bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signal‐In‐Space Performance Under Multiconstellation Environment From an Indian Low Latitude Station
Authors: Biswas Trisani , Paul Ashik
Published: January 2021

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals have become a useful tool to analyze signal‐in‐space performance in the presence of ionospheric perturbations with a view to improve the performance of satellite‐based systems and services. For this purpose, continuous monitoring of the signal tracking capabilities of commercial GNSS receivers is a priority, particularly from regions around the crests of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA), which experiences some of the worst‐case scenarios attributed to ionospheric effects. Ample investigations are reported in literature on GPS signal fading characteristics, while the same for GLONASS and Galileo are limited from Indian low latitude region. The present study aims to report cases of cycle slips and loss‐of‐lock observed independently at GLONASS L1 CA, L2 CA and Galileo L1 BC and E5a, along with a comparative study of robustness of L1 signal in three different constellations GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, sharing more‐or‐less common ionospheric volume. Data analyzed in this study was recorded during March 2014, a period of high solar activity, from station Calcutta (22.58°N, 88.38°E geographic; magnetic dip 34.54°), located near the northern crest of EIA. Results of this study reveal GLONASS L2 CA to be most affected signal out of all, during periods of ionospheric scintillations. However, when constellations are compared for a particular frequency (L1), Galileo appears to be the least affected. Results of this study could be significant toward better understanding of scintillation effects on GNSS signals while developing more robust applications, especially for a low latitude station.
On the Impacts of Observation Location, Timing, and Frequency on Flood Extent Assimilation Performance
Authors: Dasgupta Antara , Hostache Renaud , Ramsankaran RAAJ , Schumann Guy J.‐P. , Grimaldi Stefania , Pauwels Valentijn R. N. , Walker Jeffrey P.
Published: January 2021

Flood inundation forecasts from hydrodynamic models can help with flood preparedness, but uncertainty in the inputs and parameters can lead to erroneous flood inundation estimates. However, Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)‐based flood extent information can be used to constrain such model forecasts through data assimilation thus making them more accurate. Since high‐resolution SAR satellites can only provide partial coverage for medium to large catchments, it is expedient to evaluate the combination of observation footprint, timing, and frequency which can lead to maximum forecast improvements. Consequently, multiple spatiotemporal SAR‐based flood extent assimilation scenarios have been simulated here to identify the optimum observation design for improved flood inundation forecasts. A mutual information‐based particle filter was implemented in a synthetic setup for the 2011 flood event in the Clarence Catchment, Australia, to combine SAR‐based flood extents with the hydraulic model LISFLOOD‐FP. The open loop ensemble was forced using uncertain inflows and the impact of assimilating flood extents in morphologically homogenous river reaches was evaluated for different first visit and revisit scenarios. Results revealed that the optimum temporal acquisition strategy strongly depends on reach morphology and flood wave arrival timing. Further, it was found that a single image at the right time could improve the 8‐days forecast by ∼95% when assimilated at reaches with large flat floodplains but limited tidal influence, while in reaches with narrow valleys over 10 images were needed to achieve the same outcome. Experiments such as the one presented here can therefore inform targeted observation strategies to ensure cost effective flood monitoring and maximize the forecast accuracy resulting from flood extent assimilation.
Using Earthquake Forensics to Study Subduction from Space
Authors: Schneider Simon , Weiss Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Researchers combined satellite geodetic measurements of surface motion with a new geophysical data inversion method to probe the Chilean subduction zone in the wake of the 2010 Maule earthquake.
Structural brain imaging studies offer clues about the effects of the shared genetic etiology among neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Radonjić Nevena V. , Hess Jonathan L. , Rovira Paula , Andreassen Ole , Buitelaar Jan K. , Ching Christopher R. K. , Franke Barbara , Hoogman Martine , Jahanshad Neda , McDonald Carrie , Schmaal Lianne , Sisodiya Sanjay M. , Stein Dan J. , van den Heuvel Odile A. , van Erp Theo G. M. , van Rooij Daan , Veltman Dick J. , Thompson Paul , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: January 2021

Genomewide association studies have found significant genetic correlations among many neuropsychiatric disorders. In contrast, we know much less about the degree to which structural brain alterations are similar among disorders and, if so, the degree to which such similarities have a genetic etiology. From the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium, we acquired standardized mean differences (SMDs) in regional brain volume and cortical thickness between cases and controls. We had data on 41 brain regions for: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), epilepsy, major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). These data had been derived from 24,360 patients and 37,425 controls. The SMDs were significantly correlated between SCZ and BD, OCD, MDD, and ASD. MDD was positively correlated with BD and OCD. BD was positively correlated with OCD and negatively correlated with ADHD. These pairwise correlations among disorders were correlated with the corresponding pairwise correlations among disorders derived from genomewide association studies (r = 0.494). Our results show substantial similarities in sMRI phenotypes among neuropsychiatric disorders and suggest that these similarities are accounted for, in part, by corresponding similarities in common genetic variant architectures.
Secreted KIAA1199 promotes the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by mediating hyaluronic acid degradation in an ANXA1-dependent manner
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yin Guoyu , Zhao Heping , Ling Hanzhi , Xie Zhen , Xiao Chipeng , Chen Yan , Lin Yufan , Jiang Tao , Jin Shengwei , Wang Jianguang , Yang Xinyu
Published: January 2021

