bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economic evaluation of interventions for the treatment of asthma in children: A systematic review
Authors: Halmai Luca Adél , Neilson Aileen Rae , Kilonzo Mary 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to identify and critique full economic evaluations (EEs) of childhood asthma treatments with the intention to guide researchers and commissioners of pediatric asthma services toward potentially cost‐effective strategies.Methods“MEDLINE,” “Embase,” “EconLit,” “NHS EED,” and “CEA” databases were searched to identify relevant EEs published between 2005 and May 2017. Quality of included studies was assessed with a published checklist.ResultsEighteen studies were identified and comprised one cost‐benefit analysis, 11 cost‐effectiveness analyses, one cost‐minimization analysis, and six cost‐utility analyses. Treatments included pharmaceutical (n = 11) and non‐pharmaceutical (n = 7) interventions. Fourteen studies identified cost‐effective strategies. The quality of the studies varied and there were uncertainties due to the methods and relevance of data used.ConclusionGood‐quality economic evaluation studies of pediatric asthma treatments are lacking. EE of new technologies adapted to local settings is recommended and can result in cost savings.
Quantitative trait loci for fruit size and flowering time‐related traits under domestication and diversifying selection in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Authors: Sheng Yunyan , Pan Yupeng , Li Yuhong , Yang Luming , Weng Yiqun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn cucumber, the genetic basis of traits under domestication and/or diversifying selection is not well understood. Here, we reported QTL mapping for flowering time and fruit size‐related traits with segregating populations derived from a cultivated × wild cross. Phenotypic data of flowering time (FT), fruit size (FS), fruit number (FN) and fruit weight per plant (FW) were collected in multiple environments. QTL analysis identified 19 QTL for these traits. We found that the major‐effect QTL FT1.1 played an important role in regulating flowering time in cultivated cucumber, whereas the minor‐effect QTL FT6.3 contributed to photoperiod sensitive flowering time during domestication. Two novel consensus FS QTL, FS1.4 and FS2.3, seem to be the targets of selection during breeding for the US processing cucumber. All other FS QTL were co‐localized with previously detected QTL using populations derived from cultivated cucumbers, suggesting that they were under selection during both initial domestication and subsequent improvement. Results from this study also suggested that the wild cucumber is a useful resource for capturing positive transgressive segregation and novel alleles that could be explored in cucumber breeding.
Limited sampling strategy to predict the area under the curve of tacrolimus in Mexican renal transplant pediatric patients receiving Prograf® or non‐innovator formulations
Authors: Medina‐Aymerich Lorena , González‐Ramírez Rodrigo , García‐Roca Pilar , Reyes Herlinda , Hernández Ana María , Medeiros Mara , Castañeda‐Hernández Gilberto 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTDM of tacrolimus is usually performed with trough levels (C0h). However, in pediatric patients, C0h may not be an adequate marker. The AUC is considered a more suitable indicator of drug exposure. As several blood samples are needed for the estimation of AUC, and LSS for predicting tacrolimus AUC and optimizing the dose adjustment have been proposed. Moreover, in emerging countries such as Mexico, non‐innovator formulations, which bioequivalence has not been demonstrated, are frequently used. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a LSS to predict the tacrolimus AUC0‐12h in Mexican pediatric kidney transplant recipients who received either Prograf® or non‐innovator tacrolimus formulations. A total of 56 pharmacokinetic profiles were randomized into two groups: model development (n = 28) and model validation (n = 28). The limited sampling equations were obtained after a stepwise multiple regression using AUC as the dependent variable and tacrolimus blood concentrations, quantified by CMIA, at different time points as the independent variables. The final equation included observed concentrations at 1 hour (C1h) and 4 hours (C4h) after dose administration. The predictive performance of the model was adequate in terms of both, bias and precision. Results strongly suggest that the clinical use of this LSS could provide an ethical, cost‐, and time‐effective method in the TDM of tacrolimus in pediatric patients with kidney transplant. The model proved to be adequate with either Prograf® or non‐innovator tacrolimus formulations of dubious bioequivalence.
