bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Particulate Mercury and Particulate Organic Matter in the Itenez Basin (Bolivia)
Authors: Guzmán-Uria Fabiola , Morales-Belpaire Isabel , Achá Dario , Pouilly Marc
Published: November 2020

In rivers and other freshwater bodies, the presence of mercury can be due to direct contamination by anthropic activities such as gold mining. However, it can also be attributed to atmospheric deposition and erosion, runoff, or lixiviation from surrounding soils. In the case of the Amazon rainforest, high mercury contents have been reported for litter and topsoil, which could affect the mercury concentrations in water bodies. Samples of suspended particulate matter were obtained from a transect of the Itenez River, associated lakes, and some of its tributaries. The aim was to obtain information on particulate mercury’s origin in the study area and determine the relationship between particulate mercury and particulate organic carbon. The concentration of mercury, organic matter, and the C:N ratio of the suspended matter was determined. The concentration of particulate mercury by water volume depended on changes in suspended matter loads, which in turn were mostly affected by the nature of the watershed or sediment resuspension. The observed values for the percentage of organic matter and the C:N ratio suggest that most of the mercury content in rivers and lakes originated from soils. A positive correlation was found between mercury concentration by weight of particulate matter and organic carbon content in particles. This correlation might be due to the direct binding of mercury to organic matter through functional groups like thiols or to an indirect effect of oxyhydroxides that can adsorb mercury and are associated with organic matter.
Developing Guidelines for the Use of Passive Thermography on Cultural Heritage in Tropical Climates
Authors: Kavuru Manogna , Rosina Elisabetta
Published: November 2020

Infrared thermography (IRT) has been a very successful tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of cultural heritage restoration projects. It has been used to identify anomalies, moisture issues, etc., in historic buildings. Although it is a promising tool, one of the limitations is that a method to deploy it onsite has not been standardized. This is due to the different variables that might affect thermal signatures captured by the thermal camera, when onsite. Especially since environmental conditions play a major role in thermography, the process must vary from region to region significantly. That said, efforts have been made over the years to establish some base standards for designated purposes of infrared thermography in the construction field. These standards and best practice methods, although comprehensive, do not effectively help with issues that are contextual to the location of the building, for instance, tropical climates, such as India. This paper aims to suggest guidelines for a passive approach of thermography, based on practical applications and procedures followed during the thermographic survey at the former British Residency in Hyderabad, India. Additionally, this paper explores the avenues through which region specific guidelines can be established.
Generative Adversarial Network for Class-Conditional Data Augmentation
Authors: Lee Jeongmin , Yoon Younkyoung , Kwon Junseok
Published: November 2020

We propose a novel generative adversarial network for class-conditional data augmentation (i.e., GANDA) to mitigate data imbalance problems in image classification tasks. The proposed GANDA generates minority class data by exploiting majority class information to enhance the classification accuracy of minority classes. For stable GAN training, we introduce a new denoising autoencoder initialization with explicit class conditioning in the latent space, which enables the generation of definite samples. The generated samples are visually realistic and have a high resolution. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed GANDA can considerably improve classification accuracy, especially when datasets are highly imbalanced on standard benchmark datasets (i.e., MNIST and CelebA). Our generated samples can be easily used to train conventional classifiers to enhance their classification accuracy.
Surface Texture Measurement on Complex Geometry Using Dual-Scan Positioning Strategy
Authors: Cheng Fang , Fu Shaowei , Chen Ziran
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a surface measurement method based on dual-scan positioning strategy is presented to address the challenges of irregular surface patterns and complex geometries. A confocal sensor with an internal scanning mechanism was used in this study. By synchronizing the local scan, enabled by the internal actuator in the confocal sensor, and the global scans, enabled by external positioners, the developed system was able to perform noncontact line scan and area scan. Thus, this system was able to measure both surface roughness and surface uniformity. Unlike laboratory surface measurement equipment, the proposed system is reconfigurable for in situ measurement and able to scan free-form surfaces with a proper stand-off distance and approaching angle. For long-travel line scan, which is needed for rough surfaces, a surface form tracing algorithm was developed to ensure that the data were always captured within the sensing range of the confocal sensor. It was experimentally verified that in a scanning length of 100 mm, where the surface fluctuation in vertical direction is around 10 mm, the system was able to perform accurate surface measurement. For area scan, XY coordinates provided by the lateral positioning system and the Z coordinate captured by the confocal sensor were plotted into one coordinate system for 3D reconstruction. A coherence scanning interferometer and a confocal microscope were employed as the reference measurement systems to verify the performance of the proposed system in a scanning area of 1 mm by 1 mm. Experimental data showed that the proposed system was able to achieve comparable accuracy with laboratory systems. The measurement deviation was within 0.1 µm. Because line scan mechanisms are widely used in sensor design, the presented work can be generalized to expand the applications of line scan sensors.
An Automated Three-Dimensional Bone Pose Tracking Method Using Clinical Interleaved Biplane Fluoroscopy Systems: Application to the Knee
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chung , Lu Tung-Wu , Li Jia-Da , Kuo Mei-Ying , Kuo Chien-Chun , Hsu Horng-Chuang
Published: November 2020

