bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entwicklung eines neuen hochfesten SN‐Ankers zur Optimierung von konventionellen Vortrieben
Authors: Schiller Andreas , Wiest Marius 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe new high‐strength SN anchors offer easy handling resulting from a 44 % weight saving compared to conventional SN anchors with the same structural properties. In addition to the advantages in handling and occupational safety, consequential economic advantages can of course be mentioned such as lower freight costs, the option of reducing the borehole diameter, the possibility of parallel execution of various work steps and, finally, optimization of speed in conventional tunnelling.
Sprayed concrete lining – Improving safety through design
Authors: Kumpfmüller Sebastian , Feiersinger Andreas , Doulkas George 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn‐depth contractor engagement during the concept and detailed design phases of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade project led to an optimised tunnel design with significant improvements in risk management. Regular, coordinated meetings between the design and construction teams led to innovative construction solutions utilised in eliminating risks where possible and where not possible, controlling them through best practice. This paper outlines the lessons learnt from other tunnelling projects in London and presents how the risks related with SCL works have been dealt with in the tunnels design for the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade project.
Entwässerung von Schlämmen aus der Produktion mineralischer Zuschlagstoffe
Authors: Geißler Hendrik , Lassnig Herbert 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn order to implement construction projects responsibly and at the same time efficiently, intelligent, multi‐project material flow management is becoming ever more important. At the Brenner Base Tunnel, material excavated from the tunnel and geogenic fill was processed for use as concrete aggregates. One part of this processing was the separation of the finest grains by washing the material. This however produced a considerable quantity of sludge, which was to be dewatered immediately after the washing. The article describes the sludge dewatering in geotextile tubes. In addition to the application example from the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the findings from this project have also been applied to optimise dewatering systems in the original application area of cleaning up waterways. Finally there is a brief outlook of current research results regarding the use of the dewatering system for used bentonite suspensions in specialised civil engineering.
Brenner Basistunnel – Vortrieb im unmittelbaren Nahbereich von Bestandsbauwerken im Baulos Tulfes–Pfons
Authors: Mössmer Stefan , Sulzbacher Gerhard , Jedlitschka Gernot , Holzleitner Wolfgang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis report deals with tunnelling over and under existing tunnels with unreinforced concrete linings and tunnelling under an existing tunnel only supported with shotcrete. The uppermost task was to avoid damage to the existing tunnel and this could be fulfilled through carefully staged advance steps, technically correct construction by the contractor and a dense observation network. The experience tunnelling over an existing tunnel supported only with shotcrete shows that despite slight deformation, cracks and spalling occurred to the shotcrete support layer of the tunnel beneath. This damage did impair the serviceability of the support layer although the structural safety of the tunnel was never in danger. The impairment of the serviceability was temporary and could be remedied by installing overhead protection. In the long term, repair measures were necessary to the support layer in zones with poor geological conditions.
Nonlinear adjustment of exchange rate and exchange rate policy: Lessons from Singapore
Authors: Yan Fangli , Yip Sau Leung 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper uses a smooth transition autoregressive regression to estimate the adjustment speed of exchange rate in Singapore, a well‐managed small open economy in which exchange rate policy plays an important role in facilitating macroeconomic adjustment and controlling inflation. The result of our estimation suggests that the adjustment speed is faster than estimates reported in the literature. In addition, parallel with the long‐run neutrality and short‐run nonneutrality of monetary policy in large economies, we provide a pioneer discussion and empirical evidence of long‐run neutrality and short‐run nonneutrality of exchange rate policy in the small open economy. To our knowledge, we are the first group of researchers conducting rigorous study on this important issue for small open economies. Finally, we found evidence of the Harrold–Balassa–Samuelson (HBS) effect, and our results support Lothian and Taylor's argument that failure to include the effect in the estimation would lead to biased estimate in the adjustment speed. Thus, one should be cautious of the significant portion of past empirical studies that did not incorporate the HBS effect in their estimations. Future empirical studies should include the effect in the estimations and tests, or at least test for the absence of the effect before excluding it from the estimations.
