bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rare complication of a type IV paraoesophageal hiatal hernia in a Marfan syndrome patient
Authors: Hou Lachlan , Dhanda Sunita , Xu Dan
Published: April 2021

A 77-year-old female patient with Marfan syndrome presented with a 1-week history of worsening malaise and poor appetite. This was associated with a dramatic unintentional loss of weight as well as shortness of breath worsened by exertion. She has significant medical histories of a hiatal hernia and chronic type B aortic dissection. CT scan of the chest was able to confirm a type IV paraoesophageal hiatal hernia compressing on the lower lobe of her left lung without any progression of her aortic dissection. As surgical intervention was contraindicated in light of her advanced age and comorbidities, she was managed conservatively with a clinically satisfied outcome in the short term. Her long-term prognosis, however, is still poor with a high mortality of 1 and 5 years.
Negative myoclonus as the leading symptom in acute cefepime neurotoxicity
Authors: Zimmermann Philipp , Camenzind Dominik , Beer Jürg Hans , Tarnutzer Alexander Andrea
Published: April 2021

An 86-year-old woman was diagnosed with hospital-acquired pneumonia withPseudomonas aeruginosaand treated with cefepime adjusted to her renal clearance. After 4 days, she developed acute-onset negative myoclonus without signs of altered mental status. After ruling out an acute intracranial haemorrhagic or ischaemic stroke as well as other metabolic and endocrine causes of negative myoclonus, the antibiotic was switched to piperacillin/tazobactam due to a suspicion of cefepime neurotoxicity. The patient improved within 24 hours and her symptoms fully resolved within 4 days. These observations suggest a link of the negative myoclonus to acute cefepime neurotoxicity, which may occur without or with minimal alteration of mental status, thus extending its spectrum of clinical presentation.
VA-ECMO as a salvage strategy for blunt cardiac injury in the context of multisystem trauma
Authors: Misselbrook Gary Peter , Hameed S Morad , Garraway Naisan , Al-Lawati Rihab
Published: April 2021

A 47-year-old man sustained multisystem injuries after being struck by a vehicle travelling at high speeds. Shortly after admission to the emergency department he suffered a ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest lasting 30 min. Investigations following return of spontaneous circulation raised suspicion for an anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Despite his major traumatic injuries the patient was transferred for percutaneous coronary intervention uncovering a complete thrombosis of the ostium of the left anterior descending artery. Immediately following coronary revascularisation, the patient developed cardiogenic shock resulting in a multidisciplinary decision to place the patient on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). The management of cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction with VA-ECMO and multiple traumatic injuries were often at odds with each other, resulting in a series of challenging decisions on timing of surgery and anticoagulation. The patient was liberated from VA-ECMO after 72 hours and continues rehabilitation in hospital.
Public health considerations regarding golf during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review
Authors: Robinson Patrick Gordon , Foster Charlie , Murray Andrew
Published: April 2021

Background

Golf is a sport played worldwide by >60 million people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. Golf’s contribution to physical and mental health benefits are becoming increasingly recognised. Countries have adopted a range of restrictions to playing golf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims

The purpose of this narrative review was to (1) explore the literature related to the possible health benefits and risks of playing golf during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) provide recommendations on golf-related activity from the relevant available literature.

Results

Golf can provide health-enhancing physical activity. Regular physical activity is associated with physical/mental health, immune system and longevity benefits. Sense of belonging and life satisfaction significantly improved when golfing restrictions were relaxed after the first lockdown in the UK. Golf is an outdoor sport, where social distancing is possible, and if rules are followed, risk of COVID-19 transmission is likely to be low.

Conclusions

Policy-makers and governing bodies should support the promotion of golf because participation brings wide ranging benefits for physical health and mental well-being. When effective risk reduction measures are used, the benefits of playing golf in most circumstances outweigh the risk of transmission.
HCV genome-wide analysis for development of efficient culture systems and unravelling of antiviral resistance in genotype 4
Authors: Pham Long V. , Pedersen Martin Schou , Fahnøe Ulrik , Fernandez-Antunez Carlota , Humes Daryl , Schønning Kristian , Ramirez Santseharay , Bukh Jens
Published: April 2021

Objective

HCV-genotype 4 infections are a major cause of liver diseases in the Middle East/Africa with certain subtypes associated with increased risk of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment failures. We aimed at developing infectious genotype 4 cell culture systems to understand the evolutionary genetic landscapes of antiviral resistance, which can help preserve the future efficacy of DAA-based therapy.

Design

HCV recombinants were tested in liver-derived cells. Long-term coculture with DAAs served to induce antiviral-resistance phenotypes. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the entire HCV-coding sequence identified mutation networks. Resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) were studied using reverse-genetics.

