bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nano-Structured Catalytic Material for Solar-Powered Biofuel Reforming
Authors: Hotz Nico 
Published: October 2013

The main goal of this project is to combine two renewable energy conversion technologies (low-temperature fuel cells and solarthermal collectors) to achieve synergies in terms of cost and energetic efficiency compared to systems based on a single energy source and energy conversion technology. Direct solar-to-electric energy conversion, such as photovoltaics, is currently not economically competitive with traditional electric power generation. Fuel cell technology using alcoholic fuel possibly generated from biomass (e.g. methanol) is not competitive in terms of costs either. The system proposed for this project is based on relatively cheap, commercially available hardware components (intermediate-temperature solar collector, pressurized gas tank, hydrogen-fed Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell) and benefits in terms of energetic efficiency from the cost-free supply of solar heat. By applying micro-fabrication technology and nano-scale structures (e.g. for catalytic surfaces), the efficiency of all individual system components and of the entire system can be increased drastically.
The catalytic activity of micro-reactors containing this foam-like ceramic is tested in terms of their ability to convert alcoholic biofuel (e.g. methanol) to a hydrogen-rich gas mixture with low concentrations of carbon monoxide (up to 75% hydrogen content and less than 0.2% CO, for the case of methanol). This gas mixture is subsequently used in a low-temperature fuel cell, converting the hydrogen directly to electricity. A low concentration of CO is crucial to avoid poisoning of the fuel cell catalyst. Since conventional Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells require CO concentrations far below 100 ppm and since most methods to reduce the mole fraction of CO (such as Preferential Oxidation or PROX) have CO conversions of up to 99%, the alcohol fuel reformer has to achieve initial CO mole fractions significantly below 1%. The catalyst and the porous ceramic reactor of the present study can successfully fulfill this requirement.
Advances in Fan Modeling: Issues and Effects on Thermal Design of Electronics
Authors: Dogruoz M. Baris , Shankaran Gokul 
Published: October 2013

Forced convection air-cooled electronic systems consist of fans to provide fluid flow through the enclosure. Typically axial flow fans, radial impellers, and centrifugal blowers fall into this category. In numerical computations of flow fields in electronic enclosures, axial fans have most commonly been abstracted as planar (2-D) rectangular or circular surfaces. In some cases, these abstract or lumped models may be used to mimic impellers and centrifugal blowers as well. All of these models rely on an experimentally derived “pressure head-flow rate” (P-Q) curve (also called “fan curve”). The experiments to obtain the fan curve should conform to the test codes published by ASME and/or AMCA.
Convenience and accuracy of abstract fan models are dependent on the specific application/cooling method and the acceptable error margin. The latter for the thermal design of electronics has recently diminished considerably which led to the need of using more accurate and robust fan modeling techniques such as Multiple Reference Frame (MRF) model. The authors validated this method for different types of fans against relevant experimental data previously [1,2]. As a continuation of this earlier effort, an attempt is made to examine the thermal field computed by various fan modeling techniques including MRF for air-cooled enclosures in the present work. The results show that the temperature values obtained from lumped fan model and the MRF technique differ considerably.
Application of Conducting Polymer Composites With Cellulose Fibers on Water Softening
Authors: Barrera C. , Arrieta A. , Escobar N. 
Published: October 2013

