bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Temperature Durability of Solid Particles for Use in Particle Heating Concentrator Solar Power Systems
Authors: Knott R. C. , Sadowski D. L. , Jeter S. M. , Abdel-Khalik S. I. , Al-Ansary H. A. , El-Leathy Abdelrahman 
Published: October 2014

Using solid particulates as a heat absorption and transfer medium in solar concentrated systems is a solution for collecting and storing thermal energy. Solid particulates, such as sand, are relatively inexpensive and are much less corrosive and expensive to maintain than molten salts. Small particles may be stored easily, and can be used as a heat transfer medium for use with a suitable heat exchanger. Despite their anticipated low cost, excessive degradation of the particulates requiring replenishment or disrupting operation could impair the overall economics. Consequently, the durability of the particulates should be verified. Responding to this need, this study examines the durability of solid particulates as a heat transfer medium in a closed cycle for concentrated solar power central receiver systems. Specifically, this study analyzes the combination of attrition and sintering of sand with varying temperatures. Attrition is the reduction of a particle’s mass and sintering is a process of fusing two or more particles together to form a larger agglomerate. In a closed cycle, particularly for a concentrated solar power tower, a particle will experience typical temperatures from 600°C to 1000°C. The increase in temperature may change the physical characteristics of the particles and along with any impurities may promote lower softening point bonding. Thus, it is important to investigate particle durability at high temperatures.
The experimental procedure used in this investigation involves heating and abrading particulates of a known mass and size distribution to temperatures between 600°C and 1000°C, and also at 25°C to observe attrition only. The testing is conducted using a specially designed experimental apparatus described below. The heated particulates are contained in a metal cylinder. Inside the cylinder is another cylinder made of a porous silicon carbide foam. As the temperature is held constant, the particulate sample is rotated 180 degrees around a horizontal axis every 15 seconds from a low position to a higher position so that the particulates fall and abrade against each other. This process is repeated for a known number of cycles (many thousands). Then the resulting particulate size distribution is measured to determine the amount of attrition and sintering occurred during the experiment. The particulates tested are various types of sand with varying mean diameters and composition, along with a ceramic particulate similar to hydraulic fracturing proppants. Sample composition, sample size distribution, and temperature will be used to establish parameters for rates of attrition and sintering. These rates will be used to predict the behavior of particulates in a concentrated solar power tower closed cycle.
Evaluation of the Energy Efficiency Effectiveness of Cool Roofs for Residential Applications
Authors: Krarti Moncef 
Published: October 2014

This study determines the effects of cool roofs on a home’s energy use, specifically on heating and cooling energy end-uses. Representative cities were chosen for several ASHRAE US climate zones. A series of parametric simulations in EnergyPlus was carried out to assess the performance of cool roofs for selected prototypical residential building models using detailed simulation analysis. The simulation results are then correlated for each climate zone type to give an approximation of the best roof color per climate. The results are given based on total energy used as well as energy cost based on national average electricity and natural gas residential rates. This method allows builders and homeowners the choice between the most cost effective roofing type, and the most energy efficient in the case that they are not the same.
Overall, it was found that in hot climates, it is more efficient to have a white roof, while a black roof benefits cooler climates. In mild and mixed climates, the effect of roof color was found rather are different for energy use and energy cost. Therefore the choice is determined by the owner’s requirements. In the cooler and milder climate zones, the analysis shows that the cost excess or savings is fairly small; usually under $10 difference per year. Hotter climates also have a relatively small effect, but more so than the cooler climates, with Phoenix especially showing a savings of $48.60 per year when a white roof is used over a black roof. Energy changes as low as only 4% in the as-built construction style, or as high as nearly 100% change in upgraded envelope cases were found. The study further finds that both the lack of an attic, and high efficiency envelopes increases the magnitude of the percent change in energy requirements.
Carbon Particle Generation and Lab-Scale Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver Experimentation and Modeling
Authors: Frederickson Lee , Leoni Mario , Miller Fletcher 
Published: October 2014

