bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presence of pepsin in laryngeal tissue and saliva in benign and malignant neoplasms
Authors: Zubčić Željko , Mendeš Tihana , Včeva Andrijana , Mihalj Hrvoje , Bogović Vjeran , Milanković Stjepan Grga
Published: October 2020

Objectives: The current study was performed to determine the presence of pepsin in saliva and laryngeal tissue among participants with benign and malignant laryngeal neoplasms.

Study design: Case–control study included three groups of patients with: (1) benign laryngeal neoplasms, (2) malignant laryngeal neoplasms and (3) control subjects without symptoms or signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Methods: Eighty-one voluntary participants were included into study. They were recruited from a group of patients with histologically proven benign and malignant laryngeal neoplasms and in case of control subjects among patients with nasal septum deformation without symptoms of LPR.

Morning saliva samples were collected preoperatively. Tumor biopsies were collected by directoscopy of larynx and the control samples from interarytenoid unit of larynx. All samples were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Immunohistochemistry.

Results: Pepsin was found in all samples of saliva and tissue biopsies in groups with malignant and benign neoplasms. The highest concentration of pepsin was found in a group of patients with malignant laryngeal neoplasms. Patients with benign laryngeal neoplasms had lower concentrations and the control subjects presented with the lowest concentration of pepsin measured from their saliva. Differences were not statistically significant. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis showed the largest number of high positive samples in the group of malignant lesions.

Conclusion: These results suggest that pepsin and LPR can contribute to the development of benign and malignant laryngeal neoplasms. Further prospective studies, with far more patients, are necessary to prove the role of pepsin in multifactorial etiology of laryngeal neoplasms.
Children With Persistent Versus Transient Early Language Delay: Language, Academic, and Psychosocial Outcomes in Elementary School
Authors: Matte-Landry Alexandra , Boivin Michel , Tanguay-Garneau Laurence , Mimeau Catherine , Brendgen Mara , Vitaro Frank , Tremblay Richard E. , Dionne Ginette
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare children with persistent versus transient preschool language delay on language, academic, and psychosocial outcomes in elementary school.

Method

Children with persistent language delay (
n
= 30), transient language delay (
n
= 29), and no language delay (controls;
n
= 163) were identified from a population-based sample of twins. They were compared on language skills, academic achievement, and psychosocial adjustment in kindergarten and Grades 1, 3, 4, and 6.

Results

Children with persistent language delay continued to show language difficulties throughout elementary school. Furthermore, they had academic difficulties, in numeracy, and psychosocial difficulties (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder behaviors, externalizing behaviors, peer difficulties) from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Children with transient language delay did not differ from controls on language and academic performance. However, they showed more externalizing behaviors in kindergarten and peer difficulties in Grade 1 than controls.

Conclusion

Difficulties at school age are widespread and enduring in those with persistent early language delay but appear specific to psychosocial adjustment in those with transient language delay.
The LOFAR Two-meter Sky Survey: Deep Fields Data Release 1
Authors: Sabater J. , Best P. N. , Tasse C. , Hardcastle M. J. , Shimwell T. W. , Nisbet D. , Jelic V. , Callingham J. R. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Bonato M. , Bondi M. , Ciardi B. , Cochrane R. K. , Jarvis M. J. , Kondapally R. , Koopmans L. V. E. , O’Sullivan S. P. , Prandoni I. , Schwarz D. J. , Smith D. J. B. , Wang L. , Williams W. L. , Zaroubi S.
Published: October 2020

The LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) will cover the full northern sky and, additionally, aims to observe the LoTSS deep fields to a noise level of ≲10μJy beam−1over several tens of square degrees in areas that have the most extensive ancillary data. This paper presents the ELAIS-N1 deep field, the deepest of the LoTSS deep fields to date. With an effective observing time of 163.7 h, it reaches a root mean square noise level of ≲20μJy beam−1in the central region (and below 30μJy beam−1over 10 square degrees). The resolution is ~6 arcsecs and 84 862 radio sources were detected in the full area (68 square degrees) with 74 127 sources in the highest quality area at less than 3 degrees from the pointing centre. The observation reaches a sky density of more than 5000 sources per square degree in the central region (~5 square degrees). We present the calibration procedure, which addresses the special configuration of some observations and the extended bandwidth covered (115–177 MHz; central frequency 146.2 MHz) compared to standard LoTSS. We also describe the methods used to calibrate the flux density scale using cross-matching with sources detected by other radio surveys in the literature. We find the flux density uncertainty related to the flux density scale to be ~6.5 per cent. By studying the variations of the flux density measurements between different epochs, we show that relative flux density calibration is reliable out to about a 3 degree radius, but that additional flux density uncertainty is present for all sources at about the 3 per cent level; this is likely to be associated with residual calibration errors, and is shown to be more significant in datasets with poorer ionosphere conditions. We also provide intra-band spectral indices, which can be useful to detect sources with unusual spectral properties. The final uncertainty in the flux densities is estimated to be ~10 per cent for ELAIS-N1.
ATLASGAL-selected massive clumps in the inner Galaxy
Authors: Kim W.-J. , Wyrowski F. , Urquhart J. S. , Pérez-Beaupuits J. P. , Pillai T. , Tiwari M. , Menten K. M.
Published: October 2020

Aims. We study ten molecular transitions obtained from an unbiased 3 mm molecular line survey using the IRAM 30 m telescope toward 409 compact dust clumps identified by the APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL) to better understand the photodissociation regions (PDRs) associated with these clumps. The main goal of this study is to investigate whether the abundances of the selected molecules show any variations resulting from the PDR chemistry in different clump environments.

