bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-world outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma, surgically treated at regional hospitals, based on a prospective long-term survey of the pre-robotic era
Authors: Kawasaki Yoshihide , Saito Hideo , Ioritani Naomasa , Tochigi Tatsuo , Numata Isamu , Numahata Kenji , Soma Fumihiko , Kyan Atsushi , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ota Shozo , Namima Takashige , Orikasa Kazuhiko , Yamashita Shinichi , Mitsuzuka Koji , Arai Yoichi , Ito Akihiro 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Renal cancer surgery is frequently performed in small regional hospitals in Japan. This study evaluated the outcomes of renal cancer surgery, comparing results from the pre-robotic surgery era with those obtained with robotic surgery.

Methods
This prospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent renal cancer surgery between 2008 and 2013 at 14 hospitals, comprising 13 regional hospitals and a university hospital, registered in the Tohoku Urological Evidence-Based Medicine Study Group. The patients’ backgrounds; perioperative data; annual postoperative renal function; and prognostic surveys, performed over a median follow-up period of 10 years were obtained.

Results
In 930 surgical cases at the 14 registered hospitals, the 10-year recurrence-free survival rates of cT1a, cT1b, cT2, and cT3 were 0.9326, 0.8501, 0.5786, and 0.5101, respectively. Meanwhile, the 10-year overall survival rates were 0.9612, 0.8662, 0.7505, and 0.7209, respectively. Long-term observation in patients with cT1 showed that vessel involvement and high tumor grade were prognostic factors for recurrence. As a noteworthy fact, radical nephrectomy was performed in 53.3% of patients with cT1a at the regional hospitals. However, even in patients with preoperative chronic kidney disease stage 3, radical nephrectomy was not a prognostic factor of renal function. This indicates that compensatory mechanisms had been working for a long time in many patients who underwent radical nephrectomies without hypertension and preoperative proteinuria, which were predictors of end-stage renal disease.

Conclusion
Based on a prospective long-term survey of the pre-robotic era, our results suggested no difference of the survival outcomes between the university hospital and regional hospitals. Our study provides baseline data to evaluate the outcomes of renal cancer robotic surgery, performed at regional hospitals.
The Effects of Exposing Solea senegalensis to Microbeads with and Without Pesticides
Authors: Albendín M. Gemma , Alarcón Isabel , Coello M. Dolores , Rodríguez-Barroso Rocío , Aranda Vanessa , Quiroga José M. , Arellano Juana M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMicroplastics (MP) are contaminants able to cause adverse effects on organisms. MPs are capable to interact with other environmental contaminants, including pesticides, altering their toxicity. The objective of the study was to research the sublethal effects (enzymatic activity) of pesticides alone and in combination with MPs. Cholinesterase enzymes are used as biomarkers to determine and evaluate the effects produced in organisms after exposure to pollutants. This study showed the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymatic activity in the tissue of Solea senegalensis exposed to two environmental pollutants, the insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and antibacterial triclosan (TCS) with and without microplastics (MPs). Solea senegalensis was chosen because it is a species in high demand because of its high economic value in southern Europe, as well as the use of this species in ecotoxicology and its increasing use as sentinel species, which justify using it to assess biological effects of pollutants. Toxicity tests were performed in organisms exposed to concentrations of between 5 and 80 μg/L CPF and 0.1 and 0.4 mg/L TCS for 96 h. In addition, each test incorporated MPs that were added at different concentrations in order to evaluate their role as a possible enhancer of the effects caused by the previous pollutants. In the case of CPF, the head and muscle tissue cholinesterase activity was inhibited from a concentration of 5 μg/L both without and with MPs, and the AChE enzymatic activity for the treatment with MPs was approximately half the activity for the treatment without MPs in the tissues studied. Besides, TCS inhibited the cholinesterase activity at a concentration of 0.3 mg/L in the muscle of S. senegalensis. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the TCS + MP treatment compared to the controls. These results showed the importance of studies in assessing the anticholinesterase effects of pesticides combined with microplastics due to the abundance of these contaminants in the marine environment and the role of cholinesterase activity (biomarker) in the neurotransmission of key physiological processes.
