bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined Cycles Permit the Most Environmentally Benign Conversion of Fossil Fuels to Electricity
Authors: Haupt Guenther , Joyce John S. , Kuenstle Konrad 
Published: March 2015

The environmental impact of unfired combined-cycle blocks of the GUD® type is compared with that of equivalent reheat steam boiler/turbine units. The outstandingly high efficiency of GUD blocks not only conserves primary-energy resources, but also commensurately reduces undesirable emissions and unavoidable heat rejection to the surroundings.
In addition to conventional gas or oil-fired GUD blocks, integrated coal-gasification combined-cycle (ICG-GUD) blocks are investigated from an ecological point of view so as to cover the whole range of available fossil fuels. For each fuel and corresponding type of GUD power plant the most appropriate conventional steam-generating unit of most modern design is selected for comparison purposes. In each case the relative environmental impact is stated in the form of quantified emissions, effluents and waste heat, as well as of useful byproducts and disposable solid wastes.
GUD blocks possess the advantage that they allow primary measures to be taken to minimize the production of NOx and SOx, whereas both have to be removed from the flue gases of conventional steam stations by less effective and desirable, albeit more expensive secondary techniques, e.g. flue-gas desulfurization and DENOX systems. In particular, the comparison of CO2 release reveals a significantly lower contribution by GUD blocks to the greenhouse effect than by other fossil-fired power plants.
Coal Gaseous Fueled, Low Fuel-NOx Gas Turbine Combustor
Authors: Sato M. , Ninomiya T. , Nakata T. , Yoshine T. , Yamada M. , Hisa S. 
Published: March 2015

From the view point of future coal utilization technology for the thermal power generation systems, the coal gasification combined cycle system has drawn special interest recently. In the coal gasification combined cycle power generation system, it is necessary to develop a high temperature gas turbine combustor using a low–BTU gas (LBG) which has high thermal efficiency and low emissions.
In Japan a development program on the coal gasification combined cycle power generation system has started in 1985 by the national government and Japanese electric companies. In this program, is planned to develop the 1300 °C class gas turbines. However, in the case of using a hot type fuel gas cleaning system, the coal gas fuel to be supplied to gas turbines will contain ammonia. Ammonia will be converted to nitric oxides in the combustion process in gas turbines. Therefore, low fuel–NOx combustion technology is one of the most important research subjects.
This paper describes low fuel–NOx combustion technology for 1300 °C class gas turbine combustor using low BTU coal gas fuel.
Authors have showed that the rich–lean combustion method is effective to decrease fuel–NOx (1). In general in rich–lean combustion method, the fuel–NOx decreases, as the primary zone becomes richer. But flameholding becomes very difficult in even rich primary zone. For this reason this combustor was designed to have a flameholder with pilot flame.
Combustion tests were conducted by using a full scale combustor used in 150 MW gas turbine at the atmospheric pressure condition.
Analysis of Viscous Flowfield Over Tactical Aircraft Forebody and Inlets
Authors: Tseng W. , Findlay D. 
Published: March 2015

As the performance requirements of advanced tactical aircraft increase and additional design constraints are imposed, the integration of the engine-airframe becomes critical because it is difficult to provide efficient external aerodynamics, low drag and high maneuverability along with high quality internal flow (i.e high thrust, adequate engine stall margin). To identify or provide warnings about the nonlinear detrimental flow interaction effects associated with engine inlet flow rate, inlet geometry, forebody shape and integration, a computational methodology has been developed to augment the engine-airframe integration process. This paper discusses the use of this methodology to investigate the flow field of the F/A-18 forebody, the X-31A inlet, the YF-16 inlet and the integrated forebody-inlet flow of the YF-16.
First, a discussion of the preprocessor will be presented which prepares the input grid for the flow solver and generates a graphic display of the model for viewing examination. Second, the solution methodology of the governing equation is discussed. Finally, four configurations were analyzed, namely the F/A-18 forebody, X-31A inlet, YF-16 inlet and the YF-16 integrated forebody-inlet with results presented utilizing a post-processor.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mucoid Strain FRD1, Isolated from a Cystic Fibrosis Patient
Authors: Silo-Suh Laura A. , Suh Sang-Jin , Ohman Dennis E. , Wozniak Daniel J. , Pridgeon Julia W. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

