bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Watershed: A Key for Microbial Biogeography
Authors: Yang Xiao-Yan , Deng Wei , Zhang Fa , Liu Shuo-Ran , Fornacca Davide , Li Na , Li Yan-Peng , Fan Xi-Jie , Zhang Xin , Liu Li-Lei , Zhu Ya-Jiao , Tan Kun , Gao Ying , Cai Qing-Hua , Xiao Wen
Published: October 2021

Biogeography research is flawed by the poor understanding of microbial distributions due to the lack of a systematic research framework, especially regarding appropriate study units. By combining pure culture and molecular methods, we studied the biogeographic patterns of nematode-trapping fungi by collecting and analysing 2,250 specimens from 228 sites in Yunnan Province, China. We found typical watershed patterns at the species and genetic levels of nematode-trapping fungi. The results showed that microbial biogeography could be better understood by 1) using watersheds as research units, 2) removing the coverup of widespread species, and 3) applying good sampling efforts and strategies. We suggest that watersheds could help unify the understanding of the biogeographic patterns of animals, plants, and microbes and may also help account for the historical and contemporary factors driving species distributions.
Increasing Incidence of Mucormycosis in Spanish inpatients from 1997-2018
Authors: Parra Fariñas Raúl , Alonso Sardón Montserrat , Velasco Tirado Virginia , Galindo Pérez Inmaculada , Carbonell Cristina , Álvarez Artero Elisa , Romero-Alegría Ángela , Pardo-Lledías Javier , Belhassen García Moncef
Published: October 2021

Background: Mucormycosis is a worldwide angio-invasive fungal infection that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A few European studies have focused on the epidemiology. Methodology: A retrospective longitudinal descriptive study was performed with inpatients diagnosed with mucormycosis (ICD-9-CM, code 117.7, cases 1997-2015; and ICD-10, code B46, cases 2016-2018; along with length of hospital stay) in Spanish public hospitals between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2018. Data were obtained from the Minimum Basic Data Set (CMBD in Spanish). Principal findings: A total of 962 patients were recorded; 665 were men. The mean age (±SD) was 55±18.8 years. The annual incidence rate increased from 0.74 to 1.24 cases per million person-years. The lethality rate was 31.3%. Renal failure (41.6%) and hematological malignancy (36.3%) were the main factors involved. Conclusions: Mucormycosis is a rare infectious disease in Spain, but it has had a significantly increased incidence in the last two decades. Being an adult male and having diabetes, neoplasm or renal failure are the main factors associated. High mortality is usually associated mainly with hematological malignancy and renal failure. CMBD studies could be an efficient tool for assessing changes in the epidemiology of mucormycosis.
Interdimensionality
Authors: Svozil Karl
Published: October 2021

In this speculative analysis, interdimensionality is introduced as the (co)existence of universes embedded into larger ones. These interdimensional universes may be isolated or intertwined, suggesting a variety of interdimensional intrinsic phenomena that can only be understood in terms of the outer, extrinsic reality.
About the Ultimate Efficiency of Interference Binary Codes
Authors: Adzhemov Artem Sergeevich , Albov Nicolay Yurievich
Published: October 2021

The digital representation of various signals allows, at the subsequent stages of their transmission, to apply correction codes that provide protection against possible errors arising from the action of interference in the communication channel. At the same time, it is important that, with the required correcting ability, these codes have the maximum possible speed. The article presents the results of calculations for linear codes, showing their really achievable limiting capabilities.
The Importance, Unexploited Opportunities and Challenges of Vermicomposting Technology in Ethiopia
Authors: Dadi Tadie Girma , Gebirehiwot Hana Tamrat
Published: October 2021

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian and a key sector of its economy. However, Lack of productive and environmentally friendly technology is not widely applicable elsewhere. Likewise, the vermicomposting technology is a recently emerging science which not effectively transferred to the users across the country. Thus, this review is aimed to shine the importance, unexploited opportunities and the challenges hindered for further expansions in Ethiopian context. Vermicompost is among the powerful organic fertilizers which enhance soil Fertility and productivity. As agrarian society; there are plenty of raw byproducts and weed species which are not center of focus (i.e cattle waste, crop residues and invasive weeds like P.Juliflora, P.hysterophorus and E.crassipes respectively). However, there are many constraints there like policy issue, handling problems and sensitivity of the worms for different environmental factors which hindered to invest on a wide range. Generally, the number and weight of vermiculture as well as amount of produced casts are promised and every possible ways were recommended to entertain on the large scale.
Calculation of Quality Indices and Correlation Factors at Some Effluents Entry Points of the Mansagar Lake, Jaipur
Authors: Singh Yuvraj , Jain Manish Kumar
Published: October 2021