Central receivers being installed in recent commercial CSP plants are liquid-cooled and power a steam turbine in a Rankine cycle. San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Combustion and Solar Energy Laboratory has built and is testing a lab-scale Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver (SPHER). The SPHER is an air-cooled central receiver that is designed to power a gas turbine in a Brayton cycle. The SPHER uses carbon nanoparticles suspended in air as an absorption medium. The carbon nanoparticles should oxidize by the outlet of the SPHER, which is currently designed to operate at 5 bar absolute with an exit gas temperature above 1000°C.
Carbon particles are generated from hydrocarbon pyrolysis in the carbon particle generator (CPG). The particles are mixed at the outlet of the CPG with dilution air and the mixture is sent to the SPHER. As the gas-particle mixture flows through the SPHER, radiation entering the SPHER from the solar simulator is absorbed by the carbon particles, which transfer heat to the gas suspension and eventually oxidize, resulting in a clear gas stream at the outlet.
Particle mass loading is measured using a laser opacity measurement combined with a Mie calculation, while particle size distribution is determined by scanning electron microscopy and a diesel particulate scatterometer prior to entering the SPHER. In predicting the performance of the system, computer models have been set up in CHEMKIN-PRO for the CPG and in ANSYS Fluent for the SPHER, which is coupled with VeGaS ray trace code for the solar simulator.
Initial experimentation has resulted in temperatures above 850°C with around a 50K temperature difference when particles are present in the air flow. The CPG computer model has been used to estimate performance trends while the SPHER computer model has been run for conditions to match those expected from future experimentation.
Oxidation Rate Analysis of Carbon Nanoparticles for a Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver
Authors: Leoni Mario , Frederickson Lee , Miller Fletcher 
Published: October 2014

A new experimental set-up has been introduced at San Diego State University’s Combustion and Solar Energy Lab to study the thermal oxidation characteristics of in-situ generated carbon particles in air at high pressure. The study is part of a project developing a Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver (SPHER) utilizing concentrated solar power to run a Brayton cycle. The oxidation data obtained will further be used in different existing and planned computer models in order to accurately predict reactor temperatures and flow behavior in the SPHER.
The carbon black particles were produced by thermal decomposition of natural gas at 1250 °C and a pressure of 5.65 bar (82 psi). Particles were analyzed using a Diesel Particle Scatterometer (DPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found to have a 310 nm average diameter. The size distribution and the complex index of refraction were measured and the data were used to calculate the specific extinction cross section γ of the spherical particles. The oxidation rate was determined using 2 extinction tubes and a tube furnace and the values were compared to literature. The activation energy of the carbon particles was determined to be 295.02 kJ/mole which is higher than in comparable studies. However, the oxidation of carbon particles bigger than 100 nm is hardly studied and almost no previous data is available at these conditions.
Multivariate Control and Override of a Two-Step Homogeneous Base-Catalyzed Transesterification Process
Authors: Coronado Horacio Pinzón , Escobar Porto Andrea , Sanjuan Marco E. 
Published: October 2014

The most common technology used in biodiesel production is the transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats. Transesterification (also called alcoholysis) is the reaction of fat oil with an alcohol to form esters and glycerol, in presence of catalyst to improve the reaction rate and yield. Although process industry has established long ago that continuous processes are more cost-effective than batch processing, there is still a substantial number of batch processing biodiesel plants in the world. One of the challenges in switching to a continuous process is the simultaneous control requirement of throughput (flow), temperature, and biodiesel concentration.
In the present work, a two-step homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification process for a continuous biodiesel production plant is studied. The most relevant variables are: reaction temperature, ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil, amount of catalyst, mixing intensity (RPM), catalyst and vegetable oil used. The objective was to design a control strategy incorporating three key loops, overrides, and decoupling based on multivariate control analysis. The designed control strategy is described and simulation-based performance test results are shown.
Genome Sequence Analysis of the Biogenic Amine-Producing Strain Lactococcus lactis subsp.
cremoris
CECT 8666 (Formerly GE2-14)
Authors: Ladero Victor , del Rio Beatriz , Linares Daniel M. , Fernandez Maria , Mayo Baltasar , Martin M. Cruz , Alvarez Miguel A. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

