bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement in the Mechanical Properties of High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy (Ti50Ni25Pd25) by Copper Addition
Authors: Rehman Saif ur , Khan Mushtaq , Khan A. Nusair , Jaffery Syed Husain Imran , Ali Liaqat , Mubashar Aamir 
Published: March 2015

High temperature shape memory alloys Ti50Ni25Pd25and Ti50Ni20Pd25Cu5were developed, characterized, and tensile tested in both martensite ( Mf− 50°C) and austenite ( Af+ 50°C) phases. The transformation temperatures of ternary Ti50Ni25Pd25alloy were increased by 11 to 12.5°C by substitution of Ni with 5 at% Cu. At the same time, transformation heat absorbed and released during forward and reverse martensitic transformation was also increased. In the martensite phase, the mechanical properties, that is, the stress for reorientation of martensite variants and fracture stress, were increased by 33 and 60 MPa, respectively, whereas the fracture strain was decreased by 1.5%. In the austenite phase, the critical stress for slip and fracture stress were increased by 62 and 40.9 MPa, respectively, whereas the fracture strain was decreased by 1.2%. The increase in both stresses was attributed to the solid solution strengthening by substitution of Ni atoms with relatively greater atomic radius of copper (Cu) atoms. The overall results suggest that the addition of 5 at% Cu in place of Ni in Ti50Ni25Pd25alloy is very beneficial to improving the mechanical and shape memory properties and increasing the transformation temperatures.
Loucura e método: O Sistema do Doutor Pixe e do Professor Penna
Authors: Santos Luciane Alves , Gabriel Maria Alice Ribeiro 
Published: March 2015

O presente estudo pretende discutir o tema da loucura, comparando a perspectiva do narrador em “O Sistema do Doutor Pixe e do Professor Penna” (1845) e outros contos de Edgar Allan Poe. A análise ilustra que a ciência, no século XIX, pretende remover o medo do desconhecido, dominando o mundo natural e suas leis; e que a ficção, o presumido oposto, representa uma extensão da mesma lógica, sob outro nome. Alguns escritores negaram qualquer obrigação de lealdade ao racionalismo científico, e tentaram decifrar esse problema através do sonho e do sobrenatural. Obras fantásticas da literatura gótica – algumas novelas de Hoffmann e contos de Poe – iluminam esses pontos. Poe reinterpretou o Gótico na Era vitoriana, com um narrador não nomeado e não-confiável, que insiste em sua racionalidade. O cômico e o horror grotesco resultam da psicologia dos seus personagens, frequentemente insanos.
L'imagination de l'auteur
Authors: Costa Cristina Henrique da 
Published: March 2015

Dans un premier temps, cet article confronte deux positions sur la question théorique de la mort de l’auteur apparemment contraires et séparées dans le temps: Barthes lui-même et Antoine Compagnon. Si l’attitude critique du second vis à vis du premier est lue ici comme le symptôme d’un refus de réfléchir à cette question et comme le projet de s’en tenir empiriquement au simple constat de fait de l’existence des auteurs, l’article formule alors l’hypothèse selon laquelle ni la mort de l’auteur, ni le retour de l’auteur ne peuvent être traités comme des faits, dans la mesure où ce sont des jugements esthétiques. Dans un second temps, lui-même organisé en deux sous-parties consacrées respectivement à la mort de l’auteur et à son éventuel retour, l’article s’emploie alors à déceler certaines des implications philosophiques de chacune de ces idées, autour d’un parcours qui va de Hegel à Kant, puis de ce dernier à Bachelard.
TRABALHAR A LINGUAGEM DA LOUCURA: A ESCRITA ACIDENTADA DE RODRIGO DE SOUZA LEÃO
Authors: Barbosa Aline Leal 
Published: March 2015

