bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric testing of the short version of the world health organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Taiwan
Authors: Chung Wei-Sheng , Lan Yu-Ling , Yang Ming-Chin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Studies on the effects of tuberculosis on a patient’s quality of life (QOL) are scant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Taiwan short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire using patients with tuberculosis in Taiwan and healthy referents.

Methods
The Taiwanese short version of the WHOQOL-BREF was administered to patients with tuberculosis undergoing treatment and healthy referents from March 2007 to July 2007. Patients with tuberculosis (n = 140) and healthy referents (n = 130), matched by age, sex, and ethnicity, agreed to an interview. All participants lived in eastern Taiwan. Reliability assessments included internal consistency, whereas validity assessments included construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity.

Results
More than half of these patients and referents were men (70.7% and 66.2%, respectively), and their average ages were 50.1 and 47.9 years, respectively. Approximately 60% of patients and referents were aboriginal Taiwanese (60.7% and 61.1%, respectively). The proportion with low socioeconomic status was greater for these patients. The internal consistency reliability coefficients were .92 and .93 for the patients and healthy referents, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis on the healthy referents displayed a 4-domain model, which was compatible with the original WHOQOL-BREF 4-domain model. However, for the TB patient group, after deleting 3 items, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a 6-domain model.

Conclusion
Psychometric evaluation of the Taiwan short version of the WHOQOL-BREF indicates that it has adequate reliability for use in research with TB patients in Taiwan. However, the factor structure generated from this TB patient sample differed from the WHO’s original 4-factor model, which raised a validity concern to apply the Taiwan short version of the WHOQOL-BREF to Taiwanese TB patients. Future research recruiting another sample to revisit this validity issue must be conducted to determine the validity of the WHOQOL-BREF TW in patients with TB.
Development of an in vitro drug screening assay using Schistosoma haematobium schistosomula
Authors: Marxer Monika , Ingram Katrin , Keiser Jennifer 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
The development of novel antischistosomal drugs is crucial, as currently no vaccine and only a single drug is available for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Fast and accurate in vitro assays are urgently needed to identify new drug candidates and research efforts should include Schistosoma haematobium. The aim of the present study was to develop a S. haematobium drug sensitivity assay based on newly transformed schistosomula (NTS).

Methods
We first undertook comparative studies on the cercarial emergence rhythms of the intermediate host snails Biomphalaria glabrata (S. mansoni) and Bulinus truncatus (S. haematobium). Two transformation methods as well as three purification methods were studied on S. haematobium cercariae in order to produce a large number of viable and clean NTS. Known antischistosomal drugs were tested in the established NTS assay in vitro. Drug effects were evaluated either microscopically or fluorometrically, using a resazurin based viability marker. Microscopically obtained IC50 values were compared with results obtained for S. mansoni.

Results
A circadian rhythm existed in both snail species. Infected B. truncatus snails shed less cercariae than B. glabrata during the testing period. The highest transformation rate (69%) of S. haematobium cercariae into NTS was obtained with the vortex transformation (mechanical input) and the highest purification factor was observed using Percoll®. The fluorimetric readout based on resazurin was very precise in detecting dead or/and severely damaged schistosomula.

Conclusions
With the use of viability markers such as resazurin, drug screening assays using S. haematobium NTS can be efficiently performed. However, drugs acting on the morphology and motility of S. haematobium NTS, such as metrifonate are missed. Drug sensitivity assays with NTS of both species, S. haematobium and S. mansoni, showed very similar results using known antischistosomal drugs. The S. mansoni NTS assay might be more suitable as primary screen in drug discovery efforts, which ultimately aim for a broad-spectrum antischistosomal drug as a larger number of S. mansoni NTS can be generated.
Development of an embryonic skeletogenic mesenchyme lineage in a sea cucumber reveals the trajectory of change for the evolution of novel structures in echinoderms
Authors: McCauley Brenna S , Wright Erin P , Exner Cameron , Kitazawa Chisato , Hinman Veronica F 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
The mechanisms by which the conserved genetic “toolkit” for development generates phenotypic disparity across metazoans is poorly understood. Echinoderm larvae provide a great resource for understanding how developmental novelty arises. The sea urchin pluteus larva is dramatically different from basal echinoderm larval types, which include the auricularia-type larva of its sister taxon, the sea cucumbers, and the sea star bipinnaria larva. In particular, the pluteus has a mesodermally-derived larval skeleton that is not present in sea star larvae or any outgroup taxa. To understand the evolutionary origin of this structure, we examined the molecular development of mesoderm in the sea cucumber, Parastichopus parvimensis.

