bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential methods for improving the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Shaojun , Ding Xueli , Guo Jing , Tian Zibin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic recurrent gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD) and IBD unclassified. The pathogenesis may be related to the mucosal immune dysfunction in genetically susceptible hosts affected by environmental factors. Current therapeutic agents mainly include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and novel biological agents. The purpose of treatment is to suppress inflammation and prevent irreversible structural damage. However, long‐term application of these drugs may lead to multiple adverse effects and is not always effective. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors with low immunogenicity, which can be obtained and expanded easily. They play an important role in regulating immune responses and repairing damaged tissues in vivo. Therefore, MSCs are considered to be a promising option for the treatment of IBD. Nonetheless, there are many factors that can reduce the efficacy of MSCs, such as gradual deterioration of functional stem cells with age, low recruitment and persistence in vivo and different routes of administration. In recent years, researchers have been able to improve the efficacy of MSCs by pretreatment, genetic modification or co‐application with other substances, as well as using different tissue‐derived cells, administration methods or doses. This article reviews these methods to provide references for more effective application of MSCs in the treatment of IBD in the future.
Bonus incentives and team effort levels: Evidence from the “Field”*
Authors: Butler Robert , Lenten Liam J. A. , Massey Patrick 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study explores the effect of bonus incentive mechanisms with a focus on how such a scheme influences aggregate production levels of teams of workers, specifically. We identify this using data from a highly competitive setting in professional sport, which involves a unique tournament design rule in an elite European rugby competition. The modelling results demonstrate qualified evidence that introducing bonuses to encourage teams to score via the most‐difficult, highest‐reward mode, incentivizes teams to increase effort to earn the bonus, and without reducing production after the bonus is achieved.
The Effect of Partisan Cues on Support for Solar and Wind Energy in the United States
Authors: Crowe Jessica A. 
Published: May 2020

ObjectivesOverall support for renewable energy is quite strong in the United States. With such high support, the gap between Republicans and Democrats is quite small. Despite such a narrow gap between Republicans and Democrats, the rhetoric spoken about renewable energy by high‐profile Republicans and Democrats is contradictory. This study tests how high‐profile partisan leaders impact an individual's support for renewable energy policy.MethodsI examine support for solar and wind policy for 1,317 adults throughout the United States. Ordinal regression models are used to examine the influence of high‐profile partisan figures net of political affiliation, social background, and value orientations.ResultsThose who had favorable impressions of Representative Ocasio‐Cortez and rated high for egoistic and biospheric values had higher levels of support for renewable energy. Those who had favorable impressions of President Trump, were older, and white had lower levels of support for renewable energy.ConclusionsThe traditional divide between Democrats and Republicans that exists with respect to environmental concern is not as large for renewable energy support. Instead, cues from highly engaged partisan elites can have an impact on people's, particularly their supporters, perceptions and support of renewable energy.
English as the lingua franca of academic publishing in Tunisia
Authors: Abdeljaoued Marii , Labassi Tahar 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study discusses the debate on the use of English as the lingua franca of science in Tunisia. It examines the values ascribed to English for Research Publication Purposes (ERPP) and how publishing in English compares to publishing in French, the default vehicle for research in Tunisia. It explores the factors that motivate Tunisian scholars to publish in English journals, the linguistic challenges they meet, and the alternate strategies they employ to mitigate the situation. It also questions the neutrality and ideological detachment of English as the vehicular language for academic publishing. The findings indicate that Tunisian academics have a fairly positive attitude towards the use of English for research publication. What is evident is that the formative years of education did not prepare Tunisian academics to publish in English. One salient implication from this research is the need for ERPP courses to meet the burgeoning needs for English.
Protease activity as a prognostic factor for wound healing in complex wounds
Authors: Westby Maggie J. , Norman Gill , Watson Rachel E. B. , Cullum Nicky A. , Dumville Jo C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHealing mechanisms are disrupted in complex wounds. Proteases may persist longer in nonhealing wounds. We sought to investigate whether protease activity, protease inhibitor activity, or their combinations are independent prognostic factors for healing of complex wounds. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library to March 2019. Study selection comprised longitudinal studies assessing the independent effect of proteases, their inhibitors or ratios of the two, on healing of complex wounds, while controlling for confounding factors. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We conducted meta‐analyses separately for proteases, inhibitors, and ratios. We graded the evidence certainty (quality). We identified eight eligible studies in 10 cohorts involving 343 participants. Risk of bias was moderate or high. Elevated protease activity may be associated with less wound healing (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −0.41, 95% CI −0.72 to −0.11; nine cohorts); and elevated protease inhibitor activity with more healing (SMD: 0.37, 95% CI 0.06‐0.68; five cohorts), this is low certainty evidence. Increased protease: inhibitor ratios may be associated with less healing (SMD −0.47, 95% CI −0.94 to −0.01; four cohorts), but this evidence is of very low certainty. Heterogeneity in protease activity was unexplained by prespecified subgroup analyses for wound type or protease activity status, but partially explained by protease class. Posthoc analysis suggested elevated levels of a particular protease, MMP‐1, may be associated with more healing and other proteases with less healing. This is low/very low certainty evidence. Limitations were small included studies at moderate or high risk of bias, and the use of posthoc analyses. Elevated protease activity and protease: inhibitor ratios may be associated with less healing, and elevated inhibitor levels with more healing. There may be important differences between MMP‐1 and other proteases. High quality research is needed to explore these new findings further.