We announce here the complete genome sequence of the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
mucoid strain FRD1, isolated from the sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient. The complete genome of
P. aeruginosa
FRD1 is 6,712,339 bp. This genome will allow comparative genomics to be used to identify genes associated with virulence, especially those involved in chronic pulmonary infections.
Multimorbidity and weight loss in obese primary care patients: longitudinal study based on electronic healthcare records
Authors: Calderón-Larrañaga Amaia , Hernández-Olivan Paola , González-Rubio Francisca , Gimeno-Feliu Luis A , Poblador-Plou Beatriz , Prados-Torres Alexandra 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo analyse the association between cardiovascular and mental comorbidities of obesity and weight loss registered in the electronic primary healthcare records.Design and settingLongitudinal study of a cohort of adult patients assigned to any of the public primary care centres in Aragon, Spain, during 2010 and 2011.ParticipantsAdult obese patients for whom data on their weight were available for 2010 (n=62 901), and for both 2010 and 2011 (n=42 428).OutcomesWeight loss (yes/no) was calculated based on the weight difference between the first value registered in 2010 and the last value registered in 2011. Multivariate logistic regression models were adjusted for individuals’ age, sex, total number of chronic comorbidities, type of obesity and length of time between both weight measurements.ResultsAccording to the recorded clinical information, 9 of 10 obese patients showed at least one chronic comorbidity. After adjusting for covariates, weight loss seemed to be more likely among obese patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and/or dementia and less likely among those with hypertension, anxiety and/or substance use problems (p<0.05). The probability of weight loss was also significantly higher in male patients with more severe obesity and older age.ConclusionsAn increased probability of weight loss over 1 year was observed in older obese male patients, especially among those already manifesting high levels of obesity and severe comorbidities such as diabetes and/or dementia. Yet patients with certain psychological problems showed lower rates of weight reduction. Future research should clarify if these differences persist beyond potential selective weight documentation in primary care, to better understand the trends in weight reduction among obese patients and the underlying role of general practitioners regarding such trends.
Improved Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rate through accurately assessed surgical wounds
Authors: John Honeymol , Nimeri Abdelrahman , ELLAHHAM SAMER 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSheikh Khalifa Medical City’s (SKMC) Surgery Institute was identified as a high outlier in Surgical Site Infections (SSI) based on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) - Semi-Annual Report (SAR) in January 2012. The aim of this project was to improve SSI rates through accurate wound classification.We identified SSI rate reduction as a performance improvement and safety priority at SKMC, a tertiary referral center. We used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) best practice guidelines as a guide. ACS NSQIP is a clinical registry that provides risk-adjusted clinical outcome reports every six months. The rates of SSI are reported in an observed/expected ratio. The expected ratio is calculated based on the risk factors of the patients which include wound classification.We established a multidisciplinary SSI taskforce. The members of the SSI taskforce included the ACS NSQIP team members, quality, surgeons, nurses, infection control, IT, pharmacy, microbiology, and it was chaired by a colorectal surgeon. The taskforce focused on five areas: pre-op showering and hair removal, skin antisepsis, prophylactic antibiotics, peri-operative maintenance of glycaemia, and normothermia. We planned audits to evaluate our wound classification and our SSI rates based on the SAR.Our expected SSI rates in general surgery and the whole department were 2.52% and 1.70% respectively, while our observed SSI rates were 4.68% and 3.57% respectively, giving us a high outlier status with an odd’s ratio of 1.72 and 2.03. Wound classifications were identified as an area of concern. For example, wound classifications were preoperatively selected based on the default wound classification of the booked procedure in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) which led to under classifying wounds in many occasions.A total of 998 cases were reviewed, our rate of incorrect wound classification assignment was 36%, and the worst rates were in appendectomies (97%). Over time our incorrect wound classification decreased down to 22%, while at the same time our actual SSI wound occurrences per month and our odds ratio of SSI in the department have decreased an average of six to three per month.We followed the best practice guidelines of the ACS NSQIP. Accurate assessment of wound classification is necessary to make sure the expected SSI rates are not falsely high if wounds are under-classified. The present study shows that accurate wound classification in contaminated and dirty wounds can lead to lower odds ratio of SSI.
Towards a new treatment paradigm for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery? A rapid systematic review
Authors: Szmuda Tomasz , Sloniewski Pawel , Waszak Przemyslaw M , Springer Janusz , Szmuda Marta 
Published: March 2015

