bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a nutrition education and intervention programme on nutrition knowledge and dietary practice among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University’s population
Authors: Alzaben Abeer Salman , Alnashwan Noha Ibrahim , Alatr Afnan Abdullah , Alneghamshi Nourah Abdullah , Alhashem Anwar Mohammed
Published: February 2021

Objective:

The study sought to assess the influence of nutrition education and intervention programmes on nutrition knowledge and dietary practice among both students and staff (including faculty) of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Saudi Arabia.

Design:

A pretest–posttest, non-randomised experimental study design was implemented at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh City between September 2019 and February 2020.

Setting:

Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University is the largest women’s university in the world and has eighteen colleges and institutions and around ninety academic programmes.

Participants:

The survey was completed by 1824 participants (1350 students and 474 staff/faculty) before the intervention and by a different cohort of 1731 participants (1317 students and 414 staff/faculty) after the intervention. In total, an independent sample of 3555 staff and students participated. Participants were asked about dietary knowledge and practices. Dietary knowledge entailed food variety and nutrients, fast food and its poor nutritional value, and the influence of cooking style on the nutritional quality of food. Dietary practices involved eating breakfast; consuming salt/sugar, eating high-salt food; eating pre-packaged food and consumption of vegetables, fruits, supplements, water and caffeine.

Results:

The majority of the sample consisted of students (75·1 %) and had not been diagnosed with any disease (73·7 %). The result of the current study showed that nutrition knowledge improved after completion of the nutrition programme.

Conclusions:

The nutrition awareness programme improved students’ nutritional knowledge; however, there was no significant effect on their dietary practices. Future nutrition awareness programmes should separate activities for students and staff, focusing on one target population at a time.
Detection of a Bolide in Jupiter's Atmosphere With Juno UVS
Authors: Giles Rohini S. , Greathouse Thomas K. , Kammer Joshua A. , Gladstone G. Randall , Bonfond Bertrand , Hue Vincent , Grodent Denis C. , Gérard Jean‐Claude , Versteeg Maarten H. , Bolton Scott J. , Connerney John E. P. , Levin Steven M.
Published: February 2021

The Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) instrument on the Juno mission recorded transient bright emission from a point source in Jupiter's atmosphere. The spectrum shows that the emission is consistent with a 9600‐K blackbody located 225 km above the 1‐bar level and the duration of the emission was between 17 ms and 150 s. These characteristics are consistent with a bolide in Jupiter's atmosphere. Based on the energy emitted, we estimate that the impactor had a mass of 250–5,000 kg, which corresponds to a diameter of 1–4 m. By considering all observations made with Juno UVS over the first 27 perijoves of the mission, we estimate an impact flux rate of 24,000 per year for impactors with masses greater than 250–5,000 kg.
Local and Regional Modes of Hydroclimatic Change Expressed in Modern Multidecadal Precipitation Oxygen Isotope Trends
Authors: Putman Annie L. , Bowen Gabriel J. , Strong Courtnay
Published: February 2021

Stable isotope ratios of precipitation trace mechanisms of hydroclimatic change in the modern and paleoclimate record. Patterns and drivers of isotopic change at multidecadal timescales have remained unclear, however, due to limitations in the observational record. Here, we use a 65‐year global data compilation to estimate solstial season δ18Op trends. Spatially organized regions of change suggest divergent controls, and we propose that changes in atmospheric water balance dominate trends in moisture‐limited areas, whereas changes in upwind source region conditions drive trends where atmospheric water flux is large relative to precipitation. Positive trends on windward coasts suggest the latter effect, whereas we attribute the dipole patterns in trends over North America and Europe and decreasing trends in southern Australia during boreal winter to the former. Simulations from the isotope‐enabled Community Atmospheric Model match predictions for water balance, implying that the model may underrepresent the effects of changing vapor source conditions.
An Evaluation of the Constant Flux Layer in the Atmospheric Flow Above the Wavy Air‐Sea Interface
Authors: Ortiz‐Suslow David G. , Kalogiros John , Yamaguchi Ryan , Wang Qing
Published: February 2021

The constant flux layer assumption simplifies the problem of atmospheric surface layer (ASL) dynamics and is an underlying assumption of Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory (MOST), which is ubiquitously applied to model interfacial exchange and atmospheric turbulence. Within the marine environment, the measurements necessary to confirm the local ASL as a constant flux layer are rarely available, namely: direct observations of the near‐surface flux gradients. Recently, the Research PlatformFLIPwas deployed with a meteorological mast that resolved the momentum and heat flux gradients from 3 to 16 m above the ocean surface. Here, we present an assessment of the prevalence of the constant flux layer within the ASL, using an approach that accounted for the role of wave‐coherent motion in air and evaluated each observed flux gradien. Our analysis revealed that only 30%–40% of momentum flux gradients were approximately constant; for the heat fluxes, this increased to 50%–60%. For low winds, the stationarity of local turbulence was critical to the constant flux layer's validity, but resulted in excising a large proportion of the observed profiles. Under moderate wind speeds, swell‐wind alignment was associated with momentum flux divergence. Our findings suggest that the constant flux layer, as it is conventionally defined, is not generally valid over the ocean. This holds significant implications for measuring air‐sea fluxes from single point sources and marine applications of MOST.
Modeled Atmospheric Optical and Thermodynamic Responses to an Exceptional Trans‐Atlantic Dust Outbreak
Authors: Miller P. W. , Williams M. , Mote T.
Published: February 2021