Result

The in-vivo infectious ED43(4a) clone was adapted in Huh7.5 cells, using substitutions identified in ED43(Core-NS5A)/JFH1-chimeric viruses combined with selected NS5B-changes. NGS, and linkage analysis, permitted identification of multiple genetic branches emerging during culture adaptation, one of which had 31 substitutions leading to robust replication/propagation. Treatment of culture-adapted ED43 with nine clinically relevant protease-DAA, NS5A-DAA and NS5B-DAA led to complex dynamics of drug-target-specific RAS with coselection of genome-wide substitutions. Approved DAA combinations were efficient against the original virus, but not against variants with RAS in corresponding drug targets. However, retreatment with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir remained efficient against NS5A inhibitor and sofosbuvir resistant variants. Recombinants with specific RAS at NS3-156, NS5A-28, 30, 31 and 93 and NS5B-282 were viable, but NS3-A156M and NS5A-L30Δ (deletion) led to attenuated phenotypes.

Conclusion

Rapidly emerging complex evolutionary landscapes of mutations define the persistence of HCV-RASs conferring resistance levels leading to treatment failure in genotype 4. The high barrier to resistance of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir could prevent persistence and propagation of antiviral resistance.
Predictive models for cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Buchan Tayler A , Malik Abdullah , Chan Cynthia , Chambers Jason , Suk Yujin , Zhu Jie Wei , Ge Fang Zhou , Huang Le Ming , Vargas Lina Abril , Hao Qiukui , Li Sheyu , Mustafa Reem A , Vandvik Per Olav , Guyatt Gordon , Foroutan Farid
Published: April 2021

Objective

To inform a clinical practice guideline (BMJ Rapid Recommendations) considering sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes, we summarised the available evidence regarding the performance of validated risk models on cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in these patients.

Methods

We systematically searched bibliographic databases in January 2020 to identify observational studies evaluating risk models for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalisations, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke in ambulatory adults with type 2 diabetes. Using a random effects model, we pooled discrimination measures for each model and outcome, separately, and descriptively summarised calibration plots, when available. We used the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool to assess risk of bias of each included study and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to evaluate our certainty in the evidence.

Results

Of 22 589 publications identified, 15 observational studies reporting on seven risk models proved eligible. Among the seven models with >1 validation cohort, the Risk Equations for Complications of Type 2 Diabetes (RECODe) had the best calibration in primary studies and the highest pooled discrimination measures for the following outcomes: all-cause mortality (C-statistics 0.75, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.80; high certainty), cardiovascular mortality (0.79, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.84; low certainty), ESKD (0.73, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94; low certainty), MI (0.72, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.74; moderate certainty) and stroke (0.71, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.74; moderate certainty). This model does not, however, predict risk of HF hospitalisations.

Conclusion

Of available risk models, RECODe proved to have satisfactory calibration in primary validation studies and acceptable discrimination superior to other models, though with high risk of bias in most primary studies.

Trial registration number

CRD42020168351.
Impact of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity, hydroxychloroquine and NSAID on the risk of subsequent organ system damage and death: analysis in a single US medical centre
Authors: Hill Deanna D , Eudy Amanda M , Egger Peter J , Fu Qinggong , Petri Michelle A
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess the impact of mild-moderate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity during a 12-month period on the risk of death or subsequent organ system damage.

Methods

1168 patients with ≥24 months of follow-up from the Hopkins Lupus Cohort were included. Disease activity in a 12-month observation period was calculated using adjusted mean Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) version of the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), defined as the area under the curve divided by the time interval. Damage accrual in the follow-up period was defined as change in Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score ≥1 among patients without prior damage. Patients visited the clinic quarterly and had SELENA-SLEDAI and SDI assessed at every visit.

Results

During follow-up (median 7 years), 39% of patients accrued new damage in any organ system (7% cardiovascular and 3% renal) and 8% died. In adjusted models, an increased SELENA-SLEDAI score increased the risk of death (HR=1.22, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.32, p<0.001), renal damage (HR=1.24, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.42, p=0.003) and cardiovascular damage (HR=1.17, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.29, p<0.001). Hydroxychloroquine use reduced the risk of death (HR=0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72, p<0.05) and renal damage (HR=0.30, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.68, p<0.05). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use increased the risk of cardiovascular damage (HR=1.66, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.63, p<0.05). Without prior damage, an increased adjusted mean SELENA-SLEDAI score increased the risk of overall damage accrual (HR=1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.15, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Each one-unit increase in adjusted mean SELENA-SLEDAI during a 12-month observation period was associated with an increased risk of death and developing cardiovascular and renal damage.
Endovascular therapy for acute stroke in children: age and size technical limitations
Authors: Sun Lisa R , Harrar Dana , Drocton Gerald , Castillo-Pinto Carlos , Gailloud Philippe , Pearl Monica S
Published: April 2021

