bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with birth weight inequalities in Jordan
Authors: Mohammad K. , Kassab M. , Gamble J. , Creedy D.K. , Foster J. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundBirth weight is a good indicator of mothers' and neonates' nutritional status, and it contributes to the newborn baby's survival, health, growth and development.AimThis study identified social factors associated with differences in the mean birth weight of newborn babies in Jordan.MethodsThis retrospective study analysed medical records to determine possible risk factors associated with differences in newborn BW in the Irbid governorate of Jordan. All full‐term singleton births during the year 2010 were reviewed. Abstracted data included mother's age, educational level, and monthly family income. Newborn information included birth weight, gender and birth order.ResultsA total of 5414 full‐term singleton births were included. Of these, 15.1% were low birth weight, 73.6% were normal birth weight, and 11.3% were high birth weight. Bivariate analysis of variance revealed that low mean birth weight was associated with female gender, first‐born babies, higher maternal age (>35 years), lower educational level and lower income (<500 JD). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that mean birth weight was lower in female infants, first‐born infants, infants of less educated mothers, higher age and low monthly income.LimitationsThe findings can be generalized to full‐term singleton pregnancies in countries who share similar cultural and traditional values.ConclusionEducation of mothers is a modifiable variable that can positively influence birth weight, particularly in the case of female and first‐born infants.Implication for Nursing and Health PolicyThe findings inform our understanding of some social factors affecting birth weights of neonates in Jordan and development of effective public health interventions that could reduce the adverse effects of such factors on newborn birth weight. Preconception and antenatal care is also important for early detection of such possible risk and targeting mothers who require early interventions and support.
Are male tokens bad for females? The effect of social dominance orientation on high‐status tokens' evaluations of low‐status members
Authors: Simmons Aneika L. , Watkins Marla Baskerville , Umphress Elizabeth E. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPrior research has not given much attention to understanding how those in the numeric minority (i.e., tokens) with high social status (e.g., males) react to those with low social status (e.g., females). We draw from social dominance orientation (SDO) to better understand how male tokens' beliefs about group‐based hierarchies affect their evaluation of a highly qualified female candidate. We conducted a laboratory study in which participants were placed in a selection situation and were asked to evaluate a highly qualified female candidate. We discovered a significant interaction between token status and SDO such that male tokens who were high in SDO were more likely to evaluate negatively a highly qualified female.
Management Guidance Pre‐ and Post‐Restatement
Authors: Gordon Elizabeth A. , Henry Elaine , Li Xudong , Sun Lili 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe examine whether the quality of restating firms’ management guidance differs in periods before and after restatement announcements. While characteristics of restating firms and the consequences of restatement have been a central topic in accounting and auditing research, the quality of management guidance around restatements is less well understood. We consider two competing characterizations of the link between management forecast accuracy and bias and restatement (an event that tends to signal poor financial controls): “Forecast–Opportunism Explanation” and “Forecast–Ability Explanation”. Under the Forecast–Opportunism Explanation, pre‐restatement weaknesses in financial controls enable managers to manipulate earnings toward forecasts and to meet or exceed opportunistically biased forecasts, and the post‐restatement strengthening of financial controls constrains opportunistic behavior. Under the Forecast–Ability Explanation, pre‐restatement weaknesses in financial controls impede managers’ ability to issue accurate forecasts, and post‐restatement improvements remove impediments so that the accuracy of forecasts improves; forecast bias remains unaffected. Evidence indicates that before a restatement, restating firms’ forecasts are more accurate and relatively more downwardly biased than control firms’ forecasts. Post‐restatement, restating firms have less accurate and less downwardly biased management guidance. Our overall results are consistent with the Forecast–Opportunism Explanation.
