bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of U.S. mortality prediction models for hospitalized heart failure in the United Kingdom and Japan
Authors: Nagai Toshiyuki , Sundaram Varun , Shoaib Ahmad , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Kohsaka Shun , Rothnie Kieran J. , Piper Susan , McDonagh Theresa A. , Hardman Suzanna M.C. , Goda Ayumi , Mizuno Atsushi , Sawano Mitsuaki , Rigby Alan S. , Quint Jennifer K. , Yoshikawa Tsutomu , Clark Andrew L. , Anzai Toshihisa , Cleland John G.F. 
Published: May 2018

AimsPrognostic models for hospitalized heart failure (HHF) were developed predominantly for patients of European origin in the United States of America; it is unclear whether they perform similarly in other health care systems or for different ethnicities. We sought to validate published prediction models for HHF in the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan.Methods and resultsPatients in the UK (n =894) and Japan (n =3158) were prospectively enrolled and were similar in terms of sex (∼60% men) and median age (∼77 years). Models predicted that British patients would have a higher mortality than Japanese, which was indeed true both for in‐hospital (4.8% vs. 2.5%) and 180‐day (20.7% vs. 9.5%) mortality. The model c‐statistics for the published/derivation (range 0.70–0.76) and Japanese (range 0.75–0.77) cohorts were similar and higher than for the UK (0.62–0.75) but models consistently overestimated mortality in Japan. For in‐hospital mortality, the OPTIMIZE‐HF model performed best, providing similar discrimination in published/derivation, UK and Japanese cohorts [c‐indices: 0.75 (0.74–0.77); 0.75 (0.68–0.81); and 0.77 (0.70–0.83), respectively], and least overestimated mortality in Japan. For 180‐day mortality, the c‐statistics for the ASCEND‐HF model were similar in published/derivation (0.70) and UK [0.69 (0.64–0.74)] cohorts but higher in Japan [0.75 (0.71–0.79)]; calibration was good in the UK but again overestimated mortality in Japan.ConclusionCalibration of published prediction models appears moderately accurate and unbiased when applied to British patients but consistently overestimates mortality in Japan. Identifying the reason why patients in Japan have a better than predicted prognosis is of great interest.
Testing dye‐sensitized solar cells in harsh northern outdoor conditions
Authors: Lepikko Sakari , Miettunen Kati , Poskela Aapo , Tiihonen Armi , Lund Peter D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHere, we report on the behavior of dye solar cells in real‐life weather conditions from a northern outdoor test covering for the first time cell performance measurements in harsh conditions with varying weather from mildly warm conditions to freezing and snowy. The effect of different weather conditions on the cell performance is quantitatively investigated by using correlations coefficients of weather parameters to cell performance. No degradation was observed during the frosty period, but instead during the warmer, rainy periods with high moisture levels. Nevertheless, after 6 weeks of outdoor testing in varying harsh conditions, the cells maintained on average 88% of their initial efficiency. Tracking the cell performance during the aging showed that the test cells generated roughly as much current at subzero temperatures as at warmer temperatures. Investigations of the degradation reactions revealed that while photoelectrode degradation was the main cause of degradation during this test, the loss of charge carriers, which had only a minor effect on performance during the test, would likely become a major degradation factor during the next 1000 h of testing. Furthermore, the test showed that the cells even doubled their efficiency in low light intensity conditions compared with the standard reporting conditions. Thus, the overall conversion efficiency during the whole experiment reached up to 50% higher values compared with the results in standard testing conditions.
Lagoa Santa's contribution to the origins and life of early Americans
Authors: Da‐Gloria Pedro , Hubbe Mark , Neves Walter A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe region of Lagoa Santa, Central‐Eastern Brazil, provides an exceptional archeological record about Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene occupation of the Americas. Since the first interventions made by the Danish naturalist Peter Lund in the 19th century, hundreds of human skeletons have been exhumed in the region. These skeletons are complemented by a rich botanic, faunal, technological, and geomorphological archeological record. We explore here the contributions of Lagoa Santa material to the origins and lifestyle of early Americans, providing an historic background. Cranial morphology of Lagoa Santa skeletons allowed the proposition of a model of two biological components for the occupation of the Americas, in which early Americans are morphologically similar to people of African and Australo‐Melanesian origin. Furthermore, the archeological record in the region has revealed an intense use of plant resources, a restricted spatial distribution, and the symbolic elaboration of local hunter‐gatherers, unveiling a distinct lifestyle compared to early North American populations.
