bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Testing and Histologic Examination of Intradermal Skin Closure in Dogs Using Barbed Suture Device and Non‐Barbed Monofilament Suture
Authors: Law Andy Y. , Butler James R. , Patnaik Sourav S. , Cooley James A. , Elder Steven H. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical strength and histologic features of 3‐0 Glycomer™ 631 barbed suture (V‐LOC™ 90 Absorbable Wound Closure Device, Covidien, Mansfield, MA) to non‐barbed 3‐0 Glycomer™ 631 suture (Biosyn™, Covidien) for intradermal skin wound closure in the dog.Study DesignRandomized, factorial, in vivo.AnimalsEighteen purpose‐bred, mature male, and female hound dogs.MethodsEighteen adult hound dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups designated by postoperative day of assessment. Six skin incisions were made along the dorsum in the thoracolumbar region of each dog with an equal number (n=3) randomly assigned to closure with barbed or non‐barbed suture. Six dogs were euthanatized on postoperative days 3, 10, and 14, respectively. Two additional incisions were made on each dog after euthanasia for baseline data (Day 0). The skin incision specimens were harvested for biomechanical testing and histologic evaluation.ResultsNon‐barbed closure had significantly higher maximum load at failure (P<.001) and stiffness (P<.001) than barbed closure regardless of day. The average tissue reaction score was significantly higher for barbed closure (P=.008), regardless of day. Suturing time for barbed closures was significantly shorter. There was no significant difference in frequency of complications between closures.ConclusionBarbed Glycomer™ 631 closures had a significantly lower maximum load at failure and stiffness, and higher average tissue reaction scores, but showed no difference in short term outcome for intradermal closure of dorsally located skin incisions in dogs.
Cranioplasty Using Titanium Mesh After Skull Tumor Resection in Five Dogs
Authors: Rosselli Desiree D. , Platt Simon R. , Freeman Courtenay , O'Neill Jeremy , Kent Marc , Holmes Shannon P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the clinical details, surgery, postoperative imaging, and short to mid‐term outcome after cranioplasty with titanium mesh in dogs with large skull tumors.Study DesignCase series.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs with skull tumors (n=5).MethodsAll tumors were removed via craniectomy and a sheet of titanium mesh was contoured to reconstruct the calvarial defect and sutured to surrounding musculature.ResultsFour dogs had multilobular tumors of bone and 1 dog had a soft tissue sarcoma invading the cranial vault. Neurologic examination was unchanged or improved postoperative, a good cosmetic appearance was achieved, and no complications were noted at 2 weeks postoperative. Late postoperative computed tomography (CT) in 2 dogs and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in 1 dog confirmed the presence of the titanium mesh without migration. There was no interference of the mesh with image interpretation and definitive radiation therapy was pursued in 1 dog without complication. Late follow‐up reported 2 dogs euthanatized; at 44 weeks postoperative due to tumor re‐growth; at 12 weeks postoperative for hemoabdomen, respectively. One dog drowned at 40 weeks postoperative, 1 dog was lost to follow‐up, and 1 dog is alive at 83 weeks postoperative free of clinical signs.ConclusionsTitanium mesh is suitable for cranioplasty based on its strength, biocompatibility, and excellent handling characteristics. It does not interfere with acquisition or interpretation of CT or MR images, thereby allowing postoperative imaging for ongoing assessment.
A Novel Energy System Integrated With Solar Power, Advanced Electric Vehicle and Home Heat Pumps
Authors: Chisaka Hideyuki , Nakagawa Tsuguhiko 
Published: November 2016

In order to reduce the quantity of CO2 emissions economically, it is important to construct a Smart Community which is expected to be one of the solutions. In a Smart Community, energy supply and demand system is developing to manage with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to utilize energy efficiently and increase the amount of renewable energy. In one of the systems, “Photovoltaic power generator (hereinafter referred to as PV) & Electric Vehicle (hereinafter referred to as EV) Smart System” has been developed.
In the “PV & EV Smart System”, PV power is charged directly to the EV battery, and then the charged PV power is consumed by running and air-conditioning energy of a car and supplied to a home. This system is able to reduce the quantity of CO2 emissions with high economic efficiency. In order to expand the system, it is necessary to spread EV. So, it should solve the issues of short driving distance, the high cost of storage battery and the risk of dead battery. Therefore, the authors have proposed an advanced EV such as AI-EV (Air-conditioner Integrated Electric Vehicle). AI-EV has a novel hybrid system which drives the air-conditioning system and generates electric power in the case of a low air-conditioning load through the use of a small-engine. PV power can not only reduce car fuels but also replace with gas and liquid fuels which are used at a home, causing the huge effect of reducing CO2 emissions as the whole system.
