bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental changes of upper airway dimensions in children
Authors: Luscan Romain , Leboulanger Nicolas , Fayoux Pierre , Kerner Gaspard , Belhous Kahina , Couloigner Vincent , Garabedian Erea‐Noël , Simon François , Denoyelle Françoise , Thierry Briac 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge about airway dimensions during child growth is of paramount importance for pediatric clinical practice. Decisions about airway management in children are based on relatively limited, imprecise, or incomplete data about airway size.AimsThe aim of this work was to determine the anatomical development and size of airway structures from birth to adolescence using high‐resolution computed tomography scans and to study the correlation between airway measurements and biometric data.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of all high‐resolution computed tomography scans including the respiratory tract, performed in our tertiary pediatric center (for reasons unrelated to airway symptoms) between June 1, 2016, and October 15, 2017, on children aged from 1 day to 14 years old. On each scan, 23 measurements of the larynx, trachea, and mainstem bronchi were performed. Patients were stratified into 16 groups according to their age. We calculated median value for each measurement in each group. Statistical models were calculated to explore correlation between measurements and age or weight.ResultsA total of 192 scans were included (127 boys/65 girls). The mean age was 7 years. The correlations between airway measurements and age or weight were always significant. The relationship between measurements and age was found to be suitably represented by a cubic polynomial equation suggesting that the airway has a rapid growth phase in the first 3 years, followed by a slow growth phase and a second rapid growth phase during adolescence. The most relevant biometric parameter was age concerning 21 of the measurements.ConclusionThis comprehensive anatomical database of upper airway dimensions provides important data in the field of pediatric airway anatomy, particularly relating to the cricoid. We demonstrated that laryngeal, tracheal, and bronchial parameters correlate better to age and have three different growth phases.
VIPP2 interacts with VIPP1 and HSP22E/F at chloroplast membranes and modulates a retrograde signal for HSP22E/F gene expression
Authors: Theis Jasmine , Niemeyer Justus , Schmollinger Stefan , Ries Fabian , Rütgers Mark , Gupta Tilak Kumar , Sommer Frederik , Muranaka Ligia Segatto , Venn Benedikt , Schulz‐Raffelt Miriam , Willmund Felix , Engel Benjamin D. , Schroda Michael 
Published: January 2020

AbstractVIPP proteins aid thylakoid biogenesis and membrane maintenance in cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. Some members of the Chlorophyceae contain two VIPP paralogs termed VIPP1 and VIPP2, which originate from an early gene duplication event during the evolution of green algae. VIPP2 is barely expressed under nonstress conditions but accumulates in cells exposed to high light intensities or H2O2, during recovery from heat stress, and in mutants with defective integration (alb3.1) or translocation (secA) of thylakoid membrane proteins. Recombinant VIPP2 forms rod‐like structures in vitro and shows a strong affinity for phosphatidylinositol phosphate. Under stress conditions, >70% of VIPP2 is present in membrane fractions and localizes to chloroplast membranes. A vipp2 knock‐out mutant displays no growth phenotypes and no defects in the biogenesis or repair of photosystem II. However, after exposure to high light intensities, the vipp2 mutant accumulates less HSP22E/F and more LHCSR3 protein and transcript. This suggests that VIPP2 modulates a retrograde signal for the expression of nuclear genes HSP22E/F and LHCSR3. Immunoprecipitation of VIPP2 from solubilized cells and membrane‐enriched fractions revealed major interactions with VIPP1 and minor interactions with HSP22E/F. Our data support a distinct role of VIPP2 in sensing and coping with chloroplast membrane stress.