In inflamed joints, enhanced hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation is closely related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). KIAA1199 has been identified as a hyaladherin that mediates the intracellular degradation of HA, but its extracellular function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum and synovial levels of secreted KIAA1199 (sKIAA1199) and low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA, MW < 100 kDa) in RA patients were significantly increased, and the positive correlation between them was shown for the first time. Of note, treatment with anti-KIAA1199 mAb effectively alleviated the severity of arthritis and reduced serum LMW-HA levels and cytokine secretion in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. In vitro, sKIAA1199 was shown to mediate exogenous HA degradation by attaching to the cell membrane of RA fibroblast-like synoviosytes (RA FLS). Furthermore, the HA-degrading activity of sKIAA1199 depended largely on its adhesion to the membrane, which was achieved by its G8 domain binding to ANXA1. In vivo, kiaa1199-KO mice exhibited greater resistance to collagen-induced arthritis. Interestingly, this resistance could be partially reversed by intra-articular injection of vectors encoding full-length KIAA1199 instead of G8-deleted KIAA119 mutant, which further confirmed the indispensable role of G8 domain in KIAA1199 involvement in RA pathological processes. Mechanically, the activation of NF-κB by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through PI3K/Akt signaling is suggested to be the main pathway to induce KIAA1199 expression in RA FLS. In conclusion, our study supported the contribution of sKIAA1199 to RA pathogenesis, providing a new therapeutic target for RA by blocking sKIAA1199-mediated HA degradation.
The ethics of genomic medicine: redefining values and norms in the UK and France
Authors:   The UK-FR GENE (Genetics and Ethics Network) Consortia, Gaille Marie , Horn Ruth
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a joint position of the UK-France Genomics and Ethics Network (UK-FR GENE), which has been set up to reflect on the ethical and social issues arising from the integration of genomics into routine clinical care in the UK and France. In 2018, the two countries announced enhanced cooperation between their national strategies, Genomics England and Plan France Médecine Génomique 2025, which offers a unique opportunity to study the impact of genomic medicine and relevant policies in different national contexts. The paper provides first insights into the two national strategies and the norms, values and principles at stake in each country. It discusses the impact of genomic medicine on established relationships and existing regulations, and examines its effects on solidarity and trust in public healthcare systems. Finally, it uses the social contract as an analytical lens to explore and redefine the balance between individual rights and collective duties in the context of genomic medicine. This paper leads to three key observations: (1) despite each country’s strategy being at a different stage of implementation, the two countries face similar ethical issues; (2) each country tries to solve these issues by (re-)defining individual rights and collective duties in its own way; (3) the social contract presents a useful tool to analyse the ways the UK and France address the ethical challenges raised by genomics. This overview lays the groundwork for future in-depth comparison, and drive collaborative research, between the UK and France.
Mono-N-oxidation of heterocycle-fused pyrimidines
Authors: Tang Yongxing , Li Kejia , Chinnam Ajay Kumar , Staples Richard J. , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: January 2021

Mild oxidation reactions of nitrogen-rich heterocyclic rings lead to the formation of energetic compounds with the mono-N-oxide moiety which show good thermal stabilities and detonation performances.
The degradation of cellulose in ionic mixture solutions under the high pressure of carbon dioxide
Authors: Sumarno  , Trisanti Prida Novarita , Airlangga Bramantyo , Mayangsari Novi Eka , Haryono Agus
Published: January 2021

Cellulose processing by a hydrothermal process as well as in combination with a sonication pretreatment under a CO2 pressurization that affects the morphology and reducing sugar products.
Mass spectral and theoretical investigations of the transient proton-bound dimers on the cleavage processes of the peptide GHK and its analogues
Authors: Wang Jinhu , Wang Cheng , Zhang Han , Liu Yang , Shi Tiesheng
Published: January 2021

Fragmentation mechanisms of the singly protonated peptides GHK, GHKH and HGHK have been investigated by mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations.
Transformation of alkali and alkaline earth metals during the preparation of activated carbon from Zhundong high-alkali coal
Authors: Liang Dingcheng , Xie Qiang , Liu Jinchang , Liu Deqian , Wan Chaoran , Yang Shuai
Published: January 2021

Schematic of the behaviour of the AAEM transformation process during the preparation of AC from Zhundong high-alkali coal.
The electrochemical performance of reduced graphene oxide prepared from different types of natural graphites
Authors: Yang Luo , Zhang Lingyan , Jiao Xuan , Qiu Yangshuai , Xu Wenlu
Published: January 2021