In this paper, a novel energy system which is integrated with solar power, advanced electric vehicle and CO2 heat pump water heater as home heat pumps has been proposed. A mathematical simulation model which evaluates for the PV power generation, AI-EV energy consumption and home heat pumps has been developed. CO2 emissions and economic efficiency are calculated and compared with those of the conventional system.
As the result, the novel energy system is able to reduce more than 30% of the quantity of CO2 emissions in comparison with the conventional system as the whole system, and the system can reduce about 60% of the quantity of CO2 emissions in comparison with the conventional system as a home system. The economic efficiency is evaluated by more than 6.0% of IRR (Internal Rate of Return) without some subsidies when the legal service life of the depreciation equipment is assumed 14 years. Therefore, the novel energy system can be widely spread in the future.
Analysis and Design of Novel Absorption Power Cycle Plants
Authors: Novotny Vaclav , Kolovratnik Michal , Vitvarova Monika , Jakobsen Jana P. 
Published: November 2016

Absorption Power Cycles (APCs) provide an interesting field within power cycles. The multicomponent mixture with variable temperature across boiling is employed as a working fluid. This has a potential for decreasing exergy loss associated with heat transfer during phase change processes (boiling and condensation). Absorption process has also an effect of lowering exhaust pressure of a turbine. The APCs hold a potential for heat recovery applications at very low temperatures, where constant temperature of boiling and condensation largely limits performance and economic effectiveness of Organic Rankine cycles (ORCs). Theoretical calculations show superiority of APC over extensive range of considered ORC working fluid. The advantage of APC further increases when air cooled condenser needs to be used instead of wet cooling tower. With the same boundary conditions for all cycles the APC provides higher utilization efficiency and power output at source temperatures below approximately 120 °C, for temperatures as low as 60 °C the net power output can be surpassed even more than three times.
The proposed APC employs aqueous solution of salts considered generally for absorption cooling (Lithium Bromide, Lithium Chloride, Calcium Chloride) as a working fluid. Unlike ammonia used in mixture with water in Kalina APC or often ORC working fluids, used salts are non-toxic, environmentally friendly and pure water in expander simplifies its design. After summary of theoretical research from thermodynamics point of view are discussed principles, aspects and issues for design of single components of the cycle. Results of sizing are presented on two examples with 100 °C heat source. First one is 20 kWe unit using hot air as a heat source and air cooled condenser, second one is 500 kWe unit with heat source being pressurized water and using wet cooling tower heat rejection. Results show possibility of building relatively efficient system for even small power output with turbine isentropic efficiency nearly 80 % for the 20 kWe unit, but relatively large heat exchangers.
Effect of Power Characteristics on Solar Panels: Hands-On Projects for Clean Energy Systems Class
Authors: Dikici Birce , Jalandoni Javier 
Published: November 2016

In this paper, experiments that can be introduced to Clean Energy Systems classes are described. The experiments investigate the effect of power characteristics (temperature, shade and tilt angle) on solar panel electricity production. Solar cell efficiency is the ratio of the electrical output of a solar cell to the incident energy in the form of sunlight. The energy conversion efficiency of a solar cell is the percentage of the solar energy to which the cell is exposed that is converted into electrical energy. Extreme temperatures can cause a decrease in solar panel’s power output and airstream can dissipate the heat and bring the solar panel to its normal operating condition. Solar panel efficiency is undesirably affected by heat and improved with introducing cooler medium.
As well as heat, solar panel loses its power when a part of it is shaded by trees or surrounding buildings. Before solar panel systems are designed for homes, usually a detailed shading analysis of the roof is conducted to reveal its patterns of shade and sunlight throughout the year.
By the same manner, how solar panels react to the direct and indirect rays from the sun in order to produce electricity is examined through experiments. Voltage, current and power flowing into a resistor are measured when the angle of the solar panel relative to the light source is changed. The tilt angles to the electrical measurements are linked to the differences in electrical generation.
Students can perform experimental procedures explained here and gain the conceptual understanding of the Solar Energy better. The investigations require student explanation of the question, method, display of data with the critical response from peers.
Techno-Economic Comparative Study on Hydrogen and Electricity Cogeneration Systems With CO2 Capture
Authors: Zohrabian Angineh , Mansouri Majoumerd Mohammad , Soltanieh Mohammad , Arild Øystein 
Published: November 2016

In order to achieve the international climate goals and to keep the global temperature increase below 2 °C, carbon capture and storage in large point sources of CO2 emissions has received considerable attention. In recent years, mitigation of CO2 emissions from the power sector has been studied extensively whereas other industrial point source emitters such as hydrogen industry have also great potential for CO2 abatement.