With this article, impact of effluent mixed water with the quality of the Mansagar Lake has been established by evaluating the physico-chemical parameters and the heavy-metal contents experimentally. The process of calculating water quality and the metal pollution quality indices is also explained in brief with respect to selected sample locations and varied environmental conditions (Pre- and Post-Monsoon season). Distribution trends of Pearson‘s correlation factor have also been discussed to establish their relation among the physico-chemical parameters and the heavy-metal contents for varied environmental conditions. In the end, detailed discussion on observations made during this study and useful recommendations are also elaborated in details. With this article, we intend to present a document for better understanding of the water quality of this lake in view of futuristic management strategies to be adopted to maintain it heritage values.
Temporal Distribution of Finfish and Shellfish in Payra River: Relationship with Climatological Changes, Ecological Pollution, and Threat Assessment
Authors: Rahman Md. Arifur , Rahat Md. Asikur Rahaman , Roy Nitai , Manon Md. Rased Khan , Ullah Md. Rahamat , Islam M. Muhsinul , Rashid Md. Tareq , Hasan Khandakar Rakibul , Chakma Suprakash
Published: October 2021

The Payra River is one of the large coastal rivers in Bangladesh which supports incredible fish species and has been affected by extensive human disturbance due to huge fishing pressure. The present study provides information about the temporal diversity of finfish and shellfish concerning climatological variables and ecological pollution along with threat assessment in the Payra River, Patuakhali. During the entire study, a total of 61 fish species including 56 finfish and 5 shellfish species were recorded under 22 families belonging to 11 orders. The order-wise fish species availability showed that the Perciformes (29.49%) was the dominant order based on species richness. Among them, 4 endangered, 6 vulnerable, 4 near threatened, 42 least concern, and 5 data deficient species were found. During the study period, the average Shannon-Weaver diversity index value was (3.33±0.12) indicates a good spread of fish population in the Payra river. Average Margalef richness index value was found (7.60±0.32), Pielou's evenness index (0.48±0.05), and Simpson dominance index (0.93±0.02) in Payra river. Dominance and Richness index value indicates clear water environment to slight pollution in the Payra river. Ten different kinds of fishing gears were identified under 3 major groups including 5 nets, 3 hooks and lines, and 2 traps. The phytoplanktonic genus and species revealed moderate pollution. Canonical correspondence analysis ordination plot showed that rainfall was the most influencing driving force among the meteorological parameters. The cluster analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity matrix showed that the winter season formed a separate cluster. In the recapitulation, the Payra River is a highly productive system that provides a favorable environment for a large variety of finfish and shellfish species assemblages. Findings of the conducted study are expected to be helpful for the respective researchers, policymakers, managers, and conservationists for the sustainable management of this water body and the interconnected surrounding neighboring countries.
Anesthetic Preconditioning of Traumatic Brain Injury is Ineffective in a Drosophila Model of Obesity
Authors: Johnson-Schlitz Dena , Fischer Julie A. , Schiffman Hannah J. , Scharenbrock Amanda R. , Olufs Zachariah  P. G. , Wassarman David A. , Perouansky Misha
Published: October 2021

We tested the hypothesis that obesity influences the pharmacodynamics of volatile general anesthetics (VGAs) by comparing effects of anesthetic exposure on mortality from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in lean and obese Drosophila melanogaster. We induced TBI with a High-Impact Trauma device. Starvation-selection over multiple generations resulted in an obese phenotype (SS flies). Fed flies served as lean controls (FC flies). Adult (1-7 day old) SS and FC flies were exposed to equianesthetic doses of isoflurane or sevoflurane either before or after TBI. The principal outcome was percent mortality 24 hours after injury, expressed as the Mortality Index at 24 hours (MI24). TBI resulted in lower MI24 in FC than in SS flies (21 (2.35) and 57.8 (2.14), respectively n= 12, p=0.0001). Preexposure to isoflurane or sevoflurane preconditioned FC flies to TBI reducing the risk of death to 0.53 [0.25 to 1.13] and 0.82 [0.43 to 1.58], respectively, but had no preconditioning effect in SS flies. Postexposure to isoflurane or sevoflurane increased the risk of death in SS flies. Only postexposure to isoflurane increased the risk in FC flies (1.39 [0.81 to 2.38]). Thus, obesity affects the pharmacodynamics of VGAs, thwarting the preconditioning effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane in TBI.
What We Know About Kininogen Structure – Importance for Function and Perspectives from Cryo-EM
Authors: Ponczek Michal Błażej
Published: October 2021

Kininogens are multidomain glycoproteins found in the blood of most vertebrates. They are important in the blood coagulation cascade pathways - in intrinsic pathway activation leading to thrombin generation partially independently from tissue factor dependent extrinsic pathway, connecting blood coagulation with the kallikrein-kinin system. Nothing is known about the shape on atomic level therefore the endeavor to obtain the good-quality spatial structure of kininogens is important for a better understanding of their role in disease and treatment. Application of cryo-EM is important for solving the spatial structure of kininogens, drawing new frontiers in understanding the function and opening new pathways for drug development.
Numerical Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis on Microwave Heating of Plastic on a Large Scale
Authors: Jeon Sangjun , Kim Jaekyung , Yang Daejong
Published: October 2021

