bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy–exergy analysis of 70‐MW gas turbine unit under the variable operation condition
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Hasan , Ahmed Anmmar Mahmoud , Al Doori Wadhah H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractExergy and energy analyses were carried out in each component to study the effect of compression ratio, ambient temperature, and load on energy losses and exergy destruction. The highest exergy destruction occurred in the combustion chamber and the lowest exergy destruction occurred in the compressor. Also, the maximum thermal efficiency of the gas turbine unit and second law efficiency are 33.77% and 32.25%, respectively. The peak load of the selected power station is 65 MW. This study reveals possible areas of focus to improve performance of the power plant in the future.
Robotic Tongue‐Base Resection Combined With Tongue‐Base Suspension for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Turhan Murat , Bostanci Asli 
Published: November 2019

Objectives/HypothesisOur primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility, morbidity, and efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) tongue‐base resection (TBR) combined with tongue‐base suspension (TBS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with tongue‐base collapse. Our secondary objective included evaluation of factors influencing treatment success.Study DesignSingle‐arm, prospective, observational cohort study.MethodsPatients were eligible if they had moderate‐to‐severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index [AHI] > 15) or positional OSA, had a tongue‐base collapse and glossoptosis identified by drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), and failed continuous positive airway pressure. All patients underwent TORS‐TBR combined with TBS. Additionally, concomitant epiglottoplasty, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or expansion pharyngoplasty were performed based on DISE findings.ResultsIn total, 64 patients were enrolled in the trial. The mean age was 45.9 years, mean body mass index was 30.5 kg/m2, and mean AHI was 41.7 events/hour. The mean robotic surgical time, total volume of tongue‐base tissue removed, and the length of hospital stay were 21.4 minutes, 15.16 mL, and 6.5 days, respectively. Postoperatively, almost all polysomnographic metrics improved significantly (AHI = 41.72 vs. 18.82 events/hour, lowest oxygen saturation = 80.43% vs. 85.14%, Epworth Sleepiness Scale = 10.49 vs. 4.09). The procedure provided an overall success rate of 75%, with minor morbidity. All patients experienced varying degrees of temporary lingual edema postoperatively. Tracheotomy was not required for any patient. Although no independent predictor of treatment success was determined, patients with more severe disease tend to exhibit lower response to the treatment.ConclusionsTORS‐TBR combined with TBS is a feasible, safe, and efficient procedure for OSA with tongue‐base collapse.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:2285–2291, 2020
Impact of CYP2C19 Genotype and Drug Interactions on Voriconazole Plasma Concentrations: A Spain Pharmacogenetic‐Pharmacokinetic Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Blanco‐Dorado Sara , Maroñas Olalla , Latorre‐Pellicer Ana , Rodríguez Jato María Teresa , López‐Vizcaíno Ana , Gómez Márquez Aurea , Bardán García Belén , Belles Medall Dolores , Barbeito Castiñeiras Gema , Pérez del Molino Bernal María Luisa , Campos‐Toimil Manuel , Otero Espinar Francisco , Blanco Hortas Andrés , Durán Piñeiro Goretti , Zarra Ferro Irene , Carracedo Ángel , Lamas María Jesús , Fernández‐Ferreiro Anxo 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundVoriconazole, a first‐line agent for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19. A significant portion of patients fail to achieve therapeutic voriconazole trough concentrations, with a consequently increased risk of therapeutic failure.ObjectiveTo show the association between subtherapeutic voriconazole concentrations and factors affecting voriconazole pharmacokinetics: CYP2C19 genotype and drug–drug interactions.MethodsAdults receiving voriconazole for antifungal treatment or prophylaxis were included in a multicenter prospective study conducted in Spain. The prevalence of subtherapeutic voriconazole troughs was analyzed in the rapid metabolizer and ultra‐rapid metabolizer patients (RMs and UMs, respectively), and compared with the rest of the patients. The relationship between voriconazole concentration, CYP2C19 phenotype, adverse events (AEs), and drug–drug interactions was also assessed.ResultsIn this study 78 patients were included with a wide variability in voriconazole plasma levels with only 44.8% of patients attaining trough concentrations within the therapeutic range of 1 and 5.5 µg/ml. The allele frequency of *17 variant was found to be 29.5%. Compared with patients with other phenotypes, RMs and UMs had a lower voriconazole plasma concentration (RM/UM: 1.85 ± 0.24 µg/ml vs other phenotypes: 2.36 ± 0.26 µg/ml). Adverse events were more common in patients with higher voriconazole concentrations (p<0.05). No association between voriconazole trough concentration and other factors (age, weight, route of administration, and concomitant administration of enzyme inducer, enzyme inhibitor, glucocorticoids, or proton pump inhibitors) was found.ConclusionThese results suggest the potential clinical utility of using CYP2C19 genotype‐guided voriconazole dosing to achieve concentrations in the therapeutic range in the early course of therapy. Larger studies are needed to confirm the impact of pharmacogenetics on voriconazole pharmacokinetics.
