bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Syngas Production and Combustion Turbine Operation With Hydrogen-Rich Fuel at the Kemper County IGCC
Authors: Nelson Matt , Vimalchand Pannalal , Peng WanWang , Lieuwen Tim , Madden Diane Revay , Miller Paul , Pinkston Tim , Wilson Steve 
Published: October 2018

The Kemper County Project has demonstrated Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG™) at a 2-on-1 Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) facility located in Kemper County, Mississippi. Kemper is the largest IGCC project in the world, the first to use lignite as fuel, the first to capture and sell CO2, and the first to produce multiple byproducts from initial startup. The facility features two Siemens SGT6-5000F gas turbines, each capable of operating on a high-hydrogen syngas produced in the Transport Gasifiers from locally mined lignite.
Using high-hydrogen syngas requires unique modifications to the combustion turbine design. Flame-diffusion combustors, rather than dry low-NOX designs, prevent flashback caused by the high hydrogen content of the syngas. Also, ports added to the turbine compressor casing allow air to be extracted from the compressor and used elsewhere in the plant, supplying up to one half of the air required by the gasifier.
The Kemper facility has achieved the integrated operation of both gasifiers, including the production of electricity from syngas by both combustion turbines. Turbine operation on the high hydrogen syngas was smooth both during normal operations and during transitions, with efficiencies meeting or exceeding expectations. This paper describes the Kemper plant design, focusing on the combustion turbine design unique to Kemper. The paper also discusses turbine design challenges specific to Kemper, provides an overview of the robust control scheme used on both syngas and natural gas co-firing operations, and provides preliminary operational and performance results, including inspection findings.
Innovative Field Repair of a Drain Cooler Top Plate in a Low-Pressure Feedwater Heater
Authors: Svensson Eric , Marra Dominic , Catapano Michael 
Published: October 2018

In 2014, the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant experienced a hole and a steam leak through the shell of the Unit 4, #3B Low Pressure (LP) Feedwater Heater (FWH) near the drains outlet nozzle. Although the location of the hole in the shell was below the centerline of the heater in the Drain Cooler (DC) Zone, a video probe inspection through the drains outlet nozzle revealed that the cause of the leak was actually a hole through the DC top plate, which then allowed the steam to penetrate into the DC zone and erode the shell. The shell was able to be repaired in 2014, however there was not enough time to try to fix the hole in the top plate at that time. During a planned refueling outage in 2017, an access window was cut into the shell and the DC boundary repaired using a custom fit plate to cover the hole and prevent further leakage of steam into the DC zone. The unusual configuration of the DC sealing plates in that area made the repair challenging, but overall the repair was successful and the FWH was able to be returned to service.
Additionally, during the maintenance outage, two leaking tubes were discovered on the periphery of the bundle near one of the Steam Inlet Nozzles. In order to determine the source of the tube failure, a video probe inspection of the shell side of the heater was conducted. It was determined that Foreign Material (FM) was the cause of the failures. By removing the steam inlet piping elbow, the Foreign Material was able to be retrieved and removed from the heater.
Rapid Pliocene adaptive radiation of modern kangaroos
Authors: Couzens Aidan M. C. , Prideaux Gavin J. 
Published: October 2018

Secrets revealed by kangaroo teeth
The teeth of mammals display complex adaptations to diet and can thus provide a window into the environments of extinct species. Couzens and Prideaux used such a window to examine the expansion and diversification of kangaroos, Australia's largest herbivores (see the Perspective by Polly). True kangaroos diversified not in response to drying in the Miocene, as suggested by molecular results, but rather as grasslands expanded during the Pliocene. Furthermore, the now-extinct short-faced kangaroos were not declining because of increases in aridity at the end of the Pleistocene but instead were experiencing an increase in dietary divergence.