Há uma suspeita antiga de que a linguagem pressuporia um duplo, que seria de fato a traição do que ela diz. A voz do louco, do esquizofrênico, operaria justamente na revelação desta fratura, enunciando uma linguagem passível de materializar a sua própria fratura. Com uma fala marcada pelo embaralhamento dos registros, caducam-se as linhas demarcatórias das identificações, dos conceitos, da realidade e das alucinações, ampliando o regime de verdades. Em seu caráter dissociativo, essa voz é promotora do real, uma vocação semelhante àquela da arte. Neste artigo, pretendemos pensar essas questões em relação à obra ainda pouco estudada de Rodrigo de Souza Leão.
Exposure to high concentrations of inspired oxygen does not worsen lung injury after cardiac arrest
Authors: Elmer Jonathan , Wang Bo , Melhem Samer , Pullalarevu Raghevesh , Vaghasia Nishit , Buddineni Jaya , Rosario Bedda L , Doshi Ankur A , Callaway Clifton W , Dezfulian Cameron ,   on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh Post-Cardiac Arrest Service (PCAS)
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Post-cardiac arrest patients are often exposed to 100% oxygen during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the early post-arrest period. It is unclear whether this contributes to development of pulmonary dysfunction or other patient outcomes.

Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study including post-arrest patients who survived and were mechanically ventilated at least 24 hours after return of spontaneous circulation. Our primary exposure of interest was inspired oxygen, which we operationalized by calculating the area under the curve of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2AUC) for each patient over 24 hours. We collected baseline demographic, cardiovascular, pulmonary and cardiac arrest-specific covariates. Our main outcomes were change in the respiratory subscale of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA-R) and change in dynamic pulmonary compliance from baseline to 48 hours. Secondary outcomes were survival to hospital discharge and Cerebral Performance Category at discharge.

Results
We included 170 patients. The first partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2):FiO2 ratio was 241 ± 137, and 85% of patients had pulmonary failure and 55% had cardiovascular failure at presentation. Higher FiO2AUC was not associated with change in SOFA-R score or dynamic pulmonary compliance from baseline to 48 hours. However, higher FiO2AUC was associated with decreased survival to hospital discharge and worse neurological outcomes. This was driven by a 50% decrease in survival in the highest quartile of FiO2AUC compared to other quartiles (odds ratio for survival in the highest quartile compared to the lowest three quartiles 0.32 (95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.79), P = 0.003).

Conclusions
Higher exposure to inhaled oxygen in the first 24 hours after cardiac arrest was not associated with deterioration in gas exchange or pulmonary compliance after cardiac arrest, but was associated with decreased survival and worse neurological outcomes.
Effects of terlipressin as early treatment for protection of brain in a model of haemorrhagic shock
Authors: Ida Keila Kazue , Otsuki Denise Aya , Sasaki Adolfo Toshiro Cotarelli , Borges Emilyn Silva , Castro Letícia Urbano Cardoso , Sanches Talita Rojas , Shimizu Maria-Heloisa Massola , Andrade Lúcia Conceição , Auler José-Otávio Costa , Dyson Alex , Smith Kenneth John , Filho Joel Avancini Rocha , Malbouisson Luiz-Marcelo Sá 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
We investigated whether treatment with terlipressin during recovery from hypotension due to haemorrhagic shock (HS) is effective in restoring cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and brain tissue markers of water balance, oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Methods
In this randomised controlled study, animals undergoing HS (target mean arterial pressure (MAP) 40 mmHg for 30 minutes) were randomised to receive lactated Ringer’s solution (LR group; n =14; volume equal to three times the volume bled), terlipressin (TERLI group; n =14; 2-mg bolus), no treatment (HAEMO group; n =12) or sham (n =6). CPP, systemic haemodynamics (thermodilution technique) and blood gas analyses were registered at baseline, shock and 5, 30, 60 (T60), 90 and 120 minutes after treatment (T120). After the animals were killed, brain tissue samples were obtained to measure markers of water balance (aquaporin-4 (AQP4)), Na+-K+-2Cl− co-transporter (NKCC1)), oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)) and apoptotic damage (Bcl-x and Bax).