The practice of meditation is not associated with improved interoceptive awareness of the heartbeat
Authors: Khalsa Sahib S. , Rudrauf David , Hassanpour Mahlega S. , Davidson Richard J. , Tranel Daniel 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMeditation is commonly assumed to be associated with enhanced interoceptive accuracy. We previously found that experienced meditators did not exhibit a greater ability than nonmeditators to detect heartbeat sensations at rest, despite the meditators' reported subjective ratings of higher accuracy and lower difficulty. Here, attempting to overcome previous methodological limitations, we assessed interoceptive awareness of heartbeat and breathing sensations across physiological arousal levels using infusions of isoproterenol, a beta‐adrenergic agonist similar to adrenaline. We hypothesized that meditators would display greater interoceptive awareness than nonmeditators, as evidenced by higher interoceptive detection rates, increased interoceptive accuracy, and differences in localization of heartbeat sensations. We studied 15 meditators and 15 nonmeditators, individually matched on age, gender, and body mass index, using randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled bolus infusions of isoproterenol. Participants reported their experience of heartbeat and breathing sensations using a dial during infusions and the location of heartbeat sensations on a two‐dimensional manikin afterward. There was no evidence of higher detection rates or increased accuracy across any dose, although meditators showed a tendency to report cardiorespiratory sensation changes sooner at higher doses. Relative to nonmeditators, meditators exhibited prominent geographical differences in heartbeat localization, disproportionally reporting sensations throughout central regions of the chest, abdomen, neck, back, and head. To further assess indications of potential differences in cardiac interoceptive accuracy between meditators and nonmeditators, we conducted a meta‐analysis including 724 participants and found little evidence for such differences. We conclude that the practice of meditation is not associated with improved cardiac interoceptive awareness.
Emotional and feature‐based modulation of the early posterior negativity
Authors: Farkas Andrew H. , Oliver Katelyn I. , Sabatinelli Dean 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe early posterior negativity (EPN) has been shown to be enhanced by emotional relative to neutral scene perception. A subset of studies has also reported a bias in the EPN toward pleasant relative to unpleasant scenes. Functional MRI research has also identified a region in lateral occipital cortex that shows a sensitivity to the visual perception of body parts, which may contribute to the EPN. Here, we assess the roles of rated scene pleasantness and the depiction of body parts on modulation of the EPN in two studies, using scenes that are chosen to be of equivalent perceptual complexity. In Study 1, we presented two distinct highly pleasant and arousing scene contents (erotic couples and moments of jubilant victory) as well as neutral people, threat, and mutilation scenes. As in prior research, the EPN was enhanced by emotionally arousing scenes, with the greatest modulation evoked by erotic scenes, although victory scenes elicited stronger ratings of pleasantness and equivalent ratings of arousal. This result suggests that the EPN may be sensitive to distinct features found in erotic scenes. To determine the extent to which body part perception modulates the EPN, Study 2 compared EPN modulation evoked by erotic scenes with nonerotic nudist scenes. Ratings of pleasantness and arousal were reduced, yet nudist scenes led to stronger modulation of the EPN compared to erotic scenes. These data indicate that, in addition to the emotional intensity of scenes, modulation of the EPN may in part reflect the discrimination of unclothed body parts.
Can decision transparency increase citizen trust in regulatory agencies? Evidence from a representative survey experiment
Authors: Grimmelikhuijsen Stephan , Herkes Feie , Leistikow Ian , Verkroost Jos , de Vries Femke , Zijlstra Wilte G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDecision transparency is often proposed as a way to maintain or even increase citizen trust, yet this assumption is still untested in the context of regulatory agencies. We test the effect of transparency of a typical decision tradeoff in regulatory enforcement: granting forbearance or imposing a sanction. We employed a representative survey experiment (n = 1,546) in which we test the effect of transparency in general (providing information about a decision or not) and the effect of specific types of transparency (process or rationale transparency). We do this for agencies supervising financial markets, education, and health care. We find that overall decision transparency significantly increases citizen trust in only two of the three agencies. Rationale transparency has a more pronounced positive effect only for the Education Inspectorate. We conclude that the overall effect of decision transparency is positive but that the nature of the regulatory domain may weaken or strengthen this effect.
Contribution of specific pathogens to bloodstream infection mortality in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies: Results from a multicentric surveillance cohort study
Authors: Kern Winfried V. , Roth Jan A. , Bertz Hartmut , Götting Tim , Dettenkofer Markus , Widmer Andreas F. , Theilacker Christian ,   the Hospital Infection Surveillance System for Patients with Hematologic/Oncologic Malignancies Study Group (ONKO‐KISS)
Published: October 2019

AbstractBloodstream infection (BSI) remains a serious complication in patients with hematologic malignancies and neutropenia. The risk factors for mortality after BSI and the contributions of BSI pathogens to mortality remain incompletely understood. We evaluated first BSI among adult neutropenic patients undergoing high‐dose chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies in the setting of (a) an early disease stage of autologous (auto‐HSCT) or allogeneic (allo‐HSCT) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or (b) for acute leukemia. Risk factors for intensive care admission and all‐cause mortality were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression 7 and 30 days after onset of the first BSI in the first neutropenic episode. Between 2002 and 2015, 9080 patients met the study inclusion criteria, and 1424 (16%) developed BSIs, most of them during the first week of neutropenia. Mortality during neutropenia within 7 days and 30 days after BSI onset was 2.5% and 5.1%, respectively, and differed considerably between BSI pathogens. Both 7‐day and 30‐day mortalities were highest for Pseudomonas aeruginosa BSI (16.7% and 26.7%, respectively) and lowest for BSI due to coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus spp. (CoNS) and Streptococcus spp. BSI pathogens were independently associated with 7‐day mortality included P aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., and enterococci. Only gram‐negative BSI and candidemia were associated with admission to intensive care within 7 days after BSI onset. BSI caused by P aeruginosa continues to carry a particularly poor prognosis in neutropenic patients. The unexpected association between enterococcal BSI and increased mortality needs further study.
Variation in phosphorus and sulfur content shapes the genetic architecture and phenotypic associations within the wheat grain ionome
Authors: Fatiukha Andrii , Klymiuk Valentyna , Peleg Zvi , Saranga Yehoshua , Cakmak Ismail , Krugman Tamar , Korol Abraham B. , Fahima Tzion 
Published: October 2019

SummaryDissection of the genetic basis of wheat ionome is crucial for understanding the physiological and biochemical processes underlying mineral accumulation in seeds, as well as for efficient crop breeding. Most of the elements essential for plants are metals stored in seeds as chelate complexes with phytic acid or sulfur‐containing compounds. We assume that the involvement of phosphorus and sulfur in metal chelation is the reason for strong phenotypic correlations within ionome. Adjustment of element concentrations for the effect of variation in phosphorus and sulfur seed content resulted in drastic change of phenotypic correlations between the elements. The genetic architecture of wheat grain ionome was characterized by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using a cross between durum and wild emmer wheat. QTL analysis of the adjusted traits and two‐trait analysis of the initial traits paired with either P or S considerably improved QTL detection power and accuracy, resulting in the identification of 105 QTLs and 617 QTL effects for 11 elements. Candidate gene search revealed some potential functional associations between QTLs and corresponding genes within their intervals. Thus, we have shown that accounting for variation in P and S is crucial for understanding of the physiological and genetic regulation of mineral composition of wheat grain ionome and can be implemented for other plants.