Capsaicin suppressed activity of prostate cancer stem cells by inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Zhu Mingming , Yu Xi , Zheng Zongmei , Huang Jiaming , Yang Xuepan , Shi Hongfei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the origin and driving cells of cancer, and play a key role in the progress of cancer. Studies have shown that capsaicin exerted inhibitory effect on prostate cancer cells, however, the effects of capsaicin on prostate CSCs remain undefined. In the present study, we showed that capsaicin could downregulate prostate CSCs markers and inhibit the growth of PC‐3 and DU145 prostate cancer stem cells. Further, we found capsaicin suppressed the expression of Wnt‐2, p‐GSK3β and β‐catenin, along with downregulation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway target genes c‐myc and cyclinD1. Using LiCl, a activator of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, we found activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway could ameliorate the downregulation of prostate CSCs markers and the growth inhibition induced by capsaicin in prostate cancer stem cells. Those data suggested that the inhibition effect of capsaicin on prostate cancer stem cells and the anti‐cancer effect of capsaicin on prostate cancer stem cell may be mediated by Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Findings from this study reveals for the first time the potential role and mechanisms of capsaicin on prostate cancer stem cells.
Cell Mechanical and Physiological Behavior in the Regime of Rapid Mechanical Compressions that Lead to Cell Volume Change
Authors: Liu Anna , Yu Tong , Young Katherine , Stone Nicholas , Hanasoge Srinivas , Kirby Tyler J. , Varadarajan Vikram , Colonna Nicholas , Liu Janet , Raj Abhishek , Lammerding Jan , Alexeev Alexander , Sulchek Todd 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCells respond to mechanical forces by deforming in accordance with viscoelastic solid behavior. Studies of microscale cell deformation observed by high speed video microscopy have elucidated a new cell behavior in which sufficiently rapid mechanical compression of cells can lead to transient cell volume loss and then recovery. This work has discovered that the resulting volume exchange between the cell interior and the surrounding fluid can be utilized for efficient, convective delivery of large macromolecules (2000 kDa) to the cell interior. However, many fundamental questions remain about this cell behavior, including the range of deformation time scales that result in cell volume loss and the physiological effects experienced by the cell. In this study, a relationship is established between cell viscoelastic properties and the inertial forces imposed on the cell that serves as a predictor of cell volume loss across human cell types. It is determined that cells maintain nuclear envelope integrity and demonstrate low protein loss after the volume exchange process. These results define a highly controlled cell volume exchange mechanism for intracellular delivery of large macromolecules that maintains cell viability and function for invaluable downstream research and clinical applications.
