bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A real options approach to the design and architecture of water supply systems using innovative water technologies under uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Stephen X. , Babovic Vladan 
Published: October 2011

Water supply has become a priority for developed and developing nations of the world. Conventional water resources alone cannot meet the growing demand for water in urban cities. Management of the problem is amplified by uncertainty associated with different development strategies. Singapore has limited conventional water resources and progressively architects its water supply system through acquiring and sustaining multiple (alternative) water resources through innovative technologies. The full rationale and merits of such a policy cannot be properly understood based on traditional project valuation methods alone. This paper provides decision support using a real options approach by evaluating innovative water technologies from multiple perspectives under uncertainty.
This paper demonstrates that incorporating innovative water technologies into water supply systems can concurrently improve water supply from the financial, political and socioeconomic perspectives. The development of innovative water technologies provides flexibility to the water supply system, and is a fundamental and effective means of risk management. The evaluation of innovative water technologies is based on an integrated real options approach, which provides decision support for architecting water supply systems under uncertainty. The approach gives specific tangible values for the water technologies and complements the general prescriptive Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) framework.
Resistance of erythrocytes from Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.) affected by ulcerative dermal necrosis syndrome
Authors: Kurhalyuk N. , Tkachenko H. , Pałczyńska K. 
Published: October 2011

Resistance of erythrocytes from Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.) affected by ulcerative dermal necrosis syndrome
In the present work we evaluated the effect of ulcerative dermal necrosis (UDN) syndrome on resistance of erythrocytes to haemolytic agents and lipid peroxidation level in the blood from brown trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.). Results showed that lipid peroxidation increased in erythrocytes, as evidenced by high thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels. Compared to control group, the resistance of erythrocytes to haemolytic agents was significantly lower in UDN-positive fish. Besides, UDN increased the percent of hemolysated erythrocytes subjected to the hydrochloric acid, urea and hydrogen peroxide. Results showed that UDN led to an oxidative stress in erythrocytes able to induce enhanced lipid peroxidation level, as suggested by TBARS level and decrease of erythrocytes resistance to haemolytic agents.
Robust Power System Stabilizer VIA Networked Control System
Authors: Veselý Vojtech , Quang Thuan 
Published: October 2011

Robust Power System Stabilizer VIA Networked Control System
The paper presents a novel power system stabilizer (PSS) design for a multivariable power system. The proposed design procedure is based on the linear matrix inequalities and stabilization of controlled system with time-varying time delay.
De la restructuration de l'entreprise à la restructuration des relations professionnelles : le cas de Canal Plus
Authors: Didry Claude 
Published: October 2011

Résumé Les licenciements collectifs de 2001 et 2003 au sein de Canal Plus correspondent à l’influence que l’actionnaire, Vivendi Universal, entend établir sur le groupe audiovisuel qu’il contrôle financièrement. Dans le contexte de la déconfiture de Vivendi Universal, les licenciements collectifs révèlent alors l’importance du collectif des salariés dans la définition même de Canal Plus. L’affirmation d’une Unité Économique et Sociale, comme collectif institutionnel, contre la normalisation que tentent ses dirigeants, traduit le dépassement du « registre transactionnel » des débuts de la chaîne. Face à un employeur tenté par le démantèlement et la vente de l’entreprise, la détermination de représentants du personnel issus d’un nouveau syndicat fait apparaître sous un jour nouveau l’« intérêt de l’entreprise » et la rentabilité que l’actionnaire peut en attendre. Ce rôle du comité d’entreprise et des organisations syndicales montre les effets déterminants du droit du travail dans la défense de l’intérêt d’une entreprise soumise à la pression des marchés financiers, selon un registre d’action propre à une activité faisant appel à une main-d’œuvre aux qualifications très spécifiques.
Causalité, holisme méthodologique et modélisation « critique » en économie
Authors: Raveaud Gilles 
Published: October 2011

Résumé Dans ce texte, je montre comment il est possible de produire des modèles alternatifs convaincants en économie. Je commence par identifier deux critères de pertinence : l’identification des causes des phénomènes (Lawson), et le renoncement à l’individualisme méthodologique (Combemale). Pour trouver des modèles correspondant à ces deux critères, je reviens aux « idéaltypes » de Weber, qui sont à mon sens trop souvent mal interprétés. Je conclus en illustrant la richesse de cette méthode en faisant référence aux deux principales écoles hétérodoxes françaises, l’École de la Régulation et l’Économie des Conventions.
