bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding a Way Forward
Authors: Winters Jeffery
Published: September 2020

In May and June of 2020, the editors of Mechanical Engineering magazine convened a series of talks with experts from a range of engineering disciplines to explore these issues that are at the heart of the engineering response to COVID-19. The title of that series, Rebooting After the Pandemic, may have sounded a bit premature as many American states were grappling with a rising wave of infection in June. The forward-facing focus is, however, critical. The time to prepare for the post-pandemic world is now.
Analysis of the Behavior of an Air Conditioning System Based on the Solar Energy Natural Regulation in Amazonian Climatic Conditions
Authors: Santos Elson C. , Macêdo Emanuel N. , Galhardo Marcos A. B. , Costa Thiago Oliveira , Costa André Felipe P. , Brito Alaan U. , Oliveira Luis Guilherme M. , Macêdo Wilson N.
Published: September 2020

Air conditioning systems (ACSs) represent one of the main demands for electricity in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The use of a photovoltaic air conditioning unit (PVACU) represents an attractive application to this demand for reasons such as environmental concerns and the match between diurnal cooling load and solar resource. A PVACU consists of a photovoltaic generator (PVG) that supply an ACS through direct current to direct current and frequency converters, without energy storage. This system considers the natural adjustment of the ACS cooling capacity according to the PVG power. Modeling the ACS, the PVG, and the thermal load (TL) makes possible to evaluate PVACU performance. For this, a small library’s TL and an ACS supplied by a PVG were used as case study. The PVG installed capacity assumes values of 700, 1000, and 1400 Wp. The simulation results show that the PVACU with a 1400 Wp PVG would be sufficient to regulate internal temperature within international comfort standards in the range of 20 °C to 24 °C. According to the data obtained in the simulations, it was possible to conclude that the PVACU has a large potential to be used in air conditioning of other environments in regions with Amazonian climatic conditions.
Optimal Layout for Façade-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Arrays in Constrained Fields
Authors: ur Rehman Naveed
Published: September 2020

A method for optimizing the geometrical layout for a façade-mounted solar photovoltaic array is presented. Unlike conventional studies, this work takes into account the finite height of the façade, which is more realistic. The proposed analytical relationships and optimization routine evaluate the best tilt angle and the number of panels such that the whole layout receives the maximum solar radiation, year-round. This is achieved while ensuring that the panels are at a safe minimum distance to avoid mutual shading issues. Validation was performed by simulating the scenarios and comparing the results with manual measurements taken in a three-dimensional drafting program. The method was then used to evaluate designs for facades with a variety of orientations, hypothetically located in Auckland, New Zealand. For this case study, the per-panel and total year-round energy accumulation associated with the number of panels were determined. The results showed that more panels can be integrated into constrained fields by sacrificing the year-round best value of the tilt angle. Therefore, increasing the number of panels may decrease the energy accumulation performance.
Betting on Better Buoyancy? Be Careful What You Wish For
Authors: González-Espada Wilson J. , Jones Brooke S.
Published: September 2020

The study of buoyancy is common in physics classrooms. In the last 20 years, several educators have described, theoretically and experimentally, buoyant forces and Archimedes’ principle, both in The Physics Teacher and elsewhere. However, as far as I know, no one has reported on the pedagogical implications and experimental results of measuring the buoyant force acting on a submerged object using the overflow can method and a surface tension lowering agent (soapy water), as described in an online YouTube video aimed at teachers and produced by PASCO. This article critically examines the claims presented in this video using experimental data and teacher advice.
Dose-dependent effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on spike timing in awake nonhuman primates
Authors: Johnson Luke , Alekseichuk Ivan , Krieg Jordan , Doyle Alex , Yu Ying , Vitek Jerrold , Johnson Matthew , Opitz Alexander
Published: September 2020

Transcranial alternating current stimulation increases neural spike entrainment and burstiness in the awake primate brain.
Novel fractionated ultrashort thermal exposures with MRI-guided focused ultrasound for treating tumors with thermosensitive drugs
Authors: Santos Marc A. , Wu Sheng-Kai , Regenold Maximilian , Allen Christine , Goertz David E. , Hynynen Kullervo
Published: September 2020

Focused ultrasound mild heating in short durations has an antitumor effect when combined with temperature-sensitive chemotherapy.
PhenoChip: A single-cell phenomic platform for high-throughput photophysiological analyses of microalgae
Authors: Behrendt Lars , Salek M. Mehdi , Trampe Erik L. , Fernandez Vicente I. , Lee Kang Soo , Kühl Michael , Stocker Roman
Published: September 2020

PhenoChip enables the rapid characterization of unicellular photosynthetic phenotypes under user-defined physicochemical conditions.
Anisotropic ultrasensitive PdTe
2
-based phototransistor for room-temperature long-wavelength detection
Authors: Guo Cheng , Hu Yibin , Chen Gang , Wei Dacheng , Zhang Libo , Chen Zhiqingzi , Guo Wanlong , Xu Huang , Kuo Chia-Nung , Lue Chin Shan , Bo Xiangyan , Wan Xiangang , Wang Lin , Politano Antonio , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei
Published: September 2020

