bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrothermal Enhancement of Horizontal Ground Source Heat Pump
Authors: DiCarlo Anthony A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This study investigates a novel method for controlling the thermal conductivity of soil to enhance the performance of a horizontal ground source heat pump (GSHP). The method calls for irrigation lines to be buried in parallel with the ground pipes for the distribution of water in the area around the pipes thereby contributing to and controlling the soil’s moisture content. The controlled distribution of water within the porous soil promotes heat paths improving the performance of the GSHP system based on the transient seasonal spatial-temporal conditions. A computational fluid dynamics model of the porous soil is developed to simulate the hydro-thermal phenomenon over a short duration (40 hours) during winter conditions. The model is employed to investigate the heat transfer rate between the ground and pipes when the soil’s moisture content is modified and how this affects performance.
Characterizing Premixed Syngas Combustion and Flame Dynamics in Micro Scales
Authors: Pokharel Sunita , Ayoobi Mohsen , Akkerman V’yacheslav 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Syngas can potentially replace most of conventional fuels, due to its lower emission rates in the case of lean combustion with acceptable energy densities, and can be used in small-scale combustion-related devices. However, with various constituents having various burning characteristics, syngas combustion at micro scales can be more complicated than that of conventional gaseous fuels. It is therefore highly important to understand syngas combustion characteristics. In this work, premixed syngas combustion in a horizontal, two-dimensional microchannel of length 20 mm and width 2 mm is simulated with detailed chemistry, with axisymmetric boundary condition on the lower wall of the computational domain and a fixed temperature gradient on the upper wall to account for the conjugate heat transfer. The simulations are run with varying inlet velocities ranging from 0.1 m/s to 3.0 m/s. The flame shape and dynamics were similar for all the cases, however, not all cases resulted in a stable flame. Two different types of results, i.e., (i) stable flame and (ii) flames with repetitive ignition and extinction (FRIE) are observed. The ignition, extinction, and FRIE events have been characterized in various cases. In addition, the FRIE phenomenon is analyzed by investigating the FRIE periods (the time intervals between the two consecutive ignitions). Similar to the ignition delays, the FRIE periods are found to be dependent on the inlet velocity. The loci of ignition and of a stabilized flame (in stable cases) are found to be further away from the inlet as the inlet velocity increases.
The Change in Boiler and Steam Turbine Failure Modes With Minimum Load Operation: Using Modeling to Predict Susceptibility With Validation Through Plant Testing
Authors: Reid Thomas , Malloy James , Scoffone Matthew , Reid Stephen , Fabricius Andreas 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Reducing the minimum load at which a unit can reliably operate is one method to manage changes in market demands and avoid inherent concerns over frequent on and off cycling. For this reason, it is now becoming common practice for plants to develop new lower minimum load levels that are well below conventional targets provided when the unit was first commissioned. For many plants, the criteria for successful operation were not based on optimizing minimum load levels. In fact, most conventional steam plants were commissioned during an era when full base load operation was expected throughout the life of the plant. Base load availability was the key driver not parameters that promoted unit flexibility. As a result, there are opportunities for plants to lower minimum load levels, but it is important for owners to understand the trade-offs and risks that come with such operation.
TG Advisers (Turbine - Generator) and Tetra Engineering (Boiler) partnered on an analytical assessment and process simulation for a US site with four vintage boilers and steam turbines, the boilers having been converted from coal to gas-firing some years earlier. The boilers were modeled at different load points using boiler and power plant process simulation software. Key issues analyzed were superheat steam temperature, stability of natural circulation, and maintenance of minimum flow velocities. Secondary factors included cold end condensation and the potential for accumulation of dissolved solids in the circuit.
Utilizing the results of Tetra’s boiler model, TGA completed off-design modeling and calculations for the steam turbine and balance of plant equipment. Examples of primary interest was the impact of the predicted steam conditions and superheat, resulting thermal transient cycles, and LP blading concerns influenced by moisture content and back pressure control. Finally, balance of plant equipment was reviewed to ensure acceptable operating points for key equipment such as boiler feed pumps, feedwater heaters, and hood spray systems.
Following computer simulations, a plant testing plan was developed, and plant testing was completed. The paper will review analytical predictions and actual plant testing as well as overall lessons learned from the project. Through these analytical and testing efforts the minimum load was reduced from the current practice of 65 MW to 31 MW.