Golden Migrants: The Rise and Impact of Illegal Chinese Small‐Scale Mining in Ghana
Authors: Antwi‐Boateng Osman , Akudugu Mamudu Abunga 
Published: January 2020

This article investigates factors that attract Chinese migrants into illegal small‐scale mining in Ghana, their role in the supply chain, and the impact of their involvement. This is accomplished via mixed qualitative techniques involving interviews with illegal small‐scale Chinese and Ghanaian miners, and relevant Ghanaian stakeholders. Although the majority of Chinese interests in African mining is state sponsored, the Ghana case demonstrates private Chinese agency that is mostly attracted to illegal small‐scale mining in Ghana due to push factors in the homeland and pull factors associated with Ghanaian state weakness. The Chinese dominate the supply chain of illegal small‐scale mining with their financial, technical, managerial acumen, the sale and transfer of gold proceeds, and political patronage. This dominance accounts for the massive negative social, economic, environmental, and political impact of illegal small‐scale mining in the country. Amid state weakness, Ghanaian civil society, exercising agency, remains a potent force against the phenomenon.Related ArticlesAbdulai, Abdul‐Gafaru, Justice Nyigmah Bawole, and Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi. 2018. “Rethinking Persistent Poverty in Northern Ghana: The Primacy of Policy and Politics over Geography.” Politics & Policy 46 (2): 233‐262. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12250Davis, Charles. 2008. “Preemptive Federalism or Regulatory Dismantlement? The Bush Administration's Implementation of the Federal Coal Mining Reclamation Program.” Politics & Policy 36 (3): 400‐418. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2008.00114.xKim, Eun Kyung. 2019. “Issue Ownership and Strategic Policy Choice in Multiparty Africa.” Politics & Policy 47 (5): 956‐983. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12327Related MediaThe Guardian. 2013. “The Price of Gold: Chinese Mining in Ghana Documentary: Guardian Investigations.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohrrE1rjzLoVoice of Africa. 2015. “Illegal Mining in Ghana.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=822czuf-XxkGhana Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. “Ghana: Media Coalition Launches Campaign against Illegal Mining.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOwF_qYpwXI
Health workers’ views on audit in maternal and newborn healthcare in LMICs: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Rousseva Christiana , Kammath Vishnu , Tancred Tara , Smith Helen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo identify and summarise health workers’ views on the use of audit as a method to improve the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).MethodsWe conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis. PubMed, CINAHL and Global Health databases were searched using keywords, synonyms and MeSH headings for ‘audit’, ‘views’ and ‘health workers’ to find papers that used qualitative methods to explore health workers’ views on audit in LMICs. Titles and abstracts were then screened for inclusion. The remaining full‐text papers were then screened. The final included papers were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative research. Data on audit type and health workers’ perceptions were extracted and analysed using thematic synthesis.ResultsNineteen papers were included in the review, most from sub‐Saharan Africa. Health workers generally held favourable views of audit and expressed dedication to the process. Similarly, they described positive experiences conducting audit. The main barriers to implementing audit were the presence of a blame culture, inadequate training and the lack of time and resources to conduct audit. Health workers’ motivation and dedication to the audit process helped to overcome such barriers.ConclusionsHealth workers are dedicated to the process of audit, but must be supported with training, leadership and adequate resources to use it. Decision‐makers and technical partners supporting audit should focus on improving audit training and finding ways to conduct audit without requiring too much staff time.
Effect of Temperature on the Geological Sequestration of CO2 in a Layered Carbonate Formation
Authors: Kumar Ram , Campbell Scott W. , Cunningham Jeffrey A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Geological sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep saline aquifers is one of the most promising technologies for large-scale CO2 mitigation. Temperature can play a significant role in the ensuing geochemistry, affecting equilibria in a multicomponent system and impacting reactive transport processes. The objectives of this study are to quantify the effect of temperature on storage efficiency, solubility trapping of CO2, pH of residual brine, and changes in the mineralogy and porosity. Using toughreact 3.3 (a reactive transport simulator), we have simulated the injection of CO2 into a heterogeneous layered carbonate formation for a period of 50 years, followed by a 50-year equilibration period with no injection. Mineralogy and physical properties of the simulated aquifer are based on a dolomitic limestone aquifer located within the South Florida Basin. Simulations were conducted for seven values of temperature. Density of supercritical CO2 decreases with an increase in temperature, which leads to higher buoyancy at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the storage efficiency of the aquifer decreases as temperature increases. Simulation results indicate that an increase in temperature from 35 °C to 95 °C results in a 35% decrease in storage efficiency. However, surprisingly, solubility trapping of CO2 increases with an increase in temperature because the interfacial area increases with temperature. Temperature effects on pH and on porosity change (due to mineral dissolution and precipitation) are small. The study can be helpful in screening a reservoir for geological carbon storage based on the formation temperature.
