bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Spatially Resolved Physical Model for Dynamic Modeling of a Novel Hybrid Reformer-Electrolyzer-Purifier (REP) for Production of Hydrogen
Authors: McVay Derek , Zhao Li , Brouwer Jack , Jahnke Fred , Lambrech Matt
Published: August 2017

A molten carbonate electrolysis cell (MCEC) is capable of separating carbon dioxide from methane reformate while simultaneously electrolyzing water. Methane reformate, for this study, primarily consists of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, and a high percentage of water. Carbon dioxide is required for the operation of a MCEC since a carbonate ion is formed and travels from the reformate channel to the sweep gas channel. In this study, a spatially resolved physical model was developed to simulate an MCEC in a novel hybrid reformer electrolyzer purifier (REP) configuration for high purity hydrogen production from methane and water. REP effectively acts as an electrochemical CO2 purifier of hydrogen.

In order to evaluate the performance of REP, a dynamic MCEC stack model was developed based upon previous high temperature molten carbonate fuel cell modeling studies carried out at the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine. The current model is capable of capturing both steady state performance and transient behavior of an MCEC stack using established physical models originating from first principals. The model was first verified with REP experimental data at steady state which included spatial temperature profiles. Preliminary results show good agreement with experimental data in terms of spatial distribution of temperature, current density, voltage, and power. The combined effect of steam methane reformation (SMR) and water electrolysis with electrochemical CO2 removal results in 96% dry-basis hydrogen at the cathode outlet of the MCEC. Experimental measurements reported 98% dry-basis hydrogen at the cathode outlet.
Enhancing the Performance of the Building’s Vapor Compression Air Cooling System Using Earth-Air Heat Exchanger
Authors: Ghaith Fadi A. , Alsouda Fadi J.
Published: August 2017

This paper aims to evaluate the thermal performance and feasibility of integrating the Earth-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) with the building’s vapor compression air cooling system. In the proposed system, the ambient air is forced by an axial fan through an EAHE buried at a certain depth below the ground surface. EAHE uses the subsoil low temperature and soil thermal properties to reduce the air temperature. The outlet air from the EAHE was used for the purpose of cooling the condenser of the vapor compression cycle (VCC) to enhance its coefficient of performance (COP). The potential enhancement on the COP was investigated for two different refrigerants (i.e. R-22 and R410a) cooling systems. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the underground soil temperature at different depths and the corresponding outlet air temperature of EAHE was calculated. The obtained results showed that the soil temperature in Dubai at 4 meters depth is about 27°C and remains relatively constant across the year. In order to estimate the effect of using EAHE on the performance of the VCC system, a sample villa project was selected as a case study. The obtained results showed that EAHE system contributed efficiently to the COP of the VCC with an overall increase of 47 % and 49 % for R-22 and R410a cycles, respectively. Moreover, the calculated values were validated against Cycle_D simulation model and showed good agreement with a maximum deviation of 5%. The payback period for this project was found to be around two years while the expected life time is about 10 years which makes it an attractive investment.
Characterization of an Electrodynamic Dust Shield Device for PV Panel Soiling Mitigation
Authors: Guo Bing , Chen Eugene Yu-Ta , Javed Wasim , Figgis Benjamin
Published: August 2017

In this study, prototype electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) devices large enough to cover commercial photovoltaic (PV) modules were fabricated and tested in the lab and in the field. The EDS device consisted a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with screen-printed silver electrodes, and a PET cover sheet that bonded to the substrate using a synthetic rubber adhesive. The voltage-current characteristics of the EDS device was measured while square wave high voltage was applied to the device, so as to determine the power consumption of the EDS device. The EDS device was also tested in the field to determine its effectiveness in soiling mitigation.

Measurements showed that the EDS capacitance varied from approximately 600 pF in the air-conditioned lab to 2 nF in the field when the EDS device temperature reached 45 °C. The variation of the capacitance has significant relevance to the capacity requirements for the high voltage sources needed to energize the EDS device and its power consumption. Under laboratory conditions, the EDS power consumption was found to be 0.3 W m−2 at 6 kVp-p and 1 Hz, and roughly proportional to the voltage squared.

In the field test electrode damage was observed, due to electrical discharge at the electrode lines. As a result, the EDS operation did not show significant effect of soiling mitigation.

The results of this study are useful for designing high voltage sources for EDS operation, and for modifying the design and fabrication methods in order to produce EDS devices that can effectively repel dust in the field.
Wind Gust Quantification Using Seismic Measurements
Authors: Letson F. , Hu W. , Barthelmie R. J. , Tytell J. , Pryor S. C.
Published: August 2017

Improved understanding of wind gust climates may be of great value to the wind energy industry, and is currently hampered by a lack of high-quality in situ data in wind resource rich environments. Thus, we are examining the potential to supplement anemometry with data from seismometers, including those deployed as part of the USArray Transportable Array (TA). Two models of the relationship between gust magnitude and ground motion are evaluated based on their skill at describing the distribution of gust wind speeds over 1 year using seismic data.

