bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficiency Improvement in K-12 Schools: A Case Study in Florida
Authors: Doiphode Ganesh , Najafi Hamidreza , Migliori Mariana 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
K-12 schools are responsible for over 1.4% of the total annual energy consumption in the United States. In a collaboration between Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard Public Schools (BPS), three schools are identified for a case study in Melbourne, FL, representing the hot and humid climate. A simple and replicable energy audit procedure is developed and conducted for the three schools to establish an understanding on the baseline energy consumption and energy end users and identify and evaluate effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs). Several EEMs are investigated and five EEMs associated with lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and on-site solar power generation are selected for detailed analysis. It is determined that implementing the five recommendations will result in total of 58% reduction in the schools’ energy cost with an overall payback period of 8.4 years. The benefits of such project for schools are discussed from energy, economic, environmental, and educational perspectives. The results of this study provide insights regarding prioritizing energy efficiency projects in K-12 schools in hot and humid climate. The developed approach can be conveniently used for energy assessment in other schools and can serve as a method for training engineering students to perform energy audit.
Wear Problems of High-Speed Wheel/Rail Systems: Observations, Causes, and Countermeasures in China
Authors: Zhai Wanming , Jin Xuesong , Wen Zenfeng , Zhao Xin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Wear problems of wheel/rail systems occurring on the Chinese high-speed railway network in the last decade are summarized and explained together with the corresponding experience of treating them. Focus is placed on uneven wear because even wear is not an urgent issue due to its very low wear rate for the Chinese high-speed railway systems. Two typical problems of longitudinal uneven wear, namely, wheel polygonization and rail corrugation, are introduced in terms of their characteristics, consequences, causes and initiation mechanisms. Next, wheel hollow wear and flange/gauge side wear, as typical problems of lateral uneven wear, are similarly discussed. Validated countermeasures against all these problems are presented at the end of this paper together with further proposals under testing or consideration. This work is principally based on first-hand data collected from field observations, monitoring tests and dynamic measurements, but typical numerical approaches and results are also presented to help explain the observed phenomena.
Basic Microstructural Characterization of Second Phases in Homogeneous Weld Joint Made of X6CrNiNbN25-20 Steel After Long-Term Exposure Time at 973 K
Authors: Řehořek Jakub , Namburi Hygreeva Kiran 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
New blocks of fossil fuel power plants designed for steam temperatures above 873 K require advanced stainless steels as material for superheater or reheater systems. Weld joints are critical parts in fossil power units. Great attention is paid to the exploitation of new steel grades with higher material properties. In the austenitic steels family, the superior grade is undoubtedly HR3C steel (X6CrNiNbN25-20). A detailed knowledge on stability and microstructure composition during thermal exposure of the weld joints made from HR3C is necessary in order to use them in fossil fuel power plants with ultrasupercritical (USC) and new advanced ultrasupercritical (A-USC) steam parameters. The aim of the paper is to identify critical minor phases in HR3C steel, which allow acceleration of creep damage. The σ-phase and rough carbides M23C6 type is considered as such a phases in this steel. In this study, the σ-phase is identified and studied in more detail in relation to the development of creep damage at 973 K. Experimental material of the homogeneous HR3C weld joints in two states: in the as-welded state (AW) and after the postweld heat treatment (PWHT). Weld joints were manufactured by orbital welding using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method, heat input Qs = 1600 J/mm, interpass 423 K, three beads. Nickel-base alloy UTP A6170 Co (equivalent to Thermanit 617) was used as a filler material. The PWHT was carried out at the temperature of 1503 K for 15 min. Stress rupture tests were performed on the cross-weld (CW) joints of tubes ø 38 × 6.3 mm at 973 K with times to rupture up to nearly 22,000 h. The polished surface of the longitudinal sections was subjected to color etching in Murakami (30 g K3(Fe(CN)6), 30 g KOH, 60 ml H2O) in order to highlight the σ-phase. Several microscopic techniques were used for the study. The results were supplemented by creep, grain size, and microhardness data hardness vickers (HV) 0.5. The PWHT specimens exhibited an average σ-phase size of approximately 5 μm as well as AW specimens in specimens with short time to rupture (tr). However, tr such as 20,000 h, the average σ-phase size already reached dangerous border 10 μm. The AW specimens as opposed to the PWHT specimens did not show a noticeable growth of austenitic grains in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). In specimens after PWHT, the average grain size in HAZ was more than twice that of the body material (BM). It is worth noting that creep ductility values of specimens in the state after PWHT are very low, which is the result of coarse-grained structure in the HAZ and accelerated precipitation of σ-phase particles along grain boundaries during creep at 973 K.
