bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinically important associations of pleurodesis success in malignant pleural effusion: Analysis of the TIME1 data set
Authors: Mercer Rachel M. , Macready Jessica , Jeffries Hannah , Speck Nicole , Kanellakis Nikolaos I. , Maskell Nick A. , Pepperell Justin , Saba Tarek , West Alex , Ali Nabeel , Corcoran John P. , Hallifax Robert J. , Psallidas Ioannis , Asciak Rachelle , Hassan Maged , Miller Robert F. , Rahman Najib M.
Published: December 2019

Background and objective

Chemical pleurodesis is performed for patients with MPE with a published success rate of around 80%. It has been postulated that inflammation is key in achieving successful pleural symphysis, as evidenced by higher amounts of pain or detected inflammatory response. Patients with mesothelioma are postulated to have a lower rate of successful pleurodesis due to lack of normal pleural tissue enabling an inflammatory response.

Methods

The TIME1 trial data set, in which pleurodesis success and pain were co‐primary outcome measures, was used to address a number of these assumptions. Pain score, systemic inflammatory parameters as a marker of pleural inflammation and cancer type were analysed in relation to pleurodesis success.

Results

In total, 285 patients were included with an overall success rate of 81.4%. There was a significantly higher rise in CRP in the Pleurodesis Success group compared with the Pleurodesis Failure group (mean difference: 19.2, 95% CI of the difference: 6.2–32.0, P = 0.004) but no significant change in WCC. There was no significant difference in pain scores or analgesia requirements between the groups. Patients with mesothelioma had a lower rate of pleurodesis success than non‐mesothelioma patients (73.3% vs 84.9%, χ2 = 5.1, P = 0.023).

Conclusion

Change in CRP during pleurodesis is associated with successful pleurodesis but higher levels of pain are not associated. Patients with mesothelioma appear less likely to undergo successful pleurodesis than patients with other malignancies, but there is still a significant rise in systemic inflammatory markers. The mechanisms of these findings are unclear but warrant further investigation.
Organic matters and acid‐sulfate alteration in Itomuka mercury mine, Hokkaido, Japan: Implications for the transportation and deposition mechanisms of Hg
Authors: Echigo Takuya , Kimata Mitsuyoshi , Shimizu Masahiro
Published: December 2019

In order to examine the transportation and deposition mechanisms of Hg, we investigated the ore and hydrothermal alteration minerals and solid organic matters from Itomuka mercury mine located in the eastern part of central Hokkaido. In addition to the ore minerals, native mercury and cinnabar, quartz, marcasite, alunite, kaolinite, and minor amounts of pyrite and smectite were identified in the Hg ore by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This mineral assemblage of acid sulfate alteration was likely developed under the conditions of low temperature (≤100°C) and low pH (≤2) in the steam‐heated environment. The H2SO4 was produced above the water table by the oxidation of H2S separated from deep, near‐neutral fluids by boiling. The dominance of native mercury over cinnabar in Hg ore indicates that the greater part of mineralized Hg was transported as Hg0 in aqueous solution and vapor with low sulfur fugacity. The solid organic matters found in the Hg ore were analyzed with SEM‐EDS, micro‐XRD, and micro‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and these results suggest that the organic matters contributed to keeping the low fO2 of the Hg‐bearing fluid and transportation of Hg as Hg0 in S‐poor condition. Because the solubility of Hg in acidic fluid is low, neutral to alkaline fluid seems to have leached Hg from the basement sedimentary rocks of Hidaka Group which also supplied the organic matters to the fluid. The oxidation and cooling of Hg‐bearing solution and vapor triggered the deposition of liquid Hg as a primary phase.
Links between attachment and theory of mind in childhood: Meta‐analytic review
Authors: Szpak M. , Białecka‐Pikul M.
Published: December 2019

Theoretical models suggest a relation between children's attachment and their theory of mind (ToM), but existing empirical studies are inconclusive with respect to the existence and magnitude of this association. We present the first meta‐analytic review of available studies on the attachment‐ToM association during childhood. Fifteen research on attachment‐ToM links among typically developed children aged 2 to 6 were reviewed and 12 studies that report correlations between attachment and ToM (N = 629) were included in a quantitative meta‐analysis. Meta‐analytic results showed that the higher attachment security, the better ToM skills; the combined effect size for this association was moderate,r = .30. These findings are discussed in‐depth and future research directions are proposed.
Experiences of homelessness by people seeking asylum in Australia: A review of published and “grey” literature
Authors: Smith Dominic , McKay Fiona H. , Lippi Kehla
Published: December 2019

