bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Fractional-Order Fast-Terminal-Type Sliding Mode Control for Underwater Vehicle-Manipulator Systems
Authors: Yu Fujie , Zhu Qilong , Chen Yuan 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
This article proposes an adaptive fractional-order fast-terminal-type sliding mode control method to solve the trajectory tracking problem of the underwater vehicle-manipulator system in the presence of large dynamic uncertainties and strong external disturbances. For improving the control continuity and accuracy of the conventional sliding mode control method, a modified fractional-order sliding mode control scheme with a novel fractional-order sliding manifold and a fast-terminal-type reaching law is proposed. In addition, an auto-tuning law of switching gains is presented and combined with the fractional-order sliding mode control scheme to overcome the problem that the fixed switching gain may lead to obvious tracking performance degradation under complicated lumped disturbances. Finally, the superiorities of the proposed adaptive fractional-order fast-terminal-type sliding mode control method are verified through a series of comparative simulations of a 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) UVMS carrying a 6DOF manipulator.
Model of Angular Object Positioning Process by a System of Oblique Friction Force Fields on Parallel Planes
Authors: Piatkowski Tomasz 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The primary contribution of the paper is a proposal of a method to minimize the angular positioning error in the process of transferring cuboidal objects between oblique friction force fields generated by two conveyors located on parallel planes. The research included infeed conveyors with two variants of inputs: angular and straight. It was assumed that the object, while moving between oblique conveyors at different heights, performs a 3D movement. The object is treated as a rigid body with a soft base, edges, and corners that can be subjected to significant local deformations. A modified nonlinear Kelvin model was used to describe the normal reaction forces at the contact points of the object with the bearing surfaces of the conveyors, and the modified static Bengisu–Akay friction model represents the tangential forces. Research shows that the use of a slight offset between the bearing surfaces of the conveyors and the highest possible proportion between the motion velocities of the infeed and outfeed conveyors have positive effect on improving the angular precision of the positioned objects. This conclusion applies to both variants of the infeed conveyor inputs. The results of the research have practical application in the design of high-performance conveyor transport systems, used in the processes of picking cuboidal objects, requiring a strictly defined angular orientation.
Thermodynamic Optimization of Subcritical and Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle Power Plants for Waste Heat Recovery in Marine Vessels
Authors: Oyekale Joseph , Mgbemena Chinedum 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
This study was aimed at comparing the optimal thermodynamic performance of subcritical and supercritical organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plants for waste heat recovery from ship engines. The technical impacts of adopting a supercritical ORC scheme relative to the usual subcritical one have not been explicitly reported in the literature for heat recovery in ship engines, hence this study. The fluids R245fa, R134a, and R600a were employed for analysis due to their versatility in real systems. The ORC plants were modeled and optimized in matlab using established zero-dimensional models to satisfy the first law mass and energy balances. Results showed that introducing a recuperator would increase ORC performance. For the R600a which exhibited the best performance among the three working fluids, a net power output of 488.3 kW was obtained for the subcritical ORC without a recuperator (SYS A) and 543.7 kW for the one with a recuperator (SYS B). Furthermore, a switch to a supercritical ORC configuration increased the net power by about 29% for R134a and 10% for R600a, and increased the thermal efficiency by about 2.2 percentage points for R134a and 0.5 percentage points for R600a, referencing the supercritical configuration without a recuperator (SYS C) and SYS A.
Lean-Burn Combustor Simulator for an Engine-Component Test Facility: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Amend Jonas , Lubbock Roderick , Ornano Francesco , Povey Thomas 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The computational and experimental assessment of a lean-burn low-NOx combustor simulator for an engine component test facility is presented. The Engine Component Aero-Thermal (ECAT) facility is a full-scale engine-parts facility, designed for the study of the aero-thermal performance of fully cooled high-pressure nozzle guide vanes (NGVs). The facility operates with non-dimensionally matched engine conditions in terms of Reynolds number, Mach number, and coolant-to-mainstream pressure ratio. The combustor simulator is designed to replicate lean-burn conditions of swirl and temperature distortion upstream of the nozzle guide vanes. The purpose is to allow the study of flow capacity, aerodynamic performance (with film cooling), and thermal performance (overall effectiveness) in the presence of engine-realistic inlet distortions. The ECAT combustor simulator design builds on the work of Hall and Povey, who developed a full-scale low-speed atmospheric-pressure combustor simulator for the preliminary design of similar simulators later implemented in the Oxford Turbine Research Facility and ECAT. This pilot facility produced non-dimensional lean-burn combustor-exit conditions closely matched to target profiles representative of modern aero engines. This design was modified and scaled for compatibility with the annulus-line and higher-pressure operating conditions of the ECAT facility. In the present study, detailed experimental measurements with multi-hole probes and thermocouples (pressure profile and temperature field) are presented and compared to results from Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Simulations. Additional simulations were performed to understand how the elevated back-pressure and vane potential field affect the non-dimensional profiles of pressure loss, residual swirl, and temperature at the combustor–turbine interface. This is perhaps the most comprehensive study to date of a combustor simulator in an engine-scale research facility, providing a unique insight into the known challenges of simulator design, scaling issues when moving from low to high Reynolds number, and limitations of computational fluid dynamics in this flow environment. The results, which will serve as boundary conditions to understand the impact of this flow on components in future studies in this facility, demonstrate the fidelity with which lean-burn target conditions can be replicated in a non-reacting environment.
