bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GEOPOLYMERS SYNTHESIZED FROM PHILIPPINE COAL ASH AS SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE LOW HEAT TRANSMISSION AND FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL FOR BUILDINGS
Authors: Kalaw Martin Ernesto , Kalaw Joshua Martin , Promentilla Michael Angelo
Published: May 2021

Geopolymers are formed from alumina and silica rich materials by alkali dissolution and subsequent polycondensation into a polymeric network. Geopolymerization technology presents a great potential for positive environmental impact since many alumina- and silica- rich industrial waste materials, such as coal ashes, blast furnace slags, mine tailings, etc., can be used as its precursor materials in a process that requires less energy and gives up less emissions vis-à-vis the current conventional OPC (ordinary Portland cement) technology. In this study, geopolymer samples were prepared using an 85% coal fly ash (CFA) - 10% coal bottom ash (CBA) - 5% rice hull ash (RHA) wt/wt mix proportion and activated using an alkali solution of NaOH-Na2SiO3 at an 80%-20% wt/wt solid-to-liquid ratio. With this mix proportion, two types of specimens were used, a slab type with 50 mm thickness, and a cube type, 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm. The slab type specimens were used for evaluating fire resistance using ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, and the cube type specimens were used to study the effect of foaming agents on the strength and thermal conductivity of the geopolymers formed. Two types of foaming agents, hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate, at an amount of 0.1% to 0.4% of dry mass mixture, were used. Results from the foamed geopolymers gave compressive strength values ranging from 0.37 to 0.71 MPa and densities of 1430-1560 kg/m3 at 0.3% to 0.4% peroxide added. Values of thermal conductivity of the foamed geopolymers were within 0.033-0.037 W/m-K for all foamed geopolymer samples tested which is a significant reduction compared to the thermal conductivity of the unfoamed geopolymer sample at 0.48 W/m-K. The fire resistance tests show that the unfoamed geopolymer samples perform better than OPC concrete. However, the foamed geopolymers have very low strength compared to the unfoamed sample compressive strength of 18.1 MPa and, thus, are suitable for non-load bearing, insulation applications.
Suitable Locations for Industrial Setup in Urban Context: Way Forward To Meet the SDGs for Khulna City, Bangladesh
Authors: Haque Md. Nazmul , Sresto Mizbah Ahmed , Siddika Sharmin
Published: May 2021

Industrial Site selection is one of the rudimentary decisions to expand or relocate any business start-up process. This paper aimed at finding suitable location for possible industrial site as per reaching the SDGs taking Khulna City as a case. For instance, the targeted SDGs Goal 9: Resilient Infrastructure, Sustainable Industrialization and Innovation. The research also focused on the existing locations of the industries in the Khulna city and filled the gap to propose the new locations. To achieve this, a three-stage method have been adopted. At first, the existing industries were categorized on the basis of basic/non-basic, small/large scale, input/output characteristics in geo-spatial environment. Location Quotient (LQ) technique was applied to detect basic, non-basic industries and industrial zone. Then, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted to define weights of important criterion such as temperature, slope, water body, land use, city center, connectivity and structures. The calculation of Consistency Ratio (CR<0.1) showed rational consistency of the factors. Finally, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was adopted in GIS platform to address the suitable locations. The analysis shows 10% of the total KCC area is suitable for constructing industrial zones. According to the results most of the suitable land was found in the eastern side and a few suitable lands was found in the upper western part of the map. Another findings state that, 5% change in vacant land can increase this percentage to 17% which eventually escalates sustainability, resilience and locational advantages. In addition, the study assesses the land use change in Khulna City Corporation for recent years which have potential for industrial establishment through land suitability analysis (LSA) to emphasize both land use and industries with sustainable development
EFFECT OF FLY-ASH ON THE STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL SOILS-A CASE STUDY FOR THE SOUTHERN COASTAL ZONE OF BANGLADESH
Authors: Debanath O.C. , Rahman M.A , Chowdhury S. A. , Ahmed R.U. , Hassan S.N. , Roy E.
Published: May 2021

The rapid demand for urbanization expands the requirements of infrastructures and owing to the scarcity of available firm land; people are now built structures on soft soils. However, the application of a deep foundation for a low-rise structure may not be economically feasible for developing countries. The economic, as well as safe foundation, can be ensured by adopting traditional ground stability approaches. However, replacement of the industrial by-product, which possess minimum environmental threat may be a plausible option for ground stability. Therefore, an attempt is taken in this research to study the improvement of soft coastal soil by replacing with eco-friendly fly ash. The eastern bank of the river Karnaphuli, which has increasing industrial and residential demand is taken as a case study in this research. A series of experimental set-ups have been conducted to evaluate the strength development with different fly ash contents. It is found that the strength of fly ash treated soils increases with fly ash content up to a threshold value, and beyond that, the strength decreases. In addition, compaction and plasticity characteristics are also investigated through experimental observations and show better performance criteria with increasing fly ash contents. In a nutshell, this approach of replacing fly ash is suitable for coastal soil, and the experimental investigation reveals that an optimum 20% of fly ash content is justified.
Analysis On The Level Of Knowledge Among Perak Civil Servants On The Items Of Payable Income Zakah Calculation/ Analisis Tahap Pengetahuan Penjawat Awam di Perak Terhadap Item Item dalam Pengiraan Jumlah Pendapatan Berzakat
Authors: Mat Tajudin Nur Afiqah , Muhammad Fidlizan , Abdul Razak Azila , Mohd Hussin Mohd Yahya , Mohamed Shaarani Ahmad Zakirullah , Awang Salwa Amirah
Published: May 2021