Atypical nodular astrocytosis in simian immunodeficiency virus‐infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Petrosky Keiko Y. , Knight Heather L. , Westmoreland Susan V. , Miller Andrew D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundSimian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a model for HIV pathogenesis, is associated with neuropathology.MethodsFive SIV‐infected animals were selected following a database search of 1206 SIV‐infected animals for nodular or astrocytic lesions. Two of five had neurologic dysfunction, and 3 of 5 were incidental findings.ResultsHistologic examination revealed multifocal nodular foci in the gray and white matter formed by interlacing astrocytes with abundant cytoplasm and large, reactive nuclei. Nodules were often enmeshed with small capillaries. Immunohistochemistry revealed variable immunoreactivity for a panel of markers: GFAP (4/5), vimentin (5/5), Glut‐1 (1/5), CNPase (0/5), S100 (5/5), Iba1 (0/5), Ki67 (0/5), and p53 (4/4). In situ hybridization failed to detect any SIV RNA (0/5). Immunohistochemistry for simian virus 40, rhesus cytomegalovirus, and rhesus lymphocryptovirus failed to detect any antigen within the lesions.ConclusionThe immunoreactivity of p53 in the lesions compared with adjacent tissue suggests a local derangement in astrocyte proliferation and function.
Electrocardiographic Difference between Ventricular Arrhythmias from the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract and Idiopathic Right Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: REN LAN , LIU ZHENG , JIA YUHE , FANG PIHUA , PU JIELIN , ZHANG SHU 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundVentricular arrhythmias (VA) arising from arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) and idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (RVOT‐VA) share the pattern of left bundle branch block (LBBB)/inferior axis. The existence of QRS notching showed a discriminating effect of the two conditions in recent research; however, there are little data regarding the difference in the distribution of QRS notching. The aim of this study was to compare the VA morphology between the two conditions, especially evaluating the diagnostic role of QRS notching.MethodsElectrocardiographic (ECG) recordings of VA episode with LBBB/inferior axis of 16 ARVD/C and 45 idiopathic RVOT‐VA patients (30 originated from the septum, 15 from the free‐wall) were gathered and compared.ResultsARVD/C had longer mean QRS duration in all 12 leads, and significant differences existed in leads Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ, aVL, aVF, and V1 (P < 0.05). Lead Ⅰ had the largest mean difference of 25.1 ± 5.8 ms. In addition, ARVD/C had more R‐wave transition in lead V5 or later (37.5% vs 8.9%, P < 0.01).The presence of QRS notching (15/16 [93.8%] vs 36/45 [80.0%], P = 0.20) and the total number of leads expressing notching (2.88 ± 2.0 vs 2.80 ± 2.0, P = 0.90) were not different between ARVD/C and idiopathic RVOT‐VA. However, QRS notching existing simultaneously in leads I and aVL was more common in ARVD/C (43.8% vs13.3%, P = 0.011).ConclusionLonger QRS duration, later precordial R/S transition, and QRS notching in lateral leads (leads Ⅰ and aVL) are useful in discriminating ARVD/C from idiopathic RVOT‐VA.
The structure of motor programming: Evidence from reaction times and lateralized readiness potentials
Authors: Xu Lu , Sommer Werner , Masaki Hiroaki 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThere is a widely accepted notion that movement elements are assembled prior to movement execution in a central motor programming stage. However, it is not clear how this stage is structured—whether it is a unitary stage allowing different motor parameters to cross talk or whether there are several independent processes dealing with each motor parameter. We addressed this question by orthogonally manipulating two movement‐related factors: response sequence complexity and movement duration. Both factors yielded main effects on reaction time but no interaction. Additive effects of both factors on the onsets of response‐ but not stimulus‐synchronized lateralized readiness potentials suggest separable motoric loci of sequence complexity and duration. These findings are at variance with the notion of a unitary movement programming stage.
