bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural features of sodium silicate glasses from reactive force field‐based molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Deng Lu , Urata Shingo , Takimoto Yasuyuki , Miyajima Tatsuya , Hahn Seung Ho , van Duin Adri C. T. , Du Jincheng 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAtomistic computer simulations can provide insights into silicate glass‐environment interactions with the recent development of reactive potentials. However, the accuracy of generated glass structures with these potential was usually not fully examined. In this paper, the capability of the reactive force field (ReaxFF) to describe the short and medium range structure features of sodium silicate glasses in molecular dynamics simulations is investigated by comparing a widely used partial charge pairwise potential and available experimental data. Glass structure information such as pair distribution function (PDF), coordination number, Qn species, neutron broadened structure factor, and X‐ray broadened structure factor of the glass structures from ReaxFF simulations were calculated and compared to evaluate the generated glass structure. Advantages and limitations of the potentials and glass forming procedures, as well as areas of further improvement, were discussed. The results show that the recently refined ReaxFF parameters through the proposed procedure enable the simulations of sodium silicate glass structures with minimal defects, which paves the way to investigate water‐glass interaction mechanisms with the reactive enabled potentials.
Attachment strength differs amongst life‐history stages of an intertidal, isomorphic red alga
Authors: Bellgrove Alecia , Aoki Masakazu N. 
Published: October 2019

