bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of gas metal arc welding with alternating shielding gases for use on AA6082T6
Authors: Campbell Stuart W , Galloway Alexander M , McPherson Norman A , Gillies Andrew 
Published: April 2012

Studies have been carried out to determine the effects of implementing alternating shielding gases for 6082T6 aluminium alloy welding. Alternating shielding gases is a newly developed method of supplying shielding gases to the weld area to enhance the efficiency of the standard gas metal arc welding process. Alternating shielding gases involves discretely supplying two different shielding gases to the weld zone at a pre-determined frequency that creates a dynamic action in the weld pool. Several benefits have been identified in relation to supplying shielding gases in this manner, including reduced porosity, marginal improvements in mechanical properties, increased travel speed, and as a result of the lower heat input, reduced distortion. This method of shielding gas delivery therefore presents attractive benefits to the manufacturing community; namely the increased productivity and quality, in addition to a reduction in the amount of post-weld straightening required. However, the literature available on this advanced joining process is very limited, especially so for aluminium alloys. For this reason, an evaluation has been carried out on the application of alternating shielding gases for the gas metal arc welding process on 6082T6 aluminium alloys.
Parental Perceptions of Care of Children at End of Life
Authors: Gilmer Mary Jo , Foster Terrah L. , Bell Cynthia J. , Mulder John , Carter Brian S. 
Published: April 2012

Objective: Little is known regarding the perceptions of parents about end-of-life care for their children. This study describes parental perceptions of the care of hospitalized, terminally ill children in the areas of (1) clinical management, (2) interdisciplinary support, and (3) pain and symptom management. Methods: Through a mixed methods design, researchers interviewed a representative sampling of bereaved parents via telephone. Results: Data provided evidence of areas which lack satisfaction with elements of end-of-life care of hospitalized children. Conclusion: Parental satisfaction with their child’s care during end of life indicates need for improvement in pain management, communication, and parental involvement in decision making. While education cannot guarantee desired changes in attitudes or behaviors, it may provide the essential foundation of knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding needed by professional providers.
Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulation of hydrogen engines using a turbulent flame speed closure combustion model
Authors: Gerke Udo , Boulouchos Konstantinos 
Published: April 2012

The mixture formation and combustion process of a hydrogen direct-injection internal combustion engine is computed using a modified version of a commercial three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code. The aim of the work is the evaluation of hydrogen laminar flame speed correlations and turbulent flame speed closures with respect to combustion of premixed and stratified mixtures at various levels of air-to-fuel equivalence ratio. Heat-release rates derived from in-cylinder pressure traces are used for the validation of the combustion simulations. A turbulent combustion model with closures for a turbulent flame speed is investigated. The value of the computed heat-release rates mainly depends on the quality of laminar burning velocities and standard of turbulence quantities provided to the combustion model. Combustion simulations performed with experimentally derived laminar flame speed data give better results than those using laminar flame speeds obtained from a kinetic scheme. However, experimental data of hydrogen laminar flame speeds found in the literature are limited regarding the range of pressures, temperatures and air-to-fuel equivalence ratios, and do not comply with the demand of high-pressure engine-relevant conditions.
Control-oriented modelling of combustion phasing for a fuel-flexible spark-ignited engine with variable valve timing
Authors: Hall Carrie M , Shaver Gregory M , Chauvin Jonathan , Petit Nicolas 
Published: April 2012