Bioresponsive microspheres for on‐demand delivery of anti‐inflammatory cytokines for articular cartilage repair
Authors: Park Eunjae , Hart Melanie L. , Rolauffs Bernd , Stegemann Jan P. , T. Annamalai Ramkumar 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDespite innovations in surgical interventions, treatment of cartilage injury in osteoarthritic joints remains a challenge due to concomitant inflammation. Obstructing a single dominant inflammatory cytokine has shown remarkable clinical benefits in rheumatoid arthritis, and similar strategies are being suggested to target inflammatory pathways in osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we describe the utility of gelatin microspheres that are responsive to proteolytic enzymes typically expressed in arthritic flares, resulting in on‐demand and spatiotemporally controlled release of anti‐inflammatory cytokines for cartilage preservation and repair. These microspheres were designed with a net negative charge to sequester cationic anti‐inflammatory cytokines, and the magnitude of the negative charge potential increased with an increase in crosslinking density. Collagenase‐mediated degradation of the microspheres was dependent on the concentration of the enzyme. Release of anti‐inflammatory cytokines from the loaded microspheres directly correlated with the degradation of the gelatin matrix. Exposure of the IL‐4 and IL‐13 loaded microspheres reduced the inflammation of chondrocytes up to 80%. Hence, the delivery of these microspheres in an OA joint can attenuate the stimulation of chondrocytes and the resulting secretion of catabolic factors such as proteinases and nitric oxide. The microsphere format also allows for minimally invasive delivery and is less susceptible to mechanically induced drug release. Consequently, bioresponsive microspheres can be an effective tool for cartilage preservation and arthritis treatment.
Quantification of total and unbound cefuroxime in plasma by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a cohort of critically ill patients with hypoalbuminemia and renal failure
Authors: van Raaij Joost J. , Mabelis Noortje J. D. , Shudofsky Kimberly N. , Meenks Sjoerd D. , le Noble Jos L. M. L. , Janssen Paddy K. C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundPharmacokinetic studies of cefuroxime by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) have been limited to measurements of total concentrations. Here, we developed a robust method for quantifying total and unbound cefuroxime concentrations using UPLC‐MS/MS and ultrafiltration in critically ill patients with hypoalbuminemia and renal failure.MethodsMethod validation included accuracy, linearity, precision, repeatability, recovery, and limit of quantification (LOQ). Feasibility of the method was performed on samples obtained from randomly selected intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Total and unbound cefuroxime concentrations were quantified using UPLC‐MS/MS. Sampling times were categorized as trough (180‐1 min prior to administration), peak (10‐30 min after administration), mid (30‐360 min after administration), and continuous (sampling during administration). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets were unbound cefuroxime concentrations above 4 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (32 mg/L).ResultsIntra‐assay and inter‐assay precision was <3%. Recovery was 99.7%‐100.3%, and LOQ was 0.1 mg/L. We included 11 patients (median age 72 years (range 54‐77). Median albumin serum concentrations and eGFR were 19 g/L (range 11‐40 g/L) and 48 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 7‐115 mL/min/1.73 m2), respectively. Median trough and mid concentrations of total cefuroxime were 22.27 mg/L (range 5.42‐54.03 mg/L) and 71.49 mg/L (range 53.87‐73.86 mg/L), and median unbound fraction was 75.42% (range 27.36%‐99.75%). Median unbound cefuroxime concentrations were 11.94 mg/L (range 3.85‐32.39 mg/L) (trough) and 55.62 mg/L (range 10.03‐62.62 mg/L) (mid).ConclusionThe method is precise and accurate according to ISO 15189 and within the clinical range of cefuroxime (0.5‐100 mg/L). The method was applied in ICU patients and is suitable for TDM on unbound cefuroxime concentrations.