Methods. We selected HCO, HOC+, C2H, c-C3H2, CN, H13CN, HC15N, and HN13C as PDR tracers, and H13CO+ and C18O as dense gas tracers. By using estimated optical depths of C2H and H13CN and assuming optically thin emission for other molecular transitions, we derived the column densities of those molecules and their abundances. To assess the influence of the presence and strength of ultra-violet radiation, we compare abundances of three groups of the clumps: HII regions, infrared bright non-HII regions, and infrared dark non-HII regions.

Results. We detected C18O, H13CO+, C2H, c-C3H2, CN, and HN13C toward most of the observed dust clumps (detection rate >94%), and H13CN is also detected with a detection rate of 75%. On the other hand, HCO and HC15N show detection rates of 32 and 39%, respectively, toward the clumps, which are mostly associated with HII region sources: detection rates of HCO and HC15N toward the HII regions are 66 and 79%. We find that the abundances of HCO, CN, C2H, and c-C3H2 decrease as the H2 column density increases, indicating high visual extinction, while those of high-density tracers (i.e., H13CO+ and HC15N) are constant. In addition, N(HCO)/N(H13CO+) ratios significantly decrease as H2 column density increases, and, in particular, 82 clumps have X(HCO) ≳ 10−10 and N(HCO)/N(H13CO+) ≳ 1, which are indications of far-ultraviolet (FUV) chemistry. This suggests the observed HCO abundances are likely associated with FUV radiation illuminating the PDRs. We also find that high N(c-C3H2)/N(C2H) ratios found for HII regions that have high HCO abundances (≳10−10) are associated with more evolved clumps with high Lbol/Mclump. This trend might be associated with grain-surface processes, which determine the initial abundances of these molecules, and time-dependent effects in the clumps corresponding to the envelopes around dense PDRs and HII regions. In addition, some fraction of the measured abundances of the small hydrocarbons of the HII sources may be the result of the photodissociation of PAH molecules.
Compressed magnetized shells of atomic gas and the formation of the Corona Australis molecular cloud
Authors: Bracco A. , Bresnahan D. , Palmeirim P. , Arzoumanian D. , André Ph. , Ward-Thompson D. , Marchal A.
Published: October 2020

We present the identification of the previously unnoticed physical association between the Corona Australis molecular cloud (CrA), traced by interstellar dust emission, and two shell-like structures observed with line emission of atomic hydrogen (HI) at 21 cm. Although the existence of the two shells had already been reported in the literature, the physical link between the HI emission and CrA had never been highlighted until now. We used both Planck and Herschel data to trace dust emission and the Galactic All Sky HI Survey (GASS) to trace HI. The physical association between CrA and the shells is assessed based both on spectroscopic observations of molecular and atomic gas and on dust extinction data with Gaia. The shells are located at a distance between ~140 and ~190 pc, which is comparable to the distance of CrA, which we derived as (150.5 ± 6.3) pc. We also employed dust polarization observations from Planck to trace the magnetic-field structure of the shells. Both of them show patterns of magnetic-field lines following the edge of the shells consistently with the magnetic-field morphology of CrA. We estimated the magnetic-field strength at the intersection of the two shells via the Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi (DCF) method. Despite the many caveats that are behind the DCF method, we find a magnetic-field strength of (27 ± 8) μG, which is at least a factor of two larger than the magnetic-field strength computed off of the HI shells. This value is also significantly larger compared to the typical values of a few μG found in the diffuse HI gas from Zeeman splitting. We interpret this as the result of magnetic-field compression caused by the shell expansion. This study supports a scenario of molecular-cloud formation triggered by supersonic compression of cold magnetized HI gas from expanding interstellar bubbles.
Study on Workability Compensation Laws of Concrete with Different Strength Grades
Authors: Jun Xu , Dan Liu , Yijian Zhan
Published: October 2020

This paper, by adopting the reverse mixing compensation technique of the admixtures, deals with the rules of how the secondary compensation mechanism of admixtures affects the recovery of concrete workability under conditions with different strength grades and different mix ratio designs, reveals the mechanism of how to adjust and control the concrete workability, and sets up the workability compensation law equation of C30-C60 concrete mixture based on average fit curve.
Cd Content with an Always High Vertical Diluted Amount
Authors: Yang Dongfang , Huang Xinmin , Jiang Tao , Wei Linzhen , Zhang Shengjun
Published: October 2020