PdTe
2
-based photodetectors reveal anisotropic and highly efficient intraband photocurrents at long wavelength.
Asphalt-related emissions are a major missing nontraditional source of secondary organic aerosol precursors
Authors: Khare Peeyush , Machesky Jo , Soto Ricardo , He Megan , Presto Albert A. , Gentner Drew R.
Published: September 2020

Laboratory and field observations of organic compound emissions reveal a previously unknown source of reactive pollution precursors.
Three-dimensional structure of 22 uncultured ssRNA bacteriophages: Flexibility of the coat protein fold and variations in particle shapes
Authors: Rūmnieks Jānis , Liekniņa Ilva , Kalniņš Gints , Šišovs Mihails , Akopjana Ināra , Bogans Jānis , Tārs Kaspars
Published: September 2020

Capsid structures reveal a remarkable structural diversity among small bacterial RNA viruses.
The small effects of political advertising are small regardless of context, message, sender, or receiver: Evidence from 59 real-time randomized experiments
Authors: Coppock Alexander , Hill Seth J. , Vavreck Lynn
Published: September 2020

Campaign persuasion operates with notable consistency across political parties, message tone, and information environment.
Effective combination immunotherapy using oncolytic viruses to deliver CAR targets to solid tumors
Authors: Park Anthony K. , Fong Yuman , Kim Sang-In , Yang Jason , Murad John P. , Lu Jianming , Jeang Brook , Chang Wen-Chung , Chen Nanhai G. , Thomas Sandra H. , Forman Stephen J. , Priceman Saul J.
Published: September 2020

An effective combination immunotherapy using oncolytic viruses delivers de novo CD19 to promote CD19-CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors in mice.
Antimicrobial Activity of Aztreonam-Avibactam and Comparator Agents When Tested against a Large Collection of Contemporary Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates from Medical Centers Worldwide
Authors: Sader Helio S. , Duncan Leonard R. , Arends S. J. Ryan , Carvalhaes Cecilia G. , Castanheira Mariana
Published: September 2020

Aztreonam-avibactam was tested against 1,839
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
isolates collected worldwide and demonstrated potent activity against isolates from all geographic regions and infection types (overall MIC
50/90
, 4/4 mg/liter; 97.8% inhibited at ≤8 mg/liter). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (MIC
50/90
, ≤0.5/1 mg/liter; 95.4% susceptible) and minocycline (MIC
50/90
, 0.5/2 mg/liter; 99.
Building Optimal Three-Drug Combination Chemotherapy Regimens
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Neely Michael N. , Kim Sarah , Yamada Walter M. , Schmidt Stephan , Duncanson Brandon , Nole Jocelyn , Mtchedlidze Nino , Peloquin Charles A. , Louie Arnold
Published: September 2020

Multidrug therapy is often required. Examples include antiviral therapy, nosocomial infections, and, most commonly, anti-
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
therapy. Our laboratory previously identified a mathematical approach to identify 2-drug regimens with a synergistic or additive interaction using a full factorial study design. Our objective here was to generate a method to identify an optimal 3-drug therapy. We studied
M. tuberculosis
isolate H37Rv in log-phase growth in flasks.
Rapid Detection and Characterization of Carbapenemases in
Enterobacterales
with a New Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method, mCIMplus
Authors: Petit Morgane , Caméléna François , Cointe Aurélie , Poncin Thibaut , Merimèche Manel , Bonacorsi Stéphane , Birgy André , Berçot Béatrice
Published: September 2020

The worldwide emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria are severely limiting therapeutic options and thus constitute a major public health threat. The timely accurate detection of carbapenemase producers and the determination of carbapenemase class according to the Ambler classification can guide antimicrobial therapy and facilitate infection control measures. A modified version of the carbapenemase inactivation method (CIM), mCIM, was described and approved by the CLSI in 2017.
Time to Result for Pathogen Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Endotracheal Aspirate Specimens in U.S. Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: MacVane Shawn H. , Oppermann Niels , Humphries Romney M.
Published: September 2020

Identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of respiratory pathogens are critical to the management of patients with pneumonia to facilitate optimal antibiotic therapy selection. Few studies have examined the time to results (TTR) for this critical specimen, and such data can be valuable for benchmarking the current paradigm of diagnostic approaches. TTR for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and endotracheal aspirate (ETA) specimens from hospitalized patients was evaluated using the Premier Healthcare Database, a comprehensive database of 194 U.
Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp.
diarizonae
Serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) Strain 14-SA00836-0, Isolated from Human Urine
Authors: Uelze Laura , Borowiak Maria , Flieger Antje , Simon Sandra , Tausch Simon H. , Malorny Burkhard
Published: September 2020

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
diarizonae
serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) is commonly associated with sheep. Occasionally, the serovar has been found to also infect humans. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain 14-SA00836-0, isolated from human urine. To our knowledge, this is the first reported complete genome sequence of this serovar isolated from a human clinical sample.
Genome-Wide Identification of Transcription Start Sites in Two
Alphaproteobacteria
, Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM 12444
Authors: Myers Kevin S. , Vera Jessica M. , Lemmer Kimberly C. , Linz Alexandra M. , Landick Robert , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: September 2020

