bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the influence of fine recycled sand on the setting behaviour of cement when used as supplementary cementitious material (SCM)
Authors: Wolf Benjamin , Paule Johannes , Kustermann Andrea
Published: September 2022

The building materials industry makes a major contribution to greenhouse gases emitted each year, particularly by the cement clinker production. Therefore, the aim should be to maintain an increased part of building material from demolition sites in the material cycle. The use of the fine material (< 2mm) from demolition waste in concrete has so far proved to be problematic due to the increased water demand and loss of compressive strength. One approach is the use of recycled concrete powder (RCP) as supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Demolition material used in this study has been obtained from discarded railroad sleepers and pre-crushed as sand (< 4 mm). The recycled sand was subjected to a mechanical and thermal activation process before use, then was ground to a particle size <63 μm and then fired at 4 different temperatures (750°C, 800°C, 850°C, 900°C). The aim was to convert parts of the hydrated C-S-H structure back into reactive silicate phases through firing process. They can contribute again to the hydration process when used as supplementary cementitious material. The ground and thermally treated material - called SCM - wasexamined for their physical and chemical properties. Subsequently, 10 and 20 Vol.-% were replaced by the SCM in a binder mixture, respectively. In a first step, the different water demand of the binders was documented. Ultrasonic methods were used to investigate the stiffening and setting behaviour of the binders. The decisive factor here was the proportion of chemically bound water in the binder mixtures. Finally, the mechanical properties of the binders were investigated in mortar tests. Acceptable compressive strengths were achieved compared to the reference mortar (mortar mixture without cement substitution). At first glance, it seems possible to use it as an SCM.
Uterine Fibroid Treated with Homoeopathic Medicine: A Case Report
Authors: Kumari Punam
Published: September 2022

Uterine fibroids are the commonest benign uterine tumours, most commonly found in women in the reproductive age group. The cause of fibroids is not well understood. Fibroids originate from uterine smooth muscle cells whose growth is primarily dependent on the levels of circulating oestrogen. Symptoms of uterine fibroid include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods and pelvic pain. Uterine fibroid is common indication of hysterectomy nowadays and it leads to many complications. Here a case of 47-year-old woman suffering from painful menses with uterine fibroid measuring 18.4 × 17.7 mm is presented that was completely resolved with individualised homoeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica with significant improvement in her quality of life. The case was followed up with symptomatic assessment reported by patient, Visual Analogue Scale and laboratory investigations. The case reporting is done according to the Homoeopathic clinical case reporting (HOM-CASE) guidelines, extension of Clinical case reporting (CARE) guidelines. The causal relationship between the clinical improvement and the medicine prescribed was assessed by the MONARCH Inventory, an improved version of the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy.
A Simple Method to Improve Intraoperative Localization of Fiducial Markers during Lung Resections
Authors: He Shengliang , Beamer Staci , Jaroszewski Dawn , D'Cunha Jonathan , Ravanbakhsh Samine
Published: September 2022

Background Lung cancer screening programs have increased the detection of early-stage lung cancer. High-resolution computed tomography can detect small, low-density pulmonary nodules, or ground-glass opacities. Obtaining a tissue diagnosis can be challenging, often necessitating surgical diagnosis. Preoperative localization and intraoperative fluoroscopy are valuable tools to guide resections for small pulmonary nodules.

Case Description We present three cases using intraoperative fluoroscopy and Faxitron Bioptics that enhanced our certainty of resection of nonpalpable nodules.

Conclusion We support the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy with the unique addition of Faxitron BioVision as safe and reliable methods to enhance the certainty of resection.
Improving customer segmentation via classification of key accounts as outliers
Authors: Spoor Jan Michael
Published: September 2022

Customer segmentation and key account management are important use cases for clustering algorithms. Here, a data set of a Portuguese wholesaler for food and household supplies is used as an exemplary application. To increase the quality of the analysis, a two-stage approach is proposed. First, key accounts are filtered by a density-based outlier detection. Second, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is applied to cluster smaller customers. This two-stage approach is aligned with the business implications of key accounts as outstanding and very differently behaving customers as well as with the core idea of an ABC analysis. Also, the exclusion of key accounts corresponds to the definition of outliers as the results of a different underlying mechanism. Using this two-stage approach shows better clustering results compared to using a one-stage approach applying only a GMM. Therefore, it is concluded that density-based detection of key accounts followed by a clustering using a GMM is beneficial for customer segmentation within B2B applications.
Room-temperature DC-sputtered p-type CuO accumulation-mode thin-film transistors gated by HfO2
Authors: Zeng Xi , Zhukova Maria , Faniel Sébastien , Li Guoli , Flandre Denis
Published: September 2022

