bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geodesic Distance Field-Based Process Planning for Five-Axis Machining of Complicated Parts
Authors: He Dong , Li Yamin , Li Zhaoyu , Tang Kai
Published: October 2020

A critical task in multi-pass process planning for the five-axis machining of complicated parts is to determine the intermediate surfaces for rough machining. Traditionally, the intermediate surfaces are simply parallel Z-level planes, and the machining is of the simplest three-axis type. However, for complicated parts, this so-called Z-level method lacks flexibility and causes isolated islands on layers, which require extraneous air movements by the tool. Moreover, the in-process workpiece machined according to the Z-level method suffers from the staircase effect, which often induces unstable dynamic problems on the tool-spindle system. In this paper, we propose a new method of planning a five-axis machining process for a complicated freeform solid part. In our method, the intermediate surfaces are no longer planar but curved, and they are intrinsically influenced by the convex hull of the part. The powerful algebraic tool of geodesic distance field is utilized to generate the desired intermediate surfaces, for which collision-free five-axis machining tool paths are then planned. In addition, we propose a novel idea of alternating between the roughing and finishing machining operations, which helps improve the stiffness of the in-process workpiece. Ample physical cutting experiments are performed, and the experimental results convincingly confirm the advantages of our method.
Design Space Exploration of Rotor Blades Accounting for Vibratory Responses by Indirect Emulation
Authors: Bunnell Spencer , Gorrell Steven , Salmon John
Published: October 2020

Turbomachines are an integral part of society, with global trends demanding more efficient designs while staying within structural limits. Fan blade designs must be designed for both steady and vibratory structural responses. Design space exploration (DSE) of turbomachinery blades allows improved designs to be found. DSE requires samples of vibratory responses. Traditionally, analysis to obtain these samples is too computationally expensive for thorough DSE. This work develops a simplified analysis method based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and harmonic mode superposition (HMS) finite element analysis (FEA). This reduces the computational cost and allows for enough samples to create surrogate models. This work also develops a surrogate method which indirectly emulates the vibratory responses to accurately handle the large spikes in vibratory stress found throughout the design space. It was found that combining these methods allows for accurate emulation of a fan blade design space while accounting for vibratory stress. The surrogates with improved accuracy allow better designs to be found while ensuring that those designs meet structural requirements.
Stability of oxygen-rich plasma-polymerized coatings in aqueous environment
Authors: Makhneva Ekaterina , Barillas Laura , Weltmann Klaus-Dieter , Fricke Katja
Published: October 2020

In this work, we report on the stability of oxygen-rich plasma-polymerized (pp) films in an aqueous environment. The pp films were deposited via atmospheric-pressure plasma jet treatment of polymerizable organic liquids. The monomers used for the plasma-assisted polymerization were tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane, and mixtures thereof. The pp films were deposited at different plasma input powers ranging from 3 to 7 W. The stability of the obtained pp films was studied upon long-time storage in pure water and in buffer solutions of pHs 4, 7, and 10. After 24 h of storage of the pp films in de-ionized water, all of the studied pp films experienced thickness losses along with the formation of various ringlike structures at their surface, whereas Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) analysis showed no changes in their chemical composition. The pp films stored in pH 10 were completely delaminated from the substrate surface, while the pp films stored for 24 h in pH 4 showed swelling behavior, partial delamination, and the formation of wrinkles at the coatings’ surface. The pp films stored for 24 h in pH 7 experienced minor thickness losses and formation of wrinkles at their surface. FT-IR analysis of the pp films stored in buffer solutions of pH 4 and pH 7 showed a decrease of C=O and an increase of O—H stretching signals in all of the cases. The observed chemical changes corresponded to the hydrolysis of esters presented in the pp films’ structure.
Speeding protons with metal vacancies
Authors: Wang Fengmei , He Jun
Published: October 2020