This study aims to determine the level of knowledge on the items of payable income zakah calculation among civil servants in Perak. Quatitative method using the instrument of questionnaire is employed to obtain data in attaing the research objective. Four items of income are studied which are the salary, fixed monthly allowance, overdue salary and bonus by involving 108 respondents. The collected data is then analyzed using the analysis of frequency, percentage and mean. Findings of the study uncover that the level of knowledge among respondents pertaining to the general and specific basic concept of zakah is considerably high. For the item analysis, it is found that the items of overdue salary and bonus are the items which are less known to be included in the calculation of payable income zakah. Therefore, the authority which is the State Islamic Religious Council (MAIN) and zakah centres must diversify the techniques to increase awareness in regard to this gap.
Solving Time Fractional Schrödinger Equation in the Sense of Local Fractional Derivative
Authors: Bayrak Mine Aylin , Demir Ali
Published: May 2021

The motivation of the study is solving the mathematical problems including time fractional Schrödinger equation by means of a method which is a combination of Chebyshev collocation method and residual power series method (RPSM). The time fractional derivative in local fractional derivative sense is discretized with the help of Chebyshev collocation method to reduce time fractional Schrödinger equation into a system including two fractional ordinary differential equations. At this stage, applying RPSM produces the truncated solution of the mathematical problem. Given examples illustrated that this method is applicable and compatible for solving mathematical problems with fractional derivative.
Area selective deposition of iron films using temperature sensitive masking materials and plasma electrons as reducing agents
Authors: Nadhom Hama , Yuan Yusheng , Rouf Polla , Solin Niclas , Pedersen Henrik
Published: May 2021

The potential of area-selective deposition (ASD) with a newly developed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which utilizes plasma electrons as reducing agents for deposition of metal-containing films, is demonstrated using temperature sensitive polymer-based masking materials. The masking materials tested were polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene, parafilm, Kapton tape, Scotch tape, and office paper. The masking materials were all shown to prevent film growth on the masked area of the substrate without being affected by the film deposition process. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirms that the films deposited consist mainly of iron, whereas no film material is found on the masked areas after mask removal. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of films deposited with nonadhesive masking materials show that film growth extended for a small distance underneath the masking material, indicating that the CVD process with plasma electrons as reducing agents is not a line-of-sight deposition technique. The reported methodology introduces an inexpensive and straightforward approach for ASD that opens for exciting new possibilities for robust and less complex area-selective metal-on-metal deposition.
Motor Competence Performances Among Girls Aged 7–10 Years: Different Dimensions of the Motor Competence Construct Using Common Assessment Batteries
Authors: Khodaverdi Zeinab , Bahram Abbas , Khalaji Hassan , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Ghadiri Farhad , O’Brien Wesley
Published: May 2021

This paper aimed to investigate different dimensions of motor competence (MC) by using four commonly administered MC assessment tools (Test of Gross Motor Development-3, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 Short Form, Körperkoordinationtest Für Kinder, and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2) in a sample of 184 girls (Mage = 8.61 years;SD = 1.21 years). This is the first study of its kind to shed light on different dimensions of MC, identifying them through rigorous and robust statistical analysis. The Delphi method was used to select the dimensions of MC. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess whether the dimensions loaded onto the same construct (i.e., MC). Face and content validity identified three dimensions of MC: fundamental motor skills, gross motor coordination, and motor abilities. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit for the final MC model with three dimensions. In this model, fundamental motor skills, gross motor coordination, and motor abilities loaded on the MC construct. The data reported present a revised definition of holistic MC, which comprises the level of motor abilities (physical proficiency and perceptual motor abilities) as well as gross motor coordination and fundamental motor skills proficiency, which underlie the performance of a wide range of tasks, including fine and gross motor activities in daily life.
Nematic quantum criticality in an Fe-based superconductor revealed by strain-tuning
Authors: Worasaran Thanapat , Ikeda Matthias S. , Palmstrom Johanna C. , Straquadine Joshua A. W. , Kivelson Steven A. , Fisher Ian R.
Published: May 2021

Pervasive criticality

Iron-based superconductors are believed to host a quantum critical point (QCP), a zero-temperature phase transition, beneath the “dome” delineating the superconducting phase. Elucidating the nature of this QCP is, however, tricky. Worasaran
et al.
set out to do just that in a prototypical iron-based superconductor, barium iron arsenide. By applying strain to their samples, the researchers found power-law behaviors that are characteristic of nematic quantum criticality. The associated quantum fluctuations were present over a large portion of the phase diagram. This method may be useful in studying quantum criticality in other material systems.