Neodymium‐Sensitized Nanoconstructs for Near‐Infrared Enabled Photomedicine
Authors: Yu Zhongzheng , Chan Wen Kiat , Tan Timothy Thatt Yang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNeodymium (Nd3+)‐sensitized nanoconstructs have gained increasing attention in recent decades due to their unique properties, especially optical properties. The design of various Nd3+‐sensitized nanosystems is expected to contribute to medical and health applications, due to their advantageous properties such as high penetration depth, excellent photostability, non‐photobleaching, low cytotoxicity, etc. However, the low conversion efficiency and potential long‐term toxicity of Nd3+‐sensitized nanoconstructs are huge obstacles to their clinical translations. This review article summarizes three energy transfer pathways of all kinds of Nd3+‐sensitized nanoconstructs focusing on the properties of Nd3+ ions and discusses their recent potential applications as near‐infrared (NIR) enabled photomedicine. This review article will contribute to the design and fabrication of novel Nd3+‐sensitized nanoconstructs for NIR‐enabled photomedicine, aiming for potentially safer and more efficient designs to get closer to clinical usage.
Non-Abelian rotating black holes in 4- and 5-dimensional gauged supergravity
Authors: Ortín Tomás , Ruipérez Alejandro 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe present new supersymmetric black-hole solutions of the 4- and 5-dimensional gauged supergravity theories that one obtains by dimensional reduction onT5andT6of Heterotic supergravity with a triplet of Yang-Mills fields. The new ingredient of our solutions is the presence of dyonic non-Abelian fields which allows us to obtain a generalization of the BMPV black hole with two independent angular momenta and the first example of a supersymmetric, rotating, asymptotically-flat black hole with a regular horizon in 4 dimensions.
A chromatogram-simplified Streptomyces albus host for heterologous production of natural products
Authors: Fazal Asif , Thankachan Divya , Harris Ellie , Seipke Ryan F. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCloning natural product biosynthetic gene clusters from cultured or uncultured sources and their subsequent expression by genetically tractable heterologous hosts is an essential strategy for the elucidation and characterisation of novel microbial natural products. The availability of suitable expression hosts is a critical aspect of this workflow. In this work, we mutagenised five endogenous biosynthetic gene clusters from Streptomyces albus S4, which reduced the complexity of chemical extracts generated from the strain and eliminated antifungal and antibacterial bioactivity. We showed that the resulting quintuple mutant can express foreign biosynthetic gene clusters by heterologously producing actinorhodin, cinnamycin and prunustatin. We envisage that our strain will be a useful addition to the growing suite of heterologous expression hosts available for exploring microbial secondary metabolism.
Attitude and orbit coupling of planar helio-stable solar sails
Authors: Miguel Narcís , Colombo Camilla 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe coupled attitude and orbit dynamics of solar sails is studied. The shape of the sail is a simplified quasi-rhombic pyramid that provides the structure helio-stability properties. After adimensionalization, the system is put in the form of a fast–slow dynamical system where the different timescales are explicitly related to the physical parameters of the system. The orientation of the body frame with respect to the inertial orbit frame is a fast phase that can be averaged out. This gives rise to a simplified formulation that only consists of the orbit dynamics perturbed by a flat sail with fixed attitude perpendicular to the direction of the sunlight. The results are exemplified using numerical simulations.
Mӧssbauer spectroscopy as a useful method for distinguishing between real and false meteorites
Authors: Bogusz Patrycja , Gałązka-Friedman Jolanta , Brzózka Katarzyna , Jakubowska Martyna , Woźniak Marek , Karwowski Łukasz , Duda Przemysław 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn our paper four Mӧssbauer spectra of ordinary chondrites (previously classified by a classical method based on determining the ratio of ferrosilite (Fs) to fayalite (Fa) with an electron microprobe) are presented and discussed. These are the Mӧssbauer spectra of two ordinary chondrites type H (Pultusk and Grzempach), one ordinary chondrite type L (Hyattville) and one type LL (NWA 6287). These meteorites were compared, using their Mӧssbauer spectra with the following four other samples: a fragment of a rock that fell near Leoncin in Poland (sample No. 1), a fragment of a rock found in the vicinity of Pultusk in Poland (sample No. 2), a meteorite specimen bought on the meteorite exchange (sample No. 3) and a stone object whose decline was observed in Europe (sample No. 4). The spectrum of sample No. 1 is very similar to the spectrum of ordinary chondrite of type LL. This observation was confirmed using 4M method (previously created by us). The spectrum of sample No. 2 differs significantly from the spectrum of sample of the Pultusk meteorite. In the spectrum of sample No. 3, a clear signal from iron-nickel alloy and troilite can be observed. This fact allows us to state that sample No. 3 is a fragment of rock that was created in cosmic conditions. Sample No. 4 has a Mӧssbauer spectrum similar to the spectrum of terrestrial magmatic rocks. This observation does not clearly determine where the examined object comes from. This work demonstrates the usefulness of Mӧssbauer spectroscopy in recognizing samples that are fragments of meteorites.
