bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue crack propagation behavior in AISI 304 steel welded joints for cold‐stretched liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Heo I.K. , Yoon D.H. , Kim J.H. , Kim H.C. , Kim K.D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAISI304 steel welded joints are used in cold‐stretched liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks used for storing and transporting of liquefied gases. Compared with a conventional liquefied natural gas storage tank, a cold‐stretched liquefied natural gas storage tank has many advantages such as reduced thickness, light weight, low cost and low energy consumption. However, liquefied natural gas storage tanks can be subjected to alternative loads at cryogenic temperatures; thus, it is important to investigate the fatigue crack propagation behavior in AISI 304 steel welded joints at cryogenic temperatures. Specimens were machined from a cold‐stretched liquefied natural gas storage tank with a welding structure. The crack length was determined using compliance method and confirmed by examination with traveling microscope. Fatigue crack propagation rates were evaluated at various stress ratios and temperatures. The fatigue crack growth rate of all specimens a little appears the effect of stress ratio, but it has a great influence at a cryogenic temperature. The fatigue crack growth rate of longitudinal welded joint is the fastest at room and cryogenic temperature. Fracture mechanism in the specimen is examined using a scanning electron microscope.
Finite element modeling of nano porous sintered silver material using computed tomography images
Authors: Meyghani B. , Awang M. , Bokam P. , Plank B. , Heinzl C. , Siow K. S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLimitations in the packaging industry require improvements in lead‐based microelectronics, because regulations restricting hazardous substances have ended the use of conventional lead‐based solders. Sintered silver paste presents an alternative method for bonding chips to a substrate because it has low sensitivity to the oxidation, high melting point, and improved thermal and electrical conductivity. Due to the sintering process, however, the silver exhibits a significant pore fraction that substantially reduces the density of the material compared to bulk silver. The traits of the sintered silver pastes are affected by the pore distribution; hence, it can be considered as a significant factor in modelling the behaviour of the whole electronic system under operating conditions. This study defines the influence of the morphology and pore distribution on the response of the silver material. The quality of tomographic images was improved through coding a program in MATLAB®. Finite element software ABAQUS® was employed to evaluate the elastic properties of the material. To validate the model, the results have gone through several studies to determine changes of the material properties.
Labyrinth seals with application to turbomachinery
Authors: Ilieva G. , Pirovsky C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIt is well known that there exist losses of fluid through axial and radial gaps in turbomachines, leading to less efficiency. Every 1 % decrease in leakage flow through a high‐pressure gas turbine seals would result in a 0.4 % decrease in the specific fuel consumption [1]. Last decades, a number of solutions have been applied to overcome losses of fluid through axial and radial gaps. A feasible solution is the application of labyrinth seals to act as an obstacle on the way of flow leakages. This research is targeted to attain a seal configuration that has good dynamic sealing properties, higher compliance with the shaft, simple geometry for manufacturing and maintenance. The labyrinth seal must produce significant losses of kinetic energy in order to stop leaks passing through the sealed places. It is known that the turbine shaft exhibits modal and stress loads. Also, seals must be designed to resist loads and operate at maximum efficiency. The fulfilled numerical analysis shows that the proposed geometry causes intensive reduction of leakage flow rates and thus contributes to increase in the efficiency performance of stages under consideration.
Numerical model for dynamic analysis of masonry‐infilled steel and concrete frames
Authors: Baloevic G. , Radnic J. , Grgic N. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA numerical model for nonlinear dynamic analysis of planar masonry‐infilled concrete and steel frames strengthened with composites is briefly presented. The model is quite simple and it can simulate main nonlinear effects of these structures. Besides modelling of nonlinear behavior of concrete, steel, masonry, plaster and soil, it can simulate nonlinearities at contact surfaces, changes in structural geometry and construction of a structure over different time phases. The model is based on a relatively small number of material parameters and intended for practical application primarily. The model is verified by using the data of the performed shake‐table tests on masonry‐infilled steel and concrete frames. Numerical results show fairly good agreement with the experimental results. This shows the potential reliability of the developed numerical model for the analysis of planar masonry structures. However, further verifications of the model and corresponding computational software are most welcome.