CuO grown by room-temperature direct current reactive magnetron sputtering is introduced to realize p-type thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a high-k HfO2 gate dielectric fabricated by atomic layer deposition. The devices work in an accumulation mode (AM) with two apparent threshold voltages corresponding to the formation of a buried channel and an accumulation layer, respectively. A CuO AM TFT with a channel length of 25 μm exhibit a competitive on-off ratio (Ion/Ioff) of 1.3 × 102, a subthreshold swing (SS) of 1.04 V dec−1, and a field-effect mobility (μFE) of 1.1 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. By measuring a CuO metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor at room temperature, a high acceptor doping density (NA) of ∼5 × 1017 cm−3, a high positive effective fixed surface charge density (Qf) of ∼9 × 1012 cm−2, and a low interfacial trap charge density (Dit) of ∼6 × 1010 eV−1 cm−2 at the HfO2/CuO interface are estimated. The μFE extracted from the accumulation regime appears lower than the Hall mobility measured for a similarly processed CuO layer on glass due to the increased hole concentration in CuO TFTs, compared to a Hall concentration of ∼1014 cm−3, following the MOS process. SS appears limited by the decreased channel to gate capacitance (Ccg) related to the buried channel in AM TFTs, parasitic capacitance to ground, and potentially very high interfacial traps at the non-passivated CuO/air interface.
Three-dimensional hot-spot x-ray emission tomography from cryogenic deuterium–tritium direct-drive implosions on OMEGA
Authors: Churnetski K. , Woo K. M. , Theobald W. , Radha P. B. , Betti R. , Gopalaswamy V. , Igumenshchev I. V. , Ivancic S. T. , Michalko M. , Shah R. C. , Stoeckl C. , Thomas C. A. , Regan S. P.
Published: September 2022

A three-dimensional model of the hot-spot x-ray emission has been developed and applied to the study of low-mode drive asymmetries in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions on OMEGA with cryogenic deuterium–tritium targets. The steady-state model assumes an optically thin plasma and the data from four x-ray diagnostics along quasi-orthogonal lines of sight are used to obtain a tomographic reconstruction of the hot spot. A quantitative analysis of the hot-spot shape is achieved by projecting the x-ray emission into the diagnostic planes and comparing this projection to the measurements. The model was validated with radiation-hydrodynamic simulations assuming a mode-2 laser illumination perturbation resulting in an elliptically shaped hot spot, which was accurately reconstructed by the model using synthetic x-ray images. This technique was applied to experimental data from implosions in polar-direct-drive illumination geometry with a deliberate laser-drive asymmetry, and the hot-spot emission was reconstructed using spherical-harmonic modes of up to ℓ = 3. A 10% stronger drive on the equator relative to that on the poles resulted in a prolate-shaped hot spot at stagnation with a large negative A2,0 coefficient of A2,0 = −0.47 ± 0.03, directly connecting the modal contribution of the hot-spot shape with the modal contribution in laser-drive asymmetry.
Removal of spiral turbulence by virtual electrodes through the use of a circularly polarized electric field
Authors: Feng Xia , Yin XunLi , Wen JunQing , Wu Hua , Gao Xiang
Published: September 2022

Heart disease is the leading cause of death and is often accompanied by cardiac fibrillation. Defibrillation using the virtual electrode effects is a promising alternative compared to using the high-voltage electric shock in the clinic. Our earlier works [X. Feng, X. Gao, D. B. Pan, B. W. Li, and H. Zhang, Sci. Rep. 4, 04381 (2014).; X. Feng, X. Gao, J.-M. Tang, J.-T. Pan, and H. Zhang, Sci. Rep. 5, 13349 (2015).; X. Feng and X. Gao, Nonlinear Dyn. 98, 1919–1927 (2019).] prove that, compared with other external electric fields, a low voltage circularly polarized electric field is more efficient in turning non-excitable defects in cardiac tissue into virtual electrodes. It, therefore, needs lower voltage to stimulate the excitation waves and causes less harm to reset the spiral turbulence of cardiac excitation for defibrillation. In this paper, we investigate the virtual electrode effect of multiple defects by the circularly polarized electric field for the removal of spiral turbulence. Considering different shapes, sizes, and distributions of multiple defects, we reveal the phase locking of stimulated excitations around multiple virtual electrodes. Furthermore, the circularly polarized electric field parameters are optimized to remove the spiral turbulence.
A “riding” combustion mode in CuO/Al reactive multilayer nano-foils
Authors: Lebedev E. A. , Rogachev A. S. , Vadchenko S. G. , Gromov D. G. , Alymov M. I.
Published: September 2022

Reactive multilayer nano-foils possess high heat release and combustion temperature, which makes them very attractive for advanced applications, such as materials joining materials, tuning ignition and actuation, energy microsources, and others. The combustion mechanism of CuO/Al foils has not been adequately described yet. In this work, we report experimental evidence of an amazing combustion mode in CuO/Al reactive multilayer nano-foils. A set of droplets of molten combustion products forms behind the reaction front and “rides” this front under the action of surface tension. When the combustion front arrives at the edge of substrate and stops, the droplets start to fly-by inertia along-track direction of the combustion propagation. Thus, the combustion front can throw hot micro-droplets toward a predetermined target to perform some specific action, e.g., distance ignition, actuating pulse, or energy transfer.
Mirroring of synchronization in a bi-layer master–slave configuration of Kuramoto oscillators
Authors: Biswas Dhrubajyoti , Gupta Sayan
Published: September 2022

