bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application and Development of Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology for Marine Low-Speed Diesel Engine: Trade-Off among High Sulfur Fuel, High Thermal Efficiency, and Low Pollution Emission
Authors: Zhu Yuanqing , Zhou Weihao , Xia Chong , Hou Qichen
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Europe, and the United States and other countries have set up different emission control areas (ECA) for ship exhaust pollutants to enforce more stringent pollutant emission regulations. In order to meet the current IMO Tier III emission regulations, an after-treatment device must be installed in the exhaust system of the ship power plant to reduce the ship NOx emissions. At present, selective catalytic reduction technology (SCR) is one of the main technical routes to resolve excess NOx emissions of marine diesel engines, and is the only NOx emission reduction technology recognized by the IMO that can be used for various ship engines. Compared with the conventional low-pressure SCR system, the high-pressure SCR system can be applied to low-speed marine diesel engines that burn inferior fuels, but its working conditions are relatively harsh, and it can be susceptible to operational problems such as sulfuric acid corrosion, salt blockage, and switching delay during the actual ship tests and ship applications. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the design method and matching strategy of the high-pressure SCR system to achieve a more efficient and reliable operation. This article summarizes the technical characteristics and application problems of marine diesel engine SCR systems in detail, tracks the development trend of the catalytic reaction mechanism, engine tuning, and control strategy under high sulfur exhaust gas conditions. Results showed that low temperature is an important reason for the formation of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and other deposits. Additionally, the formed deposits will directly affect the working performance of the SCR systems. The development of SCR technology for marine low-speed engines should be the compromise solution under the requirements of high sulfur fuel, high thermal efficiency, and low pollution emissions. Under the dual restrictions of high sulfur fuel and low exhaust temperature, the low-speed diesel engine SCR systems will inevitably sacrifice part of the engine economy to obtain higher denitrification efficiency and operational reliability.
The Therapeutic Potential of Secreted Factors from Dental Pulp Stem Cells for Various Diseases
Authors: Ogata Kenichi , Moriyama Masafumi , Matsumura-Kawashima Mayu , Kawado Tatsuya , Yano Aiko , Nakamura Seiji
Published: May 2022

An alternative source of mesenchymal stem cells has recently been discovered: dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), including deciduous teeth, which can thus comprise potential tools for regenerative medicine. DPSCs derive from the neural crest and are normally implicated in dentin homeostasis. The clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) involving DPSCs contains various limitations, such as high cost, low safety, and cell handling issues, as well as invasive sample collection procedures. Although MSCs implantation offers favorable outcomes on specific diseases, implanted MSCs cannot survive for a long period. It is thus considered that their mediated mechanism of action involves paracrine effects. It has been recently reported that secreted molecules in DPSCs-conditioned media (DPSC-CM) contain various trophic factors and cytokines and that DPSC-CM are effective in models of various diseases. In the current study, we focus on the characteristics of DPSC-CM and their therapeutic potential against various disorders.
Peripheral Neuropathies Derived from COVID-19: New Perspectives for Treatment
Authors: Córdova-Martínez Alfredo , Caballero-García Alberto , Pérez-Valdecantos Daniel , Roche Enrique , Noriega-González David César
Published: May 2022

Peripheral neuropathies constitute a group of disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathies have multiple causes such as infections (i.e., COVID-19), diabetes, and nutritional (low vitamin levels), among others. Many micronutrients, such as vitamins (A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and folate), certain minerals (Fe, Mg, Zn, Se, and Cu), and ω-3 fatty acids have immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, they may play an instrumental role in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. However, many COVID-19 patients can undergo neuropathy. In this context, there is a wealth of information on a variety of first-, second-, and third-line treatment options. This review focuses on the application of nutraceutical strategies in order to improve the symptomatology of neuropathy and neuropathic pain in patients that suffered from COVID-19. Our aim is to provide an alternative vision to traditional medical-pharmacological treatment through nutraceuticals.
Experimental Application of Cement-Stabilized Pavement Base with Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock Aggregates
Authors: Yang Qian , Liu Yi , Zou Haotian , Wang Xiaoxiong , Gong Guohuan , Cheng Yinnan , Zhang Liang , Jiang Zhengwu
Published: May 2022

Low-grade metamorphic rock (LMR) is a kind of stone that is widely distributed in China. The alkali activity strictly prevents its application in conventional concrete. This paper evaluates the possibility of using LMR aggregate in cement-stabilized pavement base (CSPB). The compressive strength of CSPB prepared with LMR and limestone aggregates at various curing conditions was measured. Expansion rates were determined via accelerated simulation tests to assess the alkali reactivity of LMR, followed by microscopic analysis. Finally, the possibility of using LMR in CSPB was evaluated from the economic viewpoint. Results indicate that CSPB specimens prepared with LMR have similar compressive strength at each content of cement, regardless of curing conditions. The expansion rates of all CSPB specimens with LMR were lower than 0.1%, indicating the absence of an AAR, which was further validated by the absence of the AAR product in microscopic observations. It is inferred from the economic analysis that 70.9% lower cost can be achieved by the replacement of limestone aggregate with LMR aggregate. This demonstrates that technical, economic and environmental benefits endow LMR with wide market potential as the aggregate of CSPB.
Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Parpa Koulla , Michaelides Marcos
Published: May 2022