To reduce the carbon emissions during heating in the manufacturing process, microwaves have attracted significant attention. Microwave has a lot of advantages rather than traditional heating method such as rapid heating, lower thermal damage and eco-friendly process. In order to apply microwaves to manufacturing process, uniform and efficient heating is required. We have analyzed the effect of various design parameters such as cavity heights, the application of the reflector, and the number and positions of waveguides for uniform and efficient heating by numerical simulation and verified that by experiment. The results showed that a slight change in the cavity height altered the electromagnetic field distribution and heating parameters, such as the coefficient of variance and power absorption efficiency. With reflectors installed, uniform heating was achieved and power absorption was improved, with the spherical reflector showing the maximum efficiency. The use of double waveguides heated the target material in a uniform manner. An increase in the power supply also led to uniform heating. This large-scale analysis will be helpful in applying microwaves to actual industrial sites.
Airspace Capacity Assessment with Augmented Cell Transmission Model
Authors: Gao Wei , Liang Man
Published: October 2021

Air traffic congestion is caused by the unbalance between increasing traffic demand and saturating capacity. Flight delay not only causes huge economical lost, but also has very negative environmental impact in the whole air transportation system. In order to identify the impact of extended TMA on airport capacity, an airspace capacity assessment method based on augmented cell transmission model was proposed. Firstly, the airspace structure was modeled with points, segments, layers, and cells. Secondly, mixed integer linear programming model was built up with maximum throughput or capacity as the objective function. Finally, genetic algorithm was used to find the optimal result, and the results were validated by comparing with the fast-time simulation results generated by total airspace and airport modeler (TAAM) software. It is found that the proposed method could achieve a relatively accurate result in a much affordable and fast way. The numerical results could be very helpful for air traffic controllers to analyze the dynamic traffic flow entering and exiting TMA, so as to make decisions via reasonable analysis and do planning in advance by referring to the airport capacity.
In-place Characterization of On-state Voltage for SiC MOSFETs: Controlled Shoot-through vs. Film Heater
Authors: Soldati Alessandro , Dalboni Matteo , Menozzi Roberto , Concari Carlo
Published: October 2021

The on-state voltage of MOSFETs is a convenient and powerful temperature-sensitive electric parameter (TSEP) to determine the junction temperature, thus enabling device monitoring, protection, diagnostics and prognostics. The main hurdle in the use of the on-state voltage as a TSEP is the per-device characterization procedure, to be carried out in a controlled environment, with high costs. In this paper we compare two novel techniques for MOSFET junction temperature estimation: controlled shoot-through and direct heating by resistive heaters embedded in two Kapton (polyimide) films. Both allow in-place characterization of the TSEP curve with the device mounted in its final circuit and assembly, including the working heat sink. The two methods are also validated against the conventional procedure in a thermal chamber.
The Use of Geotechnical Methods to Determine the Strength Parameters of the Substrate in Terms of Operation and Safety of Mortar Use
Authors: Bartnik Grzegorz , Józefiak Kazimierz , Superczyńska Małgorzata , Czerwińska Magdalena , Krajewski Witold , Legieć Józef , Kuśnierz Tadeusz , Magier Mariusz
Published: October 2021

Abstract: During firing from a mortar, an important issue is the parameters of compressibility of the ground on which the mortar is placed. This affects the operation of the mortar (including safety). During the qualification tests of the mortar, the influence of different types of substrate on its strength and work during shooting should be examined. Until now in the Polish standardization documents was no clear description about the substrate parameters used for this kind of tests. Analysis of the literature also did not allow to determine the dependence of the mortars displacement in the function of the type of substrate and its geotechnical parameters. Therefore, the authors carried out analytical and experimental analysis of the use of geotechnical methods to determine the parameters of the substrate for mortar testing. The paper presents the proposed types of standardized soil and their research methods. Preliminary tests were also carried out using the prescribed measurement methods and a comparative mortar firing test. Subsequently, an analysis of the results was carried out and the possibilities of using the proposed methods of measuring the parameters of soil compressibility were determined.
Effects of Different Parameter Settings for 3D Data Smoothing and Mesh Simplification on Towards Near Real-Time 3D Reconstruction of High Resolution Bioceramic Bone Void Filling Medical Images
Authors: Chin Daniel Jie Yuan , Mohamed Ahmad Sufril Azlan , Shariff Khairul Anuar , Ab Wahab Mohd Nadhir , Ishikawa Kunio
Published: October 2021

Three-dimensional reconstruction plays an important role in assisting doctors and surgeons in diagnosing bone defects’ healing progress. Common three-dimensional reconstruction methods include surface and volume rendering. As the focus is on the shape of the bone, volume rendering is omitted. Many improvements have been made on surface rendering methods like Marching Cubes and Marching Tetrahedra, but not many on working towards real-time or near real-time surface rendering for large medical images, and studying the effects of different parameter settings for the improvements. Hence, in this study, an attempt towards near real-time surface rendering for large medical images is made. Different parameter values are experimented on to study their effect on reconstruction accuracy, reconstruction and rendering time, and the number of vertices and faces. The proposed improvement involving three-dimensional data smoothing with convolution kernel Gaussian size 0.5 and mesh simplification reduction factor of 0.1, is the best parameter value combination for achieving a good balance between high reconstruction accuracy, low total execution time, and a low number of vertices and faces. It has successfully increased the reconstruction accuracy by 0.0235%, decreased the total execution time by 69.81%, and decreased the number of vertices and faces by 86.57% and 86.61% respectively.
Comparison of CNNs and ViTs Based Hybrid Models Using Gradient Profile Loss for Classification of Oil Spills in SAR Images
Authors: Basit Abdul , Siddique Muhammad Adnan , Sarfraz Muhammad Saquib
Published: October 2021