In an effort to reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels and increase engine efficiency, fuel-flexible engines with advanced technologies, including variable valve timing, are being developed. Fuel-flexible spark-ignition engines permit the increased use of ethanol–gasoline blends. Ethanol, an alternative to petroleum-based gasoline, is a renewable fuel, which has the added advantage of improving performance in operating regions that are typically knock limited due to the higher octane rating of ethanol. Furthermore, many modern engines are also being equipped with variable valve timing, a technology that can increase engine efficiency by reducing pumping losses. Through control of valve timings, particularly the amount of positive valve overlap, the quantity of burned gas in the engine cylinder can be altered, eliminating the need for intake throttling at many operating points. However, the presence of elevated levels of in-cylinder burned gas and ethanol fuel can have a significant impact on the combustion timing, such that capturing these effects is essential if the combustion phasing is to be properly controlled. This paper outlines a physically based model capable of capturing the impact of the ethanol blend ratio, burned gas fraction, spark timing and operating conditions on combustion timing. Since efficiency is typically tied to an optimal CA50 (crank angle when 50% of fuel is burned), this model is designed to provide accurate estimates of CA50 that can be used for real-time control efforts – allowing the CA50 to be adjusted to its optimal value despite changes in ethanol blend and burned gas fraction, as well as the variations in engine thermodynamic conditions that may occur during transients. The proposed control-oriented model was extensively validated at over 500 points across the engine operating range for four blends of gasoline and ethanol. Furthermore, the model was utilized to determine the impact of ethanol blend and burned gas fraction on the CA50, as well as their impact on the optimal spark timing. This study indicated that the burned gas fraction could change the optimal spark timing by over 20° at some operating conditions and that ethanol content could further affect the optimal spark timing by up to 6°. Leveraging the model in this manner provides direct evidence that accounting for the impact of these two inputs is critical for proper spark-ignition timing control.
A randomized recruitment intervention trial in Parkinson’s disease to increase participant diversity: early stopping for lack of efficacy
Authors: Tilley Barbara C , Mainous Arch G , Elm Jordan J , Pickelsimer Elisabeth , Soderstrom Lea H , Ford Marvella E , Diaz Vanessa A , Siminoff Laura A , Burau Keith , Smith Daniel W 
Published: April 2012

Background Failure to include participants of diverse race and ethnicity (i.e. those other than European Caucasian, non-Hispanic) in clinical trials impedes the safe development of new therapies given the potential for racial/ethnicity-related variations in treatment response. Increasing diversity is problematic for low prevalence diseases, where most community-based approaches do not reach those with the disease. Purpose Increase racial/ethnic diversity of participants in a Parkinson’s disease therapeutic trial. Methods We incorporated a randomized Ancillary Trial into the multisite National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson’s Disease Long-Term Study 1. Movement disorders clinics already participating in long-term trial 1 were eligible and were the unit of randomization and analysis. At least 14% of adult residents over age 55 and living within 30 miles of the eligible site were from a diverse population, or there was a near-by zip code with a highly diverse population. Eligible sites also agreed to be randomized. The intervention was designed to increase community physicians’ trust in long-term trial 1 investigators and address recruitment barriers in diverse populations. Primary outcomes included percentage of participants from diverse racial/ethnic groups enrolled in long-term trial 1, and qualitative findings from key informant interviews of the Ancillary Trial investigators and coordinators at the end of the trial. Results The Ancillary Trial stopped early for lack of efficacy, conditional power less than 1%. The 17 intervention sites had 12.6% diverse participants compared to 15.6% in 15 control clinics; odds ratio 0.82 (95% confidence interval = 0.32−2.16). In key informant interviews, high enrollers of diverse participants reported more use of existing physician relationships, untargeted community outreach, and extensive efforts to overcome participants’ barriers. Low enrollers reported more use of patients in their practices and placed more responsibility for low enrollment on prospective participants. Limitations The Ancillary Trial included only those with Parkinson’s disease. Whether our findings generalize to trials in other low prevalence diseases is unknown. Conclusions Increasing diversity in Parkinson’s disease clinical trials requires new paradigms for trial investigator and coordinator interactions with community physicians and prospective trial participants.
Human cytomegalovirus-encoded UL33 and UL78 heteromerize with host CCR5 and CXCR4 impairing their HIV coreceptor activity
Authors: Tadagaki Kenjiro , Tudor Daniela , Gbahou Florence , Tschische Pia , Waldhoer Maria , Bomsel Morgane , Jockers Ralf , Kamal Maud 
Published: April 2012