Long‐range aerosol transport is an important physical mechanism for ecological, biological, and hydrological elements of the earth system. Regarding the latter, regional climate models have no way of assimilating future aerosol concentrations, so dust aerosol emissions must be parameterized using local landscape and meteorological conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of different dust emission settings within the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF‐Chem) to facilitate future dynamical downscaling work. This study performs nine WRF‐Chem hindcasts, each utilizing a different dust emission configuration, from 1 March to 31 May 2015, coinciding with a Saharan air layer (SAL) dust outbreak during the 2015 Caribbean drought. WRF‐Chem aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Gálvez‐Davison Index (GDI), a convective forecasting parameter, are validated against analogous MODIS, AERONET, and ERA5 products. In aggregate, the GOCART dust emission scheme with Air Force Weather Agency modifications (GOCART‐AFWA) achieved the best balance between AOD and GDI accuracy when employing the default tuning constant (1.00). As the schemes emitted dust more aggressively, WRF‐Chem produced warming at 500 hPa, reducing GDI over the central and eastern Atlantic near the modeled dust trajectory. Though AOD was generally too low over the southwest Atlantic, the eastern Caribbean occupies a transition zone between negative and positive AOD biases where this field was hindcast with relative accuracy. Meanwhile, areas with positive AOD biases were associated with negative GDI biases (and vice versa) indicating the covariability between SAL dust loadings and thermodynamic conditions in the tropical north Atlantic.
Is Turning Down the Sun a Good Proxy for Stratospheric Sulfate Geoengineering?
Authors: Visioni Daniele , MacMartin Douglas G. , Kravitz Ben
Published: February 2021

Deliberately blocking out a small portion of the incoming solar radiation would cool the climate. One such approach would be injecting SO2 into the stratosphere, which would produce sulfate aerosols that would remain in the atmosphere for 1–3 years, reflecting part of the incoming shortwave radiation. The cooling produced by the aerosols can offset the warming produced by increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations, but it would also affect the climate differently, leading to residual differences compared to a climate not affected by either. Many climate model simulations of geoengineering have used a uniform reduction of the incoming solar radiation as a proxy for stratospheric aerosols, both because many models are not designed to adequately capture relevant stratospheric aerosol processes, and because a solar reduction has often been assumed to capture the most important differences between how stratospheric aerosols and GHG would affect the climate. Here we show that dimming the sun does not produce the same surface climate effects as simulating aerosols in the stratosphere. By more closely matching the spatial pattern of solar reduction to that of the aerosols, some improvements in this idealized representation are possible, with further improvements if the stratospheric heating produced by the aerosols is included. This is relevant both for our understanding of the physical mechanisms driving the changes observed in stratospheric‐sulfate geoengineering simulations, and in terms of the relevance of impact assessments that use a uniform solar dimming.
Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network
Authors: Collins Kristina , Kazdan David , Frissell Nathaniel
Published: February 2021

For researchers who monitor the effects of solar activity on Earth’s atmosphere, telecommunications, and electrical utilities, amateur radio signals a golden age of crowdsourced science.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other adducts in aging-related diseases and alcohol-mediated tissue injury
Authors: Rungratanawanich Wiramon , Qu Ying , Wang Xin , Essa Musthafa Mohamed , Song Byoung-Joon
Published: February 2021

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially harmful and heterogeneous molecules derived from nonenzymatic glycation. The pathological implications of AGEs are ascribed to their ability to promote oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Recent studies in basic and translational research have revealed the contributing roles of AGEs in the development and progression of various aging-related pathological conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular complications, gut microbiome-associated illnesses, liver or neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Excessive chronic and/or acute binge consumption of alcohol (ethanol), a widely consumed addictive substance, is known to cause more than 200 diseases, including alcohol use disorder (addiction), alcoholic liver disease, and brain damage. However, despite the considerable amount of research in this area, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which alcohol abuse causes cellular toxicity and organ damage remain to be further characterized. In this review, we first briefly describe the properties of AGEs: their formation, accumulation, and receptor interactions. We then focus on the causative functions of AGEs that impact various aging-related diseases. We also highlight the biological connection of AGE–alcohol–adduct formations to alcohol-mediated tissue injury. Finally, we describe the potential translational research opportunities for treatment of various AGE- and/or alcohol-related adduct-associated disorders according to the mechanistic insights presented.
Two macrophages, osteoclasts and microglia: from development to pleiotropy
Authors: Lee Ji-Won , Lee In-Hee , Iimura Tadahiro , Kong Sek Won
Published: February 2021