Considering that most professional academies seek to optimize the early detection and physical development of their younger players, the purpose of this study was to examine the anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics in a large cross-sectional sample of youth soccer players in Eastern Europe, starting from a very young age during their in-season period. Three hundred and thirteen soccer players (n = 313), grouped into eight age categories, participated in the study. On the basis of chronological age, the group categories were: 7 (n = 26), 8 (n = 41), 9 (n = 46), 10 (n = 48), 11 (n = 42), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 43), and 14 years old (n = 20). The players underwent an anthropometric evaluation, flexibility, handgrip strength, vertical jump performance, speed, and agility assessments. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated significant differences in the anthropometric and physical fitness variables based on chronological age (F = 13.40, p < 0.05, Wilk’s Λ = 0.08, partial η2 = 0.30). Concurrently, there were significant growth and physical fitness differences even in players born in the same chronological year. It is believed that the results have important practical implications, especially for those involved in youth soccer. Based on our results, coaches should contemplate speed and agility development in training sessions starting from a much younger age, as sprinting while changing directions has been considered an essential prerequisite in soccer.
Management of IgA Nephropathy in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Schroda Sophie , Pohl Martin
Published: May 2022

The onset of IgA nephritis in childhood and adolescence often develops into chronic glomerulonephritis with declining renal function. Although these long-term consequences are known, there is still a lack of evidence-based treatment recommendations in this age group. We report data from 22 pediatric patients who were biopsied to confirm the diagnosis of IgAN at our clinical center. 14 of them were treated with corticosteroids according to the recommendations for IgA nephritis vasculitis of the German Society of Pediatric Nephrology (GPN). Improvement was achieved in the majority of all cases, with a significant reduction in proteinuria five months after initiation of therapy. Our data suggest that treatment regimens for acute IgA nephritis and IgA vasculitis nephritis may be unified and are discussed in the context of current studies.
Response of Senegalese Sorghum Seedlings to Pathotype 5 of Sporisorium reilianum
Authors: Ahn Ezekiel , Prom Louis K. , Fall Coumba , Magill Clint
Published: May 2022

Sporisorium reilianum causes head smut in sorghum. A total of 36 Senegalese sorghum accessions comprised of sorghum lines that have not been explored with response to pathotype 5 of S. reilianum were evaluated with 3 different treatments. First, seedling shoots were inoculated while still in soil with teliospores in agar, and then submerged under water at 4 days post inoculation. Signs of infection (noticeable spots) on the first leaf were observed up to 6 days post submergence. Second, seedlings at the same stage were inoculated by placing the teliospore impregnated agar around the stem in pots, moved to a greenhouse and grown to full panicle development stage. Third, seedings were inoculated via syringe inoculation in the greenhouse. Although soil inoculated seedlings grown in the greenhouse did not result in systemic infection as determined by lack of symptoms at panicle exsertion, 88.9% of tested cultivars showed systemic infections when syringe inoculated in the greenhouse. Inoculation of seedlings maintained under water led to broad range of noticeable spots that are assumed to be potential infection sites based on a previous study. In addition, seedling inoculation led to slightly upregulated expression of chitinase and PR10, genes that are associated with defense in aerial parts of plants.
Laser-Induced Damage Threshold of Single Crystal ZnGeP2 at 2.1 µm: The Effect of Crystal Lattice Quality at Various Pulse Widths and Repetition Rates
Authors: Yudin Nikolai , Antipov Oleg , Eranov Ilya , Gribenyukov Alexander , Verozubova Galina , Lei Zuotao , Zinoviev Mikhail , Podzvalov Sergey , Slyunko Elena , Voevodin Vladimir , Zav’jalov Alexander , Yang Chunhui
Published: May 2022

The ZnGeP2 crystal is a material of choice for powerful mid-IR optical parametric oscillators and amplifiers. In this paper, we present the experimental analysis of the optical damage threshold of ZnGeP2 nonlinear crystals induced by a repetitively-pulsed Ho3+:YAG laser at 2091 nm. Two types of ZnGeP2 crystals grown under different conditions were examined using the laser and holographic techniques. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) determined by the pulse fluence or peak intensity was studied as a function of the pulse repetition rate (PRR) and laser exposure duration. The main crystal structure factor for a higher LIDT was found to be a reduced dislocation density of crystal lattice. The ZnGeP2 nonlinear crystals characterized by the high structural perfection with low density of dislocations and free from twinning and stacking faults were measured to have a 3.5 J/cm2 pulse fluence damage threshold and 10.5 MW/cm2 peak intensity damage threshold at 12 kHz PRR; at 40 kHz PRR the pulse fluence damage threshold increased to over 6 J/cm2, but the peak intensity damage threshold dropped to 5.5 MW/cm2.
Novel Magnetic Attachment System Manufactured Using High-Frequency Heat Treatment and Stamp Technique: Introduction and Basic Performance
Authors: Putra Wigianto Adityakrisna Yoshi , Ishida Yuichi , Matsuda Takashi , Goto Takaharu , Watanabe Megumi , Ichikawa Tetsuo
Published: May 2022