This study aims to draw an updated comparison between different hydrogen and power cogeneration systems using natural gas and coal as feedstock. The goal is to show the relative advantage of cogeneration systems with respect to CO2 emission reduction costs. Accordingly, the Reference Case is selected as a large-scale H2 production system with CO2 venting using natural gas based on steam methane reforming. In this work, H2 and electricity cogeneration with CO2 capture based on auto-thermal reforming of natural gas has been simulated using ASPEN Plus™, while the cost and performance indicators for the plant based on steam methane reforming of natural gas and the coal-based plants have been adopted from the literature. Using a consistent approach, different plants are compared techno-economically. A sensitivity analysis has also been performed with variation in the most important input parameters including natural gas price (2–8 $/GJ), coal price (1–4 $/GJ), electricity price (30–90 $/MWh) and capacity factors (85–50%) and the results are presented here.
The results demonstrate that the total efficiency of the system is slightly higher in natural gas-based systems than in coal-based systems. The results also indicate that although H2 production cost increases with power cogeneration and CO2 capture, cogeneration is a promising and attractive alternative for clean power generation. The highest sensitivity of the results has been observed for the fuel price.
Track and Tilt Collection for Central Receiver CSP
Authors: Angel Roger , Hyatt Justin 
Published: November 2016

Here we describe a new type of point-focus solar collector for CSP called “track and tilt”. It bridges the gap between dish and heliostat arrays collectors, having the high optical efficiency of a dish but with larger aperture (> 1000 m2) focused to a tower mounted receiver in fixed gravity orientation. It is well matched to the next generation of high efficiency cavity receivers transferring heat to a storage medium at temperatures exceeding 700C.
The collector uses silvered glass reflectors mounted on a rotating, rigid structure in the form of a 120 degree conical arc. In operation, this large structure rotates in azimuth on a track around the central receiver tower, keeping the gravity load on the structure constant. The central receiver is rotated about a vertical axis so as to face the reflector arc. The reflectors are concave, all with the same focal length, and are individually tilted to follow solar elevation to focus sunlight onto the tower-mounted receiver.
A detailed optical model made of a collector with 40 m focal length has 1,450 m2 total reflector area, and delivers on average 1.2MW of sunlight to the receiver, (under 1000 W/m2 DNI and allowing for reflector and small geometric losses). The collector forms an only slightly aberrated image of the sun at the receiver, showing a concentration of 2000x averaged over the receiver entrance with spillage < 2%. The overall annual averaged efficiency, defined as (total sunlight energy delivered to the receiver entrance)/(direct normal irradiance × total reflector area) is >80%. This calculation includes 90% reflectivity of the mirrors.
To avoid the high mass and cost of a structure which must withstand 85 mph winds, our unique arc support structure takes the form of four lightly built panels which are lowered to the ground in high wind and for maintenance. Cables from the central tower are used to lower and raise the panels into operating position where they are locked together. The top section of the tower carrying the cable mechanism and the receiver rotate on a bearing in synchronization with the track mounted reflector assembly.
The small scale of the collector unit means that a first prototype of the radical new architecture can be built and tested at relatively modest cost. Higher power systems with multiple collectors and receivers might be built either with individual storage and turbines, such as sCO2, or with heat transfer to a common storage and power generation facility (as in trough systems). Continual improvements of the collector should be affordable, as system iteration costs are low.
Automated detection of white matter hyperintensities of all sizes in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Ghafoorian Mohsen , Karssemeijer Nico , van Uden Inge W. M. , de Leeuw Frank‐Erik , Heskes Tom , Marchiori Elena , Platel Bram 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are seen on FLAIR‐MRI in several neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinsonism, stroke and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). WMHs are often used as biomarkers for prognosis or disease progression in these diseases, and additionally longitudinal quantification of WMHs is used to evaluate therapeutic strategies. Human readers show considerable disagreement and inconsistency on detection of small lesions. A multitude of automated detection algorithms for WMHs exists, but since most of the current automated approaches are tuned to optimize segmentation performance according to Jaccard or Dice scores, smaller WMHs often go undetected in these approaches. In this paper, the authors propose a method to accurately detect all WMHs, large as well as small.Methods:A two‐stage learning approach was used to discriminate WMHs from normal brain tissue. Since small and larger WMHs have quite a different appearance, the authors have trained two probabilistic classifiers: one for the small WMHs (⩽3 mm effective diameter) and one for the larger WMHs (>3 mm in‐plane effective diameter). For each size‐specific classifier, an Adaboost is trained for five iterations, with random forests as the basic classifier. The feature sets consist of 22 features including intensities, location information, blob detectors, and second order derivatives. The outcomes of the two first‐stage classifiers were combined into a single WMH likelihood by a second‐stage classifier. Their method was trained and evaluated on a dataset with MRI scans of 362 SVD patients (312 subjects for training and validation annotated by one and 50 for testing annotated by two trained raters). To analyze performance on the separate test set, the authors performed a free‐response receiving operating characteristic (FROC) analysis, instead of using segmentation based methods that tend to ignore the contribution of small WMHs.Results:Experimental results based on FROC analysis demonstrated a close performance of the proposed computer aided detection (CAD) system to human readers. While an independent reader had 0.78 sensitivity with 28 false positives per volume on average, their proposed CAD system reaches a sensitivity of 0.73 with the same number of false positives.Conclusions:The authors have developed a CAD system with all its ingredients being optimized for a better detection of WMHs of all size, which shows performance close to an independent reader.