Results
By comparing gene expression in sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars, we partially reconstructed the mesodermal regulatory state of the echinoderm ancestor. Surprisingly, we also identified expression of the transcription factor alx1 in a cryptic skeletogenic mesenchyme lineage in P. parvimensis. Orthologs of alx1 are expressed exclusively within the sea urchin skeletogenic mesenchyme, but are not expressed in the mesenchyme of the sea star, which suggests that alx1
+ mesenchyme is a synapomorphy of at least sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Perturbation of Alx1 demonstrates that this protein is necessary for the formation of the sea cucumber spicule. Overexpression of the sea star alx1 ortholog in sea urchins is sufficient to induce additional skeleton, indicating that the Alx1 protein has not evolved a new function during the evolution of the larval skeleton.

Conclusions
The proposed echinoderm ancestral mesoderm state is highly conserved between the morphologically similar, but evolutionarily distant, auricularia and bipinnaria larvae. However, the auricularia, but not bipinnaria, also develops a simple skelotogenic cell lineage. Our data indicate that the first step in acquiring these novel cell fates was to re-specify the ancestral mesoderm into molecularly distinct territories. These new territories likely consisted of only a few cells with few regulatory differences from the ancestral state, thereby leaving the remaining mesoderm to retain its original function. The new territories were then free to take on a new fate. Partitioning of existing gene networks was a necessary pre-requisite to establish novelty in this system.
Laboratory Performance of Geogrid-reinforced Soils Subjected to Freezing and Thawing
Authors: Alfaro Marolo C. , Pathak Yadav P. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This paper reports results from bench-scale plane-strain laboratory tests conducted in order to investigate the behavior of geogrid-reinforced silt specimens during freezing and thawing cycles. Soil–geogrid interaction was analyzed through comparison of the soil and geogrid strains. Vertical and lateral pressures were applied to the specimens to simulate anisotropic loading conditions in the field. Reinforced and unreinforced specimens were subjected to cycles of freezing (−25°C) and thawing (+23°C) temperatures inside a walk-in temperature-controlled environmental chamber. Measured geogrid strains at the end of 12 freezing-thawing cycles were on the order of 0.57 %. An additional strain of this magnitude in the reinforcement due to the freezing-thawing cycles would have only minimal effect on working strain levels in the design, which range from 1 % to 2 %. However, the strains induced by freezing and thawing can approach working design strains as the number of cycles increases. This could have significant long-term implications if accumulated strains were to overstrain the geogrid. The soil deformations were observed to be mostly horizontal. This pattern of deformations during the freezing and thawing of silt could result in shallow sliding at the face of slopes and embankments. The soil strains were higher than the geogrid strains, indicating relative movements between soil and reinforcement, mostly during thawing.
Sensing and Imaging the State of Effective Stress in a 1-g Shallow Foundation Model
Authors: Kim Kyu-Sun , Tanner William M. , Fratta Dante 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This paper describes an experimental study for the imaging of effective stresses under a shallow foundation system. S-wave data were collected during several loading stages of the shallow foundation model. S-wave crosshole data were inverted to obtain effective stress distribution images by solving the tomographic imaging problem. To optimize the travel-time tomographic imaging solution of the stress-heterogeneous medium, S-wave data quality, sensor array design, ray tracing algorithm selection, and inversion parameter choice were carefully considered. The experimental results show the practical engineering potential of tomographic imaging techniques for the monitoring of in situ effective stress and the evaluation of design models and effective stress-driven processes.
Protocol for Testing Fouled Railway Ballast in Large-Scale Cyclic Triaxial Equipment
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali , Tinjum James M. , Edil Tuncer B. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A testing protocol was developed to measure accumulation of vertical plastic deformation in fouled railway ballast under cyclic traffic loading. Large-scale cyclic triaxial (LSCT) test equipment was constructed to test fouled ballast under various stress conditions. A method of introducing fouling material and moisture to ballast specimens was critical to the resulting deformational behavior. Specimens for LSCT testing should be prepared by mixing ballast with relatively dry fouling material (moisture &lt;5 % for granular fouling and &lt;15 % for clay-based fouling) prior to compaction to prevent a heterogeneous distribution of fouling within the specimen. A full-scale track model experiment (FSTME) was built to determine a representative state of stress (RSS) for railway ballast for use in the LSCT testing. The RSS allows for testing of ballast under consistent stresses to compare the effect of material characteristics of fouling such as fouling content and moisture content. A RSS of 90 kPa (confining) and 300 kPa (deviator) for a train axle load of 264 kN was suggested based on the FSTME results. Measured deformation of fouled ballast using the proposed testing protocol was compared with a published vertical deformation of railway track in a track test section. Results of this study indicate that the proposed testing protocol can simulate the vertical plastic deformation of railway ballast at a specified stress level.
Characterisation of Lightly Stabilised Granular Base Materials by Flexural Beam Testing and Effects of Loading Rate
