bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Sodium and Zinc in the Priming of T Cell Subpopulations Regarding Th17 and Treg Cells
Authors: Dünkelberg Sophie , Maywald Martina , Schmitt Anne Kristina , Schwerdtle Tanja , Meyer Sören , Rink Lothar 
Published: December 2019

ScopeNutrition is a critical determinant of a functional immune system. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which immune cells are influenced by zinc and sodium.Methods and ResultsMixed lymphocyte cultures and Jurkat cells are generated and incubated with zinc, sodium, or a combination of both for further tests. Zinc induces the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) and decreases T helper 17 cells (Th17), and sodium has the opposite effect. The transforming growth factor beta receptor signaling pathway is also enhanced by zinc and reduced by sodium as indicated by contrary phosphoSmad 2/3 induction. Antagonistic effects can also be seen on zinc transporter and metallothionein‐1 (MT‐1) mRNA expression: zinc declines Zip10 mRNA expression while sodium induces it, whereas MT‐1 mRNA expression is induced by zinc while it is reduced by sodium.ConclusionThis data indicate that zinc and sodium display opposite effects regarding Treg and Th17 induction in MLC, respectively, resulting in a contrary effect on the immune system. Additionally, it reveals a direct interaction of zinc and sodium in the priming of T cell subpopulations and shows that Zip10 and MT‐1 play a significant role in those differentiation pathways.
A novel coupled FDM‐DEM modelling method for flexible membrane boundary in laboratory tests
Authors: Zhu Hua‐Xiang , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Zhang Qiang 
Published: December 2019

SUMMARYDifficulties are involved in discrete element method (DEM) modelling of the flexible boundary, that is, the membranes covering the soil sample, which can be commonly found in contemporary laboratory soil tests. In this paper, a novel method is proposed wherein the finite difference method (FDM) and DEM are coupled to simulate the rubber membrane and soil body, respectively. Numerical plane strain and triaxial tests, served by the flexible membrane, are implemented and analysed later. The effect of the membrane modulus on the measurement accuracy is considered, with analytical formulae derived to judge the significance of this effect. Based on an analysis of stress‐strain responses and the grain rotation field, the mechanical performances produced by the flexible and rigid lateral boundaries are compared for the plane strain test. The results show that (1) the effect of the membrane on the test result becomes more significant at larger strain level because the membrane applies additional lateral confining pressure to the soil body; (2) the tested models reproduce typical stress and volumetric paths for specimens with shear bands; (3) for the plane strain test, the rigid lateral boundary derives a much higher peak strength and larger bulk dilatation, but a similar residual strength, compared with the flexible boundary. The latter produces a more uniform (or ‘diffuse') rotation field and more mobilised local kinematics than does the former. All simulations show that the proposed FDM‐DEM coupling method is able to simulate laboratory tests with a flexible boundary membrane.
On the implicit immersed boundary method in coupled discrete element and lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Wang Min , Feng Yuntian , Qu Tongming 
Published: December 2019

SummaryThe coupled discrete element method and lattice Boltzmann method (DEMLBM) has increasingly drawn attention of researchers in geomechanics due to its mesoscopic nature since 2000. Immersed boundary method (IBM) and immersed moving boundary (IMB) are two popular schemes for coupling fluid particle in DEMLBM. This work aims at coupling DEM and LBM using the latest IBM algorithm and investigating its accuracy, computational efficiency, and applicability. Two benchmark tests, interstitial fluid flow in an ideal packing and single particle sedimentation in viscous fluid, are carried out to demonstrate the accuracy of IBM through semi‐empirical Ergun equation, finite element method (FEM), and IMB. Then, simulations of particle migration with relatively large velocity in Poiseuille flow are utilized to address limitations of IBM in DEMLBM modeling. In addition, advantages and deficiencies of IBM are discussed and compared with IMB. It is found that the accuracy of IBM can be only guaranteed when sufficient boundary points are used and it is not suitable for geomechanical problems involving large fluid or particle velocity.
