bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyclic CO2 Capture Behavior of Limestone Modified by Qinghai Lake Salt During Long-Term Calcium Looping Cycles
Authors: Xu Yongqing , Ding Haoran , Luo Cong , Zheng Ying , Wang Qiyao , Sang Huiying , Wang Tingxu , Zhang Liqi
Published: September 2017

A modified sorbent was prepared by a novel hydration-impregnation method. Results indicated that hydrating with salt water can obtain enhanced capacity of the sorbents during multiple calcination/carbonation reactions. After 40 cycles, the modified limestone sorbent doped with 2wt% lake salt remained a CO2 capture capacity of 0.34 g of CO2 of sorbent, which was 150% higher than that of natural limestone. XRF and XRD were tested for analyzing the chemical component of the sorbents. A Fixed-bed reactor was applied to test the absorption characteristics of those sorbents. SEM analysis revealed that macropores in this novel sorbent were relatively stable during long-term cycles. A preliminary economic analysis of different modified calcium-based sorbents was conducted, and the results demonstrated that limestone modified by lake salt is a promising scheme for large-scale sorbent production, which is a well cost-effective and pollution free scenario suitable for industrial promotion. (CSPE)
Development of Turbine and Combustor for a Semi-Closed Recuperated Brayton Cycle of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Itoh Masao , Maeda Hideyuki , Tominaga Junichi , Saito Daizo , Niizeki Yoshiki
Published: September 2017

Toshiba has been developing a turbine and a combustor for a semi-closed recuperated Brayton cycle of supercritical carbon dioxide called the Allam cycle, which is capable of both sequestrating 100% of carbon dioxide generated by combustion and providing electricity with competitive efficiency as the advanced combined cycle. The 25 MWe class demonstration plant with natural gas for this innovative cycle is being constructed in the USA by NET Power LLC and its operation is expected to be in 2017. Toshiba is going to provide the main components of its turbine and combustor.

This paper describes the specification of the turbine and the combustor and consideration necessary to realize them in the first of a kind design condition of 30MPa with a supercritical carbon dioxide as its working fluid. This paper also describes some of the validation tests to realize new technologies before this turbine and combustor are installed and operated in the demonstration plant.
Nonlinear Dynamics Analysis of Mistuned Turbine Bladed Disks With Damped Shrouds
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhang Di , Sun Lei , Xie Yonghui
Published: September 2017

This paper deals with the real dynamics characteristics of a mistuned steam turbine bladed disk subjected to dry friction forces to better understand the nonlinear mistuning phenomenon. Normal load, which directly affects contact stiffness between interfaces, is chosen as the mistuning parameter. Based on Mindlin model, a forced response analysis of the finite element model of mistuned bladed disk with damped shrouds is performed in ANSYS. Compared with results of other simplified models, a real and complicated nonlinear behavior are observed here. A mass of qualitative analysis is also performed to assess the impact of the mistuning magnitude and excitation level on the vibration. The result shows that, vibration response of bladed disk is affected by excitation and mistuning level significantly. Local amplification coefficient of vibration response in the cases of different mistuning levels is obtained by introducing 10 random mistuned patterns. In addition, frequency splitting phenomena even appears at one of the blades by the contribution of high mistuning levels. According to the calculated results for different excitation levels, the curve of modal damping varying with response amplitude is gained. Lastly, rigidity mistuning is introduced and a combined analysis is performed to investigate the influence of friction damping mistuning on rigidity mistuning in the same 10 random mistuning patterns. The arrangement of dry friction damping mistuning also could be controlled to reduce the local vibration amplification originating from structure mistuning. However, further statistical investigations should be made to gain more information. (CSPE)
Numerical Studies of Double Emulsions in a Coaxial Flow-Focusing Microfluidic Device
Authors: Zhao Zhenyu , Dong Bo , Chen Cong , Li Weizhong
Published: September 2017

A simplified two dimensional coaxial flow-focusing geometry model was developed for computation domain, and then a volume of fluid based on continuum surface force model was carried out to study the influence of flow parameters on the droplet formation in a coaxial flow-focusing microfluidic device. The effects of flow rates, viscosities and the surface tensions of the three phases which are called the outer fluid, middle fluid and inner fluid on the size and morphology of the droplets were investigated. The results reveal that if the velocity and viscosity of the outer fluid are increased, the sizes of outer and inner droplets become smaller. By increasing the velocity of the middle fluid, the outer droplets become bigger, while the inner droplet size decreases. As the velocity of inner fluid increases, more inner fluid is injected, which leads to an increment with both outer and inner droplet size. Both of the outer and inner droplet sizes become bigger as the outer surface tension coefficients increase, and for the same reason, the increment with the outer surface tension result in an increase with the outer droplet size, but has no effect on the inner droplet size. Similarly, the droplets morphology almost does not vary with the viscosity of both middle and inner fluid. In fact, the principles revealed above are related with the interaction between the viscosity shear stress and the surface tension.
Addressing Risk in the Valuation of Energy Systems
Authors: Veeramany Arun , Hammerstrom Donald J. , Woodward James T. , O’Brien James G.
Published: September 2017