Science
, abb9280, this issue p.
973
Material-structure-performance integrated laser-metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Gu Dongdong , Shi Xinyu , Poprawe Reinhart , Bourell David L. , Setchi Rossitza , Zhu Jihong
Published: May 2021

Cross-scale coordination

Laser-based additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize how components are designed. Gu
et al.
suggest moving away from a strategy that designs and builds components in a serial manner for a more wholistic method of optimization for metal parts. The authors summarize several key developments in laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition and outline a number of issues that still need to be overcome. A more integrated approach will help to reduce the number of steps required for fabrication and expand the types of structures available for end-use components.

Science
, abg1487, this issue p.
eabg1487
Polymicrobial Interactions in the Urinary Tract: Is the Enemy of My Enemy My Friend?
Authors: Gaston Jordan R. , Johnson Alexandra O. , Bair Kirsten L. , White Ashley N. , Armbruster Chelsie E.
Published: May 2021

The vast majority of research pertaining to urinary tract infection has focused on a single pathogen in isolation and predominantly
Escherichia coli
. However, polymicrobial urine colonization and infections are prevalent in several patient populations, including individuals with urinary catheters.
Laboratory evaluation of a rapid four-hour serological grouping of groups A,B,C, and G beta-streptococci by the Phadebact streptococcus test
Authors: Rosner R
Published: May 2021

Grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates by staphylococcal coagglutination was performed with the Phadebact Streptococcus Test to determine whether such isolates could be accurately grouped serologically with 4 h after examination of the primary isolation plates. Of 132 clinical isolates, 131 were correctly grouped by the Phadebact method using the Lancefield precipitation method as the accepted standard. Of the correctly grouped streptococci, 119 were definitively grouped within 4 h after examination of the primary plates, and the remaining 12 isolates were grouped within 24 h. Since the Phadebact Streptococcus Test contains coagglutination reagents for groups A, B, C, and G, those isolates that failed to react were considered as positive for groups other than the four included in the test system. There were 23 such isolates in this study. Lancefield grouping of these isolates indicated that nine were group F, five were group D, and the remaining nine were not groupable with the Lancefield reagents employed in this study. The one Phadebact "failure" involved an isolate that produced a 4 + reaction with the Phadebact group A reagent and a 4 + reaction with Lancefield group F reagent.
Survival of chlamydiae after cooling to -196 degrees C
Authors: Prentice M J , Farrant J
Published: May 2021

Factors influencing the survival of chlamydiae after freezing were reexamined. From the data presented, it is suggested that preservation of laboratory-grown chlamydiae is best achieved through the use of sucrose as the cryoprotective agent, in the presence of 10% serum. Dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol are more toxic. The period of exposure to sucrose before freezing must be kept as short as possible and be at 4 degrees C rather than at room temperature. The rate of cooling during freezing in sucrose is not important; however, cooling at a rate slower than 1 degrees C/min should be avoided. Since chlamydial survival is increased by rapid thawing, the volume of the sample should be kept to a minimum. Thawed suspensions should be inoculated onto cell monolayers without delay. The application of these methods may increase the proportion of stored clinical specimens in which chlamydiae can be found.
Value of sputum culture in diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Drew W L
Published: May 2021

In our laboratory, culture of sputum was extremely useful in diagnosing the etiology of pneumococcal pneumonia. Of 31 consecutive patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, 29 (94%) had Streptococcus pneumoniae cultured from sputum. Recovery of pneumococci in culture was enhanced by anaerobic incubation as well as by a plate bile test and an optochin disk on a primary blood agar plate.
Plaque assay and cloning of scrub typhus rickettsiae in irradiated L-929 cells
Authors: Oaks S C , Osterman J V , Hetrick F M
Published: May 2021

It was demonstrated that gamma-irradiated L-929 cells support plaque formation by three strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and representative species of the spotted fever and typhus group rickettsiae. Sensitivity of the plaque assay for detection of viable scrub typhus rickettsiae was similar to that achieved with intraperitoneal inoculation of random-bred mice. The concentration of irradiated cells and the temperature and length of incubation were all found to affect plaque size. A technique combining terminal dilution and plaque purification was used to obtain clones of three strains of scrub typhus rickettsiae.
Rapid slide coagglutination test for identifying and typing group B streptococci
Authors: Kirkegaard M K , Field C R
Published: May 2021

