bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technological Distribution in Uganda: Information and Communications Technology and the State in an Eastern African Nation
Authors: Bowman Warigia M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractInformation and communications technologies (ICTs) include old technologies—such as the radio and the television—as well as newer technologies—such as the Internet and wireless telephony. This study considers the process that the government of Uganda has used to adopt and implement ICT policy. This study also considers the techniques which the government of Uganda has used to distribute ICTS in public locations such as government offices, schools, and hospitals. In particular, this study attempts to consider the political motivations for distribution. The Ugandan government's attempt to distribute this technology reflects strengths in the area of distribution of artefacts, particularly to rural areas. Information and communications technologies are an important part of the Ugandan economy. In addition, ICTs strengthen the ability of citizens to communicate with each other across regional and language borders through shared access points. Methodologically, this paper uses the case study method. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with politicians, policy makers, civil society activists, citizens, academics, medical personnel, regional government officials, and business people. This paper argues that politicians use ICTs as a component of a basket of goods and services that they can distribute to witnessing publics. This paper argues that ICT should be viewed as a type of infrastructure, and that as a public good, it can be used as a “club” good or “pork.” Although several authors discuss the potential of ICTs as democratizing, this paper documents that the Ugandan government has employed ICTs in oppressive ways, including for the surveillance of opposition leaders, and for social control.
The diagnostic and prognostic value of paraoxonase‐1 and butyrylcholinesterase activities compared with acute‐phase proteins in septic dogs and stratified by the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation score
Authors: Torrente Carlos , Manzanilla Edgar G. , Bosch Luis , Villaverde Cecilia , Pastor Josep , de Gopegui Rafael Ruiz , Tvarijonaviciute Asta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundSepsis is a complex syndrome that involves an increased oxidative stress status and dysregulation of cholinergic neurotransmission. Paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities have been identified as significant biomarkers to monitor such disorders in human septic patients.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of PON‐1 and BChE vs other traditional acute‐phase proteins such as albumin (ALB) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in septic dogs.MethodsThis prospective observational study included 20 dogs with a diagnosis of sepsis, 27 with low‐grade systemic inflammation (LGSI), and 10 healthy dogs that served as controls. Plasma samples were obtained from all dogs for analysis on admission, and then every 24‐48 hours until discharge or death in the septic group.ResultsDogs with sepsis had lower PON‐1 activity compared with dogs in the LGSI group (1.1 ± 0.10 vs 1.6 ± 0.08 U/mL, P = .002), but no differences in BChE activity were detected between the groups. PON‐1, ALB, and CRP could successfully discriminate healthy animals from those with sepsis looking at the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristics curves (ROCs), which were 0.828, 0.903 and 1.000, respectively. Finally, although no differences were found among the groups for PON‐1 or BChE activity, the nonsurvivor septic dogs had higher CRP (P = .002), lower ALB (P = .025) levels, and tended to have lower PON‐1 (P = .082) activities than the survivors at patient death or discharge.ConclusionSeptic dogs showed lower plasma PON‐1 and higher BChE activities, but only PON‐1 activity correlated with disease severity. Further studies are warranted to describe the usefulness of these new biomarkers of sepsis progression and recovery in dogs.
Waste to Energy and Polygeneration Systems Based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Rokni Marvin M. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This study presents a new sustainable polygeneration system (power, heat, cool, and freshwater) based on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system integrated with an absorption chiller and freshwater desalination system. The proposed system is based on the idea of gasifying the municipal waste, producing syngas serving as fuel for the polygeneration system. Such advanced waste to energy systems when improved is self-sustainable, less disposal to sanitary landfills, saving large municipal fields for other human activity and considerable less environmental impact. The study shows that for a plant with about 130 kW net power, the energy efficiency may be more than 92% including electricity, cooling, and freshwater production. If water desalination and absorption chiller are connected in parallel as a bottoming cycle for the fuel cell plant then cooling and freshwater productions will be about 129 kW and 174 l/h, respectively.
Study on Thermal Control Behavior by Using BaTiO3-Based PTC Materials With Room Temperature Curie Point
Authors: Aimei Yu , Qiang Li 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Thermal management has become an important issue to be solved in the miniaturization and weight reduction of electronic equipment, especially in the aerospace field. The doped BaTiO3, as a self-regulating heating material, exhibits an attractive application perspective on the thermal control of electrical devices, resulting from its positive temperature coefficient (PTC) property. However, the Curie temperature of most of the doped BaTiO3 material at present is much higher than the operating temperature of the electrical equipment. On this basis, this paper focuses on the controlling of the Curie temperature and thermal control performance of the BaTiO3-based heating component. The polycrystalline Ba1-xSrxTiO3 was synthesized by solid solution reaction. The Curie temperature is tuned by the content of the strontium element, simultaneously the elements Y and Mn are doped to reduce the room temperature resistivity and improve the PTC effect. The X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the bulk phase of the Ba1-xSrxTiO3 generates in the presintering process, while the crystallization of composition has completed during the sintering. Importantly, the Curie temperature of doped Ba1-xSrxTiO3 for x = 0.3 with average particle size of 4.86 μm has shifted to around 38°C, beyond that exhibiting a 2.8-orders magnitude of PTCR jump.
Results of the thermal control experiment show that, in contrast to the ordinary resistor heater, the heating element based on the BaTiO3 PTC material can achieve lower equilibrium temperature without any auxiliary control methods. Compared to the traditional thermal control system composed by the ordinary resistor, sensor and controller, the novel thermal control system based on PTC heating unit possesses simple structure, lightweight and excellent reliability.
Flow Boiling Characteristics of R410A in Horizontal Annuli of Enhanced Surface Tubes
Authors: Sun Zhi-chuan , Li Wei , Ma Xiang , Lin Yuansheng , Ke Zhiwu , Ke Hanbing 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
An experimental study on the flow boiling heat transfer in a horizontal annular passage outside the single tube using R410A. The tested tubes contain a smooth tube, a 1EHT tube (dimpled tube) and a herringbone micro-fin tube with the same outside diameter of 12.70 mm. Tests were carried out at a saturation temperature of 6 °C for a mass flux range of 8∼107 kg/m2s with a fixed inlet quality of 0.1 and three different outlet qualities (0.4, 0.6, 0.8). Changes in vapor quality and annular gap size are found to have a significant impact on boiling heat transfer in the concentric annulus. For tests in the annuli with a 25.4-mm-ID outer tube, the HTC of the herringbone micro-fin tube is highest together with the largest pressure drop. Both the annulus of 1EHT tube and the annulus of herringbone micro-fin tube show a higher boiling HTC at an outlet quality of 0.6. The larger penalty factor is found at an outlet quality of 0.8. For flow boiling in the annuli having different annular gap sizes, it is found that the heat transfer enhancement ratio decreases sharply with the increasing average quality. When the inner diameter of outer tube is 19.0 mm, HTC decreases at first and then rises slowly. The huge bubbles occurred at the low mass fluxes and the scouring effect on the heated annulus walls of high-speed flow may be responsible.