Simulation Study of a Shield-Free Directional Gamma-Ray Detector Using Small-Angle Compton Scattering
Authors: Kitayama Yoshiharu , Terasaka Yuta , Sato Yuki , Torii Tatsuo 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Gamma-ray imaging is a technique for visualizing the spatial distribution of radioactive materials. Gamma-ray imaging has recently been applied to research on environmental restoration and decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). In this paper, we present an elemental technology study of the gamma-ray imager using small-angle scattering (GISAS), which is intended for application at the FDNPS decommissioning site. GISAS consists of a set of directional gamma-ray detectors that do not require a shield. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of a shield-free directional gamma-ray detector by simulation. The simulation result suggests that by measuring scattered-electron energies of several keV using a scatterer detector, gamma rays with ultrasmall-angle scattering could be selected. Using Compton scattering kinematics, a shield-free detector with a directivity of about 10 deg may be feasible. By arranging the directional gamma-ray detectors in an array, we expect to be able to realize the GISAS, which is small, light, and capable of quantitative measurement.
Clergy as a frontline mental health service: a UK survey of medical practitioners and clergy
Authors: Heseltine-Carp William , Hoskins Mathew 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundChristian clergy have often been identified as ‘frontline mental health workers’ and gatekeepers to mental health services. However, despite this, collaboration between clergy and mental health services remains poor, with some US clergy referring on as little as 10% of cases.AimsIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the collaborative relationship between UK clergy and medical practitioners, with the purpose of identifying key issues that should be addressed to improve such collaboration between the two services.MethodsWe surveyed 124 clergy, 48 general practitioners and 13 psychiatrists in Wales. Part 1 of the survey covered four main themes: demographics; types of mental health cases seen by clergy and practitioners; referral rates between clergy and mental health services; attitude and relationship between clergy and mental health services. Part 2 was directed at clergy only and assessed how sensitive clergy were in identifying and referring on mental health disorders by using seven virtual case vignettes.ResultsClergy frequently encountered mental health cases and around 60%–80% regularly referred on to a healthcare professional. Clergy appeared very effective at identifying and referring on high risk scenarios, such as psychosis, suicidal ideation and substance misuse, however were less effective at identifying and referring on clinical depression and anxiety. Clergy rarely received referrals from medical professionals. Both medical professionals and clergy felt they needed to engage in a more collaborative relationship, and around of one-third of practitioners were prepared to offer training to clergy.ConclusionMost clergy in Wales regularly encounter mental health cases and appear effective at recognising and referring on mental health disorders; however, a large minority do not (20%–40%). Clergy generally do not receive referrals from mental health professionals, despite the proven benefits. Therefore, improving collaboration, developing spiritual training for mental health professionals, and mental health training for clergy is likely useful, a notion that many clergy and medical professionals deem important and are prepared to support.