Based on the investigation data about Cd in Jiaozhou Bay in August 1992 and the horizontal change model of matter content and the vertical change model of matter content proposed by the authors, the horizontal loss amount, vertical diluted amount and vertical sediment amount of Cd content in the surface and bottom layers from the southeast waters of the bay to the west waters of the bay mouth were calculated, and the model block diagram of the horizontal and vertical changes of Cd content was determined. The results show that in August, the absolutely loss amount of Cd content in the surface layer was 0.09μg/L, and the absolutely increase amount of Cd content in the bottom layer was 0.10μg/L. The relatively loss amount of Cd content in the surface layer was 12.00%, and the relatively increase amount of Cd content in the bottom layer was 41.66%. Cd content in the surface and bottom layershadabsolutely vertical diluted amount of 0.42-0.61μg/L, and its relatively vertical diluted amount was 63.63-81.33%. In August, in the horizontal migration of Cd content in the surface and bottom layers, the main sea current carried high Cd content in the surface waters.And after passing through the nearshore waters of the bay, one tenth of the Cd content in the surface layer settled to the seabed. In the horizontal migration process of Cd content in the surface layer, the loss amount of Cd content in the surface layer reached 12.00% in the nearshore waters around Jiaozhou Bay, thus the increase amount of Cd content in the bottom layer reached 41.66%. It reveals that the high Cd content in the surface layer could rapidly and continuously sink to the seabed, and the Cd content in the seabed waters in Jiaozhou Bay increased by 41.66%. In August, in the process of vertical migration, the Cd content transported by main sea current was relatively high, and the vertical diluted amount of Cd content in the surface and bottom layers was high 63.63 - 81.33% from the southeast waters of the bay to the waters in the west of the bay mouth.
Study on properties of carbon fibre reinforced cement-based grouting materials
Authors: Yan Xin-e
Published: October 2020

As an efficient, eco-friendly and economical solution for connecting precast concrete components, grouted sleeve connectors aroused widespread interest in engineering site. However, as the key material of grouted sleeve connection, grouting material needs to provide enough good performance to meet the engineering requirements. In order to better design the mix proportion of grouting materials, this paper studies the influence of water binder ratio, carbon fibre content, expansion agent addition and other factors on the performance of grouting materials, and optimizes the mixture ratio of grouting materials by analyzing the workability, compressive strength and expansibility, and analyzes the bonding performance of grouting materials by using the half-grouting steel sleeve connector.
Study on EPS thermal insulation mortar prepared by magnesium oxychloride cement
Authors: Huang Shiming , Zhu Wen , Zhang Yanli , Lu Dehui , Zhao Ruying
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a composite thermal insulation mortar was prepared with magnesium oxychloride cement and polystyrene (EPS) particles. The influence of EPS particles content on the mechanical strength, density and thermal conductivity of composite thermal insulation mortar was studied. Also, the effect of fly ash on the density and thermal conductivity of the mortar was researched. It was shown that: (1) Generally, EPS particles could reduce the compressive strength, flexural strength, density and thermal conductivity of the mortar. The 28 days compressive strength and 28 days flexural strength decreased by 93.3 % and 81.3 % respectively, with the content of EPS particles from 0 % to 0.486 %. Also the density of the mortar was reduced from 2043 g/dm3 to 805 g/dm3, and the thermal conductivity was fell from 0.4093 W/(m·K) to 0.2191 W/(m·K). (2) Small amounts (less than 5.487 %) of fly ash could increase the density and thermal conductivity. However, when the content of fly ash was more than 5.487 %, the density and thermal conductivity of thermal insulation mortar were significantly reduced.
Experimental Study on Carbonization of Magnesium Slag Cement
Authors: Dai Yuheng , Ma Jianxun , Guo Chen , Xu Xin
Published: October 2020

Magnesium slag is a kind of industrial waste with the similar chemical composition to silicate cements, which is of hydration activity to some extent. However, the hydration activity of magnesium slag is much lower than that of traditional silicate cements. Through the method of carbonization, this experiment enhanced the hydration activity of magnesium slag, so that the strength of magnesium slag products can meet the requirements of structures together with certain mechanical and physical properties as well.
Analysis of the application results of the traditional vacuum preloading method: A case study
Authors: Liu Wenbin
Published: October 2020

The traditional vacuum preloading method is a common way for enhancing the bearing strength of the soft clay layer. In general, a serious of plastic drainage boards are plugged into the soft clay foundation, and a sand layer is covered above the soft clay layer to establish a space for lateral drainage of the clay before applicating vacuum load. This paper analysed the application results of the traditional vacuum preloading method with the help of the data from an engineering case. The in-site testing data of the variation of the pore pressure in clay layer and the settlement are collected to evaluate the benefit of traditional vacuum preloading method.
Experimental Study on Shear Capacity of Waste Fiber Recycled Concrete Shear Wall
Authors: Li Xiaohu , Li Lei
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the shear capacity of waste fiber recycled concrete shear wall (FCSW) is studied by cyclic loading tests on 9 specimens. The failure of the specimens under low cycle cyclic loading is analyzed. The influence of waste fiber content, recycled aggregate content and axial compression ratio on the shear capacity of shear wall is studied. The results show that: the larger the volume ratio of waste fiber is, the higher the shear bearing capacity of shear wall is; the addition of recycled coarse aggregate will reduce the shear capacity of shear wall; the shear capacity of shear wall increases with the increase of axial pressure. On the basis of relevant specifications, the calculation formula of in-plane shear capacity of waste fiber recycled concrete shear wall is proposed considering the influence of waste fiber on shear capacity. By comparing with the test results, it can be found that the two formulas are in good agreement. The conclusion of the study can provide reference for the design of waste fiber recycled concrete shear wall.
A simplified planar model for geosynthetics reinforced composite foundation subjected to vertical load
Authors: Huang Weiming , Ren Chao , Wang Jinchang , Yu Qinyun
Published: October 2020