Recently, a novel magnetic attachment with extremely low cost and high performance was developed. This article aims to introduce a novel magnetic attachment and to evaluate its basic eligibility for denture retention in clinical practice. The novel magnetic attachment system used in this study was the direct-bonding root-keeper-type Magteeth™ MT800 (MagneDesign, Nagoya, Japan). The retentive force without displacement (position 0) and after horizontal displacement to positions 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mm were measured. The values relative to the retentive force without displacement were gradually decreased to 82.7 ± 16.3%, 68.8 ± 17.1%, 62.4 ± 15%, 47.2 ± 13.1%, 35.7 ± 9.9%, and 20.7 ± 6.5%, respectively. The retentive force and magnetic field strength did not change significantly after the load test (100 N load, 10,000 times). No new gap between the metal and resin was found in the root keeper- and magnet assembly-embedded blocks after the load test. Some scratches on magnetic assembly and root keeper surface, while no change in the resin texture after the load test were observed. Based on the findings of this preliminary study, this novel low-cost magnetic attachment exhibited favorable retention, strength, and durability for clinical use.
Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of S-CO2 in a Vertically Rising Y-Tube
Authors: Hao Xiaohong , Du Su , Yang Qiguo , Zhang Sen , Zhang Qi
Published: May 2022

The supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle has gradually become a research focus, but we also see a deficiency in research related to the flow and heat transfer characteristics of S-CO2 boiler staves with high parameters. In this paper, the flow and heat transfer of supercritical carbon dioxide is investigated in a 1000 MW supercritical boiler cooled wall tube in the parameters of a pressure of 30.42 MPa, a mass flux of 1592~2207 kg/(m2·s), and a heat flux of 39.8~71.2 kw/m2; a three-dimensional model of supercritical CO2 fluid in the cooling wall tube is established with the RNG k-epsilon turbulence model. Numerical simulations are carried out according to the following boundary conditions: an adiabatic half side, a heated half side, and a Y-type three-way two-to-one. The effects of the mass flux, inlet temperature, and heat flux on the flow and heat transfer characteristics in the Y-tube are analyzed, which exerts great influence on the research of S-CO2 boiler stave thermodynamics.
Taxonomy and an Updated Phylogeny of Anomoloma (Amylocorticiales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Zhou Meng , Vlasák Josef , Ghobad-Nejhad Masoomeh , Lim Young Woon , Dai Yu-Cheng
Published: May 2022

Anomoloma is a cosmopolitan poroid wood-decaying genus, belonging to the Amylocorticiales. During a study on polypores, two new species of Anomoloma were found in Eurasia, and they are described as A. denticulatum and A. eurasiaticum. To examine the phylogenetic relationships among species of Anomoloma, we analyzed nuclear ribosomal sequence data from the ITS regions and the LSU gene. The result demonstrates that A. denticulatum and A. eurasiaticum are independent species that belong to the Anomoloma genus. Both new species share the principal characteristics of the genus, but Anomoloma denticulatum is characterized by extensive white rhizomorphs spreading under the whole fruiting body, angular pores measuring 1–2 per mm, distinctly lacerate to dentate dissepiments and basidiospores of 3.5–4.3 × 2–2.5 μm. Anomoloma eurasiaticum is characterized by bearing plenty of large crystals on the mycelia and growth on Picea in high altitude areas. A key to the accepted species of Anomoloma worldwide is provided.
Biotransformation of Agricultural By-Products into Biovanillin through Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) and Optimization of Different Parameters Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Authors: Mehmood Tahir , Saleem Fozia , Javed Sadia , Nawaz Sadia , Sultan Aeysha , Safdar Ambreen , Ullah Azmat , Waseem Rida , Saeed Shagufta , Abbas Mateen , Bilal Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad Mushtaq , Firyal Sehrish
Published: May 2022

