobeaux Camille , Guerin Sylvie , André Stéphanie , Ray Patrick , Cynober Luc , Gestin Stéphanie , Pourriat Jean-Louis , Claessens Yann-Erick 
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND
Although renal dysfunction influences the threshold values of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) in diagnosis of cardiac-related dyspnea (CRD), its effects on midregional pro–atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) threshold values are unknown. We evaluated the impact of renal function on MR-proANP concentrations and compared our results to those of BNP and NT-proBNP.

METHODS
MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in blood samples collected routinely from dyspneic patients admitted to the emergency department. Patients were subdivided into tertiles based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR, in mL · min−1 · (1.73 m2)−1]: tertiles 1 (&lt;44.3), 2 (44.3–58.5), and 3 (≥58.6).

RESULTS
Of 378 patients studied, 69% (n = 260) had impaired renal function [&lt;60 mL · min−1 · (1.73 m2)−1] and 30% (n = 114) had CRD. MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly increased in patients with impaired renal function. In each tertile, all peptides remained significantly increased in CRD patients by comparison with non-CRD patients. By ROC analysis, MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP threshold values for the diagnosis of CRD increased as eGFR decreased from tertile 3 to tertile 1. Areas under the ROC curve for all peptides were significantly lower in tertile 1. Using adapted thresholds, MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP remained independently predictive of CRD, even in tertile 1 patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Renal function influences optimum cutoff points of MR-proANP for the diagnosis of CRD. With use of an optimum threshold value adapted to the eGFR category, MR-proANP remains as effective as BNP and NT-proBNP in independently predicting a diagnosis of CRD in the emergency department.
Excitation functions of nuclear reactions leading to the soft-radiation emitting radionuclides45Ca,49V and204Tl in beam collimator materials used in proton therapy
Authors: Qaim Syed M. , Kettern K. , Shubin Yu. N. , Sudár S. , Coenen Heinz H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSummary. Cross sections of nuclear reactions leading to the formation of the soft-radiation emitting radionuclides45Ca (T1/2=163 d; β−=260 keV),49V (T1/2=330 d;Kα=4.51 keV) and204Tl (T1/2=3.78 a; β−=763 keV) in proton induced reactions on titanium and lead, respectively, often used as collimators in proton therapy facilities, were measured for the first time over the energy range extending up to 200 MeV. Use was made of the stacked-foil technique. Elaborate radiochemical separations were performed and the radioactivity of the products was determinedviaanticoincidence beta counting, liquid scintillation counting or X-ray spectrometry. The experimental data were compared with the results of nuclear model calculations using the codes ALICE-IPPE and TALYS. In general good agreement was obtained. In the case of204Tl, however, the calculated values from ALICE-IPPE in the energy region above 80 MeV deviated considerably from the experimental data, possibly due to strong contributions of multiple particle emission reactions.
X-Parameter: Das neue Paradigma zur Beschreibung nichtlinearer HF- und Mikrowellenbauelemente
Authors: Root David E. , Horn Jason , Betts Loren , Gillease Chad , Gross Wolfgang , Verspecht Jan 
Published: September 2010

Zusammenfassung
Zur Beschreibung nichtlinearer hochfrequenter Bauelemente wie Mischer oder Verstärker reichen herkömmliche Größen wie S-Parameter nicht aus. Wir zeigen, wie sich das Großsignalverhalten solcher Bauelemente, die Arbeitspunktabhängigkeit ihrer Eigenschaften und ihre Erzeugung neuer Frequenzanteile mit Hilfe so-genannter X-Parameter wiedergeben lassen. Das Verfahren wird an mehreren Beispielen demonstriert.