A Cowan I strain of Staphylococcus aureus was labeled with either group B streptococcal grouping or typing antiserum. These antibody-labeled reagent cells (ARC) were used in a slide coagglutination test to identify and type group B streptococci from blood agar plates. All streptococci were also identified by the standard Lancefield capillary precipitin test. In a blind study, all 141 group B streptococci were correctly identified by the coagglutination grouping test. None of the 148 non-group B streptococci caused agglutination of ARC. The coagglutination grouping test required an acid extract prepared from only four colonies and could be completed less than 30 min after colonies were removed from plates. The coagglutination typing test correctly identified 98.6% of the types of the 141 group B streptococcal strains tested. At least 88.6% of these streptococci could be typed directly from blood agar plates within 5 min by the coagglutination typing test. The remaining 11.4% of the group B streptococci were acid extracted (less than a 30-min procedure), and the extract was used for coagglutination typing. Coagglutination typing can be performed with only four colonies. The coagglutination grouping and typing tests are inexpensive, rapid, reliable, and easy to perform.
Radiometric detection of carbohydrate catabolism by pathogenic Neisseria
Authors: Cox F R , Cox M E , Martin J R , Stoer U H
Published: May 2021

A liquid scintillation procedure for the catabolism of D-[1-14C]glucose and [U-14C]maltose by pathogenic Neisseria was tested. Definitive results were obtained within a 30-min incubation period.
Rapid screening method for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Gurwith M
Published: May 2021

A rapid screening method for detection of Escherichia coli producing heat-labile enterotoxin is described. Single colonies are transferred directly from primary culture plates into 96-well microculture plates containing 0.3 ml of brain heart infusion broth in each well. After 24 h at 37 degrees C, each brain heart infusion broth culture is assayed by the miniculture method in the corresponding well of a microculture plate in which Y-1 mouse adrenal tumor cells have been grown. All enterotoxigenic isolates detected by this method were confirmed in the assay but with culture supernatants.
Automated Microbiological Detection/Identification System
Authors: Aldridge C. , Jones P. W. , Gibson S. , Lanham J. , Meyer M. , Vannest R. , Charles R.
Published: May 2021

An automated, computerized system, the AutoMicrobic System, has been developed for the detection, enumeration, and identification of bacteria and yeasts in clinical specimens. The biological basis for the system resides in lyophilized, highly selective and specific media enclosed in wells of a disposable plastic cuvette; introduction of a suitable specimen rehydrates and inoculates the media in the wells. An automated optical system monitors, and the computer interprets, changes in the media, with enumeration and identification results automatically obtained in 13 h. Sixteen different selective media were developed and tested with a variety of seeded (simulated) and clinical specimens. The AutoMicrobic System has been extensively tested with urine specimens, using a urine test kit (Identi-Pak) that contains selective media for
Escherichia coli, Proteus
species,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella-Enterobacter
species,
Serratia
species,
Citrobacter freundii
, group D enterococci,
Staphylococcus aureus
, and yeasts (
Candida
species and
Torulopsis glabrata
). The system has been tested with 3,370 seeded urine specimens and 1,486 clinical urines. Agreement with simultaneous conventional (manual) cultures, at levels of 70,000 colony-forming units per ml (or more), was 92% or better for seeded specimens; clinical specimens yielded results of 93% or better for all organisms except
P. aeruginosa
, where agreement was 86%. System expansion in progress includes antibiotic susceptibility testing and compatibility with most types of clinical specimens.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin
Authors: Yolken R H , Greenberg H B , Merson M H , Sack R B , Kapikian A Z
Published: May 2021

The development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin is described. The assay, which is based on the immunological similarity between Vibrio cholerae toxin and heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin, is similar in design to a radioimmunoassay but utilizes enzyme-labeled rather than radioactive isotope-labeled reagents. The ELISA system is as sensitive as both radioimmunoassay and the y-1 adrenal cell assay for the detection of heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin but requires neither radioactive reagents nor tissue culture techniques. The ELISA is easy to perform and is adaptable for use in small laboratories.
Identification of Neisseria by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography of metabolites in a chemically defined growth medium
Authors: Morse C D , Brooks J B , Kellogg D S
Published: May 2021

A dual-purpose study was carried out in an attempt to develop a rapid, sensitive method to identify Neisseria species by gas chromatography and to learn more about the metabolism of these organisms. Sixty-nine isolates of Neisseria were grown in a chemically defined fluid medium; the spent medium was extracted sequentially at pH 2 with diethyl ether and at pH 10 with chloroform. The pH 10 extracts were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and analyzed by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography. The resulting spent culture medium electron capture gas-liquid chromatography profiles showed several qualitative and significant quantitative differences among the Neisseria species potentially useful in separating and identifying these organisms. Putrescine and cadaverine which were present in the spent culture medium of some Neisseria, including N. gonorrhoeae, were tentatively identified. Substituting carbohydrates for the chemically defined medium containing glucose in the base medium produced altered profiles with increased quantitative and qualitative differences.
Modified Lombard-Dowell broth as a general growth medium
Authors: Jessee M T , Robinson P J
Published: May 2021