Endovascular therapies for acute childhood stroke remain controversial and little evidence exists to determine the minimum age and size cut-off for thrombectomy in children. Despite this, an increasing number of reports suggest feasibility of thrombectomy in at least some children by experienced operators. When compared with adults, technical modifications may be necessary in children owing to differences in vessel sizes, tolerance of blood loss, safety of contrast and radiation exposure, and differing stroke etiologies. We review critical considerations for neurologists and neurointerventionalists when treating pediatric stroke with endovascular therapies. We discuss technical factors that may limit feasibility of endovascular therapy, including size of the femoral and cervicocerebral arteries, which contributes to vasospasm risk. The risk of femoral vasospasm can be assessed by comparing catheter outer diameter with estimated femoral artery size, which can be estimated based on the child’s height. We review evidence supporting specific strategies to mitigate cervicocerebral arterial injury, including technique (stent retrieval vs direct aspiration) and device size selection. The importance of and strategies for minimizing blood loss, radiation exposure, and contrast administration are reviewed. Attention to these technical limitations is critical to delivering the safest possible care when thrombectomy is being considered for children with acute stroke.
Numerical simulation of the progressive development of soil arching in column-supported embankments
Authors: Smith Edward J. , Bouazza Abdelmalek , King Louis E.
Published: April 2021

The soil arching mechanism is partly responsible for the transfer of stresses away from the soft subsoil and towards the relatively stiff column heads in column-supported embankments. Experimental studies have shown that the load transfer resulting from soil arching evolves progressively with increasing subsoil settlement. Past numerical studies exploring soil arching in column-supported embankments have typically not been able to capture this progressive development of load transfer. A series of improvements on past numerical studies are outlined that allow for improved simulation of the soil arching mechanism in column-supported embankments. These improvements include implementation of a strain-softening constitutive model, non-local integral type regularization and the application of the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element method. The benefits of these improvements are observed through comparison of simulation results to recent experimental studies of column-supported embankments. The comparison indicates that these techniques allow key aspects of soil arching kinematics and mechanics to be captured.
The degree of embryonic development influenced some eggshell characteristics of wild Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis borealis)
Authors: Brown William P.
Published: April 2021

The influence of embryonic development on eggshell characteristics of wild birds, particularly raptors, is not well studied. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis borealis (Gmelin, 1788)) eggs (n = 66) collected in central New York State (USA) during the late 1800s and early 1900s were examined to determine if eggshell mass, eggshell thickness, and a thickness index corrected for egg shape and blowhole size were influenced by the degree of embryonic development at the time of collection. Changes in these characteristics were examined with linear mixed models with year of collection and clutch size specified as random variables. Unexpectedly, length, breadth, and mass of eggshells were greater in eggs with advanced embryonic development than eggs with less developed embryos, perhaps due to sampling error or collector bias. Eggs containing well-developed embryos were 13% thinner and had a thickness index 7% smaller than eggs with poorly developed embryos. Eggs with larger embryos had larger blowhole diameters; this relationship may be useful in determining degree of embryonic development in eggs of other species where development information is not explicit. Given the historical and current interest in eggshell thinning due to pollutants, degree of embryonic development should be accounted for in studies of eggshell characteristics.
Quantization and soliton-like solutions for the $$\Phi \Psi $$-model in an optic fiber
Authors: Belgiorno Francesco , Cacciatori Sergio L. , Trevisan Simone , Viganò Adriano
Published: April 2021

In the framework of a mesoscopical model for dielectric media we provide an analytical description for the electromagnetic field confined in a cylindrical cavity containing a finite dielectric sample. This system is apted to simulate the electromagnetic field in a optic fiber, in which two different regions, a vacuum region and a dielectric one, appear. A complete description for the scattering basis is introduced, together with field quantization and the two-point function. Furthermore, we also determine soliton-like solutions in the dielectric, propagating in the sample of nonlinear dielectric medium.
Existence of relativistic dynamics for two directly interacting Dirac particles in 1 + 3 dimensions
Authors: Lienert Matthias , Nöth Markus
Published: April 2021

Here we prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of a class of integral equations describing two Dirac particles in 1+3 dimensions with direct interactions. This class of integral equations arises naturally as a relativistic generalization of the integral version of the two-particle Schrödinger equation. Crucial use of a multi-time wave function [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is made. A central feature is the time delay of the interaction. Our main result is an existence and uniqueness theorem for a Minkowski half-space, meaning that the Minkowski spacetime is cut off before [Formula: see text]. We furthermore show that the solutions are determined by Cauchy data at the initial time; however, no Cauchy problem is admissible at other times. A second result is to extend the first one to particular FLRW spacetimes with a Big Bang singularity, using the conformal invariance of the Dirac equation in the massless case. This shows that the cutoff at [Formula: see text] can arise naturally and be fully compatible with relativity. We thus obtain a class of interacting, manifestly covariant and rigorous models in [Formula: see text] dimensions.
Bibliometric Analysis of Integrative Medicine Studies from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Youn Bo-Young , Song Hyun Jong , Yang Keeyoung , Cheon Chunhoo , Ko Youme , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Shin Yong-Cheol , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: April 2021