The approach is illustrated, using observed gust magnitudes obtained from sonic anemometers located at or near the 15 TA seismic stations. One deterministic and one probabilistic wind-seismic model are conditioned using one year of 5-minute resolution data and tested on a second year of independent data. Both models relate the variance of ground acceleration in the frequency range of 0.01 to 0.1 Hz (P) to gust speed (Ug) but differ in their functional form. The probabilistic model is found to perform well in predicting the gust distribution in independent data, and at the 15 sites considered herein has an integrated error across the entire cumulative probability distribution that is only 5% of the mean gust magnitude.
Hybrid Cooling, Heating and Power System for Distributed Energy Applications
Authors: Wang Hailei , Kissick Sean , Song Chuankai
Published: August 2017

A hybrid cooling, heating and power (HCHP) concept was recently demonstrated through a DOD innovative energy program. It included several high performance components for distributed energy systems and a unique drive-train design, which efficiently converts waste heat into useful energy in the form of cooling, heating and power depending upon the energy needs. Compared to a standard military environmental control unit (ECU) which puts an electric load on a diesel generator, the HCHP system uses engine exhaust heat as the primary energy input. Utilizing the exhaust heat can potentially provide 27% reduction on fuel consumption when operating in the cooling mode. When cooling is not needed, it is able to provide power output using engine waste heat — a potentially significant advantage over other heat activated cooling technologies.
Indoor Air Quality of an Educational Building and its Effects on Occupants’ Comfort and Performance
Authors: Al-Rawahi Ahmed Khalfan , Al-Alili Ali
Published: August 2017

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) studies the air quality inside different types of environments and relates it to the health and comfort of occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help in decreasing effects and the risks associated with these pollutants. Unhealthy indoor environment could lead to serious problems in people health and productivity. According to ASHRAE, 80–90% of personal time is spent indoors. As a result, indoor air pollution has gained a lot of interest and the number of studies on occupant health inside buildings grew very significantly in the last decades. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of indoor air quality inside an educational buildings on occupants’ comfort and performance. Various indoor pollutant such as, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Volatile organic compounds, Particulates, and formaldehyde, are measured. The indoor air contaminants will be detected using IAQ measurement devices. The value of the pollutants is compared to maximum allowed values in ASHRAE standard 62.1. In addition, the occupant thermal comfort is reported using two indices which are Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD). The relationship between the performance and the indoor air quality is also discussed. The results will discover the sources of the indoor air pollutants and accordingly suggestions will be given toward improving the indoor air quality. The final results showed that the IAQ is generally in a good condition for the majority of classrooms except for the TVOC which was always at high concentrations. Also, for some classrooms, the CO2 level and the relative humidity were exceeding the maximum limit. Regarding the thermal comfort, all the classrooms do not comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-2013. Therefore, they are not thermally comfortable.
An Evaluation of Financial Incentive Policies for Solar Photovoltaic Systems in the U.S.
Authors: Zhang Jian , Knizley Alta , Cho Heejin
Published: August 2017

This paper analyzes some of the existing incentives for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in the U.S. to investigate how effectively those existing incentive policies can promote PV adaptions in the U.S. market. Two common building types (i.e., hospitals and large hotels) located in five different U.S. states, each having their own incentives, are selected and analyzed for the PV incentive policies. The payback period of the PV system is chosen as an indicator to analyze and critique the effectiveness of each incentive by comparing the payback periods before and after taking the incentive into consideration. In this way, the existing incentive policies implemented by utility companies in each state are analyzed and critiqued. Finally, a parametric analysis is conducted to determine the influence of the variation in key parameters, such as PV system capacity and PV capital cost, on the performance of PV system. The results show how the existing incentives can be effectively used to promote the PV systems in the U.S. and how variations of the parameters can impact the payback period of the PV systems. Through the evaluation of the existing incentive policies and the parametric study, this paper demonstrates that the type and level of incentives should be carefully determined in policy-making processes to effectively promote the PV systems.
SOFC Micro-CHP System With Thermal Energy Storage in Residential Applications
Authors: Hormaza-Mejia Alejandra , Zhao Li , Brouwer Jack
Published: August 2017

To improve the energy efficiency and achieve zero-net energy goals, as well as to reduce environmental impacts, we demonstrated and evaluated the use of a 1.5 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with Micro-combined heat and power (Micro-CHP) for powering residential homes.

In this study, we designed, tested and demonstrated an SOFC Micro-CHP system as a Distributed Generation (DG) prime mover that has high reliability and availability, high efficiency and ultra-low emissions for steady state operation. Energy balances and dynamic analyses of integrating a thermal storage system with the SOFC Micro-CHP system were carried out using a summer load profile of a residence in Southern California. The thermal storage system was found to mitigate the dynamics introduced from the electric water heater and smooth out the residential load profile. Additionally, the integrated thermal storage system and the SOFC Micro-CHP system was found to reduce the overall electricity import and thus the carbon emissions.
Active Control of Stack Inlet and Outlet Coolant Temperature for the PEM Fuel Cell System
Authors: Chen Fengxiang , Jiao Jieran , Yu Yang , Gao Yuan , Xu Sichuan
Published: August 2017