Waste‐derived low‐cost mycelium composite construction materials with improved fire safety
Authors: Jones Mitchell , Bhat Tanmay , Huynh Tien , Kandare Everson , Yuen Richard , Wang Chun H. , John Sabu 
Published: May 2018

SummaryMycelial growth attracts academic and commercial interest because of its ability to upcycle agricultural and industrial wastes into economical and environmentally sustainable composite materials using a natural, low‐energy manufacturing process able to sequester carbon. This study aims to characterise the effect of varying ratios of high silica agricultural and industrial wastes on the flammability of mycelium composites, relative to typical synthetic construction materials. The results reveal that mycelium composites are safer than the traditional construction materials considered, producing much lower average and peak heat release rates and longer time to flashover. They also release significantly less smoke and CO2, although CO production fluctuated. Rice hulls yielded significant char and silica ash which improved fire performance, but composites containing glass fines exhibited the best fire performance because of their significantly higher silica concentrations and low combustible material content. Higher concentrations of glass fines increased volume‐specific cost but reduced mass‐specific and density‐specific costs. The findings of this study show that mycelium composites are a very economical alternative to highly flammable petroleum‐derived and natural gas‐derived synthetic polymers and engineered woods for applications including insulation, furniture, and panelling.
Catalytic Reforming System Suitable for Transportation Applications
Authors: Majewski A. J. , Bossel U. , Steinberger‐Wilckens R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe paper describes operation and optimization of an onboard reforming system for an auxiliary power unit solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC APU) system for trucks that use liquid natural gas as fuel. The reformer system is based on partial oxidation and produces a reformate gas flow sufficient for a 100 W fuel cell. The ALMUS AG concept and configuration of the SOFC APU unit is described. The paper presents analyses of the efficiency of the partial oxidation reformer. The selected catalyst AB10 is analyzed under various reaction temperatures and molar ratios of CH4:air. Two reforming reactor configurations are tested; both with 5 g of the catalyst. The optimal operating conditions for the reactor are proposed. The reformer is currently operated in an electric furnace that simulates the actual system and condition in a combustion chamber. The main focus is to obtain stable operation with high hydrogen yield and low coke deposition. The paper presents analyses of a 1,000 h partial oxidation stability test. The demonstration of the performance of the CPOX reformer confirms the system applicability. The observed slow catalyst deactivation is attributed to the detected coke deposition. The change to the structure of deposited coke along the reactor is explained.
E‐Government systems inSouthAfrica:Aninfocultureperspective
Authors: Singh Shawren , Travica Bob 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate challenges surrounding e‐Government systems in South Africa and their origins. Based on interviews with senior managers/senior state administrators as the key method and on qualitative data analysis, challenges were identified within the cultural environment of the senior managers, their positioning in relation to e‐Government systems, organizational processes, and in the policy domain. A specialized cultural analysis based on the informing culture framework was applied in order to deepen understanding of the challenges' origins. It revealed a hybrid of an immature bureaucracy and a mature clan informing culture as deep‐seated aspects of the socio‐organizational context surrounding South African e‐Government systems. The contributions of this research are in advancing theorizing on e‐Government and in helping the senior managers/senior state administrators to develop a better understanding of the cultural environment that they are expected to work in.
Species differences in bile acids II. Bile acid metabolism
Authors: Thakare Rhishikesh , Alamoudi Jawaher Abdullah , Gautam Nagsen , Rodrigues A. David , Alnouti Yazen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOne of the mechanisms of drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) involves alterations in bile acid (BA) homeostasis and elimination, which encompass several metabolic pathways including hydroxylation, amidation, sulfation, glucuronidation and glutathione conjugation. Species differences in BA metabolism may play a major role in the failure of currently used in vitro and in vivo models to predict reliably the DILI during the early stages of drug discovery and development. We developed an in vitro cofactor‐fortified liver S9 fraction model to compare the metabolic profiles of the four major BAs (cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid) between humans and several animal species. High‐ and low‐resolution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging were used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of BAs and their metabolites. Major species differences were found in the metabolism of BAs. Sulfation into 3‐O‐sulfates was a major pathway in human and chimpanzee (4.8%–52%) and it was a minor pathway in all other species (0.02%–14%). Amidation was primarily with glycine (62%–95%) in minipig and rabbit and it was primarily with taurine (43%–81%) in human, chimpanzee, dog, hamster, rat and mice. Hydroxylation was highest (13%–80%) in rat and mice followed by hamster, while it was lowest (1.6%–22%) in human, chimpanzee and minipig. C6‐β hydroxylation was predominant (65%–95%) in rat and mice, while it was at C6‐α position in minipig (36%–97%). Glucuronidation was highest in dog (10%–56%), while it was a minor pathway in all other species (<12%). The relative contribution of the various pathways involved in BA metabolism in vitro were in agreement with the observed plasma and urinary BA profiles in vivo and were able to predict and quantify the species differences in BA metabolism. In general, overall, BA metabolism in chimpanzee is most similar to human, while BA metabolism in rats and mice is most dissimilar from human.