Integrative medicine has become a vital component of patient care. It provides patient-centered care that is focused on prevention and overall well-being. As there has been a growing number of patients favoring a blend of conventional, complementary and alternative approaches, integrative medicine has exceeded beyond the evaluation of complementary therapies. However, it is noteworthy that there has been a dilemma of providing substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of some complementary and alternative therapies. This study’s goals were to analyze publication trends, most productive journals, most productive funding agencies, most productive authors, most relevant keywords, and countries in the field of integrative medicine research. Additionally, science mapping included country collaboration analysis and thematic evolution analysis. The findings from this study showed a constant rise in annual growth of publications from 2000 to 2019; the United States was dominant in various analysis categories. In conclusion, a comprehensive review of the evolution of research of integrative medicine will help healthcare providers understand an overview of the present status while encouraging more evidence-based research for the betterment of integrative patient care.
Neuraminidase 1 and its Inhibitors from Chinese Herbal Medicines: An Emerging Role for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Zhang Jun-Yuan , Chen Qian-Qian , Li Jia , Zhang Lei , Qi Lian-Wen
Published: April 2021

Neuraminidase, also known as sialidase, is ubiquitous in animals and microorganisms. It is predominantly distributed in the cell membrane, cytoplasmic vesicles, and lysosomes. Neuraminidase generally recognizes the sialic acid glycosidic bonds at the ends of glycoproteins or glycolipids and enzymatically removes sialic acid. There are four types of neuraminidases, named as Neu1, Neu2, Neu3, and Neu4. Among them, Neu1 is the most abundant in mammals. Recent studies have revealed the involvement of Neu1 in several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and neurological disorders. In this review, we center the attention to the role of Neu1 in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, ischemic myocardial injury, cerebrovascular disease, congenital heart disease, and pulmonary embolism. We also summarize inhibitors from Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) in inhibiting virus neuraminidase or human Neu1. Many Chinese herbs and Chinese herb preparations, such as Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scutellariae Radix, Yupingfeng San, and Huanglian Jiedu Decoction, have neuraminidase inhibitory activity. We hope to highlight the emerging role of Neu1 in humans and potentially titillate interest for further studies in this area.
Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Combined Treatment Attenuates Colitis in Rats
Authors: Lee Yu-Mi , Seo Seung-Ho , Cho Seong-Young , Choi Dong-Hee , Cheon Min-Woo , Kim Hee-Young , Youn Dae-Hwan , Pak Sok Cheon , Son Hong-Seok , Na Chang-Su
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to verify the efficacy of a combined treatment of Jakyakgamcho-tang (JGT) and acupuncture (CV12, ST25, CV4) on colitis induced by dextrane sulfate sodium (DSS). Changes in immuno-mediated factors and metabolites were investigated. Colitis symptoms such as body weight loss and elevated disease activity index were alleviated by the combined treatment. Moreover, treatment with JGT and acupuncture restored the disturbed architecture of colon by suppressing inflammatory cytokine levels of IFN-[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] < 0.05), IL-5 ([Formula: see text] < 0.05), and IL-13 ([Formula: see text] < 0.0001) compared with the DSS group. Analysis of metabolic profiles of serum revealed that treatment groups were clearly separated from the DSS group, suggesting that JGT and acupuncture treatment altered serum metabolites. Furthermore, treatments caused opposite metabolite patterns for dimethylbenzimidazole, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol, proline, phosphate, glycolic acid, aspartic acid, tryptophan, phthalic acid, ornithine, and glutamic acid compared with the DSS group. The combined treatment group induced more effective metabolite patterns than the JGT group, implying that acupuncture treatment can restore metabolic changes caused by DSS induction. These results indicate that the simultaneous treatment of JGT administration and acupuncture procedure provides better management of the immune function and inflammatory expression of colitis than a single treatment. It is assumed that intestinal microbial control can be achieved by acupuncture stimulation as well as by taking herbal medicine.
4-Acetylantrocamol LT3 Inhibits Glioblastoma Cell Growth and Downregulates DNA Repair Enzyme O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase
Authors: Lee Shih-Yu , Yen I-Chuan , Lin Jang-Chun , Chung Min-Chieh , Liu Wei-Hsiu
Published: April 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a deadly malignant brain tumor that is resistant to most clinical treatments. Novel therapeutic agents that are effective against GBM are required. Antrodia cinnamomea has shown antiproliferative effects in GBM cells. However, the exact mechanisms and bioactive components remain unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of 4-acetylantrocamol LT3 (4AALT3), a new ubiquinone from Antrodia cinnamomeamycelium, in vitro. U87 and U251 cell lines were treated with the indicated concentration of 4AALT3. Cell viability, cell colony-forming ability, migration, and the expression of proteins in well-known signaling pathways involved in the malignant properties of glioblastoma were then analyzed by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and western blotting assays, respectively. We found that 4AALT3 significantly decreased cell viability, colony formation, and cell migration in both in vitro models. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP), and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathways were suppressed by 4AALT3. Moreover, 4AALT3 decreased the level of DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and showed a synergistic effect with temozolomide. Our findings provide the basis for exploring the beneficial effect of 4AALT3 on GBM in vivo.
Tangent space symmetries in general relativity and teleparallelism
Authors: Lawrence Tom
Published: April 2021