Diabetes and male sexual health: an unmet challenge
Authors: Barnard‐Kelly Katharine , Meeking Darryl , Cummings Michael , Reidy Claire , Scibilia Renza , Aldred Chris , Naranjo Diana 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study was to explore the self‐reported medical and psychological factors associated with sexual health for men with diabetes.An online survey was distributed via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and remained open for four weeks. The survey contained 45 items which included free‐text response questions so that participants could provide further detail to their responses if desired. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS.24, with content and thematic analyses conducted on free‐text responses.One hundred participants completed the survey, aged 20–73 years (mean age 45.4 years) with a diabetes duration of 1–62 years (mean 23.07 years); 90% had type 1 diabetes. Forty‐nine percent reported diabetes had led to a loss of self‐esteem, 62% said it had a negative effect on relationships with a partner, 41% felt less attractive, and 46% reported it had led to loneliness. Free‐text responses reflected depth of feeling and the considerable negative psychosocial impact of diabetes and associated sexual health issues. Erectile dysfunction was common (66%); however, over one‐third of those participants had not sought help (42%). Oral medication removed spontaneity for half of the participants (n=58) who had taken it (n=29).Sexual health issues continue to pose challenges for men with diabetes, both medically and psychologically. The psychosocial aspects of diabetes and sexuality, including feeling unattractive both physically and emotionally, were widely reported by participants, demonstrating the damaging and distressing personal consequences. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2019; 36(6): 201–206
Helium plasma jet interactions with water in well plates
Authors: Mohades Soheila , Lietz Amanda M. , Kruszelnicki Juliusz , Kushner Mark J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPlasma activation of liquids or cell cultures is a method for investigating the consequences of plasma produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) on living systems. The reproducible transfer of RONS, ions, electrons, and photons to the liquid is critical for determining reaction mechanisms and biological outcomes, and depends strongly on system parameters. A common in vitro method of plasma treatment of cells is a plasma jet directed into a well plate filled (or partially filled) with a liquid cell growth media. This method of treatment intrinsically has several environmental and geometrical factors that could lead to variability in the activation of the media. Uncontrolled or unreported geometrical and environmental factors that affect this transfer can, therefore, influence the reproducibility of measurements. In this paper, results from a numerical modeling investigation of a pulsed helium plasma jet interacting with water in a well plate are discussed while varying the height of the well‐plate rim. The height of the rim changes gas flow patterns, the ratio of He‐to‐air, and the water vapor content in the gas layer above the liquid. With a low rim, gas flowing from the jet stagnates on‐axis and flows radially outward with few vortices that recirculate reactants. With high rims, the gas flow is dominated by vortices and recirculation. With a low rim, the ionization wave (IW) from the jet strikes the liquid and proceeds as a surface IW across the water. With higher rims, the densities of helium and water vapor are higher above the liquid, which results in a volumetric propagation of the IW, initially producing higher densities of H2, HO2, OH, and H2O2. The end result is that for otherwise identical conditions, the densities of solvated H2O2aq and select reactive nitrogen species increase with rim height due to the vortices that recirculate reactants.
Coplanar Fused Heterocycle‐Based Energetic Materials
Authors: Wu Jin‐Ting , Xu Jin , Li Wei , Li Hong‐Bo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe fused nitrogen‐rich heterocycles, particularly planar structures, possess many advantages over conventional single‐ring energetic compounds. The planar π‐π stacked structures result in enhanced safety. Meanwhile, their conjugated systems give rise to good energetic properties. This review focused on the syntheses, properties, and potential applications of energetic materials based on the coplanar fused nitrogen‐rich heterocycles. Most of these compounds exhibit excellent detonation characteristics along with low mechanical sensitivity which makes them very promising candidates for highly energetic materials for civilian or military applications.
