bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence on energy demand of thickness, thermal conductivity, and volumetric heat capacity of ladle working lining in secondary steel-making process
Authors: Neri M , Pilotelli M , Lezzi A M 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The secondary steel-making process involves several steps during which steel is kept in a ladle, that is, a vessel made of an outer steel layer (carpentry), an intermediate refractory layer, and an internal refractory layer. Unlike the intermediate layer, the internal layer undergoes a progressive reduction in thickness and a periodic restoration. Traditionally, it is made of alumina or magnesite. During the process, the ladle undergoes unsteady heating and cooling; therefore, heat transfer depends on thermal conductivity and heat capacity. This study aims to identify the ladle internal layer characteristics that affect the energy demand. This analysis investigates the effect of the internal layer thickness S, volumetric heat capacity C, and thermal conductivity λ. Through the Design Of the Experiments (DOE), different scenarios have been selected and analyzed by means of numerical simulations performed on a numerical model defined in COMSOL Multiphysics. The energy demand as a function of the internal layer properties has been estimated, and it has emerged that low thermal conductivity and heat capacity values require a lower amount of energy.
A novel Ground Source heat exchanger in an underground metro tunnel
Authors: Ahmed F , Massarotti N , Mauro A , Normino G 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Using Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) systems in urban areas can be particularly difficult due to space or legislative constraints, other than excessive costs due to drilling. To overcome these problems, the authors proposed to use Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF) probes, used for tunnel excavation, as Ground Heat Exchangers (GHE). It is a widespread practice to seal the probes in the tunnel after the completion. The conversion of existing AGF probes into GHE for GCHP allows us to avoid additional drilling costs, and other space or legislative constraints associated with the use of GCHP systems in urban areas. Such systems could be developed to use underground urban transportation tunnels for heating and cooling in smart cities. These systems were tested after the construction of two tunnels, as part of the GeoGRID project, in Piazza Municipio, Naples, Italy. The data obtained from the experimental setup have been analysed and used for validation of a finite element model developed by the authors to simulate heat transfer between the probes and the surrounding ground. A simplified pipe flow model was introduced, in combination with a 3D model of the ground, to reduce the complexity and computational effort to solve the discretized equations. The simulation results have been compared with experimental data, showing a good agreement, and observing differences in the range of 2 – 5 %. The model can therefore be used as a predictive tool for the development of this type of innovative heat exchanger.
Development of lumped-parameters models for the thermal evaluation and air quality in aircrafts
Authors: Tognon G , Biasibetti P , Zarrella A 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Aircraft cabins are a challenging category when dealing with thermal comfort and air quality inside means of transport. Two simplified dynamic models are developed. The first one is a lumped resistance-capacitance model for assessing the cabin thermal behaviour during the cruise phase. The fuselage is discretised into several slices and each one is represented through an RC network consisting of eleven nodes, thirteen resistances and three capacities. A thermal balance equation is set for each node and the linear system is solved to calculate the air and surfaces’ temperatures. The model is validated by comparison with literature experimental data from ten flights, showing that the predicted temperatures agree well with the measured ones, presenting an RMSE of 1.5, 1.9 and 1.3 °C for cabin air, floor and cabin internal surface temperatures, respectively. A sensitivity analysis is conducted, for which the internal air temperature increases linearly with occupancy rate and decreases with cruising altitude. Secondly, an air quality model is proposed to evaluate the presence of pollutants inside the cabin, based on a simple concentration balance equation. Ventilation flow rates recommended from standards and a recirculation rate below 50-60% should be set to maintain acceptable CO2 levels.
An overview on Finite Different Method (FDM) in multilayer thermal diffusion problem
Authors: Ricciu R , Congedo P M , Baccoli R , Mastino C C , Baglivo C , Buonomo P L M , Popolano G 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Numerous mathematical models have been developed for thermal diffusion through single-layer materials, while further developments are needed for multi-layer materials. Diffusion processes through a multilayer material are of interest in industrial, applied thermodynamics, physics, electrical and civil engineering applications. The proposed scheme is easily applicable in various fields, demonstrating that Finite Different Methods (FDMs) are flexible, simple to implement and help to represent multilayer materials even without associating them with other numerical methods. The numerical method studied is a FDM in a civil engineering application. Through the study of a multilayer wall, its criticalities are highlighted, and a possible implementation is proposed.
BEPU analysis of an Upgraded ICE facility test by TRACE/DAKOTA coupling
Authors: Bersano A. , Agnello G. , Di Maio P. A. , Grippo G. , Mascari Fulvio 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The Ingress of Coolant Event (ICE) in the plasma chamber is one of the safety issues in fusion nuclear plants. The best estimate thermal-hydraulic system codes adopted to perform deterministic safety analysis should be validated against the phenomena typical of accidental transients in fusion installations. TRACE (TRAC/RELAP Advanced Computational Engine), best estimate thermal-hydraulic system code developed by USNRC, has been adopted to simulate an ICE. The calculated results have been compared to the experimental data obtained in one test performed in the upgraded Integrated ICE facility at JAERI. In this updated configuration the pressure suppression system is connected to the top of the plasma chamber instead of the bottom of the vacuum vessel. The facility nodalization has been developed in the SNAP environment/architecture. To qualify the code and the nodalization, an accuracy evaluation has been performed both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Then, considering the presence of some uncertainties in the input-deck development, an uncertainty analysis has been carried out. The probabilistic method to propagate the input uncertainties has been selected and the analysis has been carried out with the DAKOTA toolkit coupled with TRACE code in SNAP. In the uncertainty analysis, some relevant statistical parameters have been considered to characterize the dispersion of the results and the correlation between the uncertain input parameters selected and the PC pressure chosen as figure of merit.