Travail salarié et « société salariale » : de Marx à Marx, en passant par la sécurité sociale
Authors: Sobel Richard 
Published: October 2011

Résumé Dans le débat sur « la fin du travail », on peut se demander si l’on problématise suffisamment le « contexte » capitaliste dans lequel se trouve saisi ce « travail » dont on s’interroge précisément sur la « fin ». S’agissant de la situation française contemporaine qui sert de cadre à cet article, notre hypothèse est précisément que non. Pour l’étayer, nous construisons une typologie de trois scénarios imaginant les reconfigurations possibles de nos « sociétés salariales » en crise : le scénario libéral, dual et assistanciel ; le scénario utopique et le scénario travailliste.
B7-H1 Expressed by Activated CD8 T Cells Is Essential for Their Survival
Authors: Pulko Vesna , Harris Kimberley J. , Liu Xin , Gibbons Rachel M. , Harrington Susan M. , Krco Christopher J. , Kwon Eugene D. , Dong Haidong 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
An immunoinhibitory role of B7 homologue 1 (B7-H1) expressed by non-T cells has been established; however, the function of B7-H1 expressed by T cells is not clear. Peak expression of B7-H1 on Ag-primed CD8 T cells was observed during the contraction phase of an immune response. Unexpectedly, B7-H1 blockade at this stage reduced the numbers of effector CD8 T cells, suggesting B7-H1 blocking Ab may disturb an unknown function of B7-H1 expressed by CD8 T cells. To exclusively examine the role of B7-H1 expressed by T cells, we introduced B7-H1 deficiency into TCR transgenic (OT-1) mice. Naive B7-H1–deficient CD8 T cells proliferated normally following Ag stimulation; however, once activated, they underwent more robust contraction in vivo and more apoptosis in vitro. In addition, B7-H1–deficient CD8 T cells were more sensitive to Ca-dependent and Fas ligand-dependent killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Activation-induced Bcl-xL expression was lower in activated B7-H1–deficient CD8 T cells, whereas Bcl-2 and Bim expression were comparable to the wild type. Transfer of effector B7-H1–deficient CD8 T cells failed to suppress tumor growth in vivo. Thus, upregulation of B7-H1 on primed T cells helps effector T cells survive the contraction phase and consequently generate optimal protective immunity.
IL-6 Promotes Cardiac Graft Rejection Mediated by CD4+ Cells
Authors: Booth Adam Jared , Grabauskiene Svetlana , Wood Sherri Chan , Lu Guanyi , Burrell Bryna E. , Bishop D. Keith 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIL-6 mediates numerous immunologic effects relevant to transplant rejection; however, its specific contributions to these processes are not fully understood. To this end, we neutralized IL-6 in settings of acute cardiac allograft rejection associated with either CD8+ or CD4+ cell-dominant responses. In a setting of CD8+ cell-dominant graft rejection, IL-6 neutralization delayed the onset of acute rejection while decreasing graft infiltrate and inverting anti-graft Th1/Th2 priming dominance in recipients. IL-6 neutralization markedly prolonged graft survival in the setting of CD4+ cell-mediated acute rejection and was associated with decreased graft infiltrate, altered Th1 responses, and reduced serum alloantibody. Furthermore, in CD4+ cell-dominated rejection, IL-6 neutralization was effective when anti–IL-6 administration was delayed by as many as 6 d posttransplant. Finally, IL-6–deficient graft recipients were protected from CD4+ cell-dominant responses, suggesting that IL-6 production by graft recipients, rather than grafts, is necessary for this type of rejection. Collectively, these observations define IL-6 as a critical promoter of graft infiltration and a shaper of T cell lineage development in cardiac graft rejection. In light of these findings, the utility of therapeutics targeting IL-6 should be considered for preventing cardiac allograft rejection.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition in Macrophages of Asymptomatic HIV+ Persons Reverses the Decrease in TLR-4–Mediated TNF-α Release through Prolongation of MAPK Pathway Activation
Authors: Li Xin , Han Xinbing , Llano Juliana , Bole Medhavi , Zhou Xiuqin , Swan Katharine , Anandaiah Asha , Nelson Benjamin , Patel Naimish R. , Reinach Peter S. , Koziel Henry , Tachado Souvenir D. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
