bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consequential Life Cycle Assessment of Pasture‐based Milk Production: A Case Study in the Waikato Region, New Zealand
Authors: Chobtang Jeerasak , McLaren Sarah J. , Ledgard Stewart F. , Donaghy Daniel J. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryFarm intensification options in pasture‐based dairy systems are generally associated with increased stocking rates coupled with the increased use of off‐farm inputs to support the additional feed demand of animals. However, as well as increasing milk production per hectare, intensification can also exacerbate adverse impacts on the environment. The objective of the present study was to investigate environmental trade‐offs associated with potential intensification methods for pasture‐based dairy farming systems in the Waikato region, New Zealand. The intensification scenarios selected were (1) increased pasture utilization efficiency (PUE scenario), (2) increased use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to boost on‐farm pasture production (N fertilizer scenario), and (3) increased use of brought‐in feed as maize silage (MS) (MS scenario). Twelve impact categories were assessed. The PUE scenario was the environmentally preferred intensification method, and the preferred choice between the N fertilizer and MS scenarios depended upon trade‐offs between different environmental impacts. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to test the effects of choice associated with: (1) the approaches used to account for indirect land‐use change (ILUC) and (2) the competing product systems (conventional beef systems) used to handle the co‐product dairy meat for the climate change (CC) indicator. Results showed that the magnitude of the CC indicator results was influenced by the ILUC accounting approaches and the choice associated with a global marginal beef mix, but the relative CC indicator results for the three intensification scenarios remained unchanged.
Factors Influencing the Relationship Between the Dose of Amlodipine Required for Blood Pressure Control and Change in Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Cats
Authors: Bijsmans E.S. , Doig M. , Jepson R.E. , Syme H.M. , Elliott J. , Pelligand L. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundHypertension is a common problem in elderly cats. In most cats, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <160 mmHg is achieved in response to amlodipine besylate at either 0.625 or 1.25 mg q24h. The individual cat factors determining dose requirement dose have not been explored.AimsTo determine whether individual cat factors influence the dose of amlodipine required to achieve adequate blood pressure control and to determine whether factors other than the prescribed dose of drug alter the achieved plasma amlodipine concentrations.MethodsFifty‐nine hypertensive cats that required 0.625 mg (A) and 41 cats that required 1.25 mg (B) amlodipine to reach a target SBP of <160 mmHg were identified, and plasma amlodipine concentrations were determined. Comparisons were made between groups, and multivariable linear regression models were performed to investigate predictors of antihypertensive response.ResultsCats that required a greater dose of amlodipine had significantly higher SBP at diagnosis of hypertension (A: (median [25th, 75th percentile]) 182 [175,192] mmHg; B: 207 [194,217] mmHg, P < .001), but comparable blood pressure was achieved after treatment. Plasma amlodipine concentrations were directly related to the dose of amlodipine administered. At diagnosis, cats in group B had significantly lower plasma potassium concentration (A: 4.1 [3.8,4.5]; B: 3.8 [3.6,4.2] mEq/L, P < .01). Weight did not differ between groups. The decrease in SBP was directly and independently associated with the SBP at diagnosis and the plasma amlodipine concentration.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCats with higher blood pressure at diagnosis might require a greater dose of amlodipine to control their blood pressure adequately. Differences in amlodipine pharmacokinetics between cats do not seem to play a role in the antihypertensive response.
To ∼P or Not to ∼P? Non‐canonical activation by two‐component response regulators
Authors: Desai Stuti K. , Kenney Linda J. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBacteria sense and respond to their environment through the use of two‐component regulatory systems. The ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental stresses is directly related to the number of two‐component systems an organism possesses. Recent advances in this area have identified numerous variations on the archetype systems that employ a sensor kinase and a response regulator. It is now evident that many orphan regulators that lack cognate kinases do not rely on phosphorylation for activation and new roles for unphosphorylated response regulators have been identified. The significance of recent findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Higher prevalence of wheezing and lower FEV1 and FVC percent predicted in adults with sickle cell anaemia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Musa Baba M. , Galadanci Najibah A. , Rodeghier Mark , Debaun Michael R. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveRespiratory symptoms including wheezing are common in adults with sickle cell anaemia (SCA), even in the absence of asthma. However, the prevalence of spirometry changes and respiratory symptoms in adults with SCA is unknown.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional study design, we tested the hypothesis that adults with SCA (cases) would have higher rates of lower airway obstruction and wheezing than those without SCA (controls) using the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases’ questionnaire. Patients were adults with SCA aged between 18 and 65 years. Controls were consecutive unselected individuals without SCA who presented to an outpatient general medicine clinic.ResultsWe enrolled 150 adults with SCA and 287 consecutive controls without SCA. The median age was 23.0 and 27.0 years for adults with and without SCA, respectively. Cases were more likely to report cough without a cold (35.0% vs 18.6%, P < 0.001), lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
) % predicted (70.1% vs 82.1%, P = 0.001) and lower forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted (67.4% vs 74.9%, P = 0.001) than controls. In the multivariable model, wheezing was significantly associated with SCA status (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.08–2.65, P = 0.024). Similarly, FEV1
% predicted was significantly associated with SCA status and wheezing (P = 0.001 for both).ConclusionAdults with SCA experience a higher rate of wheezing and impaired respiratory functions compared with controls from the same region.
The Power of Policy Regimes: Explaining Shale Gas Policy Divergence in Bulgaria and Poland
Authors: Goldthau Andreas , LaBelle Michael 
Published: September 2016