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes four 7-transmembrane-spanning (7TM) proteins, US28, US27, UL33, and UL78, which present important sequence homology with human chemokine receptors. Whereas US28 binds a large range of chemokines and disturbs host cell signaling at different levels, the others are orphans with largely unknown functions. Assembly of 2 different 7TM proteins into hetero-oligomeric complexes may profoundly change their respective functional properties. We show that HCMV-encoded UL33 and UL78 form heteromers with CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors in transfected human embryonic kidney 293T cells and monocytic THP-1 cells. Expression of UL33 and UL78 had pleiotropic, predominantly negative, effects on CCR5 and CXCR4 cell surface expression, ligand-induced internalization, signal transduction, and migration without modifying the chemokine binding properties of CCR5 and CXCR4. Importantly, the coreceptor activity of CCR5 and CXCR4 for HIV was largely impaired in the presence of UL33 and UL78 without affecting expression of the primary HIV entry receptor CD4 and its interaction with CCR5 and CXCR4. Collectively, we identified the first molecular function for the HCMV-encoded orphan UL33 and UL78 7TM proteins, namely the regulation of cellular chemokine receptors through receptor heteromerization.
Reduced-intensity conditioning transplantation in acute leukemia: the effect of source of unrelated donor stem cells on outcomes
Authors: Brunstein Claudio G. , Eapen Mary , Ahn Kwang Woo , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Ballen Karen K. , Champlin Richard E. , Cutler Corey , Kan Fangyu , Laughlin Mary J. , Soiffer Robert J. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Woolfrey Anne , Wagner John E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe report the relative efficacy of co-infusing 2 umbilical cord blood units (dUCB) compared with peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) from 8 of 8 or 7 of 8 HLA-matched unrelated donors. All patients received reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens. Four treatment groups were evaluated: 4-6 of 6 matched dUCB-TCF (n = 120; TCF = total body irradiation [TBI] 200 cGy + cyclophos-phamide + fludarabine), 4-6 of 6 matched dUCB-other (n = 40; alkylating agent + fludarabine ± TBI), and 8 of 8 (n = 313) and 7 of 8 HLA-matched PBPCs (n = 111). Compared with matched 8 of 8 PBPC transplantations, transplantation-related mortality (TRM), and overall mortality were similar after dUCB-TCF (relative risk [RR] 0.72, P = .72; RR 0.93, P = .60) but higher after dUCB-other RIC (hazard ratio [HR] 2.70, P = .0001; 1.79 P = .004). Compared with 7 of 8 PBPC transplantations, TRM (but not overall mortality) was lower after dUCB-TCF (RR 0.57, P = .04; RR 0.87 P = .41). The probabilities of survival after dUCB-TCF, dUCB-other RIC, and 8 of 8 PBPC and 7 of 8 PBPC transplantations were 38%, 19%, 44%, and 37%, respectively. With similar survival after 8 of 8, 7 of 8 matched PBPCs, and dUCB-TCF, these data support use of dUCB-TCF transplantation in adults with acute leukemia who may benefit from RIC transplantation urgently or lack a 7-8 of 8 unrelated donor.
Role of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube assay in screening new immigrants for tuberculosis infection
Authors: Mulder Christiaan , van Deutekom Henk , Huisman Erik M. , Toumanian Sophie , Koster Ben F.P.J. , Meijer-Veldman Wieneke , van Loenhout-Rooyackers Joke H. , Appel Milo , Arend Sandra M. , Borgdorff Martien W. , van Leth Frank 
Published: April 2012

This study aimed to estimate the risk of progression to active tuberculosis (TB) within 2 yrs after entry in newly arriving immigrants who were screened with the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT; Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia).In a case–base design, we determined the prevalence QFT-GIT-positive subjects among a representative sample of immigrants aged ≥18 yrs who arrived between April 2009 and March 2011 (the base cohort). Active TB patients (cases) within 2 yrs post-arrival in 2005, 2006 or 2007 were extracted from the Netherlands Tuberculosis Register. The risk of progression to active TB was estimated using Bayesian analyses to adjust for the sensitivity of QFT-GIT.Among the base cohort, 20% of 1,468 immigrants were QFT-GIT positive. Stratified by TB incidence in the person's country of origin as low (<100 cases per 100,000 population), intermediate (100–199 cases per 100,000) or high (≥200 cases per 100,000), the risk of progression to active TB per 100,000 arriving immigrants if QFT-GIT positive (95% credibility interval) was 456 (95% CI 307–589), 590 (397–762) and 386 (259–499), respectively, compared with 18 (0–46), 38 (0–97) and 28 (0–71) if QFT-GIT negative.Screening newly arriving immigrants with QFT-GIT contributes to detecting those at high risk of subsequent TB reactivation within 2 yrs after entry, which offers opportunities for prevention by targeted interventions.
Double Y-stenting for tracheobronchial stenosis
Authors: Oki Masahide , Saka Hideo 
Published: April 2012