Membranes made from nanosheets derived from CdPS
3
have high proton conductivity
Paolo Sassone-Corsi (1956–2020)
Authors: Verdin Eric
Published: October 2020

Groundbreaking molecular biologist and epigeneticist
Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria from American Crows in the United States
Authors: Kutilova Iva , Valcek Adam , Papagiannitsis Costas C. , Cejkova Darina , Masarikova Martina , Paskova Veronika , Davidova-Gerzova Lenka , Videnska Petra , Hrabak Jaroslav , Literak Ivan , Dolejska Monika
Published: October 2020

Wild corvids were examined for the presence of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria in the United States. A total of 13 isolates were detected among 590 fecal samples of American crow; 11
Providencia rettgeri
isolates harboring
bla
IMP-27
on the chromosome as a class 2 integron gene cassette within the Tn
7
transposon, 1
Klebsiella pneumoniae
ST258 isolate carrying
bla
KPC-2
on a pKpQIL-like plasmid as a part of Tn
4401a
, and 1
Enterobacter bugandensis
isolate with
bla
IMI-1
located within EcloIMEX-2.
Supplemental Material: Development of an intra-carbonate detachment during thrusting: The variable influence of pressure solution on deformation style, Khao Khwang Fold and Thrust Belt, Thailand
Authors: Morley C.K. , al. et
Published: October 2020

Additional descriptions of outcrop data, thin sections, and limestone composition.
Bloom’s syndrome with growth hormone deficiency: a rare association
Authors: Verpula Madhavi , Danda Vijay Sheker Reddy , Paidipally Srinivas Rao , Konda Chaitanya
Published: October 2020

We report a case of a 5-year-old boy presenting to us with short stature. He was born of consanguineous parentage and was small for gestational age. He had severe short stature, with height Z score of −6.2 SD Score, markedly delayed skeletal age, low level of insulin-like growth factor 1, unstimulated growth hormone and hypoplastic anterior pituitary gland on MRI. He was advised growth hormone (GH) replacement at 2 years of age, but he did not receive it . Later on, he developed photosensitive telangiectatic lesions over face and required multiple hospital admissions for recurrent systemic infections. Genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Bloom’s syndrome. The present case report illustrates the need for high vigilance for conditions like Bloom’s syndrome in growth hormone deficiency (GHD), in whom GH treatment could potentially be harmful. Bloom’s syndrome with GHD is an exceedingly rare association.
Reappraisal of haemorrhagic suprasellar pilocytic astrocytoma during adulthood
Authors: Cortez Gustavo M , Monteiro Andre , Ludwig Benjamin , Hanel Ricardo
Published: October 2020

Pilocytic astrocytomas comprise the most common central nervous system tumour during childhood and have an excellent response to surgical treatment in this population. The tumour incidence decreases with age, whereas more aggressive behaviour tends to increase. Haemorrhage as a presenting feature of pilocytic astrocytomas is a rare phenomenon, especially in the adult population. We present a case of a 55-year-old patient with progressive headaches and dizziness. MRI confirmed a sellar and predominantly retrochiasmal suprasellar lesion with heterogeneous signal, enhancement and blood products. Management via transsphenoidal approach was performed, and histopathology revealed the unexpected diagnosis of haemorrhagic pilocytic astrocytoma. Haemorrhagic pilocytic astrocytoma is an infrequent entity in the adult population and it is essential to recognise the peculiarities regarding diagnostic evaluation and management, which differ from the paediatric population. During adulthood, this tumour carries an overall unfavourable prognosis, with higher rates of progression and recurrence.
Development of bullous lung disease in a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonitis
Authors: Berhane Samuel , Tabor Adam , Sahu Ajay , Singh Anand , Phillips Rebecca
Published: October 2020

