bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of factor Xa beyond coagulation
Authors: Ruf Wolfram 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOral anticoagulant therapy has changed by clinical evidence that coagulation factor Xa (FXa) can be safely and effectively targeted for thromboprophylaxis. Because thrombotic and thrombo-inflammatory diseases are frequently caused by excessive activation of the tissue factor (TF) pathway, activation of FX by the TF-FVIIa complex is of central importance for understanding the roles of FXa in thrombosis and hemostasis and functions beyond blood coagulation. Recent data showed that the nascent product FXa associated with TF-FVIIa not only supports hemostatic cofactor VIII activation, but also broadly influences immune reactions in inflammation, cancer, and autoimmunity. These signaling functions of FXa are mediated through protease activated receptor (PAR) cleavage and PAR2 activation occurs in extravascular environments specifically by macrophage synthesized FX. Cell autonomous FXa-PAR2 signaling is a mechanism for tumor-promoting macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment and tissue penetrance of oral FXa inhibitors favors the reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages for non-coagulant therapeutic benefit. It is necessary to decipher the distinct functions of coagulation factors synthesized by the liver for circulation in blood versus those synthesized by extrahepatic immune cells for activity in tissue milieus. This research will lead to a better understanding of the broader roles of FXa as a central regulator of immune and hematopoietic systems.
Effects of Gas Trapping on Foam Mobility in a Model Fracture
Authors: Li Kai , Wolf Karl-Heinz A. A. , Rossen William R. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In enhanced oil recovery, foam can effectively mitigate conformance problems and maintain a stable displacement front, by trapping gas and reducing its relative permeability in situ. In this study, to understand gas trapping in fractures and how it affects foam behavior, we report foam experiments in a 1-m-long glass model fracture with a hydraulic aperture of 80 $$\upmu $$
μ
m. One wall of the fracture is rough, and the other is smooth. Between the two is a 2D porous medium representing the aperture in a fracture. The fracture model allows direct visualization of foam inside the fracture using a high-speed camera. This study is part of a continuing program to determine how foam behaves as a function of the geometry of the fracture pore space (AlQuaimi and Rossen in Energy & Fuels 33: 68-80, 2018a). We find that local equilibrium of foam (where the rate of bubble generation equals that of bubble destruction) has been achieved within the 1-m model fracture. Foam texture becomes finer, and less gas is trapped as interstitial velocity, and pressure gradient increase. Shear-thinning rheology of foam has also been observed. The fraction of trapped gas is significantly lower in our model (less than 7%) than in 3D geological pore networks. At the extreme, when velocity increases to 7 mm/s, there is no gas trapped inside the fracture. Our experimental results of trapped-gas fraction correlate well with the correlation of AlQuaimi and Rossen (SPE J 23: 788-802, 2018b) for fracture-like porous media. This suggests that the correlation can also be applied to gas trapping in fractures with other geometries.

Article Highlights

We have made a lab-scale 1-meter-long transparent glass model representing a geological fracture with roughened surface, and we have implemented a direct method of image analysis to quantify the texture of bubbles in the fracture and to link the texture with the strength of the foam;

We have successfully created surfactant-stabilized foam flow inside the fracture and examined its stability along the 1-meter-long fracture;

We explain the mechanism of gas trapping in fractures and how it affects foam behavior. We also discuss how viscous force and capillary force affect gas trapping in fractures at our experimental conditions.

Graphic Abstract
The characteristics and optimal treatment of urolithiasis associated with tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Hatano Takashi , Endo Katsuhisa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The most common renal symptoms of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are angiomyolipomas (AMLs) and renal cysts; however, some patients with TSC also develop urolithiasis. We retrospectively investigated the characteristics and treatment of urolithiasis associated with TSC.

Methods
We analyzed 142 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for TSC, of whom 20 (14.1%) had urolithiasis. We compared the patients’ characteristics, urinary specific gravity, urine pH, serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone in the urolithiasis and non-urolithiasis groups. In the urolithiasis group, the stone characteristics and various treatments were analyzed.

Results
The antiepileptic drugs topiramate and zonisamide were more frequently administered to the urolithiasis group than the non-urolithiasis group (P = 0.013, P = 0.048, respectively). The urine specific gravity and urine pH levels were higher in the urolithiasis group than in the non-urolithiasis group (P = 0.005, P = 0.042, respectively). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that urine-specific gravity (P = 0.018; odds ratio 1.471; 95% confidence interval 1.098–1.872) was a significant predictor of TSC-associated urolithiasis. Four patients could not receive extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy due to the risk of bleeding from the AML.

