bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CAPACITY OF THE INTERSTAND COOLING UNIT IN HOT ROLLING PROCESS
Authors: Brovkin Vladimir L. , Kachal Vladislav A. , Doroshenko Tatiana V. , Lazic Ladislav , Varga Augustin , Kizek Jan , Brovkina Svetlana V. 
Published: April 2015

The aim of the paper was to improve the economy of rolling mill production and to extend the control range of cooling capacity of the accelerated cooling unit by choosing the optimal dimensions of the cooling chamber. The object of research was the interstand cooling unite for accelerated cooling of the hot-rolled products of round section in the line of continuous rolling mill in order to reduce the machine time rolling or even eliminate completely the requirement for heat treatment of the hot-rolled products in heat-treatment furnaces. The influence of the design parameters of the cooling chamber on the expanding the control range, retaining a high cooling capacity of the chamber, was investigated by the numerical model based on the finite difference method. The diagrams presented in the paper allow determining the diameters of the cooling chamber, which provide a wide control range of the chamber cooling capacity and minimization of energy consumption of the electric water pump.
TECHNICAL OPTIMIZATION OF SHAFT FURNACES FOR THE SINTERED MAGNESIA PRODUCTION
Authors: Kostial Imrich , Nascak Dusan 
Published: April 2015

The contemporary shaft furnaces for the production of sintered magnesia have a very good performance. However, there are still significant possibilities of their improvement. Thermodynamic, hydrodynamic and rheological processes don’t run optimally. The purpose of the research was to determine the reasons and realization of optimization measures. One of the significant requirements was to process materials with lower granularity (20 - 40 mm). The improvement was focused on the charging system modification, burner system modification, coke utilization in the central part of the furnace, sinter heat utilization, increasing the insulation. Their verification was reached at the operational conditions. The result was conceptually new pilot shaft furnace, determined for the further research. The basic features of the new shaft furnace are distributed burners improving combustion of the secondary air flowing through the central part of the furnace. By this approach significant improvement of the temperature homogeneity through the furnace cross section is achieved.
RECYCLING OF CARBON CONTAINING ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITES VIA THEIR REMELTING
Authors: Skrobian Milan , Krahulec Jan , Krivan Peter 
Published: April 2015

Nowadays aluminum alloys are strong enough to have good mechanical properties. What is their weak point is stiffness (Young modulus) that cannot be significantly improved be standard alloying elements. Carbon or carbon containing substances like silicon carbide with high values of Young modulus are often used in aluminum matrix composites with intention to increase stiffness of the resulting material. However, carbon bearing aluminum matrix composites are not easily recycled via melting because of reactivity of molten aluminum with carbon or carbides. Direct remelting of Al-SiC composite resulted in silicon containing melt and aluminum carbide while oxide envelop of input material keeps original shape to as high temperature as 850 °C. Addition of fluxes helps to break oxide layers but it does not prevent aluminum from reaction with carbon to form aluminum carbides.
Evaluation of the transitional care model in chronic heart failure
Authors: Williams Grace , Akroyd Karen , Burke Linda 
Published: April 2015

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) prevalence is on the increase in the UK, with readmissions to hospital and length of stay remaining a significant problem both for patients and the NHS. The role of the clinical nurse specialist in the management of CHF patients has yielded positive results in a number of previous studies. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a transitional care service on readmissions and length of stay in hospital for patients with CHF. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used over a period of 18 weeks. The historical group (n=50) and the transitional care group (n=47) were compared. Method: The study was carried out in an acute hospital trust. A patient questionnaire was used as a post-intervention measure. Results: The number of readmissions was higher in the control group (14%; n=7) compared with the transitional care group (8.5%; n=4; P=0.526). Difference in length of stay for both groups almost achieved statistical significance (P=0.06). Patients gave positive feedback about the service. Conclusions: The results indicate that the introduction of the transitional care service did not reduce the number of readmissions. The length of stay, if anything, appeared to increase in the historical group when compared with the transitional group. Although it was clear that the two groups were different in important ways, causal effect cannot be attributed to the transitional care group as a result of these other differences. Results from the patient satisfaction questionnaires used in the transitional group did illustrate satisfaction with the discharge process and care received.
Impact of Drug Shortages on Health System Pharmacies in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Caulder Celeste R. , Mehta Brenna , Bookstaver P. Brandon , Sims Lavetra D. , Stevenson Bill ,   The South Carolina Society Of Health-System Pharmacists
Published: April 2015

