bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial antigen translocation and age as BMI‐independent contributing factors on systemic inflammation in NAFLD patients
Authors: Gómez‐Hurtado Isabel , Gallego‐Durán Rocío , Zapater Pedro , Ampuero Javier , Aller Rocío , Crespo Javier , Arias‐Loste Mayte , García‐Monzón Carmelo , Bellot Pablo , González‐Rodríguez Águeda , Juanola Oriol , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Francés Rubén 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground & AimsLow‐grade systemic inflammation is a crucial landmark in NAFLD favouring disease progression and comorbidities. We evaluated the input of circulating bacterial antigens on systemic markers of inflammation in NAFLD patients.Patients & MethodsMulticenter cross‐sectional study including consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD. Demographic, metabolic and fibrosis‐related variables were collected. Circulating bacterial antigens were quantified in blood. Toll‐like receptor SNPs were genotyped. Serum cytokine levels were evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell response to bacterial antigens was evaluated in vitro.ResultsThree hundred and fifteen patients from five Spanish hospitals were distributed by BMI. At least, one bacterial antigenic type was found in 66 patients with BMI < 30 (63.4%) and 163 patients with BMI > 30 (77.3%) (P = .014). HOMA‐IR was significantly higher in the presence of circulating antigens among patients with BMI < 30. NASH and significant fibrosis in non‐obese patients were more frequent in the presence of at least two circulating antigenic types. Allelic frequencies of TLR variants were similar to controls and did not affect clinical or laboratory parameters. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in patients with bacterial antigens, regardless of BMI. TLR gene and protein expression levels were significantly increased in PBMCs from patients with bacterial antigens. Antigen concentrations independently influenced TNF‐α and IL‐6, in both BMI subgroups of patients. Age independently influenced TNF‐α and IL‐6 in non‐obese patients, and TNF‐α in obese patients.ConclusionSerum circulating bacterial antigens as well as age were BMI‐independent factors related to increased systemic inflammation in NAFLD and provides insight on the multifaceted sources of inflammation in these patients.
FAK inhibition protects condylar cartilage under excessive mechanical stress
Authors: Yanoshita Makoto , Hirose Naoto , Sumi Chikako , Takano Mami , Nishiyama Sayuri , Tsuboi Eri , Onishi Azusa , Yamauchi Yuka , Asakawa Yuki , Ryo Kunimatsu , Tanimoto Kotaro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesExcessive mechanical stress is assumed to be a major cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA). +Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic non‐receptor tyrosine kinase involved in a variety of signaling pathways. Little has been reported on the function of FAK in TMJ‐OA. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FAK inhibition on TMJ cartilage under excessive mechanical loading stress.Materials and MethodsArticular cartilage explants were harvested from the TMJ of rats and subjected to mechanical loading in the presence of an FAK inhibitor in organ culture. The gene expression of inflammatory cytokines was examined after the application of mechanical loading with or without FAK inhibitor. Paraffin‐embedded sections of articular cartilage were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, safranin O and fast Green, toluidine blue, TUNEL staining, and immunohistochemical staining and was performed to investigate the protein expression of IL‐1β and MMP‐13.ResultsTreatment with FAK inhibitor reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the degradation of articular cartilage, as determined histologically. FAK inhibitor treatment also suppressed the protein expression of IL‐1β and MMP‐13 in the hypertrophic zone, as determined immunohistologically.ConclusionTreatment with FAK inhibitor suppresses inflammation and protects condylar cartilage under excessive mechanical loading.
Tandem high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue for stage M high‐risk neuroblastoma: Experience using melphalan/etoposide/carboplatin and busulfan/melphalan regimens
Authors: Kato Shota , Kubota Yasuo , Watanabe Kentaro , Hogetsu Keita , Arakawa Yuki , Koh Katsuyoshi , Takita Junko , Hiwatari Mitsuteru 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe efficacy of tandem HDCT against high‐risk neuroblastoma has been reported; however, an optimal regimen remains to be established. In this paper, we report our experience using tandem HDCT comprising the MEC and BuMel regimens in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma. We retrospectively analyzed four patients with stage M high‐risk neuroblastoma who received HDCT with MEC followed by BuMel combined with autologous stem cell rescue. Although none of their metastatic lesions had disappeared after induction chemotherapy, three patients showed a CR after tandem HDCT. Gastrointestinal mucosal injuries and renal dysfunction were observed as non‐hematologic adverse events of grade 3 or higher. Gastrointestinal mucosal injuries were observed in all four patients following the first HDCT and in one patient following the second HDCT and were treated with parenteral nutrition and analgesics. One patient experienced renal dysfunction during the first HDCT, which was alleviated by sufficient hydration and diuretics and resulted in the reduction of melphalan dosage for the second HDCT. SOS was not observed in any patient. The HDCT regimens examined in this study were observed to be feasible and did not result in any life‐threatening adverse events. Our findings indicate that tandem HDCT comprising MEC and BuMel is a potentially effective regimen for patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma, including for those who respond poorly to induction chemotherapy, although additional studies in a larger population should be conducted to verify any long‐term outcomes and toxicity.