The small subunit of DNA polymerase D (DP1) associates with GINS–GAN complex of the thermophilic archaea in Thermococcus sp. 4557
Authors: Lu Shuhong , Zhang Xuesong , Chen Kaiying , Chen Zimeng , Li Yixiang , Qi Zhongquan , Shen Yulong , Li Zhuo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe eukaryotic GINS, Cdc45, and minichromosome maintenance proteins form an essential complex that moves with the DNA replication fork. The GINS protein complex has also been reported to associate with DNA polymerase. In archaea, the third domain of life, DNA polymerase D (PolD) is essential for DNA replication, and the genes encoding PolDs exist only in the genomes of archaea. The archaeal GAN (GINS‐associated nuclease) is believed to be a homolog of the eukaryotic Cdc45. In this study, we found that the Thermococcus sp. 4557 DP1 (small subunit of PolD) interacted with GINS15 in vitro, and the 3′–5′ exonuclease activity of DP1 was inhibited by GINS15. We also demonstrated that the GAN, GINS15, and DP1 proteins interact to form a complex adapting a GAN–GINS15–DP1 order. The results of this study imply that the complex constitutes a core of the DNA replisome in archaea.
Band‐selective excitation NMR spectroscopy and quantitative time‐domain analysis using Complete Reduction to Amplitude‐Frequency Table (CRAFT) to determine distribution coefficients during drug development
Authors: Soulsby David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA sensitive quantitative 1H NMR method for determining distribution or partition coefficients has been developed that is applicable to early drug discovery. After partitioning and equilibration, aliquots from each layer are analyzed using band‐selective excitation 1H NMR spectroscopy in regions that are free of 1‐octanol and water solvent signals. Signals are quantitated directly using CRAFT software, and their amplitudes are adjusted to correct for nonuniformity within the excitation band. Using this approach, the distribution coefficients for 20 drugs present at low concentrations were determined giving values that were in excellent agreement with literature values.
Accelerated whole‐brain perfusion imaging using a simultaneous multislice spin‐echo and gradient‐echo sequence with joint virtual coil reconstruction
Authors: Manhard Mary Kate , Bilgic Berkin , Liao Congyu , Han SoHyun , Witzel Thomas , Yen Yi‐Fen , Setsompop Kawin 
Published: May 2019

PurposeDynamic susceptibility contrast imaging requires high temporal sampling, which poses limits on achievable spatial coverage and resolution. Additionally, more encoding‐intensive multi‐echo acquisitions for quantitative imaging are desired to mitigate contrast leakage effects, which further limits spatial encoding. We present an accelerated sequence that provides whole‐brain coverage at an improved spatio‐temporal resolution, to allow for dynamic quantitative R2 and R2* mapping during contrast‐enhanced imaging.MethodsA multi‐echo spin and gradient‐echo sequence was implemented with simultaneous multislice acquisition. Complementary k‐space sampling between repetitions and joint virtual coil reconstruction were used along with a dynamic phase‐matching technique to achieve high‐quality reconstruction at 9‐fold acceleration, which enabled 2 × 2 × 5 mm whole‐brain imaging at TR of 1.5 to 1.7 seconds. The multi‐echo images from this sequence were fit to achieve quantitative R2 and R2* maps for each repetition, and subsequently used to find perfusion measures including cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume.ResultsImages reconstructed using joint virtual coil show improved image quality and g‐factor compared with conventional reconstruction methods, resulting in improved quantitative maps with a 9‐fold acceleration factor and whole‐brain coverage during the dynamic perfusion acquisition.ConclusionThe method presented shows the advantage of using a joint virtual coil–GRAPPA reconstruction to allow for high acceleration factors while maintaining reliable image quality for quantitative perfusion mapping, with the potential to improve tumor diagnostics and monitoring.
Alteration in AMPA receptor subunit expression and receptor binding among patients with addictive disorders: A systematic review of human postmortem studies
Authors: Ueno Fumihiko , Suzuki Takefumi , Nakajima Shinichiro , Matsushita Sachio , Mimura Masaru , Miyazaki Tomoyuki , Takahashi Takuya , Uchida Hiroyuki 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAltered trafficking of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors has been reported in postmortem studies and suggested the involvement of AMPA receptors in the pathophysiology underpinning addictive disorders. However, these findings seemed mixed.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted, using PubMed and Embase (last search, August 2018), to identify human postmortem studies that examined the expression of proteins and mRNA of AMPA receptor subunits in patients with addictive disorders in comparison with healthy controls.ResultsTwelve (18 studies) out of 954 articles were identified to be relevant. Eight studies included alcohol use disorders, and four studies included heroin/cocaine abusers. The most frequently investigated regions were the hippocampus (three studies), amygdala (three studies), and putamen (three studies). In summary, two out of the three studies showed an increase in the expression of AMPA receptors in the hippocampus, while the other study found no change. Two studies to examine the amygdala demonstrated either a decreased or no change in receptor expression or binding. Concerning putamen, two studies showed no significant change whereas an overexpression of receptors was observed in the other.Conclusions and Scientific SignificanceThe hippocampus and amygdala may be pertinent to addictive disorders through their functions on learning and memory, whereas findings in other regions were inconsistent across the studies. Human postmortem studies are prone to degenerative changes after death. Moreover, only qualitative assessment was conducted because of the limited, heterogenous data. These limitations emphasize the need to investigate AMPA receptors in the living human brains.
Navigating within thiamine diphosphate‐dependent decarboxylases: Sequences, structures, functional positions, and binding sites
Authors: Buchholz Patrick C. F. , Ferrario Valerio , Pohl Martina , Gardossi Lucia , Pleiss Jürgen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThiamine diphosphate‐dependent decarboxylases catalyze both cleavage and formation of CC bonds in various reactions, which have been assigned to different homologous sequence families. This work compares 53 ThDP‐dependent decarboxylases with known crystal structures. Both sequence and structural information were analyzed synergistically and data were analyzed for global and local properties by means of statistical approaches (principle component analysis and principal coordinate analysis) enabling complexity reduction. The different results obtained both locally and globally, that is, individual positions compared with the overall protein sequence or structure, revealed challenges in the assignment of separated homologous families. The methods applied herein support the comparison of enzyme families and the identification of functionally relevant positions. The findings for the family of ThDP‐dependent decarboxylases underline that global sequence identity alone is not sufficient to distinguish enzyme function. Instead, local sequence similarity, defined by comparisons of structurally equivalent positions, allows for a better navigation within several groups of homologous enzymes. The differentiation between homologous sequences is further enhanced by taking structural information into account, such as BioGPS analysis of the active site properties or pairwise structural superimpositions. The methods applied herein are expected to be transferrable to other enzyme families, to facilitate family assignments for homologous protein sequences.
Effect of natural predators on Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) control by sterile insect technique (SIT)
Authors: Rathnayake Darshana N , Lowe Elizabeth C , Rempoulakis Polychronis , Herberstein Marie E 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDQueensland fruit fly (Q‐fly) is a destructive insect pest that infests a wide variety of agricultural plants in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used to manage Q‐flies, but the effectiveness of SIT has not been tested in the presence of natural predators. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of natural predators and SIT on the survival and reproduction of laboratory reared Q‐flies under semi‐natural conditions. We altered the presence of predators and irradiated Q‐fly males, and measured survival, number of eggs laid and egg‐hatching rate.RESULTSThe presence of natural predators significantly affected the survival of Q‐flies and appeared to decrease the number of eggs laid. Interestingly, we found that both sterile and fertile males were more prone to predation than females, but we found no difference among males. The presence of sterile males significantly reduced Q‐fly fertility, but the interaction of natural predators and sterile males did not significantly reduce the number of fertile eggs.CONCLUSIONOur findings highlight the important role of natural predators in controlling Q‐flies together with SIT and provide a solid foundation for similar large‐scale field trials using wild counterparts. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Safety and toxicity of silymarin, the major constituent of milk thistle extract: An updated review
Authors: Soleimani Vahid , Delghandi Parisa Sadat , Moallem Seyed Adel , Karimi Gholamreza 
Published: May 2019

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family. Silymarin is the major constituent of milk thistle extract and is a mixture of some flavonolignans such as silybin, which is the most active component of silymarin. It is most commonly known for its hepatoprotective effect. Also, studies have shown other therapeutic effects such as anticancer, anti‐Alzheimer, anti‐Parkinson, and anti‐diabetic, so its safety is very important. It has no major toxicity in animals. Silymarin was mutagen in Salmonella typhimurium strains in the presence of metabolic enzymes. Silybin, silydianin, and silychristin were not cytotoxic and genotoxic at concentration of 100 μM. Silymarin is safe in humans at therapeutic doses and is well tolerated even at a high dose of 700 mg three times a day for 24 weeks. Some gastrointestinal discomforts occurred like nausea and diarrhea. One clinical trial showed silymarin is safe in pregnancy, and there were no anomalies. Consequently, caution should be exercised during pregnancy, and more studies are needed especially in humans. Silymarin has low‐drug interactions, and it does not have major effects on cytochromes P‐450. Some studies demonstrated that the use of silymarin must be with caution when co‐administered with narrow therapeutic window drugs.
A review on recent advances in soft surgical robots for endoscopic applications
Authors: Gifari M. Wildan , Naghibi Hamid , Stramigioli Stefano , Abayazid Momen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundSoft materials, with their compliant properties, enable conformity and safe interaction with human body. With the advance in actuation and sensing of soft materials, new paradigm in robotics called “soft robotics” emerges. Soft robotics has become a new approach in designing medical devices such as wearable robotic gloves and exoskeleton. However, application of soft robotics in surgical instrument inside human body is still in its infancy.AimsIn this paper, current application and design of soft robots specifically applied for endoscopy are reviewed.Materials & MethodsDifferent aspects in the implementation of soft robotics in endoscope design were reviewed. The key studies about MIS and NOTES were reviewed to establish the clinical background and extract the limitations of current endoscopic device in the last decade.Results and discussionIn this review study, the implementation of soft robotics concepts in endoscopic application, with highlights on different features of several soft endoscopes, were evaluated. The progress in different aspects of soft robotics endoscope, current state, and future perspectives were also discussed.ConclusionBased on the survey on the structural specification, actuation, sensing, and stiffening the future soft surgical endoscopes are recommended to fulfil the following specifications: safe especially from pressure leakage, fully biocompatible materials, MR‐compatible, capable for large bending in at least two antagonistic directions, modularity, adjustable stiffness.
Improving Polysulfides Adsorption and Redox Kinetics by the Co4N Nanoparticle/N‐Doped Carbon Composites for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Xiao Kuikui , Wang Jin , Chen Zhen , Qian Yuhong , Liu Zheng , Zhang Lili , Chen Xiaohua , Liu Jilei , Fan Xiaofeng , Shen Ze Xiang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractImproved conductivity and suppressed dissolution of lithium polysulfides is highly desirable for high‐performance lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. Herein, by a facile solvent method followed by nitridation with NH3, a 2D nitrogen‐doped carbon structure is designed with homogeneously embedded Co4N nanoparticles derived from metal organic framework (MOF), grown on the carbon cloth (MOF‐Co4N). Experimental results and theoretical simulations reveal that Co4N nanoparticles act as strong chemical adsorption hosts and catalysts that not only improve the cycling performance of Li‐S batteries via chemical bonding to trap polysulfides but also improve the rate performance through accelerating the conversion reactions by decreasing the polarization of the electrode. In addition, the high conductive nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix ensures fast charge transfer, while the 2D structure offers increased pathways to facilitate ion diffusion. Under the current density of 0.1C, 0.5C, and 3C, MOF‐Co4N delivers reversible specific capacities of 1425, 1049, and 729 mAh g−1, respectively, and retains 82.5% capacity after 400 cycles at 1C, as compared to the sample without Co4N (MOF‐C) values of 61.3% (200 cycles). The improved cell performance corroborates the validity of the multifunctional design of MOF‐Co4N, which is expected to be a potentially promising cathode host for Li‐S batteries.