Effect of monosodium glutamate on fetal development and progesterone level in pregnant Wistar Albino rats
Authors: Shosha Hadeer M. , Ebaid Hala M. , Toraih Eman A. , Abdelrazek Heba M. A. , Elrayess Ranwa A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMonosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widespread flavor enhancer and stabilizer in manufactured or packaged foods that possess myriad adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MSG on placental progesterone receptors and fetal development. Thirty pregnant Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups (ten/each). The control group (G1) gavaged distilled water only, low-dose treated group (G2) gavaged 3 g/kg MSG, and high-dose treated group (G3) gavaged 6 g/kg MSG from 1st to 18th days of gestation, and all pregnant rats were sacrificed on the 19th day of gestation. The effect of MSG on fetal weights, crown vertebral length (CVL), placental weight, placental ghrelin expression, and fetal skeleton examination were estimated. MSG induced a significant decrease in fetal weights, CVL lengths, placental weight, and ghrelin expression in both treatment groups compared to the control group. Several parts of the fetal skeleton showed incomplete ossification and delayed chondrification in which high-dose maternally treated fetuses were more affected. Many degenerative changes were detected in both maternal and fetal liver and kidney tissues in MSG-treated groups. Moreover, MSG caused a significant increase in serum ALT, ALP, and creatinine levels in pregnant rats’ blood. Serum progesterone was only elevated in G3 on the 19th day of gestation. This study showed that the administration of MSG during pregnancy adversely influences fetal growth and skeletal development and caused several biochemical and histological changes in the maternal and fetal liver and kidney tissues which assure the toxic and teratogenic effects of MSG.
Deep drawability of additively manufactured sheets with a structured core
Authors: Rosenthal Stephan , Hahn Marlon , Tekkaya A. Erman 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe deep drawability of additively manufactured stainless steel sheets with a core structure is investigated. By fracture forming limit diagrams it is shown that the additively manufactured sheets reveal good formability. The deep drawing process is analyzed numerically and the numerical models are validated experimentally. The main failure mode is a fracture of the face sheets. No severe deformation of the core structure was encountered, leading to the fact that the parts keep their structural integrity after the deep drawing process. It is shown that the process forces can reasonably be predicted by a modified Siebel’s method. A process window diagram is derived, e.g. showing a maximum deep drawing ratio βmax = 1.4 for honeycomb structures with a relative core density of ρcore = 0.22.
After the mammoths: The ecological legacy of late Pleistocene megafauna extinctions
Authors: Smith Felisa A. , Elliott Smith Emma A. , Hedberg Carson P. , Lyons S. Kathleen , Pardi Melissa I. , Tomé Catalina P. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe significant extinctions in Earth history have largely been unpredictable in terms of what species perish and what traits make species susceptible. The extinctions occurring during the late Pleistocene are unusual in this regard, because they were strongly size-selective and targeted exclusively large-bodied animals (i.e., megafauna, >1 ton) and disproportionately, large-bodied herbivores. Because these animals are also at particular risk today, the aftermath of the late Pleistocene extinctions can provide insights into how the loss or decline of contemporary large-bodied animals may influence ecosystems. Here, we review the ecological consequences of the late Pleistocene extinctions on major aspects of the environment, on communities and ecosystems, as well as on the diet, distribution and behavior of surviving mammals. We find the consequences of the loss of megafauna were pervasive and left legacies detectable in all parts of the Earth system. Furthermore, we find that the ecological roles that extinct and modern megafauna play in the Earth system are not replicated by smaller-bodied animals. Our review highlights the important perspectives that paleoecology can provide for modern conservation efforts.
Wellbeing and mental health outcomes amongst hospital healthcare workers during COVID-19
Authors: Lowry D. , Hevey D. , Wilson C. , O’ Doherty V. , O’ Sullivan S. , Finnerty C. , Pender N. , D’Alton P. , Mulhern S. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground:Global healthcare systems have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are widely reported to have experienced increased levels of baseline psychological distress relative to the general population, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have had an additive effect. However, previous studies are typically restricted to physicians and nurses with limited data available on hospital HCWs. We aimed to conduct a cross-sectional, psychological evaluation of Irish HCWs during COVID-19.Methods:HCWs across five adult acute level-4 Dublin-based hospitals completed an online survey of wellbeing and COVID-19 experience.Results:There were 1898 HCWs who commenced the survey representing 10% of the total employee base. The sample comprised nurses (33%), doctors (21%), Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs) (24%) and ‘Other’ disciplines (22%), and 81% identified as female. Clinical levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms were endorsed by 31%, 34% and 28% of respondents, respectively. Professional grouping effects included: nurses reporting significantly greater levels of COVID-19 exposure, infection, COVID-fear, moral injury, and post-traumatic distress; HSCPs were significantly less likely to report mood dysfunction. In terms of gender, males were significantly less likely to report negative pandemic experiences, low resilience, and significantly more likely to endorse ‘minimal’ depression, anxiety, and traumatic distress. Logistic regression modelling revealed mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms) were associated with increased frontline exposure, fewer career years’ experience, elevated pre-pandemic stress, and female gender.Discussion:To our knowledge, this is the largest evaluation of psychological wellbeing amongst HCWs in acute hospitals in the Dublin region. Our findings have implications for healthcare workforce wellbeing and future service delivery.