Plant behaviour: an evolutionary response to the environment?
Authors: Kumar A. , Memo M. , Mastinu A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPlants are not just passive living beings that exist in nature. They are complex and highly adaptable species that react sensitively to environmental forces/stimuli with movement, morphological changes and through the communication via volatile molecules. In a way, plants mimic some traits of animal and human behaviour; they compete for limited resources by gaining more area for more sunlight and spread their roots underground. Furthermore, in order to survive and thrive, they evolve and ‘learn’ to control various environmental stress factors in order to increase the yield of flowering, fertilization and germination processes. The concept of associating complex behaviour, such as intelligence, with plants is still a highly debatable topic among researchers worldwide. Recent studies have shown that plants are able to discriminate between positive and negative experiences and ‘learn’ from them. Some botanists have interpreted these behavioural data as a form of primitive cognitive processes. Others have evaluated these responses as biological automatisms of plants determined by adaptation to the environment and absence of intelligence. This review aims to explore adaptive behavioural aspects of various plant species distributed in different ecosystems by emphasizing their biological complexity and survival instincts.
Characterization of hard‐to‐differentiate dune stratification types in the Permian Coconino Sandstone (Arizona, USA)
Authors: Maithel Sarah A. , Brand Leonard R. , Whitmore John H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDune stratification types, which include grainfall, grainflow and ripple lamination, provide a record of the fine‐scale processes that deposited sediment on palaeo‐dune foresets. While these facies are relatively easy to distinguish in some cross‐bedded sandstones, for others – like the Permian Coconino Sandstone of northern and central Arizona – discrete stratification styles are hard to recognize at the bedding scale. Furthermore, few attempts have been made to classify fine‐scale processes in this sandstone, despite its renown as a classic aeolian dune deposit and Grand Canyon formation. To interpret depositional processes in the Coconino Sandstone, cross‐bed facies were characterized using a suite of sedimentary textures and structures. Bedding parameters were described at multiple scales via a combination of field and laboratory methods, including annotated outcrop photomosaics, strike and dip measurements, sandstone disaggregation and laser‐diffraction particle analysis, high‐resolution scans of thin sections, and scanning electron microscopy. Cross‐beds were observed to be laterally extensive along‐strike, with most dip angles ranging from the mid‐teens to mid‐twenties. While some cross‐bed sets are statistically coarser near their bases, others exhibit no significant vertical sorting trends. Both massive and laminated textures are visible in high‐resolution scans of thin sections, but laminae contacts are commonly indistinct, making normal and reverse grading difficult to define. Diagenetic features, such as stylolite seams and large pores, are also present in some samples and might indicate alteration of original textures like detrital clay laminae and carbonate minerals. Observed textures and sedimentary structures suggest that the cross‐beds may consist of grainflow and grainfall deposits, but these remain difficult to differentiate at outcrop and thin‐section scales. This characterization of fine‐scale processes will play a critical part in the development of depositional models for the Coconino Sandstone and elucidate interpretations for similar cross‐bedded formations.
Regional Resilience in Times of a Pandemic Crisis: The Case of COVID‐19 in China
Authors: Gong Huiwen , Hassink Robert , Tan Juntao , Huang Dacang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe notion of resilience to analyse how fast systems recover from shocks has been increasingly taken up in economic geography, in which there is a burgeoning literature on regional resilience. Regional resilience is a place‐sensitive, multi‐layered and multi‐scalar, conflict‐ridden and highly contingent process. The nature of shocks is one important impact factor on regional resilience. Arguably, so far, most literature on regional resilience has dealt with the financial crisis in 2008/2009. In this research note, we will analyse both the particular characteristics of the current COVID‐19 crisis, as well as its effects on regional recovery and potential resilience in China, where it started. We conclude that a complex combination of the characteristics of the current COVID‐19 crisis, the institutional experience of dealing with previous pandemic and epidemic crises, government support schemes, as well as regional industrial structures, might potentially affect the recovery and resilience rates of Chinese regions.