Tissue-resident macrophages are highly specialized to their tissue-specific microenvironments, activated by various inflammatory signals and modulated by genetic and environmental factors. Osteoclasts and microglia are distinct tissue-resident cells of the macrophage lineage in bone and brain that are responsible for pathological changes in osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), respectively. Osteoporosis is more frequently observed in individuals with AD compared to the prevalence in general population. Diagnosis of AD is often delayed until underlying pathophysiological changes progress and cause irreversible damages in structure and function of brain. As such earlier diagnosis and intervention of individuals at higher risk would be indispensable to modify clinical courses. Pleiotropy is the phenomenon that a genetic variant affects multiple traits and the genetic correlation between two traits could suggest a shared molecular mechanism. In this review, we discuss that the Pyk2-mediated actin polymerization pathway in osteoclasts and microglia in bone and brain, respectively, is the horizontal pleiotropic mediator of shared risk factors for osteoporosis and AD.
Correlations for computation and computation for correlations
Authors: Demirel Bülent , Weng Weikai , Thalacker Christopher , Hoban Matty , Barz Stefanie
Published: February 2021

Quantum correlations are central to the foundations of quantum physics and form the basis of quantum technologies. Here, our goal is to connect quantum correlations and computation: using quantum correlations as a resource for computation—and vice versa, using computation to test quantum correlations. We derive Bell-type inequalities that test the capacity of quantum states for computing Boolean functions within a specific model of computation and experimentally investigate them using 4-photon Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) states. Furthermore, we show how the resource states can be used to specifically compute Boolean functions—which can be used to test and verify the non-classicality of the underlying quantum states. The connection between quantum correlation and computability shown here has applications in quantum technologies, and is important for networked computing being performed by measurements on distributed multipartite quantum states.
Quantum chemical benchmark databases of gold-standard dimer interaction energies
Authors: Donchev Alexander G. , Taube Andrew G. , Decolvenaere Elizabeth , Hargus Cory , McGibbon Robert T. , Law Ka-Hei , Gregersen Brent A. , Li Je-Luen , Palmo Kim , Siva Karthik , Bergdorf Michael , Klepeis John L. , Shaw David E.
Published: February 2021

Advances in computational chemistry create an ongoing need for larger and higher-quality datasets that characterize noncovalent molecular interactions. We present three benchmark collections of quantum mechanical data, covering approximately 3,700 distinct types of interacting molecule pairs. The first collection, which we refer to as DES370K, contains interaction energies for more than 370,000 dimer geometries. These were computed using the coupled-cluster method with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)], which is widely regarded as the gold-standard method in electronic structure theory. Our second benchmark collection, a core representative subset of DES370K called DES15K, is intended for more computationally demanding applications of the data. Finally, DES5M, our third collection, comprises interaction energies for nearly 5,000,000 dimer geometries; these were calculated using SNS-MP2, a machine learning approach that provides results with accuracy comparable to that of our coupled-cluster training data. These datasets may prove useful in the development of density functionals, empirically corrected wavefunction-based approaches, semi-empirical methods, force fields, and models trained using machine learning methods.
Newcastle disease virus transmission dynamics in wild peridomestic birds in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hirschinger Julien , Marescot Lucile , Hingrat Yves , Guerin Jean Luc , Le Loc’h Guillaume , Vergne Timothée
Published: February 2021

To understand the dynamics of a pathogen in an animal population, one must assess how the infection status of individuals changes over time. With wild animals, this can be very challenging because individuals can be difficult to trap and sample, even more so since they are tested with imperfect diagnostic techniques. Multi-event capture-recapture models allow analysing longitudinal capture data of individuals whose infection status is assessed using imperfect tests. In this study, we used a two-year dataset from a longitudinal field study of peridomestic wild bird populations in the United Arab Emirates during which thousands of birds from various species were captured, sampled and tested for Newcastle disease virus exposure using a serological test. We developed a multi-event capture-recapture model to estimate important demographic and epidemiological parameters of the disease. The modelling outputs provided important insights into the understanding of Newcastle disease dynamics in peridomestics birds, which varies according to ecological and epidemiological parameters, and useful information in terms of surveillance strategies. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to model the dynamics of Newcastle disease in wild bird populations by combining longitudinal capture data and serological test results. Overall, it showcased that multi-event capture-recapture models represent a suitable method to analyse imperfect capture data and make reliable inferences on infectious disease dynamics in wild populations.
Bee venom phospholipase A2 alleviates collagen-induced polyarthritis by inducing Foxp3+ regulatory T cell polarization in mice
Authors: Choi Gwang-Muk , Lee Bombi , Hong Riwon , Park Seon-Young , Cho Da-Eun , Yeom Mijung , Park Hi-Joon , Bae Hyunsu , Hahm Dae-Hyun
Published: February 2021