Vanillin is a flavorful and aromatic secondary metabolite found in vanilla plants. Natural vanillin, produced through processed vanilla beans accounts for scarcely 0.2% of industrial requirements. Vanillin produced via chemical methods and microbial fermentation fills the remaining gap. Among naturally available precursors for biovanillin synthesis, ferulic acid is widely used because of its structural similarity and abundant availability. Herein, various agricultural lignocellulosic by-products (sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, rice straw, rice bran, and corn cob) were scrutinized for their ferulic acid content, and their biotransformation into biovanillin was examined by solid-state fermentation (SSF). Then, different physicochemical parameters, i.e., moisture content, pH, temperature, inoculum size, and incubation days, were optimized to achieve a high yield of biovanillin using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Among agricultural by-products tested, sugarcane bagasse produced 0.029 g/100 g of biovanillin using Enterobacter hormaechei through SSF. After optimization, the highest concentration of biovanillin (0.476 g/100 g) was achieved at a moisture content of 70%, temperature of 37.5 °C, pH 7.5, inoculum size of 4 mL and incubation time of 48 h. The F-value of 6.10 and p-value of 0.002 evidenced the ultimate significance of the model. The significance of the constructed model was supported by the 91.73% coefficient of determination (R2), indicating that the effects of moisture, pH, and temperature were significant. HPLC and FTIR confirmed the sample identification and purity (was reported to be 98.3% pure). In conclusion, sugarcane bagasse appears to be a cost-effective substrate choice for large-scale biovanillin production.
Metal Complexation of Arabinoxylan Engenders a Smart Material Offering pH, Solvents, and Salt Responsive On–Off Swelling with the Potential for Sustained Drug Delivery
Authors: Bukhari Syed Nasir Abbas , Hussain Muhammad Ajaz , Haseeb Muhammad Tahir , Wahid Abdul , Ahmad Naveed , Hussain Syed Zajif , Paracha Rizwan Nasir , Munir Muhammad Usman , Elsherif Mervat A.
Published: May 2022

The present study aimed to develop a stable interconnected matrix as a sustained release drug delivery material. Arabinoxylan (AX) was extracted from ispaghula husk and then crosslinked with different concentrations, i.e., 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g of CaCl2 per 0.25 g of AX. The crosslinking was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The swelling capacity of crosslinked AX (CL-AX) was evaluated against buffer solutions of pH 1.2, 6.8, 7.4, and water. The swelling capacity increased from pH 1.2 to pH 7.4 and followed the second order swelling kinetics. The swelling study also revealed that CL-AX with 1.0 g CaCl2 showed maximum swelling capacity. The swelling–deswelling (on–off switching) behavior of CL-AX was evaluated in water–ethanol, water–0.9% NaCl solution, and buffer solutions of pH 7.4–1.2 and showed responsive swelling–deswelling behavior. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous nature of CL-AX with a mesh of thin fibrous networking. Hemocompatibility studies of CL-AX revealed its non-thrombogenic and nonhemolytic attributes. The CL-AX matrix tablet prolonged the release of enalapril maleate for 24 h, and the drug release followed the zero order kinetics and super case-II transport mechanism. Therefore, CL-AX can be recognized as a stimuli responsive and hemocompatible biomaterial with sustained drug release potential.
Two Novel Variants of WDR26 in Chinese Patients with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Hu Jiacheng , Xu Mingming , Zhu Xiaobo , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2022

Skraban-Deardorff syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by variants in the WDR26 gene. Here, we report two Chinese patients diagnosed with Skraban-Deardorff syndrome caused by novel de novo, heterozygous pathogenic WDR26 variants c.977delA (p. 12 N326Ifs*2) and c.1020-2A>G (p. R340Sfs*29). Their clinical features were characterized by intellectual disability (ID), developmental delay, abnormal facial features and the absence of early-onset seizure, which expands the phenotype spectrum associated with Skraban-Deardorff syndrome. By comparing our cases with current reported cases of WDR26-related intellectual disability, we suggest that developmental delay, particularly in speech, and facial features including rounded palpebral fissures, depressed nasal root, full nasal tip and abnormal gums, represent the prominent clinical phenotypes for diagnosis of Skraban-Deardorff syndrome. Together, WDR26 variants and 1q41q42 deletions should feature prominently on the differential diagnosis of ID with distinctive facial features.
The Most Demanding Exercise in Different Training Tasks in Professional Female Futsal: A Mid-Season Study through Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Rico-González Markel , Puche-Ortuño Daniel , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Aquino Rodrigo , Pino-Ortega José
Published: May 2022

The contextual factors related to training tasks can play an important role in how a player performs and, subsequently, in how a player trains to face a competition. To date, there has been no study that has investigated the most demanding exercise in different training tasks in female futsal. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the most demanding efforts during different training tasks in a cohort study conducted in professional biological women futsal players using principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 14 elite women futsal players (age = 24.34 ± 4.51 years; height = 1.65 ± 0.60 m; body mass = 63.20 ± 5.65 kg) participated in this study. Seventy training sessions of an elite professional women’s team were registered over five months (pre-season and in-season). Different types of exercises were grouped into six clusters: preventive exercises; analytical situations; exercises in midcourt; exercises in ¾ of the court; exercises in full court; superiorities/inferiorities. Each exercise cluster was composed of 5–7 principal components (PCs), considering from 1 to 5 main variables forming each, explaining from 65 to 75% of the physical total variance. A total of 13–19 sub-variables explained the players’ efforts in each training task group. The first PCs to explain the total variance of training load were as follows: preventive exercises (accelerations; ~31%); analytical situations (impacts; ~23%); exercises in midcourt (high-intensity efforts; ~28%); exercises in ¾ of the court (~27%) and superiorities/inferiorities (~26%) (aerobic/anaerobic components); exercises in full court (anaerobic efforts; ~24%). The PCs extracted from each exercise cluster provide evidence that may assist researchers and coaches during training load monitoring. The descriptive values of the training load support a scientific base to assist coaches in the planning of training schedules.
Impaired Affordance Perception as the Basis of Tool Use Deficiency in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kim Nam-Gyoon , Effken Judith A. , Lee Ho-Won
Published: May 2022