We here report a 2,801,031-bp annotated draft assembly for the
Lactococcus lactis
subsp.
cremoris
GE2-14 genome. This dairy strain produces the biogenic amine putrescine. This sequence may help identify the mechanisms regulating putrescine biosynthesis and throw light on ways to reduce its presence in fermented foods.
Cost-utility of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis treated by medical management: a UK cost-utility analysis based on patient-level data from the ADVANCE study
Authors: Brecker Stephen , Mealing Stuart , Padhiar Amie , Eaton James , Sculpher Mark , Busca Rachele , Bosmans Johan , Gerckens Ulrich J , Wenaweser Peter , Tamburino Corrado , Bleiziffer Sabine , Piazza Nicolo , Moat Neil , Linke Axel 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveTo use patient-level data from the ADVANCE study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) compared to medical management (MM) in patients with severe aortic stenosis from the perspective of the UK NHS.MethodsA published decision-analytic model was adapted to include information on TAVI from the ADVANCE study. Patient-level data informed the choice as well as the form of mathematical functions that were used to model all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life and hospitalisations. TAVI-related resource use protocols were based on the ADVANCE study. MM was modelled on publicly available information from the PARTNER-B study. The outcome measures were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) estimated at a range of time horizons with benefits expressed as quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Extensive sensitivity/subgroup analyses were undertaken to explore the impact of uncertainty in key clinical areas.ResultsUsing a 5-year time horizon, the ICER for the comparison of all ADVANCE to all PARTNER-B patients was £13 943 per QALY gained. For the subset of ADVANCE patients classified as high risk (Logistic EuroSCORE >20%) the ICER was £17 718 per QALY gained). The ICER was below £30 000 per QALY gained in all sensitivity analyses relating to choice of MM data source and alternative modelling approaches for key parameters. When the time horizon was extended to 10 years, all ICERs generated in all analyses were below £20 000 per QALY gained.ConclusionTAVI is highly likely to be a cost-effective treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis.
MicroRNA Polymorphisms and Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Schmit Stephanie L. , Gollub Jeremy , Shapero Michael H. , Huang Shu-Chen , Rennert Hedy S. , Finn Andrea , Rennert Gad , Gruber Stephen B. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Background: miRNAs act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Genetic variation in miRNA-encoding sequences or their corresponding binding sites may affect the fidelity of the miRNA–mRNA interaction and subsequently alter the risk of cancer development.
Methods: This study expanded the search for miRNA-related polymorphisms contributing to the etiology of colorectal cancer across the genome using a novel platform, the Axiom miRNA Target Site Genotyping Array (237,858 markers). After quality control, the study included 596 cases and 429 controls from the Molecular Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer study, a population-based case–control study of colorectal cancer in northern Israel. The association between each marker and colorectal cancer status was examined assuming a log-additive genetic model using logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, and two principal components.