Background and purposeOwing to their peculiar features and rare occurrence, ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery are challenging by both surgical and endovascular approaches and their proper management is uncertain. We therefore aimed to define the currently optimal treatment of ruptured BBAs in terms of mortality, outcome, rebleeding, and recurrence.MethodAn in-depth search of electronic databases, gray literature and internet resources for ruptured BBAs was performed and complemented by data retrieval during neurosurgical congresses. Clinical and radiological characteristics, intervention details, outcomes, and the impact factor of the source journal were pooled.ResultsThe pooled cohort comprised 311 patients. Neither surgical nor endovascular methods had an impact on clinical outcome, aneurysm regrowth, remote bleeding, or complication rate. By contrast, aneurysm clipping was a predictor of intraoperative bleeding (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 34.3), and stent-assisted coiling increased the likelihood of a second treatment (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.3 to 13.1), its conversion to another modality (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 16.0), and incomplete aneurysm obliteration (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.0 to 6.6). Higher impact journals were more likely to publish papers on endovascular techniques, particularly flow-diverter stents.ConclusionsNone of the methods is unequivocally superior. Considering its inefficiency, stent-assisted coiling should be undertaken with caution. A time-delimited systematic review is needed to establish the most accurate treatment for ruptured BBAs.
High-Resolution Mapping of Scar-Related Atrial Arrhythmias Using Smaller Electrodes With Closer Interelectrode Spacing
Authors: Anter Elad , Tschabrunn Cory M. , Josephson Mark E. 
Published: March 2015

Background—
The resolution of mapping is influenced by electrode size and interelectrode spacing. Smaller electrodes with closer interelectrode spacing may improve mapping resolution, particularly in scar. The aims of this study were to establish normal electrogram criteria in the atria for both 3.5-mm electrode tip linear catheters (Thermocool) and 1-mm multielectrode-mapping catheters (Pentaray) and to compare their mapping resolution in scar-related atrial arrhythmias.

Methods and Results—

Normal voltage amplitude cutoffs for both catheters were validated in 10 patients with structurally normal atria. In 20 additional patients with scar-related atrial arrhythmias, similar sequential mapping with both catheters was performed. Normal bipolar voltage amplitude was similar between 3.5- and 1-mm electrode catheters with a fifth percentile of 0.48 and 0.52 mV, respectively (
P
=0.65). In patients with scar-related atrial arrhythmias, the total area of bipolar voltage <0.5 mV measured using 1-mm electrode catheters was smaller than that measured using 3.5-mm catheter (14.7 versus 20.4 cm2;
P
=0.02). The mean bipolar voltage amplitude in this area of low voltage was significantly higher with 1-mm electrode catheters (0.28 and 0.17 mV;
P
=0.01). Importantly, 54.4% of all low voltage data points recorded with 1-mm electrode catheter had distinct electrograms that allowed annotation of local activation time compared with only 21.4% with 3.5-mm electrode tip catheters (
P
=0.01). Overdrive pacing with capture of the tachycardia from within the area of low voltage was more frequent with 1-mm electrode catheters (66.7 versus 33.4;
P
=0.01).