Graphene, as a new type of carbon material in the forefront of research, has been applied widely in the area of supercapacitors with the advantages of a large positive specific surface, high conductivity, stable chemical properties and good supercapacitor performance.
A SnO2 shell for high environmental stability of Ag nanowires applied for thermal management
Authors: Baranowska-Korczyc Anna , Mackiewicz Ewelina , Ranoszek-Soliwoda Katarzyna , Nejman Alicja , Trasobares Susana , Grobelny Jarosław , Cieślak Małgorzata , Celichowski Grzegorz
Published: January 2021

The study presents a rapid method of SnO2 shell formation on AgNWs for both high environmental stability and thermal management on para-aramid fabric.
Synthesis of fully protected trinucleotide building blocks on a disulphide-linked soluble support
Authors: Suchsland Ruth , Appel Bettina , Virta Pasi , Müller Sabine
Published: January 2021

Fully protected trinucleotides are synthesized on a tetrapodal soluble support using a disulphide linkage that upon reductive cleavage allows release of the trinucleotide with free 3′-OH group for further conversion to a phosphoramidite.
Understanding the Ni-rich layered structure materials for high-energy density lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Tao Qiqi , Wang Liguang , Shi Caihong , Li Jun , Chen Guang , Xue Zheng , Wang Jichang , Wang Shun , Jin Huile
Published: January 2021

The development of electric and hybrid electric vehicles has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for solving the global shortage of fossil energy problem.
Marking of Tense and Agreement in Language Samples by Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment in African American English and Southern White English: Evaluation of Scoring Approaches and Cut Scores Across Structures
Authors: Oetting Janna B. , Rivière Andrew M. , Berry Jessica R. , Gregory Kyomi D. , Villa Tina M. , McDonald Janet
Published: January 2021

Purpose

As follow-up to a previous study of probes, we evaluated the marking of tense and agreement (T/A) in language samples by children with specific language impairment (SLI) and typically developing controls in African American English (AAE) and Southern White English (SWE) while also examining the clinical utility of different scoring approaches and cut scores across structures.

Method

The samples came from 70 AAE- and 36 SWE-speaking kindergartners, evenly divided between the SLI and typically developing groups. The structures were past tense, verbal –s,auxiliary BE present, and auxiliary BE past. The scoring approaches were unmodified, modified, and strategic; these approaches varied in the scoring of forms classified as nonmainstream and other. The cut scores were dialect-universal and dialect-specific.

Results

Although low numbers of some forms limited the analyses, the results generally supported those previously found for the probes. The children produced a large and diverse inventory of mainstream and nonmainstream T/A forms within the samples; strategic scoring led to the greatest differences between the clinical groups while reducing effects of the children's dialects; and dialect-specific cut scores resulted in better clinical classification accuracies, with measures of past tense leading to the highest levels of classification accuracy.

Conclusions

For children with SLI, the findings contribute to studies that call for a paradigm shift in how children's T/A deficits are assessed and treated across dialects. A comparison of findings from the samples and probes indicates that probes may be the better task for identifying T/A deficits in children with SLI in AAE and SWE.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13564709
Individual Differences Offer Insight Into Clinical Recommendations for Directional and Remote Microphone Technology Use in Children
Authors: Gustafson Samantha J. , Ricketts Todd A. , Picou Erin M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study sought to evaluate the effects of common hearing aid microphone technologies on speech recognition and listening effort, and to evaluate potential predictive factors related to microphone benefits for school-age children with hearing loss in a realistic listening situation.

Method

Children (n= 17, ages 10–17 years) with bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss were fitted with hearing aids set to include three programs: omnidirectional, adaptive directional, and omnidirectional + remote microphone. Children completed a dual-task paradigm in a moderately reverberant room. The primary task included monosyllabic word recognition, with target speech presented at 60 dB A from 0° (front) or 180° (back) azimuth. The secondary task was a “go/no-go,” visual shape-recognition task. Multitalker babble noise created a +5 dB SNR. Children were evaluated in two speaker conditions (front, back) using all three hearing aid programs. The remote microphone transmitter remained at the front speaker throughout testing. Speech recognition performance was calculated from the primary task while listening effort was measured as response time during the secondary task.

Results

Speech presented from the back significantly increased listening effort and caused a reduction in speech perception when directional and remote microphones were used. Considerable variability was found in pattern of benefit across microphones and source location. Clinical measures did not predict benefit patterns with directional or remote microphones; however, child age and performance with omnidirectional microphones did.

Conclusions

When compared to a traditional omnidirectional setting, the directional and remote microphone configurations evaluated in this study have the potential to provide benefit for some children and increase difficulty for others when used in dynamic environments. A child's performance with omnidirectional hearing aids could be used to better inform clinical recommendations for these technologies.
Multi‐objective operation of distributed generations and thermal blocks in microgrids based on energy management system
Authors: Homayoun Rohollah , Bahmani‐Firouzi Bahman , Niknam Taher
Published: January 2021