Revisiting the modes of China's revisionism: a comment on Natalizia and Termine
Authors: Lawson Fred H. , Legrenzi Matteo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractGabriele Natalizia and Lorenzo Termine lay out an innovative framework to analyze the trajectory of the current foreign policy of the People's Republic of China. As it stands, it suffers from serious conceptual ambiguities and generates a set of categories that is too large to guide empirical research. After revision, however, the framework that Natalizia and Termine propose can be deployed to elucidate Beijing's behavior in various parts of the world, most notably the Persian Gulf.
The numerical simulation of aircraft evacuation and its application to aircraft design and certification
Authors: Owen M. , R. Galea E. , Lawrence P. J. , Filippidis L. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractComputer based mathematical models describing the aircraft evacuation process have a vital role to play in the design and development of safer aircraft, the implementation of safer and more rigorous certification criteria, in cabin crew training and post-mortem accident investigation. As the risk of personal injury and the costs involved in performing large-scale evacuation experiments for the next generation ultra high capacity aircraft (UHCA) are expected to be high, the development and use of these evacuation modelling tools may become essential if these aircraft are to prove a viable reality. This paper describes the capabilities and limitations of the airEXODUS evacuation model and some attempts at validation, including its successful application to the prediction of a recent certification trial, prior to the actual trial taking place. Also described is a newly defined performance parameter known as OPS that can be used as a measure of evacuation trial optimality. In addition, sample evacuation simulations in the presence of fire atmospheres are described.
Realisation of the full potential of the laser doppler anemometer in the analysis of complex flows
Authors: Barrett R. V. , Swales C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAn improved method of alignment for the laser doppler anemometer has been developed which greatly enhances its capabilities for the examination of the often very small scale complexities of three-dimensional flows. Unlike the alignment methods normally employed, which are subjective, this method is quantitative, using a pin-hole device to measure laser light intensity. This ‘pin-hole meter’ also enables the geometry of the laser beam configuration to be defined in situ and with greater facility and precision than previous methods. Examples are given which illustrate the enhanced capability of the system, the greatest improvement coming from the ability to operate in the difficult to achieve and sustain, off-axis mode of signal collection. With this mode, the improved procedures enable very small measurement volumes, typically 50 micron diameter, while maintaining high data rates, in measurements taken from distances compatible with accessing the flow from outside the windtunnel.
The dynamic induced velocity field of a model rotor in hover conditions
Authors: Ellenrieder T. J. , Brinson P. R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractResults obtained from measurements of the dynamic induced velocity field beneath a model rotor are presented. The collective and cyclic pitch of a four bladed rotor of 1·54 m diameter were excited at frequencies up to 1·5 times rotor shaft speed. Flow measurements were taken using hot wire anemometry probes and a laser doppler anemometer. A range of radial and vertical positions near the rotor disc were investigated.Analysis of the dynamic induced flow response is conducted in the frequency domain and it is found that there are significant radial and azimuthal variations which depend on the frequency of excitation. It is also observed that a change in the character of the inflow response occurs near and above the shaft rotational frequency and that vertical measuring distance from the rotor significantly affects the measured responses.Some results for the case of cyclic excitation are given. These show, that contrary to momentum theory predictions, the highest induced velocities in the dynamic case do not occur over the area of the disc where the blade pitch is at its maximum.Overall, the results show that the dynamic induced velocity field is highly complex and heavily influenced by the distribution of time varying shed vorticity within the wake.
An experimental study of the idealised vortex system of a novel rotor blade tip
Authors: Copland C. M. , Coton F. N. , Galbraith R. A. McD. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractExperiments have been conducted to investigate the flowfield associated with two co-rotating vortices which represent the idealised vortex system associated with a novel rotor blade tip planform. These vortices were generated by two rectangular NACA 0015 half wings positioned upstream of the working section of a low speed windtunnel. Hot-wire measurements were conducted downstream of the generators using X-wire probes to document the strength, position and size of the vortices. A numerical model was utilised to provide an accurate means of determining vortex strength, position and size. Finally, the model was successfully extended to consider the rotation of the vortex system.
Heat transfer in a radially rotating smooth-walled tube
Authors: Morris W.D. , Chang S.W. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryThis paper describes a detailed experimental investigation of turbulent heat transfer in a radially rotating tube with particular reference to its application to the design of cooled turbine rotor blades. The paper focuses on the strategy adopted, the description of the apparatus used, the method of data processing and a selection of measurements which illustrate the manner by which Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy force interactively affect the local heat transfer along the leading and trailing edges of the tube.As well as re-confirming the fact that Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy have a significant influence on the forced convection mechanism present due to the through flow, a number of new experimentally-based observations are presented. An empirical correlation, which is physically consistent, has been developed which permits the interactive effect of Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy on forced convection to be evaluated and quantified.The work has been motivated by the need to understand the general effect of rotation on the performance of the internal cooling airways used in gas turbine rotor blades.