A 60-year-old man presented with sudden onset right-sided chest pain and gradually worsening shortness of breath on exertion. Eleven days earlier, he had an admission with COVID-19 pneumonitis requiring 8 days of continuous positive airway pressure. He was tachypnoeic with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min, oxygen saturations on room air of 91%. Examination revealed reduced air entry and a resonant percussion note over the right hemithorax. Chest radiograph suggested a complex right pneumothorax; however, a CT chest was notable for widespread right-sided bullous lung disease. After a day of observation on a COVID-19 ward (and a repeat radiograph with a stable appearance), he was discharged with a 2-week follow-up with the respiratory team, safety netting advice and ambulatory oxygen. This case suggests that bullous lung disease may be a complication of severe COVID-19 pneumonitis.
Follicular eruption as a cutaneous manifestation in COVID-19
Authors: Danarti Retno , Budiarso Aries , Rini Dionisia Lintang Unggul , Soebono Hardyanto
Published: October 2020

A 50-year-old man presented to our dermatology clinic with itchy skin rash. The rash began 5 days after systemic symptoms appeared such as mild fever and mild dyspnoea. The rashes were a characteristic of follicular eruption, which started on his stomach and spread all over his body. After a thorough evaluation, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was started on COVID-19 regimens. Skin lesions disappeared on the ninth day of treatment. Our findings contribute to the growing awareness of dermatological manifestations in patients with COVID-19.
Visual impairment in rural and migrant Chinese school-going children: prevalence, severity, correction and associations
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhang Xinwu , He Fei , Ma Xiaochen , Yi Hongmei , Rose Nathan , Medina Alexis , Rozelle Scott , Congdon Nathan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To describe changes in the prevalence of visual impairment and glasses ownership with age and as associated with income and population density for visual impairment among rural and urban migrant Chinese students.

Design

Meta-analysis of 12 cross-sectional, school-based studies conducted between 2012 and 2017.

Setting

Rural and urban migrant schools in seven Chinese provinces.

Participants

A total of 83 273 rural and urban migrant Chinese students aged 6–17 years.

Results

Prevalence of visual impairment (uncorrected visual acuity ≤6/12 in either eye) rose from 19.0% at age 6 to 66.9% at 17, with the overall age-adjusted prevalence higher for girls (35.8%) than for boys (30.1%, p<0.001). The rate of glasses ownership among students who needed them increased from 13.0% at age 6 to 63.9% (p<0.001) at 17 and was significantly higher for girls (37.0%) than boys (34.7%, p<0.001). The unmet need for glasses as a proportion of the student population peaked in junior high school (31.8%). A 1% increase in per capita gross domestic product was associated with a 4.45% rise in uncorrected visual acuity (R2=0.057, p=0.020). Population density was significantly associated with glasses ownership among children (R2=0.359, p=0.012). A 1% population density increase was associated with an increase in the glasses ownership rate of 6.83%.

Conclusion

Efforts are needed to improve vision screening coverage in China’s schools, particularly junior high schools, as this is when many rural children leave school and glasses coverage is lowest.
Factors promoting sustainability of NURHI programme activities in Ilorin and Kaduna, Nigeria: findings from a qualitative study among health facility staff
Authors: Olumide Adesola Oluwafunmilola , McGuire Courtney , Calhoun Lisa , Speizer Ilene , Babawarun Tolulope , Ojengbede Oladosu
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) was implemented in six urban sites in Nigeria from 2009 to early 2015. Under a second phase (NURHI-2), activities ceased operations in four of the original six sites in 2015 (Ilorin, Abuja, Benin City and Zaria), and continued in two sites (Kaduna and Ibadan). This paper examines the sustainability of facility-based intervention activities implemented under NURHI-1 in Ilorin and Kaduna.

Methods

A qualitative study that used in-depth interviews was conducted with 31 service providers purposively selected from 10 of the NURHI-1 intervention facilities in Ilorin and six in Kaduna. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcripts uploaded into ATLAS.ti for analysis. Structured observations to document renovations implemented during the NURHI-1 interventions were also conducted in the health facilities.