This review examines the current published and “grey” literature relating to the experiences of homelessness by people seeking asylum within Australia. While many people seeking asylum have experienced homelessness during their flight, inadequate and unaffordable housing are a feature of the settlement experience for a large number of new arrivals to Australia, putting at risk their successful settlement. This study aims to explore the factors influencing access to stable housing. A systematic review of the academic literature and a search of the grey literature identified 11 articles and 20 documents related to homelessness and people seeking asylum in Australia. The academic literature included a variety of methods and approaches to the investigation of the experience of homelessness in Australia. The grey literature was more practice based, including evaluation and research reports, submissions, and newsletters. Findings suggest that experiences of homelessness are multifaceted and have a range of influences, including policy, financial stress, lack of access to education and employment, and a lack of affordable and suitable housing. Any solutions to address homelessness need to be similarly diverse. Discrimination from real estate agents and employers was also identified as a barrier to housing for many people seeking asylum, an issue that will need to be addressed at a systematic level. The lack of research published in the academic literature means that although there may be some programmes or solutions operating in the community, as demonstrated in the grey literature, this information is not being shared beyond organisation websites or subscriber lists, resulting in a lack of coherency or sharing of solutions. This review highlights the need for further attention to the factors influencing homelessness in asylum seekers, the experience of homelessness, and how these can be addressed by government and non‐government led strategies and policy development.
The tyranny of empty shelves: Scarcity and the political manufacture of antiretroviral stock‐outs in South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Taylor Stephen
Published: December 2019

At the margins of the global scale‐up of antiretroviral treatment for HIV, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced severe regional stock‐outs of essential medicines. Usually framed by global health actors as signs of technical, logistical, and professional deficiency, antiretroviral scarcity is – perhaps surprisingly – rarely considered to be an exceptional event. Attention to the local consequences of scarcity in the east of the country, however, suggests that stock‐outs arise from far more than mere infrastructural failings. Drawing on an investigative ethnography conducted in the province of South Kivu between 2016 and 2018, this paper examines how stock‐outs in the region have political functions rooted in the calculated denial of medicine to geopolitically significant communities and individuals. Informed by extant research on the geopolitics of health, I begin by conceptually framing the geographical significance of stock‐outs and locate in their origins and functions the discriminate use of scarcity as a biopolitical tool. Then, drawing on interviews and the analysis of previously unpublished and uncollated stock records, I demonstrate the technical and political origins of stock‐outs at six dispensaries in the province. The supply of essential medicines, I argue, has become weaponised and their denial represents a strategic gambit for armed actors seeking territorial footholds in the region. Focusing on the cases of two out‐of‐stock towns in the south of the province, I then examine patients′ agonising experiences of stock‐outs, the poisoning and distortion of local moral economies that scarcity gives rise to, and the profoundly ambiguous transformations of therapeutic citizenship birthed by denial of treatment. I conclude by returning to the scale‐up of antiretroviral treatment and review the critical avenues opened up for health geographers by a focus on the provisioning, scarcity, and denial of essential medicines.
Retrospective evaluation of the association between hyponatremia and neurological dysfunction in hospitalized foals (2012‐2016): 109 cases
Authors: Dunkel Bettina , Dodson Fiona , Chang Yu‐Mei , Slovis Nathan Marc
Published: December 2019

Objective

Hyponatremia and rapid correction of hyponatremia can lead to neurological abnormalities. The objective of the study was to determine whether plasma sodium concentrations (Na+) and speed of correction of hyponatremia are significantly associated with neurological abnormalities in foals.

Design

Retrospective cohort study 2012 to 2016.

Setting

Equine hospital.

Animals

One hundred and nine foals <6 months old with hyponatremia (Na+ concentration ≤125 mmol/L).

Interventions

Case records were reviewed for any foal with hyponatremia. Clinicopathological findings, presence or absence of neurological signs on the day of the lowest Na+ concentration measured and the following 5 days, diagnosis and outcome were recorded, and changes in Na+ concentration per hour were calculated for up to 5 subsequent days. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between presence or absence of neurological signs, Na+ concentration, other known risk factors for neurological dysfunction in foals, and possible confounders.

Measurements and Main Results

In the final multivariable model, only Na+ (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86; 95% CI 0.79–0.95; P = 0.002) and BUN concentrations (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02–1.06; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with neurological signs. Changes in Na+ concentrations per hour were not associated with neurological signs on any day after the lowest Na+ concentration had been measured (P = 0.18–0.82), and development of new neurological signs following correction of hyponatremia was not reported in any foal.

Conclusions

Na+ concentrations were associated with the development of neurological signs in hyponatremic foals. Increased BUN concentrations might contribute to neurological dysfunction, but further studies are necessary to confirm or refute these findings.
Evaluation of the agreement between a point‐of‐care lactate meter and a handheld laboratory analyzer in cats treated in emergency practice
Authors: Acierno Mark J. , Hirsch Aubrey , Dedeaux Andrea
Published: December 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was agreement between a new point‐of‐care (POC) lactate analyzer and a handheld laboratory analyzer when measuring blood lactate concentration in cats.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Fifty‐four cats that presented to an emergency service.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Lactate concentrations as measured by the handheld laboratory analyzer ranged from 0.3 to 15.4 mmol/L. Agreement analysis of the handheld laboratory analyzer and the POC lactate meter demonstrated a bias, −0.06 and limits of agreement ranging from −0.87 to 0.99 mmol/L. Regression analysis demonstrated a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.98.