Oil spillage over a sea or ocean’s surface is a threat to marine and coastal ecosystems. Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data has been used efficiently for the detection of oil spills due to its operational capability in all-day all-weather conditions. The problem is often modeled as a semantic segmentation task. The images need to be segmented into multiple regions of interest such as sea surface, oil spill, look-alikes, ships and land. Training of a classifier for this task is particularly challenging since there is an inherent class imbalance. In this work, we train a convolutional neural network (CNN) with multiple feature extractors for pixel-wise classification; and introduce to use a new loss function, namely ‘gradient profile’ (GP) loss, which is in fact the constituent of the more generic Spatial Profile loss proposed for image translation problems. For the purpose of training, testing and performance evaluation, we use a publicly available dataset with selected oil spill events verified by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The results obtained show that the proposed CNN trained with a combination of GP, Jaccard and focal loss functions can detect oil spills with an intersection over union (IoU) value of 63.95%. The IoU value for sea surface, look-alikes, ships and land class is 96.00%, 60.87%, 74.61% and 96.80%, respectively. The mean intersection over union (mIoU) value for all the classes is 78.45%, which accounts for a 13% improvement over the state of the art for this dataset. Moreover, we provide extensive ablation on different Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers (ViTs) based hybrid models to demonstrate the effectiveness of adding GP loss as an additional loss function for training. Results show that GP loss significantly improves the mIoU and F1 scores for CNNs as well as ViTs based hybrid models. GP loss turns out to be a promising loss function in the context of deep learning with SAR images.
Cyber-Physical LPG Debutanizer Distillation Columns: Machine Learning-Based Soft Sensors for Product Quality Monitoring
Authors: Rožanec Jože M. , Trajkova Elena , Lu Jinzhi , Sarantinoudis Nikolaos , Arampatzis Georgios , Eirinakis Pavlos , Mourtos Ioannis , Onat Melike K. , Ataç Yilmaz Deren , Košmerlj Aljaž , Kenda Klemen , Fortuna Blaž , Mladenić Dunja
Published: October 2021

Refineries execute a series of interlinked processes, where the product of one unit serves as the input to another process. Potential failures within these processes affect the quality of the end products, operational efficiency, and revenue of the entire refinery. In this context, implementation of a real-time cognitive module, referring to predictive machine learning models, enables to provide equipment state monitoring services and to generate decision-making for equipment operations. In this paper, we propose two machine learning models: 1) to forecast the amount of pentane (C5) content in the final product mixture; 2) to identify if C5 content exceeds the specification thresholds for the final product quality. We validate our approach by using a use case from a real-world refinery. In addition, we develop a visualization to assess which features are considered most important during feature selection, and later by the machine learning models. Finally, we provide insights on the sensor values in the dataset, which help to identify the operational conditions for using such machine learning models.
Agrococcus massiliensis sp. nov., a Novel Bacterial Species Isolated from Human Healthy Skin
Authors: Boxberger Manon , Magnien Sibylle , Antezack Angeline , Rolland Clara , Makoa Meng Marine , Scola Bernard La , Cassir Nadim
Published: October 2021

Marseille-Q4369 is a strain that we isolated from human healthy skin and characterized by taxono-genomic approach. Marseille-Q4369 exhibited 99.80% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with Agrococcus pavilionensisT the phylogenetically closest bacterium with standing in nomenclature. Furthermore, digital DNA–DNA hybridization revealed a maximum identity similarity of only 52.4% and an OrthoANI parameter provided a value of 93.63% between the novel organism and Agrococcus pavilionensisT. Marseille-Q4369 was observed to be a yellowish-pigmented, Gram-positive, coccoïd, facultative aerobic bacterium, and belonging to the Microbacteriaceae family. The major fatty acids detected are 12-methyl-tetradecanoic acid (66%), 14-methyl-hexadecanoic acid (24%) followed by 13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid (5%). The genome size of strain Marseille-Q4369 was 2,737,735-bp long with a 72,27 % G+C content. Taken altogether, these results confirm the status of this strain as a new member of the Agrococcus genus for which the name of Agrococcus massiliensis is proposed (=CSUR-Q4369 = DSM112404).
Carboxylation Capacity Can Limit Photosynthesis at Elevated CO2 throughout Diurnal Cycles
Authors: Bunce James
Published: October 2021