Tariffs and formation of free trade agreements networks
Authors: Hur Jung , Qiu Larry D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the formation of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) on the basis of country heterogeneity in the tariff level. We demonstrate that a country's unilateral incentive to form an FTA depends on the relative magnitudes of the (negative) market concession effect and the (positive) market expansion effect, both of which are determined by the tariff levels of the two FTA partner countries. Global welfare is maximised when all country pairs form FTAs. Two countries in equilibrium are more likely to form an FTA when their tariff gap is smaller or when their tariff levels are neither very high nor very low. This finding is robust to several extensions of the model. Our preliminary empirical analysis provides some evidence for the finding.
Three-Dimensional Computational Loss Analysis of a Compressor for Heavy Duty Truck Engine Turbochargers
Authors: Abel Matthias , Martinez-Botas Ricardo F. , Wöhr Michael , Müller Markus , Leweux Johannes 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed loss analysis of a centrifugal compressor stage with a vaned diffuser for application in a heavy-duty engine turbocharger. The analysis is carried out in order to investigate the loss distribution in the stage. To quantify the impact of different loss types and locations, a detailed validated steady-state three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solution is employed. The local entropy production rate is calculated for two operating points (full load and part load), which are most relevant to the real-world operation of the compressor in a truck application. Two methods are suggested as the procedure for the division of the whole fluid volume into subvolumes because this is key for the resulting loss distribution. The primary loss-generating mechanisms are shown at main operating conditions to reveal the regions of improvement. A detailed grid study was conducted to enable the calculation of the entropy ratio. It was possible to capture around 78% (partial load) and 70% (full load) of the entropy production with a mesh with circa 100 × 106 elements. Around half of the losses were due to the boundary layer friction, followed by losses associated with a boundary layer separation resulting from the back-flow at the shroud contour close to the impeller exit and back disk friction accounted for with 6–7% of the stage's losses.
A Novel Bulk-Flow Model for Pocket Damper Seals
Authors: Cangioli Filippo , Vannini Giuseppe , Chirathadam Thomas 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In this paper, a novel bulk-flow model for pocket damper seals (PDS) is introduced. The model is based on two control volumes (CVs) for each circumferential pocket of the seal. The continuity, circumferential momentum, and energy equations are considered for each control volume. The circumferential recirculating flow within the pocket is modeled for the first time. The boundary layer theory is used to estimate the recirculating flow area, and the Swamee–Jain friction factor correlation allows for defining the dissipation of the circumferential velocity. The perturbation method is used to solve the partial derivative governing equations in the zeroth- and first-order system of equations. The rotordynamic coefficients are evaluated by integrating the dynamic pressure and rotor shear stresses along the circumferential direction. The predictions are compared to the experimental data, which refer to test conditions representative of high-pressure centrifugal compressors. Numerical predictions are accurate for both high positive–negative inlet preswirl ratios. Leakage predictions are also aligned with measurements. Finally, sealing selection approach is introduced in the paper for comparing the dynamic behavior of two different sealing technologies and identifying stable regions as a function of the rotor natural frequency and preswirl ratio.
Signal Processing for Enhancing Impulsiveness Toward Estimating Location of Multiple Roller Defects in a Taper Roller Bearing
Authors: Kumar Anil , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Rolling element defect identification is a difficult task. The reason being that defect on the rolling element has both rotational as well as revolutionary motion. To identify rolling element defect in a taper roller bearing, a novel signal processing scheme is proposed which results in a substantial increase in kurtosis and impulse factor of the vibration signal. The scheme constitutes a series of operations. In the beginning, the raw signal is decomposed by ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and inverse filtering (INF). The above two stages of signal processing extract hidden impulses which are suppressed in the noise present in the experimental data. In the third stage of processing, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) using adaptive wavelet is applied to the preprocessed signal to produce a 2D map of the CWT scalogram. This transformation results in a higher coefficient in the region of impulse produced due to the defect. Finally, time marginal integration (TMI) of the CWT scalogram is carried out for defect localization. The defect frequency was evaluated with an accuracy of 97.81% and defect location was identified with an accuracy of 92%.