Conclusion

Results of the present study indicate that the POC lactate meter provided results that are in agreement with a handheld laboratory analyzer when measuring lactate in clinically ill patients.
The use of mental metronomes during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation training
Authors: Kneba Elliot J. , Humm Karen R.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a mental metronome on chest compression rate at the point of training and 10 weeks later.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed using veterinary students without training in CPR. Students received a lecture and demonstration of CPR. The “Song group” (SG) listened to “Stayin’ Alive” performed by the Bee Gees and were asked to think about the tempo during chest compressions. The “No Song group” (NSG) was given no guidance on achieving the correct chest compression rate. After the demonstration, both groups were instructed to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute on a canine manikin, and the actual rate of compressions administered was calculated (Assessment 1). This task was repeated approximately 10 weeks later (Assessment 2).

Results

Eighteen students were in the SG and 12 in the NSG. Seventy‐eight percent of the SG performed chest compressions between 90 and 110 per minute during Assessment 1, compared with 50% during Assessment 2. The NSG had an 8% success rate at both assessments. Compression rate variance did not change in in either group over time.

Conclusion

Mental metronomes are valuable teaching tools that can help students to perform chest compressions at the recommended rate.
Aortic to caudal vena cava ratio measurements using abdominal ultrasound are increased in dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension
Authors: Holland Merrilee , Hudson Judith , Bao Yida , Gaillard Philippe
Published: December 2019

Chronically sustained systemic hypertension in dogs can damage the kidneys, eye, brain, heart, and vessels. In human medicine, systemic hypertension has been implicated as the most common risk factor for aorta dilation, which can progress to an aneurysm. Abdominal ultrasound has been commonly used to monitor the size of the abdominal aorta in people with systemic hypertension. In this retrospective cross‐sectional abdominal ultrasound study, evaluation of the size of the abdominal aorta relative to the caudal vena cava was performed in 18 control dogs and 128 dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension. Preexisting conditions contributing to systemic hypertension in these dogs were renal disease, hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus, adrenal tumors, and previous administration of phenylpropanolamine or palladia. The abdominal aorta and caudal vena cava were assessed from longitudinal images cranial to the trifurcation with measurements made from outer border to outer border of the walls, being careful not to compress the caudal vena cava that would alter its size. Our hypothesis was the ratio of the diameter of the abdominal aorta to caudal vena cava would be higher in dogs with systemic hypertension compared to dogs with normal blood pressure. The mean abdominal aorta‐caudal vena cava ratio was 1.028 in control dogs with a normal blood pressure and 1.515 in dogs with systemic hypertension. In dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension, the abdominal aorta was dilated compared to the caudal vena cava in the caudal abdomen. An increase in the abdominal aorta‐caudal vena cava ratio in a dog should raise suspicion for the presence of systemic hypertension and prompt evaluation of blood pressure.
Aproximaciones a un instrumento metodológico para el estudio de la arquitectura patrimonial
Authors: Stang José Ignacio
Published: December 2019

Ubicados en la frontera de las disciplinas, proponemos una herramienta que permita observar y estudiar a la arquitectura patrimonial desde una aproximación fenomenológica y en tres instancias temporales: primero situados en el presente, segundo con la atención en los ayeres, y tercero asumiendo atentamente a los ayeres en el hoy. Se trata de una indagación ontológica-existenciaria que integra lecturas abiertas y retroalimenta los modos tradicionales de mirar y estudiar a los objetos edificados.
El Museo Municipal de Guayaquil (1863-1952)
Authors: Jarrín Yáneza María José
Published: December 2019

Con la emergencia de la República ecuatoriana a principios del siglo XIX, las élites locales —políticos, intelectuales, coleccionistas— trataron de impulsar la formación de instituciones culturales. El Municipio de la Ciudad de Guayaquil,uno de los más prósperos del país gracias a las rentas que recibía de las exportaciones del cacao, formó un museo con el fin de profesionalizar a los diferentes sectores de la industria local: el Museo Industrial de Guayaquil. Con el tiempo, esta institución —convertida en el Museo Municipal de Guayaquil a principios del siglo XX— fue reconocida dentro de las redes de coleccionistas por mantener una política de enriquecimiento e investigación de las colecciones emprendida durante la dirección de Camilo Destruge y profesionalizada con Modesto Chávez Franco. De esta manera, se formaron diversas colecciones locales, en particular arqueológicas, que materializaron el discurso cultural del Concejo Municipal de Guayaquil. Sin embargo, para poder alcanzar dicho protagonismo museal, el Museo Municipal de Guayaquil tuvo que imponerse a nivel regional y nacional, lo que le ocasionó ciertas rivalidades con otras instituciones, en particular con el Museo Nacional de Quito, administrado directamente por el Estado central y cuya misión era vehicular los ideales culturales de la nueva nación ecuatoriana.
Statistical Volume Elements for the Characterization of Angle-Dependent Fracture Strengths in Anisotropic Microcracked Materials
Authors: Garrard Justin M. , Abedi Reza
Published: December 2019