A robust controller design for supersonic intermittent blowdown-type windtunnels
Authors: Hwang D-S. , Hsu P-L. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEffective operation of a large-scale supersonic intermittent blow-down windtunnel system requires suitable control of the air control valve to establish the desired pressure profile in the settling chamber and generate a corresponding supersonic air flow. In this paper, we establish a lumped parameter nonlinear time-varying mathematical model for blowdown-type windtunnels, based on the thermal-fluid mechanical balance principle. We apply the LQG/LTR procedure to achieve a robust controller design that diminishes the effects of unavoidable uncertainties and time-varying characteristics and obtains the desired experimental environment in the system. Simulation results show that this LQG/LTR based controller, with a carefully selected loop shape combining both anti-integrator windup and the time-delay compensation schemes, achieves satisfactory control performance for the entire windtunnel testing procedure.
Computation, analysis and theory of two-phase flows
Authors: Guha A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe non-equilibrium fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of two-phase vapour-droplet and gas-particle flow are considered. The formation of the droplets as well as their subsequent interaction with the vapour are discussed. Five topics have been given particular attention: (i) CFD application to unsteady condensation waves, (ii) CFD application to shock waves moving through a vapour-droplet mixture, (iii) a new theory of nucleation of water droplets in steam turbines based on Monte Carlo simulation (steam turbines are responsible for 80% of global electricity production and the presence of moisture significantly reduces the turbine efficiency costing £50m per annum in the UK alone), (iv) a unified theory for the interpretation of total pressure and total temperature in two-phase flows and, (v) a unified theory of particle transport in a turbulent flowfield.
Future large aircraft design — the delta with suction
Authors: Denning R. M. , Allen J. E. , Armstrong F. W. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSince the 1970s, large passenger aircraft design has evolved by modest, but commercially significant, incremental change following the underwing pod concept pioneered by the Boeing 707. In the 21st century, the market is likely to require greater passenger capacity to deal with air-side congestion and higher performance and operational efficiency to justify investment and conserve finite fossil fuel resources. Public opinion will require far greater emphasis on control of noise and engine exhaust pollution. There is likely to be much increased emphasis on pollution in the upper-atmosphere and its environmental impact. In such a situation, it is questionable whether the evolutionary design route can produce the necessary advances and this must stimulate the search for radical design alternatives.A revolutionary approach, involving the delta planform combined with wing laminar flow control and its impact on overall design, is given a preliminary study in this paper. This has been carried out by assuming that major improvements in drag can be obtained by extensive laminarisation. Using non-dimensional methods, the resulting broad interactive impacts on airframe and engine design and performance are derived. The effect of assuming varying quantities of low-energy air sucked from the foot of the boundary layer is studied and suction-system performance examined.In addition to the large potential improvements in range, a strong relationship between lower drag, lower cruising altitude and lower cruise engine size is identified. In the study, several factors emerge which may combine to drive large aircraft design towards low aspect ratio and the integrated delta wing planform. This paper is intended as a stimulus and a basis for further study and research.
Experimental investigation of vortex dynamics on a 65° delta wing in sideslip
Authors: Guglieri G. , Quagliotti F.B. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The flow structure on the upper side of a delta wing is extremely complex. At moderate angle of attack the flowfield is dominated by organised vortical flow structures emanating from the leading edge. The pressure distribution created on the wing surface by these leading edge vortices causes an increment of lift which may be a relevant percentage of the total wing lift, depending on sweep angle.Delta wing performance is conditioned, however, by a phenomenon known as vortex breakdown or vortex bursting which appears at high angle of attack. This leads to a drastic change in the flowfield which influences the trend of the aerodynamic coefficients.With the aim of giving a contribution to the understanding of the phenomenon of vortex breakdown, a 65° delta wing has been extensively tested in the low speed windtunnel of Politecnico di Torino (TPI) both in static and dynamic conditions, under forced oscillatory motions.Many experiments have been carried out in an effort to understand the factors which can affect the breakdown by varying angle of attack, sideslip angle and Reynolds number.Flow visualizations have been performed using helium bubble tracers. This technique showed a very good capability for visualizing vortical flows and breakdown, both in static and dynamic conditions.For the static case, pressure distributions are presented, correlated to force measurements and flow visualizations, at different angles of attack and sideslip for different flow conditions.For the dynamic case force measurements are shown, compared with flow visualizations, for different angles of attack and for different oscillation frequencies.