Hard water is unsuitable for industrial and domestic purposes given its high levels of calcium and magnesium divalents which generate scale, oxidation and are antagonistic of optimal performance of detergents and industrial equipment. Conventional methods for water softening generate by-products that need to be treated, which makes these methods economically and environmentally unsustainable and open the opportunity to develop new technology for this application.
The ion exchange behavior during the charge and discharge processes (i.e. oxidation / reduction), of conducting polymers and the combination of these materials with other such as fibers, to develop new hybrid materials that exhibit the inherent properties of both components, has been the object of many studies in the last years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of vegetable cellulose microfibers as a base to obtain a conducting polymer composite membrane with polypyrrole and to analyze the membrane performance to remove ions dissolved in hard water. The application of conducting polymer composite on water softening is based on the use of pyrrole’s electrochemical properties jointed to the flexibility and relatively high surface areas associated with cellulose, to promote an ion exchange reaction between the composite membrane and the hard water.
The cellulose membranes obtained from banana plant waste (raquis), were uniform with individual and well separated fibers. The fibers were successfully encapsulated by a continuous coating of polypyrrole through in situ oxidative chemical polymerization.
The amount of polypyrrole deposited on the fiber increased with increasing concentrations of the monomer, which was easily identified through the observation of differences on the intensity of the light to dark colour shift that coated the fibers after the polymerization.
The applicability of the conducting polymer composite on water softening was tested using an experimental device, finding reductions on the conductivity for hard water within 23 to 66 μs/cm after 6 hours of the assay.
The Federal Government’s Role in Enabling the Nuclear Renaissance and a Low-Carbon Energy Future
Authors: Hanson John 
Published: October 2013

The electric power industry in the United States will face a number of great challenges in the next two decades, including increasing electricity demand and the aging of the current fleet of power plants. These challenges present a major test for the industry, which must invest between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion by 2030 to meet the increased demand. In addition to these challenges, the potential for climate legislation, controversy over hydraulic fracturing, and post-Fukushima safety concerns have all resulted in significant uncertainty regarding the economics of all major sources of base-load electricity.
Currently nuclear power produces 22% of the nation’s electricity, and over 70% of the nation’s low-carbon electricity, even though unfavorable economic conditions have stalled construction of new reactors for over 30 years. The economics are changing, however, as evidenced by the recent construction and operating licenses (COLs) awarded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Southern Company and SCANA Corporation to build two new units each. The successful construction of these units could lead to more favorable financing for future plants. This improved financing, especially if combined with appropriate additional government support, could provide serious momentum for the resurgence of nuclear power in the United States.
The most important way in which government support could benefit nuclear power is by increasing the amount of loan guarantees provided to the first wave of new nuclear power plants. This will help encourage additional new builds, which will help reduce the financing risk premium for new nuclear and improve interest rates for future plants. Instead of simply increasing loan guarantees for nuclear energy, a permanent federal financing structure should be established to provide loan guarantees for “clean energy” technologies in general, a category in which nuclear energy should be included. Most importantly, any changes should be made as part of a coherent, long-term energy policy, which would provide utilities with the correct tools to make the necessary investments, and the confidence that will allow them to undertake large-scale projects.
Low Energy Building Designs for Extreme Weather Conditions in Central Asia
Authors: Tokbolat Serik , Tokpatayeva Raikhan , Al-Zubaidy Sarim Naji 
Published: October 2013