Punching shear behavior of reinforced concrete flat slabs with a varying amount of shear reinforcement
Authors: Schmidt Philipp , Kueres Dominik , Hegger Josef 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe punching shear design procedures according to current codes (e.g., Eurocode 2 or Model Code 2010) are similar. However, the predicted punching shear capacities may differ significantly depending on the background (e.g., semi‐empirical or physical) of the design provisions and the considered influences. For the evaluation and improvement of the existing provisions for flat slabs without and with high amounts of shear reinforcement, a large number of punching test series on reinforced concrete flat slabs is available in the literature. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the code equations for the design of the shear reinforcement (failure inside the shear‐reinforced zone) is still not possible since only few punching tests on flat slabs with low and medium amounts of shear reinforcement have been conducted.To investigate the punching shear behavior of flat slabs with a varying amount of shear reinforcement, three systematic test series without and with stirrups as shear reinforcement were conducted. The experimental program included three reference tests without and eight tests with low and medium amounts of shear reinforcement. In the tests, the amount of shear reinforcement was varied by changing the stirrup diameter only. Further investigated influences were the shear span‐depth ratio and the effective depth. The results of the test series are discussed and compared to the predictions according to Eurocode 2, Model Code 2010 and the draft of the second generation of Eurocode 2.
Ethical Governance: Insight from the Islamic Perspective and an Empirical Enquiry
Authors: Ghafran Chaudhry , Yasmin Sofia 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCharity governance is undergoing a crisis of confidence. In this paper, we suggest an alternative approach to how governance could be perceived and conceptualized by considering the ethical notions of governance embedded in religious enquiry, with a specific focus on the Islamic perspective of governance. We firstly develop an ethical framework for charity governance, utilizing insight from the Islamic perspective. Secondly, we undertake an empirical study to assess the experience of governance within Islamic charity organizations. Our theoretical framework provides a comprehensive approach to viewing organizational governance with an emphasis on governance as a mechanism for working towards social justice and the public good. However, our empirical findings reveal an ‘ethical gap’ between the ideals of the Islamic Ethical Framework and the reality of governance practice within Muslim charity organizations. We consider the implications of these findings and outline avenues for future research.
The Dutch and the Second British Empire in the Early Nineteenth-Century Indian Ocean World
Authors: Wilson James David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDuring the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the British Empire grew through its invasion of Dutch colonies around the Indian Ocean rim. The incursions entwined British and Dutch politics, cultures, and social networks. These developments were significant for the Dutch East Indies, but have received relatively little attention in histories of the Second British Empire. In light of recent interest in Anglo-Dutch interaction, connectivity across empires, and the uses of prosopography to question the boundaries of imperial history, this article uses Dutch biographies to interrogate the relationship between the politics of liberal reform and despotism in the Cape Colony and Java under the British. A dialectic between despotism and liberalism dominates the Second Empire's historiography. Conversely, tracing the biographies of two interstitial figures who passed between the Dutch Empire and that of Britain shows how despotism and reform were connected. The Dutch drew notions of reform from their social networks into the Cape and Java through their manipulation of loyalist rhetoric. Concurrently, the use of such rhetoric legitimized societies and controls linked to the entrenchment of autocracy. This article thus reveals links between connectivity and control in Britain's Indian Ocean empire.