bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Aluminum Particle Size on the Detonation Pressure of TNT/Al
Authors: Zhou Zhengqing , Chen Jianguo , Yuan Hongyong , Nie Jianxin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTo better understand the influence of the aluminum particle size on the detonation pressure of TNT/Al, electrical conductivity experiment and detonation pressure experiment were performed in this study. Four types of TNT/Al were considered, in which the particle size of aluminum was 50 nm, 100 nm, 1.50 μm, and 9.79 μm, respectively. The combustion process of Al in TNT/Al was detected by electrical conductivity experiment, and the detonation pressures of TNT/Al were measured by using the manganin pressure sensors. According to the experimental results, the Chapman Jouguet (CJ) pressure of the explosive containing nano‐sized aluminum is higher than the explosive containing micron‐sized aluminum powder because of the combustion of nano‐sized aluminum in the detonation reaction zone. In addition, a smaller aluminum particle size in TNT/Al is associated with a slower detonation pressure attenuation. This study gives a clearer picture of how aluminum particle size contributes to detonation pressure on timescales from 0 to 0.82 μs.
Investigating the bifunctionality of cyclizing and “classical” 5‐aminolevulinate synthases
Authors: Liu Joyce , Kaganjo James , Zhang Wenjun , Zeilstra‐Ryalls Jill 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe precursor to all tetrapyrroles is 5‐aminolevulinic acid, which is made either via the condensation of glycine and succinyl‐CoA catalyzed by an ALA synthase (the C4 or Shemin pathway) or by a pathway that uses glutamyl‐tRNA as a precursor and involves other enzymes (the C5 pathway). Certain ALA synthases also catalyze the cyclization of ALA‐CoA to form 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxycyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one. Organisms with synthases that possess this second activity nevertheless rely upon the C5 pathway to supply ALA for tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. The C5N units are components of a variety of secondary metabolites. Here, we show that an ALA synthase used exclusively for tetrapyrrole biosynthesis is also capable of catalyzing the cyclization reaction, albeit at much lower efficiency than the dedicated cyclases. Two absolutely conserved serines present in all known ALA‐CoA cyclases are threonines in all known ALA synthases, suggesting they could be important in distinguishing the functions of these enzymes. We found that purified mutant proteins having single and double substitutions of the conserved residues are not improved in their respective alternate activities; rather, they are worse. Protein structural modeling and amino acid sequence alignments were explored within the context of what is known about the reaction mechanisms of these two different types of enzymes to consider what other features are important for the two activities.
Strontium isotope measurement of basaltic glasses by laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on a linear relationship between analytical bias and Rb/Sr ratios
Authors: Zhang Le , Ren Zhong‐Yuan , Wu Ya‐Dong , Li Nan 
Published: October 2017

RationaleIn situ strontium (Sr) isotope analysis of geological samples by laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS) provides useful information about magma mixing, crustal contamination and crystal residence time. Without chemical separation, during Sr isotope analysis with laser ablation, many kinds of interference ions (such as Rb+ and Kr+) are on the Sr isotope spectrum. Most previous in situ Sr isotope studies only focused on Sr‐enriched minerals (e.g. plagioclase, calcite). Here we established a simple method for in situ Sr isotope analysis of basaltic glass with Rb/Sr ratio less than 0.14 by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS.MethodsSeven Faraday cups, on a Neptune Plus MC‐ICP‐MS instrument, were used to receive the signals on m/z 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 simultaneously for the Sr isotope analysis of basaltic glass. The isobaric interference of 87Rb was corrected by the peak stripping method. The instrumental mass fractionation of 87Sr/86Sr was corrected to 86Sr/88Sr = 0.1194 with an exponential law. Finally, the residual analytical biases of 87Sr/86Sr were corrected with a relationship between the deviation of 87Sr/86Sr from the reference values and the measured 87Rb/86Sr. The validity of the protocol present here was demonstrated by measuring the Sr isotopes of four basaltic glasses, a plagioclase crystal and a piece of modern coral.ResultsThe measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios of all these samples agree within 100 ppm with the reference values. In addition, the Sr isotopes of olivine‐hosted melt inclusions from the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) were measured to show the application of our method to real geological samples.ConclusionsA simple but accurate approach for in situ Sr isotope measurement by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS has been established, which should greatly facilitate the wider application of in situ Sr isotope geochemistry, especially to volcanic rock studies.