A new liquid medium (modified Lombard-Dowell broth) was inoculated with stock culture strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and compared with prereduced chopped-meat glucose inoculated with the same anaerobes. Both broths were subcultured at 48 and 72 h to aerobic and anaerobic blood agar plates, and the numbers of colonies were compared after 48-h incubation of the agar plates. This was repeated with mixed cultures of both aerobes and anaerobes. For a period of 11 months all specimens received for anaerobic-aerobic culture were inoculated into prereduced chopped-meat glucose and modified Lombard-Dowell broth plus the appropriate plate medium. Growth from subcultures was compared with primary plate isolates. Chopped-meat glucose and modified Lombard-Dowell broth isolates agreed, with the exception of one, Fusobacterium necrophorum, that did not grow in chopped-meat glucose.
Evaluation of anti-complement immunofluorescence test in cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Rao N , Waruszewski D T , Armstrong J A , Atchison R W , Ho M
Published: May 2021

The anti-complement immunofluorescence (ACIF) technique was evaluated for the diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a group of sera derived from renal transplant recipients and donors by comparing it with the indirect immunofluorescence (FA) and complement fixation (CF) TESTS. The ACIF and FA tests yielded similar results. However, the ACIF test had a distinct advantage over the indirect FA test, since it eliminated the nonspecific cytoplasmic staining that may result in false positive readings in inexperienced hands. Both the indirect FA and ACIF tests were more sensitive than the CF test. In primary CMV infection, the FA and ACIF antibodies appeared earlier and had significantly higher titer than corresponding CF titers. This difference in titers was not seen in seropositive individuals who lacked overt infection. Our previously reported correlation between the seropositivity of the donor and CMV infection in seronegative recipients has been confirmed.
Topical prostaglandin analogue use and cystoid macular oedema following uneventful cataract surgery: a randomised control trial
Authors: Niyadurupola Nuwan , Brodie James , Patel Tejal , Chan Jason , Rahman Mohammad M , Svasti-Salee Carl R , Ching Jared , Misra Aseema , Eke Tom , Broadway David C
Published: May 2021

Background/aims

The association between the development of cystoid macular oedema (CMO) following uneventful cataract surgery and prostaglandin analogue (PGA) therapy has not been fully determined. The study aim was to investigate whether discontinuation of PGA therapy following uneventful cataract surgery affected the incidence of postoperative CMO.

Methods

A prospective randomised controlled trial of 62 eyes of 62 participants with ocular hypertension (OH) or primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) treated with PGAs prior to cataract surgery. Participants were randomised to continue with PGA therapy after cataract surgery (CPGA) (n=31) or to discontinue PGA therapy (n=31). The primary outcome measure was the development of CMO at 1-month postoperatively, determined by a masked observer assessment of optical coherence tomography scans. The secondary outcome measure was change from baseline intraocular pressure (IOP).

Results

The incidence of CMO was identical in both groups at 12.9% (4 of 31 eyes) at the 1-month postoperative visit (OR 1.000; 95% CI 0.227 to 4.415). At 1-month postoperatively, the IOP was significantly lower in the CPGA group compared with baseline IOP.

Conclusion

Continuation of PGA therapy following uneventful cataract surgery in eyes with normal macular morphology did not increase the incidence of CMO. Continuation of PGA therapy significantly reduced IOP at 1-month postoperatively suggesting that, when indicated, it might be beneficial to continue PGA therapy in patients with POAG or OH after uneventful cataract surgery in the absence of other risk factors for developing CMO.
Physiological demands of singing for lung health compared with treadmill walking
Authors: Philip Keir EJ , Lewis Adam , Buttery Sara C , McCabe Colm , Manivannan Bishman , Fancourt Daisy , Orton Christopher M , Polkey Michael I , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Participating in singing is considered to have a range of social and psychological benefits. However, the physiological demands of singing and its intensity as a physical activity are not well understood.

Methods

We compared cardiorespiratory parameters while completing components of Singing for Lung Health sessions, with treadmill walking at differing speeds (2, 4 and 6 km/hour).

Results

Eight healthy adults were included, none of whom reported regular participation in formal singing activities. Singing induced acute physiological responses that were consistent with moderate intensity activity (metabolic equivalents: median 4.12, IQR 2.72–4.78), with oxygen consumption, heart rate and volume per breath above those seen walking at 4 km/hour. Minute ventilation was higher during singing (median 22.42 L/min, IQR 16.83–30.54) than at rest (11 L/min, 9–13), lower than 6 km/hour walking (30.35 L/min, 26.94–41.11), but not statistically different from 2 km/hour (18.77 L/min, 16.89–21.35) or 4 km/hour (23.27 L/min, 20.09–26.37) walking.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the acute metabolic demands of singing are comparable with walking at a moderately brisk pace, hence, physical effects may contribute to the health and well-being benefits attributed to singing participation. However, if physical training benefits result remains uncertain. Further research including different singing styles, singers and physical performance impacts when used as a training modality is encouraged.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04121351).
Outmigration survival of a threatened steelhead population through a tidal estuary
Authors: Buchanan Rebecca A. , Buttermore Elissa , Israel Joshua
Published: May 2021

Juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are exposed to numerous threats in heterogeneous, estuarine environments, yet understanding of survival patterns and processes during this migratory stage is often limited by studies that use surrogate species or are restricted in duration and spatial specificity. Lack of detailed survival information in this critical migratory stage limits the effectiveness of management to maintain juvenile life history diversity in threatened populations. We used acoustic telemetry with multistate mark–recapture models to investigate survival patterns during a key stage of the juvenile emigration of anadromous steelhead through the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta of California, United States, over multiple years, including three drought years. Survival was highly variable both within and among the six years of the study; estimated total survival through the Delta ranged from 0.06 (May 2014) to 0.69 (March 2011). Survival in the upstream reaches was associated with river discharge into the Delta, while survival through the lower reaches was associated with migration route. The lack of a single factor associated with survival in all reaches counteracts preconceived ideas of survival processes. Hydrodynamic manipulation and habitat improvements are recommended to support this anadromous population in a changing climate.
Consensus time in a concealed voter model with heterogeneous activity of voters
Authors: Ma Wei-Kang , Liu Xu-Sheng , Guan Jian-Yue
Published: May 2021

We systematically study a concealed voter model with heterogeneous reaction rates including the copying rate, externalization rate and internalization rate of each voter, which corresponds to the heterogeneity of activity of real people. By means of heterogeneous mean-field treatment, we derive the evolution equations of the system which allow us to construct a conserved quantity that governs the dynamical process. And furthermore, we also obtain the analytical expressions for the consensus time along with the exit probability. Our studies suggest that the heterogeneous copying rate and internalization rate can decelerate the consensus process, whereas the heterogeneous externalization rate does the opposite but slightly. All the analytical predictions are validated by extensive computer simulations.
ROLE OF REPEAT INFECTION IN THE DYNAMICS OF A SIMPLE MODEL OF WANING AND BOOSTING IMMUNITY
Authors: STRUBE LAURA F. , WALTON MAYA , CHILDS LAUREN M.
Published: May 2021

Some infectious diseases produce lifelong immunity while others only produce temporary immunity. In the case of short-lived immunity, the level of protection wanes over time and may be boosted upon re-exposure, via infection or vaccination. Previous work developed a simple model capturing waning and boosting immunity, known as the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered-Waned-Susceptible (SIRWS) model, which exhibits rich dynamical behavior including supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations among other structures. Here, we extend the bifurcation analyses of the SIRWS model to examine the influence of all parameters on these bifurcation structures. We show that the bistable region, involving both a stable fixed point and a stable limit cycle, exists only for a small region of biologically realistic parameter space. Furthermore, we contrast the SIRWS model with a modified version, where immune boosting may involve the occurrence of a secondary infection. Analysis of this extended model shows that oscillations and bistability, as found in the SIRWS model, depend on strong assumptions about infectivity and recovery rate from secondary infection. Understanding the dynamics of models of waning and boosting immunity is important for accurately assessing epidemiological data.
Lie polynomials in an algebra defined by a linearly twisted commutation relation
Authors: Cantuba Rafael Reno S.
Published: May 2021

We present an elementary approach to characterizing Lie polynomials on the generators [Formula: see text] of an algebra with a defining relation in the form of a twisted commutation relation [Formula: see text]. Here, the twisting map [Formula: see text] is a linear polynomial with a slope parameter, which is not a root of unity. The class of algebras defined as such encompasses [Formula: see text]-deformed Heisenberg algebras, rotation algebras, and some types of [Formula: see text]-oscillator algebras, the deformation parameters of which, are not roots of unity. Thus, we have a general solution for the Lie polynomial characterization problem for these algebras.
[Retracted] Internet Tourism Resource Retrieval Using PageRank Search Ranking Algorithm
Authors: Li Hui
Published: May 2021

At present, there is a wide variety of tourism resources on the Internet. Tourism management departments must monitor these resources. At the same time, tourists must also retrieve personalized information that they are interested in. This requires a lot of time and energy. This essay studies and implements the tourism network resource monitoring system. The main work completed in the thesis proposes and constructs a topic collection algorithm and establishes a starting point, topic keywords, and a prediction mechanism. The algorithm includes three stages: the first climbing stage, the learning stage, and the continuous climbing stage. Open category directory search is used for similarity judgment and result evaluation. The experimental results show that with the continuous execution of the crawling process, the collection speed of related pages is getting faster and faster. We propose an algorithm for the extraction of wood based on the density of Internet tourism resources. The algorithm calculates the ratio of Internet tourism resource labels by row and uses a threshold extraction algorithm to distinguish area from private non‐Internet tourism resource area. Experimental results show that the algorithm can successfully extract the main content of the article from a wide variety of web pages. This thesis takes the monitoring of tourism network resources as the research object and establishes a tourism network resource monitoring system, which can provide users with customizable, all‐round, and real‐time tourism network resource collection, extraction, and retrieval services so as to monitor tourism resources. The research results of this article can promote the construction of tourism informatization and can help users grasp the latest tourism information, thereby bringing great convenience to tourism. The system only downloads travel‐related information through the use of topic collection technology, reducing the interference of irrelevant redundant web pages.
Gut Microbiota‐Related Effects of Tanhuo Decoction in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Guo Qian , Jiang Xiaoqing , Ni Can , Li Linjing , Chen Li , Wang Yaqi , Li Mo , Wang Chunhui , Gao Li , Zhu Huaiqiu , Song Juexian
Published: May 2021