The phenomenon of mirroring of synchronization is investigated in dynamically dissimilar, unidirectionally coupled, bi-layer master–slave configuration of globally coupled Kuramoto oscillators. The dynamics of the master layer depends solely on the distribution of the natural frequencies of its oscillators. On the other hand, the slave layer dynamics depends not only on the distribution of the natural frequencies of its oscillators but also on the unidirectional coupling with the master layer. The standard Kuramoto order parameter is used to study synchronization in the individual layers and of the bi-layer network. A transition to a completely mirroring state is observed in the dynamics of the slave layer, as the mirroring coefficient in the unidirectional coupling is increased. We derive analytically and verify numerically the conditions for the slave layer to fully mimic the synchronization properties of the master layer. It is further shown that while the master and slave layers are individually synchronized, the bi-layer network exhibits a state of frustrated synchronization.
Contrast and analogy in aspectual distinctions of English and Polish
Authors: Kokorniak Iwona
Published: September 2022

This chapter makes an attempt at finding contrasts and analogies in the aspectual system of Polish and
English with the use of the Integrated Model of Aspect (Kokorniak 2018). The
model employs categorisation and other conceptual mechanisms (Langacker
1987, 1999, 2009) in order
to reveal that the two aspectual systems, as proposed by Comrie (1976: 25),
belong to different levels of elaboration, which is why they have been considered incompatible. The author suggests
that the level of aspectual classes should be used for the comparison to be possible (Vendler 1957; Croft 2012). In a detailed comparative
qualitative analysis of think predicates, aspectual distinctions are considered in terms of stativity vs.
dynamicity, (a)telicity, (un)boundedness, replicability vs. expandability and punctuality vs. durativity.
From nouns to verbs
Authors: Janda Laura A.
Published: September 2022

A conceptual metaphor motivates an analogy between nouns and verbs, here termed the Noun → Verb Analogy.
The metaphor maps properties from the source domain of space for nouns to the target domain of time for verbs. Three
case studies present evidence for this metaphorical analogy using data from Russian. The first study examines the
metaphor that underlies the Russian system of verbal aspect. The second study catalogs parallels between numeral
classifiers and aspectual markers in Russian. The third study, of the distribution of grammatical forms, shows that
aspect in verbs behaves much like number in nouns. Recognition of the Noun → Verb Analogy facilitates a more orderly
and straightforward understanding of Russian verbs.
Complex prepositions of analogy and contrast in English
Authors: Stefanowitsch Anatol
Published: September 2022

Complex prepositions of the form [P (Det) N P] and [(P) ADJ to] (e.g., in addition to,
with respect to, in accordance with, due to, pursuant
to) undoubtedly belong to formal registers that Basil Bernstein calls “elaborated code” and that John
Lucy refers to as “intellectualized language” – they are much more frequent in written than in spoken language and
they are more frequent in formal non-fiction writing (bureaucratic, academic and technical texts) than in informal
non-fiction (newspapers) or fiction writing, and they (seem to) construct more explicit, complex and decontextualized
relationships than simple prepositions, in line with the functional pressure on such registers to give preference to
accuracy over communicative economy. As such, it is interesting to study the types of relations they express, and,
crucially, the types of distinctions they make with regard to these relations. Among these relations, we find
contrast (as opposed to, in contrast with/to, contrary to) and, less frequently,
analogy (similar to, in comparison with, by analogy with/to). This offers an opportunity
to study the way in which these relations, which are implicit in linguistic construal in a wide range of constructions
and processes, are used explicitly to structure knowledge – if that is, in fact, what complex prepositions do. My
chapter focuses on complex prepositions of contrast and analogy and use a wide range of corpus data to show what
communicative functions these serve and whether and how the distinctions made possible by the existence of alternative
forms and variants are exploited both in formal and informal language.
Hong Kong Sign Language numerals
Authors: Koenders Emily
Published: September 2022

Syntactic processes trigger changes in the movement-parameter of Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) numeral signs. Though HKSL cardinal numerals by default do not contain movement and are produced in neutral space, under specific circumstances, the movement-parameter can be altered from [∅] to specifications for both path- and hand-internal movement. This creates four types of numerals: (1) event numerals, (2) transfer numerals, (3) conjunction numerals, and (4) list numerals. I analyze the syntactic structures of these four numerals as follows: Firstly, event numerals quantify the number of times an event denoted by V has occurred and in syntax the numeral is located in a FreqP in Spec,VP. Secondly, transfer numerals show transfer of ownership and are within the DP complement of V0. Thirdly, the conjunction numeral indicates that all items of a set are included and the numeral is located within ConjP. Finally, the list numeral is the head of a NumeP with a [list]-feature within DP.
Role of inter-electrode coupling on thermoelectricity in an interferometric geometry: a new proposition
Authors: Bhattacharya Ranjini , Maiti Santanu K
Published: September 2022