The present study investigated whether defective affordance perception capacity underpins tool use deficits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). An affordance, a concept James Gibson introduced, scales environmental objects to an animal’s action capabilities, thus offering opportunities for action. Each man-made artifact carries both a primary affordance (its designed function) and secondary affordances. In Experiment 1, participants identified secondary affordances of objects as a measure of their ability to identify alternative uses of familiar tools. A single response Go/No-Go task was administered to 4 groups: AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and elderly controls (EC). Groups were matched for age and years of education. The AD group performed poorest, followed by MCI, and PD and EC. EC and PD groups’ results failed to reach statistical significance, and the AD group performed at chance. In Experiment 2, participants judged the physical properties of the same objects used in Experiment 1. Even AD patients performed reliably, ruling out a visual processing deficit as the basis for their poor performance in Experiment 1. Results suggest that degraded affordance detection capacity can differentiate AD from normal aging and other neurodegenerative disorders and could be an affordable marker for AD, even in the early stages of AD.
Hope, Coping and Eco-Anxiety: Young People’s Mental Health in a Climate-Impacted Australia
Authors: Gunasiri Hasini , Wang Yifan , Watkins Ella-Mae , Capetola Teresa , Henderson-Wilson Claire , Patrick Rebecca
Published: May 2022

(1) Background: In Australia, young people are one of the most vulnerable populations to the mental health impacts of climate change. The aim of this article was to explore mental health promotion issues related to climate change for young people in Australia. (2) Methods: An exploratory mixed-method approach, co-led by young people, was used to engage young people living in Australia aged 18–24 years in semi-structured interviews (N = 14) and an online survey (N = 46). Data were analysed thematically and with descriptive statistics. (3) Results: Findings indicated that negative impacts included worry, eco-anxiety, stress, hopelessness/powerlessness and feelings of not having a voice. Several mediating factors, in particular social media engagement, highlighted the duality of mental health impacts for young people’s mental health. Positive impacts of climate action included feeling optimistic and in control. (4) Conclusions: This exploratory study contributes to an emerging field of public health research on young people’s mental health in a climate-impacted Australia. Climate change is a significant concern for young people, and it can negatively affect their mental health. The findings can inform the design of public health interventions that raise awareness of climate change-related mental health issues among young people and promote their participation in nature-based interventions, climate action and empowering social media engagement.
Modeling Health Seeking Behavior Based on Location-Based Service Data: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China
Authors: Hu Wei , Li Lin , Su Mo
Published: May 2022

Understanding residents’ health seeking behavior is crucial for the planning and utilization of healthcare resources. With the support of emerging location-based service (LBS) data, this study proposes a framework for inferring health seeking trips, measuring observed spatial accessibility to healthcare, and interpreting the determinants of health seeking behavior. Taking Shenzhen, China as a case study, a supply–demand ratio calculation method based on observed data is developed to explore basic patterns of health seeking, while health seeking behavior is described using a spatial analysis framework based on the Huff model. A total of 95,379 health seeking trips were identified, and their analysis revealed obvious differences between observed and potential spatial accessibility. In addition to the traditional distance decay effect and number of doctors, the results showed health seeking behavior to be determined by hospital characteristics such as hospital scale, service quality, and popularity. Furthermore, this study also identified differences in health seeking behavior between subgroups with different ages, incomes, and education levels. The findings highlight the need to incorporate actual health seeking behavior when measuring the spatial accessibility of healthcare and planning healthcare resources. The framework and methods proposed in this study can be applied to other contexts and other types of public facilities.
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage during the Shutdown for COVID-19
Authors: Güresir Erdem , Gräff Ingo , Seidel Matthias , Bauer Hartmut , Coch Christoph , Diepenseifen Christian , Dohmen Christian , Engels Susanne , Hadjiathanasiou Alexis , Heister Ulrich , Heyer Inge , Lampmann Tim , Paus Sebastian , Petzold Gabor , Pöhlau Dieter , Putensen Christian , Schneider Matthias , Schuss Patrick , Textor Jochen , Velten Markus , Wach Johannes , Welchowski Thomas , Vatter Hartmut
Published: May 2022

The aim was to evaluate hospitalization rates for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) within an interdisciplinary multicenter neurovascular network (NVN) during the shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic along with its modifiable risk factors. In this multicenter study, admission rates for SAH were compared for the period of the shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany (calendar weeks (cw) 12 to 16, 2020), the periods before (cw 6–11) and after the shutdown (cw 17–21 and 22–26, 2020), as well as with the corresponding cw in the years 2015–2019. Data on all-cause and pre-hospital mortality within the area of the NVN were retrieved from the Department of Health, and the responsible emergency medical services. Data on known triggers for systemic inflammation, e.g., respiratory viruses and air pollution, were analyzed. Hospitalizations for SAH decreased during the shutdown period to one-tenth within the multicenter NVN. There was a substantial decrease in acute respiratory illness rates, and of air pollution during the shutdown period. The implementation of public health measures, e.g., contact restrictions and increased personal hygiene during the shutdown, might positively influence modifiable risk factors, e.g., systemic inflammation, leading to a decrease in the incidence of SAH.
Nitrous Oxide from Abiotic Processes of Hydroxylamine and Nitrite in Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems: A Review
Authors: Xu Chaobin , Qi Mengting , Lin Weisheng , Li Xiaofei
Published: May 2022

