bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life cycle assessment of ethanol production from miscanthus: A comparison of production pathways at two European sites
Authors: Lask Jan , Wagner Moritz , Trindade Luisa M. , Lewandowski Iris 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLignocellulosic ethanol represents a renewable alternative to petrol. Miscanthus, a perennial plant that grows on marginal land, is characterized by efficient use of resources and is considered a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to determine the environmental impacts of ethanol production from miscanthus grown on marginal land in Great Britain (Aberystwyth) and an average‐yield site in Germany (Stuttgart; functional unit: 1 GJ). As the conversion process has substantial influence on the overall environmental performance, the comparison examined three pretreatment options for miscanthus. Overall, results indicate lower impacts for the production in Stuttgart in comparison with the corresponding pathways in Aberystwyth across the analysed categories. Disparities between the sites were mainly attributed to differences in biomass yield. When comparing the conversion options, liquid hot water treatment resulted in the lowest impacts, followed by dilute sulphuric acid. Dilute sodium hydroxide pretreatment represented the least favourable option. Site‐dependent variation in biomass composition and degradability did not have substantial influence on the environmental performance of the analysed pathways. Additionally, implications of replacing petrol with miscanthus ethanol were examined. Ethanol derived from miscanthus resulted in lower impacts with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, fossil resource depletion, natural land transformation and ozone depletion. However, for other categories, including toxicity, eutrophication and agricultural land occupation, net scores were substantially higher than for the fossil reference. Nevertheless, the results indicate that miscanthus ethanol produced via dilute acid and liquid hot water treatment at the site in Stuttgart has the potential to comply with the requirements of the European Renewable energy directive for greenhouse gas emission reduction. For ethanol production at the marginal site, carbon sequestration needs to be considered in order to meet the requirements for greenhouse gas mitigation.
Sleep Disorders and Migraine: Review of Literature and Potential Pathophysiology Mechanisms
Authors: Vgontzas Angeliki , Pavlović Jelena M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMigraine shares a complex and poorly understood relationship with sleep. Patients consistently report poor sleep prior to migraine attacks and during them, identifying poor sleep as a migraine trigger. However, anecdotally, sleep is reported to serve a therapeutic role in terminating headache. Are the associations between migraine and sleep simply the result of various bidirectional relationships? A growing body of evidence suggests there may be a common underlying etiology as well. Our objective was to review studies of sleep and migraine from the last 2 decades utilizing validated subjective and objective measures of sleep and to explore potential mechanisms underlying this complex relationship by incorporating recent advances in neuroscience. We specifically focus on insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, sleep related movement disorders, and REM sleep related disorders and their relationship to migraine. Parts of brainstem‐cortical networks involved in sleep physiology are unintentionally being identified as important factors in the common migraine pathway. Recent discoveries on anatomic localization (the hypothalamus as a key and early mediator in the pathophysiology of migraine), common mediating signaling molecules (such as serotonin and dopamine), and the discovery of a new CNS waste removal system, the glymphatic system, all point to a common pathophysiology manifesting in migraine and sleep problems.
Contemporary review of severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Adams Heath S. L. , Ashokkumar Srikkumar , Newcomb Andrew , MacIsaac Andrew I. , Whitbourn Robert J. , Palmer Sonny 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSevere aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valvular heart disease in the developed world, with a rising prevalence due to an ageing Australian population. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a less invasive option for the treatment of severe AS, with evidence supporting TAVI compared with medical therapy in inoperable patients and superior with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high‐risk patients. Equal outcomes have been observed in all‐comer intermediate‐risk populations. The Heart Team utilises a shared decision‐making approach between physicians and surgeons in risk‐stratifying patients and reduces the intrinsic bias that may occur if decisions are made in isolation. Geriatric assessment is useful for identifying preoperative frailty, a major risk factor for death post‐aortic valve intervention. In severe AS, a decision can be made collaboratively to pursue TAVI, SAVR, a Ross Procedure or conservative management. The learning curve associated with TAVI has improved markedly, with overall complication rates decreasing around the world. Contemporary changes in practice, such as conscious sedation without general anaesthesia, expedited recovery and early discharge, will likely improve cost‐effectiveness. In 2018, TAVI is a well‐established procedure in Australia that has revolutionised the management of severe AS. In the future, with an expanding elderly population, the number of patients to benefit from transcatheter therapies for severe AS is hypothesised to increase 4–10‐fold. Heart Team assessment is crucial in patients with severe AS to direct appropriate management.