Buildings account for nearly 40% of the end-use energy consumption and carbon emissions globally. These buildings, once built, are bound to be utilized for several decades if not longer. The building sector therefore holds a significant responsibility for implementing strategies to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions and thus contribute to global efforts directed toward mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
This paper presents an oversight of effective low-energy building design strategies for the extreme weather conditions in Kazakhstan (Astana), with temperature ranging between −35 and +40 C. Passive design features coupled with integration of renewable energy technologies have been identified for the next generation of buildings in Astana. The specific nature of the work is intentional, it is a continuing attempt to generate relevant know how that has direct relevancy to Astana’s system approach to energy conversation to meet its extreme winters.
Extension of PENELOPE to protons: Simulation of nuclear reactions and benchmark with Geant4
Authors: Sterpin E. , Sorriaux J. , Vynckier S. 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:Describing the implementation of nuclear reactions in the extension of the Monte Carlo code (MC) PENELOPE to protons (PENH) and benchmarking with Geant4.Methods:PENH is based on mixed‐simulation mechanics for both elastic and inelastic electromagnetic collisions (EM). The adopted differential cross sections for EM elastic collisions are calculated using the eikonal approximation with the Dirac–Hartree–Fock–Slater atomic potential. Cross sections for EM inelastic collisions are computed within the relativistic Born approximation, using the Sternheimer–Liljequist model of the generalized oscillator strength. Nuclear elastic and inelastic collisions were simulated using explicitly the scattering analysis interactive dialin database for1H and ICRU 63 data for 12C, 14N, 16O, 31P, and 40Ca. Secondary protons, alphas, and deuterons were all simulated as protons, with the energy adapted to ensure consistent range. Prompt gamma emission can also be simulated upon user request. Simulations were performed in a water phantom with nuclear interactions switched off or on and integral depth–dose distributions were compared. Binary‐cascade and precompound models were used for Geant4. Initial energies of 100 and 250 MeV were considered. For cases with no nuclear interactions simulated, additional simulations in a water phantom with tight resolution (1 mm in all directions) were performed with FLUKA. Finally, integral depth–dose distributions for a 250 MeV energy were computed with Geant4 and PENH in a homogeneous phantom with, first, ICRU striated muscle and, second, ICRU compact bone.Results:For simulations with EM collisions only, integral depth–dose distributions were within 1%/1 mm for doses higher than 10% of the Bragg‐peak dose. For central‐axis depth–dose and lateral profiles in a phantom with tight resolution, there are significant deviations between Geant4 and PENH (up to 60%/1 cm for depth–dose distributions). The agreement is much better with FLUKA, with deviations within 3%/3 mm. When nuclear interactions were turned on, agreement (within 6% before the Bragg‐peak) between PENH and Geant4 was consistent with uncertainties on nuclear models and cross sections, whatever the material simulated (water, muscle, or bone).Conclusions:A detailed and flexible description of nuclear reactions has been implemented in the PENH extension of PENELOPE to protons, which utilizes a mixed‐simulation scheme for both elastic and inelastic EM collisions, analogous to the well‐established algorithm for electrons/positrons. PENH is compatible with all current main programs that use PENELOPE as the MC engine. The nuclear model of PENH is realistic enough to give dose distributions in fair agreement with those computed by Geant4.
Efficacy of Tecovirimat (ST-246) in Nonhuman Primates Infected with Variola Virus (Smallpox)
Authors: Mucker Eric M. , Goff Arthur J. , Shamblin Joshua D. , Grosenbach Douglas W. , Damon Inger K. , Mehal Jason M. , Holman Robert C. , Carroll Darin , Gallardo Nadia , Olson Victoria A. , Clemmons Cody J. , Hudson Paul , Hruby Dennis E. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Naturally occurring smallpox has been eradicated but remains a considerable threat as a biowarfare/bioterrorist weapon (F. Fleck, Bull. World Health Organ.
81:
917–918, 2003). While effective, the smallpox vaccine is currently not recommended for routine use in the general public due to safety concerns (
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination
). Safe and effective countermeasures, particularly those effective after exposure to smallpox, are needed. Currently, SIGA Technologies is developing the small-molecule oral drug, tecovirimat (previously known as ST-246), as a postexposure therapeutic treatment of orthopoxvirus disease, including smallpox. Tecovirimat has been shown to be efficacious in preventing lethal orthopoxviral disease in numerous animal models (G. Yang, D. C. Pevear, M. H. Davies, M. S. Collett, T. Bailey, et al., J. Virol.
79:
13139–13149, 2005; D. C. Quenelle, R. M. Buller, S. Parker, K. A. Keith, D. E. Hruby, et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.,
51:
689–695, 2007; E. Sbrana, R. Jordan, D. E. Hruby, R. I. Mateo, S. Y. Xiao, et al., Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.
76:
768–773, 2007). Furthermore, in clinical trials thus far, the drug appears to be safe, with a good pharmacokinetic profile. In this study, the efficacy of tecovirimat was evaluated in both a prelesional and postlesional setting in nonhuman primates challenged intravenously with 1 × 10
8
PFU of
Variola virus
(VARV; the causative agent of smallpox), a model for smallpox disease in humans. Following challenge, 50% of placebo-treated controls succumbed to infection, while all tecovirimat-treated animals survived regardless of whether treatment was started at 2 or 4 days postinfection. In addition, tecovirimat treatment resulted in dramatic reductions in dermal lesion counts, oropharyngeal virus shedding, and viral DNA circulating in the blood. Although clinical disease was evident in tecovirimat-treated animals, it was generally very mild and appeared to resolve earlier than in placebo-treated controls that survived infection. Tecovirimat appears to be an effective smallpox therapeutic in nonhuman primates, suggesting that it is reasonably likely to provide therapeutic benefit in smallpox-infected humans.
Ureteral injury after posterior lumbar discectomy with interbody screw fixation
Authors: Pillai Sunil Bhaskara , Hegde Padmaraj , Venkatesh Giridhar , Iyyan Bhalaguru 
Published: October 2013