Authors: Paul D. K. , Gnanendran C. T. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This paper presents the results from an experimental study on the characterisation of lightly stabilised granular base materials by monotonic load/displacement flexural beam testing which was carried out on two granular base materials lightly stabilised with 1 % to 3 % cement—fly ash. Effects of the loading/displacement rate on the flexural properties (i.e., flexural strength and stiffness modulus) of the lightly stabilised granular base materials were investigated and they were found to be loading/displacement rate-dependent. The suitability of an improved (newly developed) flexural beam testing setup with internal deflection measurements, which was employed to determine these flexural properties, was also examined. Test results indicate that this improved flexural beam testing setup can be used reliably for characterising lightly stabilised granular base materials.
A New Laser Sensor Volume Measurement System for the Triaxial Testing of Unsaturated Soils
Authors: Zhang X. , Mavroulidou M. , Sutton J. , Cabarkapa Z. , Gunn M. J. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The paper demonstrates a novel non-contacting volume change measurement system for triaxial soil testing. The system uses an ultra high accuracy laser displacement sensor that measures water volume changes resulting from the volume change of the specimen during testing. The paper presents the design, working principles, system calibrations, and the validation of the system through comparative measurements of volume changes of soil specimens during triaxial shearing, against results of conventional volume measurement techniques.
Index Puncture Resistance of Geomembranes Using Various Protection Geosynthetics
Authors: Koerner Robert M. , Wong W. K. (Connie) , Koerner George R. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The puncturing of geomembranes by stones is unfortunately not uncommon. In order to prevent its occurrence, various geosynthetics have been used as protection materials. Needle punched nonwoven geotextiles (of various unit weights), geonet drainage composites, and geosynthetic clay liners have been used, and all are evaluated in this laboratory puncture study. Results from three standardized puncture test methods (tapered, pin, and pyramid shaped end probes) are compared to one another. The results show that all geomembranes are susceptible to puncture, with increasing thickness providing some, but limited, improvement. Geotextiles clearly show improved puncture protection, and the improvement is in linear proportion to their increasing unit weights. Geonet drainage composites also show improvement essentially in proportion to the unit weights of the geotextiles affixed to the surfaces of the geonet core. Geosynthetic clay liners also provide protection, again in proportion to the unit weight of the associated geotextiles, particularly when the bentonite is hydrated.
Shrinkage-induced Damage Evolution for Concrete Overlay
Authors: Wang Guiming , Kong Yun , Guo Zhanqi , Shui Zhonghe , Leng Zheng 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the development of stress and the debonding behavior of thin bonded concrete overlays under restrained conditions. The results show us that the fractured mode of a concrete repair system will change clearly along the new concrete with higher shrinkage deformation to crack along the interfacial layer, and with increasing intensity strength, the interfacial layer becomes stronger so that it is hard for the concrete repair system to fail. It is difficult to predict the exact crack pathway of a concrete repair system unless the condition of the meso-structure is known.
Investigation of Interaction between the Silicone Rubber Sealant and Concrete Substrate
Authors: Liu Jiesheng , Wu Shaopeng , Lu Haijun 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This investigation aimed to study the interaction between concrete substrate and silicone rubber sealant. Several surface treatments were applied in order to obtain different levels of surface roughness in concrete substrates. The bond tensile test showed that abrasion and solvent cleaning methods improved the bond strength relative to that of untreated substrates. The effects of silane coupling agents on the bond strength was studied via two methods of application of the coupling agent, namely, (a) pre-treatment of concrete substrate in an aqueous solution of silane, and (b) adding silane to the silicone rubber sealant as an integral blend additive. No significant differences in bonding values were noted between the two methods. An increase in the amount of silane coupling agent increased the bond strength of the silicone rubber sealant, but beyond a certain point, further increases in the amount of silane lowered the bond strength. As the amount of silanes increased, the failure mode of the samples changed from adhesive failure to cohesive failure. Scanning electron microscopy and contact angle methods were employed to investigate the interface. The results strongly suggest that interface adhesion and treatments are crucial factors in creating a durable bond interface between substrate and sealant.
Effect of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) on Aging Properties of Bitumen
Authors: Huang Yongfang , Feng Zhengang , Zhang Henglong , Yu Jianying 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Layered double hydroxide (LDH) modified bitumen was prepared via melt blending. The effects of LDHs on the physical properties and aging properties of bitumen were studied. The influence of LDHs on the chemical structure of bitumen before and after a thin film oven test (TFOT) and an ultraviolet (UV) radiation test was evaluated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. The results show that with increasing LDH content, the softening point and viscosity of bitumen gradually increase, whereas the ductility and penetration of bitumen decrease. LDHs can improve the ability of bitumen to resist TFOT aging and UV aging, especially when the LDH content is more than 3 wt. %. In the FTIR analysis, it is seen that LDHs can inhibit the oxidation of bitumen during TFOT and UV aging, resulting in smaller carbonyl and sulphoxide contents than in the pristine bitumen.