Background Drug shortages have become all too common and affect all aspects of the health care delivery system. The increased number of drug shortages has had a negative impact on patient care as well as costly financial implications. Objectives This article identifies the current problems and negative outcomes drug shortages have caused and provides a framework for how to best prepare for and combat future shortages. It highlights specific problems faced by health care system pharmacies in the Southeastern United States and the managerial responses to address these shortage situations. Methods A 34-question, multiple-choice survey was distributed to pharmacy directors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Results Of 549 surveys distributed, 219 (40%) responses were received. Respondents reported that drug shortages cause 1% to 5% error rates in hospitals and that 60% of the time drug shortages create unsafe conditions for patients and staff. Many of the respondents reported a 300% to 500% markup on medications on the shortage list. Seventy-six percent of institutions have autosubstitutions for drug shortages that have been preapproved by Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Conclusions The causes of drug shortages are multifaceted, and the safety and financial implications can be costly. In the short term, health care institutions can utilize pharmacists to assist in circumventing the drug shortage problem. The combined efforts of all health care professionals, the US government, manufacturers, and the lay public are necessary to bring awareness and plausible solutions to the drug shortage problems in the long term.
Nursing, Pharmacy, and Prescriber Knowledge and Perceptions of High-Alert Medications in a Large, Academic Medical Hospital
Authors: Engels Melanie J. , Ciarkowski Scott L. 
Published: April 2015

Background High-alert medications pose a greater risk of causing significant harm to patients if used in error. The Joint Commission requires that hospitals define institution-specific high-alert medications and implement processes to ensure safe medication use. Method Nursing, pharmacy, and prescribers were asked to voluntarily complete a 34-question survey to assess their knowledge, experience, and perceptions regarding high-alert medications in an academic hospital. Results The majority of respondents identified the organization's high-alert medications, the consequences of an error involving a high-alert medication, and the reversal agent. Most of the risk-reduction strategies within the institution were viewed as being effective by respondents. Forty-five percent of the respondents utilized a high-alert medication in the previous 24 hours. Only 14.2% had experienced an error with a high-alert medication in the previous 12 months, with 46% being near misses. The survey found the 5 rights for medication administration were not being utilized consistently. Respondents indicated that work experience or hospital orientation is the preferred learning experience for high-alert medications. Conclusions This study assessed all disciplines involved in the medication use process. Perceptions about high-alert medications differ between disciplines. Ongoing discipline-specific education is required to ensure that individuals accept accountability in the medication use process and to close knowledge gaps on high-alert medications and risk-reduction strategies.
Аrterial stiffness and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy relationship in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Laptev Dmitriy Nikitich 
Published: April 2015

Aim. To evolve the association between cardiac autonomic function and arterial stiffness in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Materials and methods. 72 T1DM patients aged 7?18 years without history of macrovascular complications or renal disease, including microalbuminuria, were involved in the study. Cardiac function was assessed by the cardiovascular tests and 24-hour ECG monitoring with automatic calculation of QT interval and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Artery stiffness was assessed by measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) obtained from arterial blood pressure monitoring for 24 hours. Results. Estimated prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was 31,9%. CAN+ patients had significantly higher PWV and AI than those without CAN. A negative correlation between PWV and AI with some cardiovascular tests and HRV parameters was observed. In multivariable analysis, AI was independent predictor of autonomic dysfunction defined as number of positive cardiovascular tests, HRV parameters below normal values and prolongation of QT interval (?. =0,18; p=0,035). Conclusion. Cardiac autonomic function is an independent predictor of arterial stiffness, in children and adolescents with T1D without macrovascular and renal complications. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness in children and adolescents with T1DM may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood in patients with CAN.
Reading attitude scale: The reliability and validity study<p>Okuma tutum ölçeği: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması
Authors: Çakıroğlu Orhan , Palancı Mehmet 
Published: April 2015

<p align="left">The purpose of this study was to examine the adaptation, reliability and validity of a “reading attitude scale” that was developed by McKenna and Kear (1990) to determine the reading attitudes of students. The study was conducted with 318 students attending to 5<sup>th</sup>,6<sup>th</sup>,7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup> grades in Trabzon. The scale includes 20 items and two factors called as leisure time reading and academic reading. The analyses were conducted in SPSS 20.0 and AMOS v.22. The final Turkish version of the scale included 20 items and two factors as it was in the original scale. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was 0.84 and 0.78 according to test-retest analysis. This is the first study that examines the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the scale by using advanced statistics to determine the psychometric characteristics of the measure. Based on the study findings, the Reading Attitude Survey is a practical, feasible, and an understandable measurement tool.</p><p align="left"><strong>Özet</strong></p><p align="left">Bu çalışmanın amacı, öğrencilerin okumaya yönelik tutumlarını belirlemek amacıyla Mckenna ve Kear (1990) tarafından geliştirilmiş olan “Okumaya Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği”nin (OTÖ) uyarlama, geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmasını yapmaktır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Trabzon ilinde eğitim görmekte olan ve 5.6.,7., ve 8. sınıfa devam eden toplam 318 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Veriler SPSS 20.0 ve AMOS versiyon 22 paket programlarıyla yapılmıştır. Ölçek orijinaline uygun madde sayısında ve faktör yapısında oluşmuştur. DFA uyum indeksi ve madde faktör dağılımları istatistiksel olarak beklentilere uygun açığa çıkmıştır. Ölçeğin güvenirlik katsayısı iç tutarlılık yöntemi ile 0.84 test-tekrar test yöntemiyle 0.78 olarak hesaplanmıştır. İlk kez bu kapsamda ileri veri analizleri ile incelemesi gerçekleştirilen aracın psikometrik özelliklerinin kullanılmaya elverişli geçerli ve güvenilir olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Okuma Tutum Ölçeği’nin pratik, kullanım ve anlaşılması kolay kullanışlı bir ölçme aracı olduğu değerlendirilmektedir.</p>
Testing of a machine for walnut cracking
Authors: BERNIK Rajko 
Published: April 2015