Collapse Experiments and Reliability Analyses of Corroded Pipes for Offshore Applications
Authors: Oliveira N. , Netto T. A. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The collapse pressure of subsea pipelines containing corrosion defects is usually predicted by deterministic methods, either numerically or through empirical formulations. A simple deterministic procedure for estimating the collapse pressure of pipes with narrow and long defects has been recently proposed by Netto, T. A. (2009, “On the Effect of Narrow and Long Corrosion Defects on the Collapse Pressure of Pipelines,” Appl. Ocean Res., 31(2), pp. 75–81) and Netto, T. A. (2010, “A Simple Procedure for the Prediction of the Collapse Pressure of Pipelines With Narrow and Long Corrosion Defects—Correlation With New Experimental Data,” Appl. Ocean Res., 32(1), pp. 132–134). The formulation was based on a combined small-scale experimental program and nonlinear numerical analyses accounting for different materials and defect geometries. This paper presents additional experimental tests on corroded pipes under external pressure. The collapse pressure calculated using the equation proposed by Netto is compared with this new set of experiments and also with test results available in open literature. These results are used to estimate the equation uncertainty. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to identify how geometric parameters of the defects influence the reduction of collapse pressure. However, loads and resistance parameters have uncertainties. These uncertainties are related to the geometric and material parameters of the pipe and the operational conditions. To account for these uncertainties, a method to predict the probability of collapse of a corroded pipeline along its operational life is proposed. The methodology is illustrated through a case study in which concepts of structural reliability are used to evaluate the detrimental effect of corrosion damages in a pipeline, providing the basis to develop a risk-based maintenance strategy.
Hydrodynamic Performance Characteristics of a Fluid Film Journal Bearing With a Rectangular Jacking Pocket
Authors: Branagan Michael , Morgan Neal , Goyne Christopher , Fittro Roger , Rockwell Robert , He Minhui 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
To compensate for an extremely heavy journal, jacking pockets can be added to the surface of pads in fluid film bearings. Jacking pockets can range in size and shape and will have an influence on the hydrodynamic performance of the bearing. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to better understand the influence of the geometry of a rectangular/stadium-shaped, jacking pocket on the performance of bearings. First, the influence of the pocket depth on the pressure profile of the bearing was investigated. A varying profile occurred with jacking pocket depths less than 6.6 × Cb. After this threshold, the pocket depth ceased to have an influence on the pressure profile. A second study examined the circumferential length of the pocket, and the pressure profile was found to approach the smooth case as the pocket circumferential length decreased. Response surface models were created to map the influence of the jacking pocket geometry on the journal location in the bearing, power loss, and stiffness characteristics of the bearing. This is the first study on influence of the geometry of a jacking pocket on the operation and linear stiffnesses of the bearing in fluid film journal bearings.
Energy Harvesting Using a Torsional Mode L-Shaped Unimorph Structure: Modeling and Experimental Investigations
Authors: Li Haisheng , Liu Donghuan , Wang Jianjun , Shang Xinchun 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Previous studies have proved that the piezoelectric L-shaped beam-mass structure is a good candidate to harvest energy from ambient mechanical vibration. However, most researches merely focused on bending mode of the structure, which only can capture energy from in-plane base excitation. To fully exert the advantages of L-shaped harvesters, this paper will explore their energy harvesting performance on torsional mode with out-of-plane base excitation. The electromechanical coupling governing equation of the L-shaped harvester in torsional mode is derived by applying Gauss's law and the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory with linear assumption, and the analytical results are also validated with experimental results. In addition, the influences of key geometric parameters on the resonance frequency and output voltage of the harvester are also presented. This work demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing torsional mode of the L-shaped unimorph structure to harvest energy from out-of-plane mechanical vibration, which shows the potential of designing multi-directional and multi-frequency L-shaped harvesters.