bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence for physiological seed dormancy cycling in the woody shrub Asterolasia buxifolia and its ecological significance in fire‐prone systems
Authors: Collette J. C. , Ooi M. K. J. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Dormancy cycling is a key mechanism that contributes to the maintenance of long‐term persistent soil seed banks, but has not been recorded in long‐lived woody shrub species from fire‐prone environments. Such species rely on seed banks and dormancy break as important processes for post‐fire recruitment and recovery.

We used germination experiments with smoke treatments on fresh seeds and those buried for 1 year (retrieved in spring) and 1.5 years (retrieved the following late autumn) to investigate whether Asterolasia buxifolia, a shrub from fire‐prone south‐eastern Australia with physiologically dormant seeds, exhibited dormancy cycling.

All seeds had an obligation for winter seasonal temperatures and smoke to promote germination, even after ageing in the soil. A high proportion of germination was recorded from fresh seeds. but germination after the first retrieval was significantly lower, despite high seed viability. After the second retrieval, germination returned to the initial level. This indicates a pattern of annual dormancy cycling; one of the few observations, to our knowledge, for a perennial species. Additionally, A. buxifolia’s winter temperature and smoke requirements did not change over time, highlighting the potential for seeds to remain conditionally dormant (i.e. restricted to a narrow range of germination conditions) for long periods.