Construct Validity and Test–Retest Reliability of Hip Load Compared With Playerload During Football-Specific Running, Kicking, and Jumping Tasks
Authors: Wilmes Erik , Bastiaansen Bram J.C. , de Ruiter Cornelis J. , Vegter Riemer J.K. , Brink Michel S. , Weersma Hidde , Goedhart Edwin A. , Lemmink Koen A.P.M. , Savelsbergh Geert J.P. 
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To determine the test–retest reliability of the recently developed Hip Load metric, evaluate its construct validity, and assess the differences with Playerload during football-specific short-distance shuttle runs. Methods: Eleven amateur football players participated in 2 identical experimental sessions. Each session included 3 different shuttle runs that were performed at 2 pace-controlled running intensities. The runs consisted of only running, running combined with kicks, and running combined with jumps. Cumulative Playerload and Hip Loads of the preferred and nonpreferred kicking leg were collected for each shuttle run. Test–retest reliability was determined using intraclass correlations, coefficients of variation, and Bland–Altman analyses. To compare the load metrics with each other, they were normalized to their respective values obtained during a 54-m run at 9 km/h. Sensitivity of each load metric to running intensity, kicks, and jumps was assessed using separate linear mixed models. Results: Intraclass correlations were high for the Hip Loads of the preferred kicking leg (.91) and the nonpreferred kicking leg (.96) and moderate for the Playerload (.87). The effects (95% CIs) of intensity and kicks on the normalized Hip Load of the kicking leg (intensity: 0.95 to 1.50, kicks: 0.36 to 1.59) and nonkicking leg (intensity: 0.96 to 1.53, kicks: 0.06 to 1.34) were larger than on the normalized Playerload (intensity: 0.12 to 0.25, kicks: 0.22 to 0.53). Conclusions: The inclusion of Hip Load in training load quantification may help sport practitioners to better balance load and recovery.
Methane Concentration and δ13C Isotopic Signature in Methane over Arctic Seas in Summer and Autumn 2020
Authors: Pankratova N. V. , Belikov I. B. , Skorokhod A. I. , Belousov V. A. , Muravya V. O. , Flint M. V. , Berezina E. V. , Novigatsky A. N. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
We have studied the assessment of methane content in the near atmospheric layer of the Arctic seas and the sources of its emissions. Continuous atmospheric measurements of methane concentration and δ13C isotope signature in methane were carried out during two expeditions aboard the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in the summer and autumn of 2020. The minimum CH4 concentration (mean 1.937 ± 0.010 ppm) were obtained over the North and Norwegian Seas. The maximum CH4 concentration took place above the Kara (1.998 ± 0.030 ppm on average, maximum values are up to 2.000–2.040 ppm) and White (2.006 ± 0.030 ppm on average) seas. The average values of δ13C in the studied region were close to that typical for the Northern Hemisphere: –47.5‰. Regional changes in δ13C allowed CH4 sources to be identified and showed that the methane concentration in the surface atmospheric level is mainly affected by the direction of air-mass advection.
What should be measured? Nursing education institutions performance: a qualitative study
Authors: Ghofrani Marjan , Valizadeh Leila , Zamanzadeh Vahid , Ghahramanian Akram , Janati Ali , Taleghani Fariba 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesIn this qualitative study, we specify important domains of a nursing education institution that need to be measured to represent its performance via students’ perspectives, one of the most important stakeholders in higher education.SettingThis study was conducted in a nursing and midwifery faculty.ParticipantsParticipants were bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. students in nursing. Convenience sampling was used. The aim and methods of the study were explained to the students, and they were invited to participate in the focus groups. Four focus groups (n=27) were held.ResultsThirteen categories emerged that were assigned to three components of the Donabedian model. The structure component contained three categories: learning fields, equipment and facilities and human resources standards. The process component contained five categories: workshops for students and staff, student familiarity with the institution’s rules and plans, teaching, students evaluation and evaluation of teaching staff by students and peers. And outcome components contained five categories: results of self-evaluation by students, graduates’ outcomes, students’ outcomes, students surveys results and related medical centres performance.Conclusion(s)Based on the needs and ideas of this important group of stakeholders, we can proceed further. Once we specify what is important to be measured, then it is appropriate to develop or choose suitable and measurable performance indicators for each of the recognised categories.
Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of the Prognostic Nutritional Index in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours undergoing surgery: a meta-analysis
Authors: Kang Niansong , Gu Hongping , Ni Yuehan , Wei Xia , Zheng Sihui 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesPrevious studies have investigated the prognostic value of the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). However, the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to quantitatively determine the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of PNI in GISTs.DesignThis meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Pooled HRs and 95% CIs were calculated to estimate the prognostic value of PNI in patients with GISTs. Combined ORs and corresponding 95% CIs were used to evaluate the association between the PNI and clinicopathological characteristics.Data sourcesThe electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library were thoroughly searched from inception to December 2021.Eligibility criteriaA random-effects model or fixed-effects model was selected based on the level of heterogeneity among the included studies.ResultsEight studies comprising 2307 patients were included in this meta-analysis. A low PNI was significantly associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.47, p<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HR 4.35, 95% CI 1.25 to 16.83, p=0.033) in patients with GISTs. In addition, a low PNI was significantly associated with tumour size ≥5 cm (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.24, p=0.002) and primary tumour site in small intestine/colorectum/extra-GISTs (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.26, p=0.004).ConclusionsPatients with GISTs and a lower PNI had inferior RFS and OS. Patients with GISTs and a low PNI may have a higher risk of tumour recurrence.
Effect of a standardised heart team protocol versus a guideline-based protocol on revascularisation decision stability in stable complex coronary artery disease: rationale and design of a randomised trial of cardiology specialists using historic cases
Authors: Ma Hanping , Lin Shen , Li Xi , Wang Yang , Xu Bo , Zheng Zhe 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionA multidisciplinary heart team approach has been recommended by revascularisation guidelines, but how to organise and implement the heart team in a standardised way has not been validated. Inter-team and intra-team decision instability existed in the guideline-based heart team protocol, and our standardised heart team protocol based on a mixed method study may improve decision stability. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the standardised heart team protocol versus the guideline-based protocol on decision-making stability in stable complex coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods and analysisEighty-four eligible interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons or non-interventional cardiologists from 26 hospitals in China have been enrolled. They will be randomised to a standardised heart team protocol group or a guideline-based protocol group to make revascularisation decisions for 480 historic cases (from a prospective registry) with stable complex CAD. In the standardised group, we will establish 12 heart teams based on an evidence-based protocol, including specialist selection, specialist training, team composition, team training and a standardised meeting process. In the guideline-based group, we will organise 12 heart teams according to the guideline principles, including team composition and standardised meeting process. The primary outcome is the overall percent agreement in revascularisation decisions between heart teams within a group. To demonstrate the clinical implication of decision-making stability, we will further explore the association between decision stability and 1-year clinical outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Fuwai Hospital (No. 2019-1303). All participants have provided informed consent and all patients included as historic cases provided written informed consent at the time of entry to the prospective registry. The results of this trial will be disseminated through manuscript publication and national/international conferences, and reported in the trial registry entry.Trial registration numberNCT05039567.
Feasibility and acceptability of remote procedures to study tobacco product use and respiratory health: an observational study
Authors: Vogel Erin A , Rebuli Meghan E , Wong Melissa , Leventhal Adam , Monterosso John , Tackett Alayna P 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveObtaining ecologically valid biological samples is critical for understanding respiratory effects of tobacco use, but can be burdensome. In two diverse samples, we examined feasibility and acceptability of studying pulmonary function and respiratory health entirely remotely.DesignObservational feasibility and acceptability study.Setting and participantsAdults age 18–25 (Biomedical Respiratory Effects Associated through Habitual Use of E-Cigarettes [BREATHE] Study) and 21–65 (Adult IQOS Respiratory [AIRS] Study) recruited from previous research studies and advertisements in Southern California, USA (BREATHE (AIRS): N=77 (N=31) completed baseline, n=64 (n=20) completed feasibility and acceptability measures). Shared inclusion criteria for the two studies were ownership of a smartphone, willingness to download applications and English fluency. In addition, BREATHE participants reported one of three tobacco use patterns. AIRS participants smoked daily and were willing to use a heated tobacco product. Exclusion criteria were medical contraindications.InterventionsA 4-week study consisted of five virtual study visits, twice daily ecological momentary assessment diaries and spirometry assessments, and weekly Nasal Epithelial Lining Fluid and saliva collection. All study visits were conducted via video conference; study materials and biospecimens were exchanged via mail. Participants reported feasibility and acceptability of daily diaries, breath tests, biospecimen collection and shipments.MeasuresSurveys assessed perceptions of timing and overall experience of daily diaries and breath tests, difficulty of and overall experience with biospecimen collection, and experience sending and receiving shipments.ResultsMost participants evaluated daily diaries and breath tests as manageable (62.5%–95.0%) and likeable (54.7%–70.0%). Breath tests were frequently described as ‘interesting’ (55.0%–57.8%) and ‘easy’ (25.0%–48.4%). Most participants reported that biospecimen collection was easy (50.0%–85.0%), and that shipments were easy to send (87.5%–95.0%), receive (95.3%–95.0%) and schedule (56.3%–60.0%). No participants received shipments in poor condition.ConclusionsRemote research procedures may be feasible and acceptable to facilitate tobacco research studies, potentially resulting in more diverse samples of participants and more generalisable research results.