A simplified planar model for geosynthetics reinforced composite foundation under large-scale loading was established with a new consolidation analysis. The cushion was modeled by modified Pasternak model and the reaction of pile and subsoil was modeled by Winkler model. The effect of geosynthetics layer was directly considered as an elastic cable and the subsoil was divided into numerous columns with only vertical drainage. The solution was obtained by a finite difference based iterative scheme. The feasibility of the model was demonstrated by a case study. Then a parameter study was executed to analyze the effect of several influential factors. The results showed that there is a critical pile –to-pitch ratio that makes the increase of the stiffness of the geosynthetic material the most conducive to deformation control.
Damage evolution analysis of rock under Uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting based on discrete element method
Authors: De-kang Li , Hao-ran Li , Meng Liu , Zi-heng Wang , Zheng Li
Published: October 2020

In order to better analyze the mechanical behavior of rock in uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting, numerical model was established according to laboratory test by PFC2D particle flow program, and the simulation results were compared with the experimental results. The results show that when the rock reaches the peak stress, the failure curve of cement appears an obvious turning point, and the failure rate of cement increases.The compressive strength of rock is much greater than the tensile strength under compression condition. The preloading method is more detailed for experimental restoration, and it provides certain reference significance for rock simulation in the future.
Analysis of Puncture and Prediction of Crack Fatigue in Drilling Tools
Authors: Li Guangqiao , Zhai Kejun , Zhu Zhongxi
Published: October 2020

In recent years, the drilling technology of directional wells and large displacement wells has been widely used, which has greatly improved the reservoir development efficiency. However, the “stabbing” accidents in the drilling of the inclined section drilled frequently occur frequently. In view of the above problems, this paper uses the finite element method to take the well “003-H1”, which is more serious in the drilling tool, as the research object, and deeply analyzes the cause of the “stabbing” of the drilling tool and the prediction of the crack extension period. The results show that the “piercing” of the drill pipe is mainly caused by the fatigue failure of the drill pipe. The crack on the surface of the drill pipe increases with the slope of the construction. The crack changes rapidly from elastic expansion to plastic expansion, and the fatigue life is “breaking” down, move down to create a slanting point position, which can reduce the occurrence of drill pipe “stabbing” accident.
Is the heating energy saving effect by lowering the temperature setpoint similar in different functional buildings?
Authors: Huang Yuxin , Guo Shurui , Cheng Zhu , Mao Ning , long Enshen
Published: October 2020

It is known that reducing the temperature setpoint is an effective heating energy saving measure for all kinds of buildings. This study focuses on the heating demand saving effect of the same buildings for different functional uses based on the same climatic background (Beijing) and the same reduction in the heating setpoint. Through comprehensive analysis of the absolute energy saving amount (ESA) and the relative energy saving ratio (ESR) from different time perspectives, the heating energy saving mechanism in reducing the heating temperature is discussed. Two types of completely different heating saving mechanisms were found: (1) the behavioural energy saving (BES) was dominated by those heating hours in which the outdoor air temperature or indoor integrated temperature was in the reducing range of heating setpoint, and(2) the energy saving of the temperature difference (ESTD) is dominated the rest heating hours. When the buildings were used for different functions, the annual ESA was determined by the numbers of the above two types of heating hours, and the annual heating ESR was mainly determined by the heating hours when the heating demand was large.
Green building Technology of Prefabricated Building
Authors: Chen Li sheng
Published: October 2020

With the development of my country’s economy and the progress of society, the current process of urbanization in my country is accelerating, fresh blood is constantly added in the field of construction, and prefabricated buildings are born. Based on this, this article starts with the advantages and development trends of prefabricated buildings, conducts in-depth research and exploration on the key technologies of green buildings, and attempts to provide some reference for the future development of prefabricated building technologies.
Construction Treatment Technology for Cracks in Asphalt Pavement of Road and Bridge
Authors: Li Yueshu
Published: October 2020

In recent years, with the development of road traffic in China, road and bridge projects have gradually increased. While the number of projects has increased sharply, construction technology has been greatly improved. The increase in the use of roads and bridges has led to an increase in the probability of cracks on the roads and bridges. Starting from the common types of cracks, this article explains how to effectively ensure the service life of roads and bridges, improve the performance of roads and bridges, avoid road cracks, deal with the cracks, and emphasize the influencing factors of cracks and the corresponding solutions for the reference of relevant personnel.
Assessment on the movement of the steel cylinder during the remove process
Authors: Liu Wenbin
Published: October 2020