Here, we report the genome-wide identification of transcription start sites (TSSs) from two
Alphaproteobacteria
grown under conditions that result in significant changes in gene expression. TSSs that were identified as present in one condition or both will be an important resource for future studies of these, and possibly other,
Alphaproteobacteria
.
Draft Genome Sequences of Six Corynebacterium ulcerans Strains Isolated from Humans and Animals in Austria, 2013 to 2019
Authors: Schaeffer Justine , Huhulescu Steliana , Stoeger Anna , Allerberger Franz , Ruppitsch Werner
Published: September 2020

Corynebacterium ulcerans
is an emerging pathogen responsible for severe diseases in humans and animals. Here, we present the draft genome of six
C. ulcerans
strains isolated in Austria. These draft genomes have 2,446,822 to 2,551,141 bp encoding 57 to 60 RNAs.
Supplemental Material: Holocene to latest Pleistocene incremental slip rates from the east-central Hope fault (Conway segment) at Hossack Station, Marlborough fault system, South Island, New Zealand: Towards a dated path of earthquake slip along a plate boundary fault
Authors: Hatem A.E. , al. et
Published: September 2020

Includes IRSL detailed procedures with figures and a table, line log of trench 3, and an alternative restoration of offset B.
Cardiorespiratory considerations for return-to-play in elite athletes after COVID-19 infection: a practical guide for sport and exercise medicine physicians
Authors: Wilson Mathew G , Hull James H , Rogers John , Pollock Noel , Dodd Miranda , Haines Jemma , Harris Sally , Loosemore Mike , Malhotra Aneil , Pieles Guido , Shah Anand , Taylor Lesley , Vyas Aashish , Haddad Fares S , Sharma Sanjay
Published: September 2020

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has necessitated that all professional and elite sport is either suspended, postponed or cancelled altogether to minimise the risk of viral spread. As infection rates drop and quarantine restrictions are lifted, the question how athletes can safely resume competitive sport is being asked. Given the rapidly evolving knowledge base about the virus and changing governmental and public health recommendations, a precise answer to this question is fraught with complexity and nuance. Without robust data to inform policy, return-to-play (RTP) decisions are especially difficult for elite athletes on the suspicion that the COVID-19 virus could result in significant cardiorespiratory compromise in a minority of afflicted athletes. There are now consistent reports of athletes reporting persistent and residual symptoms many weeks to months after initial COVID-19 infection. These symptoms include cough, tachycardia and extreme fatigue. To support safe RTP, we provide sport and exercise medicine physicians with practical recommendations on how to exclude cardiorespiratory complications of COVID-19 in elite athletes who place high demand on their cardiorespiratory system. As new evidence emerges, guidance for a safe RTP should be updated.
Rapid development of interprofessional in situ simulation-based training in
response to the COVID-19 outbreak in a tertiary-level hospital in Ireland: initial
response and lessons for future disaster preparation
Authors: Contreras Maya , Curran Emer , Ross Mark , Moran Peter , Sheehan Ann , Brennan Aoife Marie , Cosgrave David , McElwain Jennifer , Lavelle Claire , Lynch Bonnie
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The first case of COVID-19 in Ireland was diagnosed on 29 February 2020.
Within the same week, our Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care at
University Hospital Galway began to tackle the educational challenge by
developing an  in situ interprofessional simulation programme to prepare staff
for the impending outbreak.

Principles and approaches used for simulation-based
training

We describe principles applied to identify core educational and system
engineering objectives to prepare healthcare workers (HCWs) for infection
control, personal and psychological safety, technical and crisis resource
management skills. We discuss application of educational theories, rationale
for simulation modes and debriefing techniques.

Development of the simulation programme

3 anaesthesia (general, obstetric, paediatric) and 1 critical care silo
were created. 13 simulated scenarios were developed for teaching as well as for
testing workflows specific to the outbreak. To support HCWs and ensure safety,
management guidelines, cognitive aids and checklists were developed using
simulation. The cumulative number of HCWs trained in simulation was 750 over a
4-week period.

Challenges and future directions

Due to the protracted nature of the pandemic, simulation educators should
address questions related to sustainability, infection control while delivering
simulation, establishment of hybrid programmes and support for psychological
preparedness.
Probing quantum gravity effects with quantum mechanical oscillators
Authors: Bonaldi Michele , Borrielli Antonio , Chowdhury Avishek , Di Giuseppe Gianni , Li Wenlin , Malossi Nicola , Marino Francesco , Morana Bruno , Natali Riccardo , Piergentili Paolo , Prodi Giovanni A. , Sarro Pasqualina M. , Serra Enrico , Vezio Paolo , Vitali David , Marin Francesco
Published: September 2020

Phenomenological models aiming to join gravity and quantum mechanics often predict effects that are potentially measurable in refined low-energy experiments. For instance, modified commutation relations between position and momentum, that account for a minimal scale length, yield a dynamics that can be codified in additional Hamiltonian terms. When applied to the paradigmatic case of a mechanical oscillator, such terms, at the lowest order in the deformation parameter, introduce a weak intrinsic nonlinearity and, consequently, deviations from the classical trajectory. This point of view has stimulated several experimental proposals and realizations, leading to meaningful upper limits to the deformation parameter. All such experiments are based on classical mechanical oscillators, i.e., excited from a thermal state. We remark indeed that decoherence, that plays a major role in distinguishing the classical from the quantum behavior of (macroscopic) systems, is not usually included in phenomenological quantum gravity models. However, it would not be surprising if peculiar features that are predicted by considering the joined roles of gravity and quantum physics should manifest themselves just on purely quantum objects. On the basis of this consideration, we propose experiments aiming to observe possible quantum gravity effects on macroscopic mechanical oscillators that are preliminary prepared in a high purity state, and we report on the status of their realization.