Molecular immune mechanisms of HPV‐infected HaCaT cells in vitro based on toll‐like receptors signaling pathway
Authors: Ying Zuolin , Li Xiaojie , Dang Hong , Yin Na , Gao Chuang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the molecular immune mechanism of HPV‐infected HaCaT cells in vitro based on TLRs signaling pathway by analyzing the effects of interfering TLRs on inflammatory and immune factors in the signaling pathway.MethodsFCM was used to analyze the proportion of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in blood samples. HPV‐infected HaCaT cells were divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Group A added TLR3 antagonist, group B added TLR9 antagonist, group C added equivalent saline, group D added IRF3 agonist, and group E added IRF3 inhibitor. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in HaCaT cell model; ELISA was used to analyze the expression of inflammatory factors IL‐2, TNF‐a, and IFN‐beta; WB was used to analyze the expression of TRAF3, IKK epsilon, and TBK1; RT‐PCR was used to analyze the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in each cell model.ResultsThe proportion of blood immune cells in patients with HPV infection was Th1, Th17, Th2, and Treg, with statistical significance (P < .05); the expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in HPV‐infected cells was higher than that in negative control group, with statistical significance (P < .05); TLR3 was higher than TLR9, with no significant difference (P > .05); the expression of IL‐2, TNF‐alpha, IFN‐beta in each group, TLR3, and TLR9 was higher than that in negative control group (P < .05). The expression of TRAF3, IKK epsilon, and TBK1 in the control group was higher than that in the TLR3 and TLR9 inhibitor groups, and the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in the TLR9 inhibitor group was higher than that in the TLR3 inhibitor group (P < .05); the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in the TLR3i and TLR9i inhibitor groups was lower than that in the TLR3 inhibitor group (P < .05). Compared with the control group, IRF3a group was higher than the control group, IRF3i group was lower than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < .05).ConclusionTLR3 and TLR9, the key factors of TLRs, are highly expressed in HaCaT cells infected with HPV. Through TLRs‐IKK‐e‐IRFs‐IFN signaling pathway, they can induce high expression of inflammatory factors, IKK‐e, IRFs, and IFN, and improve immunity.
Association between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and Kawasaki disease susceptibility in a southern Chinese population
Authors: Li Jiawen , Wang Jinxin , Su Xiaoping , Jiang Zhiyong , Rong Xing , Gu Xueping , Jia Chang , Zeng Lanlan , Zheng Hao , Gu Xiaoqiong , Chu Maoping 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundKawasaki disease (KD), which is characterized by vasculitis, is prone to occur in patients under 5 years of age, has an ambiguous etiology, and displays coronary artery lesions as the chief complication. Previous studies have linked miRNA‐149 to cancers, and rs2292832 T>C is related to allergic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease, which both show immune system disorders and coronary artery disease. Therefore, we performed a study concentrating on the association between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and KD susceptibility.MethodsThe subjects enrolled were 532 children with KD and 623 controls. We used TaqMan real‐time PCR to obtain the genotypes of the rs2292832 T>C polymorphism.ResultsUltimately, no significant association was found between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and KD susceptibility, even in stratification analysis.ConclusionOur results indicated that in southern Chinese patients, the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism did not affect KD susceptibility, which needs to be further confirmed.
2D Electrophoretic pattern of bovine placental proteins during early‐mid pregnancy
Authors: Wawrzykowski Jacek , Franczyk Monika , Ner‐Kluza Joanna , Silberring Jerzy , Kankofer Marta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe Placenta, like every tissue, possesses its own characteristic protein profile, which may change within the course of pregnancy. These changes can be used for the elucidation of the mechanisms related to both physiology of pregnancy and pathological events. The aim of the study was to describe proteinergic profiles of maternal and fetal parts of bovine placenta during early‐mid pregnancy by the use of 2D electrophoresis and MALDI TOF/TOF MS identification to evaluate dynamics of the possible changes necessary for placentation. Placental samples were collected from six pregnant cows (3‐5 months) in the local abattoir. Placentomes were separated, and proteins were extracted and subjected to 2D electrophoresis and MALDI TOF/TOF identification. Out of 907 spots identified by the statistical analysis of gels, 54 were identified. Out of this number, 36 spots were significantly different between examined samples. Moreover, the obtained patterns differed between maternal and fetal parts of the placenta with regard to the intensity of staining, suggesting quantitative differences in protein content. These preliminary results are unique for this period of pregnancy. Such data are important for further experiments to obtain full protein profiles necessary to understand biochemical mechanisms underlying the attachment between fetal and maternal parts of the placenta during placentation. Moreover, the outcomes may help in elucidating pregnancy biomarkers in the future.