Dosimetric effect of different isocenter for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Sang Yong , Shan Guoping , Shao Kainan , Hu Fujun , Liu Tongxing 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze the dosimetric effect of different isocenters with volumetric modulated arc therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsA total of 20 NPC patients who had received radiotherapy were re‐planned by the volumetric modulated arc therapy plan. Three volumetric modulated arc therapy plans with different isocenters were generated for each patient: the first plan using the center of PGTVnx as the isocenter (AP‐V), the second plan using the center of PGTVnd as the isocenter (BP‐V), and the third plan using the center of PTV2 as the isocenter (CP‐V). The conformity and homogeneity indexes of the target, dose‐volume histogram of organs at risk, normal tissue, volume of dose, and monitor units were compared for the three plans.ResultsAP‐V provided a significantly lower maximum dose for the optic nerves and optic chiasm; lower mean dose for the eyeballs; lower absolute volume >10 Gy, absolute volume >20 Gy, and absolute volume >30 Gy; and fewer monitor units than BP‐V and CP‐V. BP‐V and CP‐V provided a significantly lower absolute volume >50 Gy than AP‐V. In the conformity indexes of PGTVnd and PTV2, BP‐V and CP‐V were significantly better than in AP‐V. In the homogeneity index of PTV2, BP‐V and CP‐V were significantly better than in AP‐V. In general, there is no significant difference between BP‐V and CP‐V.ConclusionsAll three plans achieved the clinical demands. AP‐V decreased the volumes of absolute volume >10 Gy, absolute volume >20 Gy, and absolute volume >30 Gy, whereas BP‐V and CP‐V decreased the volume of absolute volume >50 Gy. In terms of organs at risk, AP‐V offered better protection of the optic nerves, optic chiasm, and eyeballs for NPC than BP‐V and CP‐V. Most importantly, AP‐V enhanced the utilization of the monitor units. For this reason, we propose that the radiotherapy technician put the location position in the PGTVnx center during simulation of the NPC patients. We further propose that the isocenter be moved to the geometric center of PGTVnx if the NPC patient plan has higher dosimeter requirements for the optic nerves, optic chiasm, or eyeballs.
Investigation of the quenching of methane‐air deflagration in narrow parallel channels
Authors: Chen Daiguo , Ma Honghao , Shen Zhaowu , Yao Yong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractExperiments were performed in a rectangular tube equipped with flat channels to study the quenching of methane‐air deflagrations using high speed photography. Numerical simulations were carried out using a Laminar Finite‐Rate model to determine the relation between the quenching length, initial velocity, and channel width. The results showed that there is an obvious quadratic function correlation between queching length and the widths of channels, and a linear relation between quenching length and initial velocity. When the widths were no more than 1 mm, the relations can be well confirmed by experiments. It is shown that the relations may be appropriate to determine the quenching length of deflagration flame as well as a guidance for the production or design of industrial flame arresters.
Micellar Catalysis in Fischer Glycosidation: En Route to Diverse Functional Glycosides
Authors: Nowicki Janusz , Mościpan Małgorzata , Nowakowska‐Bogdan Ewa , Woch Julia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe have demonstrated that direct Fischer glycosidation of carbohydrates with selected alcohols, glycols and chloroalcohols to corresponding glucosides in micellar reaction system can be a promising and effective route for the selective synthesis of a number of functional glucosides. The use of specific catalyst combining both surfactant and acid catalyst functions enables formation of the reactive micellar system. The formation of corresponding glucosides with spectacular high selectivity to monoglucosides is one of the most important phenomena of the application of micellar catalysis to functional glucosides synthesis.
Traversing Dense Networks of Elementary Chemical Reactions to Predict Minimum‐Energy Reaction Mechanisms
Authors: Robertson Christopher , Ismail Idil , Habershon Scott 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNumerous different algorithms have been developed over the last few years which are capable of generating large, dense chemical reaction networks describing the inherent chemical reactivity of a collection of discrete molecules. For all elementary reactions in a given reaction network, reaction rate calculations, followed by direct micro‐kinetic modelling, enables one to predict macroscopic outcomes (e. g. rate laws, product selectivity) based on atomistic input data. However, for chemical reaction networks containing thousands of reactant molecules, such simulations can be extremely time‐consuming; in addition, the complex coupled time‐dependence of molecular concentrations can present challenges when seeking essential mechanistic features. In this Article, we instead present an algorithm which seeks to predict the “most likely” reaction mechanism, or competing mechanisms, connecting any two user‐selected reactant and product species, given a previously‐generated reaction network as input. The approach is successfully tested for reaction networks (containing tens of thousands of possible reactions) describing the carbon monoxide oxidation on platinum nanoparticles.