Graphical abstract
Transportation and analysis of hybrid nanomaterial (graphene oxide, copper) in radiated Darcy–Forchheimer flow with entropy optimization
Authors: Waqas M. , Ijaz Khan M. , Alzahrani Faris , Hobiny Aatef
Published: September 2020

Entropy optimization or entropy plays vital roles in our understanding of numerous various diverse phenomena running from cosmology to science. Their significance is shown in regions of immediate practical interest like provision of global energy as well as in others of a progressively essential flavor, such as the source of order and unpredictability in nature. The purpose of this communication is to investigate some of ongoing and significant outcomes in a way that not only appeals to the entropy expert but also makes them available to the nonexpert looking for an outline of the field. This communication addresses the entropy optimized flow of hybrid nanofluid between two plates accounting Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium. Energy equation is developed through implementation of first law of thermodynamics subject to radiative flux, dissipation and Joule heating. MHD fluid is rotating with angular frequency [Formula: see text]. Total entropy rate obtained is subject to thermal irreversibility, friction or dissipation irreversibility, magnetic or Joule heating irreversibility and Darcy–Forchheimer irreversibility via second law of thermodynamics. The nonlinear ordinary system (differential equations) is tackled via homotopy method for series solutions. Behaviors of sundry variables on the velocity, skin friction, temperature, Nusselt number and entropy generation rate are discussed and presented through various plots. Schematic flow diagram is presented. Furthermore, skin friction (drag force) and Nusselt number are discussed numerically. Obtained results analyzed that the entropy rate increases subject to higher radiation parameter and Hartmann and Brinkman numbers.
The electronic and magnetic properties of 3d VIIB and VIII atom-substituted C20 cage
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhao Zhen , Shao Tao-Tao , Liu Zhong-Suo , Qi Ji-Long
Published: September 2020

To analyze the contributions of the metal atoms to stabilize and synthesize the small cage-like carbon clusters, the configurations, electronic and magnetic characteristics of Mn-, Fe-, Co- and Ni-substituted C[Formula: see text] cage have been investigated using the PBE functional. The results demonstrate that the TM (TM[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) substitution decreases the structural stability of the C[Formula: see text] cages, while increases the activity of the C[Formula: see text] cages. Electronic migrations between the TM atoms and C atoms are less. All the TM–C bonds of the TMC[Formula: see text] and TM2C[Formula: see text] clusters display covalent bond characters. The [Formula: see text] orbitals of TM atoms lose electrons, the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] orbitals of TM atoms obtain electrons. The special distributions of the HOMO states of the TMC[Formula: see text] and TM2C[Formula: see text] clusters are mainly from the hybridization of the C [Formula: see text] orbitals and the TM [Formula: see text] orbitals. The Mn2C[Formula: see text] cages display the highest spin polarization.
Local Routing in Convex Subdivisions
Authors: Bose Prosenjit , Durocher Stephane , Mondal Debajyoti , Peabody Maxime , Skala Matthew , Wahid Mohammad Abdul
Published: September 2020

In various wireless networking settings, node locations determine a network’s topology, allowing the network to be modelled by a geometric graph drawn in the plane. Without any additional information, local geometric routing algorithms can guarantee delivery to the target node only in restricted classes of geometric graphs, such as triangulations. In order to guarantee delivery on more general classes of geometric graphs (e.g., convex subdivisions or planar subdivisions), previous local geometric routing algorithms required [Formula: see text] state bits to be stored and passed with the message. We present the first local geometric routing algorithm using only one state bit to guarantee delivery on convex subdivisions and, when the algorithm has knowledge of the incoming port (the preceding node on the route), the first stateless local geometric routing algorithm that guarantees delivery on edge-augmented monotone subdivisions (including all convex subdivisions). We also show that [Formula: see text] state bits are necessary in planar subdivisions in which faces may have three or more reflex vertices.
The fundamental and pioneering role of the Geological Survey in China's social development
Authors: Yan Guangsheng , Lin Liangjun , Ren Shoumai , Situ Yu
Published: September 2020

The China Geological Survey (CGS) is affiliated to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, and is responsible for the unified deployment, organization and implementation of basic, public and strategic geological surveying and mineral exploration, providing basic geological data and information for economic and social development, and responding to public demands. Over the past 20 years, the CGS has been focusing on the national key development strategies and undertaking geological surveys to support the nation's resources and energy security, regional economic development, disaster prevention and mitigation, poverty alleviation, and other related undertakings. Specifically, the CGS has been playing a role in the following areas: assessment of mineral resources, energy resources, urban geology and geo-environment, as well as offering update and application of geodata for public and several other services.
Reconstructing the pre-Variscan puzzle of Cambro-Ordovician basement rocks in the southwestern European margin of Gondwana
Authors: Álvaro J. Javier , Casas Josep Maria , Quesada Cecilio
Published: September 2020