For physiologically dormant species, such as A. buxifolia, we conclude that dormancy cycling is an important driver of successful regeneration, allowing seed bank persistence, sometimes for decades, during fire‐free periods unsuitable for successful recruitment, while ensuring that a large proportion of seeds are available for recruitment when a fire occurs.
Termodynamics
Authors: Wolverton Mark 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We humans like to congratulate ourselves for our ingenuity. Yet nature’s passive designs often outperform our expensive, energy-hungry technologies. And while engineers and architects can improve their designs by mimicking the natural world, nature always has another lesson to teach. That has certainly been the case for termites and air conditioning. This study highlights what engineers and architects can learn from termites about heating and cooling.
Droplet Impacting on a Hydrophobic Surface: Influence of Surface Wetting State on Droplet Behavior
Authors: Abubakar Abba Abdulhamid , Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Qahtani Hussain , Ali Haider , Al-Sharafi Abdullah 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Water droplet impacting onto a hydrophobic surface is considered and the influence of the surface wetting state on the droplet dynamics is examined. Pressure variation in the impacting droplet is predicted numerically using the level set model. The droplet spreading and the retraction on the hydrophobic surface are assessed for various wetting states of the hydrophobic surface. Experiment is carried out to validate the predictions of the droplet shape and the restitution coefficient. It is found that predictions of impacting droplet shape and the restitution coefficient agree with those obtained from the experiment. The local pressure peaks formed in the droplet fluid, particularly in the retraction period, causes alteration of the droplet vertical height and the shape. Droplet spreading is influenced by the wetting state of the hydrophobic surface; hence, increasing contact angle of the hydrophobic surface lowers the spreading diameter of the droplet on the surface. The transition time of the droplet changes with the wetting state of the hydrophobic surface such that increasing droplet contact angle reduces the transition time of the droplet on the surface. The droplet remains almost round after the first bounding for large contact angle hydrophobic surface.
Magnetic Resonance Compatible Knee Extension Ergometer
Authors: Jaber Youssef , Jimenez Francisco Ericber , Bartlett Miles F. , Fitzgerald Liam F. , Kent Jane A. , Sup Frank C. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A magnetic resonance (MR) compatible ergometer has been developed to study contracting lower limb muscles during acquisition of MR spectroscopy data, a technique to noninvasively measure metabolic energy in muscle tissue. Current active and passive MR-compatible ergometer designs lack torque or velocity control to allow precise mechanical measurements during isotonic and isokinetic contractions; incorporating load and velocity controllers while maintaining MR-compatibility is the main challenge. Presented in this paper is the design and evaluation of an MR-compatible ergometer designed to control knee torque or velocity up to 420 N·m and 270 deg/s and is able to operate in a 3 Tesla magnetic field. The ergometer comprising of a passive component with no electronics or ferrous materials is located inside the bore of the scanner. The active component with the electronics and actuator located outside of the magnetic field in an adjacent room. The active components connect to the passive components via a cable that passes through the waveguide, a hole in the wall of the scanner room. System evaluations were performed and human subject evaluations were performed that measured the mechanical performance and show the mean percent errors below 9% in isotonic and 2% in isokinetic conditions.
Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of an Automotive Internal Combustion Engine With the Characteristics of the Commercial BMW N54 Spark-Ignition Model
Authors: Douvartzides Savvas , Karmalis Ioannis , Ntinas Nikolaos 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAn analytical method is presented for the thermodynamic analysis of an automotive internal combustion engine with the characteristics of the commercial BMW N54 spark-ignition model. A 3-L displacement volume, six in-line cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine is considered with two 0.57 bar boost pressure turbochargers and an air-to-air intercooler. Thermodynamic, fluid flow, and heat transfer phenomena are mathematically analyzed to provide results on the chemical composition of the cylinder gases, on their temperature and pressure, on the amount and properties of the residual exhaust gases, on the volumetric and mechanical efficiencies, on the specific fuel consumption, the torque and brake power output, the thermal efficiency, and the energy balance of the engine. The analysis provides results in very close agreement with the actual torque and brake power characteristics reported by the BMW manufacturer.
Mathematical Model of the Solar Pyrolysis of Biomass
Authors: Kaczor Zuzanna , Buliński Zbigniew , Werle Sebastian 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The paper presents a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of lab-scale fixed-bed pyrolytic reactor. The goal of the work was to verify assumptions regarding construction and operating parameters of the pyrolytic reactor and examining heat transfer conditions and the final temperature distribution in the system taking into account the endothermic pyrolysis reactions occurrence. The impact of the most important numerical parameters on simulation results was also investigated. Model was prepared in ansys fluent 18.2 software. The studies have shown large temperature gradients both in the biomass deposit and at the reactor walls. The analysis has confirmed the validity of the proposed reactor construction concept and allowed to specify the range of thermal power value necessary for obtaining the pyrolysis process in a system with given properties and dimensions. Increasing the heat flux supplying the reactor from 160 to 480 W caused acceleration and intensification of biomass thermal decomposition, while the average final bed temperature after 10 min of heating in each case was reaching similar level. Low thermal conductivity of the bed and strong heat absorption due to pyrolysis suppress heat transfer through the bed, which causes significant temperature differences between the warmest and coldest regions of the bed. However, temperature unevenness and hence the unevenness of the pyrolysis process can provide favorable conditions for measuring the gas composition leaving the reactor due to the relatively balanced time stream of pyrolysis gases.
Performance Analysis of a Cascading Adsorption Cycle Powered by High-Temperature Heat Sources for Low-Temperature Cooling in Hot Climates
Authors: Abbaz Dalila , Chaker Abla , Bourouis Mahmoud 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Cascade adsorption refrigeration technology using high-temperature driving heat is a very promising option for low-temperature cooling applications due to the large temperature difference between the heat source and the cold distributed. The present work carried out a feasibility and parametric study in order to analyze the functioning of a cascading adsorption cycle using the working pair zeolite/ammonia in beds operating at high temperatures and activated carbon/ammonia in those operating at low temperatures. At the nominal thermal conditions, namely, heating, condensing, and evaporating temperatures of 280 °C, 35 °C, and (−5) °C, respectively, the coefficient of performance (COP) and the specific refrigerating capacity (SCP) of the cycle were 0.53 and 67.1 W/kg. When the driving temperature is varied from 260 °C to 320 °C, the COP increases by 57% and the SCP by 36%. The performance of the cascading adsorption cycle at negative evaporating temperatures is very satisfactory.
A Multiweek Project Examining the Chemotactic Behavior of Tetrahymena in an Undergraduate Biology Laboratory
Authors: Hongo Rachel , Grammer Robert T. , Barton Christopher E. 
Published: March 2020