Interpoint Distance Classification of High Dimensional Discrete Observations
Authors: Guo Lingzhe , Modarres Reza 
Published: August 2018

SummaryClassification is a multivariate technique that is concerned with allocating new observations to two or more groups. We use interpoint distances to measure the closeness of the samples and construct new rules for high dimensional classification of discrete observations. Applicable to high dimensional data, the new method is non‐parametric and uses test‐based classification with permutation testing. We propose a modification of a test‐based rule to use relative values with respect to the training samples baseline. We compare the proposed rule with parametric methods, such as likelihood ratio rule and modified linear discriminate function, and non‐parametric techniques such as support vector machine, nearest neighbour and depth‐based classification, under multivariate Bernoulli, multinomial and multivariate Poisson distributions.
Enhanced electrical properties related to structural distortion of CaBi2Nb2O9‐based piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Xie Juan , Zhong Jianqiang , Wu Chao , Shi Yulin , Wang Dan , Liu Gang , Liang Dayun , Wang Bo , Zhu Jianguo , Chen Qiang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCaBi2Nb2O9 (CBN)‐based high Curie temperature piezoelectric ceramics with formula Ca0.8‐xSrx(Li0.5Ce0.15Bi0.35)0.2Bi2Nb1.94Ta0.04W0.02O9 were prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction method. The effects of strontium substitution for calcium in CBN pseudo‐perovskite structure A‐site were systematically studied. Results showed that the addition of Sr2+ ions lead to an improvement of the tetragonality of lattice structure, which resulted in an enhancement of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties together with high Curie temperature TC and good resistance to thermal depolarization. The analysis of dielectric spectrums revealed that the space charge polarization induced an additional dielectric anomaly occurred below TC. The composition with x = 0.025 showed good integrated performance, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 and TC were ~17.5 pC/N and ~917°C, respectively. Even though the as‐studied ceramics underwent high depolarizing temperature reached up to 875°C, d33 decreased by 8% merely. The remanent polarization 2Pr and the resistivity ρ at 650°C were on the order of ~10 μC/cm2 and 3 × 105 Ω cm, respectively.
25‐Hydroxycholesterol protects against acute lung injury via targeting MD‐2
Authors: Ouyang Wei , Zhou Hui , Liu Chao , Wang Shiwei , Han Yu , Xia Jingyan , Xu Feng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is mainly caused by uncontrolled inflammatory response, and it remains without effective therapeutic options. 25‐hydroxycholesterol (25HC) has been reported to be a potent regulator of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 25HC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with 25HC intraperitoneally before intratracheal exposure to LPS. Our results showed that 25HC pretreatment improved survival rate, attenuated the pathological changes of the lung and decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines in mice. Consistently, 25HC reduced expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR4)‐mediated inflammatory cytokines in vitro. These effects of 25HC were obtained by preventing LPS binding to TLR4 via interaction with myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD‐2). Crystal structure analysis suggested that 25HC could bind MD‐2 with high affinity into its hydrophobic pocket. Furthermore, LPS‐induced activation of Akt/NF‐κB pathway was partially down‐regulated by 25HC pretreatment. In summary, this study demonstrates that 25HC could inhibit the overwhelming inflammatory response through MD‐2 interaction, which suppresses Akt/NF‐κB signalling pathway. These findings suggest 25HC may be a promising candidate for ALI prevention.
Effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment of atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Congrete Soontharee , Bintvihok Maythawee , Thongprayoon Charat , Bathini Tarun , Boonpheng Boonphiphop , Sharma Konika , Chokesuwattanaskul Ronpichai , Srivali Narat , Tanawuttiwat Tanyanan , Cheungpasitporn Wisit 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground/objectivesPatients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have an increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear if patients with OSA carry a higher risk of recurrent AF after successful catheter ablation. This meta‐analysis was conducted (1) to evaluate the association between OSA and recurrent AF after catheter ablation, and (2) to assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the risk of recurrent AF in patients with OSA.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases from inception through July 2017 to identify studies that evaluated the risk of recurrent AF after successful catheter ablation in patients with OSA were included. Effect estimates from the individual study were extracted and combined using random‐effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.ResultsSeven observational studies with a total of 4572 patients AF after successful catheter ablation were enrolled. Compared to patients without OSA, the pooled OR of recurrent AF in patients with OSA was 1.70 (95% CI, 1.40‐2.06, I2 = 0). Among OSA patients with AF after successful catheter ablation, the use of CPAP was significantly associated with decreased risk of recurrent AF with pooled OR of 0.28 (0.19‐0.40, I2 = 0). Egger's regression asymmetry test was performed and showed no publication bias for the associations of OSA and CPAP with recurrent AF.ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis suggested a significant association between OSA and recurrent AF after catheter ablation. The use of CPAP in patients with OSA is associated with reduced risk of recurrent AF after catheter ablation.