Statistical volume elements (SVEs) are used to homogenize fracture strength of rock, based on the microcrack statistics of a real-world Yuen-Long marble sample. The small size of SVEs enables maintaining inhomogeneities in fracture properties with lower computational cost compared to methods that explicitly model microcracks at macroscale. Maintaining inhomogeneity is important to capture realistic fracture patterns in rock as a quasi-brittle material. Uniaxial tensile, uniaxial compressive, and shear strengths are derived for arbitrary angle for loading and orientation of a single crack by using the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) method and incorporating frictional effects. Mesoscopic fracture strength fields are generated for different strengths and angle of loading by traversing the spatial domain with circular SVEs. Increasing the SVE size smoothens the spatial inhomogeneity and angular anisotropy of homogenized strengths. Spatial and angular covariance functions of the random fields are obtained to demonstrate how fracture strength varies in space and by changing the angle of loading. Two isotropic and anisotropic rock domains are studied and shown to have very different single- and two-point statistics. Macroscopic fracture simulations by an asynchronous spacetime discontinuous Galerkin (aSDG) method demonstrate that most macroscopic cracks for the anisotropic domain are aligned with the weakest strength planes.
High Performance Loop Heat Pipe With Flat Evaporator for Energy-Saving Cooling Systems of Supercomputers
Authors: Xue Zhi Hu , Qu Wei , Xie Ming Hui
Published: December 2019

Two high performance loop heat pipes (LHPs) are developed for direct cooling of the chips in supercomputer. The two LHPs using flat evaporator are: one called water-cooling LHP and another one called air-cooling LHP. The working fluid of LHP is ammonia. The water-cooling LHP can work well at a heat load up to 663 W and air-cooling LHP can work well at a heat load up to 513 W. The two LHPs applying to the real computer servers are realized and tested. The server test results with water-cooling LHP have shown that the operating temperature of central processing units (CPUs) can be controlled to about 67 °C to ensure the reliable operating and acceptable level for electronic chips, even at condenser-cooling water temperature of 40 °C with low water flowrate of 0.055 m3/h. The server test results with air-cooling LHP have shown that the operating temperature of CPUs can be controlled to about 51 °C even at condenser-cooling wind temperature of 30 °C with wind flowrate of 41.88 m3/h.
Surrogate Modeling for Capacity Planning of Charging Station Equipped With Photovoltaic Panel and Hydropneumatic Energy Storage
Authors: Chen Yang , Dababneh Fadwa , Zhang Bei , Kassaee Saiid , Smith Brennan T. , Liu Xiaobing , Momen Ayyoub M.
Published: December 2019

Due to the promising potential for environmental sustainability, there has been a significant increase of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in the market. To support this increasing demand for EVs and PHEVs, challenges related to capacity planning and investment costs of public charging infrastructure must be addressed. Hence, in this paper, a capacity planning problem for charging stations is developed and aims to balance the current capital investment costs and future operational revenue. The charging station is assumed to be equipped with the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel and an energy storage system, which could be electric battery or recently invented hydropneumatic energy storage (ground-level integrated diverse energy storage (GLIDES)) system. A co-optimization model that minimizes investment and operation cost is established to determine optimal solution while considering capacity planning and following operations. EV mobility is modeled as an Erlang-loss system. Meanwhile, stochastic programming is adopted to capture uncertainties from solar radiation and charging demand of EV fleet. To provide a more general and computationally efficient model, main configuration parameters are sampled in design space and then fixed in solving the co-optimization model. Sampled parameters include EV charging slots number, PV area, capacity of energy storage system, and daily mean EV arrival number. Based on the sampled parameter combinations and its responses, black-box mappings are then constructed using surrogate models, which could provide insights for charging station placement in different practical situations. The effectiveness of the proposed surrogate modeling approach is demonstrated in numerical experiments. The results indicate better profit advantage of GLIDES over battery system with the increased power capacity
Exergetic Relationship Between the Thermal Properties of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation
Authors: Perdue D. , Chen L. , Schaefer L.
Published: December 2019

Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a process that has shown promise within the field of desalination due to its less energy intensive methods and widespread applications. DCMD is a thermally driven microfiltration separation process that operates on the principle of vapor–liquid equilibrium conditions where heat and mass transfer occur simultaneously. Fundamentally, DCMD is based on a porous hydrophobic membrane separating the hot solution (feed) from the cold solution (permeate) where desalinated water condenses. The membrane interfacial temperatures determine the vapor pressure difference across the membrane. In this work, a direct simulation Monte Carlo analysis is employed to investigate how the exergy of the system relates to some key thermal properties, namely, the temperature polarization coefficient (TPC) and the thermal efficiency (TE), as other parameters are changed, such as feed temperature, flow speed, and membrane porosity. Through molecular simulation, phase equilibrium is reached by calculating the chemical potential at the membrane interface and the entropy of the system is found. Since exergy is a function of entropy, enthalpy, and temperature, the amount of useful work is calculated. Finally, exergy is compared to the TPC and TE as the flowrate and porosity are varied. We demonstrate that with these exergy calculations, the information about the thermal relationship between microscopic and macroscopic parameters will improve future experimental work.
Oscillatory Flow Induced Developing Convection in a Shallow Enclosure: Effect of Sinusoidal Bottom Wall Temperature
Authors: Angeneh Saeid R. , Aktas Murat K.
Published: December 2019