This paper looks at how changes of coordinates on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold induce homogeneous linear transformations on its tangent spaces. We see that a pseudo-orthonormal frame in a given tangent space is the basis for a set of Riemann normal coordinates. A Lorentz subgroup of the general linear transformations preserves this pseudo-orthonormality. We borrow techniques from the methodology of non-linear realizations to analyze this group-subgroup structure. “Parallel maps” are used to relate tangent space at different points. “Parallelisms” across a finite region of the manifold may be built up from them. These are used to define Weitzenböck connections and Levi-Civita connections. This provides a new formulation of teleparallel gravity, in which the tetrad field is viewed as a field-valued group element relating the coordinate basis to the frame basis used in defining a parallelism. This formulation separates the metric degrees of freedom from those associated with the choice of parallelism. The group element can be combined by matrix multiplication with Lorentz transformations of frame or with other Jacobian matrices. We show how this facilitates a new understanding of inertial forces and local Lorentz transformations. The analysis is also applied to translations of the coordinates. If they are constant across spacetime, this has no effect on the tangent space bases. If the translation parameters become fields, they induce general linear transformations of the coordinate basis; however, the tetrad components can only be expressed in terms of translations on a flat spacetime.
The effect of thermal radiation on singularities in the dark universe
Authors: Brevik I. , Timoshkin A. V. , Paul Tanmoy
Published: April 2021

Cosmological models with an inhomogeneous viscous dark fluid, coupled with dark matter in the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) flat universe, are considered. The influence of thermal effects caused by Hawking radiation on the visible horizon is studied, in connection with the classified Types I and III singularities which are known to occur within a finite amount of time. Allowance of thermal effects implies that a transition to a Type II singularity can take place, in a finite time. We take into account a bulk viscosity of the dark fluid, observing the equation of state in the case of radiation, and find that there is a qualitative change in the singular universe of Type I: it may pass into a singularity of Type III, or it may avoid the singularity at all.
Community Benefits and UK Offshore Wind Farms: Evolving Convergence in a Divergent Practice
Authors: Glasson John
Published: April 2021

The Offshore Wind sector is a major, dynamic, and rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. This is particularly so in Europe, and especially in the UK. Associated with the growth of the industry has been a growth of interest in community benefits as voluntary measures provided by a developer to the host community. However, in many cases, and for some of the large North Sea distant offshore wind farms, the benefits packages have been disparate and pro rata much smaller than for the well-established onshore wind farm industry. However, there are signs of change. This paper explores the issues of community benefits for the UK offshore sector and evolving practice, as reflected in a macro study of the adoption of community benefits approaches across the industry. This is followed by a more in-depth micro- approach, which explores approaches that have been adopted in three case studies of recent OWF projects — Aberdeen, Beatrice and the Hornsea Array. Whilst there is still much divergence in practice, there are also examples of some convergence, and the development of a more replicable practice. Particularly notable is the adoption of annual community benefits funds, as the key element of community benefits schemes/agreements between developers, local authorities and local communities.
Homotopy type of the unitary group of the uniform Roe algebra on ℤn
Authors: Kato Tsuyoshi , Kishimoto Daisuke , Tsutaya Mitsunobu
Published: April 2021

We study the homotopy type of the space of the unitary group [Formula: see text] of the uniform Roe algebra [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. We show that the stabilizing map [Formula: see text] is a homotopy equivalence. Moreover, when [Formula: see text], we determine the homotopy type of [Formula: see text], which is the product of the unitary group [Formula: see text] (having the homotopy type of [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] depending on the parity of [Formula: see text]) of the Roe algebra [Formula: see text] and rational Eilenberg–MacLane spaces.
Torelli group action on the configuration space of a surface
Authors: Looijenga Eduard
Published: April 2021

We show that the Torelli group of a closed surface of genus [Formula: see text] acts nontrivially on the rational cohomology of the space of [Formula: see text]-element subsets of that surface. This implies that for a Riemann surface of genus [Formula: see text], the mixed Hodge structure on the space of its positive, reduced divisors of degree [Formula: see text] does in general not split over [Formula: see text].
Hierarchical porous carbon fiber for fiber-shaped supercapacitor
Authors: Li Ying , Zhao Yaxin , Zhang Jinfang , Li Ning , Zhang Huinian , Huang Guobao , Wang Huiqi
Published: April 2021