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Preventive effect of oral magnesium in postmastectomy pain: protocol for a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Morel Véronique , Joly Dominique , Villatte Christine , Pereira Bruno , Pickering Gisèle 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionBreast cancer affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, and mastectomy is a cause of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics.N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists such as ketamine, memantine, dextromethorphan or magnesium are used to treat refractory pain by blocking NMDAR. Oral memantine has been shown to prevent postmastectomy pain and cognitive impact and to maintain quality of life. Likewise, the present study is intended to assess the preventive effect of oral magnesium, administered ahead of mastectomy, on the development of neuropathic pain. As a physiological blocker of NMDAR, magnesium could be an interesting candidate to prevent postoperative pain and associated comorbidities, including cognitive and emotional disorders, multiple analgesic consumption and impaired quality of life.Methods and analysisA randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial (NCT03063931) will include 100 women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy at the Oncology Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Magnesium (100 mg/day; n=50) or placebo (n=50) will be administered for 6 weeks, starting 2 weeks before surgery. Intensity of pain, cognitive and emotional function and quality of life will be assessed by questionnaires. The primary endpoint is pain intensity on a 0–10 numerical rating scale at 1 month postmastectomy. Data analysis will use mixed models; all tests will be two-tailed, with type-I error set at α=0.05.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol and informed consent form were approved in December 2016 by the French Research Ethics Committee (South East VI Committee). Results will be communicated in various congresses and published in international publications.Trial registration numberNCT03063931.
Protocol for a prospective multicentre registry cohort study on suicide attempters given the assertive case management intervention after admission to an emergency department in Japan: post-ACTION-J Study (PACS)
Authors: Kawanishi Chiaki , Ishii Takao , Yonemoto Naohiro , Yamada Mitsuhiko , Tachikawa Hirokazu , Kishimoto Toshifumi , Tsujii Noa , Hashimoto Satoshi , Kinoshita Toshihiko , Mimura Masaru , Okubo Yoshiro , Otsuka Kotaro , Yoshimura Reiji 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionSuicide attempt is the most important risk factor for later suicide. A randomised-controlled, multicentre trial of postsuicide attempt case management for the prevention of further suicide attempts in Japan, named ACTION-J, has established effective interventions for prevention of suicide reattempts. The ACTION-J assertive case management intervention programme was adopted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016, when medical fees were revised. This nationwide programme is provided to patients who attempt suicide and who are admitted to emergency departments in Japan.The aim of the present study is to examine the current implementation status of the ACTION-J programme. The present study also aims to clarify which patients’ and hospitals’ factors affect the implementation of the programme.Methods and analysisThis is a prospective, multicentre, patient registry cohort study. Participants will be suicide attempters admitted to the emergency departments of medical facilities with both psychiatry and emergency departments. The assertive case management programme will be delivered to participants by a case manager for up to 24 weeks, based on psychiatric diagnoses, social risks and patient needs. The core feature of the programme is to encourage patients to participate in psychiatric treatment.The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients still participating in the case management intervention at 24 weeks after registration. The secondary outcomes will include measures of the fidelity of the case management intervention. The fidelity will be evaluated using a fidelity assessment manual developed by the study group.Ethics and disseminationThis observational study has been approved by the ethics board of Sapporo Medical University. Enrolment began in October 2016 and will continue until December 2018. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences and scientific publications.Trial registrationUMIN000024474.
Effect of national HIV testing recommendations and local interventions on HIV testing practices in a Swiss university hospital: a retrospective analysis between 2012 and 2015
Authors: Lazzarino Tosca , Martenet Sebastien , Mamin Rachel , Du Pasquier Renaud A , Peters Solange , Perreau Matthieu , Muller Olivier , Hugli Olivier , Cavassini Matthias , Darling Katharine Elizabeth Anna 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesDespite HIV testing recommendations published by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) since 2007, many individuals living with HIV are diagnosed late in Switzerland. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the 2013 FOPH HIV testing recommendations on HIV testing rates.SettingTen clinical services at Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.ParticipantsPatients attending between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015.DesignRetrospective analysis using two existing hospital databases. HIV testing rates calculated as the percentage of tests performed (from the Immunology Service database) per number of patients seen (from the central hospital database).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was testing rate change following the 2013 FOPH testing recommendations, comparing testing rates 2 years before and 2 years after their publication. Secondary outcomes were demographic factors of patients tested or not tested for HIV.Results147 884 patients were seen during the study period of whom 9653 (6.5%) were tested for HIV, with 34 new HIV diagnoses. Mean testing rate increased from 5.6% to 7.8% after the recommendations (p=0.001). Testing rate increases were most marked in services involved in clinical trials on HIV testing, whose staff had attended training seminars on testing indications and practice. Testing rates were lower among older (aged >50 years), female and Swiss patients compared with younger, male and non-Swiss patients, both globally (p=0.001) and in specific clinical services.ConclusionsThis simple two-database tool demonstrates clinical services in which HIV testing practice can be optimised. Improved testing rates in services involved in clinical trials on testing suggest that local engagement complements the effect of national recommendations. While, overall, HIV testing rates increased significantly over time, testing rates were lower among patients with similar demographic profiles to individuals diagnosed late in Switzerland.