Transient electrocardiographic changes following smoking cannabis
Authors: Mugnai Giacomo , Longo Cristina , Zaltron Chiara , Prevedello Francesca , Segalina Paolo , Bilato Claudio 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe report a case of transient ECG abnormalities (negative T waves in the inferior leads) associated with presyncope related to acute cannabis consumption; after a few hours the ECG returned normal. Although pathophysiological mechanisms are not clear, it might be hypothesize a mismatch between increased oxygen demand and decreased oxygen supply or a marked hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Evaluation of Femoral Head Perfusion by Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Steroid‐Induced Osteonecrosis
Authors: Chen Yu‐Yi , Wu Xian‐Sheng , Tian Yuan‐Yuan , Zhao Ping , Sun Shu‐Wei , Yang Cheng‐Bin 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesTo study the technical feasibility of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating femoral head perfusion in a rabbit model of steroid‐induced femoral head osteonecrosis.MethodsTwenty rabbits were divided randomly into a control group (n = 8) and an experimental group (n = 12). Rabbits in the experimental group were induced by lipopolysaccharide and methylprednisolone to build a model of steroid‐induced femoral head osteonecrosis. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examinations were performed at 3 and 5 weeks after induction. Then, pathologic examinations and microvessel density (MVD) calculations were performed on the excised rabbit femoral heads.ResultsThe MVD of the experimental group decreased significantly 3 and 5 weeks after induction compared with that of the control group. According to the CEUS examination results, significant differences existed in the ascending slope, descending slope, mean transit time, and time to peak between the groups at 5 weeks (P < .05). A correlation analysis showed that the descending slope had a certain correlation with the MVD (correlation coefficient, 0.376). A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the capacity of the CEUS parameters to predict the occurrence of osteonecrosis. The areas under the curve for the ascending slope and descending slope were 0.758 and 0.760, respectively (P < .05).ConclusionsContrast‐enhanced ultrasound can visualize the microcirculation in steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rabbits and may be a useful imaging method for the early monitoring and prediction of femoral head osteonecrosis.
A Newtonian thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication model for ferrofluid‐lubricated involute spur gear pair
Authors: Zhao Jing‐jing , Wang You‐qiang , Zhang Ping , Jian Guang‐xiao 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAn elastohydrodynamic model of ferrofluid‐lubricated involute spur gears was established, and transient thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis was conducted using multigrid method and multigrid integral method. The transient lubricant film thickness, pressure, and friction coefficient characteristics of the spur gears were compared under different carrier fluid ferrofluids. Ester‐based H01 ferrofluid was selected to further examine the lubricant film elastohydrodynamic characteristics of the involute spur gears under different loads and speeds. The results indicated that the film thickness and the inlet area pressure were the largest when hydrocarbon‐based E02 ferrofluid was used for lubrication and were the smallest when ester‐based ferrofluid H01 was used for lubrication. When ester‐based H01 ferrofluid was used, the film thickness, the inlet area pressure, and the second pressure peak increased with the increase of speed, and the second pressure peak shifted toward the inlet area. The friction coefficient and the maximum temperature gradually decreased with the increase of speed, and the second pressure peak, the friction coefficient, and the maximum temperature gradually increased with the increase of load, while the film thickness gradually decreased.