Model-based tracking of the movement of the tibiofemoral joint via a biplane X-ray imaging system has been commonly used to reproduce its accurate, three-dimensional kinematics. To accommodate the approaches to existing clinical asynchronous biplane fluoroscopy systems and achieve comparable accuracy, this study proposed an automated model-based interleaved biplane fluoroscopy image tracking scheme (MIBFT) by incorporating information of adjacent image frames. The MIBFT was evaluated with a cadaveric study conducted on a knee specimen. The MIBFT reproduced skeletal poses and tibiofemoral kinematics that were in good agreement with the standard reference kinematics provided by an optical motion capture system, in which the root-mean-squared (Rms) errors of the skeletal pose parameters ranged from 0.11 to 0.35 mm in translation and 0.18 to 0.49° in rotation. The influences of rotation speed on the pose errors were below 0.23 mm and 0.26°. The MIBFT-determined bias, precision, and Rms error were comparable to those of the reported model-based tracking techniques using custom-made synchronous biplane fluoroscopy. The results suggested that the further use of the clinical imaging system is feasible for the noninvasive and precise examination of dynamic joint functions and kinematics in clinical practice and biomechanical research.
A Numerical Study on the Flow Characteristics and Flow Uniformity of Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Flow Frame
Authors: Park Jun-Yong , Sohn Deok-Young , Choi Yun-Ho
Published: November 2020

As the demand for electrical energy increases worldwide, the amounts of harmful gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuel, are continuously increasing. As a result, the interest in renewable energy resources has been growing. However, renewable energies have fluctuating output characteristics according to local conditions such as the natural environment and geographical characteristics, which is a major factor deteriorating output quality. Recently, energy storage systems (ESSs) have been actively studied as a solution to this problem. A redox flow battery (RFB) is a system in which an active material dissolved in an electrolyte is oxidized/reduced to charge/discharge. A RFB mainly consists of an electrolyte tank, which determines the capacity, and a cell stack, which determines the output. As these components can be independently controlled, a RFB provides the advantages of a large capacity and a long lifespan. In this study, a new flow channel was designed to maximize the reaction area and reduce the pump loss to improve RFB performance. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and visualization experiments were used to analyze the internal flow characteristics of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). Additionally, we used the variability range coefficient and maximum velocity deviation to check if the flow discharged to the electrode was uniform. In the conventional flow frame, the flow discharged to the electrode has a non-uniformity distribution in the left and right, due to the S-shaped path of the inlet channel. In addition, it was confirmed that the outlet area into the electrode was reduced to 50%, resulting in a high pressure drop. To address this problem, we proposed a design that simplified the flow channel, which significantly improved flow uniformity parameters. The maximum velocity deviations for the existing and new flow channels were 11.89% and 54.16%, respectively. In addition, in the entire flow frame for the new flow channel, the pressure drop decreased by 44% as compared with the existing flow channel.
Temperature and Pulse-Energy Range Suitable for Femtosecond Pulse Transmission in Si Nanowire Waveguide
Authors: Wang Xiaochun , Fu Meicheng , Yang Heng , Liao Jiali , Li Xiujian
Published: November 2020

We experimentally measured the femtosecond pulse transmission through a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) nanowire waveguide under different temperatures and input pulse energy with a cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (XFROG) measurement setup. The experimental results demonstrated that the temperature and pulse energy dependence of the Si photonic nanowire waveguide (SPNW) is interesting rather than just monotonous or linear, and that the suitable temperature and pulse-energy range is as suggested in this experiment, which will be valuable for analyzing the practical design of the operating regimes and the fine dispersion engineering of various ultrafast photonic applications based on the SPNWs. The research results will contribute to developing the SPNWs with photonic elements and networks compatible with mature complementary metal–oxide–semiconductors (CMOS).
Evaluation of Energy Efficiency in Thermally Improved Residential Buildings, with a Weather Controlled Central Heating System. A Case Study in Poland
Authors: Cieśliński Krzysztof , Tabor Sylwester , Szul Tomasz
Published: November 2020