Valuation is the process by which potential worth of transactions between two or more parties can be evaluated. The work products of a valuation are sets of calculated metrics. Application areas include valuations of electric power and building energy systems. Uncertainty can manifest while exercising a valuation in the form of natural variability, lack of knowledge, and random events. In the context of the valuation process, risk is the combination of these sources of uncertainty and their consequences. This paper lists sources of uncertainty and discusses how the valuation process might better support decision making in the presence of such uncertainty and risk.
Techno-Economic Evaluation of Low-Temperature Stirling Engine Powered Using Evacuated Tube Solar Collector
Authors: Asfar Khaled R. , Nawafleh Anas
Published: September 2017

Low-temperature heat sources are ubiquitous. Harvesting this heat in an efficient and cost-effective way improve overall systems efficiency and reduce energy costs. Numerous studies shed light on these sources and technologies to utilize low-temperature heat. This paper evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of low-temperature Stirling Engine (SE) powered by hot water energy from evacuated tube solar water heater for distributed power generation when excess hot water energy is available. Evacuated tube solar collector provides hot water on-demand. When hot water is not consumed domestically, a SE is used to utilize the untapped heat from the solar water heater. The objective of this study is to evaluate the energy savings by using a SE to recover untapped heat from solar collectors. Thermal performance of the selected evacuated tube was measured experimentally under local weather conditions for different periods in summer and winter in the Mediterranean region and then simulated on hourly basis for a whole year to estimate the energy and hot water temperature output. Three different cases were taken to assess the potential of energy savings using SE to generate power namely, typical homes, office buildings and schools. SE is modeled using the most advanced third-order design analysis method. Air, helium, and hydrogen are used as working fluids in the SE at different charging pressures. Results obtained from solar collector’s thermal performance for the three cases are integrated with the results achieved from Stirling engine simulation of the various working fluids and pressures to evaluate the engine performance based on a dynamic approach. The study also investigates the economic feasibility of using Stirling engines for power generation from such low-temperature, intermittent heat sources. Results show that using hydrogen as working fluid is the most feasible. Typical schools show the most economical case to recover heat.
The Development of High Performance Centrifugal Compressor Using CFD and Other Considerations
Authors: Xu C. , Muller M.
Published: September 2017

Air compression is one of the most important processes of air separation. Reliable design, higher performance, low noise, no resonant frequencies in the operating range and economic to manufacture are the goals of compressor design. Although CFD has been widely used in the compressor designs, there are many design considerations need to be addressed during the design. In this paper, the detailed design considerations for compressor configuration, power distribution for each stage, and possible field application issues are discussed in detail. The aerodynamic and structural optimization using CFD and FEA are performed to obtain a high efficiency and wide operating range compressor stage with for robust operation. The new compressor development process addressed in this paper provides the basic design guidance for future new compressor development.
Hydro Power: The Potential of a Novel Marine Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology
Authors: Goudarzi Navid , Han Kyung Soo
Published: September 2017

Marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) turbine development projects use power converters to convert harnessed variable power to grid compatible constant frequency AC. Using power converters in similar projects such as harnessing tidal energy through bi-directional rotor blades, or by using direct-drive technology for harnessing tidal and ocean wave energy, are rapidly expanding all around the world. However, power converters are known to have the lowest mean-time-to-failure among turbines’ components and have significant impact on increasing the cost of energy, especially at larger MHK turbine scales. This work proposes the potential of a novel MHK turbine drivetrain with three main modules. The first module is an “energy harnessing module” to harness variable hydrokinetic power. The waterwheel with a large catchment area is effective in harnessing low head, free flowing hydrokinetic energy. The second module is a novel “speed controlling module” that is a replacement of currently used power converters; it is the focus of this work. It produces a constant speed output from a variable input speed. Finally, the third module is the “power generating module” that generates grid-compatible constant-frequency electricity. The test results showed the superior performance of the proposed speed converter in obtaining constant speed frequency output from a variable input speed range.
Acoustic Noise Reduction Under Distributed Combustion
Authors: Khalil Ahmed E. E. , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: September 2017