Efficient thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion is one of the most desirable solutions of our current day energy crisis. Exploiting the effect of quantum interference among electronic waves, in this work we propose a prescription of getting high TE efficiency, the so-called figure of merit (ZT), considering an interferometric geometry where a loop conductor is clamped between two heat baths. Unlike conventional junction configurations, we introduce an additional path for electron transfer directly from source to drain, due to their close proximity. The interplay between different paths leads to an enhanced ZT (ZT > 1). Moreover, the efficiency can be further regulated by tuning the inter-electrode coupling. The effects of magnetic flux threaded by the ring and disorder are also discussed. Our proposed prescription may lead to a new route of designing tunable TE devices at nanoscale level.
Nanowire bolometer using a 2D high-temperature superconductor
Authors: Ghosh Sanat , Jangade Digambar A , Deshmukh Mandar M
Published: September 2022

Superconducting nanowires are very important due to their applications ranging from quantum technology to astronomy. In this work, we implement a non-invasive process to fabricate nanowires of high-T
c superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ
. We demonstrate that our nanowires can be used as bolometers in the visible range with very high responsivity of 9.7 × 103 V W−1. Interestingly, in a long (30 μm) nanowire of 9 nm thickness and 700 nm width, we observe bias current-dependent localized spots of maximum photovoltage. Moreover, the scalability of the bolometer responsivity with the normal state resistance of the nanowire could allow further performance improvement by increasing the nanowire length in a meander geometry. We observe phase slip events in nanowires with small cross-sections (12 nm thick, 300 nm wide, and 3 μm long) at low temperatures. Our study presents a scalable method for realizing sensitive bolometers working near the liquid-nitrogen temperature.
Impact of spot reduction on the effectiveness of rescanning in pencil beam scanned proton therapy for mobile tumours
Authors: Bertschi Stefanie , Krieger Miriam , Weber Damien C , Lomax Antony J , van de Water Steven
Published: September 2022

Objective. In pencil beam scanning proton therapy, individually calculated and positioned proton pencil beams, also referred to as ‘spots’, are used to achieve a highly conformal dose distributions to the target. Recent work has shown that this number of spots can be substantially reduced, resulting in shorter delivery times without compromising dosimetric plan quality. However, the sensitivity of spot-reduced plans to tumour motion is unclear. Although previous work has shown that spot-reduced plans are slightly more sensitive to small positioning inaccuracies of the individual pencil beams, the resulting shorter delivery times may allow for more rescanning. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of tumour motion and the effectiveness of 3D volumetric rescanning for spot-reduced treatment plans. Approach. Three liver and two lung cancer patients with non-negligible motion amplitudes were analysed. Conventional and probabilistic internal target volume definitions were used for planning considering single or multiple breathing cycles respectively. For each patient, one clinical and two spot-reduced treatment plans were created using identical field geometries. 4D dynamic dose calculations were then performed and resulting target coverage (V95%), dose homogeneity (D5%–D95%) and hot spots (D2%) evaluated for 1–25 rescans. Main results. Over all patients investigated, spot reduction reduced the number of spots by 91% in comparison to the clinical plan, reducing field delivery times by approximately 50%. This reduction, together with the substantially increased dose per spot resulting from the spot reduction process, allowed for more rescans in the same amount of time as for clinical plans and typically improved dosimetric parameters, in some cases to values better than the reference static (3D calculated) plans. However, spot-reduced plans had an increased possibility of interference with the breathing cycle, especially for simulations of perfectly repeatable breathing. Significance. For the patients analysed in this study, spot-reduced plans were found to be a valuable option to increase the efficiency of 3D volumetric rescanning for motion mitigation, if attention is paid to possible interference patterns.
A lightweight U-net for ECG denoising using knowledge distillation
Authors: Qiu Lishen , Zhang Miao , Zhu Wenliang , Wang Lirong
Published: September 2022

Objective. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are easily polluted by various noises which are likely to have adverse effects on subsequent interpretations. Research on model lightweighting can promote the practical application of deep learning-based ECG denoising methods in real-time processing. Approach. Firstly, grouped convolution and conventional convolution are combined to replace the continuous conventional convolution in the model, and the depthwise convolution with stride is used to compress the feature map in the encoder modules. Secondly, additional identity connections and a local maximum and minimum enhancement module are designed, which can retain the detailed information and characteristic waveform in the ECG waveform while effectively denoising. Finally, we develop knowledge distillation in the experiments, which further improves the ECG denoising performance without increasing the model complexity. The ground-truth ECG is from The China Physiological Signal Challenge (CPSC) 2018, and the noise signal is from the MIT-BIH Noise Stress Test Database (NSTDB). We evaluate denoising performance using the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (P). We use the floating point of operations (FLOPs) and parameters to calculate computational complexity. Main Results. Different data generation processes are used to conduct experiments: group 1, group 2 and group 3. The results show that the proposed model (U
Lde
-net) can improve SNRs by 10.30 dB, 12.16 dB and 12.61 dB; reduce RMSEs by 9.88 × 10−2, 20.63 × 10−2 and 15.25 × 10−2; and increase Ps by 14.77 × 10−2, 27.74 × 10−2 and 21.32 × 10−2. Moreover, the denoising performance after knowledge distillation is further improved. The U
Lde
-net has parameters of 6.9 K and FLOPs of 6.6 M, which are much smaller than the compared models. Significance. We designed a lightweight model, but also retain adequate ECG denoising performance. We believe that this method can be successfully applied to practical applications under time or memory limits.
Enhancement of electro-mechanical behaviors in RE–Ba–Cu–O composite superconducting tapes with laser slit edges
Authors: Guo Chunjiang , Chen Sikan , Liu Xiao , Shi Jiangtao , Wu Yue , Cheng Chunsheng , Zhu Jiamin , Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Fang , Li Xiaofen , Zhao Yue
Published: September 2022