A Cambro-Ordovician palaeogeographical restoration of the southwestern European margin of Gondwana is proposed based on the relative positions of Variscan tectonostratigraphic units. Four palaeogeographical proximal–distal transects are recognized and comprise: (i) the Cantabrian, West Asturian-Leonese, Central Iberian/Central Armorican and Ossa-Morena/North Armorican zones and domains of the Iberian and Armorican massifs, respectively; (ii) the South Armorican Domain and its lateral prolongation into the Thiviers-Payzac unit and the Occitan Domain, including the transect from the Axial, southern and northern Montagne Noire, and the Albigeois-southern Cévennes unit; (iii) the southern and northern sides of the Canigó Massif in the Eastern Pyrenees; and (iv) the External Zone and the External and Internal nappes of Sardinia. Two geodynamic scenarios are recognized controlled by the presence/absence of: (i) the Furongian–Early Ordovician (Toledanian or ‘lacaune normande’) break-up unconformity across the Ossa-Morena/North Armorican and Central Iberian/Central Armorican belts; (ii) the Early–Late Ordovician (Sardic) Phase across the Occitan and Pyrenean domains and SW Sardinia; and (iii) the migration of peaks in trilobite and cinctan (echinoderm) diversity. Other similar palaeogeographical shifts are recognized in zircon provenance patterns, the occurrence of climatically sensitive subtropical facies and mineral indicators across platform–basinal transects along the Gondwana margin. This multidisciplinary framework is proposed as a preliminary step in the quest to produce more tightly constrained Early Paleozoic reconstructions along southwestern Europe.
Credit for and Control of Research Outputs in Genomic Citizen Science
Authors: Guerrini Christi J. , Contreras Jorge L.
Published: September 2020

Citizen science encompasses activities with scientific objectives in which members of the public participate as more than passive research subjects from whom personal data or biospecimens are collected and analyzed by others. Citizen science is increasingly common in the biomedical sciences, including the fields of genetics and human genomics. Genomic citizen science initiatives are diverse and involve citizen scientists in collecting genetic data, solving genetic puzzles, and conducting experiments in community laboratories. At the same time that genomic citizen science is presenting new opportunities for individuals to participate in scientific discovery, it is also challenging norms regarding the manner in which scientific research outputs are managed. In this review, we present a typology of genomic citizen science initiatives, describe ethical and legal foundations for recognizing genomic citizen scientists’ claims of credit for and control of research outputs, and detail how such claims are or might be addressed in practice across a variety of initiatives.
Effect of Cations in Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids on 18650 Supercapacitors of Activated Carbon
Authors: Wuamprakhon Phatsawit , Donthongkwa Ruttiyakorn , Sawangphruk Montree
Published: September 2020

The energy storage device with high energy and power densities with good cyclability is required. In principle, the energy density or specific energy of supercapacitor is proportional to the square of working potential window. In this work, different ionic liquids (ILs) with wide working potential windows are used as the electrolyte of supercapacitors using activated carbon. ILs of imidazolium-based structures with different sizes of alkyl chain (i.e., ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl) are synthesized to investigate their effects on the performance of supercapacitors. Also, we fabricated the 18650 cylindrical cells of symmetrical supercapacitors. The device with EMI-TFSI provides the highest performance following by PMITFSI, BMI-TFSI and PTMI-TFSI, respectively. This device reveals the specific capacitance of 3.44 F/g Cell (ca. 89 F a cell) and 22.28 F/g Active Material at an applied high current of 100 mA per cell. Moreover, optimum specific energy of this device (3.30 Wh kg-1 and 21.33Wh kg-1 as function of cell mass and active mass, respectively) is higher than PMI-TFSI, BMI-TFSI and PTMI-TFSI around 15, 80 and 85 %, respectively. The results elucidate that the size of alkyl chain of imidazolium cation play the importance role in electrochemical of device. We hope that these results may pave a way to design the structure of IL electrolyte for high energy storage in large-scale production.
Concomitant Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, and Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Alhussinan Modhi , Elarjani Turki , Jawhari Mohammed , Albrahim Mohammed , Farrash Faisal
Published: September 2020

Background. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are disorders of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics. Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare low-grade astrocytoma (World Health Organization grade II) representing <1% of astrocytomas. Combination of IIH and NPH with PXA is unheard of, with few published cases discussing the association of CNS tumors with either IIH or NPH, but never combined. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman with such a rare combination. Case Presentation. A fifty-one-year-old obese female presented with a progressive visual loss, abducens nerve palsy, and headache for three months. Further investigations revealed a right frontal tumor and ventriculomegaly on magnetic resonance imaging. Her symptoms improved remarkably after total surgical excision of the tumor with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Conclusion. The pathophysiology behind NPH and IIH is still not fully understood, yet their management is mostly dependent on CSF diversion. The concomitant development of two different CSF dynamic diseases with a PXA has not been reported in the literature. We hypothesize that PXA may have sparked an abnormal CSF circulation pattern and ventriculomegaly.
Spatiotemporal Assessment of Temperature Data Products for the Detection of Warming Trends and Abrupt Transitions over the Largest Irrigated Area of Pakistan
Authors: Nawaz Zain , Li Xin , Chen Yingying , Wang Xufeng , Zhang Kun , Nawaz Naima , Guo Yanlong , Meerzhan Akynbekkyzy
Published: September 2020