Fruit of walnut (Juglans regia L.) belongs to stone fruits. This means that the lignified, stony endocarp, a shell, contains delicious kernel. On the tree a nut is surrounded by the green husk.In Slovenia and in the other parts of the world heavy tools (such as stone, hammer and hand-crusher for nuts) are used to remove nutshell. In the intensive walnut production heavy tools are not competitive with today world economy. This is because the priority in walnuts and nuts kernel production is to reduce costs. Walnut shell cracking devices are invented to reduce walnut handling costs and consumer price. Characteristics of this device and walnut kernel quality are presented in this research.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and Acrolein
Authors: Ugarriza Iratxe , Uria Uxue , Reyes Efraím , Carrillo Luisa , Vicario Jose L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction between acrolein and in situ generated acyclic azomethine ylides promoted by a chiral secondary amine to generate C-3 unsubstituted pyrrolidines has been studied in detail. Optimum conditions involve the use of the cheap and readily available l-Proline as catalyst to afford the pyrrolidine cycloadduct with complete diastereomeric control and up to 80% enantiomeric control.
Prospective analysis of adrenal function in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD: the Reduction in the Use of Corticosteroids in Exacerbated COPD (REDUCE) trial
Authors: Schuetz Philipp , Leuppi Jörg D , Bingisser Roland , Bodmer Michael , Briel Matthias , Drescher Tilman , Duerring Ursula , Henzen Christoph , Leibbrandt Yolanda , Maier Sabrina , Miedinger David , Mueller Beat , Scherr Andreas , Schindler Christian , Stoeckli Rolf , Viatte Sebastien , von Garnier Christophe , Tamm Michael , Rutishauser Jonas 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveTo analyze prospectively the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and clinical outcome in patients treated with prednisone for exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).DesignProspective observational study.Subjects and methodsPatients presenting to the emergency department were randomized to receive 40 mg prednisone daily for 5 or 14 days in a placebo-controlled manner. The HPA axis was longitudinally assessed with the 1 μg corticotropin test and a clinical hypocortisolism score at baseline, on day 6 before blinded treatment, at hospital discharge, and for up to 180 days of follow-up. Prednisone was stopped abruptly, irrespective of the test results. Patients discharged with pathological test results received instructions about emergency hydrocortisone treatment.ResultsA total of 311 patients were included in the analysis. Mean basal and stimulated serum total cortisol levels were highest on admission (496±398 and 816±413 nmol/l respectively) and lowest on day 6 (235±174 and 453±178 nmol/l respectively). Pathological stimulation tests were found in 63, 38, 9, 3, and 2% of patients on day 6, at discharge, and on days 30, 90, and 180 respectively, without significant difference between treatment groups. Clinical indicators of hypocortisolism did not correlate with stimulation test results, but cortisol levels were inversely associated with re-exacerbation risk. There were no hospitalizations or deaths as a result of adrenal crisis.ConclusionDynamic changes in the HPA axis occur during and after the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD. In hypocortisolemic patients who were provided with instructions about stress prophylaxis, the abrupt termination of prednisone appeared safe.
Predators drive community structure in coral reef fish assemblages
Authors: Boaden A. E. , Kingsford M. .J 
Published: April 2015