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a major cause of acquired adult disability and death. Our previous studies proved the efficacy and effectiveness of Tanhuo decoction (THD) on AIS. However, the therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. We recruited 49 AIS patients and 30 healthy people to explore the effects of THD+basic treatment on the poststroke gut microbiota of AIS patients using 16S rRNA sequencing, in which 23 patients received basic treatment (control group) and 26 patients received THD+basic treatment (THD group). By comparing the data before and after treatments, we found the THD group acquired better outcome than the control group on both clinical outcome indices and the characteristics of gut microbiota. In addition to the mediation on short‐chain fatty acid‐ (SCFA‐) producing bacteria in two groups, treatment in the THD group significantly decreased the lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS‐) producing bacteria to reduce LPS biosynthesis. Besides, the complexity of the cooccurrence of gut microbiota and the competition among LPS‐producing bacteria and opportunistic pathogenetic bacteria were enhanced in the THD group. Treatment in the THD group also exhibited the potential in decreasing genes on the biosynthesis of trimethylamine (TMA), the precursor of Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), and increasing genes on the degradation of TMA, especially increasing trimethylamine‐corrinoid protein Co‐methyltransferase (mttB) which catabolizes TMA to methane. These results hinted that THD+basic treatment might exert its efficacy by mediating the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, including LPS and TMAO that aggravate the sterile inflammation and platelet aggregation. Moreover, the well‐fitting regression model results in predicting the clinical outcome with the alteration of gut microbiota proved gut microbiota as a potential indicator of AIS and provided evidence of the communication between the gut and brain of AIS patients.
Calculation of the Influence Zone for Planetary Sampling Based on DEM Simulation
Authors: Li Qian , Li Junping , Xie Lanlan
Published: May 2021

In the design of planetary sampling devices, calculating the reaction force acting on the sampling devices is crucial. According to related research, the influence zone caused by sampling plays an important role in calculating the reaction force. A new method for estimating the range of the influence zone based on 3D DEM simulation is discussed in this paper. Taking lunar soil as an example, first, via validation of physical experiments, the DEM lunar soil simulant was proven to have mechanical properties similar to those of real lunar soil. Second, stress was selected as an indicator to identify the influence zone by computing the match percentage via a comparison between classical soil mechanics and DEM simulation. Using the proposed calculation method, it can be observed that the trend of change of influence zone at different sampling moments showed similar to the change of reaction force. Calculation of the influence zone can be used to analyze the reaction force of different gravity environments, sampling device structures, and motions.
Investigation of Stereometric and Fractal Patterns of Spin‐Coated LuMnO3 Thin Films
Authors: Marques Igor Hernandes Gomes , Saraiva Matos Robert , Romaguera-Barcelay Yonny , Ţălu Ştefan , Moreira Joaquim Agostinho , Almeida Abilio , de Cruz Javier Perez , da Fonseca Filho Henrique Duarte
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we have performed qualitative and quantitative analysis of LuMnO3 thin films surfaces, deposited by spin coating over Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates, to evaluate their spatial patterns as a function of the film’s sintering temperature. Atomic force microscopy was employed to obtain topographic maps that were extensively analyzed via image processing techniques and mathematical tools. 3D (three‐dimensional) topographical images revealed that films sintered at 650°C and 750°C presented the formation of smoother surfaces, while the film sintered at 850°C displayed a rougher surface with a root mean square roughness of ∼2.5 nm. On the other direction, the height distribution of the surface for all films has similar asymmetries and shape, although the film sintered using the highest temperature showed the lower density of rough peaks and a sharper peak shape. The advanced fractal parameters revealed that the film sintered at 850°C is dominated by low spatial frequencies, showing less spatial complexity, higher microtexture homogeneity, and uniform height distribution. These results suggest that the combination of stereometric and fractal parameters can be especially useful for identification of unique topographic spatial patterns in LuMnO3 thin films, helping in their implementation in technological applications, such as photovoltaic solar cells and information magnetic date storage and spintronic devices.
ASN004, A 5T4-targeting scFv-Fc Antibody–Drug Conjugate with High Drug-to-Antibody Ratio, Induces Complete and Durable Tumor Regressions in Preclinical Models
Authors: Smith Roger A. , Zammit David J. , Damle Nitin K. , Usansky Helen , Reddy Sanjeeva P. , Lin Jun-Hsiang , Mistry Mahesh , Rao Niranjan S. , Denis Louis J. , Gupta Sandeep
Published: May 2021