Chloride Binding Capacity of Cement Paste Containing Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)
Authors: Zhonghe Shui , Juntao Ma , Wei Chen , Xiaoxing Chen 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The chloride binding capacity of concrete can affect the rate of chloride ingress, which ultimately determines the chloride-ion resistance. A layered double hydroxide (LDH) can absorb the chloride ions in cement paste and delay chloride ingress in the structure. A method for evaluating the chloride binding capacity of cement paste was used in the experiment reported herein. We compare Mg-Al LDH under different treatments (including CO32− series and NO3− series) in order to determine the chloride binding capacity of the LDH. The binding mechanism is explored in this article. The experimental results indicate that LDH processes have a remarkable chloride ion binding capacity. The addition of LDH can improve the chloride binding capacity of cement paste significantly. Cement paste containing roasted LDH has a better chloride binding capacity than that containing unroasted LDH or rehydrated LDH. Based on the comparison of LDHs with different anions, the chloride binding capacity of NO3− series LDH appears to be more powerful than that of CO32− series LDH.
Comparison of Tensile Properties of Strain Hardening Cementitious Composite Cured in Normal and Accelerated Conditions
Authors: Qian Shunzhi , Zhang Zhigang 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Strain hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) has shown increasing field applications recently to take advantage of its unique tensile behavior, yet existing tensile test typically requires 28 days normal curing (NC). While this curing method is acceptable for research purpose in laboratory, it is certainly not practical for rapid quality control purpose of SHCC material onsite. Furthermore, Uniaxial Tensile Test (UTT) commonly used for SHCC material is relatively complicated and sometime difficult to implement. This paper proposes to use tensile and/or bending results from accelerated cured (AC) specimens to predict tensile properties of SHCC material under NC. The tensile test result from AC specimens has been validated with that from NC specimens with reasonable agreement. This makes it possible to use AC tensile test result to predict that from NC condition. Additionally, tensile properties predicted from AC bending specimens via inverse method have been validated with that from NC tensile specimens with certain success. Overall, it is expected that this proposed method can greatly shorten the time required for rapid quality control purpose, contributing to wider application of SHCC material in civil infrastructures.
Using Disturbed State Concept to Predict the Stress–Strain Response of Concrete Attacked by Sulfate
Authors: Nie Yanfeng , Qian Chunxiang 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The disturbed state concept (DSC) provides a general way for constitutive modeling of deforming materials. This paper presents the experimental and analytical results for the development of methodology for predicting the stress-strain response of concrete attacked by sulfate. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) is used to identify a function for disturbance (D). The elastoplastic model and simplified hydrostatic stress model are adopted for the definition of the relative intact state (RI) and fully adjusted state (FA), respectively. Thus, the stress–strain curve can be predicted using the DSC model based on nondestructive method. The comparison results show that the proposed constitutive model is satisfied with application in similar condition.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Saccharomyces cerevisiae Telomeres: Beginning to End
Authors: Wellinger Raymund J , Zakian Virginia A 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The mechanisms that maintain the stability of chromosome ends have broad impact on genome integrity in all eukaryotes. Budding yeast is a premier organism for telomere studies. Many fundamental concepts of telomere and telomerase function were first established in yeast and then extended to other organisms. We present a comprehensive review of yeast telomere biology that covers capping, replication, recombination, and transcription. We think of it as yeast telomeres—soup to nuts.
Flexible Optical Interconnects via Thiol-ene Two-photon-induced Polymerization
Authors: Kumpfmueller Josef , Stadlmann Klaus , Li Zhiquan , Satzinger Valentin , Stampfl Juergen , Liska Robert 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTTwo-photon polymerization (2PP) is an emerging tool in the field of additive manufacturing technologies, which allows for the elegant 3D lithographic production by means of photosensitive resins. One key advantage of 2PP is the achievable feature resolution. A few tens of nanometers are currently the resolution limit for this novel technique. Fields of applications are as diverse as photonics, microfluidics and biomedicine.A challenging photonics application for 2PP are optical interconnects, where optical elements on printed circuit boards are connected with waveguides. The possibility for real 3D structuring allows for easier positioning of the cured structures and straightforward processing outperforming techniques such as 2D lithography or reactive ion etching in this regard. If mechanical flexibility of the printed circuit board is required as a property for certain niche applications, polysiloxanes are an interesting class of matrix material. This is also due to their low optical damping behavior and high temperature stability as the material has to withstand temperatures around 250°C during the manufacturing process. In this work, we present our latest approach to create polysiloxane-based waveguides via 2PP of specially tailored thiol-ene formulations. Latest improvements on the ease of processing and the local refractive index increase are shown as well as the proof of principle for waveguiding. Optical waveguides were successfully created via 2PP with writing speeds around 10 mm/min.