3D Laser Forming of Metal Foam Sandwich Panels
Authors: Bucher Tizian , Finn Connor , Verma Ravi , Li Wayne , Lawrence Yao Y. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Metal foam sandwich panels have been the subject of many concept studies, due to their exceptional stiffness, light weight, and crash absorption capacity. Yet, the industrial production of the material has been hampered by the fact that it is challenging to bend the material into practical engineering shapes. Only recently, it has been shown that bending of metal foam sandwich panels is possible using lasers. It was also shown that the material can be bent into Euclidean (2D) geometries, and the governing laser-induced bending mechanisms were analyzed. This study was focused on laser forming of metal foam sandwich panels into non-Euclidean (3D) geometries. It was investigated whether the bending mechanisms and process parameters identified for 2D laser forming translate to 3D deformation. Additionally, the impact of the laser scan length was determined by comparing different scan patterns that achieve the same 3D geometries. It was shown that laser forming could induce 3D deformation necessary for both bowl and saddle shapes, the two fundamental non-Euclidean geometries. The amount of laser-induced bending and in-plane strains vary depending on process conditions and the governing bending mechanisms. Lastly, the laser scan length was shown to become more important for metal foam sandwich panels, where the panel thickness tends to be large.
A Study of Whole Joint Model Calibration Using Quasi-Static Modal Analysis
Authors: Najera-Flores David A. , Kuether Robert J. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Small length and time scales resulting from high-fidelity frictional contact elements make long duration, low frequency simulations intractable. Alternative reduced order modeling approaches for structural dynamics models have been developed over the last several decades to approximate joint physics based on empirical or mathematical models within a whole joint model representation. The challenge with nonlinear constitutive elements based on empirical models is that the parameters must be calibrated to either experimental or simulation data. This research proposes a model calibration technique that identifies the joint parameters of a four-parameter Iwan element based on the nonlinear natural frequencies and damping ratios computed with quasi-static modal analysis (QSMA). The QSMA algorithm is applied to the full-order finite element model (FEM) to obtain reference data, and a genetic algorithm optimizes the joint parameters within a reduced order model (ROM) by minimizing the difference between the nonlinear modal characteristics for the modes of interest. The calibration method is demonstrated on a C-Beam bolted assembly and the resulting reduced order model is validated by comparing simulations of broadband, forced transient response. The resulting calibrated model captures the nonlinear, multimodal response at a significantly reduced computational cost and can be utilized for producing efficient models that do not have supporting experimental data for calibration.
Introducing a Novel Air Handling Unit Based on Focusing on Turbulent Exhaust Air Energy-Exergy Recovery Potential
Authors: Zheng Yuanzhou , Kalbasi Rasool , Karimipour Arash , Liu Peng , Bach Quang-Vu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A novel air handling unit (AHU) aimed at reducing energy consumption was introduced in this study. In the proposed novel AHU, the heating coil is completely removed, and therefore, no heating coil energy demand is needed. The novel AHU used primary energy recovery as well as secondary one to utilize the return air energy and exergy. Through the first energy recovery unit, the return air exergy was recovered, while in the secondary heat exchanger, return air energy was recycled. Results showed that using the novel AHU leads to a reduction in energy consumption as well as the exergy losses. Three climate zones of A, B, and C were selected to assess the novel AHU performance. From the first law viewpoint, at zone B, using novel AHU has priority over other zones, while in the second law analysis, utilizing the novel AHU at zones B and C is more beneficial. Based on the first law analysis, owing to using novel AHU, energy consumption reduced up to 55.2% at Penang climate zone. Second law analysis revealed that utilizing the novel AHU decreased the irreversibility up to 51.4% in the Vancouver climate region.
Forecasting and Optimization of the Viscosity of Nano-oil Containing Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using the Response Surface Method and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Zheng Yuanzhou , Wang Shuaiqi , D’Orazio Annunziata , Karimipour Arash , Afrand Masoud 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In the current paper, the behavior of zinc oxide/SAE50 nano lubricant as a part of the new generation of coolants and lubricants is examined using response surface method (RSM). The data used in this study were viscosity at dissimilar volume concentrations (0–1.5%) and temperatures (5–50 °C) for dissimilar shear rate values. Therefore, sensitivity analysis based on variation of nanoparticle (NP) concentration and temperature was also implemented. The findings revealed that enhancing the volume fraction (φ) exacerbates the viscosity sensitivity to temperature. Given the noteworthy deviance between the experimental viscosity and the data forecasted by existing classical viscosity correlations, a novel regression model is gained. R2 and adj-R2 for this model were calculated as 0.9966 and 0.9965, respectively, which represent a very good prediction with a standard deviation of 3%.
Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Analysis of Slit Pillar Array in Microchannels
Authors: Cheng Xiao , Wu Huiying 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The slit pillar allows a small fraction of the mainstream flow through pillar to disturb the pillar wake zone fluid and eventually enhance the local and global heat transfer performances in microchannels. In this study, three-dimensional full-domain numerical simulations on the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of slit pillar array in microchannels are performed. Effects of slit angle and height over diameter (H/D) ratio on the fluid flow and heat transfer are studied. Comparisons with the nonslit pillar array are conducted on pressure drop, surface temperature, Nusselt number, and thermal performance index (TPI). Furthermore, the results are analyzed by using the entropy generation. As a result of secondary flows and enhanced convective heat transfer area, all cases at H/D ratio of 0.3 demonstrate enhanced heat transfer performance at an increase of 18.0–34.7% on Nusselt number, while a reduction of 3.4–12.9% on pressure drop in comparison to the criterion case at the same conditions. Among them, slit 15–15 deg shows the best comprehensive heat transfer performance. Due to the improved uniformities of velocity and temperature distributions, all slit pillar array microchannels show decreased entropy generation. The maximum entropy generation reduction can reach up to 15.8%, as compared with the criterion case at the same conditions. The above results fully demonstrate that the novel slit pillar array microchannel heat sink can be used as an effective approach for heat transfer enhancement.
Improving the Uncertainty of Exhaust Gas Temperature Measurements in Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Papaioannou Nick , Leach Felix , Davy Martin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Accurate measurement of exhaust gas temperature (EGT) in internal combustion engines (ICEs) is a challenging task. The most common, and also the most practical, method of measurement is to insert a physical probe, for example, a thermocouple or platinum resistance thermometer, directly into the exhaust flow. Historically, consideration of the measurement errors induced by this arrangement has focused on the effects of radiation and the loss of temporal resolution naturally associated with a probe of finite thermal inertia operating within a pulsating flow with a time-varying heat input. However, a recent numerical and experimental study has shown that conduction errors may also have a significant effect on the measured EGT, with errors approaching ∼80 K depending on engine operating conditions. In this work, the authors introduce a new temperature compensation method that can correct for the combined radiation, conduction, and dynamic response errors introduced during the measurement and thereby reconstruct the “true” crank-angle resolved EGT to an estimated accuracy of ±1.5%. The significance of this result is demonstrated by consideration of a first law energy balance on an engine. It is shown that the exhaust gas enthalpy term is underestimated by 15–18% when calculated using conventional time-averaged data as opposed to using the mass-average exhaust enthalpy that is obtained by combining the reconstructed temperature data with crank angle-resolved exhaust flow rates predicted by a well-validated one-dimensional (1D) simulation.
Early evaluation of the ‘STOP SEPSIS!’ WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Awareness Campaign implemented for healthcare providers in 46 low, middle and high-income countries
Authors: Brizuela Vanessa , Bonet Mercedes , Trigo Romero Carla Lionela , Abalos Edgardo , Baguiya Adama , Fawole Bukola , Knight Marian , Lumbiganon Pisake , Minkauskienė Meilė , Nabhan Ashraf , Bique Osman Nafissa , Qureshi Zahida P , Souza João Paulo 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in awareness of maternal sepsis among healthcare providers resulting from the WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS) awareness campaign.DesignIndependent sample precampaign/postcampaign through online and paper-based surveys available for over 30 days before campaign roll-out (pre) and after study data collection (post). Descriptive statistics were used for campaign recognition and exposure, and odds ratio (OR) and percentage change were calculated for differences in awareness, adjusting for confounders using multivariate logistic regression.Setting and participantsHealthcare providers from 398 participating facilities in 46 low, middle and high-income countries.InterventionAn awareness campaign to accompany GLOSS launched 3 weeks prior to data collection and lasting the entire study period (28 November 2017 to 15 January 2018) and beyond.Main outcome measuresCampaign recognition and exposure, and changes in awareness.ResultsA total of 2188 surveys were analysed: 1155 at baseline and 1033 at postcampaign. Most survey respondents found the campaign materials helpful (94%), that they helped increase awareness (90%) and that they helped motivate to act differently (88%). There were significant changes with regard to: not having heard of maternal sepsis (−63.4% change, pre-OR/post-OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.68) and perception of confidence in making the right decisions with regard to maternal sepsis identification and management (7.3% change, pre-OR/post-OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.06).ConclusionsAwareness raising campaigns can contribute to an increase in having heard of maternal sepsis and an increase in provider perception of confidence in making correct decisions. Offering the information to make accurate and timely decisions while promoting environments that enable self-confidence and support could improve maternal sepsis identification and management.