The optimal multi‐objective operation of microgrids with distributed generations and thermal block based on the energy management system is presented. In the thermal block, the combined heat and power system and boiler and thermal storage system supply the load of the block thermal. Therefore, the proposed strategy minimises three objectives of an microgrid's operation, that is, cost, energy loss and voltage deviation functions. Also, it is subject to AC power flow equations, system operation limits and distributed generations and thermal block constraints. The problem is modelled as a multi‐objective optimisation method; then is converted to a single‐objective problem model using the ε‐constraint‐based Pareto optimisation. Moreover, the proposed strategy includes uncertainties of the load, energy price and active power of renewable distributed generations; hence, a stochastic programming based on the hybrid Mont Carlo simulation and point estimate method is used to model these uncertain parameters. Then, the teaching–learning‐based optimisation and firefly algorithm are utilised to solve the problem to achieve a reliable optimal solution. Finally, the proposed strategy is simulated on the IEEE 69‐bus microgrid, and thus, the capabilities of the proposed strategy are extracted.
Four‐dimensional relativistic scattering of electromagnetic waves from an arbitrary collection of moving lossy dielectric spheres
Authors: Radpour Hamed , Pourziad Ali , Sarabandi Kamal
Published: January 2021

Four‐dimensional (4D) relativistic scattering of electromagnetic waves from an arbitrary collection of uniformly translational moving lossy dielectric spheres is discussed. Two reference frames, four 4D coordinate systems and Lorentz transformation are used to obtain the scattered electromagnetic fields. The direct scattering of the spheres and their interactions are considered with a novel approach. The introduced method is straightforward and the analytical relations for the fields are achieved. To check the validity of the proposed method, different examples for both stationary and moving scatterers are investigated. The effects of key parameters such as the size, material, velocity, number, position of the spheres and also the frequency of the incident wave are discussed. The derived scattered fields are valid for low, medium and high velocities but according to practical applications low and moderate velocities are highlighted in numerical results.
Effect of tool pin geometry on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir spot welds of 7075-T651 aluminium alloy
Authors: Ekinci Omer , Balalan Zulkuf
Published: January 2021

7075-T651 aluminium alloy sheets were overlapped and friction stir spot welded using two welding tools having different pin geometries (one with a conical pin and other with a triangular pin) and 800, 1200 and 1600 revolution per minute (rpm) tool rotation speeds at a constant tool plunge and removal speed of 7.3 mm/min, tool plunge depth of 3.8 mm and tool dwell time of 5 s. Microstructure, Vickers microhardness, tensile shear strength, fracture surface after tensile shear test and impact energy of the produced friction stir spot welds were examined. As a result, the welds made via triangular pin tool had considerably higher tensile shear loads than the welds made via conical pin tool since the weld bond widths (stir zones) of the welds made via triangular pin tool were larger. The strongest welds made at 1200 rpm for conical pin tool and triangular pin tool. The tensile shear loads of the welds increased significantly when tool rotation speed increased from 800 to 1200 rpm for both welding tools and then decreased slightly for triangular pin tool and dramatically for conical pin tool with further increasing tool rotation speed from 1200 to 1600 rpm. Maximum tensile shear load of 7.776 kN and impact energy of 16 J obtained in the weld made at 1200 rpm using triangular pin tool. The welds made at 800 rpm had lowest impact energy. The lowest hardness values found in the heat affected zones of the welds. Circumferential fracture mode for conical pin tool welds and nugget pull-out fracture mode for triangular pin tool welds observed after tensile tests.
Review and assessment of national efforts to manage radioactive sources and enhance nuclear security measures in Lebanon
Authors: Malak F. , Baydoun R. , Zahraman K. , Dimitrov D. , Nsouli B.
Published: January 2021

Radioactive and nuclear materials have been used for a long time in warfare. During the 20th and 21st centuries, a large number of atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons tests were carried out, even after the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), leading to ecologically and socially destroyed sites. The most recent ones were in North Korea and Russia. With the widespread of peaceful use of radiological and nuclear material, the threats of nuclear terrorism or malicious use of these materials have become major concern across the world. Although the issuing of the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material treaty in 1997 (CPPNM), a considerable number of incidents involving radioactive materials due to unauthorized access or use were reported to the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In Lebanon, radioactive materials are vastly used in medicine, industry, research and agriculture. As a consequence, our country is facing the world common concerns and threats, especially after recent security status and geopolitical situation in the region. This work served to evaluate the current national situation relevant to nuclear security, where strong and weak points, pertinent to legal texts and procedures, were highlighted in order to deduce essential recommendations that could help in strengthening national security regime. The exerted governmental efforts were presented and discussed.
Feeding Ecology of Short-Toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus [Gmelin, 1788]) in the Montados of Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Onofre Nuno , Sampaio Luís
Published: January 2021