Regional chronostratigraphic synthesis of the Cenomanian-Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) interval, Western Interior Basin (USA): New Re-Os chemostratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
Authors: Jones Matthew M. , Sageman Bradley B. , Selby David , Jicha Brian R. , Singer Brad S. , Titus Alan L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFluctuations in depositional conditions during the onset of severe climate events in Earth history predispose stratigraphic archives to hiatuses, often hindering complete reconstructions of paleoclimate events and their triggers. Several studies have proposed that a hiatus of unknown duration exists at the base of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) in the North American Western Interior Basin at the base Turonian global boundary stratotype section and point (GSSP) in Pueblo, Colorado, which potentially influences integrated radioisotopic, biostratigraphic, and astrochronologic age models of the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary interval. To quantify the duration of this hiatus, refine the chronology of OAE2, and assess marine geochemical perturbations associated with the onset of the event, we present new 40Ar/39Ar dates from regional bentonites along with a new proximal-distal chemostratigraphic transect of the epeiric Western Interior Basin (WIB), including initial osmium isotope (Osi) and stable carbon isotope (δ13C) data. The new 40Ar/39Ar age determinations confirm and further constrain previous estimates of Cenomanian-Turonian boundary timing. Further, the regional chemostratigraphic synthesis demonstrates the conformity of the OAE2 successions correlated to Pueblo, shows that the duration of the lag between the onset of the Osi and δ13C excursions is ∼60 k.y., and thus constrains the magnitude of the pre-OAE2 hiatus in Pueblo to less than this value. The new astronomically tuned, conformable Osi record across the onset of OAE2 captures a geologically rapid onset of large igneous province volcanism, consistent with other records, such that the addition of CO2 to the ocean-atmosphere system may have driven changes in marine carbonate chemistry. Additionally, the refined chronostratigraphy of OAE2 and the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in the central WIB improves correlation with other records, such as those in the Eagle Ford Group, Texas. The correlations highlight that discrepancies among OAE2 age models from globally distributed sections commonly stem from differing definitions of the event and uncertainties associated with astronomical tuning, in addition to stratigraphic preservation.
A Body shape index significantly predicts MRI-defined abdominal adipose tissue depots in non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Anoop Shajith , Krakauer Jesse , Krakauer Nir , Misra Anoop 
Published: October 2020

IntroductionWe aimed to determine the correlations of volumes of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SCAT) (anterior, posterior, superficial and deep), total SCAT, intraperitoneal adipose tissue, retroperitoneal abdominal adipose tissue (RPAT), total intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT), pancreatic volume, liver span, total body fat (TBF) and truncal fat mass (TFM) with anthropometric indices,viz., A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Hip Index, their Z scores and Anthropometric Risk Index in non-obese (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2) Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Research design and methodsNon-obese patients with T2DM (cases;n, 85) and BMI-matched, healthy subjects (controls;n, 38) underwent anthropometry, dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) for estimation of TBF, TFM and 1.5 T MRI for estimation of volumes of abdominal adipose tissue depots, pancreas and liver span. Spearman’s correlation analysis and Receiver Operator Characteristic curve analysis were applied.ResultsThe Z score of ABSI (Z_ABSI) showed significantly positive correlation with volumes of all depots of abdominal SCAT, total IAAT and RPAT in cases. Area under the curve for Z_ABSI (0.87) showed higher sensitivity: 82.0 %, specificity: 81.5 %, at a predictive cut-off value of 0.49 for abdominal adiposity.ConclusionIn non-obese Asian Indians with T2DM, the Z_ABSI showed significant correlation with IAAT and SCAT and higher predictive accuracy for abdominal adiposity.Highlights of the studyThis is the first MRI-based study in the context of ABSI in non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m2) Asian Indians with T2DM. Findings indicate that Z_ABSI has high predictive accuracy for abdominal adiposity in non-obese Asian Indians. The Z_ABSI index showed significantly positive correlation with volumes of adipose tissue depots,viz., abdominal SCAT, total IAAT and RPAT in cases.
Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and control: a rapid evidence synthesis
Authors: Gilmore Brynne , Ndejjo Rawlance , Tchetchia Adalbert , de Claro Vergil , Mago Elizabeth , Diallo Alpha A , Lopes Claudia , Bhattacharyya Sanghita 
Published: October 2020

IntroductionCommunity engagement has been considered a fundamental component of past outbreaks, such as Ebola. However, there is concern over the lack of involvement of communities and ‘bottom-up’ approaches used within COVID-19 responses thus far. Identifying how community engagement approaches have been used in past epidemics may support more robust implementation within the COVID-19 response.MethodologyA rapid evidence review was conducted to identify how community engagement is used for infectious disease prevention and control during epidemics. Three databases were searched in addition to extensive snowballing for grey literature. Previous epidemics were limited to Ebola, Zika, SARS, Middle East respiratory syndromeand H1N1 since 2000. No restrictions were applied to study design or language.ResultsFrom 1112 references identified, 32 articles met our inclusion criteria, which detail 37 initiatives. Six main community engagement actors were identified: local leaders, community and faith-based organisations, community groups, health facility committees, individuals and key stakeholders. These worked on different functions: designing and planning, community entry and trust building, social and behaviour change communication, risk communication, surveillance and tracing, and logistics and administration.ConclusionCOVID-19’s global presence and social transmission pathways require social and community responses. This may be particularly important to reach marginalised populations and to support equity-informed responses. Aligning previous community engagement experience with current COVID-19 community-based strategy recommendations highlights how communities can play important and active roles in prevention and control. Countries worldwide are encouraged to assess existing community engagement structures and use community engagement approaches to support contextually specific, acceptable and appropriate COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
Responsibility for vitamin D supplementation of elderly care home residents in England: falling through the gap between medicine and food
Authors: Williams Joseph , Williams Carol 
Published: October 2020

IntroductionDaily vitamin D supplements are recommended for elderly care home residents; however, they are rarely given and vitamin D deficiency in care homes is widespread. This study aimed to understand the determinants of current practice and perceived responsibility for the vitamin D status of residents.MethodsThirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants in two areas of Southern England including care home managers, general practitioners (GPs) and public health professionals. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.ResultsInductive thematic analysis identified four themes: framing of vitamin D supplements as medicines; professional and sector boundaries whereby GPs are perceived as responsible for the vitamin D status of residents and care home managers felt unable to administer over-the-counter vitamin tablets; low awareness of national guidance; and ethical and practical issues. This results in vitamin D supplements requiring prescription by medical professionals and few residents receiving them.ConclusionThe medical framing of vitamin D supplements in care homes is a practical barrier to implementation of longstanding nutrition guidelines. A paradigm shift is needed so that vitamin D is understood as a protective nutrient as well as a medicine, and a public health as well as a medical responsibility. Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health. Possible links with COVID-19 are still being investigated. The pandemic has drawn attention to conditions in care homes and there is an opportunity to revise current guidance on vitamin D supplementation which will have lasting benefit for this vulnerable group.
PREventive effect of FENestration with and without clipping on post-kidney transplantation lymphatic complications (PREFEN): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Golriz Mohammad , Sabagh Mohammadsadegh , Mohammadi Sara , Ghamarnejad Omid , Khajeh Elias , Mieth Markus , Al-Saeedi Mohammed , Diener Markus K , Mihaljevic André L , Morath Christian , Zeier Martin , Kulu Yakup , Mehrabi Arianeb 
Published: October 2020

IntroductionPeritoneal fenestration is an effective preventive method for reducing the rate of lymphatic complications in kidney transplantation (KTx). The size of the fenestration plays an important role in its effectiveness. A large peritoneal window is no longer indicated, due to herniation and difficulties in performing biopsies. Small preventive fenestration is effective but will be closed too early. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether metal clips around the edges of a small fenestration result in optimal effects with minimum fenestration size.Methods and analysisThis trial has been initiated in July 2019 and is expected to last for 2 and a half years. All patients older than 18 years, who receive kidneys from deceased donors, will be included. The kidney recipients will be randomly allocated to either a control arm (small fenestration alone) or an intervention arm (small fenestration with clipping). All fenestrations will be round, maximum 2 cm, and close to the kidney hilum. Clipping will be performed with eight metal clips around the peritoneal window (360°) in every 45° in an oblique position. The primary endpoint is the incidence of symptomatic post-KTx lymphatic complications, which require interventional treatment within 6 months after KTx. Secondary endpoints are intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, including blood loss, operation time, severity grade of lymphocele/lymphorrhea and relative symptoms.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol study received approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Heidelberg (Registration Number S-318/2017). A Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials checklist is available for this protocol. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03682627).
Factors associated with unscheduled care use by cancer decedents: a systematic review with narrative synthesis
Authors: Mills Sarah E E , Geneen Louise J , Buchanan Deans , Guthrie Bruce , Smith Blair H 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPeople who die from cancer (cancer decedents) may experience unpleasant and distressing symptoms which cause them to present to unscheduled care. Unscheduled care is unplanned care delivered by general practitioner out-of-hours and emergency departments. Use of unscheduled care can disrupt treatment plans, leading to a disjointed patient care and suboptimal outcomes.ObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to identify factors associated with unscheduled care use by cancer decedents.MethodSystematic review with narrative synthesis of seven electronic databases (PubMed; Medline; Embase; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Web of Science; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) from inception until 01 January 2020. All observational and experimental studies were included, irrespective of their research design.ResultsThe search yielded 238 publications included at full-text, of which 47 were included in the final review and synthesis. Unscheduled care use by cancer decedents was influenced by multiple factors, synthesised into themes: demography, clinical and patient, temporal, prescribing and systems. Cancer decedents who were older, men, had comorbidities, or lung cancer, were most likely to use unscheduled care. Unscheduled care presentations were commonly due to pain, breathlessness and gastrointestinal symptoms. Low continuity of care, and oncology-led care were associated with greater unscheduled care use. Access to palliative care, having an up-to-date palliative care plan, and carer education were associated with less unscheduled care use.ConclusionThe review identifies multiple factors associated with unscheduled care use by cancer decedents. Understanding these factors can inform future practice and policy developments, in order to appropriately target future interventions, optimise service delivery and improve the patient journey.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016047231.