Thermoacoustic imaging of rabbit knee joints
Authors: Chi Zihui , Zhao Yuan , Huang Lin , Zheng Zhu , Jiang Huabei 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:Knee joint is one of the largest and most complex joints of the body. Knee joint diseases are common, and current clinical imaging technologies such as x‐ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound imaging have limitations in the diagnosis of knee joint diseases. Emerging imaging technologies such as diffuse optical tomography and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) have been applied to the detection of osteoarthritis (OA). However, they are limited to small joints such as the finger and difficult to be used for large joints such as the knee. Thermoacoustic imaging (TAI), also an emerging modality, provides high contrast and deep tissue penetration. Here, the authors apply TAI to the knee joint and demonstrate the potential of TAI for imaging large joints.Methods:Adult New Zealand male rabbits (average weight = 2 kg) were chosen for this study. In a TAI experiment, a rabbit was placed in a holder to keep in a genuflex position after being injected with pentobarbital through its ear margin intravenous (30 mg/kg). The holder and the rabbit were then positioned under the horn antenna of the TAI system for signal acquisition and image reconstruction. After the experiment, the imaged knee joint was dissected and photographed. Identical procedures were performed for several rabbits (n = 4). Finally, detailed comparative analyses between TAI images and anatomical pictures of the knee joint were conducted.Results:There were high similarities between the reconstructed TAI images and anatomical pictures of the knee joint, in terms of the shape and size of various knee joint tissues. TAI could clearly image ligament, fat pad, and other joint tissues. The differences in appearance of TAI images due to motion effect of the knee joint were also discussed.Conclusions:TAI could reveal details of rabbit knee joint in high resolution. As the recovered TAI images represent the dielectric property distributions of joint tissues, TAI may offer a new tool for noninvasive detection of joint diseases such as OA.
Energy deposition clustering as a functional radiation quality descriptor for modeling relative biological effectiveness
Authors: Villegas Fernanda , Bäckström Gloria , Tilly Nina , Ahnesjö Anders 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:To explore the use of the frequency of the energy deposition (ED) clusters of different sizes (cluster order, CO) as a surrogate (instead of, e.g., LET) classification of the physical characteristics of ionizing radiation at a nanometer scale, to construct a framework for the calculation of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) with cell survival as endpoint.Methods:The frequency of cluster order fCO is calculated by sorting the ED sites generated with the Monte Carlo track structure code LIonTrack into clusters based on a single parameter called the cluster distance dC being the maximum allowed distance between two neighboring EDs belonging to a cluster. Published cell survival data parameterized with the linear‐quadratic (LQ) model for V79 cells exposed to 15 different radiation qualities (including brachytherapy sources, proton, and carbon ions) were used as input to a fitting procedure, designed to determine a weighting function wCO that describes the capacity of a cluster of a certain CO to damage the cell's sensitive volume. The proposed framework uses both fCO and wCO to construct surrogate based functions for the LQ parameters α and β from which RBE values can be derived.Results:The results demonstrate that radiation quality independent weights wCO exist for both the α and β parameters. This enables the calculation of α values that correlate to their experimental counterparts within experimental uncertainties (relative residual of 15% for dC = 2.5 nm). The combination of both α and β surrogate based functions, despite the higher relative residuals for β values, yielded an RBE function that correlated to experimentally derived RBE values (relative residual of 16.5% for dC = 2.5 nm) for all radiation qualities included in this work.Conclusions:The fCO cluster characterization of ionizing radiation at a nanometer scale can effectively be used to calculate particle and energy dependent α and β values to predict RBE values with potential applications to, e.g., treatment planning systems in radiotherapy.