The mechanism underlying bee venom (BV) therapy is still controversial, with opinions ranging from constituent-based pharmacological action to homeopathic-like activity. The purpose of this study was to examine whether BV phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2), an enzymatic component of BV, is a novel anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic mediator capable of stimulating CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) polarization in a mouse model of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An experimental model of RA was established in male DBA/1 mouse by 2-week-interval injections of 100 μg type II collagen emulsified in complete (first injection) or incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (second injection) at the base of the tail. During arthritis development, bvPLA2 (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) and/or Treg inhibitors such as anti-CD25 antibodies and peptide 60 (P60) were injected intraperitoneally for 5 weeks. Arthritic symptoms and the expansion of Tregs were then assessed by behavioral assessments, histological and micro-CT imaging, and flow cytometry. bvPLA2 injections significantly alleviated arthritic behaviors such as squeaking and joint swelling, consistent with changes seen on both histological and micro-CT images. The anti-arthritic effects of bvPLA2 were blocked by intraperitoneal injections of 0.25 mg/kg anti-CD25 antibody and 10 μg/kg P60, as determined by behavioral assessments. Flow cytometric analysis of dendritic cells, B cells, and major T cell subsets from spleens revealed a significant depletion of Tregs following anti-CD25 antibody, but not P60, treatment. bvPLA2 treatment exerted significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities in a mouse model of RA via the induction of Tregs.
Measurement error of network clustering coefficients under randomly missing nodes
Authors: Nakajima Kazuki , Shudo Kazuyuki
Published: February 2021

The measurement error of the network topology caused by missing network data during the collection process is a major concern in analyzing collected network data. It is essential to clarify the error between the properties of an original network and the collected network to provide an accurate analysis of the entire topology. However, the measurement error of the clustering coefficient, which is a fundamental network property, has not been well understood particularly from an analytical perspective. Here we analytically and numerically investigate the measurement error of two types of clustering coefficients, namely, the global clustering coefficient and the network average clustering coefficient, of a network that is randomly missing some proportion of the nodes. First, we derive the expected error of the clustering coefficients of an incomplete network given a set of randomly missing nodes. We analytically show that (i) the global clustering coefficient of the incomplete network has little expected error and that (ii) conversely, the network average clustering coefficient of the incomplete network is underestimated with an expected error that is dependent on a property that is specific to the graph. Then, we verify the analytical claims through numerical simulations using three typical network models, i.e., the Erdős–Rényi model, the Watts–Strogatz model, and the Barabási–Albert model, and the 15 real-world network datasets consisting of five network types. Although the simulation results on the three typical network models suggest that the measurement error of the clustering coefficients on graphs with considerably small clustering coefficients may not behave like the analytical claims, we demonstrate that the simulation results on real-world networks that typically have enough high clustering coefficients sufficiently support our analytical claims. This study facilitates an analytical understanding of the measurement error in network properties due to missing graph data.
Identification and molecular characterization of mutant line deficiency in three waxy proteins of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Liu Qian , Hu Yaping , Hu Mengyun , Sun Lijing , Chen Xiyong , Li Qianying , Wang Peinan , Wang Li-an , Zhang Yingjun , Li Hui
Published: February 2021

Starch is the main component of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and a key factor in determining wheat processing quality. The Wx gene is the gene responsible for amylose synthesis. An ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized population was generated using common wheat cv. Gao 8901, a popular and high-quality cultivar in China. A waxy mutant (Wx-null) was isolated by screening M3 seeds with KI-I2 staining of endosperm starch. No obvious waxy proteins in Wx-null line were detected using Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). DNA sequencing revealed three SNPs and a 3-bp InDel in the first exon, and a 16-bp InDel at the junction region of the first Wx-A1 intron from the Wx-null line. Six SNPs were identified in Wx-B1 gene of Wx-null line compared to the wild-type Gao 8901, including four missense mutations. One nonsense mutation was found at position 857 in the fourth exon, which resulted in a premature stop codon. Expression levels of Wx genes were dramatically reduced in the Wx-null line. There were no detectable differences in granule size and morphology between Wx-null and wild-type, but the Wx-null line contained more B-type starch granules. The amylose content of the Wx-null line (0.22%) was remarkably lower compared to the wild-type Gao 8901 (24.71%). Total starch is also lower in the Wx-null line. The Wx-null line may provide a potential waxy material with high agronomic performance in wheat breeding programs.
Predictive model of bulk drag coefficient for a nature-based structure exposed to currents
Authors: Gijón Mancheño Alejandra , Jansen Wiljan , Winterwerp Johan C. , Uijttewaal Wim S. J.
Published: February 2021

Mangrove vegetation provides natural protection against coastal hazards like flooding and erosion. In spite of their economic and societal value, mangrove forests have experienced a worldwide decline due to human activities. Bamboo structures, formed by poles driven into the soil, are being used to create a sheltered environment for mangrove restoration. The lack of design rules for the structures has led to mixed success rates in their implementation. Improving future designs requires a better understanding of how the bamboo poles affect waves and currents. Currents cause drag forces on the poles, which depend on flow acceleration through the elements (blockage), and the distance from wakes of upstream cylinders (sheltering). We developed a model that predicts the bulk drag coefficient of dense arrays of emergent cylinders in a current, including blockage, sheltering and a balance between turbulence production and dissipation. The model could reproduce measured bulk drag coefficients from the literature within a deviation of 20%. The model also showed that anisotropic structures with small spanwise spacing and large streamwise separation maximize the bulk drag coefficient, and the energy dissipation per pole. The application of the model can guide the design of future mangrove restoration efforts.
Mid-infrared photoacoustic gas monitoring driven by a gas-filled hollow-core fiber laser
Authors: Wang Yazhou , Feng Yuyang , Adamu Abubakar I. , Dasa Manoj K. , Antonio-Lopez J. E. , Amezcua-Correa Rodrigo , Markos Christos
Published: February 2021