A multi-week laboratory project has been developed to incorporate elements of student investigation, chemotactic behavior of protists, and genetic effects on chemotactic activity of Tetrahymena. The chemotaxis assay is based on spectrophotometric detection of protist-induced light scattering as cells migrate into a density gradient containing a known attractant. The three-week project consists of an introductory chemotaxis assay, investigation of dose-response effects, and culminates with the exploration of a Tetrahymena genetic mutant with known defects in motility. Additionally, this project incorporates a microscopic investigation of cellular structure and swimming behavior of mutant and wild-type cells. Students have responded well to the nature of the project, displaying clear understanding of the mechanism of the assay as well as the response of the protists to environmental manipulation and the molecular defects in the mutant cells.
Toward improving respectful maternity care: a discrete choice experiment with rural women in northeast Nigeria
Authors: Umar Nasir , Quaife Matthew , Exley Josephine , Shuaibu Abdulrahman , Hill Zelee , Marchant Tanya 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionThere is a limited understanding of the importance of respectful maternity care on utilisation of maternal and newborn health services. This study aimed to determine how specific hypothetical facility birth experience of care attributes influenced rural Nigerian women’s stated preferences for hypothetical place of delivery.MethodsAttributes were identified through a comprehensive review of the literature. These attributes and their respective levels were further investigated in a qualitative study. We then developed and implemented a cross-sectional discrete choice experiment with a random sample of 426 women who had facility-based childbirth to elicit their stated preferences for facility birth experience of care attributes. Women were asked to choose between two hypothetical health facilities or home birth for future delivery. Choice data were analysed using multinomial logit and mixed multinomial logit models.ResultsComplete data for the discrete choice experiment were available for 425 of 426 women. The majority belonged to Fulani ethnic group (60%) and were married (95%). Almost half (45%) had no formal education. Parameter estimates were all of expected signs suggesting internal validity. The most important influence on choice of place of delivery was good health system condition, followed by absence of sexual abuse, then absence of physical and verbal abuse. Poor facility culture, including an unclean birth environment with no privacy and unclear user fee, was associated with the most disutility and had the most negative impact on preferences for facility-based childbirth.ConclusionThe likelihood of poor facility birth experiences had a significant impact on stated preferences for place of delivery among rural women in northeast Nigeria. The study findings further underline the important relationship between facility birth experience and utilisation. Achieving universal health coverage would require efforts toward addressing poor facility birth experiences and promoting respectful maternity care, to ensure women want to access the services available.
Interventions to treat pain in paediatric CFS/ME: a systematic review
Authors: Ascough Caitlin , King Hayley , Serafimova Teona , Beasant Lucy , Jackson Sophie , Baldock Luke , Pickering Anthony Edward , Brooks Jonathan , Crawley Esther 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundPaediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is common (prevalence 1%–2%). Two-thirds of children experience moderate or severe pain, which is associated with increased fatigue and poorer physical function. However, we do not know if treatment for CFS/ME improves pain.ObjectiveIdentify whether specialist treatment of paediatric CFS/ME improves pain.MethodsWe conducted a detailed search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently screened texts published between 1994 and 24 January 2019 with no language restrictions. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomised controlled trials and observational studies; (2) participants aged <19 years with CFS/ME; and (3) measure of pain before and after an intervention.ResultsOf 1898 papers screened, 26 studies investigated treatment for paediatric CFS/ME, 19 of which did not measure pain at any time point. Only five treatment studies measured pain at baseline and follow-up and were included in this review. None of the interventions were specifically targeted at treating pain. Of the included studies, two showed no improvement in pain scores, one suggested an improvement in one subgroup and two studies identified improvements in pain measures in ‘recovered’ patients compared with ‘non-recovered’ patients.ConclusionsDespite the prevalence and impact of pain in children with CFS/ME surprisingly few treatment studies measured pain. In those that did measure pain, the treatments used focused on overall management of CFS/ME and we identified no treatments that were targeted specifically at managing pain. There is limited evidence that treatment helps improve pain scores. However, patients who recover appear to have less pain than those who do not recover. More studies are needed to determine if pain in paediatric CFS/ME requires a specific treatment approach, with a particular focus on patients who do not recover following initial treatment.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019117540.
Mass wasting on Alpha Ridge in the Arctic Ocean: new insights from multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiler data
Authors: Boggild Kai , Mosher David C. , Travaglini Paola , Gebhardt Catalina , Mayer Larry 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Marine geological and geophysical data from Alpha Ridge in the Arctic Ocean are sparse because of thick perennial sea-ice cover, which prevents access by most surface vessels. Rare seismic data in this area, acquired largely from drifting ice-camps, had shown the hemipelagic drape that covers most of the ridge is highly disrupted within a large (>90 000 km
2
) south central region. Here, evidence of pronounced seafloor erosion and debris flows infilling seafloor lows was previously interpreted to be the result of a possible bolide impact. In recent years, several icebreaker expeditions have successfully acquired multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiler data in the western segment of this region. Analysis of these data reveals a complex seafloor morphology characterized by ridges and troughs, angular blocks and escarpments as well as seismic facies characterized by hyperbolic seafloor reflections, and convoluted to incoherent and transparent sub-bottom reflectivity. These features are interpreted as evidence of sediment mass movement with varying degrees of lateral transport deformation. At least two episodes of failure are interpreted based on the presence of both buried and surficial mass-transport features. As multiple events are interpreted, seismicity is the most plausible trigger mechanism rather than bolide impact.
Randomized Phase II Trial Evaluating Treatment with EGFR-TKI Associated with Antiestrogen in Women with Nonsquamous Advanced-Stage NSCLC: IFCT-1003 LADIE Trial
Authors: Mazieres Julien , Barlesi Fabrice , Rouquette Isabelle , Molinier Olivier , Besse Benjamin , Monnet Isabelle , Audigier-Valette Clarisse , Toffart Anne-Claire , Renault Patrick Aldo , Fraboulet Séverine , Hiret Sandrine , Mennecier Bertrand , Debieuvre Didier , Westeel Virginie , Masson Philippe , Madroszyk-Flandin Anne , Pichon Eric , Cortot Alexis B. , Amour Elodie , Morin Franck , Zalcman Gérard , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Souquet Pierre-Jean 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Purpose:
The incidence of lung cancer has dramatically increased in women. Preclinical data have suggested that combining EGFR–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with an antiestrogen may overcome resistance to EGFR-TKI.