SUMMARYComplex haploid‐diploid life cycles amongst marine organisms may be maintained by ecological differences in life‐history phases. For red algal species within the Gigartinaceae, such differences may be driven, in part, by different cell wall composition and resultant biomechanical strengths of haploid and diploid phases. A field experiment tested the attachment strengths of gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of the isomorphic red alga, Chondrus verrucosus (with comparisons of fertile and vegetative fronds, with and without natural tissue damage across three wave‐exposed sites). Seventy‐nine percent of all fronds broke at the stipe‐holdfast junction. There were significant differences in attachment strength (break force and break stress), but not gross morphology (frond length, number of branch axes, wet weight and cross‐sectional area of fronds that dislodged at the stipe‐holdfast junction) of life‐history phases, with tetrasporophytes exhibiting weaker tissue strength and attachment, and therefore greater susceptibility to dislodgement by waves. However, fertility and tissue damage did not consistently influence dislodgement in pull‐to‐break tests simulating the effects of single waves. The ecological and evolutionary consequences of greater susceptibility to dislodgement of tetrasporophytes (relative to gametophytes) warrant further investigation.
Storm‐induced turbidity currents on a sediment‐starved shelf: Insight from direct monitoring and repeat seabed mapping of upslope migrating bedforms
Authors: Normandeau Alexandre , Bourgault Daniel , Neumeier Urs , Lajeunesse Patrick , St‐Onge Guillaume , Gostiaux Louis , Chavanne Cédric 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe monitoring of turbidity currents enables accurate internal structure and timing of these flows to be understood. Without monitoring, triggers of turbidity currents often remain hypothetical and are inferred from sedimentary structures of deposits and their age. In this study, the bottom currents within 20 m of the seabed in one of the Pointe‐des‐Monts (Gulf of St. Lawrence, eastern Canada) submarine canyons were monitored for two consecutive years using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. In addition, multibeam bathymetric surveys were carried out during deployment of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers and recovery operations. These new surveys, along with previous multibeam surveys carried out over the last decade, revealed that crescentic bedforms have migrated upslope by about 20 to 40 m since 2007, despite the limited supply of sediment on the shelf or river inflow in the region. During the winter of 2017, two turbidity currents with velocities reaching 0·5 m sec−1 and 2·0 m sec−1, respectively, were recorded and were responsible for the rapid (<1 min) upstream migration of crescentic bedforms measured between the autumn surveys of 2016 and 2017. The 200 kg (in water) mooring was also displaced 10 m down‐canyon, up the stoss side of a bedform, suggesting that a dense basal layer could be driving the flow during the first minute of the event. Two other weaker turbidity currents with speeds <0·5 m sec−1 occurred, but did not lead to any significant change on the seabed. These four turbidity currents coincided with strong and sustained wind speed >60 km h−1 and higher than normal wave heights. Repeat seabed mapping suggests that the turbidity currents cannot be attributed to a canyon‐wall slope failure. Rather, sustained windstorms triggered turbidity currents either by remobilizing limited volumes of sediment on the shelf or by resuspending sediment in the canyon head. Turbidity currents can thus be triggered when the sediment volume available is limited, likely by eroding and incorporating canyon thalweg sediment in the flow, thereby igniting the flow. This process appears to be particularly important for the generation of turbidity currents capable of eroding the lee side of upslope migrating bedforms in sediment‐starved environments and might have wider implications for the activity of submarine canyons worldwide. In addition, this study suggests that a large external trigger (in this case storms) is required to initiate turbidity currents in sediment‐starved environments, which contrasts with supply‐dominated environments where turbidity currents are sometimes recorded without a clear triggering mechanism.
Viable pigs after simultaneous inactivation of porcine MHC class I and three xenoreactive antigen genes GGTA1, CMAH and B4GALNT2
Authors: Fischer Konrad , Rieblinger Beate , Hein Rabea , Sfriso Riccardo , Zuber Julia , Fischer Andrea , Klinger Bernhard , Liang Wei , Flisikowski Krzysztof , Kurome Mayuko , Zakhartchenko Valeri , Kessler Barbara , Wolf Eckhard , Rieben Robert , Schwinzer Reinhard , Kind Alexander , Schnieke Angelika 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundCell surface carbohydrate antigens play a major role in the rejection of porcine xenografts. The most important for human recipients are α‐1,3 Gal (Galactose‐alpha‐1,3‐galactose) causing hyperacute rejection, also Neu5Gc (N‐glycolylneuraminic acid) and Sd(a) blood group antigens both of which are likely to elicit acute vascular rejection given the known human immune status. Porcine cells with knockouts of the three genes responsible, GGTA1, CMAH and B4GALNT2, revealed minimal xenoreactive antibody binding after incubation with human serum. However, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies cross‐reacted with swine leucocyte antigen class I (SLA‐I). We previously demonstrated efficient generation of pigs with multiple xeno‐transgenes placed at a single genomic locus. Here we wished to assess whether key xenoreactive antigen genes can be simultaneously inactivated and if combination with the multi‐transgenic background further reduces antibody deposition and complement activation.MethodsMultiplex CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer were used to generate pigs carrying functional knockouts of GGTA1, CMAH, B4GALNT2 and SLA class I. Fibroblasts derived from one‐ to four‐fold knockout animals, and from multi‐transgenic cells (human CD46, CD55, CD59, HO1 and A20) with the four‐fold knockout were used to examine the effects on human IgG and IgM binding or complement activation in vitro.ResultsPigs were generated carrying four‐fold knockouts of important xenoreactive genes. In vitro assays revealed that combination of all four gene knockouts reduced human IgG and IgM binding to porcine kidney cells more effectively than single or double knockouts. The multi‐transgenic background combined with GGTA1 knockout alone reduced C3b/c and C4b/c complement activation to such an extent that further knockouts had no significant additional effect.ConclusionWe showed that pigs carrying several xenoprotective transgenes and knockouts of xenoreactive antigens can be readily generated and these modifications will have significant effects on xenograft survival.
CRITERIA AND DESIGN ELEMENTS OF PRODUCT LABEL
Authors: Mohamad Kamil Mohd Hafiz Faizal , Jaafar Azizah 
Published: October 2019

Products selection approach is subjective to each consumer and this issue becomes a problem to product manufacturers, particularly package label designer to determine the best design model for their product labels. Usability is identified as among the main criteria that determine the effectiveness of a product label design to the consumer. Other criteria such as awareness and trust may contribute to accurate and correct decisions by the consumers based on informative label design. This study proposed a conceptual framework for the criteria of usability, awareness and trust on product label design that may affect the purchase decision by consumers. A survey adapted from previous study, was conducted on experts to determine the criteria of design elements for product label design specifically to assist in product purchase. Our study found that, a total number of 18 characteristics were included in high category of the three design element criteria with 76% means score. These types of characteristics may enhance customer confidence during purchasing process.
CO-PYROLYSIS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIAN SUB-BITUMINOUS COAL AND WASTE HDPE BLENDS VIA TGA
Authors: Matali S. , Rahman N. A. , Idris S. S. , Alias A.B. , Mohatar M.R. 
Published: October 2019

Waste polymers co-conversion is an attractive way to dispose of and convert polymer into high value fuel apart from having environmental-friendly advantages. Preliminary studies during pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of Malaysian sub-bituminous coal, waste High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and coal/waste HDPE blends have been performed via Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA apparatus). The tests were carried out in nitrogen atmosphere, under dynamic conditions at a heating rate of 10oC/min. The coal/waste HDPE blends were prepared in the weight ratios of 80:20, 60:40 40:60 and 20:80. The results showed that the thermal decomposition of the materials can be characterized by single reaction stage both for single and blended fuels between a temperature range of 300-530oC. Overlapping DTG curves, the comparison between experimental and theoretical devolatilization rate and deviation in char yield, suggests that the existence of possible synergistic effect for blended fuels are caused by chemical interactions. An increase in reactivity is observed with increasing HDPE blend ratio which is primarily due to the release of high amount of volatiles in the waste polymer. It was suggested that the degradation of polymer waste in the blends form radicals that abstracted hydrogen from coal and resulted in less char being produced.
SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION IN MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: M. Udin Zulkifli , Othman Abdul Aziz , Ahmad Azhar 
Published: October 2019

Supply Chain Technology (SCT) utilization becomes a phenomenon in the construction industry nowadays. The uses of these technologies have shown an improvement in construction business process particularly in planning and designing processes. These improvements significantly affect the performance of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in construction industry. The construction industry is critical for national wealth creation particularly in the developing countries such Malaysia. However, about five percent of construction projects were not able to be completed due to various reasons. Therefore, there is a great interest to find out the level of utilization of SCT within the construction industry, which is believed as a main driver to improve the SCM performance and directly reflect to the construction project performance. The objective of this paper is to identify and highlight the issues and problems associated with the current SCM practices, particularly in the technology utilization among the major players in the Malaysian construction industry. To be more specifically, the type of application system that is being utilized in the Malaysian construction supply chain process will be identified.
ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE OF ORDERED MESOPOROUS CARBON MODIFIED BY OXIDATIVE TREATMENT WITH AQUEOUS NITRIC ACID
Authors: Razman Nur Izzatie Hannah , Endud Salasiah , Misnon Izan Izwan , Ramli Zainab 
Published: October 2019

In this study, ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) was prepared via nano-casting method by using Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA)-15 as a template and sucrose as a carbon precursor. The OMC was subsequently oxidized with aqueous nitric acid and referred as MOMC. The physicochemical properties of OMC and MOMC were determined using nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyser, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results proved that the carbon replication process was successful. The electrochemical performance tests were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) in 1 M KOH electrolyte for 1000 cycles. After oxidative treatment, the specific surface area and pore volume of OMC decreased but the specific capacitance of the electrode material has significantly increased from 117 F g–1 to 344 F g–1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s–1.
EFFECTS OF GYNURA PROCUMBENS EXTRACT ON LIVER FUNCTION TEST OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA INDUCED RABBITS
Authors: Ismail Mohd Azrul Hisham , Anuar Bahari Ebby , Ibrahim Farrah Shafeera , Dasiman Razif , Amom Zulkhairi 
Published: October 2019

Antioxidant works against oxidant and free radicals is by donating electrons it encompasses to the radical molecules and therefore neutralising the oxidation process in the biological system. Hypercholesterolemia has been identified as one the primary predisposing factor for chronic health diseases in most industrial and developed countries.Hypercholesterolemia contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Gynura procumbens is not toxic and exhibit anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and wound healing properties where the extract of this plant contains active chemical constituents such as tannins, terpenoids, sterol glycoside, saponins and flavonoids. New Zealand White Rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet for ten weeks. Liver weight and serum liver function test (LFT) including ALP, ALT, AST and GGT were determined and analyzed. Rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet show the symptom of liver injury. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT levels indicate the liver injury. Liver injury of rabbits that were supplemented with Gynura procumbens extracts were reduced compared to rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet but not given any supplement of extract. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT level on rabbits were given the extract were improved compared to HCD. Supplementation of the extract lowered the levels of liver enzymes compared to the HCD.
Assessment of Thermo-Electric Power Plants for Rotorcraft Application
Authors: Roumeliotis Ioannis , Mourouzidis Christos , Zafferetti Mirko , Unlu Deniz , Broca Olivier , Pachidis Vassilios 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This paper assesses a parallel electric hybrid propulsion system utilizing simple and recuperated cycle gas turbine configurations. An adapted engine model capable to reproduce a turboshaft engine steady state and transient operation is built in Simcenter Amesim and used as a baseline for a recuperated engine. The transient operation of the recuperated engine is assessed for different values of heat exchanger effectiveness, quantifying the engine lag and the surge margin reduction which are results of the heat exchanger addition. An oil and gas (OAG) mission of a twin engine medium helicopter has been used for assessing the parallel hybrid configuration. The thermoelectric system brings a certain level of flexibility allowing for better engine utilization, thus first a hybrid configuration based on simple cycle gas turbine scaled down from the baseline engine is assessed in terms of performance and weight. Following the recuperated engine, thermoelectric power plant is assessed and the performance enhancement is compared against the simple cycle conventional and hybrid configurations. The results indicate that a recuperated gas turbine based thermo-electric power plant may provide significant fuel economy despite the increased weight. At the same time, the electric power train can be used to compensate for the reduced specific power and potentially for the throttle response change due to the heat exchanger addition.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of a Small-Scale, High-Speed, and Oil-Free Radial Anode Off-Gas Recirculation Fan for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems
Authors: Wagner Patrick H. , Van herle Jan , Schiffmann Jürg 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The Laboratory for Applied Mechanical Design (LAMD) designed, manufactured, and experimentally tested a novel recirculation fan for a 10 kWe solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The fan uses oil-free bearings, more specifically herringbone-grooved journal and spiral-grooved thrust gas bearings. The radial inducer-less fan with a tip diameter of 19.2 mm features backward-curved prismatic blades with constant height. Prior to coupling the recirculation fan with the SOFC, the fan was experimentally characterized with air at 200 °C. At the nominal point of 168 krpm, the measured inlet mass flow rate is 4.9 kgh–1, the total-to-total pressure rise 55 mbar, the isentropic total-to-total efficiency 55%, and the power 18.3 W. This paper compares the experimental data toward a computational fluid dynamic simulation of the full fan impeller and volute suggesting an excellent correlation at the nominal point which validates the numerical approach. However, the heat flows crossing the fan fluid domain have an increased effect at off-design conditions; thus, the experimental results need careful consideration. The fan backface leakage has negligible impact on the measurements.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of incident acute myocardial infarction and stroke: findings from matched cohort study of 18 million European adults
Authors: Alexander Myriam , Loomis A Katrina , van der Lei Johan , Duarte-Salles Talita , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Ansell David , Pasqua Alessandro , Lapi Francesco , Rijnbeek Peter , Mosseveld Mees , Avillach Paul , Egger Peter , Dhalwani Nafeesa N , Kendrick Stuart , Celis-Morales Carlos , Waterworth Dawn M , Alazawi William , Sattar Naveed 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objective
To estimate the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Design
Matched cohort study.