Conclusion
Patients with TSC who have an increased urine specific gravity, alkaline urine, and a longer administration of topiramate and zonisamide tend to demonstrate an increased risk of developing urolithiasis and therefore such cases require adequate care. If urolithiasis is comorbid with TSC-associated AML, the treatment options are more limited in cases with multiple AMLs around the stone due to an increased risk of hemorrhage.
Time-course analysis of Streptococcus sanguinis after manganese depletion reveals changes in glycolytic and nucleic acid metabolites
Authors: Puccio Tanya , Misra Biswapriya B. , Kitten Todd 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Manganese is important for the endocarditis pathogen Streptococcus sanguinis. Little is known about why manganese is required for virulence or how it impacts the metabolome of streptococci.

Objectives
We applied untargeted metabolomics to cells and media to understand temporal changes resulting from manganese depletion.

Methods
EDTA was added to a S. sanguinis manganese-transporter mutant in aerobic fermentor conditions. Cell and media samples were collected pre- and post-EDTA treatment. Metabolomics data were generated using positive and negative modes of data acquisition on an LC–MS/MS system. Data were subjected to statistical processing using MetaboAnalyst and time-course analysis using Short Time series Expression Miner (STEM). Recombinant enzymes were assayed for metal dependence.

Results
We observed quantitative changes in 534 and 422 metabolites in cells and media, respectively, after EDTA addition. The 173 cellular metabolites identified as significantly different indicated enrichment of purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Further multivariate analysis revealed that the top 15 cellular metabolites belonged primarily to lipids and redox metabolites. The STEM analysis revealed global changes in cells and media in comparable metabolic pathways. Glycolytic intermediates such as fructose-1,6-bisphosphate increased, suggesting that enzymes that utilize them require manganese for activity or expression. Recombinant enzymes were confirmed to utilize manganese in vitro. Nucleosides accumulated, possibly due to a blockage in conversion to nucleobases resulting from manganese-dependent regulation.

Conclusion
Differential analysis of metabolites revealed the activation of a number of metabolic pathways in response to manganese depletion, many of which are connected to carbon catabolite repression.
An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational investigations of obstructive sleep apnea and health outcomes
Authors: Chen Weiwei , Li Yuting , Guo Liliangzi , Zhang Chenxing , Tang Shaohui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The previous analysis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses have illustrated that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is correlated with multiple health outcomes. In the present research, our main aim was to execute an umbrella review to assess the available evidence for the associations between OSA and health outcomes.

Methods
Herein, a meta-analysis of previous observational investigations that have reported associations between OSA and health outcomes in all human populations and settings was performed. We used these studies to execute an umbrella review of available meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

Results
Sixty-six articles comprising 136 unique outcomes were enrolled in this analysis. Of the 136 unique outcomes, 111 unique outcomes had significant associations (p < 0.05). Only 7 outcomes (coronary revascularization after PCI, postoperative respiratory failure, steatosis, alaninetrans aminase (ALT) elevation, metabolic syndrome (MS), psoriasis, and Parkinson’s disease) had a high quality of evidence. Twenty-four outcomes had a moderate quality of evidence, and the remaining 80 outcomes had a weak quality of evidence. Sixty-nine outcomes exhibited significant heterogeneity. Twenty-five outcomes exhibited publication bias. Sixty-three (95%) studies showed critically low methodological quality.