Abiotic processes of nitrogen (N) are suggested to contribute to nitrous oxide (N2O) production; however, the important role of these processes in N2O emissions is invariably ignored. This review synthesized the main abiotic processes of hydroxylamine and nitrite and associated biogeochemical controls in estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Abiotic processes of hydroxylamine and nitrite are availably detected in estuarine and coastal environments. The abiotic processes of hydroxylamine contribute more to N2O production than the abiotic processes of nitrite in estuarine and coastal environments, suggesting that hydroxylamine plays an important role in N2O production. The isotopic fractionation effects of N can occur during the abiotic processes of hydroxylamine and nitrite and are enriched with the increasing rates of N reactions. In addition, abiotic processes of hydroxylamine and nitrite are highly dependent on pH, oxygen, Fe2+, Fe3+, and Mn4+ and are also triggered by the increasing substrate contents. These results suggest that abiotic processes of hydroxylamine and nitrite have been greatly concerned for the estuarine and coastal environments, whereas the dynamics of these processes are still sparse for projecting N fates and dynamics in response to environmental factors changes. This review highlights the importance of abiotic processes of N and associated environmental implications and presents the future trend of N cycling in estuarine and coastal environments.
Assessment of Mastectomy Skin Flaps for Immediate Reconstruction with Implants via Thermal Imaging—A Suitable, Personalized Approach?
Authors: Luze Hanna , Nischwitz Sebastian Philipp , Wurzer Paul , Winter Raimund , Spendel Stephan , Kamolz Lars-Peter , Bjelic-Radisic Vesna
Published: May 2022

Background: Impaired perfusion of the remaining skin flap after subcutaneous mastectomy can cause wound-healing disorders and consecutive necrosis. Personalized intraoperative imaging, possibly performed via the FLIR ONE thermal-imaging device, may assist in flap assessment and detect areas at risk for postoperative complications. Methods: Fifteen female patients undergoing elective subcutaneous mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with implants were enrolled. Pre-, intra- and postoperative thermal imaging was performed via FLIR ONE. Potential patient-, surgery- and environment-related risk factors were acquired and correlated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Results: Wound-healing disorders and mastectomy-skin-flap necrosis occurred in 26.7%, whereby areas expressing intraoperative temperatures less than 26 °C were mainly affected. These complications were associated with a statistically significantly higher BMI, longer surgery duration, lower body and room temperature and a trend towards larger implant sizes. Conclusion: Impaired skin-flap perfusion may be multifactorially conditioned. Preoperative screening for risk factors and intraoperative skin-perfusion assessment via FLIR ONE thermal-imaging device is recommendable to reduce postoperative complications. Intraoperative detectable areas with a temperature of lower than 26 °C are highly likely to develop mastectomy-skin-flap necrosis and early detection allows individual treatment concept adaption, ultimately improving the patient’s outcome.
Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Population Mobility Networks in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration from a Resilience Perspective
Authors: Mu Xufang , Fang Chuanglin , Yang Zhiqi , Guo Xiaomin
Published: May 2022

As an important symbol and carrier of regional social and economic activities, population mobility is a vital force to promote the re-agglomeration and diffusion of social and economic factors. An accurate and timely grasp on the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on population mobility between cities is of great significance for promoting epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development. This study proposes a theoretical framework for resilience assessment, using centrality and nodality, hierarchy and matching, cluster, transmission, and diversity to measure the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on population mobility in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration in 2020–2022, based on the migration data of AutoNavi and social network analysis. The results show that the COVID-19 epidemic had different impacts on the population network resilience of the BTH urban agglomeration based on the scale and timing. During the full-scale outbreak of the epidemic, strict epidemic prevention and control measures were introduced. The measures, such as social distancing and city and road closure, significantly reduced population mobility in the BTH urban agglomeration, and population mobility between cities decreased sharply. The population mobility network’s cluster, transmission, and diversity decreased significantly, severely testing the network resilience. Due to the refinement of the epidemic control measures over time, when a single urban node was impacted, the urban node did not completely fail, and consequently it had little impact on the overall cluster, transmission, and diversity of the population mobility network. Urban nodes at different levels of the population mobility network were not equally affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The findings can make references for the coordination of epidemic control measures and urban development. It also provides a new perspective for the study of network resilience, and provides scientific data support and a theoretical basis for improving the resilience of BTH urban agglomeration and promoting collaborative development.
Listening to Terrestrial Voices in Ted Chiang’s “The Great Silence”
Authors: McConnell Anne
Published: May 2022