Glimepiride monotherapy versus combination of glimepiride and linagliptin therapy in patients with HNF1A-diabetes: a protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Sidelmann Christensen Alexander , Storgaard Heidi , Hædersdal Sofie , Hansen Torben , Krag Knop Filip , Vilsbøll Tina 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionHepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A)-diabetes is the most common monogenetic subtype of diabetes. Strict glycaemic control is crucial for a good prognosis for patients with HNF1A-diabetes. Sulfonylurea (SU) is used as a first-line therapy in HNF1A-diabetes. However, SU therapy may be problematic as it confers a high risk of hypoglycaemia. We hypothesise that low dose of SU in combination with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor provides a safer and more efficacious treatment in patients with HNF1A-diabetes compared with SU as monotherapy.Methods and analysisIn a randomised, double-blinded, crossover study, patients with HNF1A-diabetes will randomly be assigned to 16 weeks of treatment with glimepiride+linagliptin, 4 weeks of washout and 16 weeks of treatment with glimepiride+placebo (or vice versa). Treatment will be evaluated with continuous glucose monitoring and combined meal and bicycle tests conducted at baseline and at the end of each of the two treatment periods. The primary end point is the absolute difference in the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions between the two treatments (glimepiride+linagliptin vs glimepiride+placebo) at the end of each treatment period.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol is approved by the Danish Medicines Agency, The Scientific-Ethical Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-17014518) and the Danish Data Protection Agency. The trial will be carried out and monitored in compliance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines and in accordance with the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. Positive, negative and inconclusive results will be published at scientific conferences and as one or more scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals with authorship in accordance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ recommendations.Trial registration number2017-000204-15.
Mosaicism and incomplete penetrance of PCDH19 mutations
Authors: Liu Aijie , Yang Xiaoxu , Yang Xiaoling , Wu Qixi , Zhang Jing , Sun Dan , Yang Zhixian , Jiang Yuwu , Wu Xiru , Wei Liping , Zhang Yuehua 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundMutations in the PCDH19 gene have mainly been reported in female patients with epilepsy. To date, PCDH19 mutations have been reported in hundreds of females and only in 10 mosaic male epileptic patients with mosaicism.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the occurrence of mosaic PCDH19 mutations in 42 families comprising at least one patient with PCDH19-related epilepsy.MethodsTwo male patients with mosaic PCDH19 variants were identified using targeted next-generation sequencing. Forty female patients with PCDH19 variants were identified by Sanger sequencing and Multiple Ligation Probe Amplification (MLPA). Microdroplet digital PCR was used to quantify the mutant allelic fractions (MAFs) in 20 families with PCDH19 variants.ResultsFive mosaic individuals, four males and one female, were identified in total. Mosaic variant was confirmed in multiple somatic tissues from one male patient and in blood from the other male patient. Among 22 female patients harbouring a newly occurred PCDH19 variant identified by Sanger sequencing and MLPA, Sanger sequencing revealed two mosaic fathers (9%, 2/22), one with two affected daughters and the other with an affected child. Two asymptomatic mosaic fathers were confirmed as gonosomal mosaicism, with MAFs ranging from 4.16% to 37.38% and from 1.27% to 19.13%, respectively. In 11 families with apparent de novo variants, 1 female patient was identified as a mosaic with a blood MAF of 26.72%.ConclusionOur study provides new insights into phenotype-genotype correlations in PCDH19 related epilepsy and the finding of high-frequency mosaicism has important implications for genetic counselling.
Application of 0D model of blood flow to study vessel abnormalities in the human systemic circulation: An in-silico study
Authors: Gul R. , Shahzad A. , Zubair M. 
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a multi-compartment 0D model of the blood flow is considered to study the vessel abnormalities (stenoses and aneurysms) in the human systemic circulation (SC). In the complete SC, different levels of stenosis and aneurysms are artificially created by decreasing and increasing the vessel diameters respectively and their effects on pressure and flow are studied using sensitivity analysis (SA). Normalized local sensitivity analysis (LSA) is used to study the impact of stenosis and aneurysms on pressure and flow wave pattern. Furthermore, global sensitivity analysis (GSA), Sobol’s method is used to quantify the overall influence of stenoses and aneurysms in the complete SC. The results of global sensitivity analysis revealed that the impact of both stenoses and aneurysms is strong within the individual structures (arm, legs, carotid bifurcation, aorta), while, aortic stenoses and aneurysms have effect on almost all downstream nodes. Moreover, the study could be useful for medical doctors, teachers and students to observe the hemodynamical changes in the SC with respect to vessel abnormalities, which could further help in making any clinical decision for patients having different levels of vessel abnormalities in any part or structure of the SC.
Temperature-Dependent Magnetization Switching in FeGd Ferrimagnets
Authors: Fu Zuwei , Zhang Zongzhi , Liu Yaowen 
Published: October 2018