Metformin in Pregnancy Study (MiPS): protocol for a systematic review with individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Mousa Aya , Løvvik Tone , Hilkka Ijäs , Carlsen Sven M , Morin-Papunen Laure , Tertti Kristiina , Rönnemaa Tapani , Syngelaki Argyro , Nicolaides Kypros , Shehata Hassan , Burden Christy , Norman Jane E , Rowan Janet , Dodd Jodie M , Hague William , Vanky Eszter , Teede Helena J 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder of pregnancy and contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Metformin is often used for the prevention and management of GDM; however, its use in pregnancy continues to be debated. The Metformin in Pregnancy Study aims to use individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis to clarify the efficacy and safety of metformin use in pregnancy and to identify relevant knowledge gaps.Methods and analysisMEDLINE, EMBASE and all Evidence-Based Medicine will be systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCT) testing the efficacy of metformin compared with placebo, usual care or other interventions in pregnant women. Two independent reviewers will assess eligibility using prespecified criteria and will conduct data extraction and quality appraisal of eligible studies. Authors of included trials will be contacted and asked to contribute IPD. Primary outcomes include maternal glycaemic parameters and GDM, as well as neonatal hypoglycaemia, anthropometry and gestational age at delivery. Other adverse maternal, birth and neonatal outcomes will be assessed as secondary outcomes. IPD from these RCTs will be harmonised and a two-step meta-analytic approach will be used to determine the efficacy and safety of metformin in pregnancy, with a priori adjustment for covariates and subgroups to examine effect moderators of treatment outcomes. Sensitivity analyses will assess heterogeneity, risk of bias and the impact of trials which have not provided IPD.Ethics and disseminationAll IPD will be deidentified and studies contributing IPD will have ethical approval from their respective local ethics committees. This study will provide robust evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of metformin use in pregnancy, and may identify subgroups of patients who may benefit most from this treatment modality. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at scientific meetings, providing much needed evidence to inform clinical and public health actions in this area.
Six-year prospective follow-up study in 151 carriers of the mitochondrial DNA 3243 A>G variant
Authors: de Laat Paul , Rodenburg Richard R , Roeleveld Nel , Koene Saskia , Smeitink Jan A , Janssen Mirian CH 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) 3243A>G variant is the most common pathogenic variant of the mDNA. To interpret results of clinical trials in mitochondrial disease, it is important to have a clear understanding of the natural course of disease. To obtain more insight into the disease burden and the progression of disease in carriers of the mDNA 3243 A>G variant, we followed a cohort of 151 carriers from 61 families prospectively for up to 6 years.MethodsThe disease severity was scored using the Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Adult Scale (NMDAS), including SF-36 quality of life (QoL) scores. Heteroplasmy levels were measured in urinary epithelial cells (UEC), leucocytes and saliva. The progression of the disease was studied using linear mixed model analysis.ResultsOne hundred twenty-four carriers (out of 151) were symptomatic. Four clinical groups were identified: 1) classical mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes syndrome (n=7), 2) maternally inherited diabetes deafness syndrome (n=60), 3) ‘other’ (n=57) and 4) dormant carriers (n=27). A yearly increase of NMDAS score of 0.47 point was measured in the total group. Heteroplasmy levels in both leucocytes and UEC were only weakly correlated with disease severity. Physical QoL declined with age. The most important determinants of QoL decline were hearing loss, speech problems, exercise intolerance, gait instability, psychiatric problems and gastrointestinal involvement.ConclusionThe mDNA 3243 A>G variant causes a slowly progressive disease, with a yearly increase of NMDAS score of ~0.5 point overall with the clinical phenotype being the only determinant of disease progression.
Radiative corrections and Lorentz violation
Authors: Ferrari A. F. , Nascimento J. R. , Petrov A. Yu. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRadiative corrections in Lorentz violating (LV) models have already received a lot of attention in the literature in recent years, with many instances where a LV operator in one sector of the Standard Model Extension (SME) generates, via loop corrections, one of the LV coefficients in the photon sector, which is probably the most understood and well constrained part of the SME. In many of these works, however, the now standard notation of the SME is not used, which can obscure the comparison of different results, and their possible phenomenological relevance. In this work, we fill this gap, trying to build up a more general perspective on the topic, bringing many of the results to the SME conventional notation and commenting on their possible phenomenological relevance. We uncover one example where a result already presented in the literature can be used to place a stronger bound on the temporal component of the $$b_{\mu }$$bμ coefficient of the fermion sector of the SME.