Optimization of energy consumption and related energy efficiency can be realized in various ways, both through measures to reduce heat losses through building partitions and the introduction of modern systems of regulation and management of heat distribution. In order to achieve the best possible results, these actions should be interlinked, especially in older buildings that have undergone thermomodernization. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate actions aimed at improving energy efficiency of buildings made in prefabricated technology. These buildings were thermomodernized and then the weather-controlled central heating system was installed. The study assessed whether the application of the change of the method of central heating regulation from the traditional one, taking into account only the change of external temperature to the weather-controlled one, will contribute to the increase of energy efficiency of buildings. The research was carried out in the existing residential buildings, for which data on the actual energy consumption was collected and elaborated and includes periods before modernization, after thermomodernization and the period after the introduction of the central heating system with weather control. The collected data cover an eighteen-year period of buildings’ use. The obtained results indicate that in Polish conditions the introduction of weather-controlled regulation system in buildings made in prefabricated technology (made of large slab) allows to achieve energy savings in the range of 16–23%, it may be related to their high thermal capacity resulting from the use of concrete elements in the building envelope.
Preparation and Characterization of Licorice-Chitosan Coatings for Postharvest Treatment of Fresh Strawberries
Authors: Quintana Somaris E. , Llalla Olimpia , García-Zapateiro Luis A. , García-Risco Mónica R. , Fornari Tiziana
Published: November 2020

Several plant extracts are being investigated to produce edible coatings, mainly due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this study, licorice root extracts were produced by ultrasound-assisted extraction and were combined with chitosan to elaborate edible coatings. Different solvents and temperatures were used in the extraction process, and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts were assessed. The most bioactive extracts were selected for the development of the edible coatings. The rheological properties of the coatings were studied, and they were applied on strawberry to evaluate their physicochemical and microbiological properties. The addition of licorice extract to chitosan resulted in positive effects on the rheological properties of the coatings: the incorporation of phytochemicals to chitosan decreased the shear stress and improved the restructuring ability of the coating solutions. The films presented a reduction of the Burger model parameter, indicating a reduction of rigidity. Furthermore, the strawberry coated with chitosan and licorice extract maintained good quality parameters during storage and showed the best microbiological preservation in comparison with controls. Hence, the use of chitosan with licorice extract is a potential strategy to produce edible coating for improving the postharvest quality of fruits.
Cyclic and Permanent Shear Strains of a Soft Cohesive Soil Subjected to Combined Static and Cyclic Loading
Authors: Patiño Hernán , Galindo Rubén , Olalla Marañón Claudio
Published: November 2020

This paper refers to cyclic shear strains (γc) and permanent shear strains (γp) of a soft cohesive soil, when both monotonic shear stresses (τo) and cyclic shear stresses (τc) are applied. The research is backed by an extensive experimental program with 139 cyclic simple shear tests that included identification and classification tests. These cyclic simple shear tests were conducted under different levels of stresses, τo, before the cyclic phase. Laboratory tests were carried out on undisturbed samples from the Port of Barcelona, located in Spain on the Mediterranean coast, and characterized by a monotonic strength (τmax) approximately equal to 30% of the initial effective vertical stress (σ′ov). The samples were taken at depths between 29 and 52 m and correspond to an initial effective vertical stress between 277 and 413 kPa, respectively. In general, the results indicate that: (a) the combination of τo and τc controls the generation of γc and γp, (b) it is not always true that when τo/σ′ov + τc/σ′ov ≈ τmax/σ′ov, the soil reaches failure cyclically, and (c) empirical relations useful for design can be established between γc, γp, and the number of cycles (N), for different relationships varying (τo/σ′ov) between 0% and 25%.
Failure Mechanism of Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors under Transient High Impact
Authors: Yu Da , Dai Keren , Zhang Jinming , Yang Benqiang , Zhang He , Ma Shaojie
Published: November 2020

In recent years, penetrating weapons have been used more and more to attack increasingly hard targets; therefore, the impact of such a penetrating process has increased to an extremely high level. As an important component of a fuze, the reliability of the ceramic capacitor in high-impact environments is key for the normal working of the fuze. In this paper, we found that a high-impact causes parameter drift of the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), which further causes the fuze to misfire. This paper mainly studies the internal mechanism of the MLCC’s parameter drift during high impact. Firstly, transient physical phenomena, such as capacitance fluctuation and the leakage current increase of the ceramic capacitor under a high acceleration impact, were studied experimentally by a Machete hammer, revealing the relationship between the capacitance change, leakage current change, and acceleration under different working conditions. Secondly, a mechanical model of the ceramic capacitor is established to simulate the change in capacitance value, which shows that the main factor of the capacitance change is the deformation-derived change in the facing area between the electrodes. Lastly, an equivalent circuit model is established to simulate the change in the leakage current, which shows that the main factor of the leakage current change is the piezoelectric resistance of the ceramic dielectric.
Photodegradation of Phenolic Compounds from Water in the Presence of a Pd-Containing Exhausted Adsorbent
Authors: Lupa Lavinia , Cocheci Laura , Trica Bogdan , Coroaba Adina , Popa Adriana
Published: November 2020