On the unique unexpected quartic in $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$
Authors: Farnik Łucja , Galuppi Francesco , Sodomaco Luca , Trok William 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe computation of the dimension of linear systems of plane curves through a bunch of given multiple points is one of the most classic issues in algebraic geometry. In general, it is still an open problem to understand when the points fail to impose independent conditions. Despite many partial results, a complete solution is not known, even if the fixed points are in general position. The answer in the case of general points in the projective plane is predicted by the famous Segre–Harbourne–Gimigliano–Hirschowitz conjecture. When we consider fixed points in special position, even more interesting situations may occur. Recently, Di Gennaro, Ilardi and Vallès discovered a special configurationZof nine points with a remarkable property: A general triple point always fails to impose independent conditions on the ideal ofZin degree four. The peculiar structure and properties of this kind ofunexpected curveswere studied by Cook II, Harbourne, Migliore and Nagel. By using both explicit geometric constructions and more abstract algebraic arguments, we classify low-degree unexpected curves. In particular, we prove that the aforementioned configurationZis the unique one giving rise to an unexpected quartic.
Aesthetic sense and social cognition: a story from the Early Stone Age
Authors: Currie Greg , Zhu Xuanqi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHuman aesthetic practices show a sensitivity to the ways that the appearance of an artefact manifests skills and other qualities of the maker. We investigate a possible origin for this kind of sensibility, locating it in the need for co-ordination of skill-transmission in the Acheulean stone tool culture. We argue that our narrative supports the idea that Acheulean agents were aesthetic agents. In line with this we offer what may seem an absurd comparison: between the Acheulean and theQuattrocento. In making it we display some hidden complexity in human aesthetic responses to an artefact. We conclude with a brief review of rival explanations—biological and/or cultural—of how this skills-based sensibility became a regular feature of human aesthetic practices.
Experimental study on jet pulse assembly design and numerical simulation
Authors: Xue Liang , Han Hu , Wang Dian , Liu Xian-Bo , Liu He , Yu Zhi-Qiang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractJet pulse assembly is one of the main components of jet hydraulic oscillator. The pressure wave characteristics produced by jet pulse assembly have an important influence on the performance of the tool. In this paper, the structure and working principle of jet pulse assembly are studied, the mechanical analysis model of piston rod is established, the dynamic resistance ratio formula of jet pulse assembly is deduced, and the numerical simulation test of 89-mm jet pulse assembly structure parameters is carried out. The results show that the piston rod downward stroke is driven by both the jet element driving force and the throttle plate load driving force, and can stably descend. The driving force of the piston rod upward stroke jet element is opposite to the load acting force of the throttle disc, and the jet driving force needs to be greater than the load resistance of the throttle disc to stably ascend. The dynamic resistance ratio formula is deduced. When the area of the end of the piston rod is reduced, the resistance of the throttle disc is reduced and the jet power is increased, thus solving the problem of insufficient power of the piston rod in the upstroke and ensuring the normal operation of the tool. Ten groups of numerical simulation tests were carried out, and it was found that the pressure amplitude and pressure drop of the tool decreased significantly with the increase of the tool size, and the error between the numerical simulation value and the theoretical calculation value was less than 9%, which verified the correctness of the theory. It is suggested to select tools on site according to the drilling construction situation to ensure the drilling effect.