A master manipulator with a remote‐center‐of‐motion kinematic structure for a minimally invasive robotic surgical system
Authors: Lee Hyunyoung , Cheon Byungsik , Hwang Minho , Kang Donghoon , Kwon Dong‐Soo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn robotic surgical systems, commercial master devices have limitations owing to insufficient workspace and lack of intuitiveness. To overcome these limitations, a remote‐center‐of‐motion (RCM) master manipulator was proposed.MethodsThe feasibility of the proposed RCM structure was evaluated through kinematic analysis using a conventional serial structure. Two performance comparison experiments (peg transfer task and objective transfer task) were conducted for the developed master and Phantom Omni.ResultsThe kinematic analysis results showed that compared with the serial structure, the proposed RCM structure has better performance in terms of design efficiency (19%) and workspace quality (59.08%). Further, in comparison with Phantom Omni, the developed master significantly increased task efficiency and significantly decreased workload in both experiments.ConclusionsThe comparatively better performance in terms of intuitiveness, design efficiency, and operability of the proposed master for a robotic system for minimally invasive surgery was confirmed through kinematic and experimental analysis.
Robotic‐assisted versus open radical cystectomy in bladder cancer: A meta‐analysis of four randomized controlled trails
Authors: Tang Jin‐Qiu , Zhao Zhihong , Liang Yiwen , Liao Guixiang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundRobot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is increasing annually for treatment of bladder cancer. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to compare the safety and efficacy of RARC and open radical cystectomy (ORC) for bladder cancer.MethodsOur meta‐analysis searches were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the two techniques.ResultsFour RCT studies were identified, including 239 cases. Our studies indicated that RARC was associated with longer operative time (WMD: 69.69, 95% CI:17.25 to122.12; P= 0.009), lower estimated blood loss (WMD: –299.83, 95% CI:–414.66to −184.99; P<0.00001). The two groups had no significant difference in overall perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, lymph node yield and positive surgical margins.ConclusionsRARC is mini‐invasive alternative to ORC for bladder cancer. The advantage of RARC was reduced estimated blood loss. More studies are needed to compare the two techniques.
Hepatitis in AIDS patients
Authors: Qadir Muhammad Imran 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe individuals with HIV infection are more susceptible to develop coinfections with infectious pathogens such as HCV and HBV. The routes of transmission of these pathogens are the same including sexual contact, injection drug use, or at birth from mother to an infant. The main reason of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected individuals is a liver disease in the context of antiretroviral therapy, and coinfection such as HCV and HBV complicates this condition. Nucleos(t)ide analogues are used for HBV infection management, and treatment of HCV infection is done by PegIFN and ribavirin combination and protease inhibitors. In this review, we focused on hepatitis B and C infections in HIV patients along with their therapies.
Transdermal Delivery of Anti‐Obesity Compounds to Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue with Polymeric Microneedle Patches
Authors: Than Aung , Liang Ke , Xu Shaohai , Sun Lei , Duan Hongwei , Xi Fengna , Xu Chenjie , Chen Peng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractExcess white adipose tissue (WAT), or obesity, is the leading cause of many diseases. Combating obesity is, however, challenging due to the fact that laboratory‐proven anti‐obesity compounds lose effectiveness or/and cause severe side‐effects while being delivered via conventional routes. Here, a new strategy is reported using disposable transdermal patches equipped with detachable polymeric microneedle (MN) arrays for painless and bloodless drug delivery to subcutaneous WAT. In contrast to the current methods to reduce energy intake, MN‐patches are used to deliver anti‐obesity compounds to increase energy expenditure by transforming calorie‐storing white fat into calorie‐burning brown fat. Specifically, prominent WAT browning and reduction effects are demonstrated by β3‐adrenoceptor agonist and thyroid hormone T3 transdermally delivered from rapidly dissolving MNs on mice. Furthermore, using a diet‐induced obese mouse model, it is shown that β3‐adrenoceptor agonist released by slowly dissolving MNs can effectively promote WAT browning and suppress gaining of body fat and weight, without the need of daily administration. Such an MN approach can achieve a much lower effective dose as compared to systemic administration and enables long‐term home‐based treatment.