Reliable and accurate temperature data acquisition is not only important for hydroclimate research but also crucial for the management of water resources and agriculture. Gridded data products (GDPs) offer an opportunity to estimate and monitor temperature indices at a range of spatiotemporal resolutions; however, their reliability must be quantified by spatiotemporal comparison against in situ records. Here, we present spatial and temporal assessments of temperature indices (Tmax, Tmin, Tmean, and DTR) products against the reference data during the period of 1979–2015 over Punjab Province, Pakistan. This region is considered as a center for agriculture and irrigated farming. Our study is the first spatiotemporal statistical evaluation of the performance and selection of potential GDPs over the study region and is based on statistical indicators, trend detection, and abrupt change analysis. Results revealed that the CRU temperature indices (Tmax, Tmin, Tmean, and DTR) outperformed the other GDPs as indicated by their higher CC and R2 but lower bias and RMSE. Furthermore, trend and abrupt change analysis indicated the superior performances of the CRU Tmin and Tmean products. However, the Tmax and DTR products were less accurate for detecting trends and abrupt transitions in temperature. The tested GDPs as well as the reference data series indicate significant warming during the period of 1997–2001 over the study region. Differences between GDPs revealed discrepancies of 1-2°C when compared with different products within the same category and with reference data. The accuracy of all GDPs was particularly poor in the northern Punjab, where underestimates were greatest. This preliminary evaluation of the different GDPs will be useful for assessing inconsistencies and the capabilities of the products prior to their reliable utilization in hydrological and meteorological applications particularly over arid and semiarid regions.
Lower Central Fat Increase Risk of One-Year Muscle Mass Loss in Menopausal Women
Authors: Chen Ying-Chou , Lin Wei-Che , Cheng Tien-Tsai , Chen Jia-Feng , Yu Shan-Fu , Hsu Chung-Yuan
Published: September 2020

Background. Hormonal changes had been found in menopausal women. Muscle and bone mass decline after menopause and with aging, increasing the risk for sarcopenia and osteoporosis in later life. Only a few studies suggest that menopausal hormonal changes have an effect on the decline in muscle mass. Objectives. This study aimed at evaluating the risk of muscle mass loss in menopausal women. Materials and Methods. Menopausal women from routine physical health examination were eligible for this study. Muscle mass was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 1 year later. All of the patients underwent the assessments for liver and kidney function, diabetes, and hypertension, and associated comorbidities were recorded. Results. A total of 172 patients were enrolled. 70 patients had muscle loss at 1 year, and the other 102 did not had loss. The mean age was 70.26±9.93 years at the muscle loss group, while 69.25±10.50 at the nonprogress group (p=0.531). The mean body mass index was 22.96±1.91 kg/m2 at the muscle loss group, while 23.33±3.71 kg/m2 at the nonprogress group (p=0.433). The baseline trunk limb fat mass ratio was 1.01±0.20 in the muscle loss group and 1.12±0.26 in the no muscle loss (p=0.004). Using muscle mass loss as the outcome, logistical regression analysis showed that a baseline trunk limb mass ratio could predict muscle loss, and a higher baseline trunk limb mass ratio was associated with less muscle loss, while a lower trunk limb mass ratio was associated with increased muscle mass loss (p=0.01). Conclusion. This is the first study to investigate the risk of muscle mass loss in menopausal women. Menopausal women with higher central fat had less muscle mass loss, while lower central fat was a risk factor for muscle mass loss. Chronic kidney disease was also a risk factor for muscle mass loss in menopausal women in this study.
Total Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, Dehydroascorbic Acid, Antioxidant Properties, and Iron Content of Underutilized and Commonly Consumed Fruits in Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeysuriya Hashini I. , Bulugahapitiya Vajira P. , Loku Pulukkuttige Jayatissa
Published: September 2020

Sri Lanka is rich in a wide diversity of fruits, but many are underutilized by the people in Sri Lanka despite their nutritional value. This is mainly due to little awareness of the palatability of many fruits and hence low popularity in the market. The present study aimed at providing comparative data on the main biochemical and nutritional parameters of thirty-seven (37) species of fruits grown in Sri Lanka, including 22 underutilized fruits and 15 commonly consumed fruits. The main parameters of the comparison were the contents of ascorbic acid (AA), total vitamin C (TVC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total iron (Fe), and antioxidant capacities (ACs). The mean AA, TVC, TPC, TFC, and Fe contents in 100 g of fresh edible portions of fruits ranged from 2.0 to 185.0 mg, 8.1 to 529.6 mg, 12.9 to 2701.7 mg gallic acid equivalent, 0.2 to 117.5 mg quercetin equivalents, and 0.1 to 1.1 mg, respectively. The IC50values in a DPPH assay varied between 0.8 to 1856.7 mg/mL and FRAP values in a FRAP assay ranged from 4.2 to 2070 μmol FeSO4/g in the studied fruits. Fruits were ranked based on the levels of the abovementioned biochemical properties. Using this ranking, 12 of the top 15 fruits were underutilized.Phyllanthus emblica(Indian gooseberry) is at the top of these underutilized fruits, andPsidium guajava(guava) is the best among commonly consumed fruits. These results indicate that underutilized fruits in Sri Lanka can be recommended as high quality and low-cost alternatives for securing nutritional requirements. Hence, underutilized fruits can be promoted as healthy additional fruits in Sri Lanka.
Unresectable Hepatic Metastasis of Uveal Melanoma: Hepatic Chemosaturation with High-Dose Melphalan—Long-Term Overall Survival Negatively Correlates with Tumor Burden
Authors: Brüning R. , Tiede M. , Schneider M. , Wohlmuth P. , Weilert H. , Oldhafer K. , Stang A.
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan (PHP-M) for hepatic metastasis of uveal melanoma (LMUM) achieves high local response rates, but the individual clinical benefit is poorly defined. We aimed to determine cofactors of response and clinical outcomes including the probability of long-term (5-years) overall survival (OS) in PHP-M-treated patients with LMUM. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological, radiological, and outcome data of 19 patients with unresectable LMUM treated with 43 PHP-M (median 2 PHP-M) between 2014 and 2019. Tumor response and adverse events were evaluated using RECIST 1.1 and the Clavien–Dindo classification. Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox regression hazard proportional models were used. Results. Of 19 patients, 10 (53%) achieved a partial response (PR) and 9 (47%) had stable disease (SD). There was no progressive disease (PD) and no adverse events exceeding Clavien–Dindo grade IV. Median OS was 16.7 months after the first PHP-M treatment and 26.4 months after initial diagnosis. Low hepatic tumor volume (median of 10 mL vs. 150 mL) was an independent predictor of favorable OS (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.190 (0.041, 0.893); p<0.05), and female patients were at a lower risk compared with males (0.146 (0.017, 1.240)). Estimates of the overall survival were 0.213 (0.0449, 1) from first imaging (95% confidence interval) to 5 years and 0.793 (0.609, 1) and 0.604 (0.380, 0.960) for 1 and 2 years after chemosaturation, respectively. Discussion. PHP-M for nonresectable LMUV provides a safe and locally efficient liver-directed procedure that offers patients a chance for long-term OS, especially for patients with a low hepatic tumor burden.
Breeding Habitat Distribution of Medically Important Mosquitoes in Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kegalle, and Kandy Districts of Sri Lanka and Potential Risk for Disease Transmission: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ranasinghe Koshila , Gunathilaka Nayana , Amarasinghe Deepika , Udayanga Lahiru
Published: September 2020

Some arbovirus infections, especially dengue, have increased rapidly over the last few decades in Sri Lanka. Prevalence and distribution of different mosquito species have been limitedly documented, which remains grossly inadequate in providing evidence for potential health risks. In this study, the diversity and species composition of mosquitoes in four selected districts in Sri Lanka (Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kegalle, and Kandy) were investigated. Entomological surveys were conducted from a total of 160 temporary and permanent mosquito breeding habitats identified in the study area from June 2017 to October 2018. Mosquito immature stages were sampled using standard dipping, siphoning, or pipetting methods and identified up to the species level. Percentage relative abundance and habitat characteristics such as species richness, dominance, and Shannon–Weiner diversity were calculated for each surveyed habitat type. Associations between co-occurring species were estimated by Hulbert’s coefficient of interspecific association (C8). A total of 4663 mosquito larvae belonging to seven genera and fifteen species of mosquitoes were collected. The relative distribution of mosquito species differed significantly among the four studied districts (X2 = 143.248; df = 33; P<0.001). According to Kruskal–Wallis statistics (P<0.05 at 95% of significance), all diversity indices for immature stages of medically important mosquitoes varied significantly across different breeding sites. Paddy fields had the significantly highest species richness of 4.0 ± 2.82. The coefficients of interspecific association among all the recorded medically important vector mosquitoes were found negative during the present study. The findings of the current study would be useful to identify the entomological potential for disease transmission and facilitate the implementation of appropriate vector control interventions. This would ultimately provide an avenue to improve the personal skills of health staff rather than limiting their knowledge to specified disease vectors, under which the control program is concerned.
Accuracy Evaluation of Advanced Geological Prediction Based on Improved AHP and GPR
Authors: Zheng Lifei , Li Xiaoqing , Liu Zitong , Huang Dan , Tang Zonglei
Published: September 2020