Indirect trade and direct trade: Evidence from Japanese firm transaction data
Authors: Ito Tadashi , Saito Yukiko Umeno 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper attempts to establish stylised facts on direct and indirect trade and its relationship with firm performance using firm transaction data of Japanese firms, with the special goal of shedding light on regional aspects of indirect exports/imports. The major findings are as follows: (a) firms in regional areas are smaller in size than those in a metropolitan area, and firms in regional areas are less likely to participate in export or import, even after controlling for firm size; (b) direct and indirect exports/imports in terms of the number of firms, employees, and sales values represent 40%–70% of the regional economies; (c) indirect exporters/importers in the previous period are likely to be direct exporters/importers in the subsequent period, which suggests the effects of learning in terms of procedures for conducting exporting/importing, searching for customers/suppliers, and gaining information on foreign markets; and (d) both direct export/import firms and indirect export/import firms in the previous period tend to have higher firm performance in the subsequent period.
Study Tribological Properties of MoDTC and Its Interactions With Metal Detergents
Authors: Zhang Dongya , Li Zhongwei , Wei Xian , Wang Liping , Xu Jinbao , Liu Yufeng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Recently, the synergistic tribological properties between molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and metal detergents have been the focus of significant attention due to the high requirements of engine oil. In this study, an SRV tribometer and four-ball machine were used to study the tribological performance of MoDTC combined with three types of metal detergents with different base numbers. Meanwhile, the detergency of the three metal detergents was also investigated using the hot tube test and crankcase simulation test. The results showed that (i) a high-based detergent possessed an excellent detergency performance compared with that of low-based detergents. (ii) The tribological properties of the base oil with a content of 0.75% MoDTC were superior to those of other contents at elevated temperatures. (iii) The metal detergents with a higher base number showed the best thermal stability, detergency performance, and anti-wear performance among the three types of metal detergents. The anti-wear mechanism was that the synergistic action of active elements in MoDTC and metal detergents promoted the generation of a tribological film.
Sustained CAD/CAE Application Integration: Supporting Simplified Models
Authors: Kirkwood Robert , Sherwood James A. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing/computer-aided engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) integration offers designers, analysts, and manufacturers the opportunity to share the data throughout the product development process. Finite element (FE) meshing applications integrated with the solid model data from CAD systems represent a major subset of CAD/CAM/CAE integration. In an earlier paper, it was demonstrated that virtual persistent identifiers (VPIs) can be used to assure or repair sustained integration with successive versions of neutral-format solid models. From that article, several follow-on issues become apparent. The geometry as per the CAE model often differs from the CAD model, so even with cross-format issues resolved, significant obstacles to sustained CAD/CAE integration remain. Along with simplification, the current article investigates additional techniques for further automating the recognition of changes between CAD models, reducing the manual interaction to just a few minutes. The article goes on to demonstrate how associativity can be sustained when using current versions of neutral formats like STEP and IGES. The overall point of the paper is to show that given a precise recognition of the differences between two solid models, a generalized means of ad-hoc integration is possible. This point is demonstrated through two case studies where simplifications of the CAD geometry are made to facilitate the meshing of the part. The integration is shown to be maintained across successive versions and to address a range of simplification processing. A summary of best practices for efficiently accommodating sustained CAD/CAE integration is also presented.
A Novel Omnidirectional Self-Locked Energy Absorption System Inspired by Windmill
Authors: Liu Yizhe , Xiong Feng , Yang Kuijian , Chen Yuli 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Impact accidents cause great damage to lives and properties because the destructiveness, direction, and action mode of impact loadings can hardly be predicted. Ordinary thin-walled tube systems for energy absorption require outside constraints or inside fasteners to avoid tube splashing, which affects the modifiability of the systems and limits their application in emergencies. In an effort to break through this limitation, inspired by windmill, a novel omnidirectional self-locked energy absorption system has been proposed. The proposed system is made up of thin-walled tubes with windmill-liked cross section, which are specially designed to interlock with adjacent tubes and thus provide constraints among individual tubes to resist impact loadings in spatial arbitrary directions. The spatial omnidirectional self-locking capability of the windmill-inspired system is demonstrated under distributed and concentrated impact loadings. Moreover, the windmill-inspired system shows higher energy absorption efficiency than that of the widely used round tube system and previous self-locked system under loadings in various directions, and their energy absorption properties can be further improved by combining with the round tube system, adjusting the geometric parameter of each tube and designing the arrangement of tubes with different properties in the system. This work may shed light on the energy absorption system design and expand the application of self-locked energy absorption systems.