A comparison of compliance in medicaid versus non‐Medicaid patients
Authors: Dobbs Mary Ellen , Manasse Robert , Kusnoto Budi , Grace Costa Viana Maria , Obrez Ales 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundMedicaid patients have been associated with lack of compliance during their orthodontic treatment in comparison with the non‐Medicaid patients. In this study, Medicaid and non‐Medicaid orthodontic patients’ compliance from a state university and private practice orthodontic clinic within close location were analyzed.MethodsCharts of 30 Medicaid and 30 non‐Medicaid orthodontic patients at each orthodontic clinic were reviewed. From each chart, mean percentage of failed and late appointments, number of broken appliances, number of comments on compliance with auxiliary wear and number of comments on oral hygiene maintenance were recorded.ResultsStatistically significant differences between Medicaid and non‐Medicaid orthodontic patients were not found.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that in general there are no differences between Medicaid and non‐Medicaid orthodontic patients.Practical ImplicationsThese results may alleviate the doubts of the dental practitioner in treating Medicaid patients.
Semiquantitative immunohistochemical marker staining and localization in canine thyroid carcinoma and normal thyroid gland
Authors: Pessina P. , Castillo V. , Sartore I. , Borrego J. , Meikle A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractImmunoreactive proteins in follicular cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells were assessed in canine thyroid carcinomas and healthy thyroid glands. No differences were detected in thyrotropin receptor and thyroglobulin staining between cancer and normal tissues, but expression was higher in follicular cells than in fibroblasts. Fibroblast growth factor‐2 staining was more intense in healthy follicular cells than in those of carcinomas. Follicular cells in carcinomas presented two‐ to three‐fold greater staining intensity of thyroid transcription factor‐1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively, than healthy cells, and a similar trend was found for the latter antigen in fibroblasts. Vascular endothelial growth factor staining was more intense in the endothelial cells of tumours than in those of normal tissues. In conclusion, greater expression of factors related to proliferation and angiogenesis was demonstrated in several cell types within thyroid carcinomas compared to healthy tissues, which may represent mechanisms of tumour progression in this disease.
Neural Network Modeling of Turbofan Parameters
Authors: Embrechts Mark J. , Schweizerhof Aaron L. , Bushman Mark , Sabatella Mike H. 
Published: August 2014

This research involves the development and validation of neural network models for several engine parameters for a turbofan engine. The investigation encompasses data collection, data translation, development of the neural network models, and testing. The data used to train and validate the neural network models was acquired from state of the art models as well as flight tests. During this study, different neural network architectures and training algorithms are exercised and evaluated for a turbofan engine operating at steady-state conditions. In addition, studies are performed to optimize the neural network architecture and resolution of data used for training.
The resulting models are thoroughly validated using data for approximately sixty thousand flight conditions. The neural network models trained and tested with data acquired from state of the art models are capable of predicting their respective parameters with a maximum of 5.3 percent error. A neural network model created with a small set of flight test data and validated with a slightly larger set of data resulted in a maximum error of 4.6 percent.
Structural Health Monitoring With Piezoelectric Active Sensors
Authors: Winston Howard A. , Sun Fanping , Annigeri Balkrishna S. 
Published: August 2014

A technology for non-intrusive real-time structural health monitoring using piezoelectric active sensors is presented. The approach is based on monitoring variations of the coupled electromechanical impedance of piezoelectric patches bonded to metallic structures in high-frequency bands. In each of these applications, a single piezoelectric element is used as both an actuator and a sensor. The resulting electromechanical coupling makes the frequency-dependent electric impedance spectrum of the PZT sensor a good mapping of the underlying structure’s acoustic signature. Moreover, incipient structural damage can be indicated by deviations of this signature from its original baseline pattern.
Unique features of this technology include its high sensitivity to structural damage, non-intrusiveness to the host structure, and low cost of implementation. These features have potential for enabling on-board damage monitoring of critical or inaccessible aerospace structures and components, such as aircraft wing joints, and both internal and external jet engine components. Several exploratory applications will be discussed.
Modelling of the Combustion Process of a Premixed DLE Gas Turbine
Authors: Eggels R. L. G. M. 
Published: August 2014

To obtain a better understanding of the internal combustion processes of gas turbines, CFD computations of a combustion chamber, based on a Rolls-Royce industrial gas turbine, were performed. Minor simplifications are made to generate a 3-D rotational symmetric geometry. Computations are performed at typical gas turbine conditions and natural gas is used as the fuel. An internal Rolls-Royce CFD code is applied to perform the computations. This paper explains the models used for the CFD computations and describes the advantages and limitations on the applied models.