Ageing of Standard PV Module when Integrated in a V-trough Concentration System
Authors: Reis Filipa , Brito Miguel Centeno , Corregidor Victoria , Wemans João , Sorasio Gianfranco 
Published: September 2010

AbstractConcentration photovoltaic (CPV) systems are seen as a shortcut to achieve lower photovoltaic (PV) electricity costs/kWh. Within the available CPV configurations, V-trough systems are likely to succeed in the short term since they are less demanding in terms of tracking accuracy and due to their ability to make use of standard PV modules, a well-known and developed technology. However, silicon standard modules were initially designed to operate under 1 sun conditions, facing some challenges when integrated in CPV systems. The present work aims to demonstrate that such application is efficient up to a few suns and also to analyze possible accelerated modules degradation rates. For such analysis we have used a prototype based on the DoubleSun® technology: a 1.9x concentration V-trough system, integrating 2-axis tracking system and making use of conventional silicon modules.
Cost-benefit Photovoltaics by Hybridization of Dye-anchored Nano-crystalline TiO2 and p-Type Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Yanagida Shozo 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCost benefit analysis (CBA) and energy profit ratio (EPR) indicate that third generation PV should be high-throughput ones with higher efficiency than CdTe PV. The polymer photovoltaics (OPV) such as PCBM/P3HT, and the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), i.e. TiO2/dyes/iodide-iodine-electrolytes will be reviewed as printable PV to cope in near future with environmentally benign PV demand. The recent progress of OPV and DSC will be discussed in terms of diffusion length, and our recent studies on iodine-free DSC. The OPV-DSC-hybridized PV exemplified by solid-state Dye/TiO2/P3HT will become hopeful as printed thin-film solar cells, in particular when the conversion efficiency is further enhanced more than 10%.
The effect of molybdenum trioxide inter-layer between indium tin oxide (ITO) and organic semiconductor on the energy level alignment
Authors: Irfan Irfan , Ding Huanjun , Gao Yongli , Kim Do Yang , Subbiah Jegadesan , So Franky 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe investigated 0 to 300 Å thick stepped molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) inter-layer between in-situ oxygen plasma treated conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) and chloro-aluminum pthalocyanine (AlPc-Cl) layer-by-layer evaporated up to 228 Å, with ultra-violet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) and inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES). The MoO3 inter-layers were observed to increase the surface workfunction. The workfunction increase was observed to saturate at 20 Å of MoO3 coverage. The increased surface workfunction causes hole accumulation and band bending in the subsequently deposited AlPc-Cl. A possible explanation of reduction in series resistance by the insertion of the MoO3 insulating layer is discussed based on these observations and energy level alignment.
Influence of the Film Thickness on the Optical and Electrical Properties of ITO
Authors: Fung Man Kin , Cheung Kai-Yin , Sun Ye Chuan , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , Chan Wai-Kin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIndium tin oxide (ITO) is widely used for opto-electronic products such as organic light-emitting diodes, organic photovoltaic devices and liquid crystal displays due to its high transparency and electrical conductivity. Since there is a trade-off between the conductivity and transparency of ITO, it is necessary to optimize performances of opto-electronic products by balancing the sheet resistance and transmittance. Both sheet resistance and transmittance are affected by a number of factors such as working temperature, working pressure, oxygen-to-argon ratio during the fabricating process, and thickness. In our study, ITO thin films were deposited on glass substrates by dc sputtering. Effects of ITO with different thicknesses, sheet resistances, and transmission spectra on the performance of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices were investigated.
Local electromechanical properties of ZnO thin films and micro crystals
Authors: Bdikin Igor , Silibin Maxim , Ayouchi Rachid , Schwarz R , Gavrilov Sergei , Gracio Jose , Kholkin Andrei L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractHigh-resolution piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) was used to measure the out-of-plane (effective longtitudinal) and in-plane (effective shear) piezoresponse of zinc oxide films and microrods. Thin films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and micro rods formed from solution. Measurements of three components of piezoresponse, one out-of-plane (OPP) and two in-plane (IPP) signals, allowed the construction of 3D piezoelectric maps reflecting the polycrystalline nature of the films. Both the IPP and OPP piezoresponse signal distributions are analyzed based on the particular texture of the films. It was observed that the central part of microrods contains polarization inversion with head-to-head ferroelectric-like domains. The as-grown domain boundaries were always parallel to the (0001) basal plane. Analysis of the PFM piezoresponse images was done based on the hexagonal structure of ZnO and topographic features along the hexagonal axis.