TLR-4–mediated signaling is significantly impaired in macrophages from HIV+ persons, predominantly owing to altered MyD88-dependent pathway signaling caused in part by constitutive activation of PI3K. In this study we assessed in these macrophages if the blunted increase in TLR-4–mediated TNF-α release induced by lipid A (LA) is associated with PI3K-induced upregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity. mTOR inhibition with rapamycin enhanced TLR-4–mediated TNF-α release, but suppressed anti-inflammatory IL-10 release. Targeted gene silencing of mTOR in macrophages resulted in LA-induced TNF-α and IL-10 release patterns similar to those induced by rapamycin. Rapamycin restored MyD88/IL-1R–associated kinase interaction in a dose-dependent manner. Targeted gene silencing of MyD88 (short hairpin RNA) and mTOR (RNA interference) inhibition resulted in TLR-4–mediated 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase activation and enhanced TNF-α release, whereas IL-10 release was inhibited in both silenced and nonsilenced HIV+ macrophages. Furthermore, mTOR inhibition augmented LA-induced TNF-α release through enhanced and prolonged phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 MAPK, which was associated with time-dependent MKP-1 destabilization. Taken together, impaired TLR-4–mediated TNF-α release in HIV+ macrophages is attributable in part to mTOR activation by constitutive PI3K expression in a MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. These changes result in MAPK phosphatase 1 stabilization, which shortens and blunts MAPK activation. mTOR inhibition may serve as a potential therapeutic target to upregulate macrophage innate immune host defense responsiveness in HIV+ persons.
Different Expression Levels of the TAP Peptide Transporter Lead to Recognition of Different Antigenic Peptides by Tumor-Specific CTL
Authors: Durgeau Aurélie , El Hage Faten , Vergnon Isabelle , Validire Pierre , de Montpréville Vincent , Besse Benjamin , Soria Jean-Charles , van Hall Thorbald , Mami-Chouaib Fathia 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Decreased antigenicity of cancer cells is a major problem in tumor immunology. This is often acquired by an expression defect in the TAP. However, it has been reported that certain murine Ags appear on the target cell surface upon impairment of TAP expression. In this study, we identified a human CTL epitope belonging to this Ag category. This epitope is derived from preprocalcitonin (ppCT) signal peptide and is generated within the endoplasmic reticulum by signal peptidase and signal peptide peptidase. Lung cancer cells bearing this antigenic peptide displayed low levels of TAP, but restoration of their expression by IFN-γ treatment or TAP1 and TAP2 gene transfer abrogated ppCT Ag presentation. In contrast, TAP upregulation in the same tumor cells increased their recognition by proteasome/TAP-dependent peptide-specific CTLs. Thus, to our knowledge, ppCT16–25 is the first human tumor epitope whose surface expression requires loss or downregulation of TAP. Lung tumors frequently display low levels of TAP molecules and might thus be ignored by the immune system. Our results suggest that emerging signal peptidase-generated peptides represent alternative T cell targets, which permit CTLs to destroy TAP-impaired tumors and thus overcome tumor escape from CD8+ T cell immunity.
Altered Differentiation, Diminished Pathogenicity, and Regulatory Activity of Myelin-Specific T Cells Expressing an Enhanced Affinity TCR
Authors: Alli Rajshekhar , Nguyen Phuong , Geiger Terrence L. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Whereas increased affinity enhances T cell competitiveness after immunization, the role of affinity in modulating the pathogenicity of self-reactive T cells is less established. To assess this, we generated two myelin-specific, class II MHC-restricted TCR that differ only in a buried hydroxymethyl that forms a common TCR β-chain V region variant. The variation, predicted to increase TCR stability, resulted in a ∼3log10 difference in TCR sensitivity with preserved fine specificity. The high-affinity TCR markedly diminished T cell pathogenicity. T cells were not deleted, did not upregulate Foxp3, and barring disease induction were predominantly naive. However, high-affinity CD4+ T cells showed an altered cytokine profile characterized by the production of protective cytokines prior to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induction and decreased effector cytokines after. Further, the high-affinity TCR promoted the development of CD4−CD8− and CD8+ T cells that possessed low intrinsic pathogenicity, were protective even in small numbers when transferred into wild-type mice and in mixed chimeras, and outcompete CD4+ T cells during disease development. Therefore, TCR affinities exceeding an upper affinity threshold may impede the development of autoimmunity through altered development and functional maturation of T cells, including diminished intrinsic CD4+ T cell pathogenicity and the development of CD4−Foxp3− regulatory populations.