Colorless Distributed Combustion (CDC) has been shown to provide unique benefits on ultra-low pollutants emission, enhanced combustion stability, and thermal field uniformity. To achieve CDC conditions, fuel-air mixture must be properly prepared and mixed with hot reactive gases from within the combustor prior to the mixture ignition. The hot reactive gases reduce the oxygen concentration in the mixture while increasing its temperature, resulting in a reaction zone that is distributed across the reactor volume, with lower reaction rate to result in the same fuel consumption. The conditions to achieve distributed combustion were previously studied using methane and other fuels with focus on pollutants emission and thermal field uniformity. In this paper, the impact of distributed combustion on noise reduction and increased stability is investigated. Such reduced noise is critical in mitigating the coupling between flame and heat release perturbations and acoustic signal to enhance the overall flame stability and reduce the propensity of flame instabilities which can cause equipment failure. Nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture is used to simulate the reactive entrained gases from with the combustor. Increasing the amounts of nitrogen and carbon dioxide reduced the oxygen concentration within the oxidizing mixture, fostering distributed combustion. Upon achieving distributed combustion, the overall flame noise signature decreased from 80 dB to only 63 dB, as the flame transitioned from traditional swirl flame to distributed combustion. The flow noise under these conditions was 54 dB, indicating that distributed combustion has only 9 dB increase over isothermal case as compared to 26 dB for standard swirl flame. In addition, the dominant flame frequency around 490Hz disappeared under distributed combustion. For the traditional swirl flame, both the acoustic signal and heat release fluctuations (detected through CH∗ chemiluminescence) had a peak around 150Hz, indicating coupling between the heat release fluctuations and pressure variation. However, upon transitioning to distributed combustion, this common peak disappeared, outlining the enhanced stability of distributed combustion as there is no feedback between the heat release fluctuations and the recorded acoustic signal.
Effect of Oxygen Concentration on Distributed Flame Regime
Authors: Scenna Richard , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: September 2017

This work investigated the effect of oxygen concentrations in the reactor on the partial oxidation of JP8 under the distributed reaction condition. Reforming efficiency as high as 74% was achieved; syngas composition consisted of 20.7 to 22.3% hydrogen and 20.2 to 21.5% carbon monoxide.

Reformate product distribution and quality was found to depend on the reactor oxygen concentrations and, to a lesser extent on flame regime. Previous works operating at similar conditions found that higher reformate quality was associated with the more distributed reactor conditions. An increase in reactor oxygen concentrations fostered a more rapid chemical reaction, which shortened chemical time and length scales. While this resulted in a less distributed reactor, the potential decrease in reformate quality was offset by the increased availability of oxygen. As the reactions were limited by the availability of oxygen, the addition of oxygen enhanced the extent of reforming reactions, to promote increased conversion and reforming efficiency.
Neuromuscular Responses to Conditioned Soccer Sessions Assessed via GPS-Embedded Accelerometers: Insights Into Tactical Periodization
Authors: Buchheit Martin , Lacome Mathieu , Cholley Yannick , Simpson Ben Michael
Published: September 2017

Purpose: To examine the reliability of field-based running-specific measures of neuromuscular function assessed using global positioning system (GPS)–embedded accelerometers and their responses to 3 typical conditioned sessions (ie, strength, endurance, and speed) in elite soccer players. Methods: Before and immediately after each session, vertical jump (countermovement jump [CMJ]) and adductor squeeze strength (groin) performances were recorded. Players also performed a 4-min run at 12 km/h followed by four ∼60-m runs (run = 12 s, r = 33 s). GPS (5 Hz) and accelerometer (100 Hz) data collected during the 4 runs and the recovery periods, excluding the last recovery period, were used to derive vertical stiffness (K), peak loading force (peak force over all the foot strikes [Fpeak]), and propulsion efficiency (ie, the ratio between velocity and force loads [Vl/Fl]). Results: Typical errors were small (CMJ, groin, K, and Vl/Fl) and moderate (Fpeak), with moderate (Fpeak), high (K and Vl/Fl), and very high ICCs (CMJ and groin). After all sessions, there were small decreases in groin and increases in K, but changes in F were all unclear. By contrast, the CMJ and Vl/Fl ratio responses were session dependent. There was a small increase in CMJ after speed and endurance, but unclear changes after strength; the Vl/Fl ratio increased substantially after strength, but there were a small and a moderate decrease after endurance and speed, respectively. Conclusions: Running-specific measures of neuromuscular function assessed in the field via GPS-embedded accelerometers show acceptable levels of reliability. Although the 3 sessions examined may be associated with limited neuromuscular fatigue, changes in neuromuscular performance and propulsion efficiency are likely session-objective dependent.
Nirvana or Never-Never Land: Does Heutagogy Have a Place in Coach Development?
Authors: Stoszkowski John , Collins Dave
Published: September 2017

Heutagogic learning is characterized by the notion of human agency. Power and autonomy are placed firmly in the hands of the learner, who takes responsibility for, and control of, what they will learn, when it will be learnt and how it will be learnt. As a result, if sufficiently reflexive, heutagogic learners are said to acquire both competencies (knowledge and skills) and capabilities (the capacity to appropriately and effectively apply one’s competence in novel and unanticipated situations). The complex and dynamic environment of sports coaching, coupled with coaches’ apparent preference for informal self-directed learning methods (as opposed to more formalised educational settings), would therefore seem perfect for its application. In this insights paper, we aim to stimulate debate by providing a critical overview of the heutagogic method and consider it against the nature of coaching skill. In tandem, we identify some essential preconditions that coaches might need to develop before heutagogic approaches might be deployed effectively in coach education.
Getting to Know Your Athletes: Strengthening the Coach-Athlete Dyad Using an Integrative Personality Framework
Authors: Prophet Trevor , Singer Jefferson , Martin Ira , Coulter Tristan J.
Published: September 2017

