bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance Characterization of a Radial Rotating Detonation Combustor With Axial Exhaust
Authors: Langner Dalton , Gupta Apurav , James Ashley , Agrawal Ajay K. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This experimental study characterizes the performance of a radial rotating detonation combustor (RDC). An aerospike nozzle for rocket propulsion has been integrated into the center of the combustor, although the same combustor could also be coupled with turbomachinery. The radial RDC (RRDC) utilized a rapid to gradual (RTG) area change in the flow direction to effectively confine the detonation region close to the inlet plane and to improve the uniformity of the flow exiting the RDC. Three test cases were analyzed, (a) a baseline case at a total reactant mass flowrate, m˙ = 0.136 kg/s and equivalence ratio, ϕ = 0.6, (b) a higher reactant flowrate, m˙ = 0.318 kg/s and ϕ = 0.6, and (c) a higher ϕ = 0.8 at m˙ = 0.318 kg/s. All tests were conducted using methane and a 67% oxygen and 33% nitrogen (by mole) oxidizer mixture. Measurements were acquired using CTAP probes inside the combustion channel and along the aerospike to characterize the performance, PCB and ion probes near the detonation region to identify wave modes and their variations during the test, and thrust measurements using a six-axis force sensor. Results show highly complex wave modes with multiple corotating and/or counter-rotating waves depending upon the reactant flowrate. The pressure and thrust measurements are consistent with the wave mode analysis. In general, a positive (combustor only) pressure gain was inferred when losses associated with the injection system were excluded. The study highlights the challenges associated with fuel–air mixing and integrating the RDC with downstream hardware.
Performance Evaluation of Different Rotating Detonation Combustor Designs Using Simulations and Experiments
Authors: Raj Piyush , Talukdar Shaon , Meadows Joseph , Agrawal Ajay 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) present a potential avenue for enhancing the efficiency of gas turbine combustors through the utilization of a detonation-driven process. However, integrating an RDE with a downstream turbine poses a significant challenge due to the shock-laden and highly unsteady nature of the RDE exit flow, coupled with a high degree of flow periodicity. In contrast, gas turbines are designed to operate with relatively small velocity and temperature fluctuations at the turbine inlet. The objective of this study is to develop an understanding of how geometric profiling can improve RDE performance and mitigate exhaust flow field unsteadiness. Three RDE designs are analyzed: an annular combustor with a constant cross-sectional area, an annular combustor with a converging nozzle near the exit, and an annular combustor with a rapid to gradual (RTG) area convergence. Three-dimensional (3D) unsteady reacting simulations are conducted for each configuration using the same fuel-oxidizer composition and mass flow rate condition. All simulations are validated against experimental measurements, and RDE performance is assessed based on total pressure gain/loss, unsteadiness at the exit of the RDE, and detonation effectiveness. Results show significant performance improvement for both the convergent nozzle and the RTG profile compared to the constant cross-sectional area configuration, and the RTG design performed better than the convergent nozzle design. Therefore, strategically constricting the flow in an RDE can be used to optimize the performance of an RDE and should be considered in future designs.
The Effect of Mixture Variation and Initial Temperature on the NH2* Thickness of Spherically Propagating Laminar Ammonia Flames
Authors: Almarzooq Yousef M. , Hay Matthew , Khan-Ghauri Maryam , Mathieu Olivier , Kulatilaka Waruna D. , Petersen Eric L. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Interest in ammonia (NH3) in combustion has increased in recent years as a carbon-free fuel alternative. Therefore, understanding its combustion characteristics is crucial. One way to increase the knowledge of ammonia combustion is by investigating the flame zone of a laminar flame. Using a high-spatial-resolution flame zone measurement technique developed by the current research group, the flame zone of different NH3-containing mixtures was measured experimentally. Those measurements were achieved by investigating spherically propagating flames using a chemiluminescence imaging diagnostic with the focus on NH2* profiles. The effect of the fuel mixture on the profile shape was investigated by examining two different mixtures. The first was an oxy-ammonia mixture consisting of NH3 + oxygen-enriched oxidizer where the oxygen (O2) concentration was varied from 25% to 40%. The second was a blend of NH3–H2 where the NH3 concentration (XNH3) was varied from 0.5 to 0.8. Additionally, the effect of the initial temperature was investigated by varying it from 293 to 373 K for three different mixtures, namely, NH3 + (35% O2 + 65% N2), (0.7 NH3 + 0.3 H2)/air, and (0.45 H2 + 0.4 NH3 + 0.15 N2)/air. In all investigated mixtures, the initial pressure was fixed at 1 atm, and the equivalence ratio was fixed at Φ = 1.0. The study revealed that increasing the O2 concentration in the oxy-ammonia mixture produced thinner flames. On the contrary, increasing the XNH3 in the NH3–H2 blend produced slightly thicker flames. Varying the initial temperature has two different responses for the three designated mixtures. In the oxy-ammonia mixture and the NH3–H2 blend, increasing the initial temperature resulted in the flame being thinner. On the other hand, increasing the initial temperature produced a slightly thicker flame for the H2–NH3–N2 blend. The predicted NH2* profile thicknesses from chemical kinetics agree with the measurements except for the H2-NH3–N2 blend, where the kinetics model underpredicted the thickness by a significant difference.
Intracellular islatravir-triphosphate half-life supports extended dosing intervals
Authors: Zang Xiaowei , Ankrom Wendy , Kraft Walter K. , Vargo Ryan , Stoch S. Aubrey , Iwamoto Marian , Matthews Randolph P. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Antiretroviral therapy has substantially reduced morbidity, mortality, and disease transmission in people living with HIV. Islatravir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor that inhibits HIV-1 replication by multiple mechanisms of action, and it is in development for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. In preclinical and clinical studies, islatravir had a long half-life (t
½
) of 3.0 and 8.7 days (72 and 209 hours, respectively); therefore, islatravir is being investigated as a long-acting oral antiretroviral agent. A study was conducted to definitively elucidate the terminal t
½
of islatravir and its active form islatravir-triphosphate (islatravir-TP). A single-site, open-label, non-randomized, single-dose phase 1 study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of islatravir in plasma and the pharmacokinetics of islatravir-TP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after administration of a single oral dose of islatravir 30 mg. Eligible participants were healthy adult males without HIV infection between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Fourteen participants were enrolled. The median time to maximum plasma islatravir concentration was 1 hour. Plasma islatravir concentrations decreased in a biphasic manner, with a t
½
of 73 hours. The t
½
(percentage geometric coefficient of variation) of islatravir-TP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells through 6 weeks (~1008 hours) after dosing was 8.1 days or 195 hours (25.6%). Islatravir was generally well tolerated with no drug-related adverse events observed. Islatravir-TP has a long intracellular t
½
, supporting further clinical investigation of islatravir administered at an extended dosing interval.
Incorporating ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation differentiates complex interactions between apex predators and stocked fish
Authors: Rosinski Caroline L. , Cavalli Pete , Neebling Travis , Skiles Taylor , Wicks Samuel , Fetzer William W. 
Published: August 2024

Ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation can impact energy flow from the base of the food web to top predators. We evaluated the effect of intraspecific variation on estimates of lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush) consumption of stocked kokanee (lacustrine sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka) in a 390 ha oligotrophic lake with two distinct basins. Lake trout stomach content analyses, stable isotope niche space, and catch rates indicated high intraspecific variation in resource use across habitats and basins. Intraspecific variation and ecological heterogeneity were incorporated into two bioenergetics modeling approaches: one lake-wide model, and one partitioned model that accounted for differences in lake trout diet composition and population size across habitats. The ecologically partitioned model highlighted that lake trout consumption was primarily in the epilimnion of one basin, while the lake-wide, unpartitioned model performed similarly but failed to provide ecological context for where that consumption occurred. Incorporating ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation into bioenergetic models can more accurately represent top predators foraging patterns across habitats and inform management actions to mitigate impacts to stocked fish.
Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes
Authors: Sero Leyla , Okur Nilufer , Tunçel Duygu , Talay Mehmet Nur , Aydın Mustafa Fırat , Oglak Suleyman Cemil 
Published: August 2024

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) was more devastating in people with comorbidities such as advanced age and immunodeficiency. Another group affected by COVID‐19 was pregnant women. Immunological changes during pregnancy and conditions such as gestational diabetes and pre‐eclampsia that occur during pregnancy also have effects on the fetus. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of PCR‐proven COVID‐19 infection during pregnancy on fetus and newborn.Methods: Between December 2019 and October 2021, data from pregnant women with COVID‐19 symptoms or a history of contact with people with COVID‐19, infected with PCR‐proven COVID‐19 virus, were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory data of pregnant women were analyzed. Death data associated with COVID‐19 were evaluated. Clinical and laboratory findings of newborns related to COVID‐19 and mortality data related to COVID‐19 were recorded. The study received approval from the Gazi Yasargil Training and Research Hospital ethics committee (09.07.2021/853).Results: We evaluated 327 pregnant women who were followed up in our hospital and whose deliveries ended in live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or curettage. One hundred eighty‐five (56.6%) of the pregnant women had at least one COVID‐19‐related symptom. We evaluated the data of 306 live births, 21 intrauterine fetal deaths, and 13 postnatal deaths. Among the postnatal deaths, five infants succumbed directly due to COVID‐19 infection. A total of 23 live‐born babies (7.5%) were classified as small for gestational age (SGA), while 80 babies (26.1%) were born before 37 weeks of gestation, and 32 babies (10.4%) were born before 32 weeks. Cord blood gas analysis revealed that 19 infants (6.3%) had pH < 7 and base excess (BE) < −12. The rate of perinatal asphyxia was significantly higher in babies born to mothers who did not survive (p = 0.027). A considerable number of infants, 119 (40.3%), were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Among the seven infants with positive PCR results admitted to the NICU, five (4.2%) did not survive.Conclusion: While COVID‐19 infection in pregnancy seriously affects mortality and morbidity in pregnant women, it also causes mortality and morbidity on the fetus.
Trends in HIV incidence and mortality across Bharat (India) after the emergence of COVID-19
Authors: Varshney Karan , Mustafa Ashmit D 
Published: August 2024

