bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MODELING AND FABRICATION OF A KINETIC SOLAR ENERGY-ABSORBING WINDOW AS A GREEN IDEA FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BUILDINGS
Authors: Valinejadshoubi Masoud , Ghanizadehgrayli Mannan , Heidari Sahar 
Published: June 2018

INTRODUCTION Renewable versus nonrenewable energy sources and their respective environmental impacts have emerged as preeminent industrial, as well as environmental concerns. Negotiation between policies that promote economic development with those promoting conservationism has yielded promising opportunities for the future. These opportunities engage frameworks focused on economic directives while simultaneously considering the need for environmental directives. Buildings present a unique opportunity for sustainability as they represent the largest proportion of consumed energy, relative to other consumers reliant on the energy grid system. The largest source of energy expenditure in a modern building is through the heating and cooling system which facilitates and maintains a comfortable living temperature. By effectively implementing innovative approaches focused on energy preservation and overall reduction of consumption, it is possible to meet emission reduction goals and mitigate other adverse environmental conditions. Windows play a vital role in energy consumption and overall maintenance of a comfortable temperature. Understandably, the construction and fabrication of windows are the primary means through which optimized temperatures are achieved. This occurs not only through heat and energy transference but also by providing a protective differential between the inside of the building and the harsh weather conditions of the outdoors. As such, appropriate widow design strategies not only enhance comfort but reduce overall energy consumption. This study seeks to evaluate double-skin windows in order to offer a solution to excessive energy consumption. The windows work by generating a natural ventilation system in summer and then by producing hot air in winter for year-round comfort that is economical. Since current double-skin windows fail to effectively provide ventilation during warm seasons, a kinetic double-skin window was proposed to address this problem and optimize the heating and cooling functions of the building. The results of this research are applicable to modern construction and can be implemented into current design structures.
MINNESOTA SUSTAINABLE BUILDING GUIDELINES: History, Effectiveness and Path for the Future
Authors: Graves Richard , Smith Patrick 
Published: June 2018

INTRODUCTION The Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines is a progressive sustainability program for state funded buildings which serves as a model for sustainability in Minnesota buildings. The program was created by the State of Minnesota in 2001 and developed by a team led by the Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) at the University of Minnesota. Unlike other green building programs, it focuses on measured performance improvements, using a list of required metrics instead of a menu of potential options. The program is structured to provide a feedback loop to the building design, construction and operations industry in the state. Elements of the program are used through all phases of the development of state-funded buildings in Minnesota from pre-design through design, and construction and for ten years of operations. It is continually updated and improved in collaboration with state agencies and industry stakeholders and could serve as a model for localized green building programs.
SUSTAINABLE MULTIFAMILY KITCHEN DESIGN: A STUDENT ELICITATION APPROACH
Authors: Hopkins Erin A. , Parrott Kathleen R. , Beamish Julia O. 
Published: June 2018