The quality of the coach-athlete relationship is important to athlete development and overall performance in sport. To better enable coaches to foster this relationship, this study was designed to use an integrative personality framework (McAdams, 2013) to gain a deeper, more contextualized understanding of the athlete. Using a case study approach, two Division III collegiate soccer players completed a three-part survey that profiled these individuals as a social actor (layer one), motivated agent (layer two), and autobiographical author (layer three). Results are presented for each athlete, yielding rich, yet different, personality profiles. These profiles identify particular traits, motives, and personal stories that uniquely shape the personalities of these individuals. We discuss the efficacy of using McAdams’ framework as a guiding structure for helping elite coaches better understand their athletes and, subsequently, further develop the coach-athlete relationship. We also discuss the use of McAdams’ framework in the sport context and how it might provide useful insights for advancing the psychological profiling of athletes.
Profile of Coaching and Coach Education in Mexico
Authors: Salazar C. Ciria Margarita , Moreno Pedro Julian Flores , Valdivia José Encarnación Del Río , Pineda Lenin Tlamatini Barajas , Figueroa Julio Alejandro Gómez , López Martha Patricia Pérez
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this paper is to describe the profile of coaching and coach education in Mexico. Mexico currently plays a prevailing sport role at a Pan-American level. Five types of coaches exist in Mexico: professional, amateur, personal or private, schooling and plainspeople. Each one is defined by the scopes, knowledge and its application, and sporting results achieved. The development of Mexican coaches is based on a traditional training model. It is important that coach developers in Mexico observe the progresses of countries that have advanced in the development of academic improvement programs and coach development opportunities offered through institutes of higher education.
Factors Contributing to Australian Adolescents’ Self-Report of Their Motor Skill Competence
Authors: Timler Amanda , McIntyre Fleur , Hands Beth
Published: September 2017

An adolescent’s motor skill competence can affect areas such as sports participation, social activities, and future academic or employment decisions. The Adolescent Motor Competence Questionnaire (AMCQ) is a 26-item questionnaire that uses a four-point Likert scale response (never, sometimes, frequently, always) to assess motor-related activities during adolescence. This study aims to provide evidence of the construct validity of the AMCQ using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and to identify factors that contributed to Australian adolescent self-reported motor competence. A final aim was to determine whether individual item responses differed between males and females. The AMCQ was completed by 160 adolescents (12 to 16 years old, Mage = 14.45 years, SD = .75). The PCA using varimax rotation extracted four factors (Eiqenvalue of ≥1.21) explaining 52% of variance and representing Participation in Physical Activity and Sports, Activities of Daily Living, Public Performance, and Peer Comparison. Overall, males reported higher AMCQ scores compared to females. Females responded negatively (sometimes/never) to all items, particularly those on Physical Activity and Sports and Public Performance. Males who responded negatively had lower AMCQ scores than the females. These findings indicate male and female adolescents may judge their motor competence on different factors, which should be considered when planning physical activity interventions.
The Gendered Experiences of Women Staff and Volunteers in Sport for Development Organizations: The Case of Transmigrant Workers of Skateistan
Authors: Thorpe Holly , Chawansky Megan
Published: September 2017

This study seeks to better understand broad management issues associated with the employment of female workers in one sport for development (SfD) project. Through interviews with the executive director and five female staff members of Skateistan—the skateboarding SfD project operating in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa—this study offers insights on female transmigrant workers who relocated to work for the project in Afghanistan, focusing particularly on how formal and informal management strategies are experienced by international female staff and volunteers. Extending the work of Black, Mendenhall, and Oddou with a poststructural feminist approach, we identify six key themes related to the experiences of female transmigrant workers moving into and during SfD assignments: (a) initial motivations, (b) organizational selection mechanisms, (c) management of risk, (d) work–life balance, (e) managing the self, and (f) negotiating postcolonial critiques of development work. In so doing, this paper recognizes women’s lived experiences as a valid and valuable form of knowledge that could be used to inform management approaches adopted by SfD organizations.
The Effect of Elevation on Intramuscular Tissue Temperatures
Authors: Gillette Cordial M. , Merrick Mark A.
Published: September 2017