Influencing Control: Jawboning in Risk Arbitrage
Authors: JIANG WEI , LI TAO , MEI DANQING 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTIn an “activist risk arbitrage,” a shareholder attempts to improve terms of an announced M&A through public campaigns. Activists target deals with low premiums and those susceptible to managerial conflicts of interest, including going‐private deals and deals in which CEOs receive outsized payments. Activist arbitrageurs are associated with a significant decrease in the probability that targets will be sold to the announced bidders, and an increase in the premium paid, both ex post among surviving deals and ex ante among all deals. Activist arbitrage serves as a governance mechanism in M&A and earns higher returns than passive arbitrage.
Use of experienced panelists and the projective mapping task in comparison to trained panelists and naïve consumers
Authors: Morin Maude , Hayward Lydia , McSweeney Matthew B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractProjective mapping (PM) is rapid sensory method that is becoming more popular among sensory scientists to obtain general product descriptions. This study compares the results of a descriptive analysis panel completed by trained panelists to the results of a PM task completed by experienced panelists (n = 22) and naïve consumers (n = 79), using cookies made with alternative grains as a model. The experienced panelists in this trial were considered as those who have experience with the PM task; however, they do not experience with the products being tested. There was no correlation between the naïve consumers and experienced panelists (RV = 0.297). The RV coefficient between the experienced panelists and the trained panelists was 0.665, indicating a high similarity. These results indicate that experience with the sensory task has drastic effects on the panelists' evaluations. Future work needs to explore when experienced panelists are the most suitable group of assessors to be used.Practical applicationsExperienced panelists are panelists who have extensive knowledge and experience with a particular sensory method. However, in this trial, they do not possess knowledge or training about the products being assessed. This study investigates how experienced panelists performing the PM task compare to naïve consumers and trained panelists. There was no correlation between the naïve consumers and the experienced panelists; however, there was a correlation between the trained and experienced panelists. Further examination is necessary; however, research may indicate that when time, resources, or product is limited, experienced panelists may be a good surrogate population for trained panelists.
A conflict that did not happen: revisiting the Javakhk affair in Georgia
Authors: Ter‐Matevosyan Vahram , Currie Brent 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDuring and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, several violent conflicts erupted in different parts of its (former) territory. The South Caucasus region has experienced three ethnically rooted violent conflicts, yet other ethnic disputes in the same region remained dormant. Despite an extensive literature on the South Caucasus conflicts, research on those ethnic disputes that could have erupted during the collapse of the Soviet Union is scarce. This article discusses the case of the Armenian populated region of Javakhk (Javakheti) in Georgia. It explores the questions of how, unlike the Abkhazian and South Ossetian movements that were able to effectively mobilize against Georgian calls for sovereignty leading up to the Soviet collapse, Armenian populated territories in Georgia remained relatively quiet. Considering that the primary ethnic minority groups within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic could each be linked by concerns over demographic shifts, economic discrimination/resource allocation, and political representation, the absence of conflict in Javakhk, as well as in Kvemo Kartli, is somewhat surprising. Based on existing theories of nationalism and ethnic conflicts and field interviews with the leaders of the popular movements in Javakhk, the paper examines the underlying reasons for the lack of conflict there.
Sovereign wealth funds and macroeconomic stability in oil‐exporting African countries
Authors: Rasaki Mutiu Gbade , Malikane Christopher 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates the effectiveness of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in reducing macroeconomic volatility occasioned by oil price shocks in oil‐exporting African countries. The oil price boom‐bust cycles complicate fiscal operations, distort budget implementation and trigger macroeconomic instability in oil exporting African countries. We formulate and simulate a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model that features SWFs and the fiscal sector. We compare a baseline model without the SWFs to a model with the SWFs. The simulation analysis suggests that the establishment of SWFs can mitigate the vulnerability of oil‐exporting African countries to oil price shocks. In particular, SWFs can reduce fiscal expenditure and real exchange rate volatility. Furthermore, SWFs can stabilise the level of external debt and reduce the level of money supply thereby sterilising the oil revenue. Since oil price shock is one of the important external shocks inducing economic instability in oil‐exporting African countries, the creation of SWFs can insulate these economies from external shocks.
Psychologists’ Willingness to Provide Services to Individuals at Risk of Suicide
Authors: Groth Taylor , Boccio Dana E. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveThis study examined psychologists’ willingness to accept a new client into their private practice as a function of the client's clinical presentation (with or without overt suicidality). Psychologists’ openness to working with a client at risk of suicide was evaluated in the context of potential barriers to treatment provision, such as practitioners’ endorsement of stigmatizing attitudes, concerns over liability and inadequate training, and limited access to community resources.MethodEighty‐six licensed psychologists practicing within the United States were surveyed via e‐mail and randomly assigned to one of two conditions, consisting of exposure to a vignette describing either a client reporting current suicidal ideation and a history of attempts or a client without explicitly elevated suicide risk. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their likelihood of accepting the hypothetical client into their practice and examining possible explanations for disinclination to provide treatment.ResultsPsychologists were less willing to work with a client experiencing suicidality than an individual without elevated suicide risk. Those indicating a reluctance to provide services reported greater concerns over the adequacy of their suicide‐related skills and training and fewer resources in the community.ConclusionsRecommendations for improving the responsiveness of private practitioners are provided, with an emphasis on enhancing clinical training and increasing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources.