Synthesis of Complex-oxide Nanorods via Pulsed-laser Deposition
Authors: Mathis John E , Eres Gyula , Cantoni Claudia , Kim Kyunghoon , Christen Hans 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNanorods composed of complex oxides have been synthesized using hydrothermal and sol-gel methods, but pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) provides precise, layer-by-layer control of growth, and is the method of choice for synthesizing complex structures. However, producing complex-oxide nanorods by PLD has proved elusive.Here we report on our efforts to produce nanorods composed of the best-understood complex oxide, strontium titanate (STO). The results suggest it is indeed possible to produce STO nanorods via PLD by using a template of MgO nanorods.
Effect Co- and Sc- Doping on the Functional Properties of Nanocrystalline Powders and Thin Films of ZnO
Authors: Galvez Marco A , Perales-Perez Oscar , Singh Surinder P 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA modified sol-gel approach to synthesize well-crystallized pure and doped ZnO nanocrystalline powders and thin films has been developed. The attachment of ZnO films onto quartz substrates was optimized by selecting suitable organic agents to control the viscosity of precursor solutions. Thermo-gravimetric analyses on pure and doped precursor solids suggested the need for annealing temperatures above 400 °C to assure the effective crystallization of the oxide phase. The average crystallite size in powders and thin films varied from 25.9 nm to 33.7 nm when pure ZnO films were annealed for 1 hour in the 450 °C - 600 °C range. The average crystallite size ranged between 30 nm and 33 nm in the presence of cobalt (5 at%) and decreased from 33.7 nm to 21.1 nm when scandium ions was used in the 0.0 at% - 10 at% range under similar annealing conditions. UV-vis measurements showed a sharp exciton peak centered at 370 nm whereas photoluminescence analyses detected the characteristic ZnO emission band in the UV region. No photoluminescence band in the visible region, usually attributed to defect states in ZnO, was observed in our measurements. Magnetization measurements revealed a weak ferromagnetism in Co-doped ZnO whereas a clear diamagnetism was evident in the Sc-doped sample.
Electrolyte and Cathode Studies for Micro-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Yan Yan , Conde Janine , Muralt Paul 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSputter deposited YSZ thin films were studied for the application as electrolyte membrane in micro solid oxide fuel cells. A new micro-machined test structure was developed to test 200 μm fuel cell membranes that are integrated onto silicon substrates. The membranes are liberated by means of deep silicon dry etching from the backside, and both contacts are situated on the front side of the wafer. Annular Pt electrodes provide contacts to specific anode and cathode layers. Preliminary tests are reported for the situation without specific electrodes. At 450 °C, an OCV of 570 mV, and a maximal power of about 0.55 mW/cm2 is obtained. LaSrMnO electrodes deposited by pulsed laser deposition were evaluated by electrical impedance spectroscopy. The dense films yielded too high ASR values. Interestingly, these could be reduced by applying a DC bias voltage.
Skimmer Capacity for Viscous Oil
Authors: Moxness Vidar Weidemann , Gåseidnes Knut , Asheim Harald 
Published: September 2010

SummaryWhen a skimmer removes oil locally, oil floating further away will flow toward it. The maximum flow rate toward the skimmer defines its natural capacity. Traditional skimmer-capacity modeling considers flow driven by height potential and resisted by inertial forces but neglects viscosity. On the basis of theory and experiments, this paper claims that high oil viscosity may govern the skimmer capacity.It is shown that viscous resistance relates to a dimensionless quantity called the Goose number, representing the ratio of inertial to viscous forces. At high Goose numbers, viscosity may be neglected. At sufficiently low Goose numbers, viscous resistance dominates. A numerical solution applicable to all Goose numbers has been developed. Analytical formulas for skimmer capacity at high and low Goose numbers are provided.A scaled laboratory facility was built to investigate the skimming of viscous oil. The measured rates were consistent with the numerical predictions and with the formula for low Goose number. With decreasing viscosity, predictions by the current model converged to traditional formulas that neglect viscosity.The model quantifies how skimming capacity is affected by size and by properties of the oil spill and skimmer geometry and submergence. This may enable more rational skimmer design and operation, and even optimization.