Ted Chiang’s short story, “The Great Silence”, takes the perspective of a parrot living in the Rio Abajo forest in Puerto Rico, sharing its habitat with the Arecibo Observatory. The story first appeared as the textual component of a video installation by Allora & Calzadilla, a piece that emphasizes the entanglement of the forest habitat and the massive structure of the telescope). Chiang’s parrot-narrator wonders why humans demonstrate such a commitment to the possibility of interstellar communication while often ignoring the voices and interests of our terrestrial cohabitants. The parrot’s critically endangered species, the Puerto Rican parrot, once filled the forests of the island, and the narrator presents his/her narrative as a sort of final plea to humans, asking us to consider the speech of the nonhumans with whom we live. Bruno Latour’s notion of “the terrestrial” provides a useful framework for approaching the parrot’s narrative, specifically in terms of the demand to come “down to earth”, engaging in the politics of human and nonhuman agents who all have something at stake. The parrot asks that we turn more attention to terrestrial concerns, in order to communicate with those who are already speaking to us.
Heterometallic Chain Compounds of Tetrakis(µ-carboxylato)diruthenium and Tetracyanidoaurate
Authors: Mikuriya Masahiro , Tanaka Yusuke , Yoshioka Daisuke , Tsuboi Motohiro , Tanaka Hidekazu , Handa Makoto
Published: May 2022

Heterometallic complexes of tetrakis(µ-carboxylato)diruthenium(II,III) with tetracyanidoaurate(III) [Ru2(RCOO)4Au(CN)4]n (R = CH3 (1), C2H5 (2), i-C3H7 (3), and t-C4H9 (4)) were synthesized and characterized by C,H,N-elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The molecular structures were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. A polymeric arrangement with the Ru2(RCOO)4+ units alternately linked by Au(CN)4− units is formed in these complexes. The trans-bridging mode of the Au(CN)4− unit for connecting the two Ru2(RCOO)4+ units was observed for 1 and 4, while the cis-bridging mode of the Au(CN)4− unit was observed for 2 and 3. Magnetic susceptibility data with variable temperature were modeled with a zero-field splitting model (D = 75 cm−1) and the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the RuIIRuIII units (zJ = −0.15~−0.10 cm−1) was estimated. N2-adsorption isotherms showed Type II curves with SBET of 0.728–2.91 m2 g−1.
A Novel Dynamical Regulation of mRNA Distribution by Cross-Talking Pathways
Authors: Sun Qiwen , Cai Zhaohang , Zhu Chunjuan
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we use a similar approach to the one proposed by Chen and Jiao to calculate the mathematical formulas of the generating function V(z,t) and the mass function Pm(t) of a cross-talking pathways model in large parameter regions. Together with kinetic rates from yeast and mouse genes, our numerical examples reveal novel bimodal mRNA distributions for intermediate times, whereby the mode of distribution Pm(t) displays unimodality with the peak at m=0 for initial and long times, which has not been obtained in previous works. Such regulation of mRNA distribution exactly matches the transcriptional dynamics for the osmosensitive genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has not been generated by those models with one single pathway or feedback loops. This paper may provide us with a novel observation on transcriptional distribution dynamics regulated by multiple signaling pathways in response to environmental changes and genetic perturbations.
An Algorithm for Numerical Integration of ODE with Sampled Unknown Functional Factors
Authors: Villacampa Y. , Navarro-González F. J.
Published: May 2022

The problem of having ordinary differential equations (ODE) whose coefficients are unknown functions is frequent in several fields. Sometimes, it is possible to obtain samples of the values of these functions in different instants or spatial points. The present paper presents a methodology for the numeric solving of these ODE. There are approximations to the problem for specific cases of equations, especially in the case where the parameters correspond to constants. Other studies focus on the case in which the functions under consideration are linear or meet a certain condition. There are two main advantages of the proposed algorithm. First, it does not impose any condition over the data or the subsequent function from where these sample data are derived. Additionally, the methodology used in the functions modeling can control the possibility of overfitting in the function modeling. This is a crucial point in order to limit the influence of model biases in the numerical solution of the ordinary differential equation under study.
Bayes Synthesis of Linear Nonstationary Stochastic Systems by Wavelet Canonical Expansions
Authors: Sinitsyn Igor , Sinitsyn Vladimir , Korepanov Eduard , Konashenkova Tatyana
Published: May 2022

This article is devoted to analysis and optimization problems of stochastic systems based on wavelet canonical expansions. Basic new results: (i) for general Bayes criteria, a method of synthesized methodological support and a software tool for nonstationary normal (Gaussian) linear observable stochastic systems by Haar wavelet canonical expansions are presented; (ii) a method of synthesis of a linear optimal observable system for criterion of the maximal probability that a signal will not exceed a particular value in absolute magnitude is given. Applications: wavelet model building of essentially nonstationary stochastic processes and parameters calibration.
Multi-Weighted Partial Domain Adaptation for Sucker Rod Pump Fault Diagnosis Using Motor Power Data
Authors: Hao Dezhi , Gao Xianwen
Published: May 2022