sFRP2 Supersedes VEGF as an Age-related Driver of Angiogenesis in Melanoma, Affecting Response to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Older Patients
Authors: Fane Mitchell E. , Ecker Brett L. , Kaur Amanpreet , Marino Gloria E. , Alicea Gretchen M. , Douglass Stephen M. , Chhabra Yash , Webster Marie R. , Marshall Andrea , Colling Richard , Espinosa Olivia , Coupe Nicholas , Maroo Neera , Campo Leticia , Middleton Mark R. , Corrie Pippa , Xu Xiaowei , Karakousis Giorgos C. , Weeraratna Ashani T. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurpose:Angiogenesis is thought to be critical for tumor metastasis. However, inhibiting angiogenesis using antibodies such as bevacizumab (Avastin), has had little impact on melanoma patient survival. We have demonstrated that both angiogenesis and metastasis are increased in older individuals, and therefore sought to investigate whether there was an age-related difference in response to bevacizumab, and if so, what the underlying mechanism could be.Experimental Design:We analyzed data from the AVAST-M trial of 1,343 patients with melanoma treated with bevacizumab to determine whether there is an age-dependent response to bevacizumab. We also examined the age-dependent expression of VEGF and its cognate receptors in patients with melanoma, while using syngeneic melanoma animal models to target VEGF in young versus old mice. We also examined the age-related proangiogenic factor secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) and whether it could modulate response to anti-VEGF therapy.Results:We show that older patients respond poorly to bevacizumab, whereas younger patients show improvement in both disease-free survival and overall survival. We find that targeting VEGF does not ablate angiogenesis in an aged mouse model, while sFRP2 promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in young mice. Targeting sFRP2 in aged mice successfully ablates angiogenesis, while the effects of targeting VEGF in young mice can be overcome by increasing sFRP2.Conclusions:VEGF is decreased during aging, thereby reducing response to bevacizumab. Despite the decrease in VEGF, angiogenesis is increased because of an increase in sFRP2 in the aged tumor microenvironment. These results stress the importance of considering age as a factor for designing targeted therapies.
An Immune-Related Gene Prognostic Index for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yue , Li Zhi-Yong , Zhou Guan-Qun , Sun Ying 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurpose:To construct an immune-related gene prognostic index (IRGPI) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and clarify the molecular and immune characteristics and the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in IRGPI-defined subgroups of HNSCC.Experimental Design:On the basis of The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSCC immune dataset (n = 546), 22 immune-related hub genes were identified by weighted gene coexpression network analysis. Three genes were identified to construct an IRGPI by using the Cox regression method and validated with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (n = 270). Afterward, the molecular and immune characteristics and the benefit of ICI therapy in IRGPI-defined subgroups were analyzed.Results:The IRGPI was constructed on the basis of SFRP4, CPXM1, and COL5A1 genes. IRGPI-high patients had a better overall survival than IRGPI-low patients, consistent with the results in the GEO cohort. The comprehensive results showed that a high IRGPI score was correlated with DNA repair–related pathways; low TP53 mutation rate; high infiltration of CD8 T cells, CD4 T cells, and M1 macrophages; active immunity and less aggressive phenotypes; and more benefit from ICI therapy. In contrast, a low IRGPI score was associated with cancer and metastasis-related pathways; high TP53 and PIK3CA mutation rate; high infiltration of B cells, M0 macrophages, and M2 macrophages; suppressive immunity and more aggressive phenotypes; and less benefit from ICI therapy.Conclusions:IRGPI is a promising biomarker to distinguish the prognosis, the molecular and immune characteristics, and the immune benefit from ICI therapy in HNSCC.
A Role for the Autophagic Receptor, SQSTM1/p62, in Trafficking NF-κB/RelA to Nucleolar Aggresomes
Authors: Lobb Ian T. , Morin Pierre , Martin Kirsty , Thoms Hazel C. , Wills Jimi C. , Lleshi Xhordi , Olsen Karl C.F. , Duncan Rory R. , Stark Lesley A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Elevated NF-κB activity is a contributory factor in many hematologic and solid malignancies. Nucleolar sequestration of NF-κB/RelA represses this elevated activity and mediates apoptosis of cancer cells. Here, we set out to understand the mechanisms that control the nuclear/nucleolar distribution of RelA and other regulatory proteins, so that agents can be developed that specifically target these proteins to the organelle. We demonstrate that RelA accumulates in intranucleolar aggresomes in response to specific stresses. We also demonstrate that the autophagy receptor, SQSTM1/p62, accumulates alongside RelA in these nucleolar aggresomes. This accumulation is not a consequence of inhibited autophagy. Indeed, our data suggest nucleolar and autophagosomal accumulation of p62 are in active competition. We identify a conserved motif at the N-terminus of p62 that is essential for nucleoplasmic-to-nucleolar transport of the protein. Furthermore, using a dominant-negative mutant deleted for this nucleolar localization signal (NoLS), we demonstrate a role for p62 in trafficking RelA and other aggresome-related proteins to nucleoli, to induce apoptosis. Together, these data identify a novel role for p62 in trafficking nuclear proteins to nucleolar aggresomes under conditions of cell stress, thus maintaining cellular homeostasis. They also provide invaluable information on the mechanisms that regulate the nuclear/nucleolar distribution of RelA that could be exploited for therapeutic purpose.