Conclusion
Among the 66 meta-analyses exploring 136 unique outcomes, only 7 statistically significant outcomes were rated as high quality of evidence. OSA may correlate with an increased risk of coronary revascularization after PCI, postoperative respiratory failure, steatosis, ALT elevation, MS, psoriasis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Changes of microorganism composition in fresh and stored bee pollen from Southern Germany
Authors: Friedle Carolin , D’Alvise Paul , Schweikert Karsten , Wallner Klaus , Hasselmann Martin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAnalysis of plant pollen can provide valuable insights into the existing spectrum of microorganisms in the environment. When harvesting bee-collected pollen as a dietary supplement for human consumption, timely preservation of the freshly collected pollen is fundamental for product quality. Environmental microorganisms contained in freshly collected pollen can lead to spoilage by degradation of pollen components. In this study, freshly collected bee pollen was sampled at different locations and stored under various storage conditions to examine the hypothesis that storage conditions may have an effect on the composition of microorganisms in pollen samples. The samples were analyzed using 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing and characterized by palynological analysis. Interestingly, the bacterial communities between pollen samples from different locations varied only slightly, whereas for fungal community compositions, this effect was substantially increased. Further, we noticed that fungal communities in pollen are particularly sensitive to storage conditions. The fungal genera proportion Cladosporium and Mycosphaerella decreased, while Zygosaccharomyces and Aspergillus increased during storage. Aspergillus and Zygosaccharomyces fractions increased during storage at 30 °C, which could negatively impact the pollen quality if it is used as a dietary supplement.
Social entrepreneurship orientation and performance in non-profit organizations
Authors: do Adro Francisco , Fernandes Cristina I. , Veiga Pedro M. , Kraus Sascha 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the downturn in the global socioeconomic panorama, the social entrepreneurship orientation (SEO) and the social performance of non-profit organizations (NPOs) have become subject to growing levels of attention. The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of SEO on the performance of NPOs. To this end, we deployed a quantitative methodology based on the application of a survey of NPOs, which received a total of 135 valid responses. Our results demonstrate a positive effect for the dimensions of social innovation and social proactivity even while reporting no effect for the acceptance of social risks on performance. These results hold important implications across two different levels: in terms of the NPOs and policy-makers.
Plane strain shear strength of unsaturated fiber-reinforced fine-grained soils
Authors: Soleimani-Fard Houman , König Diethard , Goudarzy Meisam 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDiscrete randomly distributed fibers are commonly used to improve the engineering characteristics of the soil and thus soil properties such as shear strength, compressibility, density, and hydraulic conductivity. Most studies have so far focused on describing the behavior of soils containing randomly distributed fibers under dried or saturated conditions. However, the water table may seasonally fluctuate, thus generating unsaturated soil conditions. Therefore, a better understanding of the hydro-mechanical properties of unsaturated improved soils is of high necessity. In this research, the shear strength parameters of fine-grained soils were evaluated using the biaxial device available at Ruhr Universität Bochum. The applied device was modified to test unsaturated fine-grained soils with various degrees of saturation using axis translation and vapor equilibrium techniques. The experiments were conducted on fine soils containing 0, 0.5, and 1% fiber contents under a wide range of matric suctions. The ductile behavior was more noticeable in samples with lower suctions and higher straw contents. Furthermore, the shear strength of both unreinforced and reinforced fine-grained soils considerably increased by an increase in the suction. Finally, shear band inclination increased by the suction while decreasing by straw content.
How do we know where there is potential to intervene and leverage impact in a changing system? The practitioners perspective
Authors: Birney Anna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMore and more people and organisations who are addressing complex sustainability challenges are turning to systems change practices. They are looking to get to grips with complexity and to better understand how to use their resources, position and influence to address the challenges. These people are working across civil society, philanthropy, business, international development, government and beyond. Many hope that adopting this emerging practice will give them the answers to the long held questions of – How do I know where to intervene? How do I know that what I am doing is the ‘right’ thing? Am I using my resources for their greatest effect? Once we have set ambitious goals around issues like inequality and climate change, how do I know I am creating impact?. In 1999 Donella Meadows wrote a paper entitledLeverage points: places to intervene in a systemto help translate the work of systems dynamics into understanding where a small amount of energy might have a greater effect. Ever since, practitioners have been chasing these elusive leverage points trying to understand how this might be made useful and practical. There is, however, no silver bullet to changing a system. At Forum for the Future and through the School of System Change, we work on a number of different projects such as the Protein Challenge and Boundless Roots Community as well as collaborate on, coach and co-inquire with others such as the Marine CoLAB, Oneless, Lankelly Chase Foundation. In this paper we seek to build on systems change ideas and theories, using Forum for the Future experience of working with these ideas in practice, and offer actionable knowledge (Coghlan 2007) to other change makers who are grappling with these questions. This paper provides four qualities that help us understand the dynamics of a changing system, and how potential in these dynamics might be identified and be translated into strategy and interventions. I explore and illustrate these through cases and examples and raise the question about how change makers might value what we measure when understanding impact in the context of a changing system.
A Review of Ferroalloy Tapping Models