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted infection impacting populations worldwide. While there have been major improvements in controlling HIV over recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic may have potentially resulted in major interruptions to this control of HIV. Bharat (India) is a country that has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we aimed to analyse the trends in HIV control since the start of the pandemic. Methods In this study we evaluated changes in rates of HIV incidence and mortality across Bharat for the years both before, and after, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Percent and absolute changes were determined, and thereafter, both bivariate and multi linear regression was conducted to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19 burden and changes in HIV epidemiology across the nation. Results It was shown that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, annual incidence and deaths of HIV/AIDS have both decreased across Bharat. From 2019–2021, in Bharat, the total number of new HIV cases annually decreased by 9.03%, and the total number of HIV/AIDS deaths annually decreased by 28.82%. A similar trend was shown across most states/union territories; however, there were notable exceptions (such as Karnataka, Bihar, and Assam) where the rates have instead increased. Conclusions Our analysis has demonstrated that government efforts to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic have not been greatly impacted across the majority of Bharat since the emergence of COVID-19. The reduction in annual HIV/AIDS deaths in the country has been better than the world average, and the improvements from the period of 2019 to 2021 were greater than those from 2017 to 2019. Regardless, there are regions in the nation where the epidemic has instead worsened during this period.
A Sustainable Solution for Reducing Draping Waste in Cleft Surgeries
Authors: Qureshi Umer , Hallman Taylor , Arcelona Christian , Reisner Kathryn , Figueroa Ariel E. , Gutowski Kristof S. , Donaldson Rachel , Gosain Arun K. 
Published: August 2024

Objective This study aims to reduce the waste generated from primary cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) repair. Design A retrospective chart review examined a single surgeon's experience with CL/P repair using standard draping technique and reduced draping technique. Fisher's exact tests were performed comparing complication rates between techniques. Setting All procedures were conducted at a single academic medical center under the care of a board-certified pediatric plastic surgeon and fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologists. Patients The study included all patients ≤ 24 months of age who underwent primary CL/P repair using a reduced draping technique at the senior author's institution. An equivalent number of patients who underwent CL/P repair by the senior author immediately prior to implementation of the reduced draping technique were included for comparison. Intervention Patients undergoing CL/P repair before the change in technique were draped using the standard CL/P draping. The senior author then switched to using a reduced draping on all CL/P repairs afterwards. Main Outcome Measures Weights and costs of both draping sets were obtained and differences calculated. A manual chart review was performed to assess rates of accidental intraoperative extubation, postoperative infection, fistula formation, and wound dehiscence. Results The implementation of a reduced draping technique resulted in a 530 gram weight savings and $7.49 cost savings per procedure. Fisher's exact tests revealed no statistically significant differences in complication rates except for oral mucosal dehiscence, which was lower in the reduced draping group. Conclusions Reduced draping in CL/P repairs significantly reduces operative waste without compromising surgical outcomes.
Validation of the RIETE, Kuijer, and HAS-BLED Models to Assess 3-Month Bleeding Risk in Anticoagulated Patients Diagnosed with Venous Thromboembolic Disease
Authors: Ortiz Gómez Stephanie , Ruiz-Talero Paula , Muñoz Oscar , Hoyos Pumarejo Luis Manuel 
Published: August 2024

Objective To evaluate the discriminative ability and calibration of the RIETE, Kuijer, and HAS-BLED models for predicting 3-month bleeding risk in patients anticoagulated for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods External validation study of a prediction model based on a retrospective cohort of patients with VTE seen at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá (Colombia) between July 2021 and June 2023. The calibration of the scales was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the ratio of observed to expected events (ROE) within each risk category. Discriminatory ability was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) of a ROC curve. Results We analyzed 470 patients (median age 65 years, female sex 59.3%) with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in most cases (57.4%), 5.7% bleeding events were observed. Regarding calibration, adequate calibration cannot be ruled out given the limited number of events. The discriminatory ability was limited with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.48 (CI 0.37–0.59) for Kuijer Score, 0.58 (CI 0.47–0.70) for HAS-BLED and 0.64 (CI 0.51–0.76) for RIETE. Conclusion The Kuijer, HAS-BLED, and RIETE models in patients with VTE generally do not adequately estimate the risk of bleeding at three months, with a low ability to discriminate high-risk patients. Cautious interpretation is recommended until further evidence is available.
Immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery: Prevalence, attitudes and concerns Among Italian ophthalmologists
Authors: Tavolato Marco , Modugno Rocco , Giglio Rosa , Inferrera Leandro , Tognetto Daniele 
Published: August 2024