Fiber-shaped supercapacitor has drawn more attention for wearable electronic devices. We prepared hierarchical porous carbon fiber (HPCF) successively by phase-separable wet-spinning of polyacrylonitrile, preoxidation and carbonization with tension to use for the fiber-shaped electrode. The added tension during preoxidation and carbonization and the elevated temperature of carbonization improve the order carbon structure and the graphitization degree, endowed HPCF with high strength of 326.95 MPa. Thus, the all solid-state fiber-shaped supercapacitor is assembled without breakage. In addition, the hierarchical porous structure of HPCF with specific surface area of 276.0 m2 g[Formula: see text] contributes a high specific capacitance of 158 F g[Formula: see text]. The novel porous carbon fiber in this work exhibits the appropriate potential for wearable applications.
Examining the Asymmetric Effects of Third-Country Exchange Rate Volatility on Pakistan–China Commodity Trade
Authors: Usman Ahmed , Apergis Nicholas , Anwar Sofia
Published: April 2021

Keeping in view the idea of the third-country effect by Cushman, the analysis attempts to capture the asymmetric impact of third-country exchange rate volatility on Pakistan–China commodity trade. The empirical analysis is based on the annual data for 14 industries that export from Pakistan to China and 34 industries that import to Pakistan from China. The findings of the study confirm that nonlinear models generate more significant results both in the short and long runs. Moreover, the empirical findings suggest that the asymmetric assumption alone is not enough, and instead, we should use it along with the third economy effect.
Investigations on Predictions and Characteristics of Flow Field in the Pipelines of Chillers for Measured Locations of Ultrasonic Flowmeters by CFD Approach
Authors: Chai Min-Lun , Chang Yu-Hsuan , Lin Chih-Hung , Tsai Jin-Cyuan , Chin Jhen-You , Inten Ratna Nur
Published: April 2021

The flow velocity profiles in most of the central air-conditioning pipelines are, in general, not fully developed flow and difficult to obtain the accurate flow rates by flowmeters, which are used for measuring average velocity. Especially for being at the outlet of an elbow, the accuracy of flow rate by measurement is quite low. Therefore, there are some limitations for measurements of flow rate and velocity profile by the present flow measuring technologies. The objective of this study was to establish an approach on accurate predictions of velocity profiles at different measured locations of central air-conditioning pipelines for nonuniform flow measurements by simulations of computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). All the velocity profiles will integrate as a database for predictions by neural network algorithm for smart measurement further. In the present work initially, international experiments were employed to validate the accuracy of CFD approach. The calculations were carried out by different turbulence models. The results compared with the experimental data by Realizable [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] turbulence model with less computing resources have great agreements. Realizable [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] turbulence model was, therefore, determined for the predictions of central air-conditioning pipeline. According to various pipings and pipe sizes, the results for three cases show that the velocity profiles in the pipelines would not be symmetrical and has strong secondary flow. Therefore, all of the flow profiles would be integrated and analyzed as a database and assist to get accurately the measured locations of ultrasonic flowmeters. Further, this database will be combined with algorithm of artificial neural network for smart predictions.
Dielectric properties of amorphous Bi–Ti–O thin films
Authors: Sun R. , Xu W. , van Dover R. B.
Published: April 2021

We report the unexpectedly excellent dielectric properties of amorphous thin films with compositions in the Bi–Ti–O system. Films were deposited by RF magnetron reactive co-sputtering. In the composition range of 0.5 < [Formula: see text] < 0.7, amorphous [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] exhibits excellent dielectric properties, with a high dielectric constant, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 53, and a dissipation factor as low as tan [Formula: see text] = 0.007. The corresponding maximum breakdown field reaches [Formula: see text]1.6 MV/cm, yielding a maximum stored charge per unit area of up to 8 [Formula: see text]C/cm2. This work demonstrates the potential of amorphous Bi–Ti–O as a high-performance thin-film dielectric material that is compatible with high-performance integrated circuits.
Lead-free 0–3-type composites: From piezoelectric sensitivity to modified figures of merit
Authors: Isaeva Ashura N. , Topolov Vitaly Yu.
Published: April 2021

Effective piezoelectric properties, electromechanical coupling factors (ECF) and figures of merit (FOM) are studied in lead-free 0–3-type composites based on novel ferroelectric 0.965([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]O3–0.035[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]O3 ceramic. Systems of prolate ceramic inclusions are surrounded by a large polymer matrix that can be either monolithic (in the 0–3 composite) or porous (in the 0–3–0 composite). Non-monotonic volume-fraction dependences of the effective piezoelectric coefficients [Formula: see text], ECF [Formula: see text], squared FOM [Formula: see text] and their modified analogs for stress-driven systems are analysed, and examples of the high longitudinal piezoelectric sensitivity ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text] 100 mV ⋅m/N) are considered. A role of microgeometrical factors, that promote the large effective parameters and anisotropy of properties in the 0–3-type composites, is highlighted. New “aspect ratio — volume fraction” diagrams are first built to describe conditions for high piezoelectric sensitivity, large modified FOM and their anisotropy in the studied composites. These advanced materials can be of value for piezoelectric sensor, energy-harvesting and related applications.
Dielectric spectroscopy and structural characterization of nano-filler-loaded epoxy resin
Authors: Thakor S. G. , Rana V. A. , Vankar H. P. , Pandit T. R.
Published: April 2021