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is widely used in advanced geological prediction. It is necessary to choose a scientific and effective evaluation method to give a reasonable evaluation of the accuracy of prediction. In this paper, a method based on improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and GPR is proposed to evaluate the accuracy of advanced geological prediction. Based on the analysis and induction of the factors that affect the accuracy of GPR prediction, an improved AHP is proposed, in which a new measure of “numerical weight” is added and the principle of maximum membership degree is integrated, and an improved AHP model is established for GPR prediction accuracy classification and evaluation. The engineering application of Xiaobeishan Tunnel of Jie-Hui Highway is taken as a case study, and it is proved that the evaluation indices are easy to obtain and the evaluation results are accurate and reliable. The improved AHP-GPR method can be further used for other tunnel engineering.
The Influence of Soil Disintegration in Water on SlopeInstability and Failure
Authors: Qi Yongzheng , Guan Yunfei , Wang Liyan , Jiang Pengming , Zhang Guofu
Published: September 2020

The instability of the bank slope of the reservoir will cause great loss to the life and property of the people in the reservoir area. The landslide of the reservoir not only occurs in the period of water level plummeting, but also occurs in the period of water level rising. In this paper, the mechanism of slope landslide in the rising stage of water level was studied from the perspective of soil disintegration in water. A series of tests on the disintegration of prisms and cylinders with the same volume and different bottom side lengths (diameter) were carried out. The results show that the specific surface area of the same volume sample was different, and the disintegration behavior was different. The larger the specific surface area of the same shape sample was, the faster the disintegration speed was. The deeper the water depth was, the shorter the disintegration time was under the same initial conditions. It shows that when the water level of the reservoir rose, the deeper the water depth was, the greater the pore osmotic pressure was, and the more the soil mass of the slope collapsed. This led to the reduction of the pressure on the lower part of the slope, the decrease of the antisliding force of the soil, and the failure of the slope.
Natural Selection at the NHLH2 Core Promoter Exceptionally Long CA-Repeat in Human and Disease-Only Genotypes in Late-Onset Neurocognitive Disorder
Authors: Afshar Hossein , Adelirad Fatemeh , Kowsari Ali , Kalhor Naser , Delbari Ahmad , Najafipour Reza , Foroughan Mahshid , Bozorgmehr Ali , Khamse Safoura , Nazaripanah Neda , Ohadi Mina
Published: September 2020

Background: Approximately 2% of the human core promoter short tandem repeats (STRs) reach lengths of ≥6 repeats, which may in part be a result of adaptive evolutionary processes and natural selection. A single-exon transcript of the human nescient helix loop helix 2 (NHLH2) gene is flanked by the longest CA-repeat detected in a human protein-coding gene core promoter (Ensembl transcript ID: ENST00000369506.1). NHLH2 is involved in several biological and pathological pathways, such as motivated exercise, obesity, and diabetes. Methods: The allele and genotype distribution of the NHLH2 CA-repeat were investigated by sequencing in 655 Iranian subjects, consisting of late-onset neurocognitive disorder (NCD) as a clinical entity (n = 290) and matched controls (n = 365). The evolutionary trend of the CA-repeat was also studied across vertebrates. Results: The allele range was between 9 and 25 repeats in the NCD cases, and 12 and 24 repeats in the controls. At the frequency of 0.56, the 21-repeat allele was the predominant allele in the controls. While the 21-repeat was also the predominant allele in the NCD patients, we detected significant decline of the frequency (p < 0.0001) and homozygosity (p < 0.006) of this allele in this group. Furthermore, 12 genotypes were detected across 16 patients (5.5% of the entire NCD sample) and not in the controls (disease-only genotypes; p < 0.0003), consisting of at least one extreme allele. The extreme alleles were at 9, 12, 13, 18, and 19 repeats (extreme short end), and 23, 24, and 25 repeats (extreme long end), and their frequencies ranged between 0.001 and 0.04. The frequency of the 21-repeat allele significantly dropped to 0.09 in the disease-only genotype compartment (p < 0.0001). Evolutionarily, while the maximum length of the NHLH2 CA-repeat was 11 repeats in non-primates, this CA-repeat was ≥14 repeats in primates and reached maximum length in human. Conclusion: We propose a novel locus for late-onset NCD at the NHLH2 core promoter exceptionally long CA-STR and natural selection at this locus. Furthermore, there was indication of genotypes at this locus that unambiguously linked to late-onset NCD. This is the first instance of natural selection in favor of a predominantly abundant STR allele in human and its differential distribution in late-onset NCD.
Attenuation of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy by Escin in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Suryavanshi Sachin V. , Kulkarni Yogesh A.
Published: September 2020

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a least diagnosed complication of diabetes. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy and neuropathy. Escin has anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of escin in the management of CAN. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic animals were randomized in different groups after 6 weeks. Animals in the diabetic control group received no treatment, while animals in other groups received escin at dose 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks. One group was kept as normal control. Various parameters like basic hemodynamic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), oxidative stress parameters, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were assessed at the end of study. Escin significantly normalized hemodynamic parameters and HRV as compared to diabetic animals. Escin significantly reduced the malondialdehyde level and significantly increased reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels in diabetic animals. Escin treatment significantly reduced plasma MMP-9 level in diabetic rats. The improvement in the studied parameters was found mainly with administration of higher doses of escin (10 and 20 mg/kg). The escin treatment mitigates CAN in diabetic rats. The results of study indicate that escin can be useful option for management of CAN.