Purpose to investigate the existing practice patterns of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in Italy and to assess ophthalmologists’ attitudes towards performing ISBCS in the future for cataract treatment. Methods It is a multicenter cross-sectional study. From February,1st 2023 to March, 1st 2023 the Members of the Italian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (AICCER) as well as the attendees of its annual national congress were invited to anonymously complete an electronic 7-item questionnaire on their current ICBCS practice. Questions included the average number of procedures per month, the main indications for ICBCS, and the main reasons for performing and not performing ISBCS. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results of the 2300 recipients, 246 (10.7%) completed the survey. Of the respondents, 156 (63.4%) replied to perform ISBCS, most of them (82%) occasionally (1 to 5 procedures per month). Fifty-three percent (130 ophthalmologists) considered adopting ISBCS as routine practice in the near future. The conditions most considered for ISBCS were age-related cataract surgery under general and topical anesthesia and congenital cataract surgery. The availability of separate instruments for the two eyes as well as patient and hospital advantages were the most important reasons for performing ISBCS. The risk of bilateral endophthalmitis and medicolegal issues were the main reasons for not performing ISBCS. Conclusions ISBCS remains controversial among Italian surgeons, despite growing evidence of its safety and efficacy. The risk of potentially blinding complications such as bilateral endophthalmitis, together with medicolegal concerns are the principal barriers to ISBCS implementation in routine practice.
Intraoperative OCT to check the correct postimplant position of PreserfloTM
Authors: Morales-Fernández Laura , Pérez-García Pilar , Martínez-de-la-Casa José María , Sáenz-Francés Federico , Pascual-Santiago Marco-Antonio , Ginés-Gallego Cristina , García-Feijoo Julián 
Published: August 2024

Introduction This study was designed to examine the capacity of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to predict the postimplant position of the glaucoma drainage device PreserfloTM. Methods 13 eyes (mean age 65.42 (14.89) years) underwent PreserfloTM (Santen, Osaka, Japan) placement. Before surgery, participants were subjected to a comprehensive ophthalmic examination (intraocular pressure (IOP), cup to disk ratio (C/D), visual field, OCT, endothelial cell count). Anterior segment OCT scans were obtained intraoperatively using a Rescan 700 OCT system (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Oberkochen, Germany). One day postsurgery, anterior segment OCT using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) was performed in a sitting position to capture the same chamber cross-section as before. The main outcome variables were tube-endothelium distance (T-E) and tube length (TL) in the anterior chamber measured using both OCT systems. Correlation between intraoperative and office measurements was examined through Pearson correlation (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results Mean intraoperative and in-office T-E were 625.26 (SD 366.60) versus 561.16 (SD 364.62) µm respectively ( p = 0.540). Intraoperative and in-office anterior chamber TL were 1386 (SD 701.82) and 1433.91 (SD 713.55) µm, respectively ( p = 0.029). Excellent correlation was observed between both sets of T-E ( r = 0.992; p = 0.008) and TL ( r = 0.984; p = 0.016) values. Both OCT systems showed good agreement yielding ICCs of 0.992 ( p < 0.001) for T-E and 0.995 ( p = 0.001) for TL. Discussion Excellent correlation was observed between our intraoperative and postoperative OCT measurements. These results support the usefulness of intraoperative OCT to confirm the correct position of an implanted PreserfloTM microshunt.
Transorbital puncture for the treatment of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Hughes Laura , Satchi Khami , Mitchell Peter , McNab Alan A , Hardy Thomas G 
Published: August 2024

Background Endovascular embolization of carotid-cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CCFs) is most commonly performed via a transfemoral-transvenous approach. Surgical cut-down of the superior ophthalmic vein is an alternative, well-described route. When these prove inaccessible, a transorbital approach can be used to reach the fistula. Methods We describe the recent experience- including indications, surgical technique, radiological findings and post-operative outcomes- in Melbourne of a series of patients in whom a percutaneous, transorbital direct puncture of the cavernous sinus enabled successful embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas. Results Each of three patients achieved successful embolization of their CCFs via a transorbital puncture. Post-operatively, all patients experienced symptomatic relief with complete resolution of clinical signs secondary to their CCFs. Conclusion When angioarchitecture does not allow endovascular access, transorbital puncture of carotid-cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas can be a safe and effective technique. This report supports its success and low complication rate.