We report a case of iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to L5 laminectomy and microdiscectomy with L5–S1 bone graft with posterior lumbar interbodyfusion using presacral cancellous screw fixation, managed by initial ureteral stent placement and subsequent Boari bladder flap repair. A 33-year-old woman underwent L5 laminectomy and microdiscectomy with L5–S1 bone graft with posterior lumbar interbody fusion using presacral cancellous screw fixation. On postoperative day 10, she developed lower abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Ultrasonogram and contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a large pelvic urinoma secondary to a right lower ureteric injury. This was managed initially by ureteral stent placement and subsequent Boari bladder flap repair. Ureteral injury following spinal surgery is a rare surgical complication with significant morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is essential for early appropriate management and renal salvage.
The Cancer Diaspora: Metastasis beyond the Seed and Soil Hypothesis
Authors: Pienta Kenneth J. , Robertson Bruce A. , Coffey Donald S. , Taichman Russell S. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Do cancer cells escape the confinement of their original habitat in the primary tumor or are they forced out by ecologic changes in their home niche? Describing metastasis in terms of a simple one-way migration of cells from the primary to the target organs is an insufficient concept to cover the nuances of cancer spread. A diaspora is the scattering of people away from an established homeland. To date, “diaspora” has been a uniquely human term used by social scientists; however, the application of the diaspora concept to metastasis may yield new biologic insights as well as therapeutic paradigms. The diaspora paradigm takes into account, and models, several variables including: the quality of the primary tumor microenvironment, the fitness of individual cancer cell migrants as well as migrant populations, the rate of bidirectional migration of cancer and host cells between cancer sites, and the quality of the target microenvironments to establish metastatic sites. Ecologic scientific principles can be applied to the cancer diaspora to develop new therapeutic strategies. For example, ecologic traps – habitats that lead to the extinction of a species – can be developed to attract cancer cells to a place where they can be better exposed to treatments or to cells of the immune system for improved antigen presentation. Merging the social science concept of diaspora with ecologic and population sciences concepts can inform the cancer field to understand the biology of tumorigenesis and metastasis and inspire new ideas for therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(21); 5849–55. ©2013 AACR.
Local Arterial Stiffening Assessed by MRI Precedes Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation
Authors: Gotschy Alexander , Bauer Elisabeth , Schrodt Christian , Lykowsky Gunthard , Ye Yu-Xiang , Rommel Eberhard , Jakob Peter M. , Bauer Wolfgang R. , Herold Volker 
Published: October 2013

Background—
Atherosclerosis is known to impair vascular function and cause vascular stiffening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential predictive role of vascular stiffening in the early detection of atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated the time course of early functional and morphological alterations of the vessel wall in a murine atherosclerosis model. Because initial lesions are distributed inhomogeneously in early-stage atherosclerosis, MR microscopy was performed to measure vascular elasticity locally, specifically the local pulse wave velocity and the arterial wall thickness.

Methods and Results—

Local pulse wave velocity and the mean arterial wall thickness were determined in the ascending and the abdominal aortae of ApoE
−/−
and wild-type mice. In vivo MRI revealed that baseline pulse wave velocity and morphology were similar in 6-week-old ApoE
−/−
and WT mice, whereas at the age of 18 weeks, local pulse wave velocity was significantly elevated in ApoE
−/−
mice. Significantly increased vessel wall thickness was not found in ApoE
−/−
mice until the age of 30 weeks. Histological analysis of the aortae of ApoE
−/−
and WT mice showed that increased pulse wave velocity coincided with the fragmentation of the elastic laminae in the arterial wall, which is hypothesized to induce early vascular stiffening and may be promoted by macrophage-mediated matrix degradation.