Conclusions—
Mapping with small closely spaced electrode catheters can improve mapping resolution within areas of low voltage.
Purpose in Life and Cerebral Infarcts in Community-Dwelling Older People
Authors: Yu Lei , Boyle Patricia A. , Wilson Robert S. , Levine Steven R. , Schneider Julie A. , Bennett David A. 
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose—
Purpose in life, the sense that life has meaning and direction, is associated with reduced risks of adverse health outcomes. However, it remains unknown whether purpose in life protects against the risk of cerebral infarcts among community-dwelling older people. We tested the hypothesis that greater purpose in life is associated with lower risk of cerebral infarcts.

Methods—
Participants came from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Each participant completed a standard measure of purpose in life. Uniform neuropathologic examination identified macroscopic infarcts and microinfarcts, blinded to clinical information. Association of purpose in life with cerebral infarcts was examined in ordinal logistic regression models using a semiquantitative outcome.

Results—

Four hundred fifty-three participants were included in the analyses. The mean score on the measure of purpose was 3.5 (SD, 0.5; range, 2.1–5.0). Macroscopic infarcts were found in 154 (34.0%) people, and microinfarcts were found in 128 (28.3%) people. Greater purpose in life was associated with a lower odds of having more macroscopic infarcts (odds ratio, 0.535; 95% confidence interval, 0.346–0.826;
P
=0.005), but we did not find association with microinfarcts (odds ratio, 0.780; 95% confidence interval, 0.495–1.229;
P
=0.283). These results persisted after adjusting for vascular risk factors of body mass index, history of smoking, diabetes mellitus, and blood pressure, as well as measures of negative affect, physical activity, and clinical stroke. The association with macroscopic infarcts was driven by lacunar infarcts, and was independent of cerebral atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis.

Conclusions—
Purpose in life may affect risk for cerebral infarcts, specifically macroscopic lacunar infarcts.
Natural and Forced North Atlantic Hurricane Potential Intensity Change in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Ting Mingfang , Camargo Suzana J. , Li Cuihua , Kushnir Yochanan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPossible future changes of North Atlantic hurricane intensity and the attribution of past hurricane intensity changes in the historical period are investigated using phase 5 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), multimodel, multiensemble simulations. For this purpose, the potential intensity (PI), the theoretical upper limit of the tropical cyclone intensity given the large-scale environment, is used.The CMIP5 models indicate that the PI change as a function of sea surface temperature (SST) variations associated with the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) is more effective than that associated with climate change. Thus, relatively small changes in SST due to natural multidecadal variability can lead to large changes in PI, and the model-simulated multidecadal PI change during the historical period has been largely dominated by AMV. That said, the multimodel mean PI for the Atlantic main development region shows a significant increase toward the end of the twenty-first century under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios. This is because of enhanced surface warming, which would place the North Atlantic PI largely above the historical mean by the mid-twenty-first century, based on CMIP5 model projection.The authors further attribute the historical PI changes to aerosols and greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing using CMIP5 historical single-forcing simulations. The model simulations indicate that aerosol forcing has been more effective in causing PI changes than the corresponding GHG forcing; the decrease in PI due to aerosols and increase due to GHG largely cancel each other. Thus, PI increases in the recent 30 years appears to be dominated by multidecadal natural variability associated with the positive phase of the AMV.
Mutations in LOXHD1 Gene Cause Various Types and Severities of Hearing Loss
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Moteki Hideaki , Kobayashi Yumiko , Azaiez Hela , Booth Kevin T. , Nishio Shin-ya , Sato Hiroaki , Smith Richard J. H. , Usami Shin-ichi 
Published: March 2015