A closed-cycle technology regarding the use of an exhausted Pd-based adsorbent as a photocatalyst in the degradation process of phenol is presented. Pd (II) represents a precious metal of great economic importance. Its obtained from natural sources become more difficult to achieve. Therefore, also considering the regulations of the “circular economy,” its recovery from secondary sources turn out to be a stringent issue in the last years. Pd(II) ions are removed from aqueous solution through adsorption onto Florisil (an inorganic solid support—magnesium silicate) impregnated with Cyphos IL 101 (trihexyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride). It was observed that the presence of the ionic liquid (IL) in the adsorbent structure doubles the adsorption efficiency of the studied materials. The newly obtained Pd-based photocatalyst was exhaustively characterized and was used in the degradation process of phenol from aqueous solutions. The phenol degradation process was studied in terms of the nature of the photocatalyst used, time of photodegradation and solid: liquid ratio. It was observed that both the presence of IL and Pd lead to an increase in the efficiency of the phenol degradation process. The new Pd-based photocatalyst could be efficiently used in more cycles of phenol photodegradation processes. When is used as a photocatalyst the Florisil impregnated with IL and loaded with 2 mg/g of Pd, a degree of mineralization of 93.75% is obtained after 180 min of irradiation of a phenol solution having a concentration of 20 mg/L and using a solid:liquid ratio = 1:1.
SNG Generation via Power to Gas Technology: Plant Design and Annual Performance Assessment
Authors: Perna Alessandra , Moretti Linda , Ficco Giorgio , Spazzafumo Giuseppe , Canale Laura , Dell’Isola Marco
Published: November 2020

Power to gas (PtG) is an emerging technology that allows to overcome the issues due to the increasingly widespread use of intermittent renewable energy sources (IRES). Via water electrolysis, power surplus on the electric grid is converted into hydrogen or into synthetic natural gas (SNG) that can be directly injected in the natural gas network for long-term energy storage. The core units of the Power to synthetic natural gas (PtSNG) plant are the electrolyzer and the methanation reactors where the renewable electrolytic hydrogen is converted to synthetic natural gas by adding carbon dioxide. A technical issue of the PtSNG plant is the different dynamics of the electrolysis unit and the methanation unit. The use of a hydrogen storage system can help to decouple these two subsystems and to manage the methanation unit for assuring long operation time and reducing the number of shutdowns. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the energy storage potential and the technical feasibility of the PtSNG concept to store intermittent renewable sources. Therefore, different plant sizes (1, 3, and 6 MW) have been defined and investigated by varying the ratio between the renewable electric energy sent to the plant and the total electric energy generated by the renewable energy source (RES) facility based on a 12 MW wind farm. The analysis has been carried out by developing a thermochemical and electrochemical model and a dynamic model. The first allows to predict the plant performance in steady state. The second allows to forecast the annual performance and the operation time of the plant by implementing the control strategy of the storage unit. The annual overall efficiencies are in the range of 42–44% low heating value (LHV basis). The plant load factor, i.e., the ratio between the annual chemical energy of the produced SNG and the plant capacity, results equal to 60.0%, 46.5%, and 35.4% for 1, 3, and 6 MW PtSNG sizes, respectively.
Case Study of a Heavy Snowstorm Associated with an Extratropical Cyclone Featuring a Back-Bent Warm Front Structure
Authors: Zhao Yu , Fu Liang , Yang Cheng-Fang , Chen Xiang-Fu
Published: November 2020

An extreme snowstorm event that occurred over Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces on 24–26 November 2013 was related to a cyclone characterized by a back-bent occluded front structure. This study investigates the structure of the back-bent occluded front and snowfall mechanism using multiple observations and NCEP/NCAR 1° × 1° reanalysis data in concert with the HYSPLIT model. The main results show that the extreme event was more synoptically governed by the outbreak of the polar vortex and moisture anomaly of the East Sea. The cyclone occurred just ahead of the 500-hPa merged deep trough, and then developed under the effect of the positive vorticity advection ahead of the 500-hPa trough and intense divergence of the upper-level jet. The south-southwest wind strengthened obviously after the merger of the southern and northern branch troughs, which was the main reason behind the cyclone moving northward. The moisture mainly originated from the Sea of Japan, insofar as that dry and cold air in the lower troposphere over the western mainland moistened obviously as it turned southward and passed over the Bohai Sea and the Sea of Japan, supplying abundant moisture for the snowstorm event. The intensity of moisture transport depended on the location and intensity of the cyclone. When the cyclone developed, the dry air continuously intruded into the cyclone’s center, and made a conveyor belt of warm air wrap around it. The dry air gradually changed from descending to ascending motion as it moved ahead of the westerly trough, while the moist air in the northern part of the cyclone moved to the west and south and incorporated into the south of the cyclone center. Warm and moist air was lifted and arrived in the northwestern part of the cyclone after the occluded front’s formation. Frontogenesis within the comma head was enhanced evidently owing to the rotation and deformation. The convergence between the southeast and northeast winds resulted in intense frontogenesis, leading to the enhancement of the front-scale ascent. Strong ascent formed in the comma head of the cyclone, which resulted in intense snowfall.
Characteristics of Extreme Value Statistics of Annual Maximum Monthly Precipitation in East Asia Calculated Using an Earth System Model of Intermediate Complexity
Authors: Nakaegawa Tosiyuki , Kobashi Takuro , Kamahori Hirotaka
Published: November 2020