This work outlines the characterization of epoxy resin [Bisphenol A-(epichlorhydrin): epoxy] and hardener [[Formula: see text](3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1,3-propylenediamine] with various inorganic nano-fillers. Dielectric characterizations of epoxy, hardener, neat epoxy (epoxy + hardener) and nano-epoxy (nano-filler + neat epoxy) composites loaded with 1 wt.% of inorganic nano-fillers (SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2 and ZnO) were carried out using precision LCR meter, over the frequency range of 1 kHz–2 MHz at a constant temperature of 300.15 K. The structural information of nano-fillers, neat epoxy and nano-epoxy composites was understood by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and by XRD. Moreover, hardness and shear strength (shear punch) were also determined in order to gain additional information about the mechanical properties of epoxy composite. Influence of inorganic nano-fillers on the dielectric properties, structural chemistry and mechanical properties of neat epoxy composite is discussed thoroughly in this study.
Virologic microparticle fluid mechanics simulation: COVID-19 transmission inside an elevator space
Authors: Nouri Zahra , Norouzi Nima , Norouzi Neda , Ataei Elham , Azizi Sania
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 is a serious respiratory disease caused by a devastating coronavirus family (2019-nCoV) that has become a global epidemic. It is an infectious virus transmitted by inhalation or contact with the droplet core produced by infected people when they sneeze, cough, and speak. SARS-COV-2 transmission in the air is possible even in a confined space near the infected person. This study examines air conditioners’ effect on the mixed virus and droplets with aerosol disinfectant and gets throughout the elevator to detect the SARS-COV-2, which helps protect passengers’ lives. This study uses fluent 2019R3 software to simulate the virus transmission to model the transient flows numerically. The analysis found that the ventilation system’s turbulent fields can be an effective method of protecting the space from being saturated by the coronavirus.
Petrogenesis of a calc-alkaline lamprophyre (minette) from Thanewasna, Western Bastar Craton, Central India: insights from mineral, bulk rock and
in-situ
trace element geochemistry
Authors: Dora Muduru Lachhana , Randive Kirtikumar , Meshram Rajkumar , Meshram Tushar , Baswani Srinivas Rao , Korakoppa Mahesh , Malviya Vivek P.
Published: April 2021

The lamproites and kimberlites are well known from the Eastern Bastar Craton, Central India. However, a Proterozoic lamprophyre dyke is discussed here, from the Western Bastar Craton (WBC). The field geology, petrographic, mineralogical and whole-rock and
in-situ
trace element geochemistry of biotite are described to understand the petrogenesis and lithospheric evolution in the WBC. The Thanewasna lamprophyre (TL) is undeformed and unmetamorphosed, intruded into
c.
2.5 Ga charnockite and metagabbro but closely associated with
c.
1.62 Ga undeformed Mul granite. The TL has a characteristic porphyritic texture, dominated by phenocrysts of biotite, microphenocryst of amphibole, clinopyroxene and a groundmass controlled by feldspar. Mineral chemistry of biotite and amphibole suggest a calc-alkaline (CAL) type, and pyroxene chemistry reveals an orogenic setting. The TL is characterized by high SiO
2
and low TiO
2,
MgO, Ni and Cr, consistent with its subcontinental lithospheric origin. The presence of crustal xenolith and ocelli texture followed by observed variations in Th/Yb, Hf/Sm, La/Nb, Ta/La, Nb/Yb, Ba/Nb indicate substantial crustal contamination. Whole-rock and
in-situ
biotite analysis by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry show low concentrations of Ni (30–50 ppm) and Cr (70–150 ppm), pointing to the parental magma evolved nature. Enrichment in H
2
O, reflected in magmatic mica dominance, combined with high large ion lithophile element, Th/Yb ratios, and striking negative Nb–Ta anomalies in trace element patterns, is consistent with a source that was metasomatized by hydrous fluids corresponding to those generated by subduction-related processes. Significant Zr–Hf and Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized multi-element plots and the rare earth element pattern of the TL, similar to the global CAL average trend, including Eastern Dharwar Craton lamprophyres. Our findings provide substantial petrological and geochemical constraints on petrogenesis and geodynamics. However, the geodynamic trigger that generated CAL magmatism and its role in Cu–Au metallogeny in the WBC, Central India, is presently indistinct in the absence of isotopic studies. Nevertheless, the lamprophyre dyke is emplaced close to the Cu–(Au) deposit at Thanewasna.
Brittlestar diversity at the dawn of the Jenkyns Event (early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event): new microfossils from the Dudelange drill core, Luxembourg
Authors: Thuy Ben , Numberger-Thuy Lea D.
Published: April 2021