Experimental Study on Oscillating Heat Pipe With Hydraulic Diameter Far Exceeding the Maximum Hydraulic Diameter
Authors: Chu Lilin , Ji Yulong , Yu Chunrong , Li Yantao , Ma Hongbin , Guo Yang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In order to understand the heat transfer performance, startup and fluid flow condition of oscillating heat pipe (OHP) with hydraulic diameter far exceeding the maximum hydraulic diameter (MHD), an experimental investigation on heat transfer performance and visualization was conducted. From the experimental performance, it is found that the OHP can still work well with ethanol as the working fluid when the tube diameter has exceeded the MHD of 91.6%. In addition, the detailed flow patterns of the OHP were recorded by a highspeed camera for vertical and horizontal orientation to understand its physical mechanism. In the vertical orientation, initially working fluid generates small bubbles, and then the small bubbles coalesce and grow to vapor plugs, the vapor plugs finally pushes the liquid slugs to oscillate in the tube. In the horizontal orientation, the working fluid surface fluctuates due to the vapors flow from the evaporator to the condenser and bubbles burst in the evaporator. When the peak of liquid wave reaches the upper surface of tube, a liquid slug has been formed, and then the steam flow pushes the liquid slugs to oscillate in the tube.
Mechanisms of Heat and Mass Transfer for Thin-Film Evaporation With Velocity Slip and Temperature Jump
Authors: Xiao Xiu , Yan Chunji , Ji Yulong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Velocity slip and temperature jump at the solid-liquid interface are important phenomena in microchannel heat transfer. A comprehensive mathematical model considering both velocity slip condition and temperature jump at the solid-liquid interface is developed to understand the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer during thin-film evaporation in this paper. The model structure is established based on the lubrication theory, Clausius-Clapeyron equation and Young-Laplace equation. To better formulate the film evaporation process, three dimensionless parameters representing the effects of slip length coefficient, temperature jump and wall superheat degree respectively, are introduced in the present model. The analytical solution provides insight of film thickness and heat transfer characteristics for the evaporating thin film. It shows that as the slip length and temperature jump coefficient decrease, the length of evaporating thin film region is shortened and the location of maximum heat flux moves closer to the initial evaporating point. The effect of slip condition on heat flux is small, but the increase of temperature jump can reduce the peak heat flux significantly. Furthermore, the analysis on the three thermal resistances which are caused by temperature jump, conduction through liquid film and evaporation on liquid-vapor interface result in a better understanding for effective heat transfer during thin-film evaporation.
Effect of Surface Temperature on Rarefied Flow Past a Circular Micro-Cylinder
Authors: Gu X. J. , Emerson D. R. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
A high-order moment method is employed to study the effect of the wall temperature on gas flow past a stationary circular cylinder in terms of the size of the vortices behind the cylinder and the drag coefficient. When the wall temperature is lower than the free stream temperature, flow separation occurs at a lower Reynolds number and the vortex length is elongated with a corresponding reduction in the drag coefficient. Conversely, increasing the wall temperature above the free stream temperature delays the onset of flow separation and increases the drag coefficient.
High Throughput Fabrication of Microdroplets Using Needle Based Microfluidic System
Authors: Lian Zheng , Ren Yong , Koh Kai Seng , He Jun , Chen George Zheng , Yang Xiaogang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Needle-based microfluidic system that comprised of needle-based microfluidic devices (NBMD) in parallel connection was employed to generate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microdroplets using oil-in-water (O/W) single emulsion template. The parallel-connection could be simply realized by multiple single NBMD connected via flow diverting devices. The versatile flow diverting devices could not only avoid the additional use of injection pumps for introducing fluids into the microfluidic system, but also enhance the yields of microdroplets. The entire production rate of the system has been raised to 535 drops per minute compared with that using a single NBMD which yields to 133 drops per minute. All the microdroplets were produced under dripping flow regime. If identical flow conditions and channel diameters were applied, the generated microdroplets from the each microchannel could have high monodispersity. Despite of several parameters that could affect the droplet sizes, for example, flow rate exerted on each channel and the channel size which depended on the selection of various needle combinations of the inlet and outlet needles, the inter-needle distance between those two needles may significantly influence the size of droplets. Thus, it shall be controlled carefully to remain the same distance in terms of achieving high monodispersity of the droplet sizes. On the other hand, one can vary the sizes of needles applied in the same batch of production or by adjusting the inter-needle distance in order to realize the production of microdroplets with various sizes. Moreover, diverse types of microdroplets could be produced simultaneously through different channels by NBMD. In this research, sugar and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were utilized as dopants mixing with PDMS precursor as the dispersed phase to produce PDMS-S and PDMS-CNTs microdroplets. The droplets could be collected and thermally solidified off-site for other applications. This platform does not require sophisticated equipment and is very cost-effective compared with conventional microfluidic devices such as PDMS devices or glass capillary devices. Hence, the system has great potential to produce microdroplets at a large scale.
Lifetime, 5-year and past-year prevalence of homelessness in Europe: a cross-national survey in eight European nations
Authors: Taylor Owen , Loubiere Sandrine , Tinland Aurelie , Vargas-Moniz Maria , Spinnewijn Freek , Manning Rachel , Gaboardi Marta , Wolf Judith R L M , Bokszczanin Ana , Bernad Roberto , Kallmen Hakan , Toro Paul , Ornelas Jose , Auquier Pascal 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesTo examine the lifetime, 5-year and past-year prevalence of homelessness among European citizens in eight European nations.DesignA nationally representative telephone survey using trained bilingual interviewers and computer-assisted telephone interview software.SettingThe study was conducted in France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.ParticipantsEuropean adult citizens, selected from opt-in panels from March to December 2017. Total desired sample size was 5600, with 700 per country. Expected response rates of approximately 30% led to initial sample sizes of 2500 per country.Main outcome measuresHistory of homelessness was assessed for lifetime, past 5 years and past year. Sociodemographic data were collected to assess correlates of homelessness prevalence using generalised linear models for clustered and weighted samples.ResultsResponse rates ranged from 30.4% to 33.5% (n=5631). Homelessness prevalence was 4.96% for lifetime (95% CI 4.39% to 5.59%), 1.92% in the past 5 years (95% CI 1.57% to 2.33%) and 0.71% for the past year (95% CI 0.51% to 0.98%) and varied significantly between countries (pairwise comparison difference test, p<0.0001). Time spent homeless ranged between less than a week (21%) and more than a year (18%), with high contrasts between countries (p<0.0001). Male gender, age 45–54, lower secondary education, single status, unemployment and an urban environment were all independently strongly associated with lifetime homelessness (all OR >1.5).ConclusionsThe prevalence of homelessness among the surveyed nations is significantly higher than might be expected from point-in-time and homeless service use statistics. There was substantial variation in estimated prevalence across the eight nations. Coupled with the well-established health impacts of homelessness, medical professionals need to be aware of the increased health risks of those with experience of homelessness. These findings support policies aiming to improve health services for people exposed to homelessness.
Inverse semimodules
Authors: Sen M. K. , Bhuniya A. K. , Maity S. K. 
Published: December 2019