Conclusions—
We newly report that the assessment of local pulse wave velocity via MRI provides early information about the local progression of atherosclerosis before macroscopic alterations of the vessel wall occur.
Deep Convection Triggering by Boundary Layer Thermals. Part I: LES Analysis and Stochastic Triggering Formulation
Authors: Rochetin Nicolas , Couvreux Fleur , Grandpeix Jean-Yves , Rio Catherine 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This paper proposes a new formulation of the deep convection triggering for general circulation model convective parameterizations. This triggering is driven by evolving properties of the strongest boundary layer thermals. To investigate this, a statistical analysis of large-eddy simulation cloud fields in a case of transition from shallow to deep convection over a semiarid land is carried out at different stages of the transition from shallow to deep convection. Based on the dynamical and geometrical properties at cloud base, a new computation of the triggering is first proposed. The analysis of the distribution law of the maximum size of the thermals suggests that, in addition to this necessary condition, another triggering condition is required, that is, that this maximum horizontal size should exceed a certain threshold. This is explicitly represented stochastically. Therefore, the new formulation integrates the whole transition process from the first cloud to the first deep convective cell and can be decomposed into three steps: (i) the appearance of clouds, (ii) crossing of the inhibition layer, and (iii) deep convection triggering.
Prolonged social withdrawal disorder: A hikikomori case in Spain
Authors: Ovejero Santiago , Caro-Cañizares Irene , de León-Martínez Victoria , Baca-Garcia Enrique 
Published: October 2013

Background: The Japanese term hikikomori means literally ‘to be confined’. Social withdrawal can be present in severe psychiatric disorders; however, in Japan, hikikomori is a defined nosologic entity. There have been only a few reported cases in occidental culture. Material: We present a case report of a Spanish man with prolonged social withdrawal lasting for 4 years. Discussion: This is a case of prolonged social withdrawal not bound to culture, as well as the second case of hikikomori reported in Spain. We propose prolonged social withdrawal disorder as a disorder not linked to culture, in contrast to hikikomori. Conclusion: Further documentation of this disorder is still needed to encompass all cases reported in Japan and around the world.
Oligoclonal bands and age at onset correlate with genetic risk score in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Harbo Hanne F , Isobe Noriko , Berg-Hansen Pål , Bos Steffan D , Caillier Stacy J , Gustavsen Marte W , Mero Inger-Lise , Celius Elisabeth Gulowsen , Hauser Stephen L , Oksenberg Jorge R , Gourraud Pierre-Antoine 
Published: October 2013

Background: Many genetic risk variants are now well established in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the impact on clinical phenotypes is unclear. Objective: To investigate the impact of established MS genetic risk variants on MS phenotypes, in well-characterized MS cohorts. Methods: Norwegian MS patients ( n = 639) and healthy controls ( n = 530) were successfully genotyped for 61 established MS-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Data including and excluding Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) markers were summed to a MS Genetic Burden (MSGB) score. Study replication was performed in a cohort of white American MS patients ( n = 1997) and controls ( n = 708). Results: The total human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and the non-HLA MSGB scores were significantly higher in MS patients than in controls, in both cohorts ( P << 10−22). MS patients, with and without cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OCBs), had a higher MSGB score than the controls; the OCB-positive patients had a slightly higher MSGB than the OCB-negative patients. An early age at symptom onset (AAO) also correlated with a higher MSGB score, in both cohorts. Conclusion: The MSGB score was associated with specific clinical MS characteristics, such as OCBs and AAO. This study underlines the need for well-characterized, large cohorts of MS patients, and the usefulness of summarizing multiple genetic risk factors of modest effect size in genotype-phenotype analyses.