The slit technique is an essential process for narrowing the second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) tapes. It is still very challenging to eliminate edge defects introduced during slitting. In this work, we developed a set of reel-to-reel laser slit (LS) equipment for narrowing 2G-HTS tapes using a femtosecond infrared laser. In comparison with the commonly used mechanical slit (MS) technique, the LS technique produced no cracks at the tape edges. Electro-mechanical behaviors of 2G-HTS tapes with MS and LS edges were compared in liquid nitrogen conditions. The results of the uniaxial tensile tests showed only a minor difference in irreversible tensile stress/strain of the two kinds of tapes. However, uniaxial tensile fatigue tests showed that the critical current (I
c) retention of the LS tapes was about 14% higher than that of the MS tapes after 104 cycles (@ 77 K, σ
max = 0.8σ
y, and a stress ratio of 0.1). Moreover, U-Spring compressive tests revealed that no irreversible I
c degradation occurred on the LS tapes under compressive strain up to −0.8%, with high reproducibility. On the contrary, the irreversible compressive strains of the MS tapes were rather scattered, ranging from −0.75% to −0.2%. Enhancement of electro-mechanical behaviors is strongly linked to fewer edge defects in the LS tapes. This research demonstrates significant advantages of the LS technique over the conventional MS technique, showing its promising prospects for demanding applications.
Image-charge detection of the Rydberg transition of electrons on superfluid helium confined in a microchannel structure
Authors: Zou S , Konstantinov D
Published: September 2022

The image-charge detection provides a new direct method for the detection of the Rydberg transition of electrons trapped on the surface of liquid helium. The interest in this method is motivated by the possibility to accomplish the spin state readout for a single trapped electron, thus opening a new pathway towards using electron spins on liquid helium for quantum computing. Here, we report on the image-charge detection of the Rydberg transition in a many-electron system confined in an array of 20 μm wide and 4 μm deep channels filled with superfluid helium. Such detection is made possible because of a significant enhancement of the image-charge signal due to close proximity of trapped electrons to the electrodes embedded in the microchannel structure. The transition frequency of electrons in the range of 400–500 GHz is highly controllable by the dc bias voltages applied to the device and is in a good agreement with our calculations. This work demonstrates that microchannel structures provide a suitable platform for electron manipulation and their quantum state detection, with a feasibility of scaling the detection method to a single electron.
Research on the Magnetic Field of NGC 7793 P13 and Other Confirmed Pulsating Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources
Authors: Meng Fan-Liang , Pan Yuan-Yue , Li Zhao-Sheng
Published: September 2022

A pulsating ultraluminous X-ray source (PULX) is a new kind of pulsar (PSR) whose characteristics are different from all known neutron stars. The magnetic field of PULX is suspected to be the main reason to support its supper Eddington luminosity of PULX. NGC 7793 P13, which is the second confirmed PULX, can be easily studied due to its nearby position and isolation from other sources in its host galaxy. In this paper, we calculate its magnetic field to be ∼1.0 × 1012 G based on the continued observations from 2016 to 2020. The magnetic field evolution of NGC 7793 P13 is analyzed, which shows that the source has spent about 104 yr for the field decaying from the simulated initial strength 4.0 × 1014 G to the present value. In case of an assumed constant accretion and the limitation of the companion mass, it will be a recycled PSR whose magnetic field is ∼109 G and spin period is a few hundred milliseconds. We estimate the field strength of the other confirmed PULXs and find main range is 1013–1014 G. Their positions of the magnetic field and spin period are around or below the magnetars. This is because these PULXs are in the binary systems and are with the spin-up rate that are 2–3 orders higher than the normal binary pulsars. We suggest that PULXs are the accreting magnetars whose multi-pole strong magnetic field can support the supper Eddington luminosity. They would be helpful for studying the evolution of the magnetars, the formation of the binary PSRs above the Eddington spin-up line, and the millisecond PSRs with the magnetic field stronger than ∼109 G.
Development of green cement mortar using industrial by-products
Authors: Hashim Raad , Khan Mohammad Amir , Kadhum Mohammed , Abdulhadi B. , Samaka Isra’a
Published: September 2022