The plugged-in steel cylinder plays a key role in building a fast quay wall of the man-made island. The installed steel cylinder will be partly removed to establish a better construction environment in practical cases. This paper analyzed the movement of plugged-in cylinder during remove stage with numerical simulation method. The data from a practical case was calculate to exhibit the analysis procedure.
A study of the impact of information disclosure quality on the efficiency of corporate investment—Based on civil engineering listed companies
Authors: Zhang Liying
Published: October 2020

Most of the existing studies on the impact of disclosure quality of listed companies on the investment efficiency of enterprises are based on the static level, and the article investigates the evolution of disclosure quality on the investment efficiency of enterprises from the dynamic level by dividing the life cycle of enterprises. Taking the data of Shenzhen civil engineering companies from 2013-2017 as the research sample, it uses multiple regression analysis to empirically test the impact of disclosure quality of listed companies on the investment efficiency of enterprises at different life cycle stages. The results show that when no distinction is made between life cycle stages, high quality disclosure can significantly inhibit the inefficient investment behavior of firms; in the growth and maturity samples, high quality disclosure can significantly inhibit underinvestment and overinvestment; in the recessionary samples, high quality disclosure can significantly inhibit underinvestment and has no significant effect on overinvestment.
VAT reduction and corporate investment – Based on the civil engineering firm
Authors: Zheng Mengjiao
Published: October 2020

Existing studies have shown that VAT reform stimulates business investment. In this paper, civil engineering firm are taken as samples to study whether the reduction of VAT will stimulate the investment of civil engineering firm by referring to the domestic and foreign literature related to enterprise investment in tax reform.
Ecological Impact Assessment of Water Resources Utilization in Delingha City, Northwest Inland River Region
Authors: Zhijun Wu , Yongqiang Wang , Bo Yan , Kai Li , Feng Huang
Published: October 2020

In recent years, regional climate change and the intensification of human activities have made the problem of water shortage particularly prominent. It is of great significance to conduct in-depth research on the ecological environmental impact and evaluation methods caused by the use of regional water resources. Based on the characteristics and actual conditions of Delingha City in the northwest inland river region, this article established the Northwest in terms of water conservation, vegetation stability, soil conservation, and soil quality improvement in accordance. The ecological environment impact assessment index system of Delingha City in the inland river area is combined with the analytic hierarchy process and cloud theory model to establish an evaluation model. The purpose is to scientifically and reasonably evaluate the ecological environmental impact of Delingha City in the northwest inland river area. The results show that the overall impact on the ecological environment of Delingha City is the third level and is in a good state, in which water conservation and soil quality improvement are in a good state, and the other two criterion levels are in a normal state, and the annual precipitation accounts for a larger weight.
Discussion on Construction Planning and Rainwater Control and Utilization Facilities under Background of Sponge City Construction in Loess Area
Authors: Liu Liping , Liu Wanfeng , Li Ping , Yang Hongping , Su Yan
Published: October 2020

In view of the current construction practice of sponge city, effective rainwater system planning and rainwater control and utilization facility design are the key to give full play to its sponge function. Taking the sponge city construction of a city as an example, this paper explains the planning system, overall goal and planning strategy of the sponge city rainwater system, mainly discusses the design of storm—water control and utilization facilities, and carries out the sponge construction for the recently built and under construction projects as well as the demand of sponge construction, which plays an exemplary role for reference.
Estimation of ecosystem services value based on land use and cover change information derived from remote sensing data
Authors: Wang Liyan , Chen Chao , Wang Kai
Published: October 2020

It is an effective method to study the value change of ecological services based on land use and cover change information. This paper analyzed the land use and cover change information in the research area, which is based on the remote sensing images and social statistics data of 2005, 2010, and 2015, and then, quantitative estimation of the ecosystem service value was performed. Yangtze-Huaihe river basin, China is a fragile ecological area, which is selected as the research area. During 2005-2015, the area of cultivated land and construction land was the main land use types in the study area, the land use and cover change in the study area were obvious, which was characterized by the increasing of construction land area and the decreasing of cultivated land area, and the total ecosystem services value in the research area has been decreasing continuously, the value from 34.376 billion yuan in 2005 to 26.161 billion yuan in 2015.
The laser lightning rod project
Authors: Produit Thomas , Walch Pierre , Herkommer Clemens , Mostajabi Amirhossein , Moret Michel , Andral Ugo , Sunjerga Antonio , Azadifar Mohammad , André Yves-Bernard , Mahieu Benoît , Haas Walter , Esmiller Bruno , Fournier Gilles , Krötz Peter , Metzger Thomas , Michel Knut , Mysyrowicz André , Rubinstein Marcos , Rachidi Farhad , Kasparian Jérôme , Wolf Jean-Pierre , Houard Aurélien
Published: October 2020