AbstractShale gas policies vary significantly across Europe, notably in Russia‐dependent Central Eastern Europe. Most strikingly, Bulgaria banned shale gas, whereas Poland remains firmly committed to fostering it despite its drawbacks. This article uses a policy regime approach to explain the shale gas puzzle. Drawing on a large set of interviews, the piece investigates regime strength as the causal factor that explains the adoption of specific shale gas laws (Poland) or a fracking ban (Bulgaria). It finds that the Polish shale gas policy regime was strong, based on a powerful political narrative and characterized by an institutional process ensuring the buy‐in of actors from relevant policy levels and subsystems. In Bulgaria the policy regime was weak, failed to co–opt key stakeholders, and was institutionally ill‐designed. The findings show how different degrees of policy regime strength translate into diverging policy trajectories in two countries that otherwise operate in similar environments.
The accuracy of claims data for measuring transfusion rates
Authors: Howard D. H. , Karcz A. , Roback J. D. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine if billing records accurately report the receipt of red blood cell transfusions.BackgroundMany red blood transfusions are given inappropriately, but efforts to monitor transfusion rates are hampered by a lack of data that facilitate benchmarking.MethodsUsing billing records and electronic medical records from 53 community hospitals, we estimated the sensitivity and specificity of billing records for measuring the receipt of transfusions in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures.ResultsThe sample included 12 091 patients, of whom 5215 received red blood cell transfusions according to electronic medical records. The sensitivity of billing data for measuring transfusions was 71·6% (95% CI: 60·4–82·8%). The specificity was 92·6% (95% CI: 88·3–97·0%).ConclusionsResearchers can use billing records to measure transfusion rates but should consider excluding hospitals with very low transfusion rates, which may indicate that the hospitals do not accurately report transfusions in billing data.
DYNAMIC SIMULATION MODEL OF BEEF SUPPLY CHAIN TO FULFILL NATIONAL DEMAND
Authors: Suryani Erma , Hendrawan Rully Agus , Muhandhis Isnaini , Puspa Dewi Lily 
Published: September 2016

Sustainable food supply chain is required to mitigate supply chain risks, reinforce long-term supplier relationships and build stakeholder and customer trusts. It has a significant role in social welfare, political stability, and economic growth. In this research, we treated beef as a commodity, based on consideration that the demand of this commodity continues to increase in line with population growth and the needs of processed food industries. On the other hand, the supply of this commodity tends to decline. Currently beef production in Indonesia covers only about 60% of the need, i.e. the rest is imported. The beef supply chain is too long, and the demand surges during Eid festivities causing shortages of beef in the market. There is a need to design a program that is strategic and systematic to anticipate shortages of beef production as importing beef product is unable to resolve the issue. One of the problem-solving efforts that can be done is to improve supply chain management. There is a need to plan, build, and integrate aspects of "production-distribution-consumption” at the national level by identifying the stakeholders including regions and distribution channels. By considering the aforementioned problems, the beef supply chain can be improved with the support of simulation model to assess the existing system and to develop some scenarios to improve the system performance. We utilized system dynamics model to accommodate several key variables or parameters that have significant contribution to strategic sustainable development of food supply chain, such as changes and uncertainties in supply (caused by climate change), demand, distribution, as well as internal and external business factors. The research results show that national demand can be fulfilled through several strategic initiatives.
TORREFACTION OF PALM BIOMASS BRIQUETTES AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE
Authors: Mohd Faizal Hasan , M. Jusoh M. Amin , Abdul Rahman Mohd Rosdzimin , Syahrullail S. , Latiff Z. A. 
Published: September 2016