Context: Ice, compression, and elevation, or ICE, is a widely used treatment for acute musculoskeletal injuries. The effects of ice and compression on tissue temperatures have been established, but whether elevation during cryotherapy affects temperature change has not. Elevation has potential to alter local perfusion and thereby alter the balance of heat loss/heat gain, potentially impacting tissue cooling during cryotherapy. Objective: To measure the effect and interaction of ice, compression, and elevation on intramuscular temperatures. We hypothesized that elevation would not have an effect on intramuscular tissue temperature. Design: Randomized crossover study design. Setting: University athletic training facility. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 15 healthy volunteers (age 20.93 [1.67] y) provided informed consent and participated. Interventions: Participants completed 8 treatment conditions: no treatment (control), ice only (I), compression only (C), elevation only (E), ice and compression (IC), ice and elevation (IE), compression and elevation (CE), or ice, compression, and elevation (ICE). All conditions were tested on each participant with a minimum of 48 hours between each condition. Intramuscular temperatures were recorded every 30 seconds during a 1-minute preapplication, 30-minute treatment, and 20-minute postapplication period. Main Outcome Measures: The temperature difference between the mean treatment temperature and the mean preapplication temperature was compared across each measurement depth and treatment condition. Results: Non-ice treatments (control, C, E, and CE; means 33.4, 34.5, 33.7, and 34.6, respectively) had warmer intramuscular temperatures than any treatment that included ice (I, IC, IE, and ICE; means 28.4, 19.8, 28.0, and 19.3, respectively). There were no differences between IC and ICE (means 19.8 and 19.3, respectively). Ice alone was different from everything (Control, C, E, IC, CE, and ICE) except IE Conclusions: Elevation does not appear to play a role in temperature changes during cryotherapy treatments.
PACER Performance of Children Aged 11–14 With Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Authors: Martinson Timothy , Butterfield Stephen A. , Mason Craig A. , Tu Shihfen , Lehnhard Robert A. , Nightingale Christopher J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the performance on the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test in children with and without attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) over the course of a school year, and also to investigate the possible influence of age, sex, school sport participation, and body mass index on results. Methods: Utilizing a repeated measures design, 892 middle school children aged 11–14 years (mean = 12.25, SD = 0.94) including 55 children with ADHD participated. While controlling for age, sex, sports participation, and body mass index, children were tested on the PACER 3 times during the school year. Procedures specified in the FITNESSGRAM test manual were explicitly followed. Hierarchical linear modeling was applied to analyze the data. Results: Children with ADHD performed 8.6 fewer laps at intercept (baseline), than did healthy children without ADHD (t878 = −6.20, P < .001). However, no significant differences emerged for time (slope). In addition, no significant interactions were found for ADHD with age, sex, sports participation, or body mass index. Conclusion: A diagnosis of ADHD, independent of selected predictor variables, explained lower PACER performance.
Papers of note in
Nature
548
(7669)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: September 2017

This week’s articles describe molecular changes in tumors that affect the efficacy of immunotherapies; signaling mechanisms that mediate the CRISPR system in prokaryotes and regulatory T cell function in mammals; and a mechanism that maintains healthy tissue turnover in the gut.
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9
(405)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: September 2017

This week’s articles describe how the immune system in some children is better able to cope with dengue virus infection; how targeting a specific population of monocytes may relieve persistent inflammation associated with HIV infection; and how targeting the vascular niche may suppress fibrosis around lung and liver engraftments.
Autonomic components of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are favourably affected by Electrical Twitch-Obtaining Intramuscular Stimulation (ETOIMS): effects on blood pressure and heart rate
Authors: Chu Jennifer , Bruyninckx Frans , Neuhauser Duncan V
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Favourable pain relief results on evoking autonomous twitches at myofascial trigger points with Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intramuscular Stimulation (ETOIMS).

Aim

To document autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from blood pressure (BP) and pulse/heart rate changes with ETOIMS.

Methods and materials

A patient with persistent pain regularly received serial ETOIMS sessions of 60, 90, 120 or ≥150 min over 24 months. Outcome measures include BP: systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure and pulse/heart rate, pre-session/immediate-post-session summed differences (SDPPP index), and pain reduction. His results were compared with that of two other patients and one normal control. Each individual represented the following maximal elicitable twitch forces (TWF) graded 1–5: maximum TWF2: control subject; maximum TWF3: CRPS patient with suspected ANS dysfunction; and maximum TWF4 and TWF5: two patients with respective slow-fatigue and fast-fatigue twitches who during ETOIMS had autonomous twitching at local and remote myotomes simultaneously from denervation supersensitivity. ETOIMS results between TWFs were compared using one-way analysis of variance test.

Results

The patients showed immediate significant pain reduction, BP and pulse/heart rate changes/reduction(s) except for diastolic BP in the TWF5 patient. TWF2 control subject had diastolic BP reduction with ETOIMS but not with rest. Linear regression showed TWF grade to be the most significant variable in pain reduction, more so than the number of treatments, session duration and treatment interval. TWF grade was the most important variable in significantly reducing outcome measures, especially pulse/heart rate. Unlike others, the TWF3 patient had distinctive reductions in SDPPP index.