The 5T4 oncofetal antigen (trophoblast glycoprotein) is expressed in a wide range of malignant tumors but shows very limited expression in normal adult tissues. ASN004 is a 5T4-targeted antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) that incorporates a novel single-chain Fv-Fc antibody and Dolaflexin drug-linker technology, with an Auristatin F hydroxypropylamide payload drug-to-antibody ratio of approximately 10–12. The pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetic properties of ASN004 and its components were investigated in vitro and in vivo. ASN004 showed high affinity for the 5T4 antigen and was selectively bound to and internalized into 5T4-expressing tumor cells, and potent cytotoxicity was demonstrated for a diverse panel of solid tumor cell lines. ASN004 induced complete and durable tumor regression in multiple tumor xenograft models, derived from human lung, breast, cervical, and gastric tumor cell lines having a wide range of 5T4 expression levels. A single dose of ASN004, as low as 1 mg/kg i.v., achieved complete tumor regression leading to tumor-free survivors in the A431 cervical cancer model. In head-to-head studies, superior activity of ASN004 was demonstrated against trastuzumab-DM1, in a low-5T4/high-HER2 expressing gastric tumor model, and 10-fold greater potency was found for ASN004 against the 5T4-targeted ADC PF-06263507 in a lung tumor model. In marmoset monkeys, ASN004 was well tolerated at doses up to 1.5 mg/kg Q3W i.v., and showed dose-dependent exposure, linear pharmacokinetics, and markedly low exposure of free payload drug. Taken together, these findings identify ASN004 as a promising new ADC therapeutic for clinical evaluation in a broad range of solid tumor types.
New Insights Into Platelet-enriched miRNAs: Production, Functions, Roles in Tumors, and Potential Targets for Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Miao Shuo , Zhang Qingsong , Chang Wenguang , Wang Jianxun
Published: May 2021

In view of the increasing number of malignant tumors worldwide and their high mortality, efforts are being made to find effective biomarkers for early detection and effective treatment measures of cancer. In recent years, the roles of platelets in tumors have attracted considerable attention. Although platelets do not have nuclei, they are rich in miRNAs, which are important molecules in platelet regulation of tumors. Platelet miRNA expression in tumor patients is abnormal and tumor-specific. Platelet miRNAs have higher accuracy and specificity than conventional tumor detection markers and circulating miRNAs in tumor diagnosis. Platelets enriched miRNAs are involved in the regulation of tumor proliferation, metastasis, tumor-related immunity, tumor-related thrombosis, and antitumor therapy. To understand the role of platelet miRNAs in tumors, this article reviews the biological functions of miRNAs in platelets and summarizes the regulatory roles of platelet miRNAs in tumors and the potential roles of platelet miRNAs in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnóstico situacional dos Centros Especializados em Reabilitação (CER) e Oficinas Ortopédicas: Projeto CER-Brasil
Authors: Castaneda Luciana , Dantas Diego Sousa , Oliveira Antônio Tadeu Ribeiro , Castro Shamyr Sulyvan
Published: May 2021

A atenção a pessoa com deficiência no Brasil vem ganhando destaque nos últimos anos, com a criação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência, bem como com iniciativas ministeriais para avaliação da situação atual da rede e dos serviços específicos em reabilitação. Nesse sentido, pretende-se por meio dessa comunicação breve, apresentar projeto de pesquisa nacional de avaliação da atenção especializada em reabilitação. O projeto intitulado CER-Brasil objetiva realizar o diagnóstico situacional dos Centros Especializados em Reabilitação (CER) e Oficinas Ortopédicas. Trata-se de um estudo multicêntrico com a articulação nacional de pesquisadores das cinco regiões federativas brasileiras. Através de uma abordagem plurimetodológica, o projeto está sendo realizado em diferentes etapas, que incluem método Delphi, pesquisa documental, avaliação de serviços de saúde, e entrevista com gestores, profissionais e pacientes ligados aos CER em diferentes regiões do território brasileiro.
The Implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping in Context
Authors: Montejo Blanca , Stefanovic Bojan
Published: May 2021

With the launching of the Action for Peacekeeping and its culmination with the Declaration of Shared Commitments in 2018, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres aimed to mobilize all partners and stakeholders to support United Nations peacekeeping, marking its seventieth anniversary and revitalizing a long process of reform which had started with previous Secretaries-General, and in its last phase by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. The purpose of this article is to look at the implementation of Commitment 5 of the Declaration of Shared Commitments to realize the objective of sequenced, prioritized and achievable mandates. To do so, this article looks at the process of endorsement and progressive implementation of the Declaration of Shared Commitments by the Security Council, starting with the examination of the conclusions of the High Level Independent Panel on Peacekeeping Operations (hippo report), the subsequent Secretary-General’s report under Secretary-General Ban’s tenure and the passing of the baton to Secretary-General Guterres who continued the process through the launching of the Action for Peacekeeping. The article looks at the definitions available to guide the implementation of sequenced and prioritized mandates and describes and assesses the mandate renewal process in the context of three specific field missions concentrating some of the most recent efforts of the Security Council to apply the principles of the Declaration of Shared Commitments.