Modeling of the Coal Particle Behavior in an Ultra-Supercritical Boiler With Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Shen Haoshu , Zhang Yang , Wu Yuxin , Zhou Minmin , Zhang Hai , Yue Guangxi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Large eddy simulation (LES) is becoming a promising tool for the design and retrofit of utility boilers. It explicitly calculates the large-scale eddies which play an important role in the particle behavior inside the boilers. An ultra-supercritical tangentially fired boiler was simulated under the boiler maximum continuous rate (BMCR) condition by LES. The particle phase was tracked by the simplified direct quadrature method of moments in the Eulerian framework. Five particle sizes were adopted to represent the wide particle size distribution. The predicted gas velocities were in good agreement with the thermal calculation. The LES results showed that the particles were more likely to be concentrated in the main burner zone while quickly dispersed in the over fire air (OFA) zone. A theoretical analysis found that the particle Stokes number based on the sub-grid scale was much smaller than one. The particles would behave as tracers for the eddies resolved by LES. However, some differences between the small and large particles were observed in the particle number density distributed along the vertical and horizontal directions. It meant that the inertial effects on the particle motion cannot be neglected.
Industrial Process Description for the Recovery of Agricultural Water From Digestate
Authors: Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Urbanowska Agnieszka , Yang Weihong , Brem Gerrit , Magdziarz Aneta , Seruga Przemyslaw , Niedzwiecki Lukasz , Pozarlik Artur , Mlonka-Mędrala Agata , Kabsch-Korbutowicz Małgorzata , Bramer Eduard A. , Baranowski Marcin , Sieradzka Małgorzata , Tkaczuk-Serafin Monika 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Currently, the reclamation and reuse of water have not reached their full potential, although more energy is needed to obtain and transport freshwater and this solution has a more serious environmental impact. Agricultural irrigation is, by far, the largest application of reclaimed water worldwide, so the proposed concept may result in the production of water that can be used, among others, for crop irrigation. This paper describes a novel installation for the recovery of the agricultural water from the digestate, along with the results of initial experiments. Currently, water is wasted, due to evaporation, in anaerobic digestion plants, as the effluent from dewatering of the digestate is discharged into lagoons. Moreover, water that stays within the interstitial space of the digestate is lost in a similar fashion. With increasing scarcity of water in rural areas, such waste should not be neglected. The study indicates that hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) enhances mechanical dewatering of the agricultural digestate and approximately 900 L of water can be recovered from one ton. Dewatered hydrochars had a lower heating value of almost 10 MJ/kg, indicating the possibility of using it as a fuel for the process. The aim of this Design Innovation Paper is to outline the newly developed concept of an installation that could enable recovery of water from, so far, the neglected resource—i.e., digestate from anaerobic digestion plants.