Conclusions

Measuring BP and pulse/heart rate is clinically practical for alerting ANS dysfunction maintained CRPS. SDPPP index (≥26) and pulse/heart rate (≥8) reductions with almost every ETOIMS treatment, plus inability to evoke autonomous twitches due to pain-induced muscle hypertonicity, are pathognomonic of this problem.
Occurrence of depressive tendency and associated social factors among elderly persons forced by the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster to live as long-term evacuees: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kuroda Yujiro , Iwasa Hajime , Goto Aya , Yoshida Kazuki , Matsuda Kumiko , Iwamitsu Yumi , Yasumura Seiji
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study examined the incidence of depression and associated factors among elderly persons from Iitate village after the March 2011 earthquake.

Method

This was a prospective cohort study. As a baseline survey, in May 2010 a self-assessment Basic Checklist (BCL) was distributed to 1611 elderly villagers, of which 1277 responded. Of these respondents, 885 without a tendency to depression (69.3%) were given a follow-up survey in May 2013. The BCL was used to assess depression tendency, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), physical function, nutritional status, oral function, homeboundness, cognitive function and social activities. Univariate analysis was used to examine differences in risk between those with a presence of depression tendency (PDT) and those without (non-PDT) depending on demographic and BCL variables. Variables found to be significant were analysed by Poisson regression analysis.

Results

Of the 438 respondents in the second survey, 163 (37.2%) showed depression tendency. PDT risk was significantly increased by female gender, age, history of diabetes and cognitive disorder. It was significantly reduced by increased IADL. Engagement in social activities decreased PDT risk in rental accommodation.

Discussion

Renters faced a higher risk of PDT than persons evacuated in groups to purpose-built housing. The inclusion of social activities in the multivariate Poisson regression analysis weakened this effect. Female gender, a history of diabetes, reduced IADL and a tendency to cognitive disorder each independently affected PDT risk. These findings may inform future responses to earthquakes and the technical disasters that may accompany them.
The economic impact of childhood acute gastroenteritis on Malawian families and the healthcare system
Authors: Hendrix Nathaniel , Bar-Zeev Naor , Atherly Deborah , Chikafa Jean , Mvula Hazzie , Wachepa Richard , Crampin Amelia C , Mhango Themba , Mwansambo Charles , Heyderman Robert S , French Neil , Cunliffe Nigel A , Pecenka Clint
Published: September 2017

Objectives

This prospective cohort study sought to estimate health system and household costs for episodes of diarrhoeal illness in Malawi.

Setting

Data were collected in two Malawian settings: a rural health centre in Chilumba and an urban tertiary care hospital in Blantyre.

Participants

Children under 5 years of age presenting with diarrhoeal disease between 1 January 2013 and 21 November 2014 were eligible for inclusion. Illnesses attributed to other underlying causes were excluded, as were illnesses commencing more than 2 weeks prior to presentation. Complete data were collected on 514 cases at both the time of the initial visit to the participating healthcare facility and 6 weeks after discharge.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was the total cost of an episode of illness. Costs to the health system were gathered from chart review (drugs and diagnostics) and actual hospital expenditure (staff and facility costs). Household costs, including lost income, were obtained by interview with the parents/guardians of patients.

Results

Total costs in 2014 US$ for rural inpatient, rural outpatient, urban inpatient and urban outpatient were $65.33, $8.89, $60.23 and $14.51, respectively (excluding lost income). Mean household contributions to these costs were 15.8%, 9.8%, 21.3% and 50.6%.

Conclusion

This study found significant financial burden from childhood diarrhoeal disease to the healthcare system and to households. The latter face the risk of consequent impoverishment, as the study demonstrates how the costs of seeking treatment bring the income of the majority of families in all income strata below the national poverty line in the month of illness.
The role of pragmatism in explaining heterogeneity in meta-analyses of randomised trials: a protocol for a cross-sectional methodological review
Authors: Aves Theresa , Allan Katherine S , Lawson Daeria , Nieuwlaat Robby , Beyene Joseph , Mbuagbaw Lawrence
Published: September 2017

Introduction

There has been increasing interest in pragmatic trials methodology. As a result, tools such as the Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary-2 (PRECIS-2) are being used prospectively to help researchers design randomised controlled trials (RCTs) within the pragmatic-explanatory continuum. There may be value in applying the PRECIS-2 tool retrospectively in a systematic review setting as it could provide important information about how to pool data based on the degree of pragmatism.

Objectives

To investigate the role of pragmatism as a source of heterogeneity in systematic reviews by (1) identifying systematic reviews with meta-analyses of RCTs that have moderate to high heterogeneity, (2) applying PRECIS-2 to RCTs of systematic reviews, (3) evaluating the inter-rater reliability of PRECIS-2, (4) determining how much of this heterogeneity may be explained by pragmatism.