Fluid wetting infiltration characteristics and mechanical driving mechanism in rough rubber‐glass contact interface
Authors: Pang Minghua , Ma Lijie , Nie Yongfang , Wang Zhankui 
Published: December 2019

AbstractFluid wetting infiltration in rough rubber contact interface has a directly effect on mechanical lubrication and seal. To clarify its mechanism, contact property and fluid wetting infiltration process with time in rough rubber‐glass contact interface were obtained with an in situ observation instrument. The effect of wetting on the fluid infiltration area ratio at interface was analysed. Experimental results indicated that fluid wetting infiltration at interface was more tended to occur in high‐contact area ratio zone, and empty contact area was more likely to occur in low‐contact area ratio zone. Meanwhile, wetting had an obviously affected on fluid infiltration area ratio at interface. When contact angle of rubber‐liquid interface was 20°, the fluid could almost infiltrate the whole empty contact area of the interface. With the increase of contact angle of rubber‐liquid interface, the area of fluid infiltration was decreased. At last, liquid was completely excluded from the rough rubber‐glass contact interface as contact angle was bigger than 75°. Detailed research indicated that the fluid infiltration in the rough contact interface was the flowing of fluid in microchannels. The comparison of the capillary pressure with viscous drag force was the fundamental evaluation index for fluid infiltration at interface. In high‐contact area ratio zone, the size of microchannels was small, and the capillary pressure was more likely to overcome the viscous drag force of solid‐liquid interface. But in low‐contact area ratio zone, the situation was just the opposite. The microchannel size and surface tension of fluid were the effect factors of capillary pressure.
AB‐ Versus AA+BB‐Suzuki Polycondensation: A Palladium/Tris(tert‐butyl)phosphine Catalyst Can Outperform Conventional Catalysts
Authors: Zhang Kenan , Tkachov Roman , Ditte Kristina , Kiriy Nataliya , Kiriy Anton , Voit Brigitte 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA Pd/Pt‐Bu3 catalyst having bulky, electron‐rich ligands significantly outperforms conventional “step‐growth catalysts” Pd(PPh3)4 and Pd(Po‐Tol3)3 in the Suzuki polycondensation of the AB‐type arylene‐based monomers, such as some of the substituted fluorenes, carbazoles, and phenylenes. In the AA+BB polycondensation, Pd/Pt‐Bu3 also performs better under homogeneous reaction conditions, in combination with the organic base Et4NOH. The superior performance of Pd/Pt‐Bu3 is discussed in terms of its higher reactivity in the oxidative addition step and inherent advantages of the intramolecular catalyst transfer, which is a key step joining catalytic cycles of the AB‐polycondensation. These findings are applied to the synthesis of a carbazole‐based copolymer designed for the use as a hole conductor in solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes.
Apigenin Reverses Interleukin‐1β‐Induced Suppression of Adipocyte Browning via COX2/PGE2 Signaling Pathway in Human Adipocytes
Authors: Okla Meshail , Al Madani Jamal Omran , Chung Soonkyu , Alfayez Musaad 
Published: December 2019

ScopeInflammatory responses to obesity, including interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) activation, downregulate mitochondrial function and interfere with adipocyte browning, an important component of energy expenditure. This study investigates the impact of apigenin (Apg), a natural flavonoid with anti‐inflammatory properties, on adipocyte browning in the presence of IL‐1β.Methods and resultsApg protects dibutyryl‐cAMP‐induced browning from IL‐1β in primary human adipocytes, as evidenced by increased brown‐specific markers, mitochondrial content, and oxygen consumption. Apg significantly represses inflammatory markers and NF‐κB activation induced by IL‐1β in these adipocytes. Intriguingly, Apg profoundly induces cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression in response to IL‐1β treatment. Conversely, COX2 pharmacological inhibition or RNA silencing attenuates the positive effect of Apg on adipocyte browning in IL‐1β‐treated cells. Additionally, blockage of PGE2 receptor 4 (EP4) attenuates Apg‐mediated adipocyte browning. The effect of Apg on adipocyte browning in IL‐1β‐treated adipocytes is accompanied by an elevation in intracellular Ca2+, partly due to TRPV1/4 receptor activation.ConclusionApg plays a protective role against inflammation‐induced suppression of adipocyte browning by dampening inflammation and activating the COX2/PGE2 axis for uncoupling protein 1 induction via EP4 activation. These data unravel the novel therapeutic values of Apg for treating obesity via adipocyte browning stimulation.