The author [S. M. Yusuf, Inverse semimodules, J. Natur. Sci. Math. 6 (1966) 111–117.] introduced inverse semimodules. In this paper, we introduce Clifford semimodules. The Clifford semimodules have been characterized here as a strong [Formula: see text]-semilattice of [Formula: see text]-modules. The congruences on inverse semimodules, specially, the [Formula: see text]-module congruences, have been characterized here completely.
Statins Were Associated with a Reduced Gastric Cancer Risk in Patients with Eradicated Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Territory-Wide Propensity Score Matched Study
Authors: Cheung Ka Shing , Chan Esther W. , Wong Angel Y.S. , Chen Lijia , Seto Wai-Kay , Wong Ian C.K. , Leung Wai K. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background:
Individuals may still develop gastric cancer even after Helicobacter pylori eradication. We aimed to investigate statin effect on gastric cancer development in H. pylori–eradicated subjects.

Methods:
All adult subjects who were prescribed clarithromycin-based triple therapy between 2003 and 2012 were identified in this retrospective cohort study utilizing a territory-wide electronic healthcare database. Patients were observed from index date of H. pylori therapy, and censored at gastric cancer diagnosis, death, or December 2015 (study end date). Statin use was defined as ≥180-day use after index date. Exclusion criteria included gastric cancer diagnosed within the first year after index date, previous gastric cancer or gastrectomy, and H. pylori treatment failure. Subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of gastric cancer with statins was calculated by competing risk regression with propensity score (PS) analysis matching 19 variables (age, sex, comorbidities, and other drug usage, including proton pump inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and metformin).