Information reliability and team reflection as contingencies of the relationship between information elaboration and team decision quality
Authors: Breugst Nicola , Preller Rebecca , Patzelt Holger , Shepherd Dean A. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryAlthough previous research has found a positive relationship between information elaboration and team decision quality if team members possess diverse information, we know little about the boundary conditions of this relationship. In this study, we provide a more nuanced understanding of these boundary conditions by focusing on team‐external and team‐internal contingencies. Based on a sample of 52 student teams working on a decision‐making task, we find a complex three‐way interaction between information elaboration, information reliability, and team reflection in explaining team decision quality. The relationship between information elaboration and team decision quality was not significant when teams were confronted with unreliable information independent of their level of reflection. However, for teams confronted with reliable information, the relationship between information elaboration and team decision quality was positive for low levels of reflection but negative for high levels of reflection. Our results provide important implications for our understanding of information elaboration, team reflection, and the context of team decision making.
Liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry for comprehensive phenolic characterization of pomegranate fruit and flower extracts used as ingredients in botanical dietary supplements
Authors: Liu Yongqiang , Seeram Navindra P. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit and flower extracts, which are rich sources of bioactive phenolics, are widely utilized as ingredients in botanical dietary supplements. While the phenolic characterization of extracts of pomegranate fruit has been previously studied by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, there is lack of similar data for pomegranate flowers. Herein, liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to comprehensively characterize the phenolics present in two pomegranate extracts, previously studied for their in vitro and in vivo biological effects, namely, a patented commercial pomegranate fruit extract (Pomella®), and a pomegranate flower extract. Seventy‐one phenolics were characterized in the pomegranate fruit extract with the vast majority identified in the flower extract. However, only the pomegranate fruit extract contained tannin‐glucuronides and two punicalagin isomers (a characteristic pomegranate phenolic) were identified in this extract while four were identified in the flower extract. The previously reported compounds, pomellatannin and punicatannins A/B, were identified as unique chemical markers in the pomegranate fruit and flower extracts, respectively. This study will aid in the quality control, authentication, and standardization of these botanical ingredients to evaluate their potential health benefits in future planned pre‐clinical and clinical studies. Also, this is the first phenolic characterization of a pomegranate flower extract using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
Experimental and numerical estimation of the damage level in multilayered composite plates
Authors: Romanowicz P.J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe detection of the internal and surface damage and estimation of the critical delamination size is discussed. The problem is illustrated on examples of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composite plates. Experimental static and fatigue tensile tests were performed for multi‐layered plates with a circular hole and a circular delamination with the passive thermography and the digital image correlation used simultaneously for full‐field monitoring of thermal and mechanical effects. Both techniques are compared and verified in the context of detection and prediction of damage under static and fatigue loads. The technique of critical delamination size calculation is presented on the example of a plate made of a graphite/epoxy material. The computations were performed for bi‐axial compression using the finite element analysis and multiaxial fracture criteria. Different criteria are compared. It was observed that only nonlinear‐interaction criteria are suitable for the analysis of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composite structures. It was also found that the mixed form of all three gap opening modes may occur in a composite plate with internal delamination. The proposed procedure for detection and analysis of damage is applicable in structural health monitoring of composite structures.
Analysis of the corrosion protective ability of atomic layer deposition silica‐based coatings deposited on 316LVM steel
Authors: Basiaga M. , Walke W. , Kajzer W. , Hyla A. , Domanowska A. , Michalewicz A. , Krawczyk C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe use of implants made out of metallic materials can cause some negative effects that reduce the effectiveness of treatment of various diseases of the human circulatory system. These include, above all, blood clotting on the surface and insufficient hemocompatibility [1]. To reduce these negative effects, the formation of physical and chemical properties of the surface layer of the implants are indicated [2]. The paper proposes the use of the atomic layer deposition method to form a surface layer with participation of a suitable silicon morphology. One of the basic criteria of hemocompatibility of implants is their corrosion resistance. Therefore, in assessing the SiO2 layer, a detailed test for resistance to corrosion by potentiodynamic and impedance studies were conducted, including the process of steam sterilization under pressure. The chemical structure of the surface layer was also evaluated. The results clearly demonstrated that the applied layer of SiO2 has better corrosion resistance when compared to the steel substrate. This reduces excessive transfer of iron, chromium, nickel and molybdenum into the blood. On the other hand, studies of the chemical composition of the depth profile showed a diffuse SiO2 layer which results in a better adhesion to the substrate.