Investigations on Crystallization Processes of Three Oxidic Gasifier Slag Systems
Authors: Schupsky Jan Peter , Guo Muxing , Blanpain Bart , Müller Michael 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In entrained flow gasifiers, the production of oxidic slag accompanies the gasification process. This slag forms a layer on the refractory walls, flows downwards gravitationally, and is collected in a water quench. Hence, the slag flow must be constant, since a slag blockage represents a worst-case-scenario. Crystallization of the slag increases slag viscosity, subsequently leading to a possible slag blockage. Therefore, crystallization processes in oxidic slags need to be understood and hence investigated. In this study, three artificial, coal ash related oxidic slag systems were analyzed on their crystallization behavior. Therefore, their melt behavior was investigated via hot-stage microscopy and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Additional thermochemical calculations were performed to predict crystallized phases. Subsequently, quenching experiments were conducted to generate supercooled crystallization in the slag samples. These samples were analyzed afterward via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the morphologies of crystals were characterized/described. In-situ observations on crystallization growth were performed by using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Finally, crystallized phases were compared with results obtained from thermochemical calculations, and the impact of kinetics on the distributed phases was discussed. The knowledge on the crystallization behavior of various phases can be transferred to other slag systems and can improve general crystallization predictions made by thermochemical calculations.
A Real-Time Parameter Estimation Method by Using Disturbance Observer-Based Control
Authors: Chen Kun-Yung 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The robust tracking control and accurate real-time uncertainty estimation performances by using disturbance observer-based model reference adaptive control (DOBMRAC) are proposed in this article. An example of coefficient of friction estimation system is studied to demonstrate the proposed method. First, the uncertainty adaptation law in the traditional model reference adaptive control (MRAC) was usually assumed that the uncertainty is a constant or slowly variable. The adaptation law of MRAC could not deal with the time-varying uncertainties. Therefore, a time-varying uncertainty adaptation law by disturbance observer (DOB) is designed to accurately estimate the time-varying uncertainty. Then, a Lyapunov candidate function is implemented to integrate DOB and MRAC as DOBMRAC to perform robust tracking control and accurate real-time uncertainty estimation, simultaneously. The coefficients of friction estimation system are performed to verify robust tracking control and accurate real-time estimation performance by using DOBMRAC. From the simulation results, the proposed DOBMRAC and MRAC are compared, and the proposed method shows well robust tracking control performance and real-time estimation ability. The proposed DOBMRAC has the advantages of rapid convergence responses, robust tracking control, and accurate real-time uncertainty estimation, simultaneously.
Astronomically forced hydrology of the Late Cretaceous sub-tropical Potosí Basin, Bolivia
Authors: Tasistro-Hart Adrian , Maloof Adam , Schoene Blair , Eddy Michael P. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPeriodic variations in Earth’s orbital parameters force climate on local and global scales, with global responses particularly sensitive to the presence of ice sheets and their associated feedbacks. Therefore, determining whether orbital forcings influenced sedimentary records of the past, and if so, which had such an effect, can shed light on Earth’s climate sensitivity and global ice volume. To this end, we present a field- and drone-based cyclostratigraphy of the predominantly lacustrine El Molino Formation of the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene Potosí Basin in present day Bolivia, which contains carbonate mud parasequences that record fluctuating hydrological conditions, including ephemeral marine connections, from 73 Ma to 64 Ma. We introduce a novel methodology for incorporating drone imagery into a quantitative, three-dimensional stratigraphic model that generates an upward-younging quantity comparable to stratigraphic height, and we find that our model outperforms our own field measurements of stratigraphic height. We project drone imagery at two sites into the stratigraphic model to construct time series of outcrop color, which vary systematically with facies and track basin water depth. Spectral analysis of these time series reveals sedimentary periodicities corresponding to short eccentricity, precession, and semi-precession, which are corroborated with measurements of magnetic susceptibility from mudstones. We generate independent age models at both study areas from four new U-Pb chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA–ID–TIMS) ages, which are consistent with an orbital interpretation for observed sedimentary periodicities. Importantly, we observe the presence of obliquity-scale periodicity in sedimentation during a period of marine connection, suggesting that sea level oscillations were driven by obliquity. This observation is consistent with previous claims about the presence of a small, orbitally forced Antarctic ice sheet during the latest Cretaceous.