Extreme precipitation is no longer stationary under a changing climate due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Nonstationarity must be considered when realistically estimating the amount of extreme precipitation for future prevention and mitigation. Extreme precipitation with a certain return level is usually estimated using extreme value analysis under a stationary climate assumption without evidence. In this study, the characteristics of extreme value statistics of annual maximum monthly precipitation in East Asia were evaluated using a nonstationary historical climate simulation with an Earth system model of intermediate complexity, capable of long-term integration over 12,000 years (i.e., the Holocene). The climatological means of the annual maximum monthly precipitation for each 100-year interval had nonstationary time series, and the ratios of the largest annual maximum monthly precipitation to the climatological mean had nonstationary time series with large spike variations. The extreme value analysis revealed that the annual maximum monthly precipitation with a return level of 100 years estimated for each 100-year interval also presented a nonstationary time series which was normally distributed and not autocorrelated, even with the preceding and following 100-year interval (lag 1). Wavelet analysis of this time series showed that significant periodicity was only detected in confined areas of the time–frequency space.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid Zinc- and Aspartyl-Binding Protease Profile of Individuals with Moderate/Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Valenzuela Fernando , Fernández Javier , Aroca Marcela , Jiménez Constanza , Albers Daniela , Hernández Marcela , Fernández Alejandra
Published: November 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a protease-modulated chronic disorder with heterogenous clinical manifestations which may lead to an imprecise diagnosis. To date, there are no diagnostic protease tests for AD. We explored the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) protease profile of individuals with moderate/severe AD compared to healthy controls. An exploratory case-control study was conducted. AD patients (n = 23) and controls (n = 21) were enrolled at the International Center for Clinical Studies, Santiago, Chile. Complete dermatological and periodontal evaluations (involving the collection of GCF samples) were made. The levels of 35 proteases were analyzed using a human protease antibody array in matching AD patients (n = 6) and controls (n = 6) with healthy periodontium. The GCF levels of zinc-binding ADAM8, ADAM9, MMP8, Neprilysin/CD10, aspartyl-binding Cathepsin E, serin-binding Protein convertase9, and uPA/Urokinase proteases were lower in moderate/severe AD patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). No inter-group differences in the levels of the other 28 proteases were found. MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9 were the biomarkers with the highest sensitivity and specificity regarding the detection of AD (p < 0.05). The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for MMP8 was 0.83 and MMP8 + ADAMP9 was 0.90, with no significant differences (p = 0.132). A combined model of MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9 was not considered since it did not converge. Then, levels of MMP8 in GCF were determined using a multiplex bead immunoassay in 23 subjects with AD and 21 healthy subjects. Lower levels of MMP8 in the GCF from the AD group versus healthy group (p = 0.029) were found. This difference remained significant after adjustment by periodontitis (p = 0.042). MMP8 revealed the diagnostic potential to identify AD patients versus healthy controls, (ROC area = 0.672, p < 0.05). In conclusion, differences in the protease profile between AD and control patients were associated with MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9. Based on the multiplex assay results, MMP8 was lower in AD patients than controls, suggesting that MMP8 may be a diagnostic biomarker candidate.
Monitoring Endothelin-A Receptor Expression during the Progression of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Stölting Miriam , Geyer Christiane , Helfen Anne , Hahnenkamp Anke , Usai Marco V. , Wardelmann Eva , Kuhlmann Michael T. , Wildgruber Moritz , Höltke Carsten
Published: November 2020

Cardiovascular disease remains the most frequent cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, is an inflammatory disorder associated with endothelial dysfunction. The endothelin system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. We aimed to reveal the expression levels of the endothelin-A receptor (ETAR) in the course of atherogenesis to reveal possible time frames for targeted imaging and interventions. We used the ApoE−/− mice model and human specimens and evaluated ETAR expression by quantitative rtPCR (qPCR), histology and fluorescence molecular imaging. We found a significant upregulation of ETAR after 22 weeks of high-fat diet in the aortae of ApoE−/− mice. With regard to translation to human disease, we applied the fluorescent probe to fresh explants of human carotid and femoral artery specimens. The findings were correlated with qPCR and histology. While ETAR is upregulated during the progression of early atherosclerosis in the ApoE−/− mouse model, we found that ETAR expression is substantially reduced in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, those expression changes were clearly depicted by fluorescence imaging using our in-house designed ETAR-Cy 5.5 probe confirming its specificity and potential use in future studies.
Differential Timing and Coordination of Neurogenesis and Astrogenesis in Developing Mouse Hippocampal Subregions
Authors: Bond Allison M. , Berg Daniel A. , Lee Stephanie , Garcia-Epelboim Alan S. , Adusumilli Vijay S. , Ming Guo-li , Song Hongjun
Published: November 2020