Motor power curves (MPCs) have received great attention for use in diagnosing the working conditions of sucker rod pumping systems (SRPSs) because of their advantages in accessibility and real-time performance. However, existing MPC-based approaches mostly need a rigorous assumption that the MPC instances of different working conditions are sufficient, which does not hold in industrial scenarios. To this end, this paper proposes an unsupervised fault diagnosis methodology to leverage readily available dynamometer cards (DCs) to diagnose collected unlabeled MPCs. Firstly, a mathematical model of the SRPS is presented to convert actual DCs to MPCs. Secondly, a novel diagnostic methodology based on adversarial domain adaptation is proposed for the problem of data distribution discrepancy across the collected and converted MPCs. Specifically, the collected unlabeled MPCs may only cover a subset of the working conditions of the abundant DCs, which will easily cause negative transfer and lead to dramatic performance degradation. This proposed methodology employs class-level and distribution-level weighting strategies so as to guide the network to focus on the instances from shared categories and down-weight the outlier ones. Validation experiments are performed to evaluate the mathematical model and the diagnostic methodology with a set of actual MPCs collected by a self-developed device. The experimental result indicates that the accuracy of the proposed algorithm can reach 99.3% in diagnosing actual MPCs when only labeled DCs and unlabeled actual MPCs are used.
Bootstrap Bandwidth Selection and Confidence Regions for Double Smoothed Default Probability Estimation
Authors: Peláez Rebeca , Cao Ricardo , Vilar Juan M.
Published: May 2022

For a fixed time, t, and a horizon time, b, the probability of default (PD) measures the probability that an obligor, that has paid his/her credit until time t, runs into arrears not later that time t+b. This probability is one of the most crucial elements that influences the risk in credits. Previous works have proposed nonparametric estimators for the probability of default derived from Beran’s estimator and a doubly smoothed Beran’s estimator of the conditional survival function for censored data. They have also found asymptotic expressions for the bias and variance of the estimators, but they do not provide any practical way to choose the smoothing parameters involved. In this paper, resampling methods based on bootstrap techniques are proposed to approximate the bandwidths on which Beran and smoothed Beran’s estimators of the PD depend. Bootstrap algorithms for the calculation of confidence regions of the probability of default are also proposed. Extensive simulation studies show the good behavior of the presented algorithms. The bandwidth selector and the confidence region algorithm are applied to a German credit dataset to analyze the probability of default conditional on the credit scoring.
Tibial Stem Extension versus Standard Configuration in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Biomechanical Assessment According to Bone Properties
Authors: Filip Alexandru Cristian , Cuculici Stefan Alexandru , Cristea Stefan , Filip Viviana , Negrea Alexis Daniel , Mihai Simona , Pantu Cosmin Marian
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives: This study’s purpose was to examine the benefit of using a tibial extension in the primary operation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This is important because it is not a common practice to use the extension in a primary TKA, a standard configuration offering sufficient stability and good long-term survivorship. The following question arises: which situation requires the use of a standard configuration implant (without a stem) and which situation requires using the extension? Materials and Methods: The opportunity to use the tibial extension in the primary TKA was analyzed in correlation to the tibial bone structural properties. Using finite elements (FEs), the virtual model of the tibial bone was connected to that of the prosthetic implant, with and without a stem, and its behavior was analyzed during static and dynamic stresses, both in the situation in which the bone had normal physical properties, as well as in the case in which the bone had diminished physical properties. Results: The maximum stress and displacement values in the static compression regime show that adding a stem is only beneficial to structurally altered bone. Compression fatigue was reduced to almost half in the case of altered bone when adding a stem. Dynamic compression showed slightly better results with the tibial stem in both healthy and degraded bone. Conclusions: It was concluded that, if the bone is healthy and has good structural properties, it is not necessary to use the tibial extension in the primary operation; and if the bone has diminished physical properties, it is necessary to use the tibial extension at the primary operation, enhancing the stability, fixation, and implant lifespan.
New Insights into Fabrication of Al-Based Foam with Homogeneous Small Pore-Structure Using MgCO3/Zn Composite Powder as a Foaming Agent
Authors: Wang Xianzhen , Meng Qingxuan , Wang Tianze , Chu Xuming , Fan Aiqin , Wang Hui
Published: May 2022

Due to its excellent mechanical properties and ultra-lightweight, Al-based foam with homogeneous small pore-structures has wide applicational prospects in many industrial fields. However, during the foaming process of molten Al, it is difficult to manipulate the pore structures of the Al-based foam by means of the ALPORAS© production route due to the violent gas-releasing performance of TiH2 as a traditional foaming agent. Herein, we developed the melt-foaming route, that is, using MgCO3/Zn composite powder as a foaming agent instead of TiH2, the Al-based foam with homogeneous small pore-structures (average diameter was about 1 mm) was prepared successfully. Meanwhile, the decomposition model of the MgCO3/Zn composite powder was proposed and further verified experimentally. The decomposition kinetics of the MgCO3/Zn composite powder was also analyzed. Our findings not only shed light on the practical manufacturing of Al-based foam with homogeneous small pore-structures, but provide an insightful improvement for melt-foaming approaches.