Ophiuroids, the slender-armed cousins of starfish, constitute an important component of modern marine benthos and have been used successfully in the exploration of (palaeo)-ecological and evolutionary trends, yet their fossil record is still poorly known. One of the major gaps in the known palaeobiodiversity of this group coincides with a global palaeoenvironmental crisis during the early Toarcian (Early Jurassic, 183 myr ago), known as the Jenkyns Event. Here we describe ophiuroid remains retrieved from a series of samples from the Dudelange (Luxembourg) drill core, which spans the lower part of the Toarcian, between the top of the Pliensbachian and the onset of the Jenkyns Event. A total of 21 species are recorded, including three new genera and 12 new species. Ophiuroid diversity and abundance fluctuate in parallel with depositional facies, with lowest values coinciding with black shales. Highest diversities, including exceptional occurrences of taxa nowadays restricted to deep-sea areas, are recorded from just below the black shales, corresponding to the onset of the Jenkyns Event. Our results show that even small (100 g) bulk sediment samples retrieved from drill cores can yield numerous identifiable ophiuroid remains, thus unlocking this group for the study of faunal change across palaeoenvironmental crises.
Slow Current or Potential Scanning of Battery Porous Electrodes: Generalized Perturbation Solution and the Merits of Sinusoidal Current Cycling
Authors: Baker Daniel R. , Verbrugge Mark W.
Published: April 2021

The determination of Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) is required in order to successfully model electrode behavior, and a standard method for doing this is to charge and discharge a cell at very slow current rates while measuring both voltage and State of Charge (SOC). For example, scans at a rate of C/100 (needing 100 h to charge from empty to full) are often used, but faster scans lose accuracy because irreversible losses, including those due to transport phenomena and reaction kinetics, impact the voltage in rough proportion to scan rate. We develop perturbation methods to correct measurements at higher scan rates to make their accuracy comparable to results at slower scan rates. Perturbation corrections are given for cases in which current is scanned (e.g., at different constant C-rates) as well as when voltage is scanned (e.g., linear-sweep voltammetry). Sinusoidal scanning of either voltage or current is proposed to eliminate the discontinuities at scan reversal, increasing the accuracy of these methods. The analytic formulas given here can be combined with a regression analysis of data at multiple scan rates to determine not only the OCV but also other resistances in the electrode, and this is a goal of future work.
Near-Infrared Mechanoluminescence Material from Organic Acid-Aided Process
Authors: Fujio Yuki , Xu Chao-Nan , Terasaki Nao
Published: April 2021

Near-infrared-mechanoluminescence (NIR-ML) intensity of monoclinic SrAl2O4 doped with Eu2+ ion (SrAl2O4:Eu) ML material was tuned by the addition of other metal ions (Cr3+, Nd3+ or both metal ions) into the SrAl2O4 matrix through an organic acid-aided process. This paper especially focused on the synthesis of ML materials with multi-metal elements utilizing an organic acid-aided method and the optical properties of the ML materials such as SrAl2O4 doped with Eu2+, Eu2+ + Cr3+, Eu2+ + Nd3+, or Eu2+ + Cr3+ + Nd3+ ions aiming at the expression of multi-wavelength luminescence including visible (0.4–0.7 μm) and NIR (0.7–2.5 μm) wavelength ranges. From characterizations of the synthesized materials, we found that the organic acid-aided method could synthesize even the ML material with complicated multi-metal element composition. Moreover, the SrAl2O4 doped with Eu2+, Cr3+, and Nd3+ ions gave the highest ML intensity in the wavelength range of 750–1000 nm compared to the other synthesized ML materials, although there was almost no difference in the crystal structure and particle morphology. Correlations between photoluminescence intensity and the additive metal elements into the SrAl2O4:Eu were suggestive that the NIR-ML intensity was produced by the energy transfer from Eu2+ ion to Cr3+ and Nd3+ ions based on an energy transfer mechanism.
Secondary denervation is a chronic pathophysiologic sequela of volumetric muscle loss
Authors: Sorensen Jacob R. , Hoffman Daniel B. , Corona Benjamin T. , Greising Sarah M.
Published: April 2021

This work advances our understanding of the pathophysiologic complexity of volumetric muscle loss injury. Specifically, we identified secondary denervation in the muscle remaining after volumetric muscle loss injuries as a novel aspect of the injury sequela. Denervation increased chronically, in parallel with the appearance of irregular morphological characteristics and destabilization of the neuromuscular junction, which is expected to further confound chronic functional impairments.
Arterial blood gas measurements during deep open-water breath-hold dives
Authors: Scott Tom , van Waart Hanna , Vrijdag Xavier C. E. , Mullins David , Mesley Peter , Mitchell Simon J.
Published: April 2021

Arterial blood gas measurements at both maximum depth and the surface before breathing on the same dive have not previously been obtained during deep breath-hold dives in cold open-water conditions and competition dive format. Such measurements were obtained in two dives to 60 m (197′) of 2 min duration. Changes in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide (an increase during descent, and a decrease during ascent) support previous observations in less extreme dives and environments.