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the double Y-stenting technique, by which silicone Y-stents are placed on both the main carina and another peripheral carina, for patients with tracheobronchial stenosis.Under general anaesthesia, using rigid and flexible bronchoscopes, a Dumon™ Y-stent (Novatech, La Ciotat, France) was first placed on the primary right or secondary left carina followed by another Y-stent on the main carina so as to insert the bronchial limb of the stent into the first Y-stent. Patients who underwent double Y-stent placement during 3 yrs and 1 month in a single centre were retrospectively reviewed.In the study period, 93 patients underwent silicone stent placement and 12 (13%) underwent double Y-stent placement (11 for right and one for left bronchus). A combination of Y-stents, 14×10×10 mm and 16×13×13 mm in outer diameter, were most frequently used. Dyspnoea was relieved in all patients. Six out of seven patients with supplemental oxygen before stent placement could be discharged without supplemental oxygen. Median survival after stenting was 94.5 days. One pneumothorax and one granuloma formation occurred.Double Y-stent placement for patients with tracheobronchial stenosis was technically feasible, effective and acceptably safe.
Wash-out kinetics and efficacy of a modified lavage technique for alveolar proteinosis
Authors: Bonella Francesco , Bauer Peter C. , Griese Matthias , Wessendorf Thomas E. , Guzman Josune , Costabel Ulrich 
Published: April 2012

Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the standard treatment for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). This study aimed to provide data about the kinetics of the protein wash-out, to identify factors influencing the protein concentration in the recovered fluid and to assess the efficacy of a modified lavage technique.Samples of 180 WLLs from 42 adult PAP patients were collected. 110 WLLs were performed according to the classical technique. In 70 WLLs, repeated manual ventilation was applied during the procedure. Spectrophotometry was used to measure the protein concentration in the recovered fluid.The initial protein concentration in the recovered fluid was 460 mg·dL−1, the final concentration was 26 mg·dL−1and the total amount of removed proteins during a lavage was 17.5 g. A history of dust exposure was associated with a higher residual protein concentration in the recovered fluid (p=0.000013). The amount of removed proteins correlated inversely with the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (p=0.001) and oxygen tension (p=0.004). The modified technique removed a greater amount of proteins than the classical technique and prolonged the time to relapse (p=0.011).Exposure to dust seems to influence the kinetics of the protein wash-out. Applying manual ventilation during the procedure can enhance the efficacy of WLL.
Value of flexible bronchoscopy in the pre-operative work-up of solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Schwarz Carsten , Schönfeld Nicolas , Bittner Roland C. , Mairinger Thomas , Rüssmann Holger , Bauer Torsten T. , Kaiser Dirk , Loddenkemper Robert 
Published: April 2012