This case study focuses on the sustainable design of a demonstration kitchen space within a multifamily residence through a student lens. A project-based learning opportunity for undergraduate students in a senior-level kitchen and bath design studio was created to redesign a multifamily starter kitchen space into a multifamily sustainable kitchen space within the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design at Virginia Tech. Upon completion of this student project, a content analysis was employed to uncover sustainability themes within these student projects. As students are making the environment and sustainability priorities in their shopping choices, uncovering student themes regarding multifamily sustainability kitchen design criteria can uncover trends important to this millennial generation (The Nielsen Company, 2015; Timm, 2014). Furthermore, as demand for sustainability increases, comparing student themes to multifamily industry sustainability certification systems may unearth potential gaps in the industry which need to be addressed. Although there are several sustainability certification agencies that apply to multifamily in general, there is no one specific source for sustainability guidelines for kitchens, much less in multifamily units. This lack of guidelines and the inconsistency between existing certification programs make it confusing for consumers, developers, designers, and students to value and weigh elements of a sustainable kitchen project, especially with respect to multifamily housing.By examining kitchens using current sustainability certification programs as well as this case study, recommendations can be put forth to shape guidelines for sustainable multifamily kitchens that are both clearly understood and sensitive to the environment. Ultimately, this could lead to sustainable kitchen design features becoming more commonplace in the multifamily resident home.
Innate Immunity to Staphylococcus aureus: Evolving Paradigms in Soft Tissue and Invasive Infections
Authors: Brandt Stephanie L. , Putnam Nicole E. , Cassat James E. , Serezani C. Henrique 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of diseases that together embody a significant public health burden. Aided by metabolic flexibility and a large virulence repertoire, S. aureus has the remarkable ability to hematogenously disseminate and infect various tissues, including skin, lung, heart, and bone, among others. The hallmark lesions of invasive staphylococcal infections, abscesses, simultaneously denote the powerful innate immune responses to tissue invasion as well as the ability of staphylococci to persist within these lesions. In this article, we review the innate immune responses to S. aureus during infection of skin and bone, which serve as paradigms for soft tissue and bone disease, respectively.
Cytomegalovirus: Shape-Shifting the Immune System
Authors: Picarda Gaëlle , Benedict Chris A. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Systems-based based approaches have begun to shed light on extrinsic factors that contribute to immune system variation. Among these, CMV (HHV-5, a β-herpesvirus) imposes a surprisingly profound impact. Most of the world’s population is CMV+, and the virus goes through three distinct infection phases en route to establishing lifelong détente with its host. Immune control of CMV in each phase recruits unique arms of host defense, and in turn the virus employs multiple immune-modulatory strategies that help facilitate the establishment of lifelong persistence. In this review, we explain how CMV shapes immunity and discuss the impact it may have on overall health.
Assessment of the current D-dimer cutoff point in pulmonary embolism workup at a single institution
Authors: Alhassan S , Bihler E , Patel K , Lavudi S , Young M , Balaan M 
Published: June 2018

Background:
The currently used D-dimer (DD) cutoff point is associated with a large number of negative CT-pulmonary angiographies (CTPA). We hypothesized presence of deficiency in the current cutoff and a need to look for a better DD threshold.

Materials and Methods:
We conducted a retrospective medical records analysis of all patients who had a CTPA as part of pulmonary embolism (PE) workup over a 1-year period. All emergency room (ER) patients who had DD assay checked prior to CTPA were included in the analysis. We assessed our institutional cutoff point and tried to test other presumptive DD thresholds retrospectively.

Results:
At our institution 1591 CTPA were performed in 2014, with 1220 scans (77%) performed in the ER. DD test was ordered prior to CTPA imaging in 238 ER patients (19.5%) as part of the PE workup. PE was diagnosed in 14 cases (6%). The sensitivity and specificity of the currently used DD cutoff (0.5 mcg/mL) were found to be 100% and 13%, respectively. Shifting the cutoff value from 0.5 to 0.85 mcg/mL would result in a significant increase in the specificity from 13% to 51% while maintaining the same sensitivity of 100%. This would make theoretically 84 CTPA scans, corresponding to 35% of CTPA imaging, unnecessary because DD would be considered negative based on this presumptive threshold.

Conclusions:
Our results suggest a significant deficiency in the institutional DD cutoff point with the need to find a better threshold through a large multicenter prospective trial to minimize unnecessary CTPA scans and to improve patient safety.
Metric topological groups: their metric approximation and metric ultraproducts
Authors: Doucha Michal 
Published: June 2018

We define a metric ultraproduct of topological groups with left-invariant metric, and show that there is a countable sequence of finite groups with left-invariant metric whose metric ultraproduct contains isometrically as a subgroup every separable topological group with left-invariant metric.
In particular, there is a countable sequence of finite groups with left-invariant metric such that every finite subset of an arbitrary topological group with left-invariant metric may be approximated by all but finitely many of them.
We compare our results with related concepts such as sofic groups, hyperlinear groups and weakly sofic groups.
Instrumentos de la educación artística para la transmisión del conocimiento científico y apropiación de la identidad: caso Monte Verde, Chile.
Authors: Ili Raimilla Liliana Gabriela 
Published: June 2018

<p>El presente documento tiene por objetivo dar a conocer el resultado de la aplicación de instrumentos de la educación artística como contribución en la educación de la investigación científica del sitio arqueológico Monte Verde en Chile, en la comunidad rural que lo alberga, además del fortalecimiento de su identidad relacionada al hallazgo. Estas técnicas han estimulado la asociatividad, el aprendizaje práctico e identificación de los habitantes con el territorio.</p><p>La metodología se construye desde elementos culturales que propiciaron un aprendizaje práctico, desconocido e interesante para una comunidad aislada y anónima. Se establece un equipo multidisciplinar de profesionales de la Universidad Austral de Chile, quienes logran educar los contenidos del hallazgo a través de estas técnicas, en favor de fortalecer un vínculo con los elementos patrimoniales del territorio. </p><p> </p>
Quantification of the enhanced effectiveness of NOx control from simultaneous reductions of VOC and NH3 for reducing air pollution in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China
Authors: Xing Jia , Ding Dian , Wang Shuxiao , Zhao Bin , Jang Carey , Wu Wenjing , Zhang Fenfen , Zhu Yun , Hao Jiming 
Published: June 2018

Abstract. As one common precursor for both PM2.5 and O3 pollution,
NOx gains great attention because its controls can be beneficial for
reducing both PM2.5 and O3. However, the effectiveness of
NOx controls for reducing PM2.5 and O3 are largely
influenced by the ambient levels of NH3 and VOC, exhibiting strong
nonlinearities characterized as NH3-limited/NH3-poor and
NOx-/VOC-limited conditions, respectively. Quantification of such
nonlinearities is a prerequisite for making suitable policy decisions but
limitations of existing methods were recognized. In this study, a new method
was developed by fitting multiple simulations of a chemical transport model
(i.e., Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System, CMAQ) with a set
of polynomial functions (denoted as “pf-RSM”) to quantify responses of
ambient PM2.5 and O3 concentrations to changes in precursor
emissions. The accuracy of the pf-RSM is carefully examined to meet the
criteria of a mean normalized error within 2 % and a maximal normalized
error within 10 % by using 40 training samples with marginal
processing. An advantage of the pf-RSM method is that the nonlinearity in
PM2.5 and O3 responses to precursor emission changes can be
characterized by quantitative indicators, including (1) a peak ratio (denoted
as PR) representing VOC-limited or NOx-limited conditions, (2) a suggested
ratio of VOC reduction to NOx reduction to avoid increasing O3 under
VOC-limited conditions, (3) a flex ratio (denoted as FR) representing
NH3-poor or NH3-rich conditions, and (4) enhanced benefits in
PM2.5 reductions from simultaneous reduction of NH3 with
the same reduction rate of NOx. A case study in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei
region suggested that most urban areas present strong VOC-limited conditions
with a PR from 0.4 to 0.8 in July, implying that the NOx emission
reduction rate needs to be greater than 20–60 % to pass the transition from
VOC-limited to NOx-limited conditions. A simultaneous VOC control (the ratio of VOC
reduction to NOx reduction is about 0.5–1.2) can avoid increasing
O3 during the transition. For PM2.5, most urban areas
present strong NH3-rich conditions with a PR from 0.75 to 0.95, implying
that NH3 is sufficiently abundant to neutralize extra nitric acid
produced by an additional 5–35 % of NOx emissions. Enhanced
benefits in PM2.5 reductions from simultaneous reduction of
NH3 were estimated to be 0.04–0.15 µg m−3
PM2.5 per 1 % reduction of NH3 along with NOx,
with greater benefits in July when the NH3-rich conditions are not as
strong as in January. Thus, the newly developed pf-RSM model has successfully
quantified the enhanced effectiveness of NOx control, and simultaneous
reduction of VOC and NH3 with NOx can assure the control
effectiveness of PM2.5 and O3.
Historical drought patterns over Canada and their teleconnections with large-scale climate signals
Authors: Asong Zilefac Elvis , Wheater Howard Simon , Bonsal Barrie , Razavi Saman , Kurkute Sopan 
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Drought is a recurring extreme climate event and among the most
costly natural disasters in the world. This is particularly true over Canada,
where drought is both a frequent and damaging phenomenon with impacts on
regional water resources, agriculture, industry, aquatic ecosystems, and
health. However, nationwide drought assessments are currently lacking and
impacted by limited ground-based observations. This study provides a
comprehensive analysis of historical droughts over the whole of Canada,
including the role of large-scale teleconnections. Drought events are
characterized by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index
(SPEI) over various temporal scales (1, 3, 6, and 12 consecutive months,
6 months from April to September, and 12 months from October to September)
applied to different gridded monthly data sets for the period 1950–2013.
The Mann–Kendall test, rotated empirical orthogonal function, continuous
wavelet transform, and wavelet coherence analyses are used, respectively, to
investigate the trend, spatio-temporal patterns, periodicity, and
teleconnectivity of drought events. Results indicate that southern (northern)
parts of the country experienced significant trends towards drier (wetter)
conditions although substantial variability exists. Two spatially
well-defined regions with different temporal evolution of droughts were
identified – the Canadian Prairies and northern central Canada. The analyses
also revealed the presence of a dominant periodicity of between 8 and 32 months in the Prairie region and between 8 and 40 months in the northern central
region. These cycles of low-frequency variability are found to be associated
principally with the Pacific–North American (PNA) and Multivariate El
Niño/Southern Oscillation Index (MEI) relative to other considered
large-scale climate indices. This study is the first of its kind to identify
dominant periodicities in drought variability over the whole of Canada in
terms of when the drought events occur, their duration, and how often they occur.
Consideration of various aspects in a drift study of MH370 debris
Authors: Nesterov Oleksandr 
Published: June 2018

Abstract. On 7 March 2014, a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft operated by Malaysian Airlines as MH370 on the route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing abruptly ceased all communications and disappeared with 239 people aboard, leaving its fate a mystery. The subsequent analysis of so-called satellite handshakes supplemented by military radar tracking has suggested that the aircraft ended up in the southern Indian Ocean. The eventual recovery of a number of fragments washed ashore in several countries has confirmed its crash. A number of drift studies were undertaken to assist in locating the crash site, mostly focusing either on the spatial distribution of the debris washed ashore or on the efficacy of the aerial search operation. A recent biochemical analysis of the barnacles attached to the flaperon (the first fragment found in La Réunion) has indicated that their growth likely began in water of 24 °C; then the temperature dropped to 18 °C, and then it rose up again to 25 °C. An attempt was made in the present study to take into consideration all these aspects. The analysis was conducted by means of numerical screening of 40 hypothetical locations of the crash site along the so-called seventh arc. Obtained results indicate the likelihood of the crash site to be located between 25.5 and 30.5° S, with the segment from 28 to 30° S being the most promising.
DO QUILOMBO AO FÓRUM: DEMANDAS DE COMUNIDADES QUILOMBOLAS NO JUDICIÁRIO BRASILEIRO - DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/rfd.v41i3.50409
Authors: Martins Lemes João Vitor , Ribeiro Rodrigues Bárbara Luiza 
Published: June 2018

Resumo: A conjuntura do campo no Brasil retrata uma realidade de concentração das terras nas mãos de poucos, enquanto as comunidades tradicionalmente vinculadas a esse espaço têm dificuldade de terem efetivados os seus direitos territoriais. O presente trabalho visa refletir quais são os critérios utilizados para o acesso à terra e o papel que o Estado tem, sobretudo o Judiciário, na efetivação dos direitos desses sujeitos coletivos, na perspectiva da afirmação da igualdade material. Analisar-se-á, assim, a postura do Judiciário frente as demandas relacionadas ao acesso/direito ao território das comunidades quilombolas em que sejam partes constituídas ou diretamente interessadas essas comunidades. Abstract: The situation of the field in Brazil depicts a reality of concentration of land in a few hands, while communities traditionally linked to this space have difficulty having effected their territorial rights. This paper aims to reflect what criteria for access to land and the role that the state has, especially the judiciary, the realization of the rights these collective subjects in view of the statement material equality. Analyze It will, thus, the position of the judiciary front the demands related to access/ right territorial of the Quilombo communities in which they are constituted parts or directly concerned these communities.
Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial action of selected phytochemicals against planktonic and sessileStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Ribeiro Marta , Malheiro Joana , Grenho Liliana , Fernandes Maria Helena , Simões Manuel 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundDental caries remains the most prevalent and costly oral infectious disease worldwide, encouraging the search for new and more effective antimicrobials. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the antimicrobial action of selected phytochemicals (eugenol, citronellol, sabinene hydrate, trans-cinnamaldehyde, terpineol and cinnamic acid) againstStreptococcus mutansin planktonic and biofilm states as well as the cytotoxicity of these compounds.MethodsThe antibacterial activity of the selected compounds was evaluated by the determination of the minimal bactericidal concentration. The resazurin assay was used to assess the metabolic activity of sessileS. mutans. The cytotoxicity was determined using a fibroblast cell line.ResultsAmong the tested phytochemicals, citronellol, cinnamic acid and trans-cinnamaldehyde were the most effective against both planktonic and sessileS. mutans, an effect apparently related to their hydrophobic character. Additionally, these three compounds did not compromise fibroblasts cell viability.DiscussionCitronellol, cinnamic acid and trans-cinnamaldehyde demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity proposing their potential as a novel group of therapeutic compounds to control oral infectious diseases. Moreover, their effects are particularly relevant when benchmarked against eugenol, a phytochemical commonly used for prosthodontic applications in dentistry.
Enhanced BMP Signaling Alters Human β‐Cell Identity and Function
Authors: Dekker Esmée , Triñanes Javier , Muñoz Garcia Amadeo , de Graaf Natascha , de Koning Eelco , Carlotti Françoise 
Published: November 2024

AbstractInflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes. Identifying signaling pathways involved in pancreatic β‐cell failure and identity loss can give insight into novel potential treatment strategies to prevent the loss of functional β‐cell mass in diabetes. It is reported earlier that the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus has a detrimental effect on human β‐cell identity and function by activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Here it is hypothesized that enhanced BMP signaling plays a role in inflammation‐induced β‐cell failure. Single‐cell transcriptomics analyses of primary human islets reveal that IL‐1β+IFNγ and IFNα treatment activated BMP signaling in β‐cells. These findings are validated by qPCR. Furthermore, enhanced BMP signaling with recombinant BMP2 or 4 triggers a reduced expression of key β‐cell maturity genes, associated with increased ER stress, and impaired β‐cell function. Altogether, these results indicate that inflammation‐activated BMP signaling is detrimental to pancreatic β‐cells and that BMP‐signaling can be a target to preserve β‐cell identity and function in a pro‐inflammatory environment.
Bioinspired Ultra‐Stretchable and Highly Sensitive Structural Color Electronic Skins
Authors: Shang Yuanyuan , Huang Chao , Li Zhou , Du Xuemin 
Published: November 2024

AbstractOrganisms possess remarkably adaptive ability to complex environments. For example, chameleons can alter their skin color to adapt to varying environments, which has inspired significant advances in bioinspired soft electronic skins (E‐skins), and their wide applications in wearable sensors, intelligent robots, and health monitoring. However, current bioinspired E‐skins face challenges in ultra‐stretchability, high sensitivity, and long‐term stability owing to the intrinsic limitations associated with their mismatched interface between soft matrix and hard conductive fillers, hindering their practical applications. Here, it is reported that bioinspired structural color electronic skins (SC E‐skins) that consist of liquid metal particles (LMPs), periodical ordered colloidal crystal arrays, and ultra‐stretchable hydrogel, imparting synergistic and durable electrical–optical sensing capabilities. Such SC E‐skins demonstrate outstanding performances including superior flexibility (elongation at break > 1100%), high sensitivity (gauge factor = 3.26), fast synergetic electric–optical response time (≈100 ms), outstanding durability (over 1500 cycles), and high accuracy (R2 > 99.5%). These bioinspired SC E‐skins with excellent capability of converting mechanical signals into synergetic electrical–optical outputs hold great promise for smart wearable devices, affording a new horizon in developing advanced health monitoring technologies.