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: A Review on Obtaining Adequate Specimens
Authors: de Lange Danny , van den Dobbelsteen John J. , Moelker Adriaan , van de Berg Nick J. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This literature review was conducted to evaluate liver biopsy adequacy, including total core length (TCL), number of portal tracts (PT), fragmentation, and complication rates, as a function of needle type and gauge. A systematic electronic search was performed in the Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, according to the PRISMA statement. Eligible data, describing in vivo percutaneous ultrasound-guided human liver biopsy quality outcomes, were compared to adequacy criteria of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD, TCL ≥ 20 mm, PT ≥ 11). An adequate mean number of PTs was found in 83% of biopsy needles assessed between 2012 and 2019, compared to 0% between 1998 and 2004. For TCL, this was 44% and 33%, respectively. Increasing the needle diameter enhanced TCL (result in 50% of included studies) and PT count (100%), and reduced fragmentation rates (75%), whereas no effect on pain or complications was found (83%). In total, five needle types achieved adequate PT counts, using 16 G (3×), 17 G (1×), or 18 G (1×) needles. Adequacy was reached using either a core needle biopsy (CNB, 3×) approach with one pass, or a fine needle aspiration (FNA, 2×) approach with two passes. The recommendations for biopsy adequacy can be met using 16/17 G FNA or 16/18 G CNB needles. Currently, many publications still present substandard liver biopsy quality outcomes. Although minimizing biopsy invasiveness is desirable, a decreased diameter or number of passes is ill-judged when reliability of biopsy outcomes is at stake.
Low Frequency Wave Loads and Damping of Four MODUs in Severe Seastates With Current
Authors: Fonseca Nuno , Stansberg Carl Trygve , Larsen Kjell , Bjørkli Rune , Vigesdal Tjerand , Dalane Oddgeir 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Model tests have been performed with four mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) with the aim of identifying wave drift forces and low-frequency damping. The MODUs configuration is different, namely on the number and diameter of columns; therefore, the sample is representative of many of the existing concepts. The model scale is the same as well as the wave and current conditions. The experimental program includes irregular waves with systematic variations of the significant wave height, wave peak period, current velocity, and vessel heading. A nonlinear data analysis technique (cross bi-spectral analysis) is applied to identify the surge and sway quadratic transfer functions (QTFs) of the slowly varying excitation, together with the linearized low-frequency damping. The paper also presents a semi-empirical formula developed in the scope of the EXWAVE JIP to correct potential flow mean wave drift force coefficients of Semis in high seastates with current. The empirical QTFs are then compared with numerical predictions. Comparisons with potential flow coefficients lead to conclusions on the role of viscous drift. The semi-empirical formula is assessed based on comparisons with test results and concluded that it provides a significant improvement compared to potential flow predictions.
On Efficient Surrogate Model Development for the Prediction of the Long-Term Extreme Response of a Moored Floating Structure
Authors: Lim HyeongUk , Manuel Lance , Min Low Ying 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This study focuses on the development of efficient surrogate models by polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) for the prediction of the long-term extreme surge motion of a moored floating offshore structure. The structure is subjected to first-order and second-order (difference-frequency) wave loading. Uncertainty in the long-term response arises from contrasting sea state conditions, characterized by significant wave height, Hs, and spectral peak period, Tp, and their relative likelihood of occurrence; these two variables are explicitly included in the PCE-based uncertainty quantification (UQ). In a given sea state, however, response simulations must be run for the associated Hs and Tp; in such simulations, typically, a set of random amplitudes and phases define an irregular wave train consistent with that sea state. These random amplitudes and phases for all the frequency components in the wave train introduce additional uncertainty in the simulated waves and in the response. The UQ framework treats these two sources of uncertainty—from Hs and Tp on the one hand, and the amplitude and phase vectors on the other—in a manner that efficiently yields long-term surge motion extreme predictions consistent with more expensive Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) that serve as the “truth” system. To reduce uncertainty in response extremes that result from sea states with a low likelihood of occurrence, importance sampling is employed with both MCS- and PCE-based extreme response predictions. Satisfactory performance with such efficient surrogate models can help in assessing the long-term response of various offshore structures.
Modeling of Crossed Roller Bearings Considering Roller Roundness Deformation
Authors: Tong Van-Canh , Jung Eui-Wook , Hong Seong-Wook 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This paper presents a quasi-static five degrees-of-freedom model of crossed roller bearings that considers roller roundness deformation. The existing models of rolling element bearing do not account for ball and/or roller roundness deformation. However, in the case of crossed roller bearing, roundness deformation of rollers can be significant because of high contact load per unit length of rollers. In this paper, the roller roundness deformation was included by using a formulation of the roller as a cylinder under compression by two flat surfaces. The inertial loading due to rotational speed effect was considered by including the centrifugal force and gyroscopic moment of rollers. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed model, and calculated and measured axial displacements of the bearing under axial loads yielded a good correlation. Extensive simulations were conducted to show the importance of roller roundness deformation and the applicability of the proposed model. The developed model for crossed roller bearing will be useful for the design and extensive analysis of crossed roller bearings.