The diet of Short-toed Snake-eagle (Circaetus gallicus) during the breeding season in an area dominated by cork and holm oak parkland forests (Montados) was analyzed in this study. As expected, results showed that snakes are the dominant prey in the diet of this eagle, comprising up to 92.5% of the identified items, if potential secondary prey species were excluded. The Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) was the most consumed one (42.2%), followed by the Ladder Snake (Zamenis scalaris) (28.0%), and the water snakes (Natrix spp.) (14.2%). According to the same criteria, lizards (mainly Psammodromus algirus) and mammals represent between 4.8 and 2.2%, respectively. Other animals such as pond turtle and amphibians are irregular prey (<1%), and no bird remains were found at all. Short-toed Snake-eagle is usually referred as a stenophagic predator where snakes are by far its most important prey type, and where within this taxonomic group it behaves as a generalist predator. In this study this premise was then tested comparing the relative abundance of the snake species with their proportion in the diet composition of the eagle in order to know whether or not prey selection exists with regard to the species of snakes in this region. Results point to a quite plausible "preference" for the Ladder Snake and an "avoidance" for the smooth snakes group (Macroprotodon brevis/Coronella girondica), and possibly for the Horseshoe Whip (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). The avoidance to the Horseshoe Whip must be indirect and habitat related, while in relation to the two smooth snakes it may be due in large extend to its small size, in particular.
Organbadversuche an humanen Pulmonalgefäßen: Beurteilung der Medikamentenwirkung zur Behandlung der pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie
Authors: Stadlbauer C. , Golovchenko S. , Englert L. , Spaeth M. , Hoenicka M. , Hofmann H.-S. , Ried M.
Published: January 2021

In der Therapie der pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie (PAH) kommen zahlreiche Medikamentenklassen zum Einsatz, u. a. Endothelinrezeptorantagonisten (ERA) und Phosphodiesterase-5-(PDE-5-)Inhibitoren. In einem humanen Ex-vivo-Modell sollte überprüft werden, ob durch die Kombination zweier Substanzklassen ein höherer Effekt erzielt werden kann oder – bei gleichem Effekt – eine niedrigere Dosierung der Einzelsubstanzen ausreicht. Wir etablierten ein Organbadmodell, welches uns die In-vitro-Untersuchung der dosisabhängigen Effekte von ERA und PDE-5-Inhibitoren auf die durch Norepinephrin und Endothelin-1 induzierte Kontraktilität humaner Pulmonalgefäße sowie den Vergleich von Mono- und Dualtherapie ermöglichte. Auch wenn die Übertragung der Ex-vivo-Daten auf die Situation im Patienten mit Vorsicht erfolgen muss, so hat sich das Organbad dennoch als hilfreiches Instrument zur Evaluation der dosisabhängigen Effekte von ERA, PDE-5-Inhibitoren und deren Kombination erwiesen. Die Wirksamkeit der Kombinationstherapie und das Potenzial zur Dosisreduktion waren in diesem Modell abhängig von den verwendeten Konzentrationen und vom Einfluss der Vorerkrankungen auf die Blutgefäßfunktion. Diese Arbeit beschreibt die bisherigen und wichtigsten Ergebnisse unserer experimentellen Untersuchungen und gibt einen Ausblick auf zukünftige Projekte.
Prevalence and Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism or Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Cohen Stuart L. , Gianos Eugenia , Barish Mathew A. , Chatterjee Saurav , Kohn Nina , Lesser Martin , Giannis Dimitrios , Coppa Kevin , Hirsch Jamie S. , McGinn Thomas G. , Goldin Mark E. , Spyropoulos Alex C. ,   for the Northwell Health COVID-19 Research Consortium
Published: January 2021

Background We aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or mortality in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Methods A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients admitted to an integrated health care network in the New York metropolitan region between March 1, 2020 and April 27, 2020. The final analysis included 9,407 patients with an overall VTE rate of 2.9% (2.4% in the medical ward and 4.9% in the intensive care unit [ICU]) and a VTE or mortality rate of 26.1%. Most patients received prophylactic-dose thromboprophylaxis. Multivariable analysis showed significantly reduced VTE or mortality with Black race, history of hypertension, angiotensin converting enzyme/angiotensin receptor blocker use, and initial prophylactic anticoagulation. It also showed significantly increased VTE or mortality with age 60 years or greater, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 3 or greater, patients on Medicare, history of heart failure, history of cerebrovascular disease, body mass index greater than 35, steroid use, antirheumatologic medication use, hydroxychloroquine use, maximum D-dimer four times or greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN), ICU level of care, increasing creatinine, and decreasing platelet counts.

Conclusion In our large cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the overall in-hospital VTE rate was 2.9% (4.9% in the ICU) and a VTE or mortality rate of 26.1%. Key predictors of VTE or mortality included advanced age, increasing CCI, history of cardiovascular disease, ICU level of care, and elevated maximum D-dimer with a cutoff at least four times the ULN. Use of prophylactic-dose anticoagulation but not treatment-dose anticoagulation was associated with reduced VTE or mortality.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Pulmonary Embolism: An Association to Consider
Authors: Solari Daria , Alberio Lorenzo , Ribi Camillo , Grandoni Francesco , Stalder Gregoire
Published: January 2021

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is increasingly recognized as a strong risk factor for venous thrombosis. However, there are currently no guidelines on thromboembolism prevention and management during AIHA. Here, we describe the case of a patient with AIHA and pulmonary embolism and resume the current knowledge on epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and pathophysiology of thrombosis during AIHA, as well as new therapeutic perspectives to prevent thrombus formation during AIHA.
Place-Based Education and Heritage Education in in-service teacher training: research on teaching practices in secondary schools in Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Riveiro-Rodríguez Tania , Domínguez-Almansa Andrés , López Facal Ramón , Izquierdo Rus Tomás
Published: January 2021

This paper analyses what occurs when in-service secondary teachers face a new subject, Landscape and Sustainability. Recently implemented in Galicia (NW Spain), this subject has no strong curricular constrictions. It is opened to diverse contents that can be integrated into Social Sciences. It promotes an environmental, social and critical consciousness. The hypothesis was that teachers may present deficiencies when approaching a subject which, due to its characteristics, requires training extending beyond disciplinary knowledge, thus impeding better performance and a greater degree of learning among pupils. The study was organised in three axes: (a) observation of the teaching and learning process in schools (n = 3); (b) teacher’s conceptions (n = 38) on the subject, its context and their pupils’ learning; and (c) pupils’ reflections (n = 70) derived from their learning process. The objectives were: (1) to elaborate a theoretical substantiation for the subject and, in accordance with it, making a critical analysis of the practices observed; (2) to analyse how teachers conceive the subject; and (3) to analyse the pupils’ reflections regarding the experience and to what extent they acquire social, civic and/or academic skills. The methodology was qualitative, using in the data analysis a quantitative perspective too. The instruments used were the participant observation, interviews, a closed questionnaire and a semi-opened questionnaire. The results are presented in a descriptive-interpretative way, but also quantitative. It can be advanced that teachers designed the subject in line with Place-Based Education and Heritage Education, but the lack of specific training in those theories ends up blurring their holistic approach in the nearby places. Teachers show similar conceptions about the subject and its teaching process. And the majority of students value positively the methodology used in the initiatives and acquire a socio-critical consciousness.
Instagram and intermodal configurations of value
Authors: Zappavigna Michele , Ross Andrew S.
Published: January 2021

This paper explores how ideological positions associated with food are construed multimodally in Instagram posts produced by everyday social media users. Discourse about food choices is an important site for revealing syndromes of values that characterise the ideological positions that are embedded in everyday life. An example of a highly valued food is the avocado which is an important bonding icon in semantic domains from veganism, clean eating, keto/low-carb eating, ethical/sustainable eating to fitness. We explore how values associated with avocado toast are enacted intermodally through the interplay of meanings made in the images, captions, and tags in a corpus of 64,585 Instagram posts tagged #avotoast. The study draws on previous social semiotic work on visual intersubjectivity and everyday aesthetics in social photography (Zhao and Zappavigna 2018a) to interpret the visual meanings made in these posts. It also draws on research into intermodal coupling (image-text relations) and ambient affiliation (online social bonding) (Zappavigna 2018) to understand how different values are construed in these texts. A modified grounded theory approach is used to isolate and exemplify the visual and textual features at stake, and then to explore ideological positionings through close multimodal analysis. A particularly interesting pattern in the corpus is the interaction of aesthetic and moralising discourses. For instance, a regulative metadiscourse realised through hashtags is used to project an instructional discourse about how to eat and what is considered ethical, sustainable, and nutritious food consumption. Rather than being directly encoded as judgement of behaviour these assessments tended to be expressed as appreciation of food items and their aesthetics or worth (e.g., clean, healthy, etc.).
Fe-based alloys and their shielding properties against directly and indirectly ionizing radiation by using FLUKA simulations
Authors: Al-Buriahi M S , Gaikwad D K , Hegazy H H , Sriwunkum Chahkrit , Neffati R
Published: January 2021

Effective shielding material is an essential demand to minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation in various nuclear and medicine facilities. In this article, we report on the directly and indirectly ionizing radiation shielding properties of Fe-based alloys in the chemical composition of Fe83/B13−x/Cx/Si3/P1, where x is ranging from 0 up to 4 mol%. Indirectly ionizing radiation studies include the interactions of the Fe-based alloys with the neutral radiation such as photon (X and gamma rays) and neutron. The photon interaction parameters (e.g. LAC, MAC, MFP, EAC, HVL, SGRC, and dose rate) were obtained by using FLUKA simulations and theoretical calculations for energies 0.6, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 15 MeV. The neutron interaction parameters were investigated for thermal and fast neutrons in terms of scattering, absorption, and removal cross sections. Moreover, directly ionizing radiation studies include the interactions of the selected alloys with charged particles such as electron, proton, alpha, and carbon. The obtained results indicate that a maximum dose rate (∼108 R hr−1) is observed in the 1 mm thickness of FBCSP-A, FBCSP-B, FBCSP-C, FBCSP-D and FBCSP-E alloys at 15 MeV. While, the minimum dose rate is noted at the lower E side (0.6 MeV) in the 5 mm thickness of Fe-based alloys, and decreased from 74.589 × 105 to 74.644 × 105 (R hr−1) for FBCSP-A to FBCSP-E alloys. It can be concluded that the Fe-based alloys are useful for shielding applications against directly and indirectly ionizing radiation as compared with traditional, common, and commercial shields.
A critical review of the common thermocouple reference functions
Authors: Webster Emile
Published: January 2021

The use of thermocouples in many present-day applications can often occur with little consideration as to the inherited historical burden of the reference functions the thermocouples must meet. For base-metal thermocouples, the reference functions are specified by equations relating temperature toelectro-motive-forceand not by alloy composition. Most of the common thermocouples contain at least one alloyed thermoelement, the bulk of which are now known to be inherently unstable above 200 °C. As manufacturing technologies change, along with the material feedstock from which thermocouples are made, modern thermocouples can frequently give measurements that deviate significantly from the ASTM and IEC standards. This study first reviews the development of the thermocouple alloys and historical conditions under which the reference functions were derived and contrasts this with modern thermocouple alloys and new testing methods. From this comparison, it is shown that users of modern base-metal thermocouples need to be extremely cautious when anticipating likely behaviour, with even short exposures to modest temperatures revealing a myriad of manufacturer-dependent instabilities. Minor variations in composition are shown to strongly influence reversible crystallographic ordering effects in addition to passivation behaviour at high temperatures, in some instances leading to catastrophic failure. It is also shown that the initial anneal state given by the manufacturer has a significant effect on the stability and hence, drift rate, with inadequate anneal leading to unnecessarily large drift rates at less than 200 °C. Lastly, this review looks at recent attempts to develop more-stable thermocouples, based on state-of-the-art techniques able to identify specific causes of instability in many of the historic thermocouple alloys and demonstrates how these new thermocouples might better serve the end user’s needs.
Graphene-semiconductor nanocomposites for cancer phototherapy
Authors: Younis Muhammad Rizwan , He Gang , Lin Jing , Huang Peng
Published: January 2021

Being a carbon-based hybrid, graphene-semiconductor composites have attracted considerable attention in recent decades owing to their potential features such as high photosensitivity, extended light absorption, and effective separation of charge carriers, thus have been regarded as a promising platform for environmental and biomedical applications, respectively. In this mini-review, we first summarized the recent advancements in the development of graphene-based semiconductor nanocomposites via sol–gel, solution mixing, in situ growth, hydrothermal, and solvothermal approaches, and then comprehensively reviewed their potential light activated cancer phototherapeutic applications. Finally, we rationally analyze the current challenges and new perspectives for the future development of more effective phototherapeutic nanoagents. We hope to offer enriched information to harvest the utmost fascinating properties of graphene as a platform to construct efficient graphene/semiconductor hybrids for cancer phototherapy.
Spatial planning for water sustainability projects under climate uncertainty: balancing human and environmental water needs
Authors: Fovargue Rachel E , Rezapour Shabnam , Rosendahl Derek , Wootten Adrienne M , Sabzi Hamed Zamani , Moreno Hernan A , Neeson Thomas M
Published: January 2021

Societies worldwide make large investments in the sustainability of integrated human-freshwater systems, but uncertainty about water supplies under climate change poses a major challenge. Investments in infrastructure, water regulation, or payments for ecosystem services may boost water availability, but may also yield poor returns on investment if directed to locations where water supply unexpectedly fluctuates due to shifting climate. How should investments in water sustainability be allocated across space and among different types of projects? Given the high costs of investments in water sustainability, decision-makers are typically risk-intolerant, and considerable uncertainty about future climate conditions can lead to decision paralysis. Here, we use mathematical optimization models to find Pareto-optimal satisfaction of human and environmental water needs across a large drought-prone river basin for a range of downscaled climate projections. We show how water scarcity and future uncertainty vary independently by location, and that joint consideration of both factors can provide guidance on how to allocate water sustainability investments. Locations with high water scarcity and low uncertainty are good candidates for high-cost, high-reward investments; locations with high scarcity but also high uncertainty may benefit most from low regret investments that minimize the potential for stranded assets if water supply increases. Given uncertainty in climate projections in many regions worldwide, our analysis illustrates how explicit consideration of uncertainty may help to identify the most effective strategies for investments in the long-term sustainability of integrated human-freshwater systems.
Induced innovation in energy technologies and systems: a review of evidence and potential implications for CO2 mitigation
Authors: Grubb Michael , Drummond Paul , Poncia Alexandra , McDowall Will , Popp David , Samadi Sascha , Penasco Cristina , Gillingham Kenneth T , Smulders Sjak , Glachant Matthieu , Hassall Gavin , Mizuno Emi , Rubin Edward S , Dechezleprêtre Antoine , Pavan Giulia
Published: January 2021

We conduct a systematic and interdisciplinary review of empirical literature assessing evidence on induced innovation in energy and related technologies. We explore links between demand-drivers (both market-wide and targeted); indicators of innovation (principally, patents); and outcomes (cost reduction, efficiency, and multi-sector/macro consequences). We build on existing reviews in different fields and assess over 200 papers containing original data analysis. Papers linking drivers to patents, and indicators of cumulative capacity to cost reductions (experience curves), dominate the literature. The former does not directly link patents to outcomes; the latter does not directly test for the causal impact of on cost reductions. Diverse other literatures provide additional evidence concerning the links between deployment, innovation activities, and outcomes. We derive three main conclusions. (a) Demand-pull forces enhance patenting; econometric studies find positive impacts in industry, electricity and transport sectors in all but a few specific cases. This applies to all drivers—general energy prices, carbon prices, and targeted interventions that build markets. (b) Technology costs decline with cumulative investment for almost every technology studied across all time periods, when controlled for other factors. Numerous lines of evidence point to dominant causality from at-scale deployment (prior to self-sustaining diffusion) to cost reduction in this relationship. (c) Overall innovation is cumulative, multi-faceted, and self-reinforcing in its direction (path-dependent). We conclude with brief observations on implications for modelling and policy. In interpreting these results, we suggest distinguishing the economics of active deployment, from more passive diffusion processes, and draw the following implications. There is a role for policy diversity and experimentation, with evaluation of potential gains from innovation in the broadest sense. Consequently, endogenising innovation in large-scale models is important for deriving policy-relevant conclusions. Finally, seeking to relate quantitative economic evaluation to the qualitative socio-technical transitions literatures could be a fruitful area for future research.
Carbon intensity of corn ethanol in the United States: state of the science
Authors: Scully Melissa J , Norris Gregory A , Alarcon Falconi Tania M , MacIntosh David L
Published: January 2021

The carbon intensity (CI) of corn ethanol, the primary renewable fuel used in transportation, has been actively researched and quantified over the last three decades. Reliable estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for corn ethanol are important since these values help determine significant policy and market decisions on state, national, and international levels. We reviewed well-to-wheel GHG life cycle analyses (LCAs) for corn ethanol and evaluated models, input data, and results for farming, fuel production, co-product credit, land use change (LUC), transport of feedstock and fuel, tailpipe, and denaturant. Compared to earlier analyses, recent LCAs for corn ethanol contain updates to modeling systems and data that reflect: (a) market-driven changes in corn production that lowered the intensity of fertilizer and fossil fuel use on farms; (b) more efficient use of natural gas and recent electric generation mix data for energy consumed at ethanol refineries, and (c) LUC analyses based on hybrid economic-biophysical models that account for land conversion, land productivity, and land intensification. LCAs that include these latest developments yield a central best estimate of CI for corn ethanol of 51.4 gCO2e MJ−1 (range of 37.6–65.1 gCO2e MJ−1) which is 46% lower than the average CI for neat gasoline. The largest components of total CI are ethanol production (29.6 gCO2e MJ−1, 58% of total) and farming practices net of co-product credit (13.2 gCO2e MJ−1, 26%), while LUC is a minor contributor (3.9 gCO2e MJ−1, 7%). Market conditions that favor greater adoption of precision agriculture systems, retention of soil organic carbon, and demand for co-products from ethanol production may lower the CI of corn ethanol further. Continued refinement of models to account for co-products, conservation of soil carbon, and direct and indirect LUC is expected to produce ever more accurate estimates in the future.
Hydrogen production by the photoreforming of methanol and the photocatalytic water–gas shift reaction
Authors: Kennedy Julia , Hayward James , Davies Philip R , Bowker Michael
Published: January 2021

We have examined the reforming of methanol and CO on Pd/P25 TiO2 catalysts for hydrogen production, and compared it with rates for similarly supported Au and Cu catalysts. Both reactions proceed, but the photocatalytic water–gas shift (WGS) reaction is much slower than for methanol reforming. CO2 is evolved as expected, but the yields can be much lower than for the expected stoichiometry (CH3OH + H2O → CO2 + 3H2). We show that this is due to dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the aqueous phase. We have also carried out both reactions in the gas phase. Both proceed at a higher rate in the gas phase, and for methanol reforming, there is some CO evolution. In H2 + CO2 reactions, there is little sign of the reverse WGS reaction, but some photo-methanation does occur. Of the three catalysts Pd is the best for the methanol reforming reaction, while Au is best for the water–gas shift. Nonetheless, Cu works reasonably well for methanol reforming and makes a much cheaper, earth-abundant catalyst.
Enhanced electrochemical performance of hierarchical porous carbon/polyaniline composite for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Rawal Sangeeta , Mandal U K , Kumar Ashwani , Kumar Yogesh , Joshi Bhawana
Published: January 2021

In this work, activated carbon/polyaniline (AC/PANi) composites were synthesized by low temperature in situ polymerization and their electrochemical performance was investigated. Microstructure and morphology examination of the samples confirmed a uniform coating of polyaniline on AC surfaces without any change in the structure. The electrochemical studies of the samples confirmed the improvement in the electrochemical performance of AC/PANi composites. Despite a decrease in the specific surface area a substantial increase in electrochemical performance is recorded for the AC/PANi composites due to the synergistic effect between the pseudocapacitance and double layer capacitance. The highest specific capacitance of 1021 F g−1 was calculated for the APA-29.4 composite in neutral aqueous electrolyte (1 M Na2SO4) which is many times greater than the specific capacitance values for AC (253 F g−1) and PANi (389 F g−1). The enhancement in the electrochemical performance of AC after polymerization with PANi in composites favours its use as a favourable electrode material for the energy storage devices.