Development of novel mid-infrared (MIR) lasers could ultimately boost emerging detection technologies towards innovative spectroscopic and imaging solutions. Photoacoustic (PA) modality has been heralded for years as one of the most powerful detection tools enabling high signal-to-noise ratio analysis. Here, we demonstrate a novel, compact and sensitive MIR-PA system for carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring at its strongest absorption band by combining a gas-filled fiber laser and PA technology. Specifically, the PA signals were excited by a custom-made hydrogen (H2) based MIR Raman fiber laser source with a pulse energy of ⁓ 18 μJ, quantum efficiency of ⁓ 80% and peak power of ⁓ 3.9 kW. A CO2 detection limit of 605 ppbv was attained from the Allan deviation. This work constitutes an alternative method for advanced high-sensitivity gas detection.
Association between 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion and blood pressure among Chinese adults aged 18–69 years
Authors: Du Xiaofu , Fang Le , Xu Jianwei , Chen Xiangyu , Bai Yamin , Zhong Jieming
Published: February 2021

The direction and magnitude of the association between sodium and potassium excretion and blood pressure (BP) may differ depending on the characteristics of the study participant or the intake assessment method. Our objective was to assess the relationship between BP, hypertension and 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion among Chinese adults. A total of 1424 provincially representative Chinese residents aged 18 to 69 years participated in a cross-sectional survey in 2017 that included demographic data, physical measurements and 24-h urine collection. In this study, the average 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion and sodium-to-potassium ratio were 3811.4 mg/day, 1449.3 mg/day, and 4.9, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, each 1000 mg difference in 24-h urinary sodium excretion was significantly associated with systolic BP (0.64 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05–1.24) and diastolic BP (0.45 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.08–0.81), and each 1000 mg difference in 24-h urinary potassium excretion was inversely associated with systolic BP (− 3.07 mm Hg; 95% CI − 4.57 to − 1.57) and diastolic BP (− 0.94 mm Hg; 95% CI − 1.87 to − 0.02). The sodium-to-potassium ratio was significantly associated with systolic BP (0.78 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.42–1.13) and diastolic BP (0.31 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.10–0.53) per 1-unit increase. These associations were mainly driven by the hypertensive group. Those with a sodium intake above about 4900 mg/24 h or with a potassium intake below about 1000 mg/24 h had a higher risk of hypertension. At higher but not lower levels of 24-h urinary sodium excretion, potassium can better blunt the sodium-BP relationship. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of hypertension in the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile of excretion were 0.54 (95% CI 0.35–0.84) for potassium and 1.71 (95% CI 1.16–2.51) for the sodium-to-potassium ratio, while the corresponding OR for sodium was not significant (OR, 1.28; 95% CI 0.83–1.98). Our results showed that the sodium intake was significantly associated with BP among hypertensive patients and the inverse association between potassium intake and BP was stronger and involved a larger fraction of the population, especially those with a potassium intake below 1000 mg/24 h should probably increase their potassium intake.
Impact of time between diagnosis to treatment in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Matthews Caleb R. , Madison Mackenzie , Timsina Lava R. , Namburi Niharika , Faiza Zainab , Lee Lawrence S.
Published: February 2021

There is a paucity of data describing the effect of time interval between diagnosis and surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection. We describe our 8-year experience and investigate the impact of time interval between symptom onset, diagnosis and surgery on outcomes. Retrospective single-center study utilizing our Society of Thoracic Surgeons registry and patient records. Subjects were grouped by time interval between radiographic diagnosis and surgical treatment: Group A (0–4 h), Group B (4.1–8 h), Group C (8.1–12 h), and Group D (12.1 + h). Data were analyzed to identify factors associated with mortality and outcomes. 164 patients were included. Overall mortality was 21.3%. Group C had the greatest intervals between symptom onset to diagnosis to surgery, and also the highest mortality (66.7%). Preoperative tamponade, cardiac arrest, malperfusion, elevated creatinine,
cardiopulmonary bypass time, and blood transfusions were associated with increased mortality, while distance of referring hospital was not. Time intervals between symptom onset, diagnosis and surgery have a significant effect on mortality. Surgery performed 8–12 h after diagnosis carries the highest mortality, which may be exacerbated by longer interval since symptom onset. Time-dependent effects should be considered when determining optimal strategy especially if inter-facility transfer is necessary.
Hunting territories and land use overlap in sedentarised Baka Pygmy communities in southeastern Cameroon
Authors: Fa Julia E. , Ros Brull Guillermo , Ávila Martin Eva , Okale Robert , Fouda François , Fárfan Miguel Ángel , Cain Bradley , Fisher Rohan , Coad Lauren , Funk Stephan M.
Published: February 2021