Results

Family planning (FP) awareness creation within the facilities and integration of FP into existing maternal and child health and HIV services, were sustained in both cities. The majority of the equipment supplied as part of the NURHI 72-hour clinic makeover were still functional in both cities. Respondents in both cities reported that FP awareness and demand were sustained. On the whole, challenges with sustaining activities were reported more among respondents in Ilorin than Kaduna. In Ilorin, NURHI outreach activities and trainings, had discontinued while in Kaduna, they were no longer being implemented to the same degree as occurred during NURHI-1. Inadequate funds was a major reason for discontinued activities in both cities while integration of FP into existing services enhanced sustainability.

Conclusions

Many activities were not sustained in Ilorin compared with Kaduna although FP awareness and demand remained high in both cities. Integration of FP into existing services promoted sustainability in Ilorin and Kaduna. A gradual closeout of donor projects with concomitant input from government and indigenous institutions could be useful in sustaining donor activities.
Prevalence and correlates of mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders among deaf children and adolescents: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Swanepoel Brandon , Swartz Leslie , Gericke Renate , Mall Sumaya
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Little is known of the prevalence and correlates of mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders among deaf children and adolescents. Research suggests that this is a vulnerable population group at high risk of these disorders. However, little is known of correlates of prevalence estimates of these mental disorders and it seems that heterogeneous tools have been used to derive these estimates. Given the heterogeneity of studies measuring the prevalence and correlates of mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders among deaf children and adolescents, we seek to systematically examine and synthesise observational epidemiological evidence in this area to articulate a more detailed account of these symptoms and disorders and their correlates among this population group.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic search of the following electronic databases to identify published observational epidemiological studies examining the prevalence and correlates of mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders among deaf children and adolescents: EBSCOhost, ERIC, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMED, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS and Web of Science. As research in this area is limited, eight databases have been included to widen our search to include as many articles as possible. The search terms will be related to mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders as well as deaf children and adolescents. Two reviewers will review and extract data from each article independently and, where relevant, discuss differences to reach consensus. Additionally, the reviewers will assess overall study quality and risk of bias using a quality appraisal scale. Findings from studies will be synthesised to produce a quantitative review that summarises existing evidence on mental and neurodevelopmental symptoms and disorders among deaf children and adolescents and their correlates. The publication date of studies will not be restricted so that as much data as possible that fit our inclusion criteria can be sourced. We will conduct our searches between August 2020 and March 2021.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review will use publicly available data and therefore does not require a direct ethical review. The protocol was however submitted for ethics waiver clearance with Stellenbosch University Health Research Ethics Committee. The protocol will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. The review protocol was registered with the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of systematic reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020189403.
Effects of sleep quality on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Anzai Yukio , Kuroda Masahito , Kokubun Masae , Kondo Yuichiro , Ogata Takashi , Fujita Masashi , Hayashi Manabu , Imaizumi Hiromichi , Abe Kazumichi , Tanji Nobuo , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: October 2020

Background

The effects of sleep quality on the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between sleep quality and NAFLD.

Methods

The data of 4828 participants who underwent health check-ups at four hospitals were analysed. Sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which comprised seven elements scored from 0 to 3. The global PSQI score and the score for each element were compared between NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups separately by sex. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between NAFLD and each PSQI score.

Results

In both men and women, the mean PSQI score for sleep medication use was significantly higher in non-NAFLD than in NAFLD. With regard to sleep medication use in men, the OR (95% CI) for NAFLD was lower with a score of 3 (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.95) than with a score of 0 on multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, smoking habits and physical activity. The OR for NAFLD based on daytime dysfunction was also higher with a score of 3 than with a score of 0 in both men (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.39–5.75) and women (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.10–3.92). After adjustment for body mass index, the sleep latency scores in men and daytime dysfunction in women were associated with NAFLD.

Conclusion

Sleep quality was associated