Subtle Deregulation of the Wnt-Signaling Pathway Through Loss of Apc2 Reduces the Fitness of Intestinal Stem Cells
Authors: Young Madeleine A. , Daly Carl S. , Taylor Elaine , James Rhiannon , Clarke Alan Richard , Reed Karen Ruth 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The importance of the Wnt-signaling pathway on the regulation and maintenance of the intestinal stem cell (ISC) population is well recognized. However, our current knowledge base is founded on models using systems of gross deregulation of the Wnt-signaling pathway. Given the importance of this signaling pathway on intestinal homeostasis, there is a need to explore the role of more subtle alterations in Wnt-signaling levels within this tissue. Herein, we have used a model of Apc2 loss to meet this aim. Apc2 is a homolog of Apc which can also form a destruction complex capable of binding β-catenin, albeit less efficiently than Apc. We show that systemic loss of Apc2 results in an increase in the number of cells displaying nuclear β-catenin at the base of the intestinal crypt. This subsequently impacts the expression levels of several ISC markers and the fitness of ISCs as assessed by organoid formation efficiency. This work provides the first evidence that the function and fitness of ISCs can be altered by even minor misregulation of the Wnt-signaling pathway. Our data highlights the importance of correct maintenance of this crucial signaling pathway in the maintenance and function of the ISC population.
Young children's near and far transfer of the basic theory of natural selection: An analogical storybook intervention
Authors: Emmons Natalie , Lees Kristin , Kelemen Deborah 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMisconceptions about adaptation by natural selection are widespread among adults and likely stem, in part, from cognitive biases and intuitive theories observable in early childhood. Current educational guidelines that recommend delaying comprehensive instruction on the topic of adaptation until adolescence, therefore, raise concerns because children's scientifically inaccurate theories about species may be left unchallenged for many years, allowing them to entrench and become difficult to overcome. In consequence, this investigation sought to explore whether classrooms of kindergartners and second graders could acquire a basic but comprehensive understanding of adaptation from an intervention constructed around two picture storybooks that mechanistically explain natural selection. Learning was assessed in near and far transfer contexts both immediately and a month later. Kindergartners and second graders demonstrated substantial learning of biological information; however, second graders showed pronounced abilities to near and far generalize, immediately and over time. Results suggest that causally cohesive interventions with an emphasis on mechanistic explanation facilitate children's classroom learning of complex counterintuitive scientific ideas.
Intergovernmental organizations and climate security: advancing the research agenda
Authors: Dellmuth Lisa M. , Gustafsson Maria‐Therese , Bremberg Niklas , Mobjörk Malin 
Published: October 2017

Climate‐related security challenges are transnational in character, leading states to increasingly rely on intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)—such as the European Union and the North‐Atlantic Treaty Organization—for policy solutions. While climate security issues do not typically fit comfortably within the mandates of existing IGOs, recent decades have seen increasing efforts by IGOs to link climate change and security. This article reviews existing studies on IGOs’ responses to climate security challenges. It draws together research from several bodies of literature spanning political science, international relations, and environmental social science, identifying an emerging field of research revolving around IGOs and climate security. We observe significant advancement in this young field, with scholars extending and enriching our understanding of how and why IGOs address climate security challenges. Yet we still know little about the conditions under which IGOs respond to climate security challenges and when they do so effectively. This article discusses the main gaps in current work and makes some suggestions about how these gaps may be usefully addressed in future research. A better understanding of the conditions under which IGOs respond (effectively) to climate security challenges would contribute to broader debates on climate security, institutional change, and effectiveness in international relations and environmental social science, and may facilitate crafting effective global solutions to society's most intractable climate security challenges.WIREs Clim Change2018, 9:e496. doi: 10.1002/wcc.496This article is categorized under:Policy and Governance > Multilevel and Transnational Climate Change Governance
Clock‐Drawing Test as a Bedside Assessment of Post‐operative Delirium Risk in Elderly Patients with Accidental Hip Fracture
Authors: Vasilian Claudia C. , Tamasan Simona C. , Lungeanu Diana , Poenaru Dan V. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundCurrently applied cognitive tests for assessing the risk of post‐operative delirium require time and specialised medical staff, in addition to the patients’ mental strain. We investigated the four‐point scoring Clock‐Drawing Test (CDT‐4) as a preoperative independent predictor for post‐operative delirium.MethodsA total of 100 consecutive patients aged over 65 years admitted for accidental hip fracture were assessed for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method Scale. The cognitive function was rated with mini–mental state examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and CDT‐4. Descriptive statistics were performed, and a logistic regression model for post‐operative delirium was applied.ResultsOut of the 100 enrolled patients 98 underwent hip repair surgery and 65 (66%) had post‐operative delirium, with 24 (42%) incident cases. The median (IQR) ages were 78 (72–83) and 84 (80–87) years for the non‐delirium and post‐operative delirium groups, respectively. The logistic regression concluded with age and CDT‐4 as independent preoperative predictors, while controlling for gender, pre‐surgery delirium, MoCA visual, and MoCA attention: OR 1.32 [95% CI (1.099–1.585); p = 0.003] for age; OR 0.153 [95% CI (0.033–0.719); p = 0.017] for CDT‐4.ConclusionsEmploying CDT‐4 as a bedside assessment of delirium risk may help to preoperatively stratify and prioritise the patients for preventive perioperative care in a timely manner.
Postoperative Myocardial Injury and Inflammation is Not Blunted by a Trial of Atorvastatin in Orthopedic Surgery Patients
Authors: Bass Anne R. , Szymonifka Jackie D. , Rondina Matthew T. , Bogardus Margaret , Scott Mitchell G. , Woller Scott C. , Stevens Scott M. , Eby Charles , Merritt Kerri , Valle Alejandro Gonzalez Della , Moskowitz Gerard , Flores Eva , Gage Brian F. 
Published: October 2017

Background Orthopedic patients are at risk for adverse postoperative cardiovascular outcomes. Questions/Purposes This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of atorvastatin vs. placebo in orthopedic surgery patients was performed in order to assess: (1) the prevalence of perioperative myocardial injury; (2) the effect of atorvastatin on perioperative inflammation; and (3) the feasibility of performing a large RCT of statin therapy in orthopedic patients. Methods Hip fracture (hip Fx) and total hip and knee replacement (THR and TKR) patients were randomized 1:1 to atorvastatin 40 mg daily vs. placebo, starting preoperatively and continuing until postoperative day (POD) 45. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured preoperatively and on POD 2. Patients were monitored for adverse events until POD 90. Results Five hundred fifty-six patients were screened, 22 were recruited (4 hip Fx, 11 THR, 7 TKR), and 2 withdrew. Most (80%) had detectable hs-cTnI (> 1.1 pg/mL) preoperatively. Twenty percent had a perioperative rise in hs-cTnI (≥ 10 pg/mL), which was not blunted by atorvastatin. Hs-CRP rose in 19/20 patients, and IL-6 rose in all patients. However, atorvastatin did not blunt the rise in these inflammatory biomarkers. On POD 2, IL-6 and hs-cTnI levels correlated ( ρ = 0.59, p = 0.02). Recruitment was limited by the high prevalence of statin use in the screened population and a high prevalence of exclusions among hip fracture patients. Conclusion Perioperative myocardial injury and inflammation are common in orthopedic patients and do not appear to be reduced in those randomized to atorvastatin. Trial Registration NCT02197065