The response of carbon fixation in C3 plants to elevated CO2 is relatively larger when photosynthesis is limited by carboxylation capacity (VC) than when limited by electron transport (J). Recent experiments under controlled, steady-state conditions have shown that photosynthesis at elevated CO2 may be limited by VC even at limiting PPFD. These experiments were designed to test whether this also occurs in dynamic field environments. Leaf gas exchange was recorded every 5 minutes using two identical instruments both attached to the same leaf. The CO2 concentration in one instrument was controlled at 400 mol mol-1 and one at 600 mol mol-1. Leaves were exposed to ambient sunlight outdoors, and cuvette air temperatures tracked ambient outside air temperature. The water content of air in the leaf cuvettes was kept close to that of the ambient air. These measurements were conducted on multiple, mostly clear days for each of three species, Glycine max, Lablab purpureus, and Hemerocallis fulva. The results indicated that in all species, photosynthesis was limited by VC rather than J at both ambient and elevated CO2 both at high midday PPFDs and also at limiting PPFDs in the early morning and late afternoon. During brief reductions in PPFD due to midday clouds, photosynthesis became limited by J, The net result of the apparent deactivation of Rubisco at low PPFD was that the relative stimulation of diurnal carbon fixation at elevated CO2 was larger than would be predicted when assuming limitation of photosynthesis by J at low PPFD.
Decreased Emotional Dysregulation Following Multi-modal Motion-assisted Memory Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (3MDR): Identifying Driving Factors in Remediation of Treatment-Resistant PTSD
Authors: Tang Emily , Jones Chelsea , Smith-MacDonald Lorraine , Brown Matthew R.G. , Vermetten Eric H.G.J. , Bremault-Phillips Suzette
Published: October 2021

Multi-modal Motion-assisted Memory Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (3MDR), an interactive, virtual-reality assisted, exposure-based intervention for PTSD, has shown promising results for treatment-resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (TR-PTSD) among military members (MMs) and Veterans in Randomized Controlled Trials. Previous research has suggested that emotional regulation (ER) and emotional dysregulation (ED) may be factors which are correlated with symptom severity and maintenance of TR-PTSD. This embedded mixed-methods pilot study (n=9) sought to explore the impact of 3MDR on ER and ED of MMs and Veterans. Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-18) data was collected at baseline, prior to each session, and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-intervention and analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Qualitative data collected from sessions, debriefs, and follow-up interviews were transcribed and descriptively analyzed. Results demonstrated statistically significant decreases in DERS-18 scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention at each timepoint. Qualitatively, participants perceived improvements in ER within specified DERS-18 domains. We describe how 3MDR’s unique and novel approach may address ED through cognitive-motor stimulation, narration, divergent thinking, reappraisal of aversive stimuli, dual-task processing, and reconsolidation of traumatic memories. Further investigation is underway to better understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which 3MDR addresses ER and PTSD.
Explainable Convolutional Neural Network to Investigate the Age-Related Changes in Multi-Order Functional Connectivity
Authors: Dong Sunghee , Jin Yan , Bak SuJin , Yoon Bumchul , Jeong and Jichai
Published: October 2021

Functional connectivity (FC) is a potential candidate that can increase the performance of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in the elderly because of its compensatory role in neural circuits. However, it is difficult to decode FC by current machine learning techniques because of a lack of its physiological understanding. To investigate the suitability of FC in BCI for the elderly, we propose the decoding of lower- and higher-order FCs using a convolutional neural network (CNN) in six cognitive-motor tasks. The layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) method describes how age-related changes in FCs impact BCI applications for the elderly compared to younger adults. Seventeen younger (24.5±2.7 years) and twelve older (72.5±3.2 years) adults were recruited to perform tasks related to hand-force control with or without mental calculation. CNN yielded a six-class classification accuracy of 75.3% in the elderly, exceeding the 70.7% accuracy for the younger adults. In the elderly, the proposed method increases the classification accuracy by 88.3% compared to the filter-bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP). LRP results revealed that both lower- and higher-order FCs were dominantly overactivated in the prefrontal lobe depending on task type. These findings suggest a promising application of multi-order FC with deep learning on BCI systems for the elderly.
Pumping Schedule Optimization in Acid Fracturing Treatment by Unified Fracture Design
Authors: Lotfi Rahman , Hosseini* Mostafa , Aftabi Davood , Baghbanan Alireza , Xu Guanshui
Published: October 2021

Acid fracturing simulation is used widely to optimize carbonate reservoirs and improve acid fracturing treatment performance. In this study, a method was used to minimize the risk of the acid fracturing treatment. First, optimal fracture geometry parameters with UFD methods are calculated. After that, design components change as long as fracture geometry parameters reach their optimal values. The results showed a high flow rate needed to achieve optimal fracture geometry parameters with increasing acid volume. Sensitivity analysis was performed on controllable and reservoir parameters. It observed that a high flow rate should be applied for a low fluid viscosity to achieve the optimization goals. Straight acid reaches optimal conditions at a high flow rate and low volume. These conditions for retarded acids appear only at a low flow rate and high volume. The study of the acid concentration for gelled acid showed that as it increased, the flow rate and volume increased. Besides, for low permeability formation, a large fracture half-length and small fracture width are desirable. In this case, a higher flow rate will be required. The sensitivity analysis showed that the optimum flow rate and acid volume increase and decrease for the high Young's modulus. The effect of closure stress was also investigated and observed for a sample with high closure stress, low flow rate, and high acid volume are required.
Study of Planetary Boundary Layer and Aerosol Transport Using Ceilometer and Air Quality Modelling in New South Wales (NSW), Australia
Authors: Duc Hiep Nguyen , Raman Md Mahmudur , Trieu Toan , Azzi Merched , Riley Matthew , Koh Thomas , Liu Shaohua , Bandara Kasun , Krishnan Vishall , Yang Yujing , Silver Jeremy , Kerley Michael , White Stephen , Capnerhurst Jordan , Kirkwood John
Published: October 2021

The planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is one of the key factors in influencing the dispersion of the air pollutants in the troposphere and hence the air pollutant concentration on ground level. For this reason, accurate air pollutant concentration depends on the performance of PBLH prediction. Recently, ceilometer, a lidar instrument to measure cloud base height, has been used by atmospheric scientists and air pollution control authorities to determine the mixing level height (MLH) in improving forecasting and understanding the evolution of aerosol layers above ground at a site. In this study, ceilometer data at an urban (Lidcombe) and a rural (Merriwa) location in the New South Wales, Australia was used to validate the PBLH prediction from two air quality models (CCAM-CTM and WRF-CMAQ) as well as to understand the aerosol transport from sources to receptor point at Merriwa for the three case studies where high PM10 concentration was detected in each of the three days. The results show that the PBLH prediction by the two air quality models corresponds reasonably well with observed ceilometer data and the cause and source of high PM10 concentration at Merriwa can be found by using ceilometer MLH data to corroborate with back trajectory analysis of transport of aerosols to the receptor point at Merriwa. Of the three case studies, one had aerosol source from north and north west of Merriwa in remote NSW where windblown dust is the main source, and the other two had sources from south and south east of Merriwa where anthropogenic sources dominate,
Impacts of Human Interventions on Water Quality of Upper Ganga River Near Haridwar, Uttarakhand: A GIS-Based Analysis
Authors: Maurya Pradip Kumar , Ali Sk Ajim , Ahmad Ateeque Ahmad , Maurya Krishna Kumar
Published: October 2021

The water quality of the river is becoming deteriorated due to human interference. It is essential to understand the relationship between human activities and land-use types to assess the water quality of a region. GIS has the latest tool for analyzing the spatial correlation. Land use land cover and change detection is the best illustration to show the human interactions on land features. The study assessed water quality index of upper Ganga River near Haridwar, Uttarakhand and spatially correlated them with changing land use to reach a logical conclusion. At the upper course of Ganga along 78 Km long from Kaudiyala to Bhogpur, water samples were collected from five stations. For water quality index the physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, DO, TDS, CaCO3-, CaCO3, Cl¯, Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+, F-, Fe2+ were considered. The result of the spatial analysis was evaluated through error estimation and spatial correlation. The root mean square error between spatial land use and water quality index of selected sampling sites was estimated as 0.1443. The spatial correlation between land-use change and site-wise differences in water quality index has also shown a high positive correlation with R² = 0.8455. The degree of positive correlation and root mean square error has strongly indicated that the water quality of the river at the upper course of Ganga is highly impacted through human activities.
A Formalization of the Concept of a Numeral System
Authors: Averbukh Boris
Published: October 2021

We consider finite and unconditionally convergent infinite expansions of elements of a given topological monoid G in some base B c G as words of the alphabet B, identify insignificantly different words and define a multiplication and a topology on the set of classes of these words. Classical numeral systems are particular cases of this construction. Then we study algebraic and topological properties of the obtained monoid and, for some cases, find conditions under which it is canonically topologically isomorphic to the initial one.
Disparities in Care and Outcome of Stroke Patients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Metropolitan Australia
Authors: Rezania Fatemeh , Neil Christopher J.A. , Wijeratne Tissa
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: Acute stroke is a time-critical emergency where diagnosis and acute management are highly dependent upon accuracy of patient’s history. We hypothesised that language barrier is associated with delayed onset time to thrombolysis and poor clinical outcomes. AIM: To evaluate the effect of language barriers on time to thrombolysis and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients admitted to a metropolitan stroke unit (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) with an acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator between 1/2013 and 9/2017. Baseline characteristics, thrombolysis time intervals, length of stay, discharge destination, and in-hospital mortality were compared between patients with and without a language barrier using multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex, stroke severity, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Language barriers were defined as a primary language other than English. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients were included. Of this, 76 patients (20.3%) had a language barrier. Mean age was 5 years older for patients with language barriers (76.7 vs 71.8 years, P=0.004). Less non-English speaking patients had pre-morbid mRS score of zero (P=0.002) and more had pre-morbid mRS score of one or two (P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of stroke severity on presentation (P=0.06). The onset to needle time was significantly longer in patients with a language barrier (188 min vs 173 min, P=0.04). Onset to arrival and door to imaging times were surprisingly similar between the two groups. However, imaging to needle time was 9 minutes delayed in non-English speaking patients with a marginal P value (65 vs 56 min, P=0.06). patients with language barriers stayed longer in stroke unit stay (6 vs 4 days, P=0.02) and had higher rates of discharge to residential aged care facilities in those admitted from home (9.2% vs 2.3%, P=0.02). In-hospital mortality was not different between two groups (P=0.8) CONCLUSION: In this study language barriers were associated with almost 14 min delay in thrombolysis. The delay was mostly attributable to imaging to needle time. Language barriers were also associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
Processing and Testing of a Novel Superstructural Material
Authors: Pereira Alejandro , Tielas Alberto , Prado Teresa , Fenollera Maria Inmaculada , Pérez José Antonio
Published: October 2021