The influence of hydrodynamically developing nonzero mean acoustic streaming motion on transient convective heat transfer in an air-filled rectangular enclosure is studied numerically. The enclosure is two-dimensional with sinusoidal bottom wall spatial temperature distribution. The oscillatory flow under relatively large Womersley number regime conditions is actuated by the periodic vibrations of the enclosure side wall. The side walls of the enclosure are adiabatic, while the top wall is isothermal. The compressible form of the Navier–Stokes equations is considered to predict the oscillatory- and time-averaged mean flow fields. A control-volume method based explicit computational scheme is used to simulate the convective transport in the enclosure. The longitudinal and the transverse temperature gradients strongly affect the flow structure in the enclosure. The mean fluid motion alters the heat transfer behavior compared to the pure conduction.
An Investigation on Thermal Conductivity of Fluid in a Nanochannel by Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Bagheri Motlagh Mohammad , Kalteh Mohammad
Published: December 2019

In this paper, molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the effect of copper and argon nanochannels size on the thermal conductivity of argon. Thermal conductivity is calculated by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulation. Simulations are performed for different distances between the walls. Results for both copper and argon walls are investigated individually. Results show that the existence of argon walls has little effect on the thermal conductivity. However, the amount of it for the argon confined between the copper walls is affected by the distance between the two walls. In the same way, the effect of wall roughness on the thermal conductivity is investigated, which shows that roughness is effective only for low distances between the walls. Also, the thermal conductivity of argon under Poiseuille flow in a nanochannel is studied. The results indicate that by increasing the driving force, the thermal conductivity increases and the increase ratio is higher for larger forces.
Comparison of Local Heat Transfer Distribution in Between Three-Dimensional Inclined Closed and Open Cavities
Authors: Saxena Ashish , Singh Suneet , Srivastava Atul
Published: December 2019

The phenomenon of natural convection is investigated in three-dimensional (3D) cavities with four adiabatic walls and one hot wall. The surface opposite to the hot wall is either a wall (closed cavity) at a lower constant temperature or is open to ambient at a lower temperature (open cavity). It is pointed out here that not only overall heat transfer is important, the distribution of local heat transfer is also important. To quantify the uniformity of heat transfer distribution, the ratio of maximum to average heat transfer is calculated for various Rayleigh numbers as well as inclination angles for open and closed cavities. A significant difference in the local heat transfer profile along the hot surface of the closed cavity in comparison to that in open cavity for small inclination angle (especially at higher values of Rayleigh number) is noted. However, the profile is remarkably similar in the case of vertical cavities. For inclined closed cavities, there is a buoyancy component of the flow acceleration normal to the hot and cold wall, which is absent in the case of vertical cavities. For lower inclinations, this component brings the three-dimensionality in the flow field and leads to the differences in the flow patterns. The fluid striking the cold wall in the case of the closed cavity causes significantly different flow patterns that, in turn, lead to nonuniform local heat transfer. To explain the flow behavior, iso-surfaces, stream ribbons, and the Y-components of the flow velocity are plotted at different surfaces of the closed cavity.
Semi-Analytical Solution of the Graetz Problem With Uniform Wall Heat Flux Utilizing the Transversal Method of Lines
Authors: Campo Antonio , Arıcı Müslüm
Published: December 2019

This study addresses the second Graetz problem with prescribed wall heat flux employing the transversal method of lines (TMOL), which deviates significantly from the traditional mathematical procedures employed in the past. The wall heat flux is customarily provided by electrical, radiative or solar heating in engineering applications. The TMOL transforms the governing two-dimensional energy equation with temperature-invariant thermo-physical properties into a sequence of adjoint ordinary differential equations of second order with the radial variable as the independent variable. The singular feature in those equations is the embedded axial variable interval. For the implementation of TMOL, a special computational domain consists in a condensed set of transversal lines displayed in the cross section of the tube. An approximate, semi-analytical temperature distribution is obtained with the solution of the first adjoint ordinary differential equation of second order, which is expressed in terms of the Kummer function of first kind M(a,b,c). From here, the approximate, semi-analytical wall and center temperature distributions exhibit excellent quality because the two compare favorably with the exact, analytical wall and center temperature distributions given by the classical Graetz infinite series. As a beneficial consequence, usage of the second adjoint ordinary differential equation of second order having more complex structure becomes unnecessary.
A Note on the Comparative Analysis Between Rectangular and Modified Duct Heat Exchanger
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Goel Varun , Kumar Anoop
Published: December 2019