Lightning is highly destructive due to its high power density and unpredictable character. Directing lightning away would allow to protect sensitive sites from its direct and indirect impacts (electromagnetic perturbations). Up to now, lasers have been unable to guide lightning efficiently since they were not offering simultaneously terawatt peak powers and kHz repetition rates. In the framework of the Laser Lightning Rod project, we develop a laser system for lightning control, with J-range pulses of 1 ps duration at 1 kHz. The project aims at investigating its propagation in the multiple filamentation regime and its ability to control high-voltage discharges. In particular, a field campaign at the Säntis mountain will assess the laser ability to trigger upward lightning.
Occurrence of two exotic decapods,Macrobrachium nipponense(de Haan, 1849) andProcambarus virginalisLyko, 2017, in Ukrainian waters
Authors: Son Mikhail O. , Morhun Halyna , Novitskyi Roman O. , Sidorovskyi Serhii , Kulyk Maryna , Utevsky Serge
Published: October 2020

New information on the occurrence of two alien decapod crustaceans,Macrobrachium nipponenseandProcambarus virginalis, was summarized for Ukraine. The invasive potential of both species was estimated in the context of local environmental and socio-economic issues. Their history as non-native species is marked by the early use of alien decapods as a natural resource by local residents. Both intentional and unintentional introductions occurred forM. nipponense, while the ornamental trade was an important source of non-nativeP. virginalis. New records ofM. nipponenseandP. virginalisfrom open freshwater habitats in the Odesa and Kharkiv provinces suggest continuing expansion of these decapods. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis ofCOIsequences, which confirmed morphological identifications of invasiveM. nipponense. This reinforces the presumed pathway of this species, including its pathway from China to south-western Ukraine.Procambarus fallaxwas found to be paraphyletic in relation toP. virginalis, which was probably caused by analyzing only one mitochondrial gene, which could be impacted by the recent emergence of the latter species.
One-Pot Synthesis of a Cyclic Pyrene Octamer from Two Bifunctionalized Pyrene Monomers
Authors: Yamada Hiroko , Aratani Naoki , Mei Peifeng , Kurosaki Ryo , Matsumoto Akinobu
Published: October 2020

A 2,2′-tert-butyl-5,9-6′,8′-cyclooctameric pyrenylene ([8]CP) was synthesized by a one-pot Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction from two kinds of bifunctionalized monomers, as a rare example of a cyclic octamer. The octameric molecular structure of [8]CP was revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
Epidemiology of Adenomyosis
Authors: Upson Kristen , Missmer Stacey A.
Published: October 2020

Adenomyosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium, can have a substantial impact on the quality of women's lives. Despite this, the epidemiologic research on this condition lags considerably behind that of other noncancerous reproductive health conditions. The lack of progress and knowledge is due in part to the challenges in designing valid epidemiologic studies, since the diagnosis of adenomyosis historically has been limited to the examination of uterine specimens from hysterectomy. This review describes the available data on the frequency of this condition and the epidemiologic investigation thus far into the risk factors for disease—highlighting the methodologic and inference challenges primarily around study sample selection. We conclude with providing recommendations for approaches to future epidemiologic study that capitalize on the advancements in imaging technology to detect adenomyosis and provide a fuller picture of the occurrence and risk factors for disease.
Can maritime big data be applied to shipping industry analysis? Focussing on commodities and vessel sizes of dry bulk carriers
Authors: Kanamoto Kei , Murong Liwen , Nakashima Minato , Shibasaki Ryuichi
Published: October 2020

Enriched navigational information provided by an automatic identification system (AIS) could improve the estimation accuracy of trade patterns analysis by using different data sources. This paper estimates the global trade flow pattern of dry bulk cargo by commodity, namely iron ore, coal, grains, fertilisers, and iron and steel. We use AIS data and the information on commodities handled in ports, estimated by using a two-tiered Geohash geocoding. Estimation results are accurate at country level except for iron and steel. The results are used to quantify the impact of the previously identified variables on vessel size selection by regression analysis and a multinomial logit model. Finally, our model is used to forecast the future shipping demand by vessel type and commodity.
Thermostat-induced spurious interfacial resistance in non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of solid–liquid and solid–solid systems
Authors: Ghatage Dhairyashil , Tomar Gaurav , Shukla Ratnesh K.
Published: October 2020

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations universally rely on thermostats to control temperature. The thermostat-induced alteration in the system dynamics that enables temperature control can, however, adversely impact molecular transport across the temperature-controlled and temperature-uncontrolled regions. Here, we analyze the influence of a thermostat on thermal transport across a solid–liquid interface in a canonical setup that, owing to its generality, has been widely employed in NEMD simulations. In scenarios wherein temperature is controlled via stochastic/frictional forcing based thermostats, we find occurrence of a spurious temperature jump across the solid–liquid interface. The corresponding Kapitza length diminishes with a gradual weakening of the coupling between the thermostat and the system. Hence, we identify an optimal thermostat control parameter range over which contrasting requirements of an effective temperature control and a sufficiently low interfacial thermal resistance are simultaneously satisfied. We show that a similar disruption in thermal transport occurs in a single phase system of pure solid atoms as well. We trace the microscopic origin of the anomalous interfacial thermal resistance to a stochastic/frictional forcing-induced alteration in the force autocorrelation function. We propose a simple model consisting of an individual atom impinging in vacuo on a thermostatted solid as a computationally inexpensive alternative for determination of the control parameter range over which thermostat-induced spurious thermal resistance across a solid–liquid interface becomes significant. Our results suggest that the undesirable possibility of MD-deduced temperature jumps being misleading indicators of the interfacial Kapitza resistance could simply be eliminated through a judicious choice of the thermostat control parameter.
Advanced statistical physics modeling of a chiral molecular tweezer of silver ion: Microscopic investigation of adsorption of silver(I) on hexahelicene and heptahelicene
Authors: Almogait Entesar Sulaiman , Ben Yahia Mohamed , Al-Ghamdi Hanan , Almuqrin Aljawharah Hamad
Published: October 2020