Pembrolizumab with or without radiation therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized phase I/II trial
Authors: Welsh James , Menon Hari , Chen Dawei , Verma Vivek , Tang Chad , Altan Mehmet , Hess Kenneth , de Groot Patricia , Nguyen Quynh-Nhu , Varghese Rejani , Comeaux Nathan I , Simon George , Skoulidis Ferdinandos , Chang Joe Y , Papdimitrakopoulou Vasiliki , Lin Steven H , Heymach John V 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundIn this phase I/II trial, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of pembrolizumab, with or without concurrent radiotherapy (RT), for lung and liver lesions from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).MethodsPatients with lung or liver lesions amenable to RT plus at least one additional non-contiguous lesion were included regardless of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status. Pembrolizumab was given at 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 32 cycles with or without concurrent RT. Metastatic lesions were treated with stereotactic body RT (SBRT; 50 Gy in 4 fractions) if clinically feasible or with traditionally fractionated RT (45 Gy in 15 fractions) if not. The primary end point was the best out-of-field lesion response, and a key secondary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsThe median follow-up time was 20.4 months. One hundred patients (20 phase I, 80 phase II) were evaluable for toxicity, and 72 phase II patients were evaluable for treatment response. No patients in the phase I group experienced grade 4–5 events; in the phase II group, two had grade 4 events and nine had grade 3 events. The ORR in the combined-modality cohort (irrespective of RT schema) was 22%, vs 25% in the pembrolizumab group (irrespective of receipt of salvage RT) (p=0.99). In the concurrent pembrolizumab+RT groups, the out-of-field ORRs were 38% in the pembrolizumab+SBRT group and 10% in the pembrolizumab+traditional RT group. When examining the pembrolizumab-alone patients, the out-of-field ORRs were 33% in those designated to receive salvage SBRT (if required) and 17% for salvage traditional RT. In all patients, the median PFS for pembrolizumab alone was 5.1 months (95% CI 3.4 to 12.7 months), and pembrolizumab/RT (regardless of schema) was 9.1 months (95% CI 3.6 to 18.4 months) (p=0.52). An exploratory analysis revealed that for patients with low PD-L1 expression, the median PFS was 4.6 vs 20.8 months for pembrolizumab with and without RT, respectively (p=0.004).ConclusionsConcurrent immunoradiotherapy for mNSCLC is safe, although larger trials are required to address which patients benefit most from RT.Trial registration numberNCT02444741.
Comparative analysis of long-term organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using belimumab versus standard therapy: a post hoc longitudinal study
Authors: Urowitz Murray B , Ohsfeldt Robert L , Wielage Ronald C , Dever John J , Zakerifar Mehdi , Asukai Yumi , Ramachandran Sulabha , Joshi Ashish V 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveLong-term extension (LTE) studies of belimumab in SLE do not include a comparator arm, preventing comparisons between belimumab plus standard therapy and standard therapy alone for organ damage accrual. Propensity score matching can be used to match belimumab-treated patients from LTE studies with standard therapy–treated patients from observational cohort studies. This analysis was designed to compare organ damage progression between treatment groups (belimumab plus standard therapy vs standard therapy alone) in patients with SLE with ≥5 years of follow-up, reproducing our previous study with more generalisable data.MethodsThis exploratory post hoc analysis used a heterogeneous population of US and non-US patients receiving monthly intravenous belimumab from pooled BLISS LTE trials (BEL112234/NCT00712933) and standard therapy–treated patients from the Toronto Lupus Cohort. Sixteen clinical variables were selected to calculate the propensity score.ResultsThe 592 LTE and 381 Toronto Lupus Cohort patients were highly dissimilar across the 16 variables; an adequately balanced sample of 181 LTE and 181 matched Toronto Lupus Cohort patients (mean bias=3.7%) was created using propensity score matching. Belimumab treatment was associated with a smaller increase in Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) over 5 years than standard therapy alone (mean treatment difference=–0.453 (95% CI –0.646 to –0.260); p<0.001). Patients treated with belimumab were 60% less likely to progress to a higher SDI score over any given year of follow-up, compared with standard therapy alone (HR (95% CI) 0.397 (0.275 to 0.572); p<0.001).ConclusionUsing propensity score matching, this highly heterogeneous sample was sufficiently matched to the Toronto Lupus Cohort, suggesting that patients treated with intravenous belimumab may have reduced organ damage progression versus standard therapy alone. This analysis of a large and diverse pooled SLE population was consistent with our previously published US-focused study.