The need to develop novel lightweight materials and their manufacturing processes is sets out to meet the new aerospace, automotive and construction requirements. Within this context, this research work is proposed to develop a novel thermoplastic composite material with high mechanical properties. These composites will be based on thermoplastic matrixes made from polyamide and 35% short glass fiber filled-polyamide reinforced with different types of fabrics. As reinforcement, glass fiber fabrics will be used as the base. They will be treated with different processes, both chemical and physical, to promote adherence to the matrix. Textile overmoulding technology was selected for manufacturing these composites. This technology was primarily developed to manufacture aesthetic lined components and has achieved a great implantation. Once these new composites are manufactured, they will be submitted to different tests to evaluate their behavior regarding adhesion, impact strength and stiffness. It is expected an improvement on stiffness and impact absorption.
Reductions in Hydrogen Sulfide Precede Onset of Mitochondrial Quality Control in the Corneal Kindled Mouse Model of Epilepsy
Authors: Cho Christi , Zeigler Maxwell , Mizuno Stephanie , Morrison Richard S. , Totah Rheem , Barker-Haliski Melissa
Published: October 2021

Epilepsy is a heterogenous neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, mitochondrial stress, and neurodegeneration. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter, promotes mitochondrial function and biogenesis, elicits neuromodulation and neuroprotection, and may acutely suppress seizures. A major gap in knowledge remains in understanding the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and progressive changes in H2S levels following acute seizures and during epileptogenesis. We thus sought to quantify changes in H2S and its methylated metabolite (MeSH) via LC-MS/MS subsequent to acute maximal electroshock and 6 Hz 44 mA seizures in mice, as well as in the corneal kindled mouse model of chronic seizures. Plasma H2S was acutely reduced after a maximal electroshock seizure. H2S or MeSH levels in whole brain homogenate and expression of related genes in corneal kindled mice were not altered. However, plasma H2S and MeSH levels were significantly lower during kindling, but not after established kindling. Morever, we demonstrated a time-dependent increase in expression of mitochondrial membrane integrity-related proteins, Opa1, Mfn2, Drp1, and Mff during kindling, which did not correlate with gene expression. Taken together, short-term reductions in plasma H2S could be a novel biomarker for seizures. Future studies should further define the role of H2S and mitochondrial stress in epilepsy.
The Risky-Opportunity Analysis Method (ROAM) to support Risk-Based Decisions in a case-study of Critical Infrastructure Digitalization
Authors: Ardebili Ali Aghazadeh , Padoano Elio , Longo Antonella , Ficarella Antonio
Published: October 2021

Socio-ecologic, socio-economic, and socio-technical transitions are opportunities that require fundamental changes in the system. These will encounter matters associated with security, service adoption by end-users, infrastructure and availability. The purpose of this study is to examine and overcome the risks to take advantage of opportunities through the novel Risky-Opportunity Analysis Method (ROAM). A novel quantitative method is designed to determine when, after making some changes, the risks become acceptable so that the opportunity does not deviate from the objectives. The approach provided a quantitative evaluation of the possible changes in parallel with digitization, towards providing a green Service Supply Chain (SSC). The result of ROAM shows that the most cost-effective change to increase the resilience of the system is a solution (SMS) which is different from that identified by a TOPSIS multi-criteria method. Real-word decisions in change management should tackle the complexity of systems and uncertainty of events during and after transition through a careful analysis of the alternatives. A case-study was carried out to evaluate the alternatives of an ancillary service in the Payment Service Providers (PSP). The comparison of the ROAM results with the traditional TOPSIS of the case-study unveils the priority of the ROAM in practice when the alternatives are Risky-Opportunities. The existing risk assessment tools do not take advantage of risky opportunities. To this aim, the current article introduces the term Risky-Opportunity, and two indexes Stress and Strain of the alternatives that are designed to be employed in the new quantitative ROAM approach.
Establishment and Evaluation of a Large Contact-Tracing and Case Investigation Virtual Training Academy
Authors: Golston Olivia , Prelip Michael , Brickley Debbie Bain , Cass Anne , Chen Lisa , Dorian Alina , Gandelman Alice , Keh Chris , Maher Andrew , Myrick Roger , Reid Michael J. A. , White Karen , Willard-Grace Rachel , Shafir Shira
Published: October 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virtual Training Academy (VTA) was established to rapidly develop a contact-tracing workforce for California. Through June 2021, more than 10 000 trainees enrolled in a contact-tracing or case investigation course at the VTA. To evaluate program effectiveness, we analyzed trainee pre- and postassessment results using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There was a statistically significant (P < .001) improvement in knowledge and self-perceived skills after course completion, indicating success in training a competent contact-tracing workforce. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(11):1934–1938. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306468 )
Modul Praktikum Hematologi 1
Authors: Puspitasari Puspitasari
Published: October 2021