Neocortical development has been extensively studied and therefore is the basis of our understanding of mammalian brain development. One fundamental principle of neocortical development is that neurogenesis and gliogenesis are temporally segregated processes. However, it is unclear how neurogenesis and gliogenesis are coordinated in non-neocortical regions of the cerebral cortex, such as the hippocampus, also known as the archicortex. Here, we show that the timing of neurogenesis and astrogenesis in the Cornu Ammonis (CA) 1 and CA3 regions of mouse hippocampus mirrors that of the neocortex; neurogenesis occurs embryonically, followed by astrogenesis during early postnatal development. In contrast, we find that neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus begins embryonically but is a protracted process which peaks neonatally and continues at low levels postnatally. As a result, astrogenesis, which occurs during early postnatal development, overlaps with the process of neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. During all stages, neurogenesis overwhelms astrogenesis in the dentate gyrus. In addition, we find that the timing of peak astrogenesis varies by hippocampal subregion. Together, our results show differential timing and coordination of neurogenesis and astrogenesis in developing mouse hippocampal subregions and suggest that neurogenesis and gliogenesis occur simultaneously during dentate gyrus development, challenging the conventional principle that neurogenesis and gliogenesis are temporally separated processes.
Developmental Language Disorder: Wake and Sleep Epileptiform Discharges and Co-morbid Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Dlouha Olga , Prihodova Iva , Skibova Jelena , Nevsimalova Sona
Published: November 2020

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is frequently associated with other developmental diseases and may lead to a handicap through adolescence or adulthood. The aim of our retrospective study was to characterize DLD subgroups, their etiological factors and clinical comorbidities, and the role of epileptiform discharges in wake and sleep recordings. Fifty-five children (42 male, mean age 6.2 ± 1.4 years, range 4–9 years) were included in the present study and underwent phoniatric, psychologic, neurologic, as well as wake and nocturnal electroencephalography (EEG) or polysomnography (PSG) examinations. A receptive form of DLD was determined in 34 children (63.0%), and an expressive form was found in 20 children (37.0%). Poor cooperation in one child did not permit exact classification. DLD children with the receptive form had significantly lower mean phonemic hearing (79.1% ± 10.9) in comparison with those with the expressive form (89.7% ± 6.2, p < 0.001). A high amount of perinatal risk factors was found in both groups (50.9%) as well as comorbid developmental diseases. Developmental motor coordination disorder was diagnosed in 33 children (61.1%), and attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder was diagnosed in 39 children (70.9%). Almost one half of DLD children (49.1%) showed abnormalities on the wake EEG; epileptiform discharges were found in 20 children (36.4%). Nocturnal EEG and PSG recordings showed enhanced epileptiform discharges, and they were found in 30 children (55.6%, p = 0.01). The wake EEG showed focal discharges predominantly in the temporal or temporo-parieto-occipital regions bilaterally, while in the sleep recordings, focal activity was shifted to the fronto-temporo-central areas (p < 0.001). Almost all epileptiform discharges appeared in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. A close connection was found between DLD and perinatal risk factors, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders. Epileptiform discharges showed an enhancement in nocturnal sleep, and the distribution of focal discharges changed.
Cognitive Conflict in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Study Protocol
Authors: Suarez Victor , Feixas Guillem
Published: November 2020

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) represents a severe mental condition that is usually characterized by distressing identity disturbances. Although most prevailing explanatory models and psychotherapy approaches consider and intervene on self-concept, they seem not to recognize or explore idiosyncratic cognitive conflicts that patients may experience. These conflicts, which have been conceptualized as “implicative dilemmas” and “dilemmatic constructs” by personal construct theorists, could be considered as key elements of the explanatory model for BPD to provide a better understanding of this disorder and possibly enhance the effectiveness of contemporary psychotherapeutic approaches. The current study (Identifier: NCT04498104) aims to examine the characteristics of the interpersonal cognitive system of a group of patients diagnosed with BPD, using the repertory grid technique, and to compare them with those of a community sample. We will test if BPD participants are more affected by cognitive conflicts than controls. Additionally, we will gauge the association between cognitive conflicts and symptom severity as well as their predictive capacity of treatment outcome. The obtained results will be a necessary step to determine if cognitive conflicts have a substantial role on the explanation of BPD. It could also help to consider the development of a conflict resolution intervention module for this disorder.
Implementation of Passive Radiative Cooling Technology in Buildings: A Review
Authors: Suhendri  , Hu Mingke , Su Yuehong , Darkwa Jo , Riffat Saffa
Published: November 2020