A Multi-stage Representation of Cell Proliferation as a Markov Process
Authors: Yates Christian A. , Ford Matthew J. , Mort Richard L. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The stochastic simulation algorithm commonly known as Gillespie’s algorithm (originally derived for modelling well-mixed systems of chemical reactions) is now used ubiquitously in the modelling of biological processes in which stochastic effects play an important role. In well-mixed scenarios at the sub-cellular level it is often reasonable to assume that times between successive reaction/interaction events are exponentially distributed and can be appropriately modelled as a Markov process and hence simulated by the Gillespie algorithm. However, Gillespie’s algorithm is routinely applied to model biological systems for which it was never intended. In particular, processes in which cell proliferation is important (e.g. embryonic development, cancer formation) should not be simulated naively using the Gillespie algorithm since the history-dependent nature of the cell cycle breaks the Markov process. The variance in experimentally measured cell cycle times is far less than in an exponential cell cycle time distribution with the same mean.
Here we suggest a method of modelling the cell cycle that restores the memoryless property to the system and is therefore consistent with simulation via the Gillespie algorithm. By breaking the cell cycle into a number of independent exponentially distributed stages, we can restore the Markov property at the same time as more accurately approximating the appropriate cell cycle time distributions. The consequences of our revised mathematical model are explored analytically as far as possible. We demonstrate the importance of employing the correct cell cycle time distribution by recapitulating the results from two models incorporating cellular proliferation (one spatial and one non-spatial) and demonstrating that changing the cell cycle time distribution makes quantitative and qualitative differences to the outcome of the models. Our adaptation will allow modellers and experimentalists alike to appropriately represent cellular proliferation—vital to the accurate modelling of many biological processes—whilst still being able to take advantage of the power and efficiency of the popular Gillespie algorithm.
DLR transonic inverse design code, extensions and modifications to increase versatility and robustness
Authors: Streit T. , Hoffrogge C. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThe DLR inverse design code computes the wing geometry for a prescribed target pressure distribution. It is based on the numerical solution of the integral inverse transonic small perturbation (TSP) equations. In this work, several extensions and modifications of the inverse design code are described. Results are validated with corresponding redesign test cases. The first modification concerns applications for high transonic Mach numbers or cases with strong shocks. The introduced modifications enable converged design solutions for cases where the original method failed. The second modification is the extension of the code to general non-planar wings. Previously, the design code was restricted to non-planar wing designs with small dihedral or to nacelle design. A third modification concerns aerofoil/wings designed for wind-tunnel design. In order to design a swept wing between two wind-tunnel walls, the solution method was extended to two symmetry planes. The introduced extensions and modifications have increased the robustness and range of applicability of the inverse design code.
A coupled Euler-Lagrange CFD modelling of droplets-to-film
Authors: Adeniyi A. A. , Morvan H. P. , Simmons K. A. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a droplet to film interaction model technique is presented. In the proposed approach, the liquid and gas continua are modelled using an enhanced Volume-of-Fluid (VoF) technique while the droplets are tracked using a Lagrangian framework and are coupled to the Eulerian phases using source terms. The eventual target application is an aeroengine bearing chamber in which oil is found as droplets, shed from the bearings, splashing on impact, separated from wall surfaces at obstacles or simply re-entrained, and as a continuum oil film coating the bearing chamber outer walls which it also cools. In finite volume Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, a prohibitively large number of cells would be required to describe the details of the droplet impact phenomenon. Based on published correlations, the splashing droplets are created and tracked as Lagrangian particles. The flowing film and the gas continua are handled with an enhanced VoF technique.