With the advantages of high power density, rapid startup, low operating temperature and no emission of pollutants, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is considered to be the most promising candidate for the next generation power source of Clean Energy Automotive. PEM fuel cell operation necessitates thermal management to satisfy the requirements of safe and efficient operation by keeping the temperature within a certain range independent of varying load conditions. As for a high power PEM fuel cell system (eg. 80kw) without the external gas to gas humidifier, the temperature of the stack inlet coolant had better track to a time-varying curve produced by the working condition, which introduce the temperature difference between the cathode inlet and outlet, and thus it improves the relative humidity of the inlet air of the cathode. Compared to the traditional stack outlet coolant temperature regulation problem, the new plant is a two inputs and two outputs system, furthermore, the stack inlet coolant temperature control is a tracking problem which is different to the outlet coolant temperature regulation (regulation problem). Considering that the PEM fuel cell without the external humidifier is a promising scheme which has been adopted by the Mirai fuel cell vehicle [1], we actively aim to control both the inlet and outlet coolant temperature as desired simultaneously. In this paper, a two inputs and two outputs decouple control scheme is developed to achieve our aim. Firstly, based on the energy conservation and continuity equation, we establish a dynamic thermal model for the cooling system consisted of a water circulation pump and a radiator coupled to a fan, integrated with the fuel cell stack. Secondly, the static coupling characteristics of the control variable is analyzed according the relative gain matrix method. Then two specific control strategies are designed. One is based on frequency domain pure PID control technique. Considering the coupling phenomenon between two control channels, another technique is based on decouple theory feed-forward decouple control technique. Both of them try to regulate the outlet and inlet coolant temperature through tuning mass flow rate of water circulation pump and duty ratio of radiator. Finally, all the control strategies are demonstrated on the platform of Matlab / Simulink. The results show that both of them can control the stack inlet and outlet coolant temperature simultaneously, but the second strategy has much better performance than the first.
Effects of the support on the desorption kinetics of n-pentane from graphene: An ultrahigh vacuum adsorption study
Authors: Sivapragasam N. , Nayakasinghe M. T. , Chakradhar A. , Burghaus U.
Published: August 2017

Adsorption kinetics of n-pentane on physical vapor deposited graphene/Ru(0001), chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene/Cu, and CVD graphene/SiO2 was studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy. The adsorption kinetics was affected by the support with desorption energies increasing as graphene/SiO2 < graphene/Cu < graphene/Ru(0001).
Oxygen-Inducible Conversion of Lactate to Acetate in Heterofermentative Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 367
Authors: Guo Tingting , Zhang Li , Xin Yongping , Xu ZhenShang , He Huiying , Kong Jian
Published: August 2017

Lactobacillus brevis
is an obligatory heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium that produces high levels of acetate, which improve the aerobic stability of silages against deterioration caused by yeasts and molds. However, the mechanism involved in acetate accumulation has yet to be elucidated. Here, experimental evidence indicated that aerobiosis resulted in the conversion of lactate to acetate after glucose exhaustion in
L. brevis
ATCC 367 (GenBank accession number
NC_008497
). To elucidate the conversion pathway,
in silico
analysis showed that lactate was first converted to pyruvate by the reverse catalytic reaction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); subsequently, pyruvate conversion to acetate might be mediated by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) or pyruvate oxidase (POX). Transcriptional analysis indicated that the
pdh
and
pox
genes of
L. brevis
ATCC 367 were upregulated 37.92- and 18.32-fold, respectively, by oxygen and glucose exhaustion, corresponding to 5.32- and 2.35-fold increases in the respective enzyme activities. Compared with the wild-type strain, the transcription and enzymatic activity of PDH remained stable in the Δ
pox
mutant, while those of POX increased significantly in the Δ
pdh
mutant. More lactate but less acetate was produced in the Δ
pdh
mutant than in the wild-type and Δ
pox
mutant strains, and more H
2
O
2
(a product of the POX pathway) was produced in the Δ
pdh
mutant. We speculated that the high levels of aerobic acetate accumulation in
L. brevis
ATCC 367 originated mainly from the reuse of lactate to produce pyruvate, which was further converted to acetate by the predominant and secondary functions of PDH and POX, respectively.

IMPORTANCE
PDH and POX are two possible key enzymes involved in aerobic acetate accumulation in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). It is currently thought that POX plays the major role in aerobic growth in homofermentative LAB and some heterofermentative LAB, while the impact of PDH remains unclear. In this study, we reported that both PDH and POX worked in the aerobic conversion of lactate to acetate in
L. brevis
ATCC 367, in dominant and secondary roles, respectively. Our findings will further develop the theory of aerobic metabolism by LAB.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Reassortant and Very Virulent Strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus
Authors: Lee Hyun-Jeong , Jang Il , Shin Sun-Hwa , Lee Hee-Soo , Choi Kang-Seuk
Published: August 2017

Here, we report the complete coding genome sequence of a novel reassortant and very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), designated JBN2011. Characterization of the JBN2011 genome suggests that it is a rare recombinant virus having a very virulent IBDV segment A and a Bursine-2-like attenuated IBDV segment B.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus from Lanzhou, China
Authors: Zhu Chuanfeng , Fu Shengfang , Zhou Xv , Yu Li
Published: August 2017