A significant number of Baka Pygmies in Cameroon have been sedentarised in roadside villages, in contrast to their nomadic hunter-gatherer existence of the past. Although this change in lifestyle has had important consequences on health, most Baka villages still supplement their diets from forest products, especially wild meat. We used a combination of participatory methods and monitoring of individual hunters to map hunting territories in 10 Baka villages in southeastern Cameroon. From these, we determined whether wild meat extraction levels per village were related to the size of hunting territories, measured habitat use by hunters and finally defined the overlap between hunting territories and extractive industries in the region. Mapped village hunting areas averaged 205.2 ± 108.7 km2 (range 76.8–352.0 km2); all villages used a total of 2052 km2. From 295 tracks of 51 hunters, we showed that hunters travelled an average of 16.5 ± 13.5 km (range 0.9–89.8 km) from each village. Home ranges, derived from kernel utilization distributions, were correlated with village offtake levels, but hunter offtake and distance travelled were not significantly related, suggesting that enough prey was available even close to the villages. Hunters in all village areas exhibited a clear bias towards certain habitats, as indicated by positive Ivlev’s index of selectivity values. We also showed that all village hunting territories and hunter home ranges fall within mining and logging concessions. Our results are important for local understanding of forest land uses and to reconcile these with the other land uses in the region to better inform decisions concerning land use policy and planning.
Highly sensitive and ratiometric luminescence sensing of heparin through templated cyanostilbene assemblies
Authors: Bhaumik Shubhra Kanti , Banerjee Supratim
Published: February 2021

Heparin templated highly emissive cluster formation of di-cationic cyanostilbenes was utilized for the fluorometric detection of the polyanion in aqueous buffer, human serum and plasma.
Optimization of signal amplification by reversible exchange for polarization of tridentate chelating bis[(2-pyridyl)alkyl]amine
Authors: Min Sein , Chae Heelim , Jeong Hye Jin , Kim Kiwoong , Namgoong Sung Keon , Jeong Keunhong
Published: February 2021

SABRE was successfully applied on bis[(2-pyridyl)alkyl]amine derivatives and it showed the highest amplification on bis[(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine. DFT studies with AIM analysis reveal the mechanism of hyperpolarization transferviaSABRE.
Roughening transition as a driving factor in the formation of self-ordered one-dimensional nanostructures
Authors: Gorshkov Vyacheslav N. , Tereshchuk Vladimir V. , Sareh Pooya
Published: February 2021

Peculiar scenarios in the dynamics of BCC and FCC 1D-nanostructures leading to the formation of ultra-short, and sometimes stable, high-amplitude surface modulations are analysed and the means of achieving the desired periodicity are discussed.
Experimental and computational diagnosis of the fluxional nature of a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide-based hydrogen-bonded dimer
Authors: Raynal M. , Li Y. , Troufflard C. , Przybylski C. , Gontard G. , Maistriaux T. , Idé J. , Lazzaroni R. , Bouteiller L. , Brocorens P.
Published: February 2021

High-symmetry (left) and low-symmetry (e.g. that on the right) conformations of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide dimers derived from glycine alkyl esters are in rapid exchange in solution through amide/ester competition for the binding of the N–H donors.
The determination of the thermodynamic constants of MgUO2(CO3)32−complex in NaClO4and NaCl media by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, and applications in different geochemical contexts
Authors: Shang Chengming , Reiller Pascal E.
Published: February 2021

The formation constants and specific ion interaction coefficients of MgUO2(CO3)32−complex were determined at varying ionic strength NaCl and NaClO4by time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy.
Novel 7-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]quinoline-6,1′-cycloalkanes]: synthesis, cross-coupling reactions, and photophysical properties
Authors: Silva Letícia B. , Stefanello Felipe S. , Feitosa Sarah C. , Frizzo Clarissa P. , Martins Marcos A. P. , Zanatta Nilo , Iglesias Bernardo A. , Bonacorso Helio G.
Published: February 2021

This paper covers the synthesis of a series of eleven examples of new 7-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]quinoline-6,1′-cycloalkanes] (3), where cycloalkanes are cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and cycloheptane.
Conductive hydrogel-based flexible strain sensors with superior chemical stability and stretchability for mechanical sensing in corrosive solvents
Authors: Zhang Hong , Yue Mingqiang , Wang Tingting , Wang Jinqing , Wu Xianzhang , Yang Shengrong
Published: February 2021

Wearable flexible sensors face many harsh environments in practical applications.
Conjugated ynones in catalytic enantioselective reactions
Authors: Wang Linqing , Zhu Haiyong , Peng Tianyu , Yang Dongxu
Published: February 2021

This review summarizes the recent literature examples of catalytic asymmetric reactions of conjugated ynones and classified these reaction types, alongside their mechanistic insights whenever possible.
Rayleigh–Bénard convection of a model emulsion: anomalous heat-flux fluctuations and finite-size droplet effects
Authors: Pelusi Francesca , Sbragaglia Mauro , Benzi Roberto , Scagliarini Andrea , Bernaschi Massimo , Succi Sauro
Published: February 2021

Numerical simulations of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in concentrated emulsions: a systematic study.
Hydrodynamic collision between a microswimmer and a passive particle in a micro-channel
Authors: Purushothaman Ahana , Thampi Sumesh P.
Published: February 2021

