bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of anorectal manometry measures to severity of fecal incontinence in patients with anorectal malformations – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bjørsum-Meyer T. , Christensen P , Jakobsen M. S. , Baatrup G. , Qvist N
Published: April 2020

Anorectal malformations (ARM) are a spectrum of anomalies of the rectum and anal canal affecting 1 in 2500 to 5000 live births. Functional problems are common and related to the type of ARM and associated malformations. We aimed to evaluate the results of Three-dimensional High Resolution Anorectal Manometry (3D-HRAM) in long-term follow-up after surgical correction of ARM with special reference to fecal incontinence. Twenty-one patients with anorectal malformations and primary repair at our center consented to participate in the study. Pressures of the anal sphincter muscles and defects were addressed by 3D-HRAM. Fecal incontinence and disease-specific quality of life were evaluated by the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life score and Wexner incontinence score respectively. The study was approved by the Committee in Health Research Ethics and the Danish Data Protection Agency. Median age was 22(12–31) years and 13(67%) participants were females. Sphincter defect was present in 48% (N = 10) of participants. Participants with sphincter defects had significant higher Wexner score and size of sphincter defects and mean anal squeeze pressure were correlated to Wexner score. Participants with or without sphincter defects did not differ on manometry parameters including resting anal and squeeze pressure or disease-specific quality of life. In a study of the long-term outcome after repair of anorectal malformations we found a higher Wexner incontinence score in the presence of an anal sphincter defect and the size of the defect and mean anal squeeze pressure were correlated to the Wexner incontinence score.
Thymus and Activation-regulated Chemokine as a Biomarker for IgG4-related Disease
Authors: Umeda Masataka , Origuchi Tomoki , Kawashiri Shin-ya , Koga Tomohiro , Ichinose Kunihiro , Furukawa Kaori , Sato Tomohito , Tsuji Sousuke , Endo Yushiro , Takatani Ayuko , Shimizu Toshimasa , Fukui Shoichi , Iwamoto Naoki , Igawa Takashi , Tamai Mami , Nakamura Hideki , Kawakami Atsushi
Published: April 2020

High serum concentrations of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) are observed in allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Frequent allergic symptoms have been reported in patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). We investigated the pathogenic role of TARC as a biomarker in IgG4-RD patients. We evaluated the serum concentrations of TARC from 29 IgG4-RD patients, 28 primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) patients, and 23 healthy controls (HCs) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We analyzed the correlations between the TARC concentrations and the subjects’ clinical parameters. To investigate the biological effect of TARC on the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD, we evaluated the in vitro induction of plasmablasts from IgG4-RD patients by TARC. The serum concentrations of TARC in the IgG4-RD patients were significantly higher than those of the pSS patients and HCs. The serum TARC concentration of the IgG4-RD group was positively correlated with the IgG4-RD responder index (IgG4-RD RI) score and with the number of organs involved, but it was not correlated with the serum IgG4 level or eosinophil number in the IgG4-RD patients’ peripheral blood. The patients who had lung involvement had higher serum TARC concentrations. In vitro, TARC clearly induced the formation of plasmablasts from the IgG4-RD patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, our data suggest that a systemic increment of TARC may contribute to the development of IgG4-RD through an aberrant induction of plasmablasts.
Liquid water intake of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum: Implications for tick survival and management
Authors: Maldonado-Ruiz L. Paulina , Park Yoonseong , Zurek Ludek
Published: April 2020

Ixodid ticks are ectoparasites that feed exclusively on blood as their source of nutrients. Although ticks spend most of their life off the host, until now it has been assumed that the blood and the water vapor are the only sources of water to maintain water balance and prevent desiccation. Here we report for the first time that adult lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum, also actively drink nutrient-free water, which greatly increases their survival. The volume of ingested water is greater in females than males (0.55 ± 0.06 vs 0.44 ± 0.07 µl) and most likely due to differences in tick size. Water uptake occurs through mouthparts and it can be later observed in the salivary glands and the midgut. We also exploited this behavior by adding a variety of inorganic compounds and microorganisms to water. Addition of inorganic salts to drinking water such as KH2PO4 + NaCl+KNO3 resulted in 100% tick mortality within 3 days. As a proof of concept for using the water drinking as a delivery route of toxic reagents for ticks, we also show that adding Pseudomonas aeruginosa to drinking water quickly leads to tick death. This tick behavior can be exploited to target important physiological systems, which would make ticks vulnerable to dehydration and microbial dysbiosis.
Explicit Grammar Intervention in Young School-Aged Children With Developmental Language Disorder: An Efficacy Study Using Single-Case Experimental Design
Authors: Calder Samuel D. , Claessen Mary , Ebbels Susan , Leitão Suze
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study evaluated the efficacy of an explicit, combined metalinguistic training and grammar facilitation intervention aimed at improving regular past tense marking for nine children aged 5;10–6;8 (years;months) with developmental language disorder.

Method

This study used an ABA across-participant multiple-baseline single-case experimental design. Participants were seen one-on-one twice a week for 20- to 30-min sessions for 10 weeks and received explicit grammar intervention combining metalinguistic training using the SHAPE CODING system with grammar facilitation techniques (a systematic cueing hierarchy). In each session, 50 trials to produce the target form were completed, resulting in a total of 1,000 trials over 20 individual therapy sessions. Repeated measures of morphosyntax were collected using probes, including trained past tense verbs, untrained past tense verbs, third-person singular verbs as an extension probe, and possessive
's
as a control probe. Probing contexts included expressive morphosyntax and grammaticality judgment. Outcome measures also included pre–poststandard measures of expressive and receptive grammar.

Results

Analyses of repeated measures demonstrated significant improvement in past tense production on trained verbs (eight of nine children) and untrained verbs (seven of nine children), indicating efficacy of the treatment. These gains were maintained for 5 weeks. The majority of children made significant improvement on standardized measures of expressive grammar (eight of nine children). Only five of nine children improved on grammaticality judgment or receptive measures.

Conclusion

Results continue to support the efficacy of explicit grammar interventions to improve past tense marking in early school-aged children. Future research should aim to evaluate the efficacy of similar interventions with group comparison studies and determine whether explicit grammar interventions can improve other aspects of grammatical difficulty for early school-aged children with developmental language disorder.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.11958771
Adaptive road detection method combining lane line and obstacle boundary
Authors: Li Jing , Shi Xinxin , Wang Junzheng , Yan Min
Published: April 2020

In order to realise autonomous navigation of unmanned platforms in urban or off‐road environments, it is crucial to study accurate, versatile and real‐time road detection methods. This study proposes an adaptive road detection method that combines lane lines and obstacle boundaries, which can be applied to a variety of driving environments. Combining multi‐channel threshold processing, it is robust to lane feature detection under various complex situations. Obstacle information extracted from the grid image constructed by 3D LIDAR point cloud is used for lane feature selection to avoid interference from pedestrians and vehicles. The proposed method makes use of adaptive sliding window for feature selection, and piecewise least squares method for road line fitting. Experimental results on dataset and in real‐world environments show that the proposed method can overcome illumination changes, shadow occlusion, pedestrian, vehicle interference and so on in a variety of scenes. The proposed method has good enough efficiency, robustness and real‐time performance.
Forecasting of Technology Development of the Arctic Hydrocarbon Resources’ Extraction
Authors: Chvileva Tatiana
Published: April 2020

The Arctic region has a great potential in development of hydrocarbon resources and can play an important role in meeting future global energy needs. In the presented work the specific features of the Arctic hydrocarbon projects are identified. Key needs of oil and gas industry in technology development within the framework of projects of extraction of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic are revealed. A critical analysis of technological forecasting methods is presented. Problems and prospects of their use in the conditions of the Arctic zones are established. The need for an integrated approach to forecasting the development of industrial systems of the Arctic zone is justified.
Gabapentinoid prescription in oral medicine and oral surgery practice. Part I − Experience from a French Orofacial pain clinic
Authors: Sulukdjian Arek , L'homme Richard , Chanlon Audrey , Moreau Nathan
Published: April 2020

Gabapentinoids, pregabalin and gabapentin, are neuronal voltage-gated calcium channel inhibitors mainly prescribed for the treatment of partial epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Although their efficacy as first-line treatments for painful neuropathic conditions (and several non-neuropathic painful conditions) has been well established in general medical practice, their efficacy and prescription in Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery practice has received little attention so far. This didactic article, the first of a two-part series, aims to present the experience of a French tertiary orofacial pain clinic regarding the prescription of gabapentinoids in Orofacial pain conditions that fall within the scope of the oral surgeon's practice.
Abnormal Placentation and Umbilical Cord Insertion
Authors: Hoopmann Markus , Kagan Karl Oliver
Published: April 2020

In the last decades, abnormal placentation and umbilical cord insertion have become an increasingly relevant and feared pathology in obstetrics with increased morbidity and mortality for mother and child. In addition to several increasingly common risk factors, such as assisted reproduction, the main reason for the increased occurrence is the greater frequency of Cesarean sections. Correct diagnosis, which is primarily determined sonographically, is essential for targeted perinatal management. In particular, the diagnostic criteria and current management recommendations are described in the following article.
Atemunterstützung bei schwerer Behinderung
Authors: Schlichting Helga
Published: April 2020

Die Atmung als physiologische Funktion ist eine grundlegende und elementare Funktion, die wohl am meisten lebensbedrohlich erlebt wird, wenn sie einer Störung unterworfen ist. Der folgende Beitrag stellt die physiologischen Probleme der Atmung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit schwerer Behinderung dar und beschreibt Möglichkeiten der pflegerischen und therapeutischen Einflussnahme. Es wird aufgezeigt, wie eine Kommunikation über die Atmung möglich ist und wie diese Art des Dialogs durch Berührungen oder musikalische Angebote zusätzlich unterstützt werden kann.
Latente Tuberkuloseinfektion (LTBI) bei medizinischem Personal nach Auslandseinsätzen
Authors: Meier I. , Schablon A. , Nienhaus A. , Konigorski S.
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund Hilfsorganisationen senden medizinisches Personal ins Ausland, um dort humanitäre Hilfe zu leisten. Die Einsatzgebiete sind häufig Hochinzidenzländer für Tuberkulose. Deshalb wurde die Prävalenz einer Infektion mit Mycobacterium tuberculosis bei Personal mit solchen Einsätzen untersucht.

Methoden In einer Querschnittsuntersuchung (n = 95) wurde die Prävalenz der latenten Tuberkuloseinfektion (LTBI) nach mindestens einem Auslandseinsatz bei medizinischem Personal aus Deutschland untersucht. Die Testung auf LTBI wurde mittels IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) durchgeführt; relevante Risikofaktoren wurden mithilfe eines Fragebogens erfasst. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte mit Kreuztabellen und multipler logistischer Regression.

Ergebnisse Die LTBI-Prävalenz in der Stichprobe betrug 12,63 %, 95 %-KI (7,70 %; 23,89 %) und stieg mit dem Alter (OR = 1,06, 95 %-KI [1,01; 1,12], p-Wert = 0,021, pro Lebensjahr) sowie der Länge der Auslandsaufenthalte (OR = 1,11, 95 %-KI [1,03; 1,21], p-Wert = 0,009, pro Monat).

Diskussion In unserer Studie war die LTBI-Prävalenz bei medizinischem Personal mit Auslandseinsätzen höher als in früheren Studien, in denen Beschäftigte nach Kontakt zu infektiösen Patienten oder Materialien untersucht wurden. Um im Ausland erworbene LTBI-Infektionen detektieren zu können, scheint eine Testung vor und nach einem Auslandseinsatz notwendig zu sein.
Clinical Characteristics and Factors Associated with Disease
Progression in Chinese Patients with Connective Tissue Disease and Pulmonary
Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Zhang Haichao , Liu xiaoyan Xiaoyan
Published: April 2020

Objective To clarify the characteristics, survival, and predictors of
mortality in Chinese patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
associated with connective tissue disease (CTD).

Methods This single-cohort study involved 67 CTD-PAH patients who visited
Shanghai Renji Hospital between January 2011 and January 2019. Baseline clinical
features and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Logistic regression was used
to determine the independent factors associated with mPAP improvement.

Results SLE was the major underlying CTD, affecting 70% of PAH
patients, whereas systemic sclerosis was less common (6%). Modern PAH
drug use was associated with a favorable outcome and mPAP improvement.

Conclusion The majority of the CTD-PAH population in China suffers from
SLE in contrast to the CTD-PAH patients in the USA and Europe. Pulmonary
vasodilation treatment has improved the mPAP in these patients.
eHealth Technologies Enable more Accessible Hearing Care
Authors: Swanepoel De Wet
Published: April 2020

Hearing loss is a pervasive global health care burden affecting up to one in every seven persons of whom 90% reside in low- and middle-income countries. Traditional service-delivery models are unable to support and promote accessible and affordable hearing care in these setting. Major barriers include a severe shortage of hearing health care professionals, costs associated with equipment, facilities and treatments, and centralized service-delivery models. Convergence of digital and connectivity revolutions are combining to enable new ways of delivering decentralized audiological services along the entire patient journey using integrated eHealth solutions. eHealth technologies are allowing nonprofessionals in communities (e.g., community health workers) to provide hearing services with point-of-care devices at reduced cost with remote surveillance and support by professionals. A growing body of recent evidence showcases community-based hearing care within an integrated eHealth framework that addresses some of the barriers of traditional service-delivery models at reduced cost. Future research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, must explore eHealth-supported hearing care services from detection through to treatment.
The hidden curriculum of work in English language education
Authors: Sayer Peter
Published: April 2020

There has been a rapid global expansion of English instruction in the early grades in public school curricula. Particularly in so-called developing countries, the increase of and its shift from exclusively private to public education is linked to the idea that acquiring English promotes personal, social, and economic development. The author takes one case of a recent early English program, the national program in Mexico, and argues that it is a representative case of a language education programme and policy organized around neoliberal principles. The policy’s stated goal is to address issues of access and equity for public school students; however, findings indicate that the actual processes of teaching and learning at the classroom level remain highly stratified across social class lines. An analysis of English lessons in schools at different points on the socioeconomic spectrum illustrates that instruction is preparing children with certain types of skills and dispositions congruent to their class position and revealing the hidden curriculum of work in early English education.
Cultural threads in three primary schools
Authors: Driscoll Patricia , Holliday Adrian
Published: April 2020

This paper explores headteachers’ and teachers’ perceptions of foreign languages(FL) and cultural learning in
three primary schools in areas of disadvantage in England. Drawing upon a new theoretical frame for primary languages, Critical
Cosmopolitanism (Delanty, 2006; Beck and Sznaider,
2006) and The Grammar of Culture (Holliday, 2018), we argue that the grand
narrative of a target language inhabited by a target culture is outdated and approaches to cultural learning in primary schools
could lead the way. There is substantial evidence that most learners find language lessons fun, particularly activities such as
songs, stories and intercultural events (Driscoll et al., 2004, 2014; Cable et al. 2010). The discourse on conditions for
inclusive practice is less commonplace and little is known about FL learning in areas of high deprivation (Nikolov & Mihaljević Djigunović, 2011). Teachers and headteachers in this study were committed to
cultural learning and staff adopted creative approaches to teaching. The findings, however, also indicate that traditional notions
of a mono or homogenised national culture with associated stereotypes linger in teachers’ framing of FL. There exists a need for a
more personalised approach to cultural learning drawing upon children’s own cultural experiences. Data was analysed thematically
following strict ethical guidelines and all names were anonymised to ensure confidentiality.
Using young learners’ language environments for EFL learning
Authors: Roos Jana , Nicholas Howard
Published: April 2020

In this article we explore how primary school learners of English in Germany engage with examples of English that
they were asked to locate in their local environments (their linguistic landscapes, LLs). In association with each located image,
the learners completed a standardised worksheet in German that asked for brief written comments about its location, the reason why
they had selected the image and why they thought that English had been used. Their written reflections demonstrate that these
children are remarkably sophisticated in their analyses of linguistic, social and cultural aspects of what they found. They show
that with nuanced pedagogies primary school children can benefit greatly from leaving the classroom to find language examples in
the worlds around them.
Perspectives on bi- and multilingual children’s participation in kindergartensin Iceland
Authors: Ragnarsdóttir Hanna
Published: April 2020

Cultural and linguistic diversity of kindergarten children in Iceland has been growing rapidly in recent years
(Reykjavíkurborg, Skóla- og frístundasvið, 2017; Statistics Iceland, 2017), creating challenges for kindergartens. The main aim of the paper is to explore
how principals, kindergarten teachers and parents in three kindergartens in Iceland experience diversity, inclusion and
participation in their kindergartens and what learning spaces and educational practices seem to be instrumental for their
children’s participation. The paper builds on data from the Nordic research project Learning Spaces for Inclusion and
Social Justice: Success Stories from Immigrant Students and School Communities in Four Nordic countries (2013–2015),
the aim of which was to draw lessons from success stories of individual immigrant students and whole school communities at
different levels that have succeeded in developing learning contexts that are equitable and socially just (Ragnarsdóttir, 2015; Ragnarsdóttir & Kulbrandstad, 2018).
Case studies were conducted in three kindergartens, including semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers, principals
and parents as well as observation (Flick, 2006; Kvale, 2007). The findings indicate that the kindergartens have developed various inclusive and empowering educational
practices to respond to the growing diversity. However, some challenges appear in the findings, including lack of sustainability
of good practices.
Comparative analysis of different hybrid energy system for sustainable power supply: A case study
Authors: Bista Aayush , Khadka Nasib , Shrestha Ashish , Bista Diwakar
Published: April 2020

Hybrid Power System (HPS) is an energy system with combination of different regenerative energy sources like Solar, Wind, Geo-Thermal, Biomass and several others to achieve energy sustainability. This paper investigates the feasibility of grid connected and stand-alone hybrid energy system to meet electric load requirement of a community or organization, by utilizing the available resources. Potentiality of different energy sources like solar, wind, bio-gas, etc. along with currently used energy sources is studied thoroughly by taking a case study of Kathmandu University central campus, located at Dhulikhel, Nepal. Technical and economic analysis of on-grid and off-grid hybrid system is performed to get optimum model that supply continuous energy to the end user. Furthermore, the possibility of net metering with national utility has been analysed. The main objective of this study is to identify the suitable energy mixed model, that provide the sustainable energy supply to the university, and recommend the possible energy generators to be added for fulfilling the continuously increasing load demand. The load profile of several years of the University is taken into consideration for forecasting the power demand. The findings of the research show that system when adopted to hybrid system can meet up to 55% of the load by renewable resources. Maximum renewable fraction is found to be 0.603 and maximum renewable penetration of 812%.
Multi-objective optimization of water exchanges between a wastewater treatment facility and algal biofuel production plant
Authors: Caligan Carlo James A. , Garcia Maria Mikayla S. , Mitra Jericho L. , Mayol Andres Philip , San Juan Jayne Lois G. , Culaba Alvin B.
Published: April 2020

Wastewater treatment facilities are known to process water by removing nutrients before being discharged into different water bodies or reused. Traditional treatment of wastewater, however, leads to the emission of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change and air pollution. Thus, there is a need to identify the optimal configuration of treatment processes wastewater, coming from different sources, have to go through to satisfy the output quality requirements of various disposal or reuse options, while minimizing costs and negative impact to the environment In addition, microalgae cultivation is a treatment alternative for wastewater since it can remove metals, nutrients, and contaminants from wastewater, with the added benefit of carbon sequestration. The cultivated algae can then be converted to renewable energy. Despite the potential benefits that can be gained from integrating wastewater treatment facilities with microalgal biofuel production, no optimization study has considered this opportunity. Considering different wastewater inputs, the joint system would select the best treatment process for nutrient removal and cultivating algae, weighing the trade-offs in cultivating algae on different water mediums, the appropriate harvesting technique, and whether the water by-product should be sent back to the treatment facility for further processing, disposal, or reuse. The energy produced from the plant may either be sold or used to operate the two facilities. In this work, a novel multi-objective optimization model is developed to design economically and environmentally efficient integration of wastewater treatment facilities and microalgal biofuel production plants through water exchanges. A case study is solved to demonstrate the model’s decision on three different scenarios. In the objective of minimizing the costs, the model utilized the production of biofuels since it was subtracted from the expenses. As for minimizing carbon emissions, the model decided to operate the wastewater treatment plant since there were less processes used in the model. When goal programming was used in order to satisfy both objectives, the model found a balance between the two plants which in return chose the have some exchanges present.
Design and development of prototype carpal wrist cold gas propulsion system for attitude control applications
Authors: Alvarez J , Tan M , Apolinar M , Ong W , Alemania T , Augusto G , Gan Lim L
Published: April 2020

In recent years, the Philippine space program has launched several small-scale satellites, and lately has commissioned its own space program. Research on improving the subsystems of these satellites would be beneficial to future space programs in the Philippines. This paper will detail the process of designing, validating, fabricating, and testing a prototype Carpal Wrist Cold Gas Propulsion System (CW-CGPS). By making use of a carpal wrist’s (CW) hemispherical movement capabilities, the sixteen thrusters could theoretically be replaced by four mounted on opposite ends. Optimization of the propulsion system is based on finding the nozzle design with the most adequate values for thrust, Mach number, and specific impulse while the CW design is validated when it can be calibrated to move as the program dictates. This study uses multiple programs to simulate and verify the design. The conditions of the testing environment are established by resources from international space organizations. Assembly and feasibility are assessed based on the results of the research. It was found that the final optimized system had a model torque of 0.247 N-m, more than enough to overcome the maximum combined influence of the gravity gradient torque of 2.34E-06 N-m and aerodynamic torque of 1.57E-25 N-m. The design, development, and test campaign for the thruster system is presented.
Influence of sintering profile on the mechanical properties of manganese oxide doped 3Y-TZP
Authors: Theenagaran S , Chin K L , Jun H K , Liang M S , Ng C K , Ramesh S , Teng W D , Ting C H
Published: April 2020

Zirconia ceramic has been identified as one of the advanced ceramic material with great mechanical properties which is used as engineering and implant materials. However, the great potential of the ceramic is hindered by low temperature degradation (LTD) where the ceramic experiencing t-m phase transformation that weakens the properties of 3Y-TZP in the presence of moisture. Two-step sintering was found to be effective in producing fully resistance 3Y-TZY but very long holding time is required. Manganese Oxide (MnO2) is reported as good densification aid at low sintering temperature for 3Y-TZP but the LTD issue is not fully resolved. In this study, the effects of different sintering profiles and dwell time on 3Y-TZP added with 0.5 wt.% of MnO2 were studied in order to improve the resistance towards LTD without affecting the intrinsic properties of the ceramic. The effects of adding 0.5 wt.% of manganese oxide (MnO2) into 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) were studied using different sintering profiles and dwell time. The samples were sintered at 1400°C and 1250°C with varying dwell time of 1 min and 2 hours for single step sintering and a combination of 1 min and 30 min, 2 hours and 25 hours for two step sintering. The optimal sintering profile was Profile C2 where doped 3Y-TZP undergone two step sintering with dwell time of 1 minute at 1400°C and 1250°C for 30 minutes. At this optimal sintering conditions, the doped 3Y-TZP samples exhibited 98.5% relative density, with Young’s Modulus of 206.66 GPa and Vicker’s Hardness of 14.35 GPa.
Revisiting tin melting for phase change model verification
Authors: Irwan M A M , Nor Azwadi C S , Asako Y
Published: April 2020

Model verification is necessary before numerical models can be applied to produce meaningful results. For solid-liquid phase change modelling involving convection, pure gallium and tin melting have been widely used as reference for verification. It was later found that contrasting observations have been reported on the flow structure of both metals in the liquid region during the phase change process. Some researchers have reported monocellular while others reported multicellular structures in past works. In this work, tin melting problem was revisited by extending the results to flow structure visualization with Line Integral Convolution (LIC) plots to confirm the flow structure for tin melting thus pure metals in general. Enthalpy-porosity formulation coupled with Finite-Volume Method (FVM) was used to solve the set of governing equations which represented the problem at Prandtl Number = 0.02, Stefan Number = 0.01 and Rayleigh Number = 2.5 x 105. The location of solid-liquid interface and LIC plots at different times were presented. At initial state, the solid-liquid interface was closely similar for all grid sizes but as time progresses, finer grids provided improved solutions as expected. Reasonable fine grid size must be selected for solid-liquid phase change models to ensure complete physics of the problems are captured and eventually yield acceptable numerical results. The LIC plots confirmed that the flow structure is multicellular. Future phase change models referring to pure metal melting problem for verification should obtain similar flow structure to be considered acceptable.
Simulation and experimental analysis of shell and tube heat exchanger for the drying system
Authors: Pankaew Songchai , Tantikul Samerkhwan , Wongsiriamnuay Thanasit , Khamdaeng Tipapon , Tippayawong Nakorn , Panyoyai Numpon
Published: April 2020

In this research, heat transfer simulation is a part of the application of heat transfer from the biochar production process for the drying system. This research aimed to investigate the three-dimensional transient conditions of the simulation used to predict heat transfer of heat exchangers comparing with the experimental study. The working fluid used inside the tube was hot water with a mass flow rate of 10 LPM. The results obtained from the simulation and the experiment analysis were heat transfer from hot water to cold air through the heat exchangers. The temperatures of hot water inlet the heat exchanger were set as 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C, respectively. Air flowed through the heat exchangers was set as 1 m/s, 2 m/s, 3 m/s, 4 m/s, and 5 m/s, respectively. The coil pipe has the outsider diameter at 1.9 cm and four panels. It was set up on a box case with 100 cm of width and height and 45 cm of length. The results showed that when the water temperature increased from 50 °C to 80 °C and airflow speed through the heat exchangers of 3 m/s, the temperature difference of air through the heat exchangers increased from 3.2 °C, 4.7 °C, 5.20 °C and 6.2 °C respectively. On the other hand, when the airflow speed through the heat exchangers increased from 1 m/s to 2 m/s, 3 m/s, 4 m/s and 5 m/s respectively, the temperature difference of air through the heat exchangers decreased from 11.81 °C to 7.33 °C, 6.20 °C, 5.20 °C, and 5.05 °C respectively. The simulated heat transfer coefficient inside the region of heat exchangers was an agreement with the experimental data. The results indicated that the simulation could be attained in the system compared with the actual experimental analysis.
A framework based on big data for intelligent monitoring of battery packs
Authors: Li Wei , Gao Liang , Garg Akhil
Published: April 2020

Existing literature focus on the prediction of states of batteries are scattered and are individually studied based on several battery aspects such as: 1) Chemical (ionic concentration measurement or diffusion coefficient evaluation), 2) Electrochemical (capacity), 3) Electrical (internal resistance), 4) Thermal (temperature), 5) Mechanical (stack/enclosure stress) and 6) In-situ/ex-situ (characterization methods to measure porosity and grain size). Unfortunately, these studies have been done by experts of different fields and are yet to be combined in a common platform to predict the states of batteries in a comprehensive way. In this paper, the aim of this research is to propose a framework so as to establish a big database (from sources of literature, by performing real-time experiments and uncertainty studies) for batteries at all operating conditions by incorporating all aforesaid aspects. Once the data base is established, a suitable artifical intelligence approach such as artificial neural network will be applied to train and build the model for state of health prediction and physical evaluation that subsequently have the prime advantage of accurately predicting the battery capacity at system level as well as cell level based on all existing design parameters (diffusion coefficient, grain size, temperature, internal resistance, etc.) from the big database. Data collection will be processed on brand new batteries by repeating cycles of charge and discharge modes under dynamic current profiles at different temperatures for accuracy. The proposed battery model can be then integrated to the battery management system in the electric vehicle without any additional integration complexity.
Timber transportation planning using bees algorithm
Authors: Jamhuri J , Norizah K , Hasmadi M I , Siti A A
Published: April 2020

Timber transportation planning is among the costliest activities in forest operation. Traditionally, the goal of timber transportation planning adopted to determine feasible way to extract high timber volume from the stump site to the final destination. However, modern transportation problems are not driven by the productivity of timber itself, but also by the efficiency of forest operation. This efficiency considerations and requirements introduce a new technique in timber extraction called log fisher as a complement to common technique, cable skidder. Nevertheless, side constraints within timber transportation planning may arise when two timber extraction techniques applied, complicates to and from several problems more extensive and more complex. While cable skidders affixed only on gentle slopes, log fishers possibly applicable regardless of slope conditions. Proper evaluation required to justify decisions since the use of these two techniques in the right places will result in efficient timber transportation planning. In the present study, a new problem-solving approach using Bees Algorithm (BA) was developed. BA can provide transportation planner with a large and complex transportation planning problem solving while complying with the forest road guidelines as required by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. Herein, timber extraction technique is considered the least-cost in the main objective function for an efficient timber transportation planning and limitation of machinery to extract timber as constraints. Preliminary results show that this problem solving is promising for timber transportation planning problems with side constraints. A description of the algorithm development and its search process presented within this study.
Comparison of Blood Pressure Variability Between Losartan and Amlodipine in Essential Hypertension (COMPAS-BPV)
Authors: Lee Jun-Won , Choi Eunhee , Son Jung-Woo , Youn Young Jin , Ahn Sung-Gyun , Ahn Min-Soo , Kim Jang-Young , Lee Seung-Hwan , Yoon Junghan , Ryu Dong Ryeol , Park Sang-Min , Hong Kyung-Soon , Yoo Byung-Su
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Antihypertensive therapy using renin–angiotensin system blockers and calcium channel blockers to target blood pressure variability (BPV) has not yet been established. We aimed to compare the ability of losartan and amlodipine to lower BPV and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in essential hypertensive patients.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned either losartan 50 mg or amlodipine 5 mg. Medications were uptitrated and hydrochlorothiazide was added according to protocol for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the office visit-to-visit SD of SBP. The secondary endpoints included average real variability (ARV), office SBP, and home SBP.

RESULTS

The losartan group (n = 71) and amlodipine group (n = 73) finished the scheduled visits between April 2013 and May 2017. The office visit-to-visit SD of SBP was comparable between the losartan and amlodipine groups (11.0 ± 4.2 vs. 10.5 ± 3.8, P = 0.468). The office visit-to-visit ARV of SBP was significantly elevated in the losartan group (10.6 ± 4.3 vs. 9.1 ± 3.4, P = 0.02). The absolute SBP decrement from baseline to 6 months was similar between groups, although the office mean SBP at 6 months was higher in the losartan group (132.3 ± 12.9 vs. 127.5 ± 9.0 mm Hg, P = 0.011). In home blood pressure analysis, evening day-to-day BPV indexes (SD and ARV) were significantly higher in the losartan group at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The lowering effect of the office visit-to-visit SD of SBP was similar between losartan and amlodipine. However, the losartan group showed a higher office visit-to-visit ARV of SBP and evening day-to-day home BPV indexes. Therefore, amlodipine may be better to lower BPV in essential hypertensive patients.
Symbolic Communication in Early Modern Diplomacy: Naval Incidents and the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1667–1672)
Authors: Onnekink David
Published: April 2020

This article underscores the significance of symbolic communication in early modern international relations. Taking naval incidents during the period leading up to the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1667–72) as a case-study, it shows how the use of imagery constituted an undervalued symbolic language in which vital interests were communicated by diplomats. Moreover, it argues that the way in which these incidents were discussed in diplomatic circles was relevant to and congruous with public debates. It also highlights the often-ignored international dimension of popular disputes. An overall objective is to further the debate on a New Diplomatic History for the early modern period.
Production of added-value microbial metabolites during growth of yeast strains on media composed of biodiesel-derived crude glycerol and glycerol/xylose blends
Authors: Diamantopoulou Panagiota , Filippousi Rosanina , Antoniou Dimitrios , Varfi Evaggelia , Xenopoulos Evangelos , Sarris Dimitris , Papanikolaou Seraphim
Published: April 2020

A total of 11 yeast strains of Yarrowia lipolytica, Metschnikowia sp., Rhodotorula sp. and Rhodosporidium toruloides were grown under nitrogen-limited conditions with crude glycerol employed as substrate in shake flasks, presenting interesting dry cell weight (DCW) production. Three of these strains belonging to Metschnikowia sp. accumulated significant quantities of endopolysaccharides (i.e. the strain V.V.-D4 produced 11.0 g/L of endopolysaccharides, with polysaccharides in DCW ≈ 63% w/w). A total of six Y. lipolytica strains produced either citric acid or mannitol. Most of the screened yeasts presented somehow elevated lipid and polysaccharides in DCW values at the early steps of growth despite nitrogen appearance in the fermentation medium. Lipid in DCW values decreased as growth proceeded. R. toruloides DSM 4444 cultivated on media presenting higher glycerol concentrations presented interesting lipid-accumulating capacities (maximum lipid = 12.5 g/L, maximum lipid in DCW = 43.0–46.0% w/w, conversion yield on glycerol = 0.16 g/g). Replacement of crude glycerol by xylose resulted in somehow decreased lipid accumulation. In xylose/glycerol mixtures, xylose was more rapidly assimilated from glycerol. R. toruloides total lipids were mainly composed of triacylglycerols. Total cellular fatty acid composition on xylose presented some differences compared with that on glycerol. Cellular lipids contained mainly oleic and palmitic acid.
Effects of dietary microencapsulated tannic acid supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota in weaning piglets
Authors: Wang Meiwei , Huang Huijun , Hu Yangping , Huang Jing , Yang Huansheng , Wang Lei , Chen Shuai , Chen Chiqing , He Shanping
Published: April 2020

Antibiotics are commonly overused to reduce weaning stress that leads to economic loss in swine production. As potential substitutes of antibiotics, plant extracts have attracted the attention of researchers. However, one of the plant extracts, tannic acid (TA), has an adverse effect on the growth performance, palatability, and intestinal absorption in weaning piglets when used at a large amount. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a proper dose of microencapsulated TA on the growth performance, organ and intestinal development, intestinal morphology, intestinal nutrient transporters, and colonic microbiota in weaning piglets. Forty-five Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire] (initial body weight = 5.99 ± 0.13 kg, weaned days = 21 d) piglets were randomly divided into five treatment groups (n = 9) and raised in 14 d. The piglets in the control group were raised on a basal diet; the piglets in the antibiotic test group were raised on a basal diet with three antibiotics (375 mg/kg Chlortetracycline 20%, 500 mg/kg Enramycin 4%, 1,500 mg/kg Oxytetracycline calcium 20%); and the other three groups were raised on a basal diet with three doses of microencapsulated TA (TA1, 500 mg/kg; TA2, 1,000 mg/kg; TA3, 1,500 mg/kg). All the piglets were raised in the same environment and given the same amount of nutrients for 2 wk. The results showed that both TA1 and TA2 groups had no adverse effect on the growth performance, organ weight and intestinal growth, and the pH value of gastrointestinal content. TA2 treatment improved the duodenal morphology (P < 0.05), increased the gene expression level of solute carrier family 6, member 19 and solute carrier family 15, member 1 (P < 0.05) in the ileum, and modulated the colonic bacteria composition (P < 0.05), but inhibited the activity of maltase in the ileum (P < 0.05) and the jejunal gene expression level of solute carrier family 5, member 1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our study suggests that a dosage between 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of microencapsulated TA is safe to be included in the swine diet and that 1,000 mg/kg of microencapsulated TA has beneficial effects on intestinal morphology, intestinal nutrient transporter, and intestinal microbiota in weaning piglets. These findings provide new insights into suitable alternatives to antibiotics for improving growth performance and colonic microbiota.
An incarcerated Spigelian hernia with the appendix in the sac passing though all layers of the abdominal wall: an unusual cause for chronic right iliac fossa pain
Authors: Page Daniel , Hendahewa Rasika
Published: April 2020

Abdominal wall hernias are a common pathology and source of morbidity including chronic pain. They occur in various anatomical areas; amongst the rarest locations is the Spigelian hernia accounting for <2% of all abdominal hernias. We present a case report of a patient with chronic right iliac fossa pain caused by an incarcerated Spigelian hernia containing her appendix within the hernial defect. Rarer still is that her hernial defect penetrated all three layers of anterior abdominal wall, typically a Spigelian hernia would only pass through transversus abdominis and internal oblique layers.
Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in metastatic medulloblastoma: a comparative study in 92 children
Authors: Guerrini-Rousseau Léa , Abbas Rachid , Huybrechts Sophie , Kieffer-Renaux Virginie , Puget Stéphanie , Andreiuolo Felipe , Beccaria Kévin , Blauwblomme Thomas , Bolle Stéphanie , Dhermain Frédéric , Longaud Valès Audrey , Roujeau Thomas , Sainte-Rose Christian , Tauziede-Espariat Arnault , Varlet Pascale , Zerah Michel , Valteau-Couanet Dominique , Dufour Christelle , Grill Jacques
Published: April 2020

Background

Previous pilot studies have shown the feasibility of preoperative chemotherapy in patients with medulloblastoma, but benefits and risks compared with initial surgery have not been assessed.

Methods

Two therapeutic strategies were retrospectively compared in 92 patients with metastatic medulloblastoma treated at Gustave Roussy between 2002 and 2015: surgery at diagnosis (n = 54, group A) and surgery delayed after carboplatin and etoposide-based neoadjuvant therapy (n = 38, group B). Treatment strategies were similar in both groups.

Results

The rate of complete tumor excision was significantly higher in group B than in group A (93.3% vs 57.4%, P = 0.0013). Postoperative complications, chemotherapy-associated side effects, and local progressions were not increased in group B. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy led to a decrease in the primary tumor size in all patients; meanwhile 4/38 patients experienced a distant progression. The histological review of 19 matched tumor pairs (before and after chemotherapy) showed that proliferation was reduced and histological diagnosis feasible and accurate even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The 5-year progression-free and overall survival rates were comparable between groups. Comparison of the longitudinal neuropsychological data showed that intellectual outcome tended to be better in group B (the mean predicted intellectual quotient value was 6 points higher throughout the follow-up).

Conclusion

Preoperative chemotherapy is a safe and efficient strategy for metastatic medulloblastoma. It increases the rate of complete tumor excision and may improve the neuropsychological outcome without jeopardizing survival.

Key Points

1. Preoperative chemotherapy increases the rate of complete tumor removal.

2. No additional risk (toxic or disease progression) is linked to the delayed surgery.

3. Preoperative chemotherapy could have a positive impact on the neuropsychological outcome of patients.