A complete genome of human respiratory syncytial virus was sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the full-length human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) genome sequence belongs to gene type NA1. We sequenced the genome in order to create the full-length cDNA infectious clone and develop vaccines against HRSV.
Genome Sequences of Escherichia coli Strains That Cause Persistent and Transient Mastitis
Authors: Thacker Tyler C. , Lippolis John D. , Brunelle Brian W. , Casey Thomas A. , Reinhardt Timothy A. , Sacco Randy E. , Holman Devin B.
Published: August 2017

We report here the genome sequences of two strains of
Escherichia coli
(ECA-B and ECC-M) that cause bovine mastitis. These strains are known to be associated with persistent and transient mastitis; strain ECA-B causes a transient infection, and ECC-M leads to a persistent infection.
Genetic Characterization of an Avian Influenza Virus H4N6 Strain Isolated from a Guangxi Pockmark Duck
Authors: Xie Liji , Xie Zhixun , Wu Aiqiong , Luo Sisi , Zhang Minxiu , Huang Li , Xie Zhiqin , Huang Jiaoling , Zhang Yanfang , Zeng Tingting , Deng Xianwen
Published: August 2017

An H4N6 subtype avian influenza virus was isolated from a pockmark duck in southern China in November 2013 and named A/duck/Guangxi/149D24/2013 (H4N6). All eight gene segments of the strain were sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that this H4N6 virus was a natural reassortant virus. This H4N6 virus has two basic amino acids in the cleavage site of hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) and HA2, and the amino acid motif of cleavage site was PEKASRGLF, which is the typical characteristic of the low-pathogenic avian influenza virus. This study will help understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of avian influenza virus in pockmark ducks.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Deltacoronavirus Strain CH/JXJGS01/2016, Isolated in Jiangxi Province, China, 2016
Authors: Zhang Min , Ye Yu , Gong Wang , Guo Nannan , Zhang Fanfan , Li Anqi , Zhou Xingrong , Huang Dongyan , Song Deping , Tang Yuxin
Published: August 2017

The complete genome sequence of a variant of porcine deltacoronavirus, isolated from a diarrheal piglet and designated CH/JXJGS01/2016, was sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CH/JXJGS01/2016 shares the highest nucleotide and amino acid identities with the Chinese strain NH (GenBank accession number KU981059).
Genome Sequence of Pantoea ananatis Strain AMG 501, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from Rice Leaves Grown in Paddies of Southern Spain
Authors: Megías Esaú , Reis Junior Fábio Bueno , Ribeiro Renan Augusto , Ollero Francisco Javier , Megías Manuel , Hungria Mariangela
Published: August 2017

Pantoea ananatis
AMG 501 is a plant growth-promoting bacterium isolated from rice leaves. Its genome was estimated at 5,102,640 bp with 4,994 coding sequences, encompassing genes related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, to the synthesis of auxins, siderophores, and homoserine lactones, and to the type I, II, III, IV, and VI secretion systems.
Complete Sequence of a Staphylococcus aureus Clonal Complex 81 Strain, the Dominant Lineage in Food Poisoning Outbreaks in Japan
Authors: Sato’o Yusuke , Hisatsune Junzo , Hirakawa Hideki , Ono Hisaya K. , Omoe Katsuhiko , Sugai Motoyuki
Published: August 2017

Staphylococcus aureus
No. 10 is an isolate from a staphylococcal food poisoning outbreak in Japan, classified as clonal complex 81 subtype 1. It preferentially produces larger quantities of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin H (SEH) in foods and media. Here, we report the complete annotated genome sequence of the chromosome and a plasmid.
Genome Sequence of Clostridium botulinum Strain Adk2012 Associated with a Foodborne Botulinum Case in Tottori, Japan, in 2012
Authors: Asakura Hiroshi , Yamamoto Shiori , Momose Yoshika , Kato Haru , Iwaki Masaaki , Shibayama Keigo
Published: August 2017

We report here a draft genome sequence of
Clostridium botulinum
Adk2012 responsible for a foodborne botulism case that occurred in Tottori, Japan, in 2012. Its genome size was 2,904,173 bp, with 46 rRNAs and 54 tRNAs, at a coverage of 14.5×.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Unclassified Bacteria,
Hydrogenophaga
sp. Strains IBVHS1 and IBVHS2, Isolated from Environmental Samples
Authors: Orr Russell J. S. , Rombauts Stephane , Van de Peer Yves , Shalchian-Tabrizi Kamran
Published: August 2017

We report here the draft genome sequences of
Hydrogenophaga
sp. strains IBVHS1 and IBVHS2, two bacteria assembled from the metagenomes of surface samples from freshwater lakes. The genomes are >95% complete and may represent new species within the
Hydrogenophaga
genus, indicating a larger diversity than currently identified.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Unclassified Bacteria,
Sphingomonas
sp. Strains IBVSS1 and IBVSS2, Isolated from Environmental Samples
Authors: Orr Russell J. S. , Rombauts Stephane , Van de Peer Yves , Shalchian-Tabrizi Kamran
Published: August 2017