Use of Exclusion Zones in Mapping and Modeling Fracture Corridors
Authors: Ozkaya Sait I. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryFracture corridors are fault-related, subvertical, tabular fracture clusters that traverse the entire reservoir vertically and extend for several tens or hundreds of meters horizontally. Conductive fracture corridors may have significant permeability and may profoundly affect reservoir-flow dynamics. Therefore, it is important to map conductive fracture corridors deterministically for reservoir evaluation and well planning. Deterministic mapping of fracture corridors requires locating fracture corridors and assigning to them length, orientation, fluid conductivity, and connectivity. Estimation of orientation, length, and—especially—connectivity is a major challenge in fracture-corridor mapping.An exclusion zone is a region that cannot have a conductive fault or fracture corridor passing through. Borehole images, open-hole logs, flow profiles, and lost-circulation data can be used to identify horizontal wells with no fracture-corridor intersection. Well tests, production/injection history, Kh ratio (permeability times thickness) well-test/core ratio, first water arrival, and oil-column-thickness maps can be used to identify vertical “matrix” wells that do not intersect fracture corridors. Adjacent matrix wells may be surrounded by inferred exclusion zones. The confidence level of inferred exclusion zones depends on factors such as interwell distance, matrix permeability, width, orientation, and spacing of fracture corridors. Overlapping of exclusion zones from independent data sources such as well testing and oil-column thickness have higher confidence than non-overlapping zones.Only borehole images provide orientation and only well tests provide length of fracture corridors. In the absence of well testing and borehole imaging, exclusion zones provide constraints and aid both in locating fracture corridors and assigning them orientation and length. Perhaps the most significant contribution of exclusion zones to fracture-corridor mapping is in identifying interconnected and isolated fracture corridors. An interconnected network of fracture corridors may extend laterally for several kilometers as major fracture permeability pathways, which not only improve pressure support, bottom upsweep of oil, but also cause rapid water breakthrough.
Simulations of Field-Development Planning Help Improve Economics of Heavy-Oil Project
Authors: Teotico Dwight , Schauerte Luke , Griffith James , Schottle Gary , Mehl Ralph 
Published: September 2010

Summary
When Shell began an ultraheavy-oil development in Alberta, Canada, the field plan was based on manual pad positioning without consideration for surface hazards, trajectory constraints, or injector/producer slot requirements arising from the prefabricated-pad configuration.
Shell teams were challenged to investigate alternative field-development plans to reduce the initial investment. The volume of wells, surface hazards, trajectory constraints, and pad slot configuration requirements for injector/producer ratios made this a formidable task. Shell leveraged the expertise of third-party consultants and powerful software to generate numerous development scenarios, which enabled the Shell staff to focus on the economics of each plan.
An aerial image that delineated surface hazards, an elevation grid, and injector/producer targets were loaded into the 3D subsurface-visualization environment of the software to generate pad-placement simulations, including trajectory designs. The software followed the Shell planning constraints and avoided all surface hazards.
The analyses were conducted for the highest, lowest, and median number of pads. From these three scenarios, a value analysis was plotted. This value analysis enabled the planning team to identify the optimal surface-to-reservoir configuration and to maximize the value of the field by delivering all of the reservoir targets, while minimizing the number of pads needed to drill. The output also yielded field cumulative values, including total and nominal well length, to support future economic analyses.
The analysis determined that 87 pads maximized the value of the field when 42-slot configured pads were considered. Additional studies determined that when 50-slot configured pads were considered, more than 99% of the planned reservoir targets could be drilled from 72 major and four or fewer minor pads. In either case, a significant reduction from the original 98 pads was realized. Through the combined efforts of Shell engineers and third-party consultants, as well as the use of state-of-the-art software, this optimization was completed in only 8 worker-weeks.
This paper describes the software and processes used to reduce Shell's estimated field-development costs and to minimize the environmental effect of the field by reducing the number of pads required.