Results
Despite the HS-induced decrease in cardiac output (CO) and hyperlactataemia, resuscitation with terlipressin recovered MAP and resulted in restoration of CPP and in cerebral protection expressed by normalisation of AQP4, NKCC1, TBARS and MnSOD expression and Bcl-x/Bax ratio at T60 and T120 compared with sham animals. In the LR group, CO and blood lactate levels were recovered, but the CPP and MAP were significantly decreased and TBARS levels and AQP4, NKCC1 and MnSOD expression and Bcl-x/Bax ratio were significantly increased at T60 and T120 compared with the sham group.

Conclusions
During recovery from HS-induced hypotension, terlipressin was effective in normalising CPP and cerebral markers of water balance, oxidative damage and apoptosis. The role of this pressor agent on brain perfusion in HS requires further investigation.
A regional trauma system to optimize the pre-hospital triage of trauma patients
Authors: Bouzat Pierre , Ageron François-Xavier , Brun Julien , Levrat Albrice , Berthet Marion , Rancurel Elisabeth , Thouret Jean-Marc , Thony Frederic , Arvieux Catherine , Payen Jean-François ,   for TRENAU group
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Pre-hospital triage is a key element in a trauma system that aims to admit patients to the most suitable trauma center, and may decrease intra-hospital mortality. We evaluated the performance of a pre-hospital procedure in a regional trauma system through measurements of the quality of pre-hospital medical assessment and the efficacy of a triage protocol.

Methods
Our regional trauma system included 13 hospitals categorized as Level I, II or III trauma centers according to their technical facilities. Each patient was graded A, B or C by an emergency physician, according to the seriousness of their injuries at presentation on scene. The triage was performed according to this grading and the categorization of centers. This study is a registry analysis of a three-year period (2009 to 2011).

Results
Of the 3,428 studied patients, 2,572 were graded using the pre-hospital grading system (Graded group). The pre-hospital gradation was closely related with injury severity score (ISS) and intra-hospital mortality rate. The triage protocol had a sensitivity of 92% (95% confidence interval (CI) 90% to 93%) and a specificity of 41% (95% CI 39% to 44%) to predict adequate admission of patients with ISS more than 15. A total of 856 patients were not graded at the scene (Non-graded group). Undertriage rate was significantly reduced in the Graded group compared with the Non-graded group, with a relative risk of 0.47 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.56) according to the definition of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (P <0.001). Where adjusted for trauma severity, the expected mortality rate at discharge from hospital was higher than observed mortality, with a difference of +2.0% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6%; P <0.01).

Conclusions
Implementation of a regional trauma system with a pre-hospital triage procedure was effective in detecting severe trauma patients and in lowering the rate of pre-hospital undertriage. A beneficial effect on outcome of such an organization is suggested.
Presence of circulating Her2-reactive CD8 + T-cells is associated with lower frequencies of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, and better survival in older breast cancer patients
Authors: Bailur Jithendra Kini , Gueckel Brigitte , Derhovanessian Evelyna , Pawelec Graham 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Its incidence is increasing in many countries and a higher number of older women are now being diagnosed with the disease. Immune parameters are implicated in disease progression, and the frequencies of both myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), associated with tumour burden, have been suggested to be indicators of poor prognosis in cases of metastatic breast cancer.

Methods
Here, we have assessed the frequency of peripheral Tregs and MDSCs in relation to in vitro T cell responses to Her2 antigen in 40 untreated breast cancer patients 65 to 87 years of age at diagnosis.

Results
The five-year survival rate of patients who mounted a CD8+ T cell response to Her2 peptides and had a lower frequency of Lin−CD14+HLA-DR−MDSCs was 100% compared to only 38% in patients without Her2-reactive CD8+ T cells and with higher frequencies of MDSCs (P = 0.03). Patients who lacked a CD8 response to Her2 tended to have higher frequencies of MDSCs. Similarly, patients who lacked a CD8 response to Her2 and had higher frequencies of CD4+Foxp3+CD127lowCD25+ Tregs had only 50% survival compared to the 100% survival of patients who did mount a CD8 response and had lower frequencies of Tregs (P = 0.03). A similar trend was observed for activated (CD4+CD45RA−Foxp3hi) but not resting Tregs (CD4+CD45RA+FoxP3+). This survival advantage was observed in both metastatic and non-metastatic patients.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrate a negative role of both MDSCs and Tregs in the prognosis of breast cancer patients, the mechanism of which might be through dampening favourable CD8+ T cell immune responses to tumour-associated antigens.
In-vehicle channel sounding in the 5.8-GHz band
Authors: Kukolev Pavel , Chandra Aniruddha , Mikulášek Tomáš , Prokeš Aleš , Zemen Thomas , Mecklenbräuker Christoph F 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The article reports vehicular channel measurements in the frequency band of 5.8 GHz for IEEE 802.11p standard. Experiments for both intra-vehicle and out-of-vehicle environments were carried out. It was observed that the large-scale variations (LSVs) of the power delay profiles (PDPs) can be best described through a two-term exponential decay model, in contrast to the linear models which are suitable for popular ultra-wideband (UWB) systems operating in the 3- to 11-GHz band. The small-scale variations (SSVs) are separated from the PDP by subtracting the LSV and characterized utilizing logistic, generalized extreme value (GEV), and normal distributions. Two sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) tests validated that the logistic distribution is optimal for in-car, whereas the GEV distribution serves better for out-of-car measurements. For each measurement, the LSV trend was used to construct the respective channel impulse response (CIR), i.e., tap gains at different delays. Next, the CIR information is fed to an 802.11p simulation testbed to evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance, following a Rician model. The BER results strongly vouch for the suitability of the protocol for in-car as well as out-of-car wireless applications in stationary environments.
Optimal harvest-use-store policy for energy-harvesting wireless systems in frequency-selective fading channels
Authors: Yuan Fangchao , Jin Shi , Wong Kai-Kit , Zhu Hongbo 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Recent advances in energy-harvesting (EH) technology have enabled the realization of wireless systems composed of rechargeable devices. In this paper, we analyze the problem of maximizing the data transmission for the point-to-point (P2P) wireless communication systems which the transmitter is able to harvest energy from ambient environment. To be more general, we consider the EH optimal problem under the quasi-static frequency-selective fading channel. Our optimization work also includes energy storage loss constraint of the battery; therefore, we apply an efficient harvesting architecture, i.e., harvest-use-store (HUS), where the harvested energy is prioritized for use in data transmission. To balance the energy stored in or extracted from the battery for maximization throughput with the randomly arrival harvesting energy constraint, we first characterize the amazing properties of our optimal policy, implying a double-threshold structure of the solution, then investigate a dynamic programming (DP)-based double-layer optimal allocation policy. Further, we tend to analyze the online solution. First, the optimal policy is provided by using the continuous time stochastic dynamic programming. Then, building on the intuition from the optimal offline policy (i.e., double-threshold structure), a heuristic online policy is proposed, which is simple to be implemented. Numerical results are presented to validate the theoretical analysis and to demonstrate the superior performance over the existing counterparts in the previous literatures and show that the proposed online policies track well to the optimal solution.
Spatiality, seasonality and ecological risks of heavy metals in the vicinity of a degenerate municipal central dumpsite in Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Ajah Kanayochukwu C , Ademiluyi Joel , Nnaji Chidozie C 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Background
Improper waste disposal is responsible for the contamination of both surface and ground water resources. Heavy metals leached from improperly disposed solid waste constitute grave environmental and health hazards because of their toxic and persistent nature. There are thousands of open dumps in Nigeria one of which is the Enugu State Waste Management Authority dumpsite.

Method
Forty sampling nodes were systematically established around the Enugu State waste Management Authority central dumpsite located at Ugwuaji, Enugu State, Nigeria. Ten heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc) were sampled at different depths of each node in both rainy and dry seasons.

Result
Iron and lead were the predominant metals in the vicinity of the waste dump with average values of 132.10 mg/kg and 117.52 mg/kg respectively. The order of abundance of the ten heavy metals monitored is Pb > Fe > As > Zn > Cu > Co > Ni > Cd > Cr > Mn. Generally, there was significant correlation (0.25 to 0.74) among all the metals except between cobalt and manganese in the rainy season. In the dry season, all the metals were significantly correlated (0.29 to 0.813) except for copper and lead, copper and arsenic, zinc and arsenic, and cobalt and manganese. The concentrations of most of the heavy metals approached a constant level at a depth of 1 m. On the other hand, the concentrations of arsenic, cobalt and iron continued to decrease even at a depth of 2 m. The pollution loading index values for the soil are 1.706 for rainy season and 2.54 for dry season.

Conclusion
The high pollution loading index represents a significant level of deterioration. It can be concluded that the dumpsite constitute a serious environmental and health hazard.
Incorporating a smart classroom 2.0 Speech-Driven PowerPoint System (SDPPT) into university teaching
Authors: Chen Chia-Li Debra , Chang Yueh-Hsia , Chien Yu-Ta , Tijus Charles , Chang Chun-Yen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study is an ongoing research which aims to renovate the current science learning environment in Taiwan by establishing aSmart Classroom 2.0through various innovative smart classroom technologies. In this paper, one of theSmart Classroom 2.0systems, namely the Speech-Driven PowerPoint (SDPPT) system, will be introduced. The SDPPT system is a novel educational advance, which utilizes automatic voice recognition technology to assist PowerPoint Presentations in university teaching. Before the development of various Smart Classroom 2.0 systems, a baseline study was conducted in order to better understand the needs and learning preferences of university students. Having completed the baseline study, the SDPPT system has been deployed and pilot tested in a university classroom. A total of 46 undergraduate students participated in the pilot testing of the system. Students’ general perceptions towards learning in an Information and Communication Technologies-Supported Learning (ICT-SL) environment were analyzed using paired sample t-tests. The results indicated that students’ learning motivation and learning effectiveness have increased after experiencing the SDPPT system. In addition, students also revealed that they enjoyed the interactions provided by this new system and anticipated the development of the SDPPT would facilitate better learning in classroom environments.
Increased Hemoglobin A1c Threshold for Prediabetes Remarkably Improving the Agreement Between A1c and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Criteria in Obese Population
Authors: Li Jie , Ma Hao , Na Lixin , Jiang Shuo , Lv Lin , Li Gang , Zhang Wei , Na Guanqiong , Li Ying , Sun Changhao 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Context:
It is unclear why the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, especially prediabetes, between diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) criteria, is substantially discordant.

Objective:
We aimed to evaluate the effects of obesity on the agreement between HbA1c and OGTT for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes and identify the optimal HbA1c cutoff values in different body mass index (BMI) classifications.

Design Setting and Participants:
In a population-based, cross-sectional study in Harbin, China, 4325 individuals aged 20–74 years without a prior diagnosed diabetes were involved in this study.

Outcome:
measure The performance and optimal cutoff points of HbA1c were assessed by receiver-operating characteristic curve. The contribution of BMI to HbA1c was analyzed by structural equational model.

Results:
The agreement between HbA1c criteria and OGTT decreased with BMI gain (κ = 0.359, 0.312, and 0.275 in a normal weight, overweight, and obese population, respectively). The structural equational model results showed that BMI was significantly associated with HbA1c in normal glucose tolerance and prediabetes subjects but not in diabetes subjects. At a specificity of 80% for prediabetes and 97.5% for diabetes, the optimal HbA1c cutoff points for prediabetes and diabetes were 5.6% and 6.4% in normal-weight, 5.7% and 6.5% in overweight, and 6.0% and 6.5% in an obese population. When the new HbA1c cutoff values were used, the agreement in obese subjects increased almost to the level in normal-weight subjects.

Conclusions:
The poor agreement between HbA1c and OGTT criteria in an obese population can be significantly improved through increasing the HbA1c threshold for prediabetes.