Setting
Population based, electronic primary healthcare databases before 31 December 2015 from four European countries: Italy (n=1 542 672), Netherlands (n=2 225 925), Spain (n=5 488 397), and UK (n=12 695 046).

Participants
120 795 adults with a recorded diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH and no other liver diseases, matched at time of NAFLD diagnosis (index date) by age, sex, practice site, and visit, recorded at six months before or after the date of diagnosis, with up to 100 patients without NAFLD or NASH in the same database.

Main outcome measures
Primary outcome was incident fatal or non-fatal AMI and ischaemic or unspecified stroke. Hazard ratios were estimated using Cox models and pooled across databases by random effect meta-analyses.

Results
120 795 patients with recorded NAFLD or NASH diagnoses were identified with mean follow-up 2.1-5.5 years. After adjustment for age and smoking the pooled hazard ratio for AMI was 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.30; 1035 events in participants with NAFLD or NASH, 67 823 in matched controls). In a group with more complete data on risk factors (86 098 NAFLD and 4 664 988 matched controls), the hazard ratio for AMI after adjustment for systolic blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, total cholesterol level, statin use, and hypertension was 1.01 (0.91 to 1.12; 747 events in participants with NAFLD or NASH, 37 462 in matched controls). After adjustment for age and smoking status the pooled hazard ratio for stroke was 1.18 (1.11 to 1.24; 2187 events in participants with NAFLD or NASH, 134 001 in matched controls). In the group with more complete data on risk factors, the hazard ratio for stroke was 1.04 (0.99 to 1.09; 1666 events in participants with NAFLD, 83 882 in matched controls) after further adjustment for type 2 diabetes, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol level, statin use, and hypertension.

Conclusions
The diagnosis of NAFLD in current routine care of 17.7 million patient appears not to be associated with AMI or stroke risk after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular risk assessment in adults with a diagnosis of NAFLD is important but should be done in the same way as for the general population.
Tracking development assistance for health from China, 2007–2017
Authors: Micah Angela E , Zhao Yingxi , Chen Catherine S , Zlavog Bianca S. , Tsakalos Golsum , Chapin Abigail , Gloyd Stephen , Jonas Jost , Lee Paul H , Liu Shiwei , Ng Man Tat Alexander , Phillips Michael R , Rubagotti Enrico , Tang Kun , Tang Shenglan , Younis Mustafa , Zhang Yunquan , Murray Christopher J L , Dieleman Joseph L 
Published: October 2019

IntroductionIn recent years, China has increased its international engagement in health. Nonetheless, the lack of data on contributions has limited efforts to examine contributions from China. Existing estimates that track development assistance for health (DAH) from China have relied primarily on one dataset. Furthermore, little is known about the disbursing agencies especially the multilaterals through which contributions are disbursed and how these are changing across time. In this study, we generated estimates of DAH from China from 2007 through 2017 and disaggregated those estimates by disbursing agency and health focus area.MethodsWe identified the major government agencies providing DAH. To estimate DAH provided by each agency, we leveraged publicly available development assistance data in government agencies’ budgets and financial accounts, as well as revenue statements from key international development agencies such as the WHO. We reported trends in DAH from China, disaggregated contributions by disbursing bilateral and multilateral agencies, and compared DAH from China with other traditional donors. We also compared these estimates with existing estimates.ResultsDAH provided by China grew dramatically, from US$323.1 million in 2007 to $652.3 million in 2017. During this period, 91.8% of DAH from China was disbursed through its bilateral agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce ($3.7 billion, 64.1%) and the National Health Commission ($917.1 million, 16.1%); the other 8.2% was disbursed through multilateral agencies including the WHO ($236.5 million, 4.1%) and the World Bank ($123.1 million, 2.2%). Relative to its level of economic development, China provided substantially more DAH than would be expected. However, relative to population size and government spending, China’s contributions are modest.ConclusionIn the current context of plateauing in the growth rate of DAH contributions, China has the potential to contribute to future global health financing, especially financing for health system strengthening.