In this work, experimental isotherms of silver on hexahelicene and heptahelicene were collected at five adsorption temperatures using the quartz crystal microbalance strategy. Two analytical models of statistical physics (MMPG and MMRG) were applied to explain the complexation process of the two helicenes. Based on the physical significance of the two models’ parameters, the silver adsorption was found to be typical to an endothermic phenomenon by the intermediate of the steric variables. Thus, the fitted values of the adsorbed amounts at saturation (QS1 and QS2) were the highest in the case of heptahelicene adsorption. The van der Waals parameters (cohesion pressure a and covolume b) involved in the MMRG model explain the decrease of hexahelicene isotherms at high concentration through the lateral interactions between the adsorbates. Interestingly, the analysis of the complexation energies [|(−E1)| and |(−E2)|] indicated the strongest interaction of silver–[7]helicene. The novel clarifications of the physicochemical description of adsorption isotherms indicated that the heptahelicene can form a stable complex with silver ions.
Resonant plasmon enhancement of light emission from CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets on Au nanodisk arrays
Authors: Milekhin I. A. , Anikin K. V. , Rahaman M. , Rodyakina E. E. , Duda T. A. , Saidzhonov B. M. , Vasiliev R. B. , Dzhagan V. M. , Milekhin A. G. , Batsanov S. A. , Gutakovskii A. K. , Latyshev A. V. , Zahn D. R. T.
Published: October 2020

Semiconducting nanoplatelets (NPLs) have attracted great attention due to the superior photophysical properties compared to their quantum dot analogs. Understanding and tuning the optical and electronic properties of NPLs in a plasmonic environment is a new paradigm in the field of optoelectronics. Here, we report on the resonant plasmon enhancement of light emission including Raman scattering and photoluminescence from colloidal CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets deposited on arrays of Au nanodisks fabricated by electron beam lithography. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Au nanodisk arrays can be tuned by varying the diameter of the disks. In the case of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the Raman intensity profile follows a symmetric Gaussian shape matching the LSPR of the Au nanodisk arrays. The surface-enhanced photoluminescence (SEPL) profile of NPLs, however, follows an asymmetric Gaussian distribution highlighting a compromise between the excitation and emission enhancement mechanisms originating from energy transfer and Purcell effects. The SERS and SEPL enhancement factors depend on the nanodisk size and reach maximal values at 75 and 7, respectively, for the sizes, for which the LSPR energy of Au nanodisks coincides with interband transition energies in the semiconductor platelets. Finally, to explain the origin of the resonant enhancement behavior of SERS and SEPL, we apply a numerical simulation to calculate plasmon energies in Au nanodisk arrays and emission spectra from NPLs in such a plasmonic environment.
Improved ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and magnetic properties in BiFeO3–(Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics through Mn addition
Authors: Shu Mingfang , Wang Dong , Li Sumei , Yang Bingbing , Yin Lihua , Song Wenhai , Yang Jie , Zhu Xuebin , Sun Yuping
Published: October 2020

Integrating multiple functions in a single compound is still attractive and necessary to meet the demand of device miniaturization. In this work, we systemically modulate multifunctional properties in the 0.74BiFeO3–0.26(Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3–x wt. % MnO2 solid solution with the addition of MnO2. A highly rectangular and saturated polarization–hysteresis (P–E) loop is obtained with a large remanent polarization Pr of 49.5 μC/cm2 as x=0.8. Furthermore, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 also obviously improved with an optimized d33=137 pC/N by the introduction of MnO2 due to the grain size effect, the improvement of insulation, and relaxation regulation. With the addition of MnO2, the remanent magnetization Mr increases monotonically because of the enhanced exchange interactions between Fe2+and Fe3+. The results may provide an effective way to explore promising multifunctional materials in BiFeO3-based ceramics.
Luminescence of Xe2Cl* upon laser excitation of Cl2 – Xe mixtures in a wide pressure range
Authors: Shirokikh A.P. , Mamaev S.B.
Published: October 2020

The luminescence of Xe2Cl* excimer upon optical excitation of high-pressure Cl2 – Xe mixtures by XeCl laser pulses (λ = 308 nm) with different energies is investigated. It is shown that small-signal gain of the Xe2Cl amplifier may reach ∼1.3 × 10−1 cm−1 in a mixture of Cl2 and Xe with partial pressures of 4 Torr and 9 atm, respectively, and an excitation fluence of 1026 photons cm−2 s−1.
Acid hydrolysis of gelatin extracted from cow skin: properties and potential for use as a source of small peptides and free amino acids for broiler chickens
Authors: Nouri K. , Khalaji S. , Zamani A. , Saki A.
Published: October 2020

Context
Acid hydrolysis of animal and plant protein ingredients can generate beneficial and cost-effective peptides and free amino acids for use in livestock feed.