Results: Twenty-three markers had P values less than 5.0E−04, and the most statistically significant association involved rs2985 (chr6:34845648; intronic of UHRF1BP1; OR = 0.66; P = 3.7E−05). Furthermore, this study replicated a previously published risk locus, rs1051690, in the 3′-untranslated region of the insulin receptor gene INSR (OR = 1.38; P = 0.03), with strong evidence of differences in INSR gene expression by genotype.
Conclusions: This study is the first to examine associations between genetic variation in miRNA target sites and colorectal cancer using a genome-wide approach. Functional studies to identify allele-specific effects on miRNA binding are needed to confirm the regulatory capacity of genetic variation to influence risk of colorectal cancer.
Impact: This study demonstrates the potential for an miRNA-targeted genome-wide association study to identify candidate susceptibility loci and prioritize them for functional characterization. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 65–72. ©2014 AACR.
Do Environmental Factors Modify the Genetic Risk of Prostate Cancer?
Authors: Loeb Stacy , Peskoe Sarah B. , Joshu Corinne E. , Huang Wen-Yi , Hayes Richard B. , Carter H. Ballentine , Isaacs William B. , Platz Elizabeth A. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Background: Many SNPs influence prostate cancer risk. To what extent genetic risk can be reduced by environmental factors is unknown.
Methods: We evaluated effect modification by environmental factors of the association between susceptibility SNPs and prostate cancer in 1,230 incident prostate cancer cases and 1,361 controls, all white and similar ages, nested in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Trial. Genetic risk scores were calculated as number of risk alleles for 20 validated SNPs. We estimated the association between higher genetic risk (≥12 SNPs) and prostate cancer within environmental factor strata and tested for interaction.
Results: Men with ≥12 risk alleles had 1.98, 2.04, and 1.91 times the odds of total, advanced, and nonadvanced prostate cancer, respectively. These associations were attenuated with the use of selenium supplements, aspirin, ibuprofen, and higher vegetable intake. For selenium, the attenuation was most striking for advanced prostate cancer: compared with &lt;12 alleles and no selenium, the OR for ≥12 alleles was 2.06 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.67–2.55] in nonusers and 0.99 (0.38–2.58) in users (Pinteraction = 0.031). Aspirin had the most marked attenuation for nonadvanced prostate cancer: compared with &lt;12 alleles and nonusers, the OR for ≥12 alleles was 2.25 (1.69–3.00) in nonusers and 1.70 (1.25–2.32) in users (Pinteraction = 0.009). This pattern was similar for ibuprofen (Pinteraction = 0.023) and vegetables (Pinteraction = 0.010).
Conclusions: This study suggests that selenium supplements may reduce genetic risk of advanced prostate cancer, whereas aspirin, ibuprofen, and vegetables may reduce genetic risk of nonadvanced prostate cancer.
Impact: The effect of genetic factors on prostate cancer risk may vary by lifestyle interventions. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 213–20. ©2014 AACR.
Interleukin 17 Drives Vascular Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Arterial Hypertension in Psoriasis-Like Skin Disease
Authors: Karbach Susanne , Croxford Andrew L. , Oelze Matthias , Schüler Rebecca , Minwegen Daniel , Wegner Joanna , Koukes Lija , Yogev Nir , Nikolaev Alexei , Reißig Sonja , Ullmann Alexander , Knorr Maike , Waldner Maximilian , Neurath Markus F. , Li Huige , Wu Zhixiong , Brochhausen Christoph , Scheller Jürgen , Rose-John Stefan , Piotrowski Carolin , Bechmann Ingo , Radsak Markus , Wild Philipp , Daiber Andreas , von Stebut Esther , Wenzel Philip , Waisman Ari , Münzel Thomas 
Published: October 2014