Prevalence of zoonotic parasites in feral cats of Central Virginia, USA
Authors: Taetzsch Sara J. , Gruszynski Karen R. , Bertke Andrea S. , Dubey Jitender P. , Monti Katelynn A. , Zajac Anne M. , Lindsay David S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFelis catus, the domestic cat, is the definitive host for parasites that may result in adverse health outcomes in humans. Prevalence data of zoonotic parasites in feral cats, which are free‐roaming domestic cats that are born and live in the wild, are limited. The objective of this study was to assess seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and copro‐prevalence of potentially zoonotic parasites in feral cats and to evaluate risk factors for seropositivity and faecal excretion of parasites. In this cross‐sectional survey, 275 feral cats at Trap‐Neuter‐Release clinics in Central Virginia were tested for parasites via faecal flotation, direct immunofluorescence assay (faeces) and modified agglutination testing (serum). Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence was 22.35% (95% CI: 17.47–27.86). Faecal prevalence of T. gondii‐like oocysts was 1.04% (95% CI: 0.13–3.71), Toxocara cati 58.85% (95% CI: 51.54–65.89), Ancylostoma spp. 18.75% (95% CI: 13.49–25.00), Giardia duodenalis 5.73% (95% CI: 2.89–10.02) and Cryptosporidium spp. 3.33% (95% CI: 1.37–7.24). Female cats were more likely than males to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.34–6.17). Adults were more likely than immature cats to be seropositive (OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.11–3.97) and to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.10–5.99). However, immature cats were more likely than adults to excrete T. cati eggs (OR 6.79; 95% CI: 3.31–13.90) and to excrete one or more potentially zoonotic species (OR 4.67; 95% CI: 2.28–9.55) in faeces. Results of this study have implications for human and animal health and highlight the importance of collaboration between public health, medical and veterinary communities in preventive efforts.
Assessment of the Combustion and Emission Behavior of Crushed Corn Cob Pellets in a Fixed-Bed Combustor
Authors: El-Sayed Saad A. , Khairy M. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
The ignition, combustion, and emission behavior of crushed corn cob pellets of different shapes and sizes with a chemical binder (Epoxy1092) under certain operating conditions in a fixed-bed combustor were investigated in this study. Also, chemical kinetic parameters are determined by using thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analysis data for both pellet and binder. It was found that the activation energy value is 129.82 kJ mol−1 for pellets, while the activation energy value is 109.62 kJ mol−1 for epoxy 1092. The surface and central pellet temperatures histories, the mass loss rates, conversion rate as well as a simple combustion ash analysis are recorded and analyzed. It was found that increasing the starting air temperature and air velocity and decreasing the size of pellet lead to a decrease in devolatilization time, time to reach maximum temperature, char combustion time, and an increase in the total combustion rate. Regarding to emissions; it was found that the CO2 content increased with increasing the starting air temperature and flow velocity and the maximum CO concentration reaches to 49 ppm at 9.6 ± 1.04% O2. The fouling, slagging indices, and ash viscosity were investigated. The corn cob pellets show a relatively high fouling inclination (FI) and a medium slagging inclination.
Prediction of Tool-Chip Interface Temperature in Cryogenic Machining of Ti–6Al–4V: Analytical Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Kesriklioglu Sinan , Pfefferkorn Frank E. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
The goal of this work is to predict the tool-chip interface temperature during cryogenic machining and determine the effectiveness of this cooling strategy. Knowledge of the tool-chip interface temperature is needed to conduct process planning: choosing a tool cooling geometry, cutting speed, and cryogen flow rate as well as predicting tool life and achievable material removal rate. A detailed explanation of the analytical heat transfer model is presented, which is a modified form of Loewen and Shaw's orthogonal cutting model, where a thermal resistance network is applied to represent the heat transfer mechanisms in, and out of, the cutting tool. An in-depth discussion of the temperature rise at the tool-chip interface during orthogonal machining of titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V is presented. The effect of cutting speed, cryogen flow rate and quality, and cooling strategy are explored. The model is used to compare the effect of internal cryogenic cooling with external flood cooling using a water-based metalworking fluid or liquid nitrogen. A sensitivity analysis of the model is conducted and ranks the relative importance of various design parameters. The thermal conductivity of the cutting insert has the greatest influence on the predicted interface temperature. The low boiling temperature and phase change are what make internal cooling of a cutting insert with liquid nitrogen effective at reducing the tool-chip interface temperature. If the heat flowing into the tool, from the tool-chip interface, does not exceed the available latent heat in the cryogen, then this method is more effective than external flood cooling.