Hydrodynamic collision is asymmetric – the trajectory of the microswimmer is altered only in an intermediate stage while the passive particle undergoes a three stage displacement with a net displacement towards or away from the microchannel walls.
Switching energy dissipation pathway: in situ proton-induced transformation of AIE-active self-assemblies to boost photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Jianxing , Zhang Jianyu , Hu Xiyao , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: February 2021

With the morphological transformation of fluorescent self-assembled nanostructures, their functions can be varied simultaneously.
Asymmetric [2+2] photocycloaddition via charge transfer complex for the synthesis of tricyclic chiral ethers
Authors: Martínez-Gualda Ana M. , Domingo-Legarda Pablo , Rigotti Thomas , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Fraile Alberto , Alemán José
Published: February 2021

The asymmetric synthesis of chiral polycyclic ethers by an intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition is described.
Fine-tuning of the optical output in a dual responsive catenane switch
Authors: Deng Yulin , Lai Samuel Kin-Man , Kong Linghui , Au-Yeung Ho Yu
Published: February 2021

A dual responsive [2]catenane switch with both on–off and intensity control of the intramolecular pyrene excimer emission is reported.
3,3-Dinitratooxetane – an important leap towards energetic oxygen-rich monomers and polymers
Authors: Born Max , Fessard Thomas C. , Göttemann Lucas , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg , Voggenreiter Michael
Published: February 2021

3,3-Dinitratooxetane was prepared by the addition of dinitrogen pentoxide to oxetan-3-one and a crystal structure was obtained. Hot plate test of 3,3-dinitratooxetane (1).
Correction: Microfluidic flow control on charged phospholipid polymer interface
Authors: Xu Yan , Takai Madoka , Konno Tomohiro , Ishihara Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Microfluidic flow control on charged phospholipid polymer interface’ by Yan Xu et al., Lab Chip, 2007, 7, 199–206, DOI: 10.1039/B616851P.
Kinetic and mechanistic analysis of NH3decomposition on Ru(0001), Ru(111) and Ir(111) surfaces
Authors: Lu Xiuyuan , Zhang Jing , Chen Wen-Kai , Roldan Alberto
Published: February 2021

The NH3decomposition mechanisms on Ru, hcp and fcc, and Ir were unraveled by DFT and implemented in microkinetic simulations resulting in good agreement with experiments.
Electronic structure and bridge geometric distortion in push–pull imine-bridged triads. A theoretical study
Authors: Espinosa Ferao Arturo , García Alcaraz Antonio , García López Rafaela
Published: February 2021

Intramolecular electron transfer (IET) in imine-bridged triads is studied by analyzing electric charge distribution and ferrocene and bridge distortion parameters.
Correction: Cyclodextrin-based superparamagnetic host vesicles as ultrasensitive nanobiocarriers for electrosensing
Authors: Muñoz Jose , Crivillers Núria , Ravoo Bart Jan , Mas-Torrent Marta
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Cyclodextrin-based superparamagnetic host vesicles as ultrasensitive nanobiocarriers for electrosensing’ by Jose Muñoz et al., Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 9884–9889, DOI: 10.1039/D0NR01702G.
Approximation of planar SobolevW2,1homeomorphisms by piecewise quadratic homeomorphisms and diffeomorphisms
Authors: Campbell Daniel , Hencl Stanislav
Published: February 2021

Given a Sobolev homeomorphismf∈W2,1in the plane we find a piecewise quadratic homeomorphism that approximates it up to a set ofεmeasure. We show that this piecewise quadratic map can be approximated by diffeomorphisms in theW2,1norm on this set.
Quantitative Prediction Method for Distribution Power Grid Risk
Authors: Xuesong Tang , Bin Wu , Guangming Yu , Jianwei Zou , Han Zhou , Di Xie , Yingxu Jin
Published: February 2021

The electric power distribution grid is directly oriented to the majority of the ordinary users. Traditional operation and maintenance are performed mainly based on experience, which disable to rationally evaluate the status of the line and predict faults. Based on big data, the risk of the line is evaluated through principal component analysis in this paper, so that a machine learning algorithm is carried out to calculate the risk value of the distribution grid line unit. Finally, GA-BP neural network is used to build a line risk value prediction model for improvement.
The design of the permeable brick permeable coefficient test method
Authors: Luo Ligang , Gao Hui , Gong Ming , Li Kejing , Lv Huachao , Duan Kunli
Published: February 2021

According to the standard content, it provides a completely satisfy the permeable brick permeable coefficient test detection device. This for improvement of the permeable brick permeable coefficient test device, the vacuum control system, electric control system and weighing tank organic union, more in line with test operation process. It has a strong and durable, easy maintenance, the advantages of small human error influence, the systematic test device and automatic control, and single convenient operation, the operator simple sample preparation is more secure, more HuanYang easy, intuitive visual measuring instrument, collect data and calculate quickly at the same time. The test data with high precision, small error, high efficiency, low requirements for the operator, scope of application is wide.
Study on the Influence of Price Fluctuation of Main Equipment and Materials on Cost of Power Grid Project
Authors: Rong Peng , Liu Guoming , Wang Qing , Dai Yong , Zhang Wei , Zhang Han , Wang Yi
Published: February 2021