Topical prostaglandin fixed combinations in UK primary care: observational study using data from the health improvement network
Authors: Loftus Jane , Christopoulou Dina , Blak Betina T. , Hards Michelle 
Published: October 2011

Purpose To describe the use of 3 prostaglandin/timolol fixed combinations (FCs) in UK primary care, to summarize characteristics of recipients, and to assess 12-month persistence. Methods This retrospective cohort study included first-time recipients of latanoprost/timolol FC, bimatoprost/timolol FC, or travoprost/timolol FC treated between April 1, 2007, and November 30, 2008, identified in The Health Improvement Network database, a large database of anonymized longitudinal electronic medical records of patients treated in UK primary care. Eligible patients were ≥18 years old at the index date (date of first prescription). Persistence, defined as a gap ≤60 days between consecutive prescriptions, was assessed through 12 months post-index for each cohort (Cox proportional hazards models). Results A total of 2,015 patients were included: latanoprost/timolol FC, n=898 (44.6%); bimatoprost/timolol FC, n=733 (36.4%); travoprost/timolol FC, n=384 (19.1%). The mean age was approximately 72 years across cohorts (p=0.792). Glaucoma was the diagnosis for >90% of patients in each cohort. Twelve-month persistence was similar across treatments: latanoprost/timolol FC: 38.2%; bimatoprost/timolol FC: 38.6%; travoprost/timolol FC: 38.3% (p=0.985). Mean time to therapy change for nonpersistent patients was also similar: 143.3±89.8, 151.0±87.9, and 151.8±87.7 days, respectively (p=0.095). Among persistent patients, additional therapy was prescribed for 36.2%, 41.7%, and 41.5% of patients, respectively. Among nonpersistent patients, 64.0%, 70.4%, and 69.2%, respectively, restarted the index therapy. Conclusions The largest proportion of first-time recipients of prostaglandin/beta-blocker FC products treated in UK primary care was prescribed latanoprost/timolol FC. Twelve-month persistence was similar (<40%) across the 3 FCs evaluated.
Patient setup variation on Elekta Unity and its impact on adaptive planning
Authors: Yan Maggie , Kollitz Erika , Sun Sheng‐Hsuan , Hitchcock Kathryn , De Leo Alexandra , Schwarz Amanda , Maloney Luke , Li Jonathan , Liu Chihray , Yan Guanghua 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPurposeThe unique design of the MR‐linac may restrict the use of effective immobilization devices, resulting in significant patient setup variations (PSVs). The purpose of this study is to analyze the PSVs on the Elekta Unity system and investigate their impact on adaptive planning.MethodsThe PSVs for 10 brain, 10 pancreas, five prostate, and five rectum patients previously treated on Elekta Unity were analyzed. The five prostate and five pancreas plans were selected to investigate the impact of PSVs on adaptive planning. The reference scans were shifted by 1, 2, and 3 cm in the left–right (LR) and superior–inferior (SI) directions to simulate PSVs. Both the adaptive‐to‐position (ATP) and adaptive‐to‐shape (ATS) workflows were executed. The adaptive planning time, number of monitor units (MUs), and dosimetric metrics quantifying target coverage and organ‐at‐risks (OARs) sparing were compared.ResultsFor brain treatments, the average/maximum PSVs were −0.2 ± 0.3 cm/0.8 cm (LR), 0.3 ± 0.7 cm/1.8 cm (SI), and 0.8 ± 0.7 cm/1.8 cm in the anterior–posterior (AP) direction. For pancreas treatments, the PSVs are −0.1 ± 1.0 cm/3.8 cm (LR), −0.1 ± 0.8 cm/3.5 cm (SI), and 0.3 ± 0.3 cm/1.3 cm (AP). Pelvis treatments had similar PSVs as pancreas treatments. The ATS workflow took two to three times longer than the ATP workflow. The only trend observed was that the plan MUs increased slightly (< 10%) with PSVs in the ATP workflow for prostate patients. Both workflows effectively reproduced target coverage and OAR sparing, regardless of the magnitude of the PSVs.ConclusionsSignificant PSVs were observed on Elekta Unity due to suboptimal patient immobilization. Using prostate and pancreas treatments as examples, we demonstrated that adaptive planning can effectively accommodate such PSVs. Nevertheless, efforts should be made to minimize PSVs—particularly rotations—to mitigate intra‐fraction motion and reduce treatment time.