The plate fin heat exchangers usually have either rectangular or triangular shaped flow passage. In comparison to triangular flow passage, rectangular flow passage gives comparatively higher heat transfer at the cost of higher pumping power. In the present investigation, flow passage is modified by rounding the corner of triangular passage to investigate the heat and flow characteristics of air flowing through it. Comparison of performance between modified and rectangular flow passage has also been presented and discussed. The radius of curvature of the rounded corner has been kept constant with value of 0.49 times duct height (H). The dimple was also fabricated at the inner side of the flow passage and arranged in rectangular array. Distance between them was defined by two different dimensionless parameters, relative transverse width (x/h), and relative streamwise length (z/h), whereas, dimensionless height of the protrusion is defined by relative dimple height (h/D). Noticeable increment in both heat transfer and friction factor has been observed by modifying the duct corners and 2.98 times increment in Nusselt number resulted due to dimples in modified duct for h/D, x/h, and y/h value of 0.44, 10, and 10, respectively, in comparison to smooth duct at Reynolds number of 19,500. For similar combination of roughness parameters, highest frictional penalty was estimated with value of 4.46 times that of the smooth duct at Reynolds number of 4400. Additionally, the comparative assessment of heat transfer enhancement (Nuenh), frictional penalty (fpenalty), and thermohydraulic performance index (THPi) has also been carried out to understand the suitability of round cornered duct. In comparison to protruded rectangular duct, 28% higher THPi is obtained in modified duct under similar conditions.
High-Resolution Measurements of Heat Transfer, Near-Wall Intermittency, and Reynolds-Stresses Along a Flat Plate Boundary Layer Undergoing Bypass Transition
Authors: Albiez Holger , Gramespacher Christoph , Stripf Matthias , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: December 2019

A new experimental dataset focusing on the influence of high freestream turbulence and large pressure gradients on boundary layer transition is presented. The experiments are conducted in a new wind tunnel equipped with a flat plate test section and a new kind of turbulence generator, which allows for a continuous variation of turbulence intensity. The flat plate is mounted midway between contoured top and bottom walls. Two different wall contours can be implemented to create pressure distributions on the flat plate that are typical for the pressure and suction side of high pressure turbine cascades. A large variation of Reynolds number from 3.0 × 105 to 7.5 × 105 and inlet turbulence intensity between 1.1% and 8% is realized, resulting in more than 100 test cases. Measurements comprise highly resolved heat transfer, near-wall intermittency and freestream Reynolds stress distributions. Near-wall intermittency is measured using a traversable hotfilm sensor while freestream Reynolds stresses are measured simultaneously at the same position with a revolvable X-wire probe. Additionally, turbulent length scales are analyzed using the X-wire signal along the flat plate. Results show that heat transfer and near-wall intermittency distributions are in good agreement and that heat transfer at high turbulence levels increases prior to the formation of first turbulence spots. Transition onset is found to be influenced by the turbulence Reynolds number, i.e., turbulent length scales. At constant inlet turbulence intensity, transition onset moves upstream, when the turbulent Reynolds number is decreased.
Microstructure and Tensile Performance of Graphene-Reinforced Inconel 718 Alloy Via Selective Laser Melting and Post-Treatments
Authors: Wang Yachao , Shi Jing
Published: December 2019

Graphene is an ideal reinforcement material for metal matrix composites (MMCs) owing to its high strength, high ductility, light weight, as well as good bonding with metal matrix. In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced Inconel 718 composites are fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique and processed under various postheat treatment schemes. It is found that the fabrication of GNPs-reinforced MMC using the SLM technique is a viable approach. The obtained composite possesses dense microstructure and enhanced tensile strength. Postheat treatments at two levels of solution temperature (980 and 1220 °C) for 1 h followed by two-step aging are carried out. The experimental results indicate that the addition of GNPs into Inconel 718 matrix results in significant strength improvement. Under the as-built condition, the ultimate tensile strengths (UTSs) of SLM Inconel 718 materials are 997 and 1447 MPa, respectively, at 0 and 4.4 vol % GNP content. The strengthening effect of GNPs is most prominent under the as-built condition, and the strength of as-built GNPs-reinforced Inconel 718 is higher than that of unreinforced Inconel 718 under any processing conditions. The formation of γ′ and γ″ precipitates is suppressed in the GNPs-reinforced composite under the aging condition due to the formation of metallic carbide (MC) carbide and the depletion of Nb. GNPs effectively inhibits grain growth during postheat treatment. Quantitative investigation of the various strengthening effects demonstrates that load transfer effect is dominating among all contributors.
Topical Application of Adult Cecal Contents to Eggs Transplants Spore-Forming Microbiota but Not Other Members of the Microbiota to Chicks
Authors: Richards-Rios Peter , Leeming Gail , Fothergill Jo , Bernardeau Marion , Wigley Paul
Published: December 2019