Radiative cooling (RC) is attracting more interest from building engineers and architects. Using the sky as the heat sink, a radiative cooling material can be passively cooled by emitting heat to the sky. As a result of the development of material technology, RC research has been revived, with the aim of increasing the materials’ cooling power as well as finding reliable ways to utilize it in cooling for buildings. This review identifies some issues in the current implementation of RC technologies in buildings from an architectural point of view. Besides the technical performance of the RC technologies, some architectural aspects, such as integration with architectural features, aesthetic requirements, as well as fully passive implementations of RC, also need to be considered for building application. In addition, performance evaluation of a building-integrated RC system should begin to account for its benefit to the occupant’s health and comfort alongside the technical performance. In conclusion, this review on RC implementation in buildings provides a meaningful discussion in regard to the direction of the research.
Remaking Slums: International Examples of Upgrading Neighbourhoods
Authors: Montaner Josep Maria
Published: November 2020

The slum, self-constructed houses and neighbourhoods, signifies the dwelling and home for a very representative part of humanity. This text analyses the different typologies and the different possible and ethical strategies for foreseeing, for remaking and for the resettlement of these self-produced neighbourhoods. Some study cases and examples as references are presented, such as Solanda neighbourhood in Quito, Ecuador, and the Favela-Bairro programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This article is situated in the field of housing studies and focused specially on architectural issues.
Partial Hydrogenation of Anthracene with In Situ Hydrogen Produced from Water-Gas Shift Reaction over Fe-Based Catalysts
Authors: Liu He , Fan Shiguang , Gong Xu , Wang Jian , Guo Aijun , Chen Kun , Wang Zongxian
Published: November 2020

Partial hydrogenation of anthracene under CO-H2O, N2-H2O, and H2-H2O over Fe-based catalysts was studied at 400 °C and 10 MPa. Results show that the Fe-based catalysts display obvious catalytic activity for anthracene hydrogenation under CO-H2O instead of hydrogenation under N2-H2O and H2-H2O. The activity follows in the order of Fe(NO3)3·9H2O > Fe naphthenate > FeSO4·7H2O. Even though the amount of molecular hydrogen remains higher than that of in situ hydrogen, the anthracene conversion with in situ hydrogen is remarkably higher. It demonstrates that the in situ hydrogen is more active than molecular hydrogen for PAH hydrogenation. To further reveal the exact fate of these Fe-based catalysts, the decomposed products under CO-H2O, N2-H2O and H2-H2O were characterized by TG, XRD, and TEM. Results indicate that the Fe3O4 species play a key role in hydrogenation of anthracene under CO and H2O. Higher catalytic activity for Fe(NO3)3·9H2O is due to its complete decomposition at 350 °C to acquire higher concentration of active Fe3O4 species. The possible form of in situ hydrogen during this process is also discussed. Given that heavy oil contains abundant polyaromatics, these results are meaningful for enhancing hydrogen shuttling to heavy oil by producing natural hydrogen donors and, thus, benefiting the high-efficient upgrading.
Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of MoS2/ZnSe Heterostructures for the Degradation of Levofloxacin
Authors: Sitara Effat , Ehsan Muhammad Fahad , Nasir Habib , Iram Sadia , Bukhari Syeda Aqsa Batool
Published: November 2020

Antibiotics have been extensively used over the last few decades. Due to their extensive usage and persistence in the environment, they are considered as emergent pollutants. It is, therefore, important to synthesize new materials for efficient antibiotic degradation. Herein, we report the MoS2/ZnSe heterostructures prepared by a simple ultrasonication method. Heterostructures were prepared with different ratios of MoS2 and ZnSe, i.e., 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1. Characterization of the heterostructures was done by UV-vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques to understand the morphology and surface chemistry. The results show that an efficient interface was formed to harness the visible light and degrade levofloxacin, which was monitored by gradual decreases in the UV-vis absorbance signal of levofloxacin. Among the prepared heterostructures and their pure counter parts, MoS2/ZnSe 3:1 (3:1 MZ) showed a better degradation activity of 73.2% as compared to pure MoS2 (29%) and ZnSe (17.1%) in the presence of visible light in a time span of two hours. The reusability studies showed that the catalytic performance of 3:1 MZ did not decrease significantly after three cycles. Moreover, the morphology and the crystal structure also remained unchanged.
Effects of ASL Rhyme and Rhythm on Deaf Children’s Engagement Behavior and Accuracy in Recitation: Evidence from a Single Case Design
Authors: Holcomb Leala , Wolbers Kimberly
Published: November 2020