Implications:
The data open up avenues for the development of a unique class of therapeutic agents that act by targeting RelA and other aberrantly active proteins to nucleoli, thus killing cancer cells.
Statin Use and In‐Hospital Mortality in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and COVID‐19
Authors: Saeed Omar , Castagna Francesco , Agalliu Ilir , Xue Xiaonan , Patel Snehal R. , Rochlani Yogita , Kataria Rachna , Vukelic Sasa , Sims Daniel B. , Alvarez Chikezie , Rivas‐Lasarte Mercedes , Garcia Mario J. , Jorde Ulrich P. 
Published: October 2020

Background
Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is characterized by a proinflammatory state with high mortality. Statins have anti‐inflammatory effects and may attenuate the severity of COVID‐19.

Methods and Results

An observational study of all consecutive adult patients with COVID‐19 admitted to a single center located in Bronx, New York, was conducted from March 1, 2020, to May 2, 2020. Patients were grouped as those who did and those who did not receive a statin, and in‐hospital mortality was compared by competing events regression. In addition, propensity score matching and inverse probability treatment weighting were used in survival models to examine the association between statin use and death during hospitalization. A total of 4252 patients were admitted with COVID‐19. Diabetes mellitus modified the association between statin use and in‐hospital mortality. Patients with diabetes mellitus on a statin (n=983) were older (69±11 versus 67±14 years;
P
<0.01), had lower inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein, 10.2; interquartile range, 4.5–18.4 versus 12.9; interquartile range, 5.9–21.4 mg/dL;
P
<0.01) and reduced cumulative in‐hospital mortality (24% versus 39%;
P
<0.01) than those not on a statin (n=1283). No difference in hospital mortality was noted in patients without diabetes mellitus on or off statin (20% versus 21%;
P
=0.82). Propensity score matching (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83–0.94;
P
<0.01) and inverse probability treatment weighting (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84–0.92;
P
<0.01) showed a 12% lower risk of death during hospitalization for statin users than for nonusers.

Conclusions
Statin use was associated with reduced in‐hospital mortality from COVID‐19 in patients with diabetes mellitus. These findings, if validated, may further reemphasize administration of statins to patients with diabetes mellitus during the COVID‐19 era.
Prisoners of the Wrong Dilemma: Why Distributive Conflict, Not Collective Action, Characterizes the Politics of Climate Change
Authors: Aklin Michaël , Mildenberger Matto 
Published: October 2020

AbstractClimate change policy is generally modeled as a global collective action problem structured by free-riding concerns. Drawing on quantitative data, archival work, and elite interviews, we review empirical support for this model and find that the evidence for its claims is weak relative to the theory’s pervasive influence. We find, first, that the strongest collective action claims appear empirically unsubstantiated in many important climate politics cases. Second, collective action claims—whether in their strongest or in more nuanced versions—appear observationally equivalent to alternative theories focused on distributive conflict within countries. We argue that extant patterns of climate policy making can be explained without invoking free-riding. Governments implement climate policies regardless of what other countries do, and they do so whether a climate treaty dealing with free-riding has been in place or not. Without an empirically grounded model for global climate policy making, institutional and political responses to climate change may ineffectively target the wrong policy-making dilemma. We urge scholars to redouble their efforts to analyze the empirical linkages between domestic and international factors shaping climate policy making in an effort to empirically ground theories of global climate politics. Such analysis is, in turn, the topic of this issue’s special section.