Over the last 60 years poultry production has intensified in response to increased demand for meat. In modern systems, chicks hatch without contacting chickens and their gut bacteria. Consequently, they are colonized by environmental bacteria that may cause disease. The normal bacteria that live in the gut, or intestinal microbiota, play an important role in the development of the immune system. Therefore, it is essential to find easy ways to expose chicks to the more appropriate bacteria at hatching. This experiment investigated whether spraying eggs with adult cecal contents was sufficient to transfer an adult microbiota to chicks. Our findings show that spore-forming bacteria were transplanted, but other members of the microbiota were not. In this respect, the spray application was partially successful, but the timing of the spray needs to be modified to ensure that more bacteria are transferred.
Ebola Virus Produces Discrete Small Noncoding RNAs Independently of the Host MicroRNA Pathway Which Lack RNA Interference Activity in Bat and Human Cells
Authors: Prasad Abhishek N. , Ronk Adam J. , Widen Steven G. , Wood Thomas G. , Basler Christopher F. , Bukreyev Alexander
Published: December 2019

Here, we report the discovery, via deep sequencing, of numerous noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) derived from both EBOV and MARV during infection of both bat and human cell lines. In addition to identifying several novel ncRNAs from both viruses, we identified two EBOV ncRNAs in our sequencing data that were near-matches to computationally predicted viral miRNAs reported in the literature. Using molecular and immunological techniques, we assessed the potential of EBOV ncRNAs to function as viral miRNAs. Importantly, we found little evidence supporting this hypothesis. Our work is significant because it represents the first rigorous assessment of the potential for EBOV to encode viral miRNAs and provides evidence contrary to the existing paradigm regarding the biological role of computationally predicted EBOV ncRNAs. Moreover, our work highlights further avenues of research regarding the nature and function of EBOV ncRNAs.
Results from the first geologic traverse on the topographic rim of a complex impact crater, Endeavour Crater, Mars
Authors: Crumpler L.S. , Arvidson R.E. , Mittlefehldt D.W. , Grant J.A. , Farrand W.H.
Published: December 2019

A geologic traverse along the rim of the 22-km-diameter Endeavour Crater by the Opportunity Mars rover has provided the first field geologic observations of outcrop-scale structure and stratigraphy at a complex impact crater, characteristics that were previously undocumented due to erosion of similar-size craters on Earth. Two findings of note are (1) the attitude of sheets, foliations, and contacts between rim impact breccias and pre-impact substrate is antiformal, the limbs dipping inward toward the center of the crater inside the crater rim and outward exterior to the crater rim; and (2) coherent blocks of crust segment the rim topographically and structurally into a series of right- and left-stepping elongate rises of variable size and orientation. These segments experienced differing magnitudes of uplift during crater formation along identified vertical scissors faults. Brecciation along the faults bounding rim segments created zones of enhanced subsurface fluid transport through the crater rim, potentially responsible for localized areas of aqueous alteration identified in outcrops near segment boundaries.
Mobile device applications and treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness
Authors: Moon Sun Jae , Hwang Jinseub , Hill Harrison Scott , Kervin Ryan , Birtwell Kirstin Brown , Torous John , McDougle Christopher J. , Kim Jung Won
Published: December 2019

Objective

The current study was performed to assess the evidence for effects of therapeutic intervention with mobile device applications (apps) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design

The main methodology of the current study was systematic review with meta-analysis.

Setting

Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for mobile device apps for individuals with ASD were considered for review in the current study.

Patients

The target population was individuals clinically diagnosed with ASD.

Interventions

Applications that are operable on a smart (mobile) device and interactive with users.

Main outcome measures

The main outcomes were based on standardised mean differences in pretrial and post-trial scales in each control and intervention group.

Results

Out of a total of 1100 studies (after duplicate removal), 7 RCTs were selected for final analysis. Of the seven studies, two RCTs were further analysed for effects based on the visual and fine motor subscales of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, which favoured the intervention groups (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.41, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.80; SMD=0.41, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.80), without either having any heterogeneity (p>0.1) or publication bias.

Conclusions

Although it is still early to draw a conclusion, available studies are showing promise for use of mobile device apps for treatment of individuals with ASD. More well-designed and large-scale studies focused on improving behavioural symptoms of ASD are warranted.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019128362.
​Venous anomalies in renal transplantation: an accessory left-sided IVC in a live kidney donor
Authors: Whooley Jack , Ferede Atakelet , Smyth Gordon , Little Dilly
Published: December 2019

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) resulting in an accessory left-sided IVC is a relatively rare vascular anomaly with a reported prevalence of 0.7%. Radiologically, a duplicated left-sided IVC is usually seen as a continuation of the left common iliac vein, crossing anterior to the aorta at the level of the renal vein to join the right-sided IVC. We present a rare case in which an accessory left-sided IVC was discovered intraoperatively, in a 47-year-old living donor, posing significant intraoperative challenges regarding extraction and subsequent transplantation.
Core outcomes for geographic atrophy trials
Authors: Krezel Aniela Krystyna , Hogg Ruth , Lohfeld Lynne , Chakravarthy Usha , Azuara-Blanco Augusto
Published: December 2019

Background/Aims

Ongoing and recent clinical trials for geographic atrophy (GA) have used different outcomes. The goal of this study was to identify a core outcome set (COS) important for patients, clinicians and researchers, and to propose the use of COS in the design of future GA trials.