Assessing macroinvertebrate communities in relation to environmental variables: the case of Sambandou wetlands, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Dalu Tatenda , Chauke Rivoningo 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa, contains many wetlands that serve as wildlife habitats and provide vital ecosystem services. Some of the wetlands are continuously being degraded or destroyed by anthropogenic activities causing them to disappear at an alarming rate. Benthic macroinvertebrates are known as good water quality bioindicators and are used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. The current study investigated habitat quality using macroinvertebrate community structure and other biotic variables (i.e. phytoplankton, macrophytes) in relation to environmental variables in the Sambandou wetlands using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). A total of fifteen macroinvertebrate families were identified over two seasons. The CCA highlighted seven variables, i.e. pH, phosphate concentration, temperature, ammonium, macrophyte cover, conductivity and water depth, which were significant in structuring macroinvertebrate community. Picophytoplankton and microphytoplankton concentrations decreased from winter to summer, whereas nanophytoplankton concentration increased from winter to summer. Thus, the dominance of small-sized phytoplankton indicated nutrient limitation and decreased productivity, whereas winter sites 2 and 3 were dominated by large-celled phytoplankton, highlighting increased productivity. Winter sites were mostly negatively associated with CCA axis 1 and were characterised by high temperature, phosphate and ammonium concentrations, macrophyte cover, pH and conductivity. Summer sites were positively associated with axis 1, being characterised by high water depth and pH levels. The results obtained highlighted that agricultural activities such as cattle grazing and crop farming and sand mining/poaching had a negative effect on macroinvertebrate community structure.
Business and morals: Corporate strategies for sustainable development in China
Authors: Banik Dan , Lin Ka 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThere has been considerable attention in recent years on the close linkages between business, ethics, and economic development and how businesses not only have responsibilities to their shareholders but also to wider society. The growing power and influence of emerging economies has resulted in increased scholarly interest in China on studying the domestic political commitments to corporate social responsibility strategies (CSR), and their potential contribution to promoting the country's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative and thereby achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article explores the factors that influence CSR strategies and performance and examines whether we are witnessing the emergence of a new form of social responsibility among Chinese businesses that prioritizes sustainable development. In order to better understand how CSR strategies in China are being potentially reshaped and realigned with the SDGs, we examined the CSR reports and practices of selected Chinese companies both before and after the adoption of the SDGs at the United Nations in 2015. By focusing on the CSR-SDG linkages in China, our study contributes to a better understanding of state advocacy aimed at influencing corporate behavior on sustainable development.
Understanding Meta-Emotions: Prospects for a Perceptualist Account
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis article clarifies the nature of meta-emotions, and it surveys the prospects of applying a version of the perceptualist model of emotions to them. It first considers central aspects of their intentionality and phenomenal character. It then applies the perceptualist model to meta-emotions, addressing issues of evaluative content and the normative dimension of meta-emotional experience. Finally, in considering challenges and objections, it assesses the perceptualist model, concluding that its application to meta-emotions is an attractive extension of the theory, insofar as it captures some distinctive features of meta-emotions—specifically their normative dimension—while locating them within the domain of occurrent affective experiences.
Experts’ Views on the Gaps in Public Health Emergency Preparedness in Israel: A Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Cohen Ricky , Diamant Alon 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite the significant improvement in all components of preparedness in the past decade, there are still gaps between the guidelines and the reality on the ground. The purpose of this study is to explore how Israeli public health and emergency medicine experts perceive the demands for health organization emergency preparedness and the actual practice.Methods:Qualitative phenomenological research. We interviewed 22 Israeli public health and emergency medicine experts face-to-face and conducted a content analysis.Results:The findings revealed barriers in the following areas: preparation and readiness of hospitals, preparedness and readiness in the community, connection between the community and the hospital, inter-agency coordination and interface, interdisciplinary integration, preparedness resources, postcrisis evaluation, assimilating smart technologies, information accessibility, and communication.Conclusions:To reduce the gap between theory and practice, retrospective research and evaluation must be included to learn in depth what strategies and resources should be used during a health crisis. Likewise, profiles should be constructed and the community should be segmented in order to design resilience programs and accommodate information to subpopulations.