Multi-scale analysis of respiratory droplets transport within the breathing cloud
Authors: Campanelli L , Cavazzuti M , Tartarini P 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Infectious diseases are transmitted primarily through pathogen laden droplets commonly exhaled during respiratory events such as breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The transport and evaporation of droplets are governed by the fundamental laws of fluid mechanics and convection-diffusion. From these, analytical models can be created helping in better understanding pathogens transmission from a mechanical perspective. The droplet transport within the humid air breath cloud and the local ventilation are crucial for accurately predicting the droplet fate. Different levels of complexity are possible for modelling the breath cloud, from simple 1D models to complex unsteady 3D simulations including discrete phase models for the droplets simulation. The former are too simple to capture the fluid dynamics of intermittent jets in detail, while the latter are too computationally expensive. The current work presents a novel multi-scale approach where an analytical model of the droplet transport and evaporation is coupled to unsteady CFD simulations of warm humid puffs of exhaled air. The proposed model has the advantage of the accuracy of an analytical model and the computational cost of a relatively standard unsteady CFD simulation, and can be used to predict the trajectory of the exhaled droplets for a variety of respiratory events.
Biochar powders coating to improve evaporative cooling in Maisotsenko-cycle systems
Authors: Morselli N , Fracasso F D , Cossu M , Ottani F , Puglia M , Pedrazzi S , Allesina G , Muscio A , Tartarini P 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This work presents an experimental study on the performance of biochar powder coatings on aluminum surfaces for use in indirect evaporative coolers based on the Maisotsenko cycle. The performance of the biochar coated samples was compared to cellulose-coated aluminum samples and uncoated ones. Results showed that biochar coatings improved the performance of uncoated aluminum, with the 150 μm particle size coating offering performance comparable to cellulose. However, wetting times were longer, which has implications for spraying strategies.
A test bench for the assessment of flow meters accuracy for fuel consumption measurement in highly dynamic drive cycle tests
Authors: Martino M. , Postrioti L. , Malengo A. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The transport sector is one of the most significant contributors in terms of NOx, particulate matter and net CO2 emission. In order to mitigate this environmental impact, severe homologation limits have been introduced by the different regional Authorities. Both pollutant emissions and CO2 production of vehicles are measured during standardized laboratory test cycles and road tests, both characterized by relatively abrupt powertrain load and fuel rate transients. This dynamic approach results in severe issues in terms of fuel flow measurement capabilities as flow meters are typically calibrated in steady fuel flow conditions. In the present activity, an experimental test bench was developed with the aim of offering a flexible and affordable test system to evaluate the performances of different flow meters in dynamic conditions. The test bench consists of a complete fuel injection system managed to reproduce an assigned cycle; by this approach the highly-dynamic engine-like fuel flow rate is replicated, offering the opportunity to compare the accuracy of the flow meter under test with both a master Coriolis-type flow meter and the nominal fuel flow time-profile. This bench allows the execution of flow meter accuracy tests in controlled operating conditions with reduced efforts with respect to conventional vehicle test benches and with a high reproducibility level.
More Equal Than Others
Authors: Fasel Raffael N 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Unprecedented demands have recently arrived at the doorstep of courts and parliaments the world over: that nonhuman animals should receive some of the rights that have so far been reserved to human beings. This development has raised fundamental questions about the nature of legal rights and who should have them. One of the key questions, which this book addresses, is whether conferring fundamental legal rights to animals would undermine the equal status and rights of humans. The book explains that, while failing to extend legal rights to animals withholds entitlements from them that they deserve based on their capacities, granting animals rights based on capacities threatens to undermine the status and rights of humans lacking these capacities. The book proposes an unorthodox but practical solution to this conundrum: the Species Membership Approach (SMA). According to the SMA, legal rights and similar entitlements should be granted to animals based on the species to which they belong, not their individual capacities. The book develops this proposal by shedding light on the forgotten history of animal and human rights in the French Enlightenment, examining the antithetical nature of the human rights and animal rights conceptions that have since dominated the debate, and demonstrating how a middle ground can be reached between these opposing conceptions.
Summary of best evidence for prevention and management of frailty
Authors: Guo Yinning , Miao Xueyi , Hu Jieman , Chen Li , Chen Yimeng , Zhao Kang , Xu Ting , Jiang Xiaoman , Zhu Hanfei , Xu Xinyi , Xu Qin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Frailty in older people can seriously affect their quality of life and increase the demand for long-term care and health care expenses. Aims of this study are to provide an evidence-based basis for clinical practice of frailty in older people by systematically searching for the best current evidence on interventions for the prevention and management of frailty.