Cement is the main construction material in the infrastructure, and it determines the key properties of the concrete structures. However, cement production causes many environmental issues, including but not limited to global warming and depletion of natural resources. Therefore, this paper focuses on replacing the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in cement mortar with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and pulverised fuel ash (PFA)) to develop a green mortar that has less negative environmental impacts compared to the OPC. Different ratios of GGBS and PFA (0-40% of cement) were used in this study, and the produced samples were cured for four weeks. The compressive strength of the green mortar was measured at the ages of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The results showed the produced mortar generally is weaker than the OPC mortar, where the final compressive strength of the reference sample, sample with 20% GGBS and 20% PFA, and samples with 35% of GGBS and 35% of PFA was 13.7, 10.1 and 7.3 MPa, respectively. However, the new mortar is beneficial for both environment and construction costs.
Algal immobilization as a green technology for domestic wastewater treatment
Authors: Salman Jasim M. , Kaduem Nuhaa F. , Juda Sarab A.
Published: September 2022

wastewater treatment technology is an important issue because of numerous organic and inorganic impurities in municipal, industrial, and agricultural waters. Different systems of wastewater treatment used the microorganisms for the removal of organic materials, most species of algae represent promising biosystems for treating of wastewater by transformation or direct uptake of pollutants and improving the purification performance of bacterial systems. This work aimed to study the efficiency of immobilization technology using immobilized cells of green algae Chlorella vulgaris in the treatment of domestic wastewater. Some physical and chemical characteristics of domestic wastewater were examined and the percentage of treatment efficiency with free and immobilized cells of alga were compared. The results of the study presented high reduction of EC, salinity, TDS, total alkalinity, hardness, calcium, and chloride with slight induction of pH values to the basal side after treatment with free and immobilized algae. After (3,5,7) days of treatment with free microalgae and immobilized microalgae, the recorded value of wastewater had been eliminated to (2.09, 2, 1.8) μs/cm and (2.36, 1.27, 1.07) μs/cm of EC; (689, 580, 520) mg/L and (620,520,489) mg/L of the total hardness; (320, 244, 220) mg/L and (300, 244, 204 ) mg/L of the calcium; (420, 369, 309) mg/L and (400, 340, 289) mg/L of chloride, respectively, while pH value increased to (8.6, 8.7, 8.6) after treated with free microalgae. The results showed high efficiency of mobilized algae compared with free algal cells in reducing many physical and chemical parameters and the immobilized algal cell technique is useful as tools in the treatment process of wastewater.
Investigation of several heavy metals in Al-Saddah agricultural drainage in Hilla city /Iraq
Authors: Al-Muttairi A K , Al-Mayaly I K
Published: September 2022

This study was done to determine the concentration of several heavy metals in the water of Al-Saddah agricultural drainage in Al-Saddah District in Babylon Province/Iraq. The concentrations of six heavy metals were measured (Pb, Cd, Cu, Hg, Fe, Zn). It was found that Pb concentration ranged from 0.06 mg/L at St.2 in autumn to 0.13 mg/L at St.2 in winter. Fe concentrations ranged from 0.04 mg/L at St.2 in autumn and winter to 0.41 at St.2 in Summer. Cd concentrations ranged from 0.008 mg/L at St.2 in summer to 0.05 mg/L at St.2 in winter. Cu concentrations ranged from 0.01 mg/L at St.1 in both autumn and winter to 0.63 mg/L at St.2 in winter. Hg concentrations was ranged from 0.002 mg/L at St.2 in summer to 0.009mg/L at St.2 in spring. Zn concentrations ranged from 0.02 mg/L at St.2 in summer to 0.14 mg/L at St.2 in winter. physiochemical parameters of water such as temperature, pH, E.C. D.O., and B.O.D.5 was also measured.
Biological challenges to conclusions from molecular phylogenies: behaviour strongly favours orb web monophyly, contradicting molecular analyses
Authors: Eberhard William G
Published: September 2022

This first-ever extensive review of the construction behaviour of orb webs, of webs secondarily derived from orbs, and of non-orbs shows that the evidence favouring monophyly over convergent evolution of orbs is stronger than previously appreciated. The two major orb-weaving groups, Uloboridae and Araneoidea, share 31 construction behaviour traits, 20 of which are likely to be both derived and to have feasible alternatives, making convergence an unlikely explanation. Convergence in two lineages seems unlikely, and convergence in five different lineages, as proposed in some recent molecular studies of phylogeny, is even less credible. A further set of seven shared responses in orb design to experimentally constrained spaces also supports orb monophyly. Finally, a ‘control’ case of confirmed convergence on similar ‘pseudo-orbs’ in a taxonomically distant group also supports this argument, as it shows a low frequency of behavioural similarities. I argue that the omission of behavioural data from recent molecular studies of orb web evolution represents a failure of the analytic techniques, not the data, and increases the risk of making mistakes. In general, phylogenetic studies that aim to understand the evolution of particular phenotypes can benefit from including careful study of the phenotypes themselves.
An accelerated degeneration of white matter microstructure and networks in the nondemented old–old
Authors: Zhao Haichao , Wen Wei , Cheng Jian , Jiang Jiyang , Kochan Nicole , Niu Haijun , Brodaty Henry , Sachdev Perminder , Liu Tao
Published: September 2022