Lung cancer mortality among construction workers: implications for early detection
Authors: Dement John M , Ringen Knut , Hines Stella , Cranford Kim , Quinn Patricia 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesThis study examined predictors of lung cancer mortality, beyond age and smoking, among construction workers employed at US Department of Energy (DOE) sites to better define eligibility for low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening.MethodsPredictive models were based on 17 069 workers and 352 lung cancer deaths. Risk factors included age, gender, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, years of trade or DOE work, body mass index (BMI), chest X-ray results, spirometry results, respiratory symptoms, beryllium sensitisation and personal history of cancer. Competing risk Cox models were used to obtain HRs and to predict 5-year risks.ResultsFactors beyond age and smoking included in the final predictive model were chest X-ray changes, abnormal lung function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory symptoms, BMI, personal history of cancer and having worked 5 or more years at a DOE site or in construction. Risk-based LDCT eligibility demonstrated improved sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value compared with current US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. The risk of lung cancer death from 5 years of work in the construction industry or at a DOE site was comparable with the risk from a personal cancer history, a family history of cancer or a diagnosis of COPD. LDCT eligibility criteria used for DOE construction workers, which includes factors beyond age and smoking, identified 86% of participants who eventually would die from lung cancer compared with 51% based on age and smoking alone.ConclusionsResults support inclusion of risk from occupational exposures and non-malignant respiratory clinical findings in LDCT clinical guidelines.
Prevalence of smoking in adults with spinal cord stimulators: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hooten W Michael , Moman Rajat N , Dvorkin Jodie , Pollard E Morgan , Wonderman Robalee , Murad M Hassan 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundSmoking adversely impacts pain-related outcomes of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). However, the proportion of SCS patients at risk of worse outcomes is limited by an incomplete knowledge of smoking prevalence in this population. Thus, the primary aim of this systematic review is to determine the prevalence of smoking in adults with chronic pain treated with SCS.MethodsA comprehensive search of databases from 1 January 1980 to 3 January 2019 was conducted. Eligible study designs included (1) randomized trials; (2) prospective and retrospective cohort studies; and (3) cross-sectional studies. The risk of bias was assessed using a tool specifically developed for prevalence studies. A total of 1619 records were screened, 19 studies met inclusion criteria, and the total number of participants was 10 838.ResultsThirteen studies had low or moderate risk of bias, and six had a high risk of bias. All 19 studies reported smoking status and the pooled prevalence was 38% (95% CI 30% to 47%). The pooled prevalence in 6 studies of peripheral vascular diseases was 56% (95% CI 42% to 69%), the pooled prevalence of smoking in 11 studies of lumbar spine diagnoses was 28% (95% CI 20% to 36%) and the pooled prevalence in 2 studies of refractory angina was 44% (95% CI 31% to 58%).ConclusionsThe estimated prevalence of smoking in SCS patients is 2.5 times greater than the general population. Future research should focus on development, testing and deployment of tailored smoking cessation treatments for SCS patients.
Surgical removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst in a geriatric dog
Authors: Markou Miltiadis , Anatolitou Anthi 
Published: January 2020

A 12‐year‐old, body condition score (BCS) 9, female, Poodle mix dog was presented for coughing, gasping sounds and exercise intolerance. The symptoms started 2 months prior to the presentation. Clinical findings revealed a large, fluid‐filled mass on the ventral aspect of the neck. Ultrasound examination identified a large anechoic cyst. Thoracic radiographs revealed signs of bronchial pattern and right‐sided cardiomegaly, as a consequence of chronic bronchitis. There was no evidence of metastatic disease. Serum concentrations of T4, fT4 and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) were within normal limits. The cyst was removed via marginal excision. The histopathological findings were suggestive of thyroglossal duct cyst. A thyroglossal duct tract was not identified. Apart from the formation of a temporary seroma, there were no other postsurgical complications. There was no recurrence of the cyst 3 months postoperatively. To the authors’ knowledge, this is a rare case of thyroglossal duct cyst in a geriatric dog.