Middle East Climate Response to the Saharan Vegetation Collapse during the Mid-Holocene
Authors: Sun Weiyi , Wang Bin , Zhang Qiong , Chen Deliang , Lu Guonian , Liu Jian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUnderstanding climate change in the Middle East (ME) is crucial because people’s living environment depends on rain-fed crop systems. It remains unclear whether the ME climate would be affected by the Saharan vegetation collapse at the end of the mid-Holocene (MH). Proxy data suggest a transition from humid to more arid ME conditions during the period of 6.5–5 kyr BP. Using a set of idealized sensitivity experiments with an Earth system model (EC-Earth), we infer that the shift of Saharan vegetation plays a role in this wet-to-dry transition over the ME. The experimental results show that the Saharan greening can significantly increase the late winter and early spring precipitation over the ME. The reason is that the vegetation decreases the surface albedo, which induces a warming in North Africa and generation of an anomalous low-level cyclonic flow, which transports moisture from tropical North Africa and the Red Sea to the ME. The moisture also flows from the Mediterranean Sea region to the ME through the enhanced mid- to upper-level westerlies. The enhanced moisture carried by westerly and southwesterly flows is lifted upon reaching Mesopotamia and the Zagros Mountains, substantially increasing the precipitation there. When the Sahara greening is removed, a drier condition happens in the ME. The crop model simulation further shows a substantial decrease in wheat yield in Mesopotamia with the reduction of Saharan vegetation, which is consistent with paleoclimatic reconstructions. These results imply that future changes in Saharan land cover may have climatic and agricultural impacts in the Middle East.
Concomitant cardiac surgery and liver transplantation: an alternative approach in patients with end stage liver failure?
Authors: Chaubey Sanjay , Hussain Azhar , Zakai Saad Badar , Butt Salman , Punjabi Prakash , Desai Jatin 
Published: October 2020

Background: The results of cardiac surgery in patients with end-stage-liver-disease (ESLD) are poor. Concomitant cardiac surgery and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be an alternative treatment strategy in these patients. Methods: Between 2001 and 2018, eight patients underwent concomitant cardiac surgery and OLT (Conc_OLT) in our institution. We analyzed their preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data and compared them to seven high risk patients with ESLD who underwent isolated cardiac surgery (Iso_Surg). Results: The two groups were not significantly different in terms of gender and age (Conc_OLT: 5 males, 55 ± 15 years, Iso_Surg: 4 males, 60 ± 10 years). Causes for ESLD were primary biliary cirrhosis (Conc_OLT = 1, Iso_Surg = 1), alcoholism (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 2), viral hepatitis (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 2), cryptogenic (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 1), ischemic (Conc_OLT = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Iso_Surg = 1). Model for End-stage-Liver-Disease (MELD) Score (Conc_OLT = 14, Iso_Surg = 13) and Child-Pugh Score (Conc_OLT = 9.5, Iso_Surg = 8) were not significantly different between the two groups. Median logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 9.5% (Conc_OLT) and 7.1% (Iso_Surg). Cardiac procedures undertaken were aortic valve replacement (Conc_OLT = 6, Iso_Surg = 3), coronary bypass grafting (Conc_OLT = 1,Iso_Surg = 2), tricuspid valve repair (Conc_OLT = 1), combined aortic and mitral valve replacement (Iso_Surg = 1) and excision of atrial myxoma (Iso_Surg = 1). Median length of in-hospital-stay was longer in the Conc_OLT group (73 vs. 42 days; p = 0.11). At 3 months, in-hospital mortality was 25% in the Conc_OLT group (n = 2) and lower compared to 71% observed in the Iso_Surg group (n = 5, p = 0.13). Conclusion: Concomitant cardiac surgery and OLT is a promising alternative compared to isolated cardiac surgery in high risk patients with ESLD. Given the high operative mortality of cardiac surgery in patients with ESLD, the complex peri-operative management of these patients should be performed in an interdisciplinary team with an expert team of liver specialists involved.