Methods
According to the ‘6S’ evidence resource model, evidence retrieval is searched from the top-down and collected relevant guidelines, best practices, evidence summaries, systematic reviews and expert consensus. The retrieval time limit was from the database establishment to 20 March 2023. Two reviewers independently screened and evaluated the literature, and then extracted and summarised the evidence according to the JBI grading of evidence and recommendation system.

Results
A total of 44 publications were finally included, including 12 guidelines, 5 best practices, 4 expert consensus, 5 evidence summaries and 18 systematic reviews. Through the induction and integration of the evidence, the evidence was finally summarised from eight aspects: frailty screening, frailty assessment, exercise intervention, nutrition intervention, multi-domain intervention, drug administration, social support and health education, and 43 best evidences were formed.

Conclusions
This study summarised the best evidence for the prevention and management of frailty from eight aspects, which can provide guidance for clinical or community medical staff to develop and apply frailty intervention and practice programmes for older people and improved the clinical outcome and quality of life of older people.
Technical Refinements and Outcomes Assessment in Prepectoral Pocket Conversion After Postmastectomy Radiotherapy
Authors: Pagliara Domenico , Rubino Corrado , Grieco Federica , Pili Nicola , Serra Pietro Luciano , Schiavone Laurenza , Lattanzi Melba , Montella Rino Aldo , Rinaldi Pierluigi Maria , Ribuffo Diego , De Santis Giorgio , Salgarello Marzia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Several studies show how submuscular breast reconstruction is linked to animation deformity, shoulder dysfunction, and increased postoperative chest pain, when compared to prepectoral breast reconstruction. In solving all these life-impairing side effects, prepectoral implant pocket conversion has shown encouraging results.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to propose a refinement of the prepectoral implant pocket conversion applied to previously irradiated patients.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study on 42 patients who underwent previous nipple- or skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate submuscular reconstruction, followed by radiotherapy. We performed fat grafting sessions as regenerative pretreatment. Six months after the last fat graft, we performed the conversion, with prepectoral placement of micropolyurethane foam–coated implants. We investigated the preconversion and postconversion differences in upper limb range of motion, Upper Extremity Functional Index, and patient satisfaction with the breast and physical well-being of the chest.

Results
We reported a resolution of animation deformity in 100% of cases. The range of motion and the Upper Extremity Functional Index scores were statistically improved after prepectoral implant pocket conversion. BREAST-Q scores for satisfaction with the breast and physical well-being of the chest were also improved.

Conclusions
The refined prepectoral implant pocket conversion is a reliable technique for solving animation deformity and improving quality of life in patients previously treated with submuscular reconstruction and radiotherapy.