Methods

A cross-sectional methodological review will be conducted on systematic reviews of RCTs published in the Cochrane Library from 1 January 2014 to 1 January 2017. Included systematic reviews will have a minimum of 10 RCTs in the meta-analysis of the primary outcome and moderate to substantial heterogeneity (I2≥50%). Of the eligible systematic reviews, a random selection of 10 will be included for quantitative evaluation. In each systematic review, RCTs will be scored using the PRECIS-2 tool, in duplicate. Agreement between raters will be measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be used to evaluate how much variability in the primary outcome may be due to pragmatism.

Dissemination

This review will be among the first to evaluate the PRECIS-2 tool in a systematic review setting. Results from this research will provide inter-rater reliability information about PRECIS-2 and may be used to provide methodological guidance when dealing with pragmatism in systematic reviews and subgroup considerations. On completion, this review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
miR-194 as predictive biomarker of responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: D’Angelo Edoardo , Zanon Carlo , Sensi Francesca , Digito Maura , Rugge Massimo , Fassan Matteo , Scarpa Marco , Pucciarelli Salvatore , Nitti Donato , Agostini Marco
Published: September 2017

Aims

Curative surgery remains the primary form of treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Recent data support the use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) to improve the prognosis of LARC with a significant reduction of local relapse and an increase of overall survival. Unfortunately, only 20% of the patients with LARC present complete pathological response after pCRT, whereas in 20%–40%, the response is poor or absent.

Methods

We investigated the expression level of miR-194 in n=38 patients with LARC using our public microRNA (miRNA) expression dataset. miR-194 expression was further validated by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridisation (ISH). Protein–protein interaction network and pathway enrichment analysis were performed on miR-194 targets.

Results and discussion

Using biopsy samples collected at diagnosis, mir-194 was significantly upregulated in patients responding to treatment (p value=0.016). The data was confirmed with qRT-PCR (p value=0.0587) and ISH (p value=0.026). Protein–protein interaction network and pathway enrichment analysis reveal a possible mechanism of susceptibility to pCRT involving Wnt pathway via its downstream mediator TRAF6. Finally, we interrogated the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database database in order to identify those chemical compounds able to mimic the biological effects of miR-194 as new possible therapeutic option in LARC treatment. The present study combining miRNA expression profiling with integrative computational biology identified miR-194 as predictive biomarker of response to pCRT. Using known and predicted drug mechanism of action, we then identified possible chemical compounds for further in vitro validation.
Influence of disease activity on RA treatment choices in countries with restricted access to expensive, innovative drugs: a discrete choice experiment among rheumatologists
Authors: Hifinger Monika , Hiligsmann Mickael , Ramiro Sofia , Watson Verity , Berghea Florian , Péntek Márta , Keat Andrew , Severens Johan L , Fautrel Bruno , Boonen Annelies
Published: September 2017

Objective

To assess the influence of disease activity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis on treatment choices of rheumatologists in countries with restricted access to expensive, innovative drugs.

Methods

Rheumatologists from Hungary, Romania and UK were invited to complete two consecutive discrete choice experiments with hypothetical drug treatments for two different patient profiles: high and moderate disease activity. Rheumatologists were asked to choose repeatedly between two unlabelled treatment options that differed in five attributes: efficacy (expected improvement and achieved disease activity state), safety (probability of serious adverse events), patient's preference (level of agreement), total medication costs and cost-effectiveness. A heteroscedastic discrete choice model using interaction terms between attribute levels and patient profiles (binary variable) was used to assess the preferences of rheumatologists towards each attribute and the influence of the patient profile.

Results

Overall, 148 rheumatologists completed the survey (46% females, mean age 49 years, 49% academic). For both patient profiles, efficacy dominated the treatment choice over patient's preference, safety and economic aspects. However, for patients with high compared with moderate disease activity, the importance of drug efficacy significantly increased (from 48% for moderate to 57% for high disease activity), whereas the importance of patient's preference significantly decreased (from 15% to 11%). No significant differences were observed for economic and safety considerations.

Conclusion

Rheumatologists were willing to give up some efficacy to account for patient's preference when choosing treatments for patients with moderate compared to high disease activity. Disease activity however did not influence importance of economic aspects in treatment choices.
Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP)-amended calcium bentonite for slurry trench cutoff walls: workability and microstructure characteristics
Authors: Yang Yu-Ling , Reddy Krishna R. , Du Yan-Jun , Fan Ri-Dong
Published: September 2017