Modul praktikum dibuat sebagai pedoman kegiatan praktikum untuk Mata Kuliah Prak. Hematologi 1. Diharapkan dengan adanya modul praktikum ini mahasiswa terbantu dalam mempersiapkan dan melakukan praktikum dengan terencana, terarah. Pada setiap materi praktikum telah ditetapkan tujuan, dasar teori, dan semua kegiatan yang harus dilakukan sehingga dapat memperdalam pemahaman mahasiswa.
Reconstruction of the Social Capital-Based Agricultural Extension System in the Tengger Tribe Society in Tosari, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Romadi Ugik , Hidayat Kliwon , Sukesi Keppi , Yuliati Yayuk
Published: October 2021

This study aims to examine the “how” and “what kind of” implementation process of extension by the needs of the Tengger Tribe in optimizing their social capital as an effort to accelerate the process of information and technology transfer to achieve the goals of extension that have been outlined in the philosophy of extension, namely behavior change farmers as an effort to improve welfare. This research useed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. Based on the research found that a system and implementation of extension were needed by local conditions, and accommodates tribe characteristics. The reconstruction of the extension system must be carried out thoroughly in terms of the institutional aspects of extension, extension workforce, and implementation of extension so that it could achieve the expected goals of changing farmer’s behavior to improve the welfare of farmers in the Tosari Sub-District of Pasuruan Regency.
Recurrent Retinal Detachment After Pars Plana Vitrectomy For Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Fu Yan , Xie Tian-hao , Gu Zhao-Hui , Yang Na , Geng Ren-Fei , Zhang Yue-ling
Published: October 2021

Background

The recurrence of retinal detachment (RD) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a relatively common complication that threatens vision and requires further surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors and visual outcomes of recurrent RD following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary RRD.
Methods

This was a retrospective follow-up of 343 eyes that underwent initial PPV surgery for primary RRD. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a reattachment group. The main outcome measures included causative factors, visual outcomes related to the recurrence of RD, and the perioperative factors most affecting the recurrence of RD.
Results

After retinal reattachment, we observed RD recurrence after PPV for primary RRD in 42 out of 343 eyes (12.2%) during the follow-up period. Most causes of recurrence (69%) occurred within 6 months of surgery. Univariate analysis showed that the presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) ≥ Grade C was significantly associated with recurrent RD (P = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis further showed that a PVR ≥ Grade C (odds ratio [OR]: 9.421; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.432 - 56.39; P = 0.020) was a significant predictor for the development of recurrent RD. Compared with the reattachment group, the recurrence group exhibited a significant decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up visit (P = 0.000). Eyes with PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, showed a worse final BCVA.
Conclusions

Our analysis shows that the predominant risk factor for the recurrence of RD is a PVR ≥ Grade C. PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, was also shown to limit the recovery of final visual acuity.
Spatiotemporal Correlations Between Water Quality And Microbial Community of Typical Inflow River Into Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Zhang Yajie , Zhang Ye , Wei Lecheng , Li Mengyan , Zhu Weitang , Zhu Liang
Published: October 2021

Changxing River, which is a typical inflow river into the Taihu Lake and occurs severe algae invasion, is selected to study the effect of different pollution sources on the water quality and ecological system. Four types of pollution sources, including the estuary of Taihu Lake, discharge outlets of urban wastewater treatment plants, storm water outlets, and non-point source agricultural drainage areas are chosen, and next-generation sequencing and multi-variate statistical analyses are used to characterize the microbial communities and reveal their relationship with water physicochemical properties. Results showed that ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) are the main pollutant in Changxing River, especially at storm water outlets. At the same time, the diversity of microbial communities was the highest in the summer, and dominant phyla included Proteobacteria (40.9%), Bacteroidetes (21.0%) and Euryarchaeota (6.1%) under the condition of algal bloom. Water temperature (T), air pressure (P), concentrations of TP and CODMn were the important variables for the succession of microbial community. From the perspective of different pollution types, relative abundances of Microcystis and Nostocaceae at the estuary of Taihu Lake were correlated positively with dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, and Pseudomonas and Arcobacter were correlated positively with concentrations of TN and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) at storm water outlets. The results provide a reference for the impact of pollution types on river microbial ecosystem under complex hydrological condition and a guidance for the selection of restoration techniques for polluted rivers entering an important lake.