Removal of antibiotic resistance genes in various water resources recovery facilities
Authors: Kucukunsal Serkan , Icgen Bulent 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWater resources recovery facilities (WWTPs) are hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pose a significant threat to environments. Therefore, ARG removal efficiencies of WWTPs are of great importance. In this study, conventional activated sludge (CAS), biological nutrient removal (BNR), sequencing batch reactor (SBR), membrane bioreactor (MBR), package MBR, and WWTP with coagulation–flocculation and UV disinfection units were investigated in terms of their removal efficiencies on overall bacterial genes with 16S rDNA and seven ARGs including the genes aadA, blaCTX‐M, cmlA, ermB, sul1, tetA, and qnrS corresponding to commonly used antibiotics aminoglycosides, β‐lactams, amphenicols, macrolides–lincosamides–streptogramins, sulfonamides–trimethoprim, tetracyclines, and quinolones, respectively. Seasonal abundance of overall genes and ARGs in influents and effluents of each WWTPs was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Membrane bioreactor and package MBR systems showed the highest removal efficiency up to 5‐log reductions. Seasonal changes affected ARG removal efficiencies of BNR and CAS significantly (p < 0.05). The lowest log reductions were determined in summer for BNR and in both autumn and winter for CAS. The abundance of the genes increased in sludge treatment of CAS. In all WWTPs tested, ARG removal rates were correlated with the 16S rDNA gene removal (p > 0.05). The results elucidated that the removal mechanism was not ARG‐specific.Practitioner points

Removal of genes in WWTPs was found to be not ARG‐specific.

MBR and package MBR systems had the highest gene removal efficiencies.

Effluents of the MBR systems still retained up to 104 gene copy number/ml.

Removal of genes in CAS and BNR systems showed seasonal variations.

The copy numbers of the genes increased in the sludge of CAS.
Tool wear by dissolution during machining of alloy 718 and Waspaloy: a comparative study using diffusion couples
Authors: Hoier Philipp , Surreddi Kumar Babu , Klement Uta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe wear of metal cutting tools is known to take place by the combined and simultaneous effects of several wear mechanisms. Knowledge of the relative contribution of the individual wear mechanisms is required to understand and predict the tool wear during cutting different workpiece materials and alloys. It has been shown previously that machining two heat resistant superalloys, alloy 718 and Waspaloy, leads to distinctively different tool wears. Even though the subject has been addressed in various studies, there are still open questions regarding the underlying reasons for the differing tool wear rates. In particular, the relative contributions of diffusion/dissolution when machining the two alloys have not been addressed so far. Therefore, a qualitative comparison of the chemical interaction between the tool material and the two superalloys was made by using diffusion couple tests. The aim was to mimic the high temperatures and intimate contact between workpiece and tool material at the tool rake and flank faces during cutting under controlled and static conditions. The obtained results suggest that it is unlikely that differences in flank wear rate when machining the two superalloys are caused by significantly varying magnitudes of tool atoms dissolving into the respective workpiece. Analysis of the tool/superalloy interfaces in the diffusion couples revealed diffusion-affected zones of similar size for both tested superalloys. Increasing test temperature led to enhanced interdiffusion which suggests an increase in tool wear by diffusion/dissolution for higher cutting temperature. For alloy 718, the higher test temperature also led to depletion of carbon together with formation of tungsten within the tool in close vicinity to the interface with the superalloy.
Forschung & Entwicklung an Fachhochschulen in Österreich: Leistung und Erfolgsgeschichte trotz herausfordernder Rahmenbedingungen?