The nondemented old–old over the age of 80 comprise a rapidly increasing population group; they can be regarded as exemplars of successful aging. However, our current understanding of successful aging in advanced age and its neural underpinnings is limited. In this study, we measured the microstructural and network-based topological properties of brain white matter using diffusion-weighted imaging scans of 419 community-dwelling nondemented older participants. The participants were further divided into 230 young–old (between 72 and 79, mean = 76.25 ± 2.00) and 219 old–old (between 80 and 92, mean = 83.98 ± 2.97). Results showed that white matter connectivity in microstructure and brain networks significantly declined with increased age and that the declined rates were faster in the old–old compared with young–old. Mediation models indicated that cognitive decline was in part through the age effect on the white matter connectivity in the old–old but not in the young–old. Machine learning predictive models further supported the crucial role of declines in white matter connectivity as a neural substrate of cognitive aging in the nondemented older population. Our findings shed new light on white matter connectivity in the nondemented aging brains and may contribute to uncovering the neural substrates of successful brain aging.
Vascular calcification maladaptively participates in acute phosphate homeostasis
Authors: Turner Mandy E , Rowsell Tyler S , Lansing Austin P , Jeronimo Paul S , Lee Lok Hang , Svajger Bruno A , Zelt Jason G E , Forster Corey M , Petkovich Martin P , Holden Rachel M , Adams Michael A
Published: September 2022

Aims

Non-renal extravasation of phosphate from the circulation and transient accumulation into tissues and extracellular fluid is a regulated process of acute phosphate homeostasis that is not well understood. This process is especially relevant in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD), where exposure to increased phosphate is prolonged due to inefficient kidney excretion. Furthermore, CKD-associated mineral dysregulation induces pathological accumulation of phosphate causing vascular calcification (VC). Our objective was to determine whether the systemic response to acute phosphate challenges is altered by VC.

Methods and results

After bolus phosphate administration, circulating and tissue deposition of this challenge was assessed in two rat models of VC using a radiolabelled phosphate tracer. In an adenine-induced model of CKD (N = 70), animals with VC had a blunted elevation of circulating 33PO4 following oral phosphate administration (P < 0.01), and the discordant deposition could be traced to the calcified arteries (11.4 [7.5–13.1] vs.43.0 [35.5–53.7] pmol/ng tissue, P < 0.001). In a non-CKD model of VC, calcification was induced with 0.5 ug/kg calcitriol and then withdrawn (N = 24). New phosphate uptake by the calcified vasculature correlated to the pre-existing burden of calcification (r = 38, P < 0.001) and was substantially attenuated in the absence of calcification stimulus (P < 0.01). Phosphate accrual was stimulated by the phosphate challenge and not present to the same degree during passive disposition of circulating phosphate. Further, the form of phosphate that deposited to the vasculature was predominately amorphous inorganic phosphate and not that which was bound in matured calciprotein particles.

Conclusions

In the process of calcification, arteries acutely deposit substantial amorphous phosphate while blunting the elevation in the circulation, thereby altering the systemic disposition of phosphate and identifying VC as a participatory mineral homeostatic organ. This study demonstrates the negative vascular consequence of acute fluctuations in circulating phosphate, and supports the importance of phosphate bioavailability and diet management in CKD patients as a mediator of cardiovascular risk.
Correlation of serial high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T values to infarct mass determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: a validation study
Authors: Salatzki Janek , Giannitsis Evangelos , Hegenbarth Anastasia , Mueller-Hennessen Matthias , André Florian , Katus Hugo A , Frey Norbert , Biener Moritz
Published: September 2022

Aim

To validate correlations between contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) infarct mass and high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) values at different time points in patients with confirmed acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods and results

Patients presenting with AMI and with available CE-MRI between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 were included. Correlation coefficients between hs-cTnT on admission, after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and peak hs-cTnT values and CE-MRI infarct mass were calculated. Correlations between hs-cTnT and CE-MRI infarct mass were compared with those of a third generation cTnT assay from a previously published study of our group. A total of 137 patients were included for the present analysis. Median CE-MRI infarct mass was 12,5 g [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.8–16.2 g]. Hs-cTnT values and infarct mass correlated well at all time points including admission (r = 0.474, 95% CI: 0.331–0.560, P < 0.0001), 24 h (r = 0.508, 95% CI: 0.370–0.625, P < 0.0001), 48 h (r = 0.547, 95% CI: 0.404–0.664, P < 0.0001), 72 h (r = 0.489, 95% CI: 0.320–0.628, P < 0.0001), 96 h (r = 0.509, 95% CI: 0.330–0.653, P < 0.001) including peak hs-cTnT values (r = 0.547, 95% CI: 0.416–0.656, P < 0.0001), and maximum absolute delta changes within 96 h (r = 0.507, 95% CI: 0.369–0.622, P < 0.001). Correlations of the third generation assay could be confirmed for hs-cTnT at all time points. A superior correlation with CE-MRI infarct mass was observed for hs-cTnT values on admission.