Authors: Bublik Sergey , Olsen Jan Erik , Loomba Varun , Reynolds Quinn Gareth , Einarsrud Kristian Etienne 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTapping is an important furnace operation in the ferroalloy industry and poses a number of complex and coupled challenges of both practical and economical importance. Owing to the hazardous high-temperature conditions surrounding the tap hole, the application of various modeling techniques allows for development and acquisition of both scientific and engineering knowledge of the process through physical or numerical proxies. In this review, earlier work on modeling of ferroalloy tapping is summarized and main principles of the tapping process and multiphase interaction of slag and metal are discussed and summarized. The main focus is on drainage of slag and alloys, but some attention will also be given to metal loss, metal overflow and health, safety and environment. Our review shows that although considerable progress has been made in computational capability over the last decades, However, it is clear that research and development in the field of ferroalloy furnace tapping remains at a relatively nascent stage. The most progress up to date has happened in the area of so called reduced-order models. Such models are robust and simple, and may be easily fitted to process data from a particular operation in order to develop tailored solutions. Such models are more easily combined with software and instruments, ultimately enabling improved automation, process control and ultimately improved tapping consistency.
Fabrication of a Silicide Thermoelectric Module Employing Fractional Factorial Design Principles
Authors: Graff Joachim S. , Schuler Raphael , Song Xin , Castillo-Hernandez Gustavo , Skomedal Gunstein , Enebakk Erik , Wright Daniel Nilsen , Stange Marit , de Boor Johannes , Løvvik Ole Martin , Schrade Matthias 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThermoelectric modules can be used in waste heat harvesting, sensing, and cooling applications. Here, we report on the fabrication and performance of a four-leg module based on abundant silicide materials. While previously optimized Mg2Si0.3Sn0.675Bi0.025 is used as the n-type leg, we employ a fractional factorial design based on the Taguchi methods mapping out a four-dimensional parameter space among Mnx-εMoεSi1.75−δGeδ higher manganese silicide compositions for the p-type material. The module is assembled using a scalable fabrication process, using a Cu metallization layer and a Pb-based soldering paste. The maximum power output density of 53 μW cm–2 is achieved at a hot-side temperature of 250 °C and a temperature difference of 100 °C. This low thermoelectric output is related to the high contact resistance between the thermoelectric materials and the metallic contacts, underlining the importance of improved metallization schemes for thermoelectric module assembly.
Internal Diameter Coating by Warm Spraying of Fine WC-12Co Powders (− 10 + 2 µm) with Very Short Spray Distances up to 10 mm
Authors: Baumann I. , Tillmann W. , Schaak C. , Schmidt K. , Hagen L. , Zajaczkowski J. , Schmidtmann G. , Matthäus G. , Luo W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe internal diameter (ID) coating by means of thermal spraying is currently experiencing growing interest in science and industry. In contrast to the well-established plasma- and arc-based spray techniques, there is a lack of knowledge concerning kinetic processes such as HVOF, HVAF and warm spray (WS). A major challenge represents the necessity of short spray distances and the compact design of novel ID spray guns with reduced combustion power. Conventional WC-Co powders (− 45 + 15 µm) are not able to achieve a sufficient heat and momentum transfer. The use of fine powders < 15 µm offers an approach to overcome this drawback as they feature a larger surface-to-volume ratio and a lower mass. However, the processing of fine powders requires suitable spray equipment and a sensitive parameter adjustment. In this study, warm spraying of fine WC-12Co powders (− 10 + 2 µm) with a novel ID spray gun (HVOF + N2) “ID RED” (Thermico Engineering GmbH, Germany) was investigated. First, the flame profile as well as the in-flight behavior of the particles along the spray jet (spray distances SD = 10-80 mm) was analyzed at different nitrogen flows NF = 15-115 L/min to find suitable spray parameter intervals. Subsequently, planar steel samples were coated with SD = 10-50 mm and constant NF = 90 L/min. Analyses regarding the microstructure, the mechanical properties and the phase evolution of the coatings were performed. The aim was to study spraying with the novel ID gun and to scrutinize shortest feasible spray distances. Finally, steel tubes (internal diameter of 81.6 mm and a wall thickness of 10.0 mm) were coated with SD = 20 mm and NF = 90 L/min to investigate in how far the results can be transferred to ID parts. Correlations between the particle behavior, the microstructure and the coating properties were made.
Nest choice in arboreal ants is an emergent consequence of network creation under spatial constraints
Authors: Chang Joanna , Powell Scott , Robinson Elva J. H. , Donaldson-Matasci Matina C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBiological transportation networks must balance competing functional priorities. The self-organizing mechanisms used to generate such networks have inspired scalable algorithms to construct and maintain low-cost and efficient human-designed transport networks. The pheromone-based trail networks of ants have been especially valuable in this regard. Here, we use turtle ants as our focal system: In contrast to the ant species usually used as models for self-organized networks, these ants live in a spatially constrained arboreal environment where both nesting options and connecting pathways are limited. Thus, they must solve a distinct set of challenges which resemble those faced by human transport engineers constrained by existing infrastructure. Here, we ask how a turtle ant colony’s choice of which nests to include in a network may be influenced by their potential to create connections to other nests. In laboratory experiments with Cephalotes varians and Cephalotes texanus, we show that nest choice is influenced by spatial constraints, but in unexpected ways. Under one spatial configuration, colonies preferentially occupied more connected nest sites; however, under another spatial configuration, this preference disappeared. Comparing the results of these experiments to an agent-based model, we demonstrate that this apparently idiosyncratic relationship between nest connectivity and nest choice can emerge without nest preferences via a combination of self-reinforcing random movement along constrained pathways and density-dependent aggregation at nests. While this mechanism does not consistently lead to the de-novo construction of low-cost, efficient transport networks, it may be an effective way to expand a network, when coupled with processes of pruning and restructuring.