The combustion process has been modelled using a two-step global reaction mechanism and Intrinsic Low Dimensional Manifold (ILDM) reduced reaction mechanisms. The global reaction mechanisms are optimised for the considered operating conditions by modification of the reaction rates so that the same burning velocity and the amplitude CO-peak are obtained as predicted by detailed reaction mechanism (GRI 2.11, Bowman 1995). This optimisation is done considering a one-dimensional laminar flame. Although the global reaction mechanism is optimised for one particular operating condition, it appears that it is suitable for use over the entire range of operating conditions. The ILDM reduced reaction mechanisms are derived from GRI 2.11. Two ILDM tables are used to model two operating conditions, as they are specific for the pressure and inlet temperature. The interaction between turbulence and chemistry is modelled using presumed Probability Density Functions (PDF).
The flow field in the combustion chamber is studied at isothermal and combusting conditions. It appeared that the flow field for burning and non-burning circumstances is quite different.
There is a lack of experimental data so that it is not possible to verify the CFD results in detail. However, there is knowledge about the mechanisms by which the flame is stabilised and emissions are measured in the exhaust. The predicted flame front position agrees with that which is experimentally observed. The predicted increase of CO at low power is at the same order of magnitude as the measured emissions.
Gas Turbine Performance Using Carbon Dioxide as Working Fluid in Closed Cycle Operation
Authors: Jackson Anthony J. B. , Codeceira Neto Alcides , Whellens Matthew W. , Audus Harry 
Published: August 2014

The world’s main atmospheric “greenhouse gas” is carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 content of the atmosphere continues to rise due to increasing world demand for energy, and thus further means are needed to achieve its abatement.
Most gas turbine powered electricity generating plants use hydro-carbon fuels and this inevitably produces CO2 in the engine exhaust. This paper discusses a scheme for concentrating the gas turbine exhaust CO2, thus facilitating its extraction. The scheme is a gas turbine operating synchronously in closed cycle, with CO2 as the working fluid. The additional CO2 and water produced in the combustion process are removed continuously.
CO2 and air have substantially different gas properties. This significantly affects the performance of the gas turbine. It is shown that any gas turbine designed to use air, and operating synchronously, would need considerable modifications to its compressor and combustion systems to use carbon dioxide as its working fluid.
Microturbine / Fuel-Cell Coupling for High-Efficiency Electrical-Power Generation
Authors: Massardo Aristide F. , McDonald Colin F. , Korakianitis Theodosios 
Published: August 2014

Microturbines and fuel cells are currently attracting a lot of attention to meet future users needs in the distributed generation market. This paper addresses a preliminary analysis of a representative state-of-the-art 50 kW microturbine coupled with a high-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The technologies of the two elements of such a hybrid-power plant are in a different state of readiness. The microturbine is in an early stage of pre-production and the SOFC is still in the development phase. It is premature to propose an optimum solution. Based on today’s technology the hybrid plant, using natural gas fuel, would have a power output of about 389 kW, and an efficiency of 60 percent. If the waste heat is used the overall fuel utilization efficiency would about 80 percent. Major features, parameters and performance of the microturbine and the SOFC are discussed. The compatibility of the two systems is addressed, and the areas of technical concern, and mismatching issues are identified and discussed. Fully understanding these, and identifying solutions, is the key to the future establishing of an optimum overall system. This approach is viewed as being in concert with evolving technological changes. In the case of the microturbine changes will be fairly minor as they enter production on a large scale within the next year or so, but are likely to be significant for the SOFC in the next few years, as extensive efforts are expended to reduce unit cost. It is reasonable to project that a high performance and cost-effective hybrid plant, with high reliability, will be ready for commercial service in the middle of the first decade of the 21st century.
While several microturbines can be packaged to give an increased level of power, this can perhaps be more effectively accomplished by coupling just a single gas turbine module with a SOFC. The resultant larger power output unit opens up new market possibilities in both the industrial nations and developing countries.
Managing Fuel Oil Nozzle Coking to Improve Gas Turbine Availability
Authors: Burgett Leo R. , Mercer Tim 
Published: August 2014

Fuel oil nozzle coking has been a continuing problem for operators of gas turbine power plants. Over the years, several “solutions” to eliminate the coking of the fuel oil have been implemented to improve plant reliability and availability. When the fuel oil nozzle is “coked”, the startup and operation of the gas turbine are impaired and an unscheduled outage is needed to clean the fuel oil nozzle.
In 1997, a project was initiated to investigate the coking problem as it affects the operation of the dual fuel burner of the ABB ALSTOM POWER Inc. GT11N1 single burner (SBK) gas turbine. The GT11N1 SBK fuel oil nozzle (see FIGURE 1) was failing to operate properly because of “coked” fuel oil residue on its internal components (stationary and moveable). ABB ALSTOM POWER Inc. teamed with Savannah Electric & Power Company and collected data that indicated adequate nozzle cooling air could reduce the rate of fuel oil coking.
A nozzle cooling air system modification was installed on one of the ABB ALSTOM POWER Inc. 11N1 gas turbines at the Savannah Electric & Power Company McIntosh Power Plant. The modification included an AC motor driven air blower to provide cooling air to the fuel oil nozzle after shutdown of the gas turbine. Inspection of the components inside the fuel oil nozzle showed that very little fuel oil oxidation had occurred inside the nozzle during the three-month test period. By improving the fuel oil nozzle cooling air system, the coking problem can be better managed.
Augmentation of Stagnation Region Heat Transfer due to Turbulence From a DLN Can Combustor
Authors: Van Fossen G. James , Bunker Ronald S. 
Published: August 2014

Heat transfer measurements have been made in the stagnation region of a flat plate with a circular leading edge. Electrically heated aluminum strips placed symmetrically about the leading edge stagnation region were used to measure spanwise averaged heat transfer coefficients. The maximum Reynolds number obtained, based on leading edge diameter, was about 100,000. The model was immersed in the flow field downstream of an approximately half scale model of a can-type combustor from a low NOx, ground based power-generating turbine. The tests were conducted with room temperature air; no fuel was added. Room air flowed into the combustor through six vane type fuel/air swirlers. The combustor can contained no dilution holes.
The fuel/air swirlers all swirled the incoming airflow in a counter clockwise direction (facing downstream). A 5-hole probe flow field survey in the plane of the model stagnation point showed the flow was one big vortex with flow angles up to 36° at the outer edges of the rectangular test section. Hot wire measurements showed test section flow had very high levels of turbulence, around 28.5%, and had a relatively large axial-length scale-to-leading edge diameter ratio of 0.5. X-wire measurements showed the turbulence to be nearly isotropic. Stagnation heat transfer augmentation over laminar levels was around 77% and was about 14% higher than predicted by a previously developed correlation for isotropic grid generated turbulence.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Influence of Different Swirl Ratios on the Temperature Streak Development in a 4-Stage Turbine
Authors: Bohn Dieter , Funke Harald , Heuer Tom , Bütikofer Jürg 
Published: August 2014

In the development of modern gas turbines the increase in the turbine inlet temperature is restricted by the need for cooling the first stages of the turbine. In addition, the flow leaving the combustor is thermally inhomogeneous. Since the blade cooling has to be designed for the actual local hot gas temperatures, it is important to know how these temperature inhomogeneities develop and attenuate inside the multistage flow passage.
In this investigation the development of a circumferential and a radial temperature inhomogeneity inside a 4-stage turbine is analyzed at three different swirl ratios. Since the experimental setup allows a circumferential temperature streak, a radial temperature streak has also been applied at different swirl ratios to the same geometrical configuration for a numerical investigation.
The first stage has a significant impact on the attenuation and change in form of a circumferential temperature streak depending on the swirl. For the radial streak the hot streak segregation effect can be eliminated by increasing the swirl. Consequently, the temperature equalization process is weakened.