Is there an increase of postpartum hemorrhage, and is severe hemorrhage associated with more frequent use of obstetric interventions?
Authors: Rossen Janne , Økland Inger , Nilsen Odd Bjarte , Eggebø Torbjørn M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective. To analyze changes in postpartum hemorrhage over a 10‐year period from 1998 to 2007, and to explore factors associated with severe hemorrhage. Design. Retrospective cohort study, prospectively collected information. Setting. Stavanger University Hospital, a secondary referral center, Norway. Population. An unselected population of 41,365 women giving birth at the hospital. Methods. We analyzed changes over time in mean postpartum hemorrhage, severe postpartum hemorrhage and associated factors. Estimated blood loss >1,000 ml was defined as severe hemorrhage. Data were collected from the hospital's database. Main outcome measures. Severe postpartum hemorrhage and obstetric interventions. Results. We observed an increase in severe hemorrhage during the study period. After cesarean sections, the risk of severe hemorrhage was twice the risk of severe hemorrhage after vaginal deliveries (5.9%; 95% CI 5.3–6.6 vs. 2.8%; 95% CI 2.6–2.9). The most important factors associated with severe hemorrhage following vaginal deliveries were twin deliveries (OR 6.8), retained placenta (OR 3.9) and inductions of labor (OR 2.2). For cesarean sections, twin deliveries had the strongest association with severe hemorrhage (OR 3.7) followed by general anesthesia (OR 3.0). Obstetric interventions became more frequent; elective cesarean sections increased from 2.4 to 4.9%, acute cesarean sections from 5.5 to 8.9%, operative vaginal deliveries from 9.3 to 12.5%, inductions of labor from 14.3 to 15.8% and augmentations of labor from 5.8 to 29.3%. Conclusions. The incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage increased, and this may be related to more frequent use of obstetric interventions.
The impact of topographically forced stationary waves on local ice-sheet climate
Authors: Liakka Johan , Nilsson Johan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA linear two-level atmospheric model is employed to study the influence of ice-sheet topography on atmospheric stationary waves. In particular, the stationary-wave-induced temperature anomaly is considered locally over a single ice-sheet topography, which is computed using the plastic approximation. It is found that stationary waves induce a local cooling which increases linearly with the ice volume for ice sheets of horizontal extents smaller than ∼1400 km. Beyond this horizontal scale, the dependence of stationary-wave-induced cooling on the ice volume becomes gradually weaker. For a certain ice-sheet size, and for small changes of the surface zonal wind, it is further shown that the strength of the local stationary-wave-induced cooling is proportional to the basic state meridional temperature gradient multiplied by the vertical stratification in the atmosphere. These results are of importance for the nature of the feedback between ice sheets and stationary waves, and may also serve as a basis for parameterizing this feedback in ice-sheet model simulations (e.g. through the Pleistocene glacial/interglacial cycles).
Consistent approximations and boundary conditions for ice-sheet dynamics from a principle of least action
Authors: Dukowicz John K. , Price Stephen F. , Lipscomb William H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe formulation of a physical problem in terms of a variational (or action) principle conveys significant advantages for the analytical formulation and numerical solution of that problem. One such problem is ice-sheet dynamics as described by non-Newtonian Stokes flow, for which the variational principle can be interpreted as stating that a measure of heat dissipation, due to internal deformation and boundary friction, plus the rate of loss of total potential energy is minimized under the constraint of incompressible flow. By carrying out low-aspect-ratio approximations to the Stokes flow problem within this variational principle, we obtain approximate dynamical equations and boundary conditions that are internally consistent and preserve the analytical structure of the full Stokes system. This also allows us to define an action principle for the popular first-order or ‘Blatter–Pattyn’ shallow-ice approximation that is distinct from the action principle for the Stokes problem yet preserves its most important properties and elucidates various details about this approximation. Further approximations within this new action functional yield the standard zero-order shallow-ice and shallow-shelf approximations, with their own action principles and boundary conditions. We emphasize the specification of boundary conditions, which are problematic to derive and implement consistently in approximate models but whose formulation is greatly simplified in a variational setting.