The climate change has driven towards transformation from the high energy dependence on fossil fuel to inexhaustible renewable energy such as solar, wind, mini hydro and biomass. In Malaysia, abundant of palm biomass residues are produced during the processing of fresh fruit bunch. Therefore it is inevitable to harness these bioenergy sources in order to prevent waste accumulation at adjacent to palm mills. In order to utilize such bioenergy sources and to cope with the fast growing demand of energy, combination technique of densification and torrefaction is one of the potential ways to be practised. In the present study, the physical and combustion properties of torrefied empty fruit bunch (EFB) briquettes were investigated experimentally with constant nitrogen flow rate of 1 l/min , for various torrefaction temperatures (225-300). Before torrefaction process, EFB briquettes were initially produced under controlled condition with compaction pressure of 7 MPa and briquetting temperature of 150. In general, the torrefied EFB briquettes were successfully produced in the present study. The results show that an increase in torrefaction temperature from 225 to 300 causes a significant increase in gross calorific value (from around 17400 kJ/kg to 25000 kJ/kg), fixed carbon content (from 16.2% to 46.2%) and ash content (from 2.4% to 17.2%). On the other hand, relaxed density and volatile matter decrease, from 1017 kg/m3 to 590 kg/m3 and from 73.1% to 29.7%, respectively. As a conclusion, the gross calorific value and fixed carbon content are improved due to torrefaction. In addition, it was found that gross calorific value and moisture content of the torrefied EFB briquettes fulfil the requirement for commercial briquette production as stated by DIN51731 (gross calorific value>17500 kJ/kg and moisture content <10%).
Computation of Liquid Fuel Atomization and Mixing by Means of the SPH Method: Application to a Jet Engine Fuel Nozzle
Authors: Dauch T. , Braun S. , Wieth L. , Chaussonnet G. , Keller M. , Koch R. , Bauer H.-J. 
Published: September 2016

At the “Institut für Thermische Strömungsmaschinen” (ITS) a numerical method based on the the meshfree “Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics” (SPH) approach has been developed with the objective of computing primary breakup in the vicinity of fuel spray nozzles [1, 2]. In recent publications the successful application of the code to different flow problems is demonstrated [3, 4].
In this paper we present the first application of the method to investigate a simplified, but applied fuel spray nozzle geometry of the swirl cup design in 2D. The atomization process of Jet-A1 at ambient and at high pressure conditions is compared in terms of film flow development, mixing and spray characteristics. The influence of pressure is pointed out and quantified.
The study demonstrates that the SPH method is a suitable toolbox for the analysis and the design of fuel spray nozzles. Unique analysis tools that are not available in grid-based CFD methods are presented and applied. Droplet distributions are extracted, which can be considered as possible input in subsequent Euler-Lagrange computations.
Design of Experiments and Numerical Simulation of Deteriorated High Pressure Compressor Airfoils
Authors: Reitz Gerald , Schlange Stephan , Friedrichs Jens 
Published: September 2016

During the operation of a jet engine, deterioration occurs. This constantly affects the engine performance parameters like exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC). If the EGT reaches a given limit, the engine has to be overhauled during a shop visit at a MRO company (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul). Using the example of the high pressure compressor (HPC), the airfoils get analyzed for a few geometric properties and classified as serviceable, repairable and non-repairable. The repairable airfoils go through a repair process without in detail considering the actual geometry. To improve the repair process, tailored maintenance actions are desirable. For this purpose, the aerodynamic properties of the airfoil shall be the key factor for defining the repair actions. Therefore, geometric properties with high influence on the aerodynamic performance have to be known to reduce the amount of measuring time.
This paper will present a Design of Experiments (DoE) for HPC-airfoil geometry variations. Therefore, 550 different stage setups will be generated, simulated and analyzed. The database will be imported to a Kriging Method to generate a meta-model. Afterwards, the impact of the different geometric properties on the aerodynamic performance, like pressure-, work- and loss coefficients, will be analyzed by using the meta-model. The most important parameters will be determined and their impact on the flow will be explained.
Novel Designs of Turbine Blades for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Magerramova Liubov , Vasilyev Boris , Kinzburskiy Vladimir 
Published: September 2016

Improving engine performance requires creating new materials and improving design and manufacturing. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is advancing rapidly and allows us to produce details of complex shapes that cannot be produced by traditional methods. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of using AM for the manufacture of turbine blades with a complex geometry, including those with advanced cooling systems, which cannot be manufactured by conventional methods.
This paper presents the results of the design and calculations of high-pressure turbine (HPT) cooled blades, as well as a low-pressure turbine (LPT) uncooled blade that was designed using topology optimization (TO). Several blades were manufactured using AM. 3D tomography test results for those blades confirm the possibility of AM application in production of blades with complex geometry.
High Pressure Gas Fired Intercooled Semi-Closed Recuperated Cycle
Authors: Wettstein Hans E. 
Published: September 2016