Aims
The aim was to determine whether a cow-skin gelatin (CSG) hydrolysate, rich in low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acid and produced through acid (4 M HCl) hydrolysis, improved the digestibility of CSG and performance of broilers.

Methods
Day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 320) were allocated to four treatments (control, maize–soy basal diet; CSG at 92 g/kg basal diet; acid-hydrolysed CSG (AHCSG) at 45 and 92 g/kg basal diet) in a completely randomised design with eight replicate pens per treatment and 10 chicks in each pen. Molecular weights of CSG and AHCSG were characterised by SDS–PAGE, and protein concentration and degree of hydrolysis of AHCSG determined. Broilers were assessed for performance measures and intestinal and serum characteristics.

Key results
The AHCSG had a protein concentration of 84.3%, with a degree of hydrolysis of 66.5%. Respective molecular weights of CSG and AHCSG were 20–128 kDa and 3.5–10 kDa. Bodyweight gain and feed intake were dramatically (P ≤ 0.001) reduced and feed conversion ratio increased with inclusion of CSG and especially AHCSG in the diet. Inclusion of AHCSG reduced (P < 0.05) ileal digesta viscosity compared with CSG, and reduced (P < 0.05) plasma uric acid concentration, villi height and crypt depth compared with the CSG and control diets. AHCSG inclusion in the diet reduced protein digestibility by ~25% (at 45 g/kg) and 50% (at 92 g/kg) compared with the control; CSG also reduced protein digestibility by ~50%. The Salmonella population of ceca was reduced (P = 0.05) with the diet containing 92 g AHCSG/kg compared with the CSG and control diets. Trypsin activity was not affected by diet, but total alkaline protease activity was reduced (P < 0.01) at days 35 of age by inclusion of AHCSG in the diet. Carcass and breast relative weight, and breast fillet crude protein were lower (P < 0.05) for broilers fed diets containing CSG or AHCSG than the control.

Conclusions
Acid hydrolysis of CSG produced large quantities of free amino acids and small peptides, but this did not improve the performance of broiler chickens compared with CSG. Performance was similarly poor with dietary inclusion of AHCSG and CSG relative to the control diet without CSG products.

Implications
Although large quantities of free amino acids and small peptides were produced by acid hydrolysis of CSG, further research is needed to understand the possible problems with acid hydrolysis and why it negatively affects broiler performance.
Universals and diversity in gesture
Authors: Cooperrider Kensy
Published: October 2020

At the dawn of anthropology, gesture was widely considered a “universal language”. In the 20th century, however,
this framing fell out of favor as anthropologists rejected universalism in favor of relativism. These polemical positions were
largely fueled by high-flying rhetoric and second-hand report; researchers had neither the data nor the conceptual frameworks to
stake out substantive positions. Today we have much more data, but our frameworks remain underdeveloped and often implicit. Here,
I outline several emerging conceptual tools that help us make sense of universals and diversity in gesture. I then sketch the
state of our knowledge about a handful of gestural phenomena, further developing these conceptual tools on the way. This brief
survey underscores a clear conclusion: gesture is unmistakably similar around the world while also being broadly diverse. Our task
ahead is to put polemics aside and explore this duality systematically – and soon, before gestural diversity dwindles further.
What is an anthropology of gesture?
Authors: Lempert Michael
Published: October 2020

For gesture research outside anthropology, the promise – and challenge – of anthropological method stems from one or more of its core commitments: its pursuit of human variation, both diachronic and synchronic; its insistence on naturalistic rather than experimental research design; and its integrative sensibility that situates human behavior in relation to an expansive sociocultural context. This essay reflects on this last sensibility. As we envision an anthropology of gesture and weigh its potential for gesture studies, we should pause and reflect on the fitful history of gesture in anthropology. As a parable for the present, I revisit a neglected anthropological voice from twentieth-century gesture research: Ray L. Birdwhistell, whose ambitious postwar science of kinesics teamed film-based microanalysis with American linguistic structuralism. At stake in Birdwhistell’s work was a problem that looms large here, that of how and at what cost a science of gesture can contextualize its object integratively.
Body-directed gesture and expressions of social difference in Chachi and Afro-Ecuadorian discourse
Authors: Floyd Simeon
Published: October 2020

This paper presents an analysis of a data set consisting of instances of body-directed gesture that occurred in racializing expressions of social difference during ethnographic interviews with two neighboring peoples of Ecuador: the indigenous Chachi, speakers of the Cha’palaa language, and Afro-Descendant people, who speak a variety of Spanish. When talking about differences among social groups and categories, a particular sub-type of body-directed gestural practice was salient: using indexical-iconic self-directed gestures as a way to describe other people’s physical bodies or appearances, including references to skin color, hair texture, clothing and ornamentation, and embodiments of carrying objects close to the body. The paper describes the trends seen in the forms and meanings of these gestures in their role here as part of socially categorizing and racializing discourses in the Latin American socio-historical context.