The importance of top‐down effects in structuring ecological communities has been widely debated by ecologists. One way in which to examine these processes is to study the secondary effects of predator removal on communities. This study examined the role of predatory fishes in structuring communities of coral reef fishes, by using a network of marine reserves (the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park) as a natural experiment. We hypothesized that reefs with high densities of piscivores (marine reserves) would have distinct fish communities from those where piscivores have been depleted through fishing, due to variation in predation pressure. We predicted that predator depletion would result in “prey release”, and a corresponding increase in prey densities along a gradient of fishing intensity, causing a change in the community composition of reef fishes. To address this, fish counts and habitat surveys were conducted at four locations on the Great Barrier Reef. At each location, comparisons were made amongst three marine park zones that varied in their exposure to fishing practices; no‐ take marine reserves, limited fishing areas, and open fishing areas.The density and biomass of predators varied consistently among zones at each location. Furthermore, we found strong evidence for prey release at all four locations, resulting in distinct fish assemblages amongst zones. Reefs open to fishing had much lower densities of piscivores, and higher densities of prey and herbivorous fishes compared to marine reserves. This broad pattern was consistent amongst locations, and persisted at the level of species, trophic groups, families and communities. Habitat characteristics did not vary significantly amongst zones in a consistent manner amongst locations. Although habitat relationships were strong for specialist species such as butterflyfishes, densities of predators were stronger predictors of prey density for most species, and the trophic composition of reef fish communities differed significantly amongst zones at all locations. Results from this study support the concept that top‐down effects can be strong divers of prey populations and influence community structure in highly diverse systems. These data emphasize the vital role of predators, and reinforce the importance of preserving and restoring top‐down trophic interactions in ecological systems.
Ciprofloxacin-Induced Extensor Tendon Rupture in the Hand
Authors: DeWolf Matthew C. , Warhold Lance G. 
Published: April 2015

Case:
An eighty-one-year-old man had begun taking ciprofloxacin one week prior to the sudden inability to extend the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger of the dominant right hand. He presented to us three months after he initially noticed this finding.

Conclusion:
Ciprofloxacin-induced tendon rupture appears to be possible in the extensor digitorum communis tendons of the hand. Our patient was managed operatively and had a good functional outcome.
Trephine Use During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Resulting in Diaphyseal Osteonecrosis and Stress Fracture
Authors: Conrad David N. , Dennis Douglas A. 
Published: April 2015

Case:
A fifty-three-year-old woman presented with a fracture of an extensively porous-coated femoral component. Revision was performed with use of trephine reamers to remove the distal portion of the stem. Despite radiographs that showed an acceptable position of the revision stem, she experienced substantial thigh pain at four months postoperatively, which persisted at twelve months. A technetium-99m bone scan demonstrated a 5-cm photopenic region, suggestive of thermal osteonecrosis. Two months later, there was evidence of callus formation, which is consistent with a stress fracture. The fracture was treated with protected weight-bearing; it healed with nonoperative management and resolution of the pain.

Conclusion:
A diaphyseal stress fracture secondary to thermal osteonecrosis associated with trephine use developed after removal of a broken femoral component; it healed without surgical intervention.
Optimization Design and Experimental Study of Two‐Phase Integrated Sludge Thickening and Digestion Reactor
Authors: Hu Xuebin , Luo Kun , Wang Jianai , Wu Zhengsong , Liang Yanjie , Ling Jianjun 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT: In this study, FLUENT software was used to simulate the flow regime of an integrated sludge thickening and digestion reactor. To optimize the flow regime, the combinational effect of key parameters of the reactor structure was investigated with an L16 (45) orthogonal test. The reactor was then redesigned based on the optimization results, and a series of experiments was conducted to study the treatment effect with sludge dosage rates of 12, 18, 24, and 30%. The operation results showed that the reactor obtained the best treatment efficiency when the sludge dosage rate was 24%. At this dosage, the water content of the sludge decreased from 99.1% to 91.8%, with organic matter content (volatile solids [VS]/total solids) decreasing to 21.2% and average gas production (CH4 62.66%, CO2 11.56%, N2 23.91%, O2 1.59%) reaching 231.3 L/kg VS. Therefore, the results implied that the optimized reactor has good effects on sludge thickening and digestion.
Estimation of Contaminant Loads from the Sacramento‐San Joaquin River Delta to San Francisco Bay
Authors: David N. , Gluchowski D. C. , Leatherbarrow J. E. , Yee D. , McKee L. J. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT: Contaminant concentrations from the Sacramento‐San Joaquin River watershed were determined in water samples mainly during flood flows in an ongoing effort to describe contaminant loads entering San Francisco Bay, CA, USA. Calculated PCB and total mercury loads during the 6‐year observation period ranged between 3.9 and 19 kg/yr and 61 and 410 kg/yr, respectively. Long‐term average PCB loads were estimated at 7.7 kg/yr and total mercury loads were estimated at 200 kg/yr. Also monitored were PAHs, PBDEs (two years of data), and dioxins/furans (one year of data) with average loads of 392, 11, and 0.15/0.014 (OCDD/OCDF) kg/yr, respectively. Organochlorine pesticide loads were estimated at 9.9 kg/yr (DDT), 1.6 kg/yr (chlordane), and 2.2 kg/yr (dieldrin). Selenium loads were estimated at 16 300 kg/yr. With the exception of selenium, all average contaminant loads described in the present study were close to or below regulatory load allocations established for North San Francisco Bay.