Patients and Methods:
The IFCT-1003 LADIE trial was a 2 × 2 arms parallel open-label randomized phase II trial. EGFR-TKI–naïve postmenopausal women with advanced lung cancer were treated with gefitinib (G) versus gefitinib + fulvestrant (G+F) in the EGFR-mutated group (EGFR+) or with erlotinib (E) versus erlotinib + fulvestrant (E+F) in the EGFR wild-type group (EGFR-WT). The primary objective was progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 and 9 months for EGFR-WT and EGFR+ patients.

Results:
Overall, 204 patients (gefitinib 104 and G+F 100) and 175 patients (erlotinib 87 and E+F 88) were enrolled in the EGFR+ and EGFR-WT cohorts. In the EGFR+ cohort, the primary endpoint was reached, with 58% of the G+F group patients being nonprogressive at 9 months. Adding fulvestrant to gefitinib was not associated with improved PFS (9.9 vs 9.4 months) or overall survival (OS; 22.1 vs 28.6 months). In the EGFR-WT cohort, the primary endpoint was also achieved (33.7% of the patients were nonprogressive at 3 months). Adding fulvestrant to erlotinib was not associated with improved outcome (PFS 1.8 vs 2.0 and OS 10.3 vs 7.3 months). No PFS difference was observed regarding estrogen receptor alpha expression. The tolerance was as expected with no treatment-related death.

Conclusions:
Adding fulvestrant to EGFR-TKI is feasible, but not associated with prolonged PFS regardless of EGFR status. The lack of benefits while combining fulvestrant to EGFR-TKI does not support its future development in an unselected population.
Chinese Negotiators: Tradition and Modernity
Authors: Faure Guy Olivier 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Since China opened to the outside world in 1978, Chinese negotiators have made considerable changes in the ways they consider negotiation, strategies to implement action, and tactics used. The underlying values of their practice have also undergone a notable evolution. However, there are dimensions which remain stable and constitute the core of what could be defined as the deep “Chineseness” of these negotiators. This essay provides insight into Chinese negotiation practice and its evolution.
Panchayati Raj and Rural Health Care Delivery System in Karnataka
Authors: Nanjunda D. C. 
Published: March 2020

It is commonly opined that decentralisation through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) can help in creating greater accountability in the Indian healthcare system. Health decentralisation is specially meant for peoples’ participation, increased transparency and a higher degree of accountability to provide comprehensive and quality health services at the grassroots level. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) visualises the provision of decentralised healthcare at the grassroots level. However, this scheme has some lacunas in reaching the needy, especially in the rural parts of India because of an ineffective and non-participatory role of PRIs in decision making. This has been ascribed to a malfunction in creating healthcare awareness and making the procedures complicated and chaotic for the local Panchayats. The article is based on the Indian Council of Medical Research-funded study in the state of Karnataka. It seeks to find out how PRIs are managing the public healthcare system and its success and failure through a qualitative study. The study has shown that some amount of caution is needed in devolving requisite powers to the PRIs within the NRHM. The coordination between Public Health Institute officials and those of PRIs is completely absent and most of the PRI members do not even know about various health schemes.
Local and Lymph Node Relapse of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Toumi Nabil , Ennouri Sana , Charfeddine Ilhem , Daoud Jamel , Khanfir Afef 
Published: March 2020

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the therapeutic results in patients with locoregional (LR) relapse after treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with local and/or regional recurrent NPC over 13 years (2003-2015). Results: Twenty-five patients were treated for local or/and local–regional recurrence of NPC. The rate of LR relapse was 7.2%. The mean age of the patients was 46 ± 13.9 years. The median time to relapse was 25 months. The recurrence was nasopharyngeal in 17 patients, nasopharyngeal and neck lymph nodes in 7 patients, and neck lymph nodes in 1 patient. Fifteen relapsed patients had a locally advanced disease (rT3-rT4). Patients who had initially T1 or T2 tumor had a locally advanced relapsed disease (rT3rT4) in 27.3% and patients whose disease was initially classified as T3 or T4 had a locally advanced relapsed disease (rT3T4) in 85.7% ( P = .005, Fisher test). Twelve patients had chemotherapy after relapse. Chemotherapy was followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 3 patients and by radiotherapy (RT) in 4 patients. Nine patients had concurrent chemoradiotherapy and 1 patient had exclusive RT. The overall survival (OS) at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was, respectively, 58%, 18%, and 10%. The OS was significantly higher in patients with good performance status at the time of relapse (World Health Organization = 1; P = .01) and in patients with late relapse (after 2 years; P = .03). Conclusions: Locoregional relapse rate in our study was 7.2%. Locoregional reirradiation was the mainstay treatment modality in relapsed NPC. Relapsed NPC had a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 18%. The OS was significantly higher in patients with good performance status and in patients with late relapse (after 2 years).