Early language acquisition is critical for lifelong success in language, literacy, and academic studies. There is much to explore about the specific techniques used to foster deaf children’s language development. The use of rhyme and rhythm in American Sign Language (ASL) remains understudied. This single-subject study compared the effects of rhyming and non-rhyming ASL stories on the engagement behavior and accuracy in recitation of five deaf children between three and six years old in an ASL/English bilingual early childhood classroom. With the application of alternating treatment design with initial baseline, it is the first experimental research of its kind on ASL rhyme and rhythm. Baseline data revealed the lack of rhyme awareness in children and informed the decision to provide intervention as a condition to examine the effects of explicit handshape rhyme awareness instruction on increasing engagement behavior and accuracy in recitation. There were four phases in this study: baseline, handshape rhyme awareness intervention, alternating treatments, and preference. Visual analysis and total mean and mean difference procedures were employed to analyze results. The findings indicate that recitation skills in young deaf children can be supported through interventions utilizing ASL rhyme and rhythm supplemented with ASL phonological awareness activities. A potential case of sign language impairment was identified in a native signer, creating a new line of inquiry in using ASL rhyme, rhythm, and phonological awareness to detect atypical language patterns.
A Validation and Cost-Analysis Study of a Targeted School-Based Dental Check-Up Intervention: Children’s Dental Program
Authors: Nguyen Tan Minh , Christian Bradley , Koshy Sajeev , Morgan Michael Vivian
Published: November 2020

Background: Limited evidence exists to inform best practice approaches to implement school-based dental screening to address child retention via referral for dental services. This research tested the null hypothesis that a targeted school-based dental check-up program (intervention) has a 75% child retention rate for public dental care (H0 = 0.75). Methods: A prospective non-randomised controlled trial was conducted with a convenience sampling approach in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Children in the intervention group were recruited from two preschools and two primary schools from a low socioeconomic area. Children in the standard care group were recruited from the local public dental service. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata IC Version 12. Results: Children in the intervention (45%) were significantly less likely to have never had a dental check-up compared to standard care (20%) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the child retention rate for the intervention group when compared against the null hypothesis (p = 0.954). The total society costs were AU$754.7 and AU$612.2 for the intervention and standard care groups, respectively (p = 0.049). Conclusions: This validation study provides evidence that a targeted school-based dental check-up program can achieve a 75% child retention rate and should be considered for program expansion.
Synthesis, Structure and Physical Properties of (trans-TTF-py2)1.5(PF6)·EtOH: A Molecular Conductor with Weak CH∙∙∙N Hydrogen Bondings
Authors: Koyama Shohei , Kawai Morio , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro , Hoshino Norihisa , Akutagawa Tomoyuki , Kanno Manabu , Iguchi Hiroaki
Published: November 2020

The studies of crystal structures with hydrogen bonds have been actively pursued because of their moderate stabilization energy for constructing unique structures. In this study, we synthesized a molecular conductor based on 2,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene (trans-TTF-py2). Two pyridyl groups were introduced into the TTF skeleton toward the structural exploration in TTF-based molecular conductors involved by hydrogen bonds. In the obtained molecular conductor, (trans-TTF-py2)1.5(PF6)·EtOH, short contacts between the pyridyl group and the hydrogen atom of the TTF skeleton were observed, indicating that hydrogen bonding interactions were introduced in the crystal structure. Spectroscopic measurements and conductivity measurement revealed semiconducting behavior derived from π-stacked trans-TTF-py2 radical in the crystal structure. Finally, these results are discussed with the quantified hydrogen bonding stabilization energy, and the band calculation of the crystal obtained from density functional theory calculation.
Long-Term, Gridded Standardized Precipitation Index for Hawai‘i
Authors: Lucas Matthew P. , Trauernicht Clay , Frazier Abby G. , Miura Tomoaki
Published: November 2020

Spatially explicit, wall-to-wall rainfall data provide foundational climatic information but alone are inadequate for characterizing meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, or ecological drought. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is one of the most widely used indicators of drought and defines localized conditions of both drought and excess rainfall based on period-specific (e.g., 1-month, 6-month, 12-month) accumulated precipitation relative to multi-year averages. A 93-year (1920–2012), high-resolution (250 m) gridded dataset of monthly rainfall available for the State of Hawai‘i was used to derive gridded, monthly SPI values for 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month intervals. Gridded SPI data were validated against independent, station-based calculations of SPI provided by the National Weather Service. The gridded SPI product was also compared with the U.S. Drought Monitor during the overlapping period. This SPI product provides several advantages over currently available drought indices for Hawai‘i in that it has statewide coverage over a long historical period at high spatial resolution to capture fine-scale climatic gradients and monitor changes in local drought severity.
Mobile Diagnostic Devices for Digital Transformation in Personalized Healthcare
Authors: Ceylan Koydemir Hatice , Ray Aniruddha
Published: November 2020

Mobile devices have increasingly become an essential part of the healthcare system worldwide [...]