We report here the draft genome sequences of
Sphingomonas
sp. IBVSS1 and IBVSS2, two bacteria assembled from the metagenomes of surface samples from freshwater lakes. The genomes are >99% complete and may represent new species within the
Sphingomonas
genus, indicating a larger diversity than currently identified.
Ecological Therapeutic Opportunities for Oral Diseases
Authors: Hoare Anilei , Marsh Philip D. , Diaz Patricia I.
Published: August 2017

The three main oral diseases of humans, that is, caries, periodontal diseases, and oral candidiasis, are associated with microbiome shifts initiated by changes in the oral environment and/or decreased effectiveness of mucosal immune surveillance. In this review, we discuss the role that microbial-based therapies may have in the control of these conditions. Most investigations on the use of microorganisms for management of oral disease have been conducted with probiotic strains with some positive but very discrete clinical outcomes. Other strategies such as whole oral microbiome transplantation or modification of community function by enrichment with health-promoting indigenous oral strains may offer more promise, but research in this field is still in its infancy. Any microbial-based therapeutics for oral conditions, however, are likely to be only one component within a holistic preventive strategy that should also aim at modification of the environmental influences responsible for the initiation and perpetuation of microbiome shifts associated with oral dysbiosis.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Therapeutic Potential for a Multitude of Diseases beyond
Clostridium difficile
Authors: Bakker Guido J. , Nieuwdorp Max
Published: August 2017

The human intestinal tract contains trillions of bacteria, collectively called the gut microbiota. Recent insights have linked the gut microbiota to a plethora of diseases, including
Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is currently tested as a therapeutic option in various diseases and can also help to dissect association from causality with respect to gut microbiota and disease. In CDI, FMT has been shown to be superior to antibiotic treatment. For IBD, T2D, and NASH, several placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials are under way. Moreover, techniques and standardization are developing. With the extension of FMT as a treatment modality in diseases other than CDI, a whole new treatment option may be emerging. Moreover, correlating alterations in specific strains to disease outcome may prove pivotal in finding new bacterial targets. Thus, although causality of the gut microbiota in various diseases still needs to be proven, FMT may prove to be a powerful tool providing us with diagnostic and therapeutic leads.
Acquired heart disease in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Curry Chris , Zuhlke Liesl , Mocumbi Ana , Kennedy Neil
Published: August 2017

The burden of illness associated with acquired cardiac disease in children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) is significant and may be equivalent to that of congenital heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease, endomyocardial fibrosis, cardiomyopathy (including HIV cardiomyopathy) and tuberculosis are the most important causes. All are associated with poverty with the neediest children having the least access to care. The associated mortality and morbidity is high. There is an urgent need to improve cardiac care in LMIC, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia where the burden is highest.
Combining parenthood with a medical career: questionnaire survey of the UK medical graduates of 2002 covering some influences and experiences
Authors: Lambert Trevor W , Smith Fay , Goldacre Michael J
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To report the self-assessed views of a cohort of medical graduates about the impact of having (or wanting to have) children on their specialty choice and the extent to which their employer was supportive of doctors with children.

Setting

United Kingdom (UK).

Participants

UK medical graduates of 2002 surveyed by post and email in 2014.

Results

The response rate was 64.2% (2057/3205). Most respondents were living with a spouse or partner (86%) and, of these, 49% had a medical spouse. Having children, or wanting to have children, had influenced specialty choice for 47% of respondents; for 56% of doctors with children and 29% of doctors without children; for 59% of women and 28% of men; and for 78% of general practitioners compared with 27% of hospital doctors and 18% of surgeons. 42% of respondents regarded the National Health Service as a family-friendly employer, and 64% regarded their specialty as family-friendly. More general practitioners (78%) than doctors in hospital specialties (56%) regarded their specialty as family-friendly, while only 32% of surgeons did so.

Of those who had taken maternity/paternity/adoption leave, 49% rated the level of support they had received in doing so asexcellent/good, 32% said it wasacceptableand 18% said the support had beenpoor/very poor.

Conclusions

Having children is a major influence when considering specialty choice for many doctors, especially women and general practitioners. Surgeons are least influenced in their career choice by the prospect of parenthood. Almost half of doctors in hospital specialties regard their specialty as family-friendly.
A patient cohort on long-term sequelae of sepsis survivors: study protocol of the Mid-German Sepsis Cohort
Authors: Scherag André , Hartog Christiane S , Fleischmann Carolin , Ouart Dominique , Hoffmann Franziska , König Christian , Kesselmeier Miriam , Fiedler Sandra , Philipp Monique , Braune Anke , Eichhorn Cornelia , Gampe Christin , Romeike Heike , Reinhart Konrad
Published: August 2017

Introduction

An increasing number of patients survive sepsis; however, we lack valid data on the long-term impact on morbidity from prospective observational studies. Therefore, we designed an observational cohort to quantify mid-term and long-term functional disabilities after intensive care unit (ICU)-treated sepsis. Ultimately, findings for the Mid-German Sepsis Cohort (MSC) will serve as basis for the implementation of follow-up structures for patients with sepsis and help to increase quality of care for sepsis survivors.