Investigations of surface layer temperature and morphology of hard machinable materials used in aircraft industry during abrasive electrodischarge grinding process
Authors: Gołąbczak M. , Święcik R. , Gołąbczak A. , Nouveau C. , Jacquet P. , Blanc C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this work the results related to the influence of selected electrical parameters of the abrasive electrodischarge grinding process on the surface layer temperature and morphology of machined samples in comparison to the conventional grinding method are presented. The basis of this work has been investigations of the deep grinding of surfaces of the samples made of titanium 5553 β, Inconel 617, Hastelloy X and magnesium AZ31 using a cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding wheel with metallic binding agent. For the comparative evaluation of the conventional grinding and abrasive electrodischarge grinding, measurements of the specific grinding energy, temperature on the surface layer (at the contact of the grinding wheel‐workpiece) and geometric structure of the surface layer have been used.
Thermographic analysis of the building height impact on the properties of tool steel in selective laser beam melting
Authors: Körperich J.P. , Merkel M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAdditive manufacturing is becoming increasingly important, as evidenced by the increasing number of media reports and scientific publications. Due to the possibility of producing directly usable components with properties comparable to cast parts, the process is suitable for the production of prototypes and serial components. Quality control is an essential element in the production of serial components and will become an important factor in selective laser beam melting. The study at hand deals with the integration of a thermographic process monitoring, the temperature distribution along the height and its influence on the component properties. For this purpose, the material H13 was choosen by a preheating temperature > 550 °C. With the infrared camera, a temperature drop of approximately 170 °C along the height was observed, which mainly affected the hardness and microstructure. The achieved hardness values were between 614 HV 10 and 662 HV 10. Investigations on the microstructure have shown that a longer period of time at higher temperatures in the lower component area favours the formation of martensitic structures. An influence on the surface roughness, which was almost constant along the height, could not be determined. Roughnesses between Ra = 1.5 μm and Ra =  2.1 μm were achieved.
Progress and challenges in the prevention and control of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Zhang Xiao‐Jing , Li Hongliang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common liver disease worldwide. Individuals with NAFLD have a high frequency of developing progressive liver disease and metabolism‐related comorbidities, which result from of a lack of awareness and poor surveillance of the disease and a paucity of approved and effective therapies. Managing the complications of NAFLD has already begun to place a tremendous burden on health‐care systems. Although efforts to identify effective therapies are underway, the lack of validated preclinical NAFLD models that represent the biology and outcomes of human disease remains a major barrier. This review summarizes the characteristics and prevalence of the disease and the status of our understanding of its mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Selective targeting of antiapoptotic BCL‐2 proteins in cancer
Authors: Timucin Ahmet Can , Basaga Huveyda , Kutuk Ozgur 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCircumvention of apoptotic machinery is one of the distinctive properties of carcinogenesis. Extensively established key effectors of such apoptotic bypass mechanisms, the antiapoptotic BCL‐2 (apoptosis regulator BCL‐2) proteins, determine the response of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics. Within this background, research and development of antiapoptotic BCL‐2 inhibitors were considered to have a tremendous amount of potential toward the discovery of novel pharmacological modulators in cancer. In this review, milestone achievements in the development of selective antiapoptotic BCL‐2 proteins inhibitors for BCL‐2, BCL‐XL (BCL‐2‐like protein 1), and MCL‐1 (induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein MCL‐1) were summarized and their future implications were discussed. In the first section, the design and development of BCL‐2/BCL‐XL dual inhibitor navitoclax, as well as the recent advances and clinical experience with selective BCL‐2 inhibitor venetoclax, were synopsized. Preclinical data from selective BCL‐XL inhibitors, which are currently undergoing extensive testing as a single agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents, were further summarized. In the second section, MCL‐1 inhibitors developed as potential anticancer agents were reviewed regarding their specificity toward MCL‐1. Explicitly, studies leading to the identification of MCL‐1, nonselective and selective targeting of MCL‐1, and recently initiated clinical trials were compiled in chronological order. Based on these concepts, future directions were further discussed for increasing selectivity in the design of prosurvival BCL‐2 member inhibitors.