The price of equipment and materials is affected by various internal and external factors, and the price fluctuates greatly. The historical price information cannot reflect the real price of equipment and materials. There is a big difference between the feasibility estimate based on the analysis of historical price information and the actual project cost, which leads to a high project balance and reduces the investment benefit of the company. Taking the substation project as an example, this paper analyzes the change law of the main equipment price in recent years, studies the impact of the price change of the main equipment on the cost, assists the project cost prediction, supports the analysis and evaluation of the feasibility study estimation, reduces the balance rate, optimizes the investment strategy, reduces the project investment risk, and improves the lean management level of the project investment.
Evaluation and analysis of the uncertainty measurement linear thermal expansion coefficient of ceramic brick
Authors: Gao Hui , Yuan Zhengfa , Gong Ming , Zhou Wenjin , Zhong Bo , Duan Kunli
Published: February 2021

With the continuous and high-speed growth of economy, people's requirements on product quality are increasing year by year, including ceramic brick products, which, as a typical building materials product, are widely used in all kinds of buildings of different sizes. Quality of brick of pottery and porcelain products mainly in the form of through the examination and evaluation. The uncertainty of measurement as an important part of the test results, is an important parameter characterization of the reliability of the measurement result. Therefore, this paper, the source of uncertainty in linear thermal expansion coefficient measurement of ceramic brick is analyzed, using the measurement results and related data, and concludes that for the linear thermal expansion coefficient average of 0.016%. when the report 2 sample average, the expanded uncertainty U (A) = 1.48%, contains the factor k = 2.
study on sedimentation characteristics of soft clay
Authors: Xuekui Wang , Qingqing Wang
Published: February 2021

There are large areas of soft clay distributed in coastal areas of China, which are often used as raw materials for hydraulic fill engineering in recent years, and its sedimentation characteristics have attracted more and more attention. In this paper, the influence of initial water content on the sedimentation characteristics of soft clay is studied through the experiment. The results show that: (1) the sedimentation process of soft clay can be divided into two stages: sedimentation stage and self weight consolidation stage. The sedimentation stage has a short time, and the soil property index tends to be stable quickly; the self weight consolidation stage is very slow, and the soil property index almost has no change; (2) the larger the initial water content of soft clay, the greater the sedimentation rate and the faster the sedimentation; (3) the higher the initial water content, the faster the sedimentation, the higher the water content and the void ratio, the smaller the density.
Emotional Drain in Digital Design for Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Authors: Fanzhuo Ding , Baihao Ding , Yang Bai , Jixiao Zhang
Published: February 2021

As technology advances, digitalization has become more and more widespread. This is true of the continuation and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage in which digital technology is also increasingly utilized. For one thing, the contents of intangible cultural heritage that are difficult to preserve need to be refined for technological presentation. For another, the emotional connotation of intangible cultural heritage implied in the inheriting process should be retained as far as possible. This paper discusses that how digital technology broadens the path of inheriting intangible cultural heritage, analyzes the logical connection between the protection of intangible cultural heritage and digital technology, and also explores the future of developing intangible cultural heritage with the help of digital technology.
Research on Construction Quality Management of Prestress Technology in Road and Bridge Construction
Authors: Qingxian Li
Published: February 2021

Prestressed construction technology has greatly developed in recent years, and related supporting facilities are constantly being improved. Therefore, prestressed construction technology has been widely used in roads and bridges, which has improved the efficiency of highway bridge construction and the overall construction quality. However, there are still some problems in the application of prestressed construction technology in roads and bridges. Only by controlling quality can the application effect of prestressed construction technology in roads and bridges be guaranteed.
Research on Emotional Comfort Products Based on Innovative Design Thinking: Take Digital Aid-Sleeping Products for An Example
Authors: Liu Linlin , Zhang Yiren , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: February 2021

The fast pace and great pressure of modern life have made people’s psychological problems more and more serious. The outbreak of COVID-19 at the end of 2019 has accelerated the development of depression, anxiety, nervous tension and other emotions in all aspects. In severe cases, it leads to insomnia. In this paper, the impact of the epidemic on people’s psychology is extensively investigated by innovative thinking. Based on the current design status of existing emotional soothing products, this article summarizes the development trends as well as the shortcomings of sleep aid products, and tries to use new technologies and materials to provide new solutions to problems for people with insomnia. Through the design of digital sleep aid products, modern technology is used to meet the practical needs of modern people and to care for the targeted insomniac.•Human-centered computing
Strategy Analysis of Promoting Pollution Control of SMEs
Authors: Zhang Yanying , Jiang Gui , Yu Ziwei
Published: February 2021

The pollution problem of SMEs is an important problem to be solved in the process of China’s economic development. Based on the game theory, this paper takes the government and SMEs as the two sides of the game, constructing the game theory model of pollution control of SMEs, putting forward the strategies to promote the pollution control of SMEs according to the analysis results of the model.