Methods and analysis

All patients surviving ICU-treated sepsis are eligible and are recruited from five study centres in Germany (acute care hospital setting in Jena, Halle/Saale, Leipzig, Bad Berka, Erfurt; large long-term acute care hospital and rehabilitation setting in Klinik Bavaria Kreischa). Screening is performed by trained study nurses. Data are collected on ICU management of sepsis. On written informed consent provided by patients or proxies, follow-up is carried out by trained research staff at 3, 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter. The primary outcome is functional disability as assessed by (instrumental) activities of daily living. Other outcomes cover domains like mortality, cognitive, emotional and physical impairment, and resource use. The estimated sample size of 3000 ICU survivors is calculated to allow detection of relevant changes in the primary outcome in sepsis survivors longitudinally.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is conducted according to the current version of theDeclaration of Helsinkiand has been approved by four local/federal responsible institutional ethics committees and by the respective federal data protection commissioners. Results of MSC will be fed back to the patients and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00010050.
Consultation for total pain in high-risk obstetrics
Authors: Mackie-Jenkins Warren , Tosca Regina M , Groninger Hunter
Published: August 2017

Palliative care (PC) consultation rarely takes place in the clinical setting of high-risk obstetrics, where ‘total pain’ may be undermanaged. Here, we present a case of a young woman carrying twins and hospitalised for acute abdominal pain. Workup for her pain revealed non-viable fetal tissue positioned in the uterine horn; the remaining fetus was viable. Initial attempts to control the patient’s pain with strong parenteral opioids by the obstetrics team and the acute pain service failed. The PC service was consulted to assist. Applying a customary interdisciplinary approach in a novel PC clinical setting, the PC service was able to identify and attend to the patient’s physical, psychosocial and spiritual pain, resulting in an overall decrease in reported pain scores, decreased opioid requirement and a plan for preservation of the viable fetus.
A posteriori analysis for dynamic model adaptation in convection-dominated problems
Authors: Giesselmann Jan , Pryer Tristan
Published: August 2017

In this work, we present an a posteriori error indicator for approximation schemes of Runge–Kutta–discontinuous–Galerkin type arising in applications of compressible fluid flows. The purpose of this indicator is not only for mesh adaptivity, we also make use of this to drive model adaptivity. This is perhaps where a costly complex model and a cheaper simple model are solved over different parts of the domain. The a posteriori bound we derive indicates the regions where the complex model can be relatively well approximated with the cheaper one. One such example which we choose to highlight is that of the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations approximated by Euler’s equations.
Novel corn cob-like Fe3O4@Ni3S2 as high-performance electrode for supercapacitors
Authors: Ye An , Sui Yanwei , Han Yongpeng , Sun Zhi , Qi Jiqiu , Wei Fuxiang , He Yezeng , Meng Qingkun
Published: August 2017

Corn cob-like Fe3O4@Ni3S2 nanocomposites was synthesized through a facile two-step hydrothermal process. The precursor was obtained by a facile calcination of a Fe-MOF template, then, nickel sulfide coated on iron oxide composites were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. In addition, the fabricated Fe3O4@Ni3S2 electrode revealed a great electrical performances with a maximum specific capacitance of 1200[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text], a capacitance retention of 83% could be observed after 1000 cycles at a great charge–discharge current density of 5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]. We believed that the excellent performance might be ascribed to the synergistic effect between the Fe3O4and Ni3S2. Thus, the results demonstrate the corn cob-like Fe3O4@Ni3S2 composite is prominent candidate in the field of supercapacitor applications.
Maximum Entropy-Based Auto Drift Correction Using High- and Low-Precision Sensors
Authors: Rathore Punit , Kumar Dheeraj , Rajasegarar Sutharshan , Palaniswami Marimuthu
Published: August 2017

With the advancement in the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, variety of sensors including inexpensive, low-precision sensors with sufficient computing and communication capabilities are increasingly deployed for monitoring large geographical areas. One of the problems with the use of inexpensive sensors is that they often suffer from random or systematic errors such as drift. The sensor drift is the result of slow changes that occur in the measurement driven by aging, loss of calibration, and changes in the phenomena being monitored over a time period. These drifting sensors need to be calibrated automatically for continuous and reliable monitoring. Existing methods for drift detection and correction do not consider the measurement errors or uncertainties present in those inexpensive low-precision sensors, hence, resulting in unreliable drift estimates. In this article, we propose a novel framework to automatically detect and correct the drifts by employing Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) and Kalman filtering (KF) techniques. The BME method is a spatiotemporal estimation method that incorporates the measurement errors of low-precision sensors as interval quantities along with the high-precision sensor measurements in their computations. Our scheme can be implemented in a centralized as well as in a distributed manner to detect and correct the drift generated in the sensors. For the centralized scheme, we compare several Kriging-based estimation techniques in combination with KF, and show the superiority of our proposed BME-based method in detecting and correcting the drift. We also propose a multivariate BME framework for drift detection, in which multiple features can be used to improve the drift estimates. To demonstrate the applicability of our distributed approach on a real-world application scenario, we implemented our algorithm on each wireless sensor node in order to perform in-network drift detection. The evaluation on real IoT datasets gathered from an indoor and an outdoor deployments reveal the superiority of our method in correctly identifying and correcting the drifts that develop in the sensors, in real time, compared to the existing approaches in the literature.
Multilevel Sequential Monte Carlo Samplers for Normalizing Constants
Authors: Moral Pierre Del , Jasra Ajay , Law Kody J. H. , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2017