Prevalence and predictors of spontaneous preterm births in Nepal: findings from a prospective, population-based pregnancy cohort in rural Nepal–a secondary data analysis
Authors: Subedi Seema , Hazel Elizabeth A , Mohan Diwakar , Zeger Scott , Mullany Luke C , Tielsch James M , Khatry Subarna K , LeClerq Steven C , Black Robert E , Katz Joanne 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivePreterm birth can have short-term and long-term complications for a child. Socioeconomic factors and pregnancy-related morbidities may be important to predict and prevent preterm births in low-resource settings. The objective of our study was to find prevalence and predictors of spontaneous preterm birth in rural Nepal.DesignThis is a secondary observational analysis of trial data (registration numberNCT01177111).SettingRural Sarlahi district, Nepal.Participants40 119 pregnant women enrolled from 9 September 2010 to 16 January 2017.Outcome measuresThe outcome variable is spontaneous preterm birth. Generalized Estimating Equations Poisson regression with robust variance was fitted to present effect estimates as risk ratios.ResultThe prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth was 14.5% (0.5% non-spontaneous). Characteristics not varying in pregnancy associated with increased risk of preterm birth were maternal age less than 18 years (adjusted risk ratio=1.13, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.26); being Muslim (1.53, 1.16 to 2.01); first pregnancy (1.15, 1.04 to 1.28); multiple births (4.91, 4.20 to 5.75) and male child (1.10, 1.02 to 1.17). Those associated with decreased risk were maternal education >5 years (0.81, 0.73 to 0.90); maternal height ≥150 cm (0.89, 0.81 to 0.98) and being from wealthier families (0.83, 0.74 to 0.93). Pregnancy-related morbidities associated with increased risk of preterm birth were vaginal bleeding (1.53, 1.08 to 2.18); swelling (1.37, 1.17 to 1.60); high systolic blood pressure (BP) (1.47, 1.08 to 2.01) and high diastolic BP (1.41, 1.17 to 1.70) in the third trimester. Those associated with decreased risk were respiratory problem in the third trimester (0.86, 0.79 to 0.94); having poor appetite, nausea and vomiting in the second trimester (0.86, 0.80 to 0.92) and third trimester (0.86, 0.79 to 0.94); and higher weight gain from second to third trimester (0.89, 0.87 to 0.90).ConclusionThe prevalence of preterm birth is high in rural Nepal. Interventions that increase maternal education may play a role. Monitoring morbidities during antenatal care to intervene to reduce them through an effective health system may help reduce preterm birth.
Straits and seaways: end members within the continuous spectrum of the dynamic connection between basins
Authors: Rossi Valentina Marzia , Longhitano Sergio G. , Olariu Cornel , Chiocci Francesco L. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Straits and seaways are fundamental connectors of oceans, seas and more rarely lakes. They are ubiquitous in the modern geography and should be common in ancient landscapes. We compare their characteristics to improve our understanding of these features, with the aim to define better their geological use.
We review geomorphological, oceanographic, geological and depositional characteristics based on well-documented modern and ancient examples, with a stronger focus on the rock record.

‘Strait’ and ‘seaway’ are differentiated by their spatial and temporal scale. This influences the type and persistence of oceanographic circulation and sediment distribution. Straits are individual depositional systems, with predictable bedform and facies changes along the sediment transport pathway, whereas seaways are larger and longer-lived physiographic domains, composed of numerous depositional systems. Therefore, their stratigraphic signature in the rock record should be significantly different. We conclude that straits and seaways are end members of a continuum, giving rise to the occurrence of intermediate cases with transitional characteristics. The distinctive geological usage of the terms ‘strait’ and ‘seaway’, even without sharp boundaries between end members, may be helpful for predicting their occurrence, stratigraphy, palaeogeography, biota distribution and potential distribution of reservoirs and seals for fossil resources and CO
2
storage.