bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Log‐periodic antenna effect on modulated signals in regions of negative group delay
Authors: Junker Gregory P. , Yunker Kenneth A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn frequency regions where ultra‐wide band log‐periodic antennas exhibit negative group delay (NGD), the effect of higher‐order modes upon amplitude‐modulated signals is examined using convolution theory. It is shown that in these frequency regions, the group delay and the effect of the higher order modes upon amplitude‐modulated signals vary throughout the antenna's radiation pattern. It is also shown that the signal time advances predicted by the NGD are due to signal distortion when undesired higher‐order modes are present on the antenna.
Reduced physiology‐induced temporal instability achieved with variable‐flip‐angle fast low‐angle excitation echo‐planar technique with multishot echo planar time‐resolved imaging
Authors: Hu Zhangxuan , Berman Avery J. L. , Dong Zijing , Grissom William A. , Reese Timothy G. , Wald Lawrence L. , Wang Fuyixue , Polimeni Jonathan R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurposeEcho planar time‐resolved imaging (EPTI) is a new imaging approach that addresses the limitations of EPI by providing high‐resolution, distortion‐ and T2/ blurring–free imaging for functional MRI (fMRI). However, as in all multishot sequences, intershot phase variations induced by physiological processes can introduce temporal instabilities to the reconstructed time‐series data. This study aims to reduce these instabilities in multishot EPTI.Theory and MethodsIn conventional multishot EPTI, the time intervals between the shots comprising each slice can introduce intershot phase variations. Here, the fast low‐angle excitation echo‐planar technique (FLEET), in which all shots of each slice are acquired consecutively with minimal time delays, was combined with a variable flip angle (VFA) technique to improve intershot consistency and maximize signal. A recursive Shinnar‐Le Roux RF pulse design algorithm was used to generate pulses for different shots to produce consistent slice profiles and signal intensities across shots. Blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging simultaneous multislice was also combined with the proposed VFA‐FLEET EPTI to improve temporal resolution and increase spatial coverage.ResultsThe temporal stability of VFA‐FLEET EPTI was compared with conventional EPTI at 7 T. The results demonstrated that VFA‐FLEET can provide spatial‐specific increase of temporal stability. We performed high‐resolution task‐fMRI experiments at 7 T using VFA‐FLEET EPTI, and reliable BOLD responses to a visual stimulus were detected.ConclusionThe intershot phase variations induced by physiological processes in multishot EPTI can manifest as specific spatial patterns of physiological noise enhancement and lead to reduced temporal stability. The VFA‐FLEET technique can substantially reduce these physiology‐induced instabilities in multishot EPTI acquisitions. The proposed method provides sufficient stability and sensitivity for high‐resolution fMRI studies.
Compressed sensing reconstruction for high‐SNR, rapid dissolved 129Xe gas exchange MRI
Authors: Pilgrim‐Morris Jemima H. , Collier Guilhem J. , Munro Ryan S. , Norquay Graham , Stewart Neil J. , Wild Jim M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurposeThree‐dimensional hyperpolarized 129Xe gas exchange imaging suffers from low SNR and long breath‐holds, which could be improved using compressed sensing (CS). The purpose of this work was to assess whether gas exchange ratio maps are quantitatively preserved in CS‐accelerated dissolved‐phase 129Xe imaging and to investigate the feasibility of CS‐dissolved 129Xe imaging with reduced‐cost natural abundance (NA) xenon.Methods129Xe gas exchange imaging was performed at 1.5 T with a multi‐echo spectroscopic imaging sequence. A CS reconstruction with an acceleration factor of 2 was compared retrospectively with conventional gridding reconstruction in a cohort of 16 healthy volunteers, 5 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and 23 patients who were hospitalized following COVID‐19 infection. Metrics of comparison included normalized mean absolute error, mean gas exchange ratio, and red blood cell (RBC) image SNR. Dissolved 129Xe CS imaging with NA xenon was assessed in 4 healthy volunteers.ResultsCS reconstruction enabled acquisition time to be halved, and it reduced background noise. Median RBC SNR increased from 6 (2–18) to 11 (2–100) with CS, and there was strong agreement between CS and gridding mean ratio map values (R2 = 0.99). Image fidelity was maintained for gridding RBC SNR > 5, but below this, normalized mean absolute error increased nonlinearly with decreasing SNR. CS increased the mean SNR of NA 129Xe images 3‐fold.ConclusionCS reconstruction of dissolved 129Xe imaging improved image quality with decreased scan time, while preserving key gas exchange metrics. This will benefit patients with breathlessness and/or low gas transfer and shows promise for NA‐dissolved 129Xe imaging.
Are Otolaryngologists Seeing More Cough? Longitudinal Trends and Patterns
Authors: Xu James R. , Saraswathula Anirudh , Bryson Paul C. , Carroll Thomas L. , Akst Lee M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveOtolaryngologists play an increasing role in managing cough, but little data exists examining the demographics of this patient population and the referral patterns that influence their access to care. This study sought to elucidate these factors using a longitudinal, nationwide database to minimize sampling bias and identify trends representative of the national population.Study DesignNationally representative survey.SettingNational Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).MethodsVisits with a diagnosis and chief complaint of cough between 2005 and 2019 in NAMCS were examined. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare patient demographics between visits to surgical specialists, medical specialists, and primary care physicians.ResultsOtolaryngologists made up more than 84% of surgical specialist visits. There was a 0.52% [0.20%‐0.84%] increase per year in the proportion of visits attributed to surgical specialists. Based on a sensitivity analysis of the multivariable model, Hispanic patients (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 0.88 [0.78‐0.99] vs White) and patients living outside of metropolitan areas (aOR: 0.77 [0.61‐0.99] vs living within) were less likely to see surgical specialists than primary care doctors for their cough. Patients who were referred (aOR: 1.47 [1.28‐1.72] vs not referred) and with chronic cough (aOR: 1.47 [1.23‐1.75] vs acute/subacute) were more likely to see a surgical specialist.ConclusionOtolaryngologists are increasingly called upon to evaluate and consider treatment for cough. Identifying patient groups with limited access underscores the need for enhanced education about otolaryngologists' roles and integrated care approaches to improve access to specialized cough treatment.Level of EvidenceLevel 4.
Caregivers of children with asthma alarmed by climate change: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Godse Sanjiv , Shabanova Veronika , Ragavan Maya I. , Mitchell Mark , Chen Laura , Flom Julie D. , Sheares Beverley J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundClimate change poses significant health risks, with children being particularly vulnerable to its adverse health effects. Children with asthma are expected to have worsening disease due to increased exposure to heat, air pollution, mold from flooding, and pollen. Understanding caregiver perspectives on these health harms is crucial for informing public health policy and education. Therefore, we aimed to explore caregiver perceptions of climate change‐related health risks to children with asthma.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, a survey instrument was created and distributed to caregivers of children with asthma during their visits to pulmonology clinics located in an urban northeastern US setting and via email.ResultsAmong 198 completed surveys, 78% of participants reported high levels of concern about climate change, with most respondents agreeing that climate change has already impacted their child's health. Examples provided by respondents included worsening asthma control due to air pollution, wildfire events, pollen exposure, and rapid changes in weather. Respondents who self‐identified as female had greater concern. Most respondents agreed that these topics should be further discussed with their child's doctor. Although, barriers to such discussions were noted by the respondents.ConclusionCaregivers of children with asthma have high levels of concern regarding climate change and report adverse impacts on their child's asthma. Clinicians caring for children with asthma should consider discussing the respiratory health impacts of climate change with caregivers. However, barriers to these discussions need further examination.
Back to basics: lung volumes on pediatric chest X‐rays—pitfalls and diagnostic implications
Authors: Zouvani Antrea , Venkatakrishna Shyam Sunder B. , Schoeman Sean , Simsek Onur , Bharde Pravinkumar , Ramirez Suarez Karen I. , Goussard Pierre , Otero Hansel J. , Andronikou Savvas 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEvaluating lung “volumes” when interpreting pediatric chest radiographs is useful for supporting the diagnosis of lung pathology in children. Lung volumes can be estimated using semi‐objective criteria such as anterior rib counting. Estimating lung volumes is one advantage plain radiographs have over other imaging modalities such as ultrasound or even cross‐sectional imaging (Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, where volumes can be calculated, but remain difficult to quickly be appreciated subjectively or semi‐objectively in clinical practice). Lung hyperinflation is often a surrogate of air‐trapping and may be suggestive of diseases such as bronchiolitis. Identifying under‐inspired chest radiographs is also important to avoid misinterpreting findings related to low lung volumes as pathology, which is a significant diagnostic pitfall in children. This pictorial review will demonstrate the method for evaluating lung volumes, specifically for identifying lung hyperinflation as a surrogate of air‐trapping and under‐inspiration for avoiding false positive diagnoses.
Study of explosion relief mechanisms in lateral explosion relief conduits of gas pipelines
Authors: Huang Yong , Cao Linna , Hou Linjiang , Ge Xiukun , Luo Zibiao 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTo elucidate the mechanism of lateral relief conduits in combustible gas pipelines, this study proposes an experimental pipeline system equipped with a sidewall conduit. Furthermore, the research utilizes the standard two‐dimensional k‐ε model in conjunction with the Zimont combustion model for numerical simulation. Four different configurations were investigated by varying the position and the number of lateral explosion relief conduits. This paper mainly analyzes the impact of lateral conduits on the propagation of flames, overpressure, and flow fields within the pipeline during an explosion. The results indicate that the combined effect of the horizontal force from the main pipe's end relief and the longitudinal force within the lateral explosion relief conduit creates an acute angle between the flow directions in the lateral conduit and the adjacent main pipe. The branch pipe near the ignition end of the main pipeline has a significant effect on restricting flame propagation. Additionally, the two lateral explosion relief conduits facilitate pressure relief more efficiently. It was also found that relief ports upstream of the flame front inhibit flame propagation, while those downstream may induce it.
Lessons from an explosion accident in Linyuan Petrochemical Park of Taiwan: From the perspectives of process safety management
Authors: Chen Chan‐Cheng , Li Chi‐Yang , Marquez Jazmine Aiya D. , Wang Qingsheng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study examines a tragic explosion at Linyuan Petrochemical Park in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, resulting in two fatalities, two severe injuries, and significant financial losses. Taiwan's Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) investigation attributed the incident to a ruptured Ethyl Propyl Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber hose during catalyst changeover, releasing flammable liquids and triggering a violent vapor cloud explosion. Because of lacking process safety information (PSI), the plant manager failed to identify the risk of incompatibility between EPDM rubber and olefin and failed to replace the EPDM hose with a compatible material or select a carbon steel pipe timely. By not carefully considering the impact of facility siting in the process hazard analysis, TASCO also was unaware that the control room was too close to the process area. As a result, the control room was destroyed at the onset of the accident. Inadequate Management of Change (MOC) impeded the hazard identification for the catalyst changeover procedure, thereby failing to identify defects in this operating procedure. Finally, a false level alarm caused the operator to partially close the control valve downstream of the hose, indirectly leading to the pipe rupture, and this highlights a lack of Mechanical Integrity (MI) in this plant.
Refugee journey infrastructures: Exploring migration trajectories from South Sudan to Uganda
Authors: Talleraas Cathrine , Erdal Marta Bivand , Larssen Marianne F. , Tollefsen Andreas F. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis article investigates the nature of refugee journeys by triangulating open‐ended, closed, and spatial survey data collected among South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda. While much research focuses on migration pathways across borders into the Global North, knowledge about refugees' journeys within their countries of origin or to neighbouring countries is limited. By targeting refugees' initial journeys out of conflict settings, we shed light on this little‐studied aspect of the refugee experience, with the aim to contribute to a better understanding of refugees' choices en route. We scrutinise the geographies and dynamics of refugee journeys, including the impact of conflict and violence, travel companions, information sources, assistance, and modes of transportation. We further analyse the links between these experiences and the complexity, length, and duration of refugees' journeys, aiming to map the varying significance of what refugees face during their journeys. Drawing on the migration infrastructure literature, we adapt and apply these concepts to refugee journeys, enhancing our understanding of refugees' initial journeys within and out of conflict settings, conceptualised as refugee journey infrastructures.
Dynamic risk assessment framework for fire of power critical infrastructure: The case study of UHV converter transformer
Authors: Feng Jian Rui , Zhao Mengke , Yu Guanghui , Kang Ning , Zhang Jiaqing , Guo Yi , Lu Shouxiang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTo enhance the fire protection level of critical infrastructure through scientific risk assessment, a dynamic risk assessment framework is proposed in this study. This framework, which was developed based on the principles and techniques of system safety engineering, caters to the unique features of critical infrastructure. The framework facilitates dynamic risk assessment of critical infrastructure and serves as a key driver for its advancement. Fault Tree Analysis is applied for the main failure analysis, which functioned to understand the causes of system failure and find the best way to control the risks. Event Tree Analysis is used to accident consequence analysis and simulated the accident process. Analytic Hierarchy Process is utilized for risk assessment indicators and weight calculation, with a novel approach to expert weight allocation and a dynamic indicator system. Based on the aforementioned methods, a systematic assessment of fire risk is conducted for the ultra‐high voltage (UHV) converter transformer by identifying potential hazards, main failures, and accident consequences. A dynamic indicator system is then established for the assessment of fire risk associated with the UHV converter transformer.
A non‐approximate method for generating G$G$‐optimal RSM designs
Authors: Hansen Hyrum J. , Walsh Stephen J. , Pan Rong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe present a nonapproximate computational method for generating ‐optimal designs in response surface methodology (RSM) settings using Gloptipoly, a global polynomial optimizer. Traditional approaches use a grid approximation for computing a candidate design's ‐score. Gloptipoly can find the global optimum of high‐order polynomials thus making it suitable for computing a design's ‐score, that is, its maximum scaled prediction variance, which, for second‐order models, is a quartic polynomial function of the experimental factors. We demonstrate the efficacy and performance of our method through comprehensive application to well‐published examples, and illustrate, for the first time, its application to generating ‐optimal designs supporting models of order greater than 2. This work represents the first non‐approximate computational approach to solving the ‐optimal design problem. This advancement opens new possibilities for finding ‐optimal designs beyond second‐order RSM models.
Sea‐level rise and firms' financial structure decisions
Authors: Ai Mengchao , Bai John (Jianqiu) , Shen Chen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe study how environmental risks induced by the potential inundation associated with sea‐level rise affects firms' financial structure decisions. We find that firm leverage decreases with inundation risks associated with sea‐level rise. To establish causality, we consider firms' relocation of their headquarters, a propensity score matching estimator, and a difference‐in‐differences estimator around the release of the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” and find that our results are robust. The negative relation between inundation risks due to sea‐level rise and financial leverage is more pronounced for firms with more geographically concentrated operations, firms with more close rivals, and firms that are non‐investment grade. SLR risk‐affected firms shift more towards equity and away from debt in their capital raising efforts and have a relatively higher weight of their leverage in short‐term debt. Our findings highlight firms' proactive adjustment and adaptation to long‐term environmental risks.
Finance for sustainability: A systematic review on crowdfunding for renewable energy projects
Authors: Mukherjee Abhishek , Griffiths Paul , Sinha Paresha , Deol Sahil 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis systematic literature review examines the existing research on crowdfunding for renewable energy (RE) projects, with the purpose of identifying the factors that influence the need and the success of such crowdfunding campaigns, and the findings discuss the potential role of the public sector, and offer future research directions. The review synthesizes and analyses findings from 33 peer‐reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2023 in leading journals like the Journal of Cleaner Production, Energy Economics, and Journal of Business Research. The results show that crowdfunding can be an effective source of financing for RE projects, particularly in developing countries where traditional financing options are limited. The review identifies financial characteristics, communication and marketing strategies, media coverage, project category, and message framing as key factors that influence the success of crowdfunding campaigns for RE projects. The potential role of the public sector in supporting crowdfunding is also discussed, including creating an enabling environment, providing funding and technical assistance, promoting the benefits of RE and crowdfunding, addressing regulatory and information barriers, and collaborating with other stakeholders. Finally, the review identifies compelling areas for future research.
A Novel Acoustic Modulation of Oscillating Thin Elastic Membrane for Enhanced Streaming in Microfluidics and Nanoscale Liposome Production
Authors: Vardin Ali Pourabdollah , Aksoy Faruk , Yesiloz Gurkan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLiposomes are widely utilized in therapeutic nanosystems as promising drug carriers for cancer treatment, which requires a meticulous synthesis approach to control the nanoprecipitation process. Acoustofluidic platforms offer a favorable synthesis environment by providing robust agitation and rapid mixing. Here, a novel high‐throughput acoustofluidic micromixer is presented for a solvent and solvent‐free synthesis of ultra‐small and size‐tunable liposomes. The size‐tunability is achieved by incorporating glycerol as a new technique into the synthesis reagents, serving as a size regulator. The proposed device utilizes the synergistic effects of vibrating trapped microbubbles and an oscillating thin elastic membrane to generate vigorous acoustic microstreaming. The working principle and mixing mechanism of the device are explored numerically and experimentally. The platform exhibits remarkable mixing efficacy for aqueous and viscous solutions at flow rates up to 8000 µL/h, which makes it unique for high‐throughput liposome formation and preventing aggregation. As a proof of concept, this study investigates the impact of phospholipid type and concentration, flow rate, and glycerol on the size and size distribution of liposomes. The results reveal a significant size reduction, from ≈900 nm to 40 nm, achieved by merely introducing 75% glycerol into the synthesis reagents, highlighting an innovative approach toward size‐tunable liposomes.
Evaluating the therapeutic effect of different forms of silymarin on liver status and expression of some genes involved in fat metabolism, antioxidants and anti‐inflammatory in older laying hens
Authors: Faryadi Samira , Sheikhahmadi Ardashir , Farhadi Ayoub , Nourbakhsh Himan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundSilymarin, the predominant compound of milk thistle, is an extract took out from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, containing a mixture of flavonolignans with strong antioxidant capability.MethodsThe experiment was conducted using 70 Lohmann LSL‐Lite hens at 80 weeks of age with 7 treatments each with 10 replicates. Treatments included: (1) control diet without silymarin, (2) daily intake of 100 mg silymarin powder/kg body weight (BW) (PSM100), (3) daily intake of 200 mg silymarin powder/kg BW (PSM200), (4) daily intake of 100 mg nano‐silymarin/kg BW (NSM100), (5) daily intake of 200 mg nano‐silymarin/kg BW (NSM200), (6) daily intake of 100 mg lecithinized silymarin/kg BW (LSM100) and (7) daily intake of 200 mg lecithinized silymarin/kg BW (LSM200). The birds were housed individually, and diets were fed for 12 weeks.ResultsScanning electron microscopy showed that NSM was produced with the average particle size of 20.30 nm. Silymarin treatment improved serum antioxidant enzyme activity. All groups receiving silymarin showed a decrease in liver malondialdehyde content, expression of fatty acid synthase, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL‐6) genes in the liver, and hepatic steatosis than the control, except those fed the PSM100 diet. There were decreases in liver dry matter and fat contents, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocyte ballooning, and an increase in glutathione peroxidase gene expression and a decrease in iNOS gene expression in birds fed the NSM100, NSM200, LSM100 and LSM200 diets compared to the control group. Moreover, all groups receiving silymarin showed a significant decrease in liver weight compare to the control group.ConclusionsOverall, the effects of silymarin when converted to NSM or LSM and offered at the level of 200 mg/kg BW were more pronounced on the hepatic variables and may be useful in the prevention of the liver disease in older laying hens.