Laser-induced magnetization switching in GdFe ferrimagnets strongly depends on the pulse duration. To gain insight into the ferrimagnetic switching process, Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) spin dynamic modeling is performed at an atomistic-level with two sub-lattice systems. The switching dynamics triggered by laser pulses can be considered as two stages: Demagnetization stage by the laser pulse heating and re-magnetization at the cooling down stage after the pulse impulsion. By tuning the laser pulse duration, the intensity of demagnetization can be well controlled, by which the subsequent magnetization switching during the cooling process can be obtained. The simulation results indicate that the occurrence of the transient ferromagnetic-like (TFL) state is necessary during the magnetization switching process. Furthermore, the thermal temperature and heating time play an important role for the ferrimagnetic switching. In the overheating region, the random switching behavior appears because the TFL state is uncontrollable.
The Effect of Distal Phalanx Bony Dimensions in Suture Anchor Fixations of Tendon Avulsion
Authors: Samson Deepak , Gupta Manish 
Published: October 2018

Background: The terminal phalanx of the fingers carries the attachment of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) on the volar surface and the extensor on the dorsal surface. Avulsion of these tendons has traditionally been repaired with pull-through sutures. Recently, bone anchor sutures have been found to be of comparable biomechanical strength but with the added advantage of technical ease and fewer complications. However, the dimensions of the bone, at the site of insertion of the anchors, have never been studied. Methods: Following some cases of penetration of the dorsal cortex by the anchors, we measured the antero-posterior dimensions of the terminal phalanx in 251 digits from plain radiographs and compared these with the dimensions of the commonly used bone anchors. We also compared male and female digits. Results: The anchors were oversized in 76% of index, 78% of ring and 100% of little fingers in the female population and in 49%, 44% and 97% of index, ring and little fingers respectively in the male population. Conclusions: This analysis of bone dimensions can be a useful guide to surgeons in choosing the appropriate implant for flexor tendon avulsions.
Sepiapterin alleviates impaired gastric nNOS function in spontaneous diabetic female rodents through NRF2 mRNA turnover and miRNA biogenesis pathway
Authors: Gangula Pandu R. , Challagundla Kishore B. , Ravella Kalpana , Mukhopadhyay Sutapa , Chinnathambi Vijayakumar , Mittal Mukul K. , Sekhar K. Raja , Sampath Chethan 
Published: October 2018

An impaired nitrergic system and altered redox signaling contribute to gastric dysmotility in diabetics. Our earlier studies show that NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and phase II antioxidant enzymes play a vital role in gastric neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) function. This study aims to investigate whether supplementation of sepiapterin (SEP), a precursor for tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) (a cofactor of NOS) via the salvage pathway, restores altered nitrergic systems and redox balance in spontaneous diabetic (DB) female rats. Twelve-week spontaneous DB and age-matched, non-DB rats, with and without dietary SEP (daily 20 mg/kg body wt for 10 days) treatment, were used in this study. Gastric antrum muscular tissues were excised to investigate the effects of SEP in nitrergic relaxation and the nNOS-nitric oxide (NO)-NRF2 pathway(s). Dietary SEP supplementation significantly ( P < 0.05) reverted diabetes-induced changes in nNOS dimerization and function; nitric oxide (NO) downstream signaling molecules; HSP-90, a key regulator of nNOSα activity and dimerization; miRNA-28 that targets NRF2 messenger RNA (mRNA), and levels of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis pathway components, such as DGCR8 (DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region Gene 8) and TRBP (HIV1-1 transactivating response RNA-binding protein). These findings emphasize the importance of the BH4 pathway in regulating gastric motility functions in DB animals by modulating nNOSα dimerization in association with changes in enteric NRF2 and NO downstream signaling. Our results also identify a new pathway, wherein SEP regulates NRF2 mRNA turnover by suppressing elevated miRNA-28, which could be related to alterations in miRNA biogenesis pathway components. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to show a causal link between NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in gastric motility function. Our data demonstrate that critical regulators of the miRNA biosynthetic pathway are upregulated in the diabetic (DB) setting; these regulators were rescued by sepiapterin (SEP) treatment. Finally, we show that low dihydrofolate reductase expression may lead to impaired nNOS dimerization/function-reduced nitric oxide downstream signaling and elevate oxidative stress by suppressing the NRF2/phase II pathway through miRNA; SEP treatment restored all of the above in DB gastric muscular tissue. We suggest that tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation may be a useful therapy for patients with diabetes, as well as women with idiopathic gastroparesis.