This study aims to investigate workability and microstructural characteristics of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP)-treated calcium bentonite (Ca-bentonite) as a potential material for soil–bentonite slurry trench cutoff walls. First, a series of Marsh viscosity, filtrate loss, density, and pH experiments are performed on bentonite – tap water slurries containing Ca-bentonite amended with 0%–8% SHMP dosages. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta potential tests are conducted to explore microstructural characteristics that control the mechanisms of SHMP treatment. The results indicate that the workability of the slurry is significantly improved with SHMP addition. The SEM, XRD, and zeta potential analyses show that SHMP-amended Ca-bentonite possesses a more dispersed structure and higher negative zeta potential relative to the unamended Ca-bentonite. The mechanisms of SHMP amendment are identified to be exchange of bivalent calcium cations in Ca-bentonite by monovalent sodium cations in the SHMP, sorption of the SHMP anions that give the clay system a steric stabilization and increased negative surface charge density, and sequestration of the bivalent calcium cations on the Ca-bentonite. Overall, the SHMP treatment is effective in making the Ca-bentonite slurry amenable for use in the soil–bentonite slurry trench wall construction.
The effect of exercise preconditioning on stroke outcome in ovariectomized mice with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Naderi Soudabeh , Alimohammadi Raheleh , Hakimizadeh Elham , Roohbakhsh Ali , Shamsizadeh Ali , Allahtavakoli Mohammad
Published: September 2017

Exercise preconditioning has been shown to be effective in improving behavioral and neuropathological indices after cerebral ischemia. We evaluated the effect of exercise preconditioning, 17β-estradiol, and their combination on stroke outcome using an experimental model of stroke in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups as follows: control (stroke), exercise (exercise and stroke), estradiol (17β-estradiol and stroke), and exercise+estradiol (exercise and 17β-estradiol and stroke). Exercise preconditioning was performed on a treadmill 5 days/week, 40 min/day, at a speed of 18 m/min for 4 weeks. 17β-estradiol was gavaged (40 μg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), and neurological deficits were evaluated 1, 2, and 7 days after stroke. Then, the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and infarct volumes were assessed. Exercise preconditioning and 17β-estradiol induced a better outcome compared with the control ischemic mice, which was manifested by decrease in MMP-9, increase in IL-10, diminished infarct volume, and improved neurological deficits. Concomitant administration of 17β-estradiol and exercise also significantly improved these parameters. Exercise preconditioning or administration of 17β-estradiol alone or in combination before pMCAO induced significant neuroprotection in OVX mice.
The minimal formal models of curve singularities
Authors: Bourqui David , Sebag Julien
Published: September 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a field. We introduce a new geometric invariant, namely the minimal formal models, associated with every curve singularity (defined over [Formula: see text]). This is a noetherian affine adic formal [Formula: see text]-scheme, defined by using the formal neighborhood in the associated arc scheme of a primitive [Formula: see text]-parametrization. For the plane curve [Formula: see text]-singularity, we show that this invariant is [Formula: see text]. We also obtain information on the minimal formal model of the so-called generalized cusp. We introduce various questions in the direction of the study of these minimal formal models with respect to singularity theory. Our results provide the first positive elements of answer. As a direct application of the former results, we prove that, in general, the isomorphisms satisfying the Drinfeld–Grinberg–Kazhdan theorem on the structure of the formal neighborhoods of arc schemes at non-degenerate arcs do not come from the jet levels. In some sense, this shows that the Drinfeld–Grinberg–Kazhdan theorem is not a formal consequence of the Denef–Loeser fibration lemma.
Study of variation in thermal width of nematic and induced smectic ordering phase of citric acid (CA) and 4-heptyloxybenzoic acid (7OBA) hydrogen bonded liquid crystal complexes
Authors: Sundaram S. , Jayaprakasam R. , Praveena R. , Rajasekaran T. R. , Senthil T. S. , Vijayakumar V. N.
Published: September 2017

Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals (HBLCs) have been derived from nonmesogenic citric acid (CA) and mesogenic 4-heptyloxybenzoic acid (7OBA) yielding a highly ordered smectic C (Sm C) phase along with the new smectic X (Sm X) phase which has been identified as fingerprint-type texture. Optical (polarizing optical microscopy), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry) and structural (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) properties are studied. A noteworthy observation is that the intermolecular H-bond (between CA and 7OBA) influences on its melting point and clearing temperature of the HBLCs which exhibits lower value than those of the individual compounds. A typical extended mesophase region has been observed in the present complex while varying the mixture ratio (1:1 to 1:3) than those of individual compounds. The change in the ratio of the mesogenic compound in the mixture alters thermal properties such as enthalpy value and thermal span width in nematic (N) region of HBLC complex. Optical tilt angle measurement of CA+7OBA in Sm C phase has been discussed to identify the molecular position in the mesophase.
Rationality of Hilbert series in noncommutative invariant theory
Authors: Domokos Mátyás , Drensky Vesselin
Published: September 2017

It is a fundamental result in commutative algebra and invariant theory that a finitely generated graded module over a commutative finitely generated graded algebra has a rational Hilbert series, and consequently the Hilbert series of the algebra of polynomial invariants of a group of linear transformations is rational, whenever this algebra is finitely generated. This basic principle is applied here to prove rationality of Hilbert series of algebras of invariants that are neither commutative nor finitely generated. Our main focus is on linear groups acting on certain factor algebras of the tensor algebra that arise naturally in the theory of polynomial identities.