A promising semi-closed recuperated cycle (SCRC) has been suggested earlier by the author. For assessing the polytropic changes of state within this cycle ideal gas assumptions have been used as usual in gas turbine cycle analysis. But this leads finally to approximations which prevent an accurate extrapolation to a pressure level considerably above critical. The SCRC concept allows easy access to very high pressure and this has not yet been explored due to the lack of an appropriate method.
In two papers an incremental method called constant dissipation rate algorithm (CDRA) for calculating polytropic changes of state for real gases corresponding to the classic definition has been shown. In the first paper different polytropic change of state calculations have been compared with the temperature based CDRA for air gases and in the second paper the applicability of the enthalpy based CDRA for steam both in the vapor and in the wetness range (in equilibrium) has been demonstrated.
The validation of the calculation was first made by comparing with the previously published cycle data. This confirms the applicability of the ideal gas approximations for the data range up to a pressure level of 60 bars reasonably. Then versions with supercharging pressure ratio of up to 30 with a pressure level of up to 289bar were explored using the new temperature based CDRA method. It shows an impressive potential for high power density and low power turndown capability with no loss of efficiency and maintaining low emissions.
High Temperature Storage for CSP Hybrid Gas Turbine: Test Rig Dynamic Analysis and Experimental Validation
Authors: Barberis Stefano , Traverso Alberto Nicola , Traverso Alberto , Massardo Aristide F. 
Published: September 2016

It has long been recognized that the possibility for the integration of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is one of the key advantages of CSP over other forms of renewable energy technology.
In this work, a high temperature ceramic storage test rig for gas turbine energy systems was presented with its innovative layout, which avoids the use of hot valves. Such experimental plant storage, developed by the University of Genoa, Italy, can be run with compressed air and it is ready for connection with the modified microturbine Turbec T100 onsite. The test rig represents a scaled-down version of a larger system designed for a hybridized solar gas turbine, where the solar input is emulated by an electrical heater.
Hybridized solar gas turbine cycles are attractive because of their high efficiency, potentially equal to combined cycle efficiency, and dispatchable power capability. The layout proposed here does not involve any hot air valve and does include a ceramic thermal storage. The plant dynamic model was developed using the original TRANSEO simulation tool.
This paper presents the test rig experimental results and validation of dynamic model: eventually, design recommendations are drawn to improve the flexibility and the time response of such kind of CSP plants.
Investigation of a Diffuser-Volute Combination With Variable Cross-Sectional Area for Centrifugal Fans
Authors: Fischer Tore , Rudersdorf Manuel , Burgmann Sebastian , kleine Sextro Thorsten , Seume Joerg R. 
Published: September 2016

The present paper focuses on the potential efficiency improvements and the stable operating range of a centrifugal fan for fuel cell applications. Improvements will be achieved by variability of the cross-sectional area of diffuser and volute by use of a moving backplate.
The investigation consists of three parts: The first part describes the design and the performance prediction of a diffuser-volute combination with a variable cross-sectional area, based on empirical correlations and low-resolution CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations. For the second part, high-resolution 360 degree CFD simulations are used to gain deeper insight into the flow mechanisms and their influence on fan performance. The last part presents the experimental investigations carried out to validate the numerical models. For this purpose, a demonstrator of the fan including a diffuser-volute combination with variable cross-sectional area is manufactured and investigated using optical PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) measurements.
Comparison of Single and Double Lip Rim Seal Geometry
Authors: Savov Svilen S. , Atkins Nicholas R. , Uchida Sumiu 
Published: September 2016

The effect of purge flow, engine-like blade pressure field and mainstream flow coefficient are studied experimentally for a single and double lip rim seal. Compared to the single lip, the double lip seal requires less purge flow for similar levels of cavity seal effectiveness. The double lip seal has both a weaker vane pressure field in the rim seal cavity and a smaller difference in seal effectiveness across the lower lip. The smaller gradient across the lower lip of the double lip seal suggests that it is less sensitive to mainstream-cavity interactions across all length scales. Unlike the double lip seal, the single lip seal is sensitive to overall Reynolds number, the addition of a simulated blade pressure field and large-scale non-uniform ingestion.
In both seals, the addition of blades is seen to suppress unsteady activity attributed to shear between the rim seal and mainstream flows. The data suggests that in the case of the single lip seal, the blade pressure field has a more dominant effect in promoting ingress than the unsteadiness it suppresses at an engine-matched flow coefficient. At higher flow coefficients, increased shear between the rim seal cavity flow and the mainstream drives more mixing, reducing the seal effectiveness for both configurations.