Objective—
Interleukin (IL)-17A is regarded as an important cytokine to drive psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease marked by increased cardiovascular mortality. We aimed to test the hypothesis that overproduction of IL-17A in the skin leading to dermal inflammation may systemically cause vascular dysfunction in psoriasis-like skin disease.

Approach and Results—

Conditional overexpression of IL-17A in keratinocytes caused severe psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice (K14-IL-17A
ind/+
mice), associated with increased reactive oxygen species formation and circulating CD11b
+
inflammatory leukocytes in blood, with endothelial dysfunction, increased systolic blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and reduced survival compared with controls. In K14-IL-17A
ind/+
mice, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry revealed increased vascular production of the nitric oxide/superoxide reaction product peroxynitrite and infiltration of the vasculature with myeloperoxidase
+
CD11b
+
GR1
+
F4/80
−
cells accompanied by increased expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and the nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, nox2. Neutrophil depletion by anti-GR-1 antibody injections reduced oxidative stress in blood and vessels. Neutralization of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 (both downstream of IL-17A) reduced skin lesions, attenuated oxidative stress in heart and blood, and partially improved endothelial dysfunction in K14-IL-17A
ind/+
mice.

Conclusions—

Dermal overexpression of IL-17A induces systemic endothelial dysfunction, vascular oxidative stress, arterial hypertension, and increases mortality mainly driven by myeloperoxidase
+
CD11b
+
GR1
+
F4/80
−
inflammatory cells. Depletion of the GR-1
+
immune cells or neutralization of IL-17A downstream cytokines by biologicals attenuates the vascular phenotype in K14-IL-17A
ind/+
mice.
T-Cell Profile in Adipose Tissue Is Associated With Insulin Resistance and Systemic Inflammation in Humans
Authors: McLaughlin Tracey , Liu Li-Fen , Lamendola Cindy , Shen Lei , Morton John , Rivas Homero , Winer Daniel , Tolentino Lorna , Choi Okmi , Zhang Hong , Hui Yen Chng Melissa , Engleman Edgar 
Published: October 2014

Objective—
The biological mechanisms linking obesity to insulin resistance have not been fully elucidated. We have shown that insulin resistance or glucose intolerance in diet-induced obese mice is related to a shift in the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory T cells in adipose tissue. We sought to test the hypothesis that the balance of T-cell phenotypes would be similarly related to insulin resistance in human obesity.

Approach and Results—
Healthy overweight or obese human subjects underwent adipose-tissue biopsies and quantification of insulin-mediated glucose disposal by the modified insulin suppression test. T-cell subsets were quantified by flow cytometry in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Results showed that CD4 and CD8 T cells infiltrate both depots, with proinflammatory T-helper (Th)-1, Th17, and CD8 T cells, significantly more frequent in VAT as compared with SAT. T-cell profiles in SAT and VAT correlated significantly with one another and with peripheral blood. Th1 frequency in SAT and VAT correlated directly, whereas Th2 frequency in VAT correlated inversely, with plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations. Th2 in both depots and peripheral blood was inversely associated with systemic insulin resistance. Furthermore, Th1 in SAT correlated with plasma interleukin-6. Relative expression of associated cytokines, measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, reflected flow cytometry results. Most notably, adipose tissue expression of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 was inversely associated with insulin resistance.

Conclusions—
CD4 and CD8 T cells populate human adipose tissue and the relative frequency of Th1 and Th2 are highly associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. These findings point to the adaptive immune system as a potential mediator between obesity and insulin resistance or inflammation. Identification of antigenic stimuli in adipose tissue may yield novel targets for treatment of obesity-associated metabolic disease.
Measurement of Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Mice—Brief Report
Authors: Schuler Dominik , Sansone Roberto , Freudenberger Till , Rodriguez-Mateos Ana , Weber Gesine , Momma Tony Y. , Goy Christine , Altschmied Joachim , Haendeler Judith , Fischer Jens W. , Kelm Malte , Heiss Christian 
Published: October 2014

Objective—
Endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated vasodilation after an increase in shear stress at the endothelial lining of conduit arteries during reactive hyperemia after ischemia is a fundamental principle of vascular physiology adapting blood flow to demand of supplied tissue. Flow-mediated vasodilation measurements have been performed in human studies and are of diagnostic and prognostic importance, but have been impossible because of technical limitations in transgenic mice to date, although these represent the most frequently used animal model in cardiovascular research.

Approach and Results—
Using high-frequency ultrasound, we visualized, quantified, and characterized for the first time endothelium-dependent dilation of the femoral artery after temporal ischemia of the lower part of the hindlimb and demonstrated that the signaling was almost exclusively dependent on stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, similar to acetylcholine, completely abolished after pharmacological or genetic inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and endothelial denudation, substantially impaired in mice of increasing age and cholesterol-fed ApoE knock outs and increased by the dietary polyphenol (−)-epicatechin. Intra- and interindividual variability were similar to the human methodology.

Conclusions—
The physiology of flow-mediated vasodilation in mice resembles that in humans underscoring the significance of this novel technology to noninvasively, serially, and reliably quantify flow-mediated vasodilation in transgenic mice.