Level of Evidence: 3
Breast Implants and the Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Breast: A Systematic Literature Review and Epidemiologic Study
Authors: Santanelli di Pompeo Fabio , Firmani Guido , Stanzani Emilia , Clemens Mark W , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Di Napoli Arianna , Sorotos Michail 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma may arise primarily from the breast parenchyma (PSCCB) or from the periprosthetic capsule in patients with breast implants (breast implant–associated squamous cell carcinoma [BIA-SCC]). A systematic literature review was performed to identify all PSCCB and BIA-SCC cases, and to estimate prevalence, incidence rate (IR), and risk. Studies up to November 2023 were searched on PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for predefined keywords. The numerator for PSCCB and BIA-SCC was the number of cases obtained from the literature; the denominator for PSCCB was the female population aged from 18 to 99, and the denominator for BIA-SCC was the population with breast implants. Overall, 219 papers were included, featuring 2250 PSCCB and 30 BIA-SCC cases. PSCCB prevalence was 2.0 per 100,000 (95% CI, 0.2:100,000 to 7.2:100,000) individuals, with a lifetime risk of 1:49,509 (95% CI, 0.2:10,000 to 5.6:10,000); and BIA-SCC prevalence was 0.61 per 100,000 (95% CI, 0.2:100,000 to 1.3:100,000), with a lifetime risk of 1:164,884 (95% CI, 0.2:100,000 to 5.6:100,000). The prevalence of BIA-SCC is 3.33 times lower than that of PSCCB, while the prevalence of breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is 3.84 times higher than that of primary breast ALCL. When comparing the BIA-SCC prevalence of 1:164,910 individuals with breast implants regardless of texture to the BIA-ALCL prevalence of 1:914 patients with textured implants, the BIA-SCC risk is 180 times lower than the BIA-ALCL risk. BIA-SCC occurs less frequently than PSCCB and considerably less than BIA-ALCL. The association between textured implants and BIA-SCC cases is relevant for patient education regarding uncommon and rare risks associated with breast implants, and ongoing vigilance, research, and strengthened reporting systems remain imperative.
Parental overproduction allows siblicidal bird to adjust brood size to climate-driven prey variation
Authors: Bizberg-Barraza Iván , Rodríguez Cristina , Drummond Hugh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Parental overproduction is hypothesized to hedge against uncertainty over food availability and stochastic death of offspring and to improve brood fitness. Understanding the evolution of overproduction requires quantifying its benefits to parents across a wide range of ecological conditions, which has rarely been done. Using a multiple hypotheses approach and 30 years of data, we evaluated the benefits of overproduction in the Blue-footed booby, a seabird that lays up to three eggs asynchronously, resulting in an aggressive brood hierarchy that facilitates the death of last-hatched chicks under low food abundance. Results support the resource-tracking hypothesis, as low prey abundance (estimated from sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration) led to rapid brood reduction. The insurance hypothesis was supported in broods of three, where last-hatched chicks’ survival increased after a sibling’s death. Conversely, in broods of two, results suggested that parents abandoned last-hatched chicks following first-hatched chicks’ deaths. No direct evidence supported the facilitation hypothesis: the presence of a last-hatched chick during development did not enhance its sibling’s fitness in the short or long term. The value of last-hatched offspring to parents, as “extra” or “insurance” varied with indices of food abundance, brood size, and parental age. Ninety percent of overproduction benefits came from enabling parents to capitalize on favorable conditions by fledging additional offspring. Our study provides insight into the forces driving overproduction, explaining the adaptiveness of this apparently wasteful behavior and allowing us to better predict how overproduction’s benefits might be modified by ocean warming.
State-of-the-Art Review: Use of Antimicrobials at the End of Life
Authors: Karlin Daniel , Pham Christine , Furukawa Daisuke , Kaur Ishminder , Martin Emily , Kates Olivia , Vijayan Tara 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Navigating antibiotics at the end of life is a challenge for infectious disease (ID) physicians who remain deeply committed to providing patient-centered care and engaging in shared decision making. ID physicians, who often see patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings and maintain continuity of care for patients with refractory or recurrent infections, are ideally situated to provide guidance that aligns with patients’ goals and values. Complex communication skills, including navigating difficult emotions around end-of-life care, can be used to better direct shared decision making and assist with antibiotic stewardship.
Cefoxitin for Intra-amniotic Infections and Endometritis: A Retrospective Comparison to Traditional Antimicrobial Therapy Regimens Within a Healthcare System
Authors: Bailey Pamela , Schacht Lance , Pazienza Grace , Kohn Joseph , Yunusa Ismaeel , Seal Patricia , Crockett Amy , Justo Julie Ann 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Local institutional guidelines and order sets were updated in June 2023 to recommend first-line cefoxitin monotherapy for the treatment of intra-amniotic infections (IAIs) and endometritis. This study evaluated the clinical impact of this change.

Methods
This was a retrospective, observational cohort study in an 11-campus health system comparing clinical outcomes of patients with chorioamnionitis, endometritis, or septic abortion receiving intravenous antimicrobial therapy before and after implementation of first-line cefoxitin monotherapy recommendations for the treatment of these infections. Primary outcome was a composite of serious clinical events postdelivery (ie, intensive care unit admission, death, hospital readmission related to IAI or endometritis within 30 days, additional surgery or procedures, or deep surgical site infection). Baseline characteristics between the pre- and post-cefoxitin groups were compared via Student's t tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Outcomes were evaluated via generalized linear modeling.

Results
A total of 472 patients were enrolled, 350 (74%) in the pre-cefoxitin group and 122 (26%) in the post-cefoxitin group. Groups were significantly different by race, healthcare payor, and hospital campus. Cefoxitin was rarely used in the pre-cefoxitin group (n = 2, &lt;0.1%) and commonly used in the post-cefoxitin group (n = 112, 91.8%). After controlling for group differences, odds of experiencing serious clinical event postdelivery in the post-cefoxitin group were noninferior to those in the pre-cefoxitin group (adjusted odds ratio, .37; 95% CI, .17–.76; P = .010).

Conclusions
Local institutional guidelines with predominant use of cefoxitin therapy were noninferior to traditional antimicrobial therapy regimens for the treatment of IAI.