Objective: We present 2 families that were identified with novel mutations in LOXHD1 as a cause of nonprogressive hearing loss. Methods: One thousand three hundred fourteen (1314) Japanese subjects with sensorineural hearing loss from unrelated families were enrolled in the study. Targeted genomic enrichment and massively parallel sequencing of all known nonsyndromic hearing loss genes were performed to identify the genetic cause of hearing loss. Results: Two patients in 1 family affected with homozygous mutation c.879+1G>A in LOXHD1 showed profound congenital hearing loss, whereas 2 patients in another family with compound heterozygous mutations, c.5869G>T (p.E1957X) and c.4480C>T (p.R1494X), showed moderate to severe hearing loss. Conclusion: Mutations in LOXHD1 are extremely rare, and these cases are the first identified in a Japanese population. The genotype-phenotype correlation in LOXHD1 is still unclear. The differences in phenotypes in each patient might be the result of the nature of the mutations or the location on the gene, or be influenced by a genetic modifier.
Second grammatical gender system and grammatical gender-linked connotations in adult emergent bilinguals with French as a second language
Authors: Lambelet Amelia 
Published: March 2015

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research questions: This paper explores the connotations that emergent bilinguals attach to grammatical gender and discusses the difficulties adults experience when learning a second grammatical gender system. The results from a study of emergent bilinguals with French as a second language suggest that these difficulties can be partly explained by gender connotations associated with the grammatical gender of the lexical item in the bilingual’s first language. The paper also discusses the dynamic side of these gender-linked connotations, by asking if they are modified when learning the grammatical gender of the lexical items in a second language. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the study, we surveyed 282 adult French L2 learners who were studying at two university language centres. Participants performed a voice attribution task, followed by a French grammatical gender production task. Data and Analysis: We analysed answers to the voice attribution task using a generalized linear mixed model. Findings/Conclusions: The results of this study reveal a strong influence of the objects’ L1 grammatical gender, while no effects of L2 French grammatical gender on voice attribution were found. However, an effect of the grammatical gender participants assigned to objects in the French grammatical gender production task was observed. It appears that L2 grammatical gender has an influence on the voice attribution task, but that the effects are related to the participant’s own L2 French gender assignment, rather than to the correct French grammatical gender of the object. Originality: This research investigates the difficulties experienced by adults learning a second grammatical gender system by tasks used in studies on grammatical gender and (bilingual) cognition. Significance/Implications: The results of this paper enable a discussion of the effects of grammatical gender on (bilingual) cognition, by its focus on L2 grammatical gender learning.
Belgian Experience with FilterWire EX in the Prevention of Embolic Events during Carotid Stenting
Authors: Bosiers Marc , Peeters Patrick , Verbist Jurgen , Schroë Herman , Deloose Koen , Lauwers Geert , Stockx Luc 
Published: March 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of the FilterWire EX for the capture and removal of debris and prevention of embolic events during endovascular carotid interventions. Methods: In the period from October 2001 to May 2002, 100 patients (60 men; mean age 72 years, range 48–90), 69 symptomatic with >50% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and 31 asymptomatic with >70% stenosis were scheduled for carotid stenting with cerebral protection provided by the FilterWire EX system. Satisfactory performance of the filter was defined as effectiveness in preventing intraprocedural embolic events shown by visible debris in the filter and unchanged neurological status assessed by an independent neurologist. Results: The placement and retrieval of the FilterWire EX was technically successful in 93 of 100 patients. Five delivery failures were due to severe ICA angulation; one stenosis was underestimated on preprocedural imaging, and one case was aborted following a major stroke during sheath manipulation before filter introduction. In 56.9% of the protected cases, the filter contained debris. One neurological event occurred 6 hours after the procedure: a transient ischemic attack from which the patient recovered fully after 2 hours. No other procedure-related events were recorded within 30 days of the procedure. The procedural success among the 93 patients stented under FilterWire EX protection was 98% (92% by intention to treat). Conclusions: The FilterWire EX appears to be an effective tool in the prevention of embolic events and in preserving neurological status during endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis.