bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current application situation and developments of low-cost sand proppant in China
Authors: Zheng Xinquan , Wang Xin , Liang Tiancheng , Yang Nengyu , Cai Bo , Meng Chuanyou , Fu Haifeng
Published: September 2020

Since 2014, the petroleum companies in North American have adopted self-operated and self-supplying modes to cut costs for proppants, such as replacing ceramic with sand and building sand plants nearby, achieving win-win results of continuous growth in oil and gas production and economic benefits. Enlightened by such situation in North America, in this study, the feasibility of sand promotion is demonstrated systematically in terms of the basic theoretical research, experimental testing and field tests. The research results indicate that: (1) the sand currently used in China can completely meet unconventional reconstruction requirements, as it has a crushing resistance grade equivalent to that of the yellow sand from the U.S. and the crushing rate and flow conductivity basically close to those of such yellow sand; (2)based on the characteristics of unconventional petroleum reservoirs and fluids and the differences between their completion modes and those of conventional petroleum reservoirs, the beneficial development of unconventional petroleum that can be realized by increasing the laying concentration and using the sand with small particle sizes has been verified; (3) the development potential of Shixi, Jiangyou, Yiliang and Chuxiong is demonstrated by conducting the localization feasibility study of sand sources to lay the foundations of further cost cutting and efficiency enhancement for unconventional petroleum; (4) the field tests have indicated that, in China, the sand used for fracturing can fully meet the technical demands of the reconstruction for unconventional reservoirs not deeper than 3,500 m and shows good production effect and economic efficiency. In view of these research and understanding, the cost cutting of sand for more benefits shall be further enhanced to ensure the low-cost petroleum development in China. Specifically, the promotion and application of sand and building sand plants nearby shall be strengthened.
Differentiation characteristics of soil water under different landscape types in a desert-oasis region in the middle reaches of Heihe river basin, China
Authors: Sun Tesheng , Zhang Sijing , Bao Yaqin
Published: September 2020

The tillage of oasis farmlands and construction of artificial protection forests in native grasslands around the oases would significantly affect differentiation characteristics of soil water. In this study, the establishment of belt transect with 13 different landscape types in the middle reaches of Heihe River basin was determined to analyze differentiation characteristics of soil water. Our results showed that firstly vertical variability of soil water under different landscape types was significant. Secondly, horizontal variability of soil water under different landscape types showed a significant difference. Thirdly, differentiation characteristics of soil water under different landscape types were mainly caused by interaction of multiple factors such as vegetation type, soil properties and human management etc, and spatial variability of soil water can be enhanced by the tillage of oasis farmlands and construction of artificial protection forests. Our results suggest that it has very important value for enhancing the soil water effect of irrigated vegetation in this region to fully conform the water consumption of plants and the water holding capacity of soil, to especially strengthen the management of water-saving irrigation of farm crops and artificial plantations.
Laser-Raman spectral analysis of the Baoxingchang Cu-Mo deposit, Yunnan Province, SW China
Authors: Jian Long , Dao Yan , Zhang Yourong , Xu Shengchao
Published: September 2020

Baoxingchang Cu-Mo deposit is one of several Cu-Mo-(Au) polymetallic deposits have been found in the Tethys metallogenic province. Laser-Raman spectral analysis shows that the vapour-phase components of fluid inclusions in quartz are mainly composed of water vapour and a little CO2, while the fluid-phase components contain Na+ and Cl− metallogenic fluid, which generally belongs to a NaCl-H2O system. In conclusion, the characteristics of fluid inclusions in porphyry-type Cu-Mo polymetallic deposits in Baoxingchang are closely related to multi-stage intrusions along the Jinshajiang-Red River shear zone.
Zircon U-Pb dating of the Lower Cretaceous strata on the margin of the Erlian Basin, North China and its Constraints on basin evolution
Authors: Li Ying , Cheng Yinhang , Wang Shaoyi , Zhang Tianfu , Teng Xuejian , Li Yanfeng
Published: September 2020

A large number of Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks are exposed in the Erlian Basin in North China. LA-MC-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of rhyolites with age of 122.8 ± 0.4 Ma is corresponded to basin subsidence, reflecting a large-scaled extension event occurred in North China. There was a structural inversion after the Neogene, which caused the migration of the Erlian Basin center from the NW to SE, with the center of the Early Cretaceous basin corresponding with the NW margin of the modern basin.
Analysis of stratification in underground space development and utilization: an example from Beisan county of Langfang city
Authors: Bai Yaonan , Liu Hongwei , Miao Jinjie , Du Dong , Jiang Wangjun
Published: September 2020

It is important to analyze underground urban spaces for their capacity to meet the needs of urban development without compromising important ecological resources. Through analyzing the soil structure of Beisan County of Langfang City, the cohesive soil has low bearing capacity and easy deformation, which affects the development of underground space; the sand has wide distribution, large thickness and high bearing capacity, which is beneficial to the development of underground space. In 18-22 meters and 50-70 meters underground, there are two cohesive soils with continuous distribution, which are natural protective barriers for groundwater resources. In order to coordinate the development and utilization of underground space with the protection of groundwater resources, a safe method for utilizing space is proposed that protects groundwater resources and avoids breaking continuous aquiclude by stratifying the underground space. The underground space is developed in three sections in the study area: 0∼18 meters is the shallow underground space;22∼50 meters is the sub-deep underground space; Below 70 meters is the deep underground space.
Experimental Study of Scissor-like-structure Vibration Isolator
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Wei , Li Shuangbao , Zhu Hengjia
Published: September 2020

Considering the problem of low-frequency vibration isolation and disadvantages of existing models, an optimized model is established. Based on optimized model, the expression of displacement transmissibility is derived. Then an experimental model of scissor-like-structure vibration isolator (SLS-VI) is established. The comparison of experimental curve and theoretical curve proves the feasibility of model optimization. The effective vibration isolation bandwidth is 10Hz-16Hz which proves the SLS-VI have excellent vibration isolation performance at low frequency. Experimental results are basically consistent with theoretical analysis in displacement transmissibility of the vibration isolator. It proves the correctness of the theoretical analysis of scissor-like-structure at low frequency.
Deformation Analysis of Rotating Linear Guide
Authors: Cao Jiangping , Peng Yuanhui , Yang Chang , Li Jieji , Yang Li
Published: September 2020

Rotating linear guide movement precision because of its flexible realization of two-dimensional space, and the advantages of compact structure, easy to install and debug, in more and more application in the industry and precision instruments, not only its application technology and rapid development in different areas, rotating linear guide itself material, structure and control technology have been rapidly increasing. Rotating linear guide application according to the use of the environment and the demand is different, have different requirements, but to control its deformation is the key to ensure the good operation to solve common technical problems. Rotating linear guide deformation is mainly composed of the weight of the structure itself and structure stiffness, support and fundamental cause, among them, the support (including support and support) and vehicle (including the distribution of vehicle quality, vehicle quality and vehicle movement way and the state) is a key factor, the deformation of the straight line guide rail and the trend of change over time, is crucial, especially in the condition of rotating linear guide. This paper focuses on the potential of several support state set of rotating linear guide bearing conditions of stress and deformation analysis, study its change trend, compared several different support condition state of linear guide.
The Development of Elderly Care Robot and Current Challenges for Functional Design
Authors: Wang Jiaying
Published: September 2020

The emergence and development of robot industry is one of the important achievements in the 20th century. After years of development, the elderly care robot can only complete some mobile auxiliary functions at the earliest, and now it can complete many functions such as detection, reminder, chat, etc. Even so, the elderly care robot is still in the direction of more functions and more wisdom. So, what is the function of elderly care robot? What should be paid attention to in the design and use of elderly care robot? Based on the needs of the elderly, this paper discusses the functions of the elderly care robot and the practical factors that the elderly care robot should consider on the premise of meeting the interests of the elderly and not violating the ethics.
Research on the Simplified Calculation Model of Large Phased Array Radar Reflector Mechanics Based on NASTRAN
Authors: Gu Ye Qing , Wang Jin Wei , Tang Bao Fu
Published: September 2020

there are many plates and beams on the radar array. In the process of finite element calculation, choosing the appropriate shell mesh finite element model to replace the solid finite element model can reduce the calculation amount. In this paper, the finite element solid mesh model is established based on the reflection panel model of a radar antenna array, and the simulation results are obtained. Secondly, the shell grid is used to perform finite element modeling and correction calculations on the reflective panel. The results show that the modified shell grid calculation results are very close to the solid grid model results, and can replace the solid grid to simplify the calculation of the array.
Aerodynamic Performance and Flow Structure Investigation of Contra-rotating Wind Turbines by CFD and Experimental Methods
Authors: Faisal M , Zhao X , Kang M-H , You K
Published: September 2020

Wind tunnel experiment was carried out to measure mechanical power of the contra-rotating wind turbine (CRWT) and single rotor wind turbine (SRWT) under various working conditions. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) device was employed to measure the transient flow field on the meridional plane of the rotors. The azimuthal velocity vector, magnitude and streamline were obtained by the average PIV image of ten intervals in a rotation cycle. CFD model of steady flow was developed to predict aerodynamic performance and flow structure of the CRWTs using S-A turbulent model. The single channel model was employed with periodic boundary condition. CFD results were validated with wind tunnel test in literature and experiment in this paper. Results show that CFD method has a satisfied accuracy in power prediction, with a relative error less than 34%. The azimuthal average velocity distributions predicted by experimental and CFD methods are close and the maximum value are approximate to each other. Results demonstrate a high velocity zone at the outside of the front rotor tip and a low velocity zone near the middle of the rear rotor. CRWT has a complicated flow structure. Particularly at the rear rotor, flow becomes uneven and streamline curvatures are more ununiformed.
Aerodynamic Performance Prediction of XH-59A Helicopter in Pop-up Flight
Authors: You K , Zhao X , Zhang Y-H , Zhao S-Z , Lin Y-F
Published: September 2020

The pop-up progress of the coaxial rigid rotor helicopter was decomposed into 5 stages. Quasi-steady flow assumption was adopted to analyze the helicopter performance. XH-59A helicopter was regarded as a solid body. Flow interactions between fuselage and rotor, rotor and tail were ignored. The aerodynamic performance of coaxial rotor, fuselage and horizontal tail were calculated based on Blade element moment theory, wind tunnel test data and theoretical calculation correspondingly. The Pitt/Peters inflow model was used to represent the inflow velocity on the rotor and flow interaction between upper and lower rotor were considered using interference factor. The net force and moment on the helicopter was derived and formulated into flight mechanics equations. To validate the calculation, a wind tunnel test of a coaxial rigid rotor helicopter was employed. The rotor lift coefficient, helicopter pitching and rolling moment coefficients were close to the experimental data. The controlled variables of the helicopter was composed of helicopter pitch angle (shaft angle), collective pitch, cyclic pitch of both rotors, deflection angle of the horizontal tail during the pop-up progress. The mathematical model presented in this paper provides the basic system structure to analyze the pop-up progress. The required power of the helicopter were formulated with altitude, rotor thrust, flight velocity, which help to obtain a rapid and primary evaluation of the integral performance of the progress.
Drilling and Migration Characteristics of Critical Size Lunar Soil Particles
Authors: Tong Lijie , Zhao Deming , Hu Ming , Gao Xingwen , Wang He
Published: September 2020

Critical size lunar soil particles refer to particles with a particle size similar to the diameter of the drill bit, which is an important factor affecting lunar soil drilling sampling, and its influence is uncertain. In this paper, the discrete element method is used to simulate the drilling sampling process of the critical size lunar soil particles and the influence of the size, position and shape of the lunar particles with critical diameter on the drilling load is analysed. It is found that the critical size lunar soil particles have special migration trajectories and load characteristics during drilling sampling. The size and shape of lunar soil particles are the key factors affecting the drilling load. This study can support the design of drilling tools for lunar soil exploration and sampling.
Creative Experiment on Decorative Products for Condominium using Responsive Technology
Authors: Sirikhvunchai Natcha , Wanichakorn Aran , Musikapan Ravitep
Published: September 2020

Creative experiment on decorative products for condominiums using responsive technology has the purpose of creating decorative products using responsive technology which can improve the interior atmosphere which can be controlled by the user and adjusted according to their needs. The constraint of the design is the interaction between the two emotional states of normal (heart rate of 60-80bpm) and high stress level (heart rate of 80-100bpm). Another constraint of the design is the technological constraint, which can control the lighting, noise level, and temperature according to the users’ needs. This research is conducted based on the previous one called “A Study of Interactive Media to Design and Develop Decorative Product in Condominium”. The knowledge gained from the previous research about incorporating technology into product design is utilized in this research to be experimented on decorative products with responsive technology. The results of this research can be divided in two parts. The first part is summarizing user behaviors in which the results are obtained from both primary and secondary methods. The results are then used to create product design constraints. The second part is the resulting product design which is aesthetically satisfying, suitably for the physical environment and the three factors which can be controlled by sensors include lighting, noise level and temperature lighting, which is controlled by, noise sensor and humidity sensor respectively. There are three resulting designs which have three levels of intelligence according to different usages of living room, dining room, and bedroom.
Develop Creative Brick Kiln Cultural Products by Powder Metallurgy Process Technique
Authors: Lee Yann-Long , Hung Yu-Ching , Chou Wen-Chih , Wang Chuan-Po , Peng Tzu-Hsua
Published: September 2020

Brick is one of the most common traditional building materials in the world. Located at the foot of the Bagua Mountain in Changhua, Taiwan, Qiaotou community residents make good use of mountain clay to develop the brick kiln industry, and once created a glorious history. With the increase in building materials regulations, the chimneys of brick kilns no longer smoke, and the industry has gradually declined. This study hopes that the traditional brick kiln industry will be improved through technological technique and input a new generation of innovative thinking. The general brick kiln cultural products will be re-granted to new life from the decline and showing the creative thinking in the local culture. The materials test method was used to study the processing technology of brick powder. It is expected to improve the precision of brick products and reduce the production cost through the application of the powder metallurgy process technique. And applied to the brick creative culture product design to create unique merchandise.
Double-pore structure porous Mo–Si–B intermetallics fabricated by elemental powder metallurgy method using NH4HCO3 as pore-forming agent
Authors: Huang Yongan , Zhang Laiqi , Wei Shizhong
Published: September 2020

The multiphase porous intermetallic compounds Mo3Si-Mo5Si3-Mo5SiB2 of a double-pore structure has been successfully fabricated by combining the in situ reaction synthesis with the pore-forming agent method. The effects of NH4HCO3 content and size on porosity, pore diameter distribution, permeability, and compressive strength were investigated systematically. The results show that: with the NH4HCO3 increasing from 0 to 60 vol%, the total porosity increases from 46.6% to 73.2%, the big pores volume increases from 2.3% to 69.4%, the gas permeability increases from 5.34 × 10−7 l/(min · cm2 · Pa) to 1.74 × 10−4 l/(min · cm2 · Pa), and the compressive strength decreases from 392 MPa to 14.8 MPa; on the other side, with the NH4HCO3 size increased from 48 μm to 230 μm, the parameters of this porous intermetallics changed slightly except to the significant increase of big pores diameter. An exponential equation of σ
c = σ
s (1-ρ)1/0.254 based on generalized mixture rule (GMR) has been put forward to quantitatively describe porosity-compressive strength behaviors. Results from this study indicate the potential applications in various filtration environments by tailoring the shape, contents, and size of the pore-forming agent.
UK universities to get coronavirus financial support
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: September 2020

The UK government has announced new measures to help protect universities from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physics and cars
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: September 2020

This special issue examines some of the physics-based technology in modern cars
Survival of the fittest
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 has clobbered the global economy, which is why – argues James McKenzie – innovation is so vital for business success
Condensate made on space station
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: September 2020

A Bose–Einstein condensate has been created on the International Space Station, which could pave the way for an accurate measurement of gravity, as Edwin Cartlidge reports
CERN collider gets design go-ahead
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: September 2020

The European particle-physics strategy update proposes further work on a huge 100 km circular collider at CERN, but a final decision to build it will not be made until 2026, as Michael Banks reports
Understanding the surface condition of gamma irradiated epoxy alumina nanocomposites adopting wavelets and fractal technique
Authors: Neelmani  , Suematsu H , Sarathi R
Published: September 2020

The influence of alumina nanofiller and gamma irradiation on the surface potential variation of epoxy-alumina nanocomposites was investigated. The surface potential decay rate of nanocomposites has increased and the trap depth decreased with alumina nanoparticles addition to the matrix as well as upon exposure to gamma irradiation, Surface roughness was estimated using the wavelets and fractal technique. Daubechies wavelet of order 4 (db4) wavelet was chosen as the most suitable mother wavelet for surface roughness measurement. Multi resolution signal decomposition (MRSD) analysis of surface profile has revealed that with increasing wt% of alumina nanofiller in the nanocomposites, reduction in surface roughness of nanocomposites was observed. Upon gamma irradiation, the surface roughness factor at each level of MRSD has increased marginally. Fractal dimension and lacunarity were calculated for unaged and gamma ray irradiated samples and it exhibits inverse correlation.
Single-Antibody Evaluation of T-Cell Receptor β Constant Chain Monotypia by Flow Cytometry Facilitates the Diagnosis of T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Horna Pedro , Olteanu Horatiu , Jevremovic Dragan , Otteson Gregory E , Corley Heidi , Ding Wei , Parikh Sameer A , Shah Mithun V , Morice William G , Shi Min
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The diagnosis of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) is challenging because of overlapping immunophenotypic features with reactive T cells and limitations of T-cell clonality assays. We studied whether adding an antibody against T-cell receptor β constant region 1 (TRBC1) to a comprehensive flow cytometry panel could facilitate the diagnosis of T-LGLL.

Methods

We added TRBC1 antibody to the standard T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell panel to assess T-cell clonality in 56 T-LGLLs and 34 reactive lymphocytoses. In addition, 20 chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cells (CLPD-NKs) and 10 reactive NK-cell lymphocytoses were analyzed.

Results

Clonal T cells were detected in all available T-LGLLs by monotypic TRBC1 expression and clonal/equivocal T-cell receptor gene rearrangement (TCGR) studies, compared with only 27% of T-LGLLs by killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) restriction. Overall, 85% of T-LGLLs had a blood tumor burden greater than 500 cells/µL. Thirty-four reactive cases showed polytypic TRBC1 expression, except for 5 that revealed small T-cell clones of uncertain significance. All CLPD-NKs showed expected clonal KIR expression and negative TRBC1 expression.

Conclusions

Addition of TRBC1 antibody to the routine flow cytometry assay could replace the TCGR molecular study and KIR flow cytometric analysis to assess clonality, simplifying the diagnosis of T-LGLL.
Precise uncertain significance prediction using latent space matrix factorization models: genomics variant and heterogeneous clinical data-driven approaches
Authors: Abdollahi Sina , Lin Peng-Chan , Shen Meng-Ru , Chiang Jung-Hsien
Published: September 2020

Several studies to date have proposed different types of interpreters for measuring the degree of pathogenicity of variants. However, in predicting the disease type and disease–gene associations, scholars face two essential challenges, namely the vast number of existing variants and the existence of variants which are recognized as variant of uncertain significance (VUS). To tackle these challenges, we propose algorithms to assign a significance to each gene rather than each variant, describing its degree of pathogenicity. Since the interpreters identified most of the variants as VUS, most of the gene scores were identified as uncertain significance. To predict the uncertain significance scores, we design two matrix factorization-based models: the common latent space model uses genomics variant data as well as heterogeneous clinical data, while the single-matrix factorization model can be used when heterogeneous clinical data are unavailable. We have managed to show that the models successfully predict the uncertain significance scores with low error and high accuracy. Moreover, to evaluate the effectiveness of our novel input features, we train five different multi-label classifiers including a feedforward neural network with the same feature set and show they all achieve high accuracy as the main impact of our approach comes from the features. Availability: The source code is freely available at https://github.com/sabdollahi/CoLaSpSMFM.
Predictive risk modelling and the mistaken equation of socio-economic disadvantage with risk of maltreatment
Authors: Vannier Ducasse Hélène
Published: September 2020

In England, the involvement of the state in private family life has significantly changed since 1989, and is about to undergo yet further transformation with the adoption of predictive risk modelling. Its implementation by at least eight local authorities and promotion by the central government operates an ontological and methodological revolution in child protection policies and practice. This article particularly discusses the conceptual and empirical limits to their use. It makes the case that the data fed to risk models, and the institutional structures through which they are run, limit the understanding of maltreatment. Based on misleading evidence, risk models are set to mistakenly equate socio-economic disadvantage with risks, thus threatening to automatise the discrimination and alienation of the poorest sections of the population.
Relation of outcomes to ABC (Atrial Fibrillation Better Care) pathway adherent care in European patients with atrial fibrillation: an analysis from the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term (AFGen LT) Registry
Authors: Proietti Marco , Lip Gregory Y H , Laroche Cécile , Fauchier Laurent , Marin Francisco , Nabauer Michael , Potpara Tatjana , Dan Gheorghe-Andrei , Kalarus Zbigniew , Tavazzi Luigi , Maggioni Aldo Pietro , Boriani Giuseppe ,   the ESC-EORP Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term Registry Investigators Group
Published: September 2020

Aims

There has been an increasing focus on integrated, multidisciplinary, and holistic care in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The ‘Atrial Fibrillation Better Care’ (ABC) pathway has been proposed to streamline integrated care in AF. We evaluated the impact on outcomes of an ABC adherent management in a contemporary real-life European-wide AF cohort.

Methods and results

Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF General Long-Term Registry with baseline data to evaluate ABC criteria and available follow-up data were considered for this analysis. Among the original 11 096 AF patients enrolled, 6646 (59.9%) were included in this analysis, of which 1996 (30.0%) managed as ABC adherent. Patients adherent to ABC care had lower CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores (mean ± SD, 2.68 ± 1.57 vs. 3.07 ± 1.90 and 1.26 ± 0.93 vs. 1.58 ± 1.12, respectively; P < 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, patients managed adherent to ABC pathway compared to non-adherent ones had a lower rate of any thromboembolic event (TE)/acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/cardiovascular (CV) death (3.8% vs. 7.6%), CV death (1.9% vs. 4.8%), and all-cause death (3.0% vs. 6.4%) (all P < 0.0001). On Cox multivariable regression analysis, ABC adherent care showed an association with a lower risk of any TE/ACS/CV death [hazard ratio (HR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44–0.79], CV death (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35–0.78), and all-cause death (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43–0.78).

Conclusion

In a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients, a clinical management adherent to ABC pathway for integrated care is associated with a significant lower risk for cardiovascular events, CV death, and all-cause death.
Brief alcohol intervention at a municipal registry office: reach and retention
Authors: Enders Caroline E , Staudt Andreas , Freyer-Adam Jennis , Meyer Christian , Ulbricht Sabina , John Ulrich , Baumann Sophie
Published: September 2020

Background

The aim was to investigate the suitability of a municipal registry office for alcohol screening and brief intervention. We analyzed whether trial participation and retention differ by alcohol- and health-related, demographic and socio-economic participant characteristics.

Methods

Over 3 months, all 18- to 64-year-old visitors of a registry office were systematically screened. Persons with alcohol consumption in the past 12 months (N = 1646) were randomized to brief alcohol intervention (BAI) or assessment only. BAI was delivered by computer-generated individualized feedback letters at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Logistic and ordered logistic regression models were used to investigate whether the odds of trial participation and retention depended on participant characteristics. Models were rerun separately for low-risk and at-risk drinkers with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption scores ≥4/≥5 for women/men indicating at-risk drinking.

Results

The trial participation rate was 67% with higher odds of participation in younger adults (P < 0.001). Retention rates at 3 and 6 months were 85% and 81%, respectively. Higher retention was associated with older age, higher level of school education and non-smoking (all p-values ≤0.05). Low-risk drinkers were more likely to participate in the trial (P < 0.01) and in post-baseline assessments (P < 0.05) than at-risk drinkers.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that registry offices could be a suitable setting to reach people from the general population for BAI. Especially the understudied group of low-risk drinkers was well reached through BAI and showed high adherence. BAI that addresses alcohol consumers beyond those at risk may be well accepted in proactively recruited people from the general population.
Stochastic processes dominate marine free-living Vibrio community assembly in a subtropical gulf
Authors: Li Nan , Dong Ke , Jiang Gonglingxia , Tang Jinli , Xu Qiangsheng , Li Xiaoli , Kang Zhenjun , Zou Shuqi , Chen Xing , Adams Jonathan M , Zhao Huaxian
Published: September 2020

Understanding the effects of eutrophication on heterotrophic bacteria, a primary responder to eutrophication, is critical for predicting the responses of ecosystems to marine environmental pollution. Vibrio are indigenous in coastal water and of significance to geochemical cycling and public health. In this study, we investigated the diversity and assembly features of Vibrio, as well as their relationship with the environmental factors in the subtropical Beibu Gulf. We found that the alpha diversity of Vibrio increased in parallel with the trophic state they occupy. A Mantel test indicated that the trophic state was correlated to Vibrio beta diversity and the correlation gradually strengthened at higher trophic states. Variation partitioning analysis suggested that the geographic distance was an important factor impacting the variables of Vibrio communities in all the samples, but nutrients exerted more influence in the more highly eutrophic samples. Our results demonstrated that stochastic processes govern the turnover of marine Vibrio communities in the Beibu Gulf and that ecological drift was the most important process for assembly of the Vibrio communities.
Evolution of a Record-Setting AT-Rich Genome: Indel Mutation, Recombination, and Substitution Bias
Authors: Nguyen Duong T , Wu Baojun , Xiao Shujie , Hao Weilong
Published: September 2020

Genome-wide nucleotide composition varies widely among species. Despite extensive research, the source of genome-wide nucleotide composition diversity remains elusive. Yeast mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are highly A + T rich, and they provide a unique opportunity to study the evolution of AT-biased landscape. In this study, we sequenced ten complete mitogenomes of the Saccharomycodes ludwigii yeast with 8% G + C content, the lowest genome-wide %(G + C) in all published genomes to date. The S. ludwigii mitogenomes have high densities of short tandem repeats but severely underrepresented mononucleotide repeats. Comparative population genomics of these record-setting A + T-rich genomes shows dynamic indel mutations and strong mutation bias toward A/T. Indel mutations play a greater role in genomic variation among very closely related strains than nucleotide substitutions. Indels have resulted in presence–absence polymorphism of tRNAArg (ACG) among S. ludwigii mitogenomes. Interestingly, these mitogenomes have undergone recombination, a genetic process that can increase G + C content by GC-biased gene conversion. Finally, the expected equilibrium G + C content under mutation pressure alone is higher than observed G + C content, suggesting existence of mechanisms other than AT-biased mutation operating to increase A/T. Together, our findings shed new lights on mechanisms driving extremely AT-rich genomes.
Stability of delayed switched systems via Razumikhin technique and application to switched neural networks
Authors: Sun Dihua , Liu Chao , Yang Zheng , Liu Xiaoyang , Yang Hongyu , Huang Junjian
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the globally exponential stability of delayed switched systems via Razumikhin technique. According to mode-dependent dwell average time and multiple Lyapunov functions, new Razumikhin-type stability results are deduced. In contrast to the existing Rzumikhin-type results, the proposed ones are less conservative. In order to demonstrate the applicability, some stability and stabilization results for switched neural networks with time-varying delays are also derived. Several numerical examples are also employed to show the effectiveness and superiority of the obtained results.
Optimizing Caneberry Spray Coverage for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Management on Diversified Fruit Farms
Authors: Lewis Margaret T , Hamby Kelly A
Published: September 2020

Spray coverage may influence the efficacy of insecticides targeting the invasive vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), a primary pest of raspberries and blackberries. In commercially managed caneberries, spray coverage is typically lowest in the inner and lower plant canopy, regions that overlap with higher levels of adult D. suzukii activity. To understand how spray coverage of fruit impacts efficacy against D. suzukii, laboratory bioassays were conducted using raspberries. In laboratory bioassays, higher spray coverage did not impact larval infestation rates but did increase adult mortality, indicating that flies can avoid a lethal dose of insecticide when applications do not achieve adequate coverage. We also evaluated how carrier water volume impacts spray coverage patterns throughout the canopy of raspberry and blackberry plants using both airblast and CO2 backpack sprayers. Increasing carrier water volume generally improved spray coverage in the lower plant canopy. However, effects in the upper plant canopy were inconsistent and varied between sprayer types. In addition to carrier water volume, other approaches, including adjusting the pesticide sprayer equipment used and/or sprayer calibration, should also be explored to improve coverage. Growers should evaluate spray coverage in their caneberries to identify and troubleshoot coverage issues. Results from this study indicate that taking the time to optimize this aspect of pesticide application may improve chemical management of D. suzukii and will likely also improve control of other important caneberry pests.
An Evaluation of Characters for the Separation of Two Culex Species (Diptera: Culicidae) Based on Material From the Upper Midwest
Authors: Ferreira-de-Freitas Lílian , Thrun Nicholas B , Tucker Bradley J , Melidosian Lauren , Bartholomay Lyric C
Published: September 2020

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Culex pipiens complex play a key role in the transmission and therefore epidemiology of a number of human and animal pathogens globally. These mosquitoes, and sympatric species of the genus Culex Linnaeus that are not within the Cx. pipiens complex, are often considered ‘impossible’ to distinguish by morphology in the adult female stage. In the United States, this is particularly true for Culex pipiens s.l. and Culex restuans Theobald, both of which are competent vectors of West Nile virus, but likely play different roles in the transmission cycle. Therefore, we undertook an in-depth morphological evaluation of matched larval exuviae and adult specimens that revealed five useful morphological characters that are informative to distinguish Cx. pipiens s.l. from Cx. restuans in the adult stage. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on these species of interest, and four additional, morphologically similar, Culex species, and a proposed key to adult female specimens.
Identification of a Novel BRCA1 Alteration in Recurrent Melanocytoma Resulting in Increased Proliferation
Authors: San-Miguel Teresa , Navarro Lara , Sánchez-Sendra Beatriz , Megías Javier , Muñoz-Hidalgo Lisandra , Santonja Nuria , López-Ginés Concha , Cerdá-Nicolas Miguel
Published: September 2020

Primary meningeal melanocytomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Although they are considered benign neoplasms, some reports describe recurrent rates up to 45%. Little is known about their genetic and epigenetic landscape because of their infrequency. Even less has been described about markers with prognostic value. Here we describe a patient who developed a primary meningeal melanocytoma, suffered 3 recurrences in a period of 6 years and died of the tumor. The genetic and epigenetic changes explored confirmed GNAQ mutation as an initiating event. We found an epigenetic alteration of GSTP1, a feature that has recently been described in meningiomas, from the beginning of the disease. In addition, there was loss of heterozygosity in BRCA1 beginning in the second recurrence that was linked to an increase in the proliferation index; this suggested a progression pathway similar to the one described in uveal melanomas. These findings underscore the necessity of further research focused on these tumors.
Changes in peripheral immune cells after intraoperative radiation therapy in low-risk breast cancer
Authors: Linares-Galiana Isabel , Berenguer-Frances Miguel Angel , Cañas-Cortés Rut , Pujol-Canadell Monica , Comas-Antón Silvia , Martínez Evelyn , Laplana Maria , Pérez-Montero Héctor , Pla-Farnós María Jesús , Navarro-Martin Arturo , Nuñez Miriam , Both Brigitte , Guedea Ferran
Published: September 2020

A detailed understanding of the interactions and the best dose-fractionation scheme of radiation to maximize antitumor immunity have not been fully established. In this study, the effect on the host immune system of a single dose of 20 Gy through intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) on the surgical bed in low-risk breast cancer patients undergoing conserving breast cancer has been assessed. Peripheral blood samples from 13 patients were collected preoperatively and at 48 h and 3 and 10 weeks after the administration of radiation. We performed a flow cytometry analysis for lymphocyte subpopulations, natural killer cells (NK), regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We observed that the subpopulation of NK CD56+high CD16+ increased significantly at 3 weeks after IORT (0.30–0.42%, P < 0.001), while no changes were found in immunosuppressive profile, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Helios+ Treg cells, granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) and monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSCs). A single dose of IORT may be an effective approach to improve antitumor immunity based on the increase in NK cells and the non-stimulation of immunosuppressive cells involved in immune escape. These findings support future combinations of IORT with immunotherapy, if they are confirmed in a large cohort of breast cancer patients.
The anomalous atmospheric structure of the strongly magnetic Ap star HD 166473
Authors: Järvinen S P , Hubrig S , Mathys G , Khalack V , Ilyin I , Adigozalzade H
Published: September 2020

High-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of the strongly magnetic, superslowly rotating rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 166473 are used to investigate the implications of the presence of a variable strong magnetic field on the vertical and surface horizontal distribution of various chemical elements. The analysis of the calculated least-squares deconvolution Stokes I and V profiles confirms the previously reported detection of non-uniform horizontal surface distribution of several chemical elements. To test the vertical abundance stratification of iron peak and rare earth elements, magnetic field measurements were carried out using spectral lines of these elements belonging to neutral and ionized stages. We find clear indication of the existence of a relation between the magnetic field strength and its orientation and vertical element stratification: magnetic field values obtained for elements in different stages close to the magnetic equator are rather similar, whereas the dispersion in field strengths is remarkably large in the regions close to magnetic field poles. At the phases of negative and positive extrema the mean longitudinal field strength determined from the analysis of the rare-earth element lines is usually stronger than when using Fe and Cr. The strongest mean longitudinal magnetic field, up to −4160 ± 226 G, is detected using the La ii line list at the negative extremum, followed by the measurements using the Pr iii lines with 〈Bz〉=−3740 ± 343 G and the Ce ii lines with 〈Bz〉 = −3372 ± 247 G. The strongest mean longitudinal magnetic field of positive polarity, up to 3584 ± 354 G is detected using the Pr iii lines, followed by the measurement 〈Bz〉 = 2517 ± 249 G using the Ce ii lines.
A possible γ-ray quasi-periodic oscillation of ∼314 days in the blazar OJ 287
Authors: Kushwaha Pankaj , Sarkar Arkadipta , Gupta Alok C , Tripathi Ashutosh , Wiita Paul J
Published: September 2020

We report the detection of a probable γ-ray quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) of around 314 d in the monthly binned 0.1–300 GeV γ-ray Fermi-Large Area Telescope light curve of the well-known BL Lacertae blazar OJ 287. To identify and quantify the QPO nature of the γ-ray light curve of OJ 287, we used the Lomb–Scargle periodogram (LSP), REDFIT, and weighted wavelet Z-transform (WWZ) analyses. We briefly discuss possible emission models for radio-loud active galactic nuclei that can explain a γ-ray QPO of such a period in a blazar.
Systematic errors in dust mass determinations: insights from laboratory opacity measurements
Authors: Fanciullo Lapo , Kemper Francisca , Scicluna Peter , Dharmawardena Thavisha E , Srinivasan Sundar
Published: September 2020

The thermal emission of dust is one of the most important tracers of the interstellar medium: multiwavelength photometry in the far-infrared (FIR) and submillimetre (submm) can be fitted with a model, providing estimates of the dust mass. The fit results depend on the assumed value for FIR/submm opacity, which in most models – due to the scarcity, until recently, of experimental measurements – is extrapolated from shorter wavelengths. Lab measurements of dust analogues, however, show that FIR opacities are usually higher than the values used in models and depend on temperature, which suggests that dust mass estimates may be biased. To test the extent of this bias, we create multiwavelength synthetic photometry for dusty galaxies at different temperatures and redshifts, using experimental results for FIR/submm dust opacity and then we fit the synthetic data using standard dust models. We find that the dust masses recovered by typical models are overestimated by a factor of 2–20, depending on how the experimental opacities are treated. If the experimental dust samples are accurate analogues of interstellar dust, therefore, current dust masses are overestimated by up to a factor of 20. The implications for our understanding of dust, both Galactic and at high redshift, are discussed.
Deep model simulation of polar vortices in gas giant atmospheres
Authors: Garcia Ferran , Chambers Frank R N , Watts Anna L
Published: September 2020

The Cassini and Juno probes have revealed large coherent cyclonic vortices in the polar regions of Saturn and Jupiter, a dramatic contrast from the east–west banded jet structure seen at lower latitudes. Debate has centred on whether the jets are shallow, or extend to greater depths in the planetary envelope. Recent experiments and observations have demonstrated the relevance of deep convection models to a successful explanation of jet structure, and cyclonic coherent vortices away from the polar regions have been simulated recently including an additional stratified shallow layer. Here we present new convective models able to produce long-lived polar vortices. Using simulation parameters relevant for giant planet atmospheres we find flow regimes of geostrophic turbulence (GT) in agreement with rotating convection theory. The formation of large-scale coherent structures occurs via 3D upscale energy transfers. Our simulations generate polar characteristics qualitatively similar to those seen by Juno and Cassini: They match the structure of cyclonic vortices seen on Jupiter; or can account for the existence of a strong polar vortex extending downwards to lower latitudes with a marked spiral morphology, and the hexagonal pattern seen on Saturn. Our findings indicate that these vortices can be generated deep in the planetary interior. A transition differentiating these two polar flows regimes is described, interpreted in terms of force balances and compared with shallow atmospheric models characterizing polar vortex dynamics in giant planets. In addition, heat transport properties are investigated, confirming recent scaling laws obtained with reduced models of GT.
The globular cluster M10: reassessment of stellar membership, distance, and age using its variable and HB stars
Authors: Arellano Ferro A , Yepez M A , Muneer S , Bustos Fierro I H , Schröder K P , Giridhar Sunetra , Calderón J H
Published: September 2020

Time-series VI CCD photometry of the globular cluster M10 (NGC 6254) is employed to perform a detailed identification, inspection of their light curves, their classification, and their cluster membership, of all the known variables reported up to 2018. The membership analysis is based on the $Gaia$-DR2 positions and proper motions. The metallicity of the cluster is estimated based on the sole RRc star known in the cluster. The Fourier decomposition of its light curve leads to [Fe/H]$_{\rm ZW}$ = $-1.59 \pm 0.23$ dex. The mean cluster distance, estimated by several independent methods, is $5.0 \pm 0.3$ kpc. A multiapproach search in a region of about 10$\times$10 arcmin$^2$ around the cluster revealed three new variables, one SX Phe (V35) and two sinusoidal variables on the red giant branch (RGB) of unclear classification (V36 and V37). Modelling the HB stars is very sensitive to the stellar hydrogen shell mass, which surrounds the 0.50 $\mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$ helium core. To match the full stretch of the HB population, a range of total mass of 0.56–0.62 $\mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$ is required. These models support a distance of 5.35 kpc and an age of about 13 Gyr, and hint to some individual variation of the mass-loss on the upper RGB, perhaps caused by the presence of closed magnetic field in red giants.