The diagnostic value of flexible bronchoscopy in the pre-operative work-up of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) is still under debate among pneumologists, radiologists and thoracic surgeons.In a prospective observational manner, flexible bronchoscopy was routinely performed in 225 patients with SPN of unknown origin.Of the 225 patients, 80.5% had lung cancer, 7.6% had metastasis of an extrapulmonary primary tumour and 12% had benign aetiology. Unsuspected endobronchial involvement was found in 4.4% of all 225 patients (or in 5.5% of patients with lung cancer). In addition, flexible bronchoscopy clarified the underlying aetiology in 41% of the cases. The bronchoscopic biopsy results from the SPN were positive in 84 (46.5%) patients with lung cancer. Surgery was cancelled due to the results of flexible bronchoscopy in four cases (involvement of the right main bronchus (impaired pulmonary function did not allow pneumonectomy) n=1, small cell lung cancer n=1, bacterial pneumonia n=2), and the surgical strategy had to be modified to bilobectomy in one patient.Flexible bronchoscopy changed the planned surgical approach in five cases substantially. These results suggest that routine flexible bronchoscopy should be included in the regular pre-operative work-up of patients with SPN.
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of linezolid containing regimens in treating MDR-TB and XDR-TB: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sotgiu Giovanni , Centis Rosella , D'Ambrosio Lia , Alffenaar Jan-William C. , Anger Holly A. , Caminero Jose A. , Castiglia Paolo , De Lorenzo Saverio , Ferrara Giovanni , Koh Won-Jung , Schecter Giesela F. , Shim Tae S. , Singla Rupak , Skrahina Alena , Spanevello Antonio , Udwadia Zarir F. , Villar Miquel , Zampogna Elisabetta , Zellweger Jean-Pierre , Zumla Alimuddin , Migliori Giovanni Battista 
Published: April 2012

Linezolid is used off-label to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in absence of systematic evidence. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy, safety and tolerability of linezolid-containing regimes based on individual data analysis.12 studies (11 countries from three continents) reporting complete information on safety, tolerability, efficacy of linezolid-containing regimes in treating MDR-TB cases were identified based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed using the individual data of 121 patients with a definite treatment outcome (cure, completion, death or failure).Most MDR-TB cases achieved sputum smear (86 (92.5%) out of 93) and culture (100 (93.5%) out of 107) conversion after treatment with individualised regimens containing linezolid (median (inter-quartile range) times for smear and culture conversions were 43.5 (21–90) and 61 (29–119) days, respectively) and 99 (81.8%) out of 121 patients were successfully treated. No significant differences were detected in the subgroup efficacy analysis (daily linezolid dosage ≤600 mgversus>600 mg). Adverse events were observed in 63 (58.9%) out of 107 patients, of which 54 (68.4%) out of 79 were major adverse events that included anaemia (38.1%), peripheral neuropathy (47.1%), gastro-intestinal disorders (16.7%), optic neuritis (13.2%) and thrombocytopenia (11.8%). The proportion of adverse events was significantly higher when the linezolid daily dosage exceeded 600 mg.The study results suggest an excellent efficacy but also the necessity of caution in the prescription of linezolid.
Plumbagin reverses proliferation and resistance to apoptosis in experimental PAH
Authors: Courboulin Audrey , Barrier Marjorie , Perreault Tanya , Bonnet Pierre , Tremblay Veronique L. , Paulin Roxane , Tremblay Ève , Lambert Caroline , Jacob Maria H. , Bonnet Sandra N. , Provencher Steeve , Bonnet Sébastien 
Published: April 2012

Like cancer, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterised by a pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype. In PAH, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation is enhanced and apoptosis suppressed. The sustainability of this phenotype requires the activation of pro-survival transcription factors, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT). There are no drugs currently available that are able to efficiently and safely inhibit this axis. We hypothesised that plumbagin (PLB), a natural organic compound known to block STAT3 in cancer cells, would reverse experimental pulmonary hypertension.Using human PAH-PASMC, we demonstratedin vitrothat PLB inhibits the activation of the STAT3/NFAT axis, increasing the voltage-gated K+current bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2), and decreasing intracellular Ca2+contentration ([Ca2+]i), rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK)1 and interleukin (IL)-6, contributing to the inhibition of PAH-PASMC proliferation and resistance to apoptosis (proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), TUNEL, Ki67 and anexine V).In vivo, PLB oral administration decreases distal pulmonary artery remodelling, mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy without affecting systemic circulation in both monocrotaline- and sugen/chronic hypoxia-induced PAH in rats.This study demonstrates that the STAT3/NFAT axis can be therapeutically targeted by PLB in human PAH-PASMC and experimental PAH rat models. Thus, PLB could be considered a specific and attractive future therapeutic strategy for PAH.