Methods

Five-component project including: Delphi method with patients and experts, focus groups and interviews with patients, relatives and workers supporting patients. Three hundred and one patients (301) with age-related macular degeneration participated in round 1 of a Delphi exercise. Most subjects had GA; 183 patients (61%) were females and the median (range) age was 77 (50–99) years. In round 2, of the 301 of the first round, 100 participants were randomly selected of whom 76 agreed to take part. In a parallel Delphi exercise, panellists comprised a mix of non-clinical scientists and clinicians (43 in the initial and 21 in the final round). In addition, interviews and focus groups consisting of patients (n=20), family members (n=4) and support workers (n=5) were undertaken.

Results

Core outcomes identified as important for age-related macular degeneration trials were the health of the outer retina, multimodal estimation of lesion size, reading speed, best corrected distance and near acuity, low luminance visual acuity, patient reported visual performance and safety.

Conclusion

This study identified a set of core outcomes that should be used in GA trials. The COS include patient-reported outcome measures, near visual acuity, reading speed and assessment of the outer retina.
Contribution of type 2 diabetes to all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease incidence and cancer incidence in white Europeans and South Asians: findings from the UK Biobank population-based cohort study
Authors: Muilwijk Mirthe , Ho Frederick , Waddell Heather , Sillars Anne , Welsh Paul , Iliodromiti Stamatina , Brown Rosemary , Ferguson Lyn , Stronks Karien , van Valkengoed Irene , Pell Jill P , Gray Stuart Robert , Gill Jason Martin Regnald , Sattar Naveed , Celis-Morales Carlos
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate whether the health implications of having type 2 diabetes (T2D) were different in South Asian compared with white European participants.

Research design and methods

Prospective data from UK Biobank were used, and 457 935 participants of white European and 7102 of South Asian background were included. Cox proportional regression was performed to investigate the association between T2D and health outcome by ethnicity.

Results

Over a mean of 7.0 years (IQR 6.3–7.6) of follow-up, 12 974 participants had died, and 30 347 and 27 159 developed cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, respectively. South Asians had a higher risk for CVD mortality (HR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.89) and incidence (HR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.63 to 1.94), but a decreased risk for cancer mortality (HR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.85) and incidence (HR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.92) compared with white Europeans. Compared with individuals without T2D, both white Europeans and South Asians with T2D had a higher risk for all-cause mortality (1.59 (1.48 to 1.71) vs 2.83 (1.76 to 4.53)), CVD mortality (2.04 (1.82 to 2.28) vs 4.40 (2.37 to 8.16)) and CVD incidence (1.37 (1.31 to 1.44) vs 1.60 (1.31 to 1.95)), respectively. However, the magnitude of the risk was higher for South Asians than white Europeans.

Conclusions

Although T2D was associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality and CVD incidence and mortality, in both white Europeans and South Asians, the risk experienced by South Asians with T2D was higher than their white European counterparts.
Obstacle avoidance training for individuals with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Muroi Daisuke , Ohtera Shosuke , Kataoka Yuki , Banno Masahiro , Tsujimoto Yasushi , Tsujimoto Hiraku , Higuchi Takahiro
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To accumulate evidence that obstacle avoidance training alone is effective in improving the locomotor ability of individuals with stroke.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ICTRP and PEDro were searched for related information until December 2018. Two independent reviewers extracted data. Outcome measurement data were subjected to meta-analyses using random-effects models. Data syntheses were conducted using RevMan V.5.3, and the certainty of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Participants

Participants with various types and phases of stroke were included.

Intervention

The usual gait training including obstacle avoidance training (interventions of any type, intensity, duration and frequency).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were gait speed, composite gait ability and objective balance ability. Secondary outcomes were subjective balance ability, gait endurance and fall incidence.

Results

Two randomised controlled trials with a total of 49 participants were used as data sources for this study. The obstacle avoidance training (training) group had lower gait speed than the control group (mean difference (MD) 0.03, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.16, p=0.51). Further, the certainty of evidence was very low. The subjective balance ability (Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale) was not significantly different between the training and control groups (MD 6.65, 95% CI −7.59 to 20.89, p=0.36), and it showed very low certainty of evidence.

Conclusions

Obstacle avoidance training may have little or no effect on individuals with stroke. The failure to find the effectiveness of obstacle avoidance training alone is possibly attributable to the insufficient amount of training in the intervention and the lack of well-designed studies that measured relevant outcomes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017060691.