Authors: Sabbatini Giuliana , Kastner Johann 
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Übersichtsbeitrag wird die Forschungs- und Entwicklungsleistung der österreichischen Fachhochschulen aus Sektor-interner Sicht dargestellt. Neben quantitativen und qualitativen Angaben zur Entwicklung der letzten Jahre werden die dazugehörigen Rahmenbedingungen und deren Auswirkungen auf den Aufbau der Forschungsaktivitäten im Fachhochschulsektor kritisch überprüft. Aktuelle Aussichten sowie mögliche Empfehlungen aus Sicht der Autoren runden das Bild ab.
Entwicklung drahtloser Sensorsysteme durch synergetische Nutzung interdisziplinärer sowie grundlagenorientierter Forschungskonzepte
Authors: Plattner Johanna , Lattacher Sandra Lisa , Krainer Daniela , Oberzaucher Johannes , Batistell Graciele , Sturm Johannes 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungDie Realisierung von intelligenten Sensorsystemen sowie die weiterführende Integration der entwickelten Konzepte in das tägliche Leben erfordern intensiven Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaufwand. Im folgenden Artikel wird anhand eines konkreten Anwendungsfalls dargestellt, wie die dafür notwendigen Aspekte Interdisziplinarität sowie spezifische grundlagenorientiere Forschung im Rahmen der Forschungsstrategie der Fachhochschule Kärnten gezielt gefördert und umgesetzt werden.
Flow Characteristics Around Step-Up Street Canyons with Various Building Aspect Ratios
Authors: Park Soo-Jin , Kim Jae-Jin , Choi Wonsik , Kim Eun-Ryoung , Song Chang-Keun , Pardyjak Eric R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe investigate the flow characteristics around step-up street canyons with various building aspect ratios (ratio of along-canyon building length to street-canyon width, and upwind building height to downwind building height) using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Simulated results are validated against experimental wind-tunnel results, with the CFD simulations conducted under the same building configurations as those in the wind-tunnel experiments. The CFD model reproduces the measured in-canyon vortex, rooftop recirculation zone above the downwind building, and stagnation point position reasonably well. We analyze the flow characteristics, focusing on the structural change of the in-canyon flows and the interaction between the in- and around-canyon flows with the increase of building-length ratio. The in-canyon flows undergo development and mature stages as the building-length ratio increases. In the development stage (i.e., small building-length ratios), the position of the primary vortex wanders, and the incoming flow closely follows both the upstream and downstream building sidewalls. As a result, increasing momentum transfer from the upper layer contributes to a momentum increase in the in-canyon region, and the vorticity in the in-canyon region also increases. In the mature stage (i.e., large building-length ratios), the primary vortex stabilizes in position, and the incoming flow no longer follows the building sidewalls. This causes momentum loss through the street-canyon lateral boundaries. As the building-length ratio increases, momentum transfer from the upper layer slightly decreases, and the reverse flow, updraft, and streamwise flow in the in-canyon region also slightly decrease, resulting in vorticity reduction.
What are migrants willing to pay for better home country institutions?
Authors: Tran Ngoc Thi Minh , Cameron Michael P. , Poot Jacques 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe conduct a contingent valuation investigation of the preference of international migrants for better home country institutional quality. Our study uses contingent valuation questions in a survey of 1.6% of Vietnamese adult migrants living in New Zealand (NZ) in 2016 to establish the compensating differentials that make those migrants indifferent between residing in NZ and returning to Viet Nam (VN) in hypothetical scenarios. We find that the estimated willingness to pay for an incremental unit improvement in institutional quality in VN is, on average, about NZD 80 per week (approximately 33% of the average weekly wage in VN in PPP terms for the same period), and positively associated with the respondents’ age and the perceived importance of institutional quality in VN to their repatriation intentions. This study underscores the importance of institutional quality to migration decisions by showing that migrants are willing to trade-off part of their regular income for better home country institutional quality.