Stable Organic Solar Cells with Enhanced Efficiency Built on Sodium Alginate
Authors: Natali Marco , Maccagnani Piera , Dinelli Franco , Albonetti Cristiano , Cocchi Massimo , Bertoldo Monica , Seri Mirko 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells can offer a range of specific advantages, making them suitable for potential integration into a wide variety of applications. This circumstance is driving an ever increasing attention to the environmental profile of this technology throughout its entire life cycle. Consequently, alternative materials and processes with a reduced environmental impact attract interest from researchers focused on developing a new generation of eco‐designed devices. In this context, biomaterials represent an emerging class of sustainable alternatives suitable for use as active and passive components. For instance, some biomaterials can be successfully employed as alternative substrates for flexible solar cells, achieving performances comparable to those of state‐of‐the‐art devices built on plastic. In this work, the preparation of organic solar cells is presented, integrating a water‐processed sodium alginate film as a substrate, with the dual purpose of optimizing the efficiency of the resulting devices and investigating their stability. Specifically, PM6:Y6‐based cells built on SA substrates exhibit a power conversion efficiency that exceeds 10% while showing excellent thermal and mechanical stabilities. These results demonstrate the potential of sodium alginate as a viable candidate for the realization of efficient and stable eco‐designed devices.
Multiscale modeling of a low‐temperature NH3 decomposition reactor for precious metal reduction and temperature control
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Wu Yifan , Huang Wenshi , Lin Li , Wang Luqiang , Wu Zeyun , Fang Huihuang , Wang Dabiao , Chen Chongqi , Luo Yu , Jiang Lilong 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAmmonia is a carbon‐free energy carrier with 17.6 wt% hydrogen content. The design of an efficient and compact ammonia decomposition reactor based on low‐temperature catalysts is the key to realizing industrial hydrogen production from ammonia. In this work, a multiscale model was developed by bridging the particle‐scale characteristics of catalysts and reactor performances, to fully comprehend the ammonia decomposition process. The effects of catalyst porosity and pore diameters on the reactor size, precious metal loading, and the profile of temperature and heat flux were systematically evaluated. An improved reactor design was further proposed by applying the segmented reactor packed with two‐stage egg‐shell‐type low‐temperature catalysts, which decreased the precious metal usage by 61.6% and the temperature drop by 42.9 K. This segmentation strategy balanced the reaction rate and heat flux, indicating a significant potential in highly efficient, economical, and reliable hydrogen production from ammonia.
Lamination Magic for Heat Transfer: Anisotropic Functional Composites Based on Multilayer Thermal Conductivity Modeling
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Han , Yang Weimin 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTFunctional devices are widely used in several fields and thermal orientation is an important pursuit in their thermal management. Therefore, the preparation of an anisotropic thermally conductive functional material can enhance the application of micro/nanoscale functional devices in various fields. In this paper, micro‐ and nano‐layer technology was utilized to create alternating layer structures in polymer composites, and multilayer composites with thermally oriented properties were prepared by combining with metal braided fabrics, which provides a new path for innovative applications of functional materials. Through the in‐depth analysis of the heat conduction mechanism of the multilayer model, the expression of the temperature transfer of each layer inside the material was deduced to provide theoretical support for the material preparation. The results showed that the composites have remarkable delamination effect, and the long‐chain molecules exhibit regularity and orientation. The thermal conductivity of the composites reached 0.261–0.606 W/m K, which is improved by 2.5–6.8 times. The temperature rise curve of the composites showed a wave pattern with a more sensitive thermal response, and exhibited a faster and smoother temperature rise under point‐like thermal shock. This result was very helpful for optimizing the heat conduction path and effectively improving the thermal performance and stability of the device.