Conclusion

Hs-cTnT values at different time points correlate well with CE-MRI infarct mass. Correlations of admission hs-cTnT values are superior to those of a third generation assay.
Long-term results of the Ross operation in rheumatic valve disease
Authors: Réa Ana Beatriz Brenner Affonso da Costa , Affonso da Costa Francisco Diniz , Adam Eduardo Leal , El-Hamamsy Ismail , Balbi Filho Eduardo Mendel , Oliveira Carolina Limongi , Fernandes-Silva Miguel Morita
Published: September 2022

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on the long-term outcomes of the Ross operation when compared to patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed patients with rheumatic disease and BAV who underwent a Ross operation between 1995 and 2020. The primary outcomes were late survival and reoperations on the pulmonary autograft and the right ventricular allograft. We also performed a propensity score analysis to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. The cumulative incidence of the events in the matched cohorts was compared using the Fine–Gray model. There were 147 patients with rheumatic disease and 314 with bicuspid valves. In the unmatched population, patients with rheumatic disease were younger, more symptomatic, had worse left ventricular function and were more likely to present a preoperative diagnosis of aortic insufficiency. Propensity matching resulted in 86 pairs with similar baseline characteristics. Compared with those with bicuspid valves, rheumatic patients had similar 20-year survival both in the unmatched (RHD = 67.8% vs BAV = 79.7%, P = 0.27] and matched cohorts (RHD = 72.5% vs BAV = 82.9%, P = 0.46). Cumulative incidence of reoperations on the pulmonary autograft after 20 years was also comparable between them in the unmatched (RHD 13.4% vs BAV 14.4%, P = 0.67) and matched patients (RHD 11.6% vs BAV 21.1%, P = 0.47). Pulmonary autograft dysfunction due to rheumatic involvement was detected in only three occasions. Cumulative incidence of reoperations on the right-sided allograft was higher in the unmatched cohort (RHD = 5.5% vs BAV = 16.7%, P = 0.035) but became nonsignificant after propensity score matching (RHD = 9.9% vs BAV = 32.3%, P = 0.051). The cumulative incidence of all Ross-related reoperations was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing Ross operation, patients with RHD had similar long-term survival and rates of reoperations, when compared to patients with BAV.
Shared Care Networks Assisting Older Adults: New Insights From the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Hu Mengyao , Freedman Vicki A , Patterson Sarah E , Lewis Nora
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives

Caregiving research often assumes older adults receiving care have a primary caregiver who provides the bulk of care. Consequently, little is known about the extent to which care responsibilities are shared more evenly within a care network, the characteristics associated with sharing, or the consequences for meeting older adults’ care needs.

Research Design and Methods

We analyze a sample of U.S. older adults receiving care from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 2,398). Based on variables reflecting differences in care hours, activities, and care provided by the whole network, we create network typologies for those with two or more caregivers (n = 1,309) using K-means cluster analysis. We estimate multinomial and logistic regression models to identify factors associated with network type and the association between type and unmet needs. We conduct analyses overall and for older adults living with and without dementia.

Results

Analyses reveal four network types: Small, low-intensity shared care network (SCN); large, moderate-intensity SCN; small, low-intensity primary caregiver network (PCN); and moderate-sized, high-intensity PCN. Among all older adults receiving care, 51% have a sole caregiver, 20% have an SCN with no primary caregiver, and 29% have a PCN. Among older adults with dementia receiving intense care, unmet needs are lower among those with an SCN (vs. PCN).

Discussion and Implications

Findings underscore that the primary caregiver construct, although common, does not apply to a substantial share of care networks. Moreover, having an SCN when needs are high may be beneficial to meeting older adult’s needs.
Antimicrobial susceptibility and neonatal sepsis in a tertiary care facility in Nigeria: a changing trend?
Authors: Uwe Nkoyo O , Ezenwa Beatrice N , Fajolu Iretiola B , Oshun Philip , Chukwuma Stella T , Ezeaka Veronica C
Published: September 2022

Background

Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates, especially in developing countries.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence, common bacterial pathogens, and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of neonatal sepsis at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of neonates who presented at the facility with symptoms and signs of sepsis from January 2017 to October 2017. Demographic and clinical data were extracted using a structured questionnaire. Blood culture, urine and CSF were collected and cultured on blood and MacConkey agar. Bacterial isolates were identified using Microbact 24E system and biochemical tests. Antibacterial susceptibility testing was done using the modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results

Two hundred and ninety neonates were recruited during the study period. Seventy-three (25.2%) neonates had culture-proven sepsis. One (0.3%) neonate had meningitis and no neonates (0%) had confirmed urinary tract infection. Of the 73 neonates with positive blood cultures, 56 (76.7%) had early-onset sepsis and 17 (23.3%) had late-onset sepsis. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 60.3% of all isolates. Predominantly isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (20.5%), CoNS (19.2%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.7%). The isolates were most susceptible to levofloxacin and amikacin.

Conclusions

Neonatal sepsis is still a huge burden in the newborn. S. aureus, CoNS and K. pneumoniae are the prevalent pathogens in the local facility, with good susceptibility to levofloxacin and amikacin. Maintaining regular antibiotic surveillance for appropriate empirical antibiotics is important as part of neonatal care.