This article considers the Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) approximation of ratios of normalizing constants associated to posterior distributions which in principle rely on continuum models. Therefore, the Monte Carlo estimation error and the discrete approximation error must be balanced. A multilevel strategy is utilized to substantially reduce the cost to obtain a given error level in the approximation as compared to standard estimators. Two estimators are considered and relative variance bounds are given. The theoretical results are numerically illustrated for two Bayesian inverse problems arising from elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). The examples involve the inversion of observations of the solution of (i) a one-dimensional Poisson equation to infer the diffusion coefficient, and (ii) a two-dimensional Poisson equation to infer the external forcing.
Evolution of Animal Neural Systems
Authors: Liebeskind Benjamin J. , Hofmann Hans A. , Hillis David M. , Zakon Harold H.
Published: August 2017

Nervous systems are among the most spectacular products of evolution. Their provenance and evolution have been of interest and often the subjects of intense debate since the late nineteenth century. The genomics era has provided researchers with a new set of tools with which to study the early evolution of neurons, and recent progress on the molecular evolution of the first neurons has been both exciting and frustrating. It has become increasingly obvious that genomic data are often insufficient to reconstruct complex phenotypes in deep evolutionary time because too little is known about how gene function evolves over deep time. Therefore, additional functional data across the animal tree are a prerequisite to a fuller understanding of cell evolution. To this end, we review the functional modules of neurons and the evolution of their molecular components, and we introduce the idea of hierarchical molecular evolution.
Targeting palmitoyl acyltransferase ZDHHC21 improves gut epithelial barrier dysfunction resulting from burn-induced systemic inflammation
Authors: Haines R. J. , Wang C. Y. , Yang C. G. Y. , Eitnier R. A. , Wang F. , Wu M. H.
Published: August 2017

Clinical studies in burn patients demonstrate a close association between leaky guts and increased incidence or severity of sepsis and other complications. Severe thermal injury triggers intestinal inflammation that contributes to intestinal epithelial hyperpermeability, which exacerbates systemic response leading to multiple organ failure and sepsis. In this study, we identified a significant function of a particular palmitoyl acyltransferase, zinc finger DHHC domain-containing protein-21 (ZDHHC21), in mediating signaling events required for gut hyperpermeability induced by inflammation. Using quantitative PCR, we show that ZDHHC21 mRNA production was enhanced twofold when intestinal epithelial cells were treated with TNF-α-IFN-γ in vitro. In addition, pharmacological targeting of palmitoyl acyltransferases with 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) showed significant improvement in TNF-α-IFN-γ-mediated epithelial barrier dysfunction by using electric cell-substrate impedance-sensing assays, as well as FITC-labeled dextran permeability assays. Using acyl-biotin exchange assay and click chemistry, we show that TNF-α-IFN-γ treatment of intestinal epithelial cells results in enhanced detection of total palmitoylated proteins and this response is inhibited by 2-BP. Using ZDHHC21-deficient mice or wild-type mice treated with 2-BP, we showed that mice with impaired ZDHHC21 expression or pharmacological inhibition resulted in attenuated intestinal barrier dysfunction caused by thermal injury. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of the small intestine, as well as transmission electron microscopy, showed that mice with genetic interruption of ZDHHC21 had attenuated villus structure disorganization associated with thermal injury-induced intestinal barrier damage. Taken together, these results suggest an important role of ZDHHC21 in mediating gut hyperpermeability resulting from thermal injury.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Increased mucosal permeability in the gut is one of the major complications following severe burn. Here we report the novel finding that zinc finger DHHC domain-containing protein-21 (ZDHHC21) mediates gut epithelial hyperpermeability resulting from an experimental model of thermal injury. The hyperpermeability response was significantly attenuated with a pharmacological inhibitor of palmitoyl acyltransferases and in mice with genetic ablation of ZDHHC21. These findings suggest that ZDHHC21 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for treating burn-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction.
Levosimendan prevents bronchoconstriction and adverse respiratory tissue mechanical changes in rabbits
Authors: Babik Barna , Balogh Adam L. , Sudy Roberta , Ivankovitsne-Kiss Orsolya , Fodor Gergely H. , Petak Ferenc
Published: August 2017