Results:
During a median follow-up of 7.6 years (interquartile range = 5.1–10.3), 169 (0.27%) of 63,605 patients developed gastric cancer at an incidence rate of 3.5 per 10,000 person-years. Among 22,870 PS-matched subjects, statins were associated with a lower gastric cancer risk (SHR = 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.19–0.61), in a duration– and dose–response manner (Ptrend &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions:
Statins were associated with a lower gastric cancer risk in a duration– and dose–response manner among H. pylori–eradicated patients.

Impact:
This study provides evidence on the additional benefits of statins as chemopreventive agents against gastric cancer among H. pylori–eradicated patients.
Metastatic Breast Cancer: TIL it is Too Late
Authors: Savas Peter , Loi Sherene 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Paired analysis of primary and metastatic triple-negative breast cancers shows that metastatic disease is an immunodepleted state. This understanding has important implications for targeting the immune microenvironment in breast cancer, placing a greater emphasis on earlier stage disease and shaping future treatment strategies in the metastatic setting.
See related article by Hutchinson et al., p. 657
Proximal Left Anterior Descending Artery Treatment Using a Bioresorbable Polymer Coating Sirolimus‐Eluting Stent: Real‐World Outcomes From the Multicenter Prospective e‐Ultimaster Registry
Authors: Codner Pablo , Saada Majdi , Sakhov Orazbek , Polad Jawed , Malik Fazila Tun‐Nesa , Munir Shahzad , Mamas Mamas , Crowley Jim , Monsegu Jacques , Perez Luis , Kedev Sasko , Austin David , Roguin Ariel ,   e‐Ultimaster investigators
Published: December 2019

Background

Guidelines recommend heart team discussion and coronary artery bypass graft consideration in patients with proximal left anterior descending (
LAD
) artery stenosis. Evidence suggests that outcomes of proximal
LAD
angioplasty might not differ from treatment of nonproximal
LAD
locations. We aim to determine clinical outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the proximal
LAD
segment in comparison with nonproximal
LAD
angioplasty, using a thin‐strut drug‐eluting stent.

Methods and Results

In this analysis of the e‐Ultimaster registry, patients undergoing angioplasty in the proximal
LAD
territory were compared with those treated in nonproximal
LAD
locations. Multivariate analysis and propensity score were used to adjust for differences among the groups. The primary outcome was target lesion failure: a composite of cardiac death, target‐lesion–related myocardial infarction, and/or clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 1‐year follow‐up. Of the 17 805 patients (mean age, 64.2±11; 76% male), 5452 (30.6%) underwent proximal
LAD
and 12 353 (69.4%) nonproximal
LAD
percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients in the proximal
LAD
group had more multivessel disease (48.7% versus 43.5%;
P
<0.001) and 2‐fold more bifurcations lesions (18.8% versus 9.2%;
P
<0.0001). After propensity‐weighted adjustment, target lesion failure did not differ between the groups (3.3% versus 2.9%;
P
=0.17 for proximal
LAD
versus nonproximal
LAD
angioplasty, respectively). In multivariate analysis, proximal
LAD
treatment was not an independent predictor of target lesion failure (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.88–1.31;
P
=0.48).

Conclusions

At 1‐year follow‐up, patients had similar clinical outcomes independent of stenting location, questioning whether proximal
LAD
treatment should be regarded differently from stenting in any other coronary artery territory.