Levosimendan has a calcium-sensitizing effect in the myocardium and opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) in vascular smooth muscle. Because airway smooth muscle also expresses KATP, we characterized the protective potential of levosimendan against increased airway and respiratory tissue resistances. Animals were administered levosimendan alone ( group L), levosimendan after pretreatment with a KATPchannel blocker (glibenclamide, group LG), glibenclamide only ( group G), or solvent alone (dextrose, group C). Airway resistance (Raw), tissue damping, and elastance were determined by forced oscillations under baseline conditions and following provocation tests with intravenous methacholine (MCh). Cardiac output (CO) was assessed by transpulmonary thermodilution. The same sequence of measurements was then repeated during intravenous infusion of levosimendan in groups L and LG or glucose in groups G and C. Sham treatments in groups C and G had no effect on lung responsiveness. However, levosimendan treatment in group L elevated CO and inhibited the MCh-induced airway responses [Rawchanges of 87.8 ± 83% (SD) vs. 24.4 ± 16% at 4 μg·kg−1·min−1MCh, P < 0.001], and in G (35.2 ± 12.7 vs. 25.2 ± 12.9%, P < 0.05). The preventive affect of levosimendan against lung constriction vanished in the LG group. Levosimendan exerts a KATP-mediated potential to prevent bronchoconstriction and may prohibit adverse lung peripheral changes both in the small bronchi and the pulmonary parenchyma. The identification of a further pleiotropic property of levosimendan that is related to the pulmonary system is of particular importance for patients with decreased cardiorespiratory reserves for which simultaneous circulatory support is complemented with prevention of adverse respiratory events.
Epigenetic changes by DNA methylation in chronic and intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Nanduri Jayasri , Semenza Gregg L. , Prabhakar Nanduri R.
Published: August 2017

DNA methylation of cytosine residues is a well-studied epigenetic change, which regulates gene transcription by altering accessibility for transcription factors. Hypoxia is a pervasive stimulus that affects many physiological processes. The circulatory and respiratory systems adapt to chronic sustained hypoxia, such as that encountered during a high-altitude sojourn. Many people living at sea level experience chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) due to sleep apnea, which leads to cardiovascular and respiratory maladaptation. This article presents a brief update on emerging evidence suggesting that changes in DNA methylation contribute to pathologies caused by chronic IH and potentially mediate adaptations to chronic sustained hypoxia by affecting the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway.
Medical Care Cost of Oropharyngeal Cancer among Texas Patients
Authors: Lairson David R. , Wu Chi-Fang , Chan Wenyaw , Dahlstrom Kristina R. , Tam Samantha , Sturgis Erich M.
Published: August 2017

Background: The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is rising rapidly, with the majority of cases being attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV). Despite the availability of a vaccine, rates of HPV vaccination among Texas youth are low. The healthcare cost of oropharyngeal cancer in Texas is unknown. The aims of this study were to estimate the first 2-year cost of treating new cases of oropharyngeal cancer and determine the predictors of oropharyngeal cancer treatment cost in Texas.

Methods: This study included a retrospective cohort of 467 Texas patients with commercial insurance claims data with oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed from 2011 to 2014 and a control group of 467 noncancer patients obtained with propensity score matching. Total healthcare cost during the first 2 years after the index date was measured. A generalized linear model was used to identify predictors of monthly cost during the 2 years after the index date.

Results: The mean differential adjusted healthcare cost for oropharyngeal cancer cases was $139,749 in the first 2 years. The mean adjusted monthly cost in the first 2 years was $6,693 for cases and $870 for controls. Age, comorbidity, mental health, prediagnostic healthcare cost, and time index were significant predictors of monthly cost.

Conclusions: Medical care cost was about $140,000 in the first 2 years after diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer among commercially insured patients in Texas.

Impact: The cost estimates provide important parameters for development of decision-analytic models to inform decision makers about the potential value of initiatives for increasing the HPV immunization rate in the state. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(9); 1443–9. ©2017 AACR.
The Neddylation Inhibitor Pevonedistat (MLN4924) Suppresses and Radiosensitizes Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells and Tumors
Authors: Vanderdys Vanessa , Allak Amir , Guessous Fadila , Benamar Mouadh , Read Paul W. , Jameson Mark J. , Abbas Tarek
Published: August 2017

The cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4) with its substrate receptor CDT2 (CRL4-CDT2) is emerging as a critical regulator of DNA replication through targeting CDT1, SET8, and p21 for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. The aberrant increased stability of these proteins in cells with inactivated CRL4-CDT2 results in DNA rereplication, which is deleterious to cells due to the accumulation of replication intermediates and stalled replication forks. Here, we demonstrate that CDT2 is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and its depletion by siRNA inhibits the proliferation of human papilloma virus–negative (HPV-ve) HNSCC cells primarily through the induction of rereplication. Treatment of HNSCC with the NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor pevonedistat (MLN4924), which inhibits all cullin-based ligases, induces significant rereplication and inhibits HNSCC cell proliferation in culture and HNSCC xenografts in mice. Pevonedistat additionally sensitizes HNSCC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and enhances IR-induced suppression of xenografts in mice. Induction of rereplication via CDT2 depletion, or via the stabilization or activation of CDT1, also radiosensitizes HNSCC cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that induction of rereplication represents a novel approach to treating radioresistant HNSCC tumors and suggest that pevonedistat may be considered as an adjuvant for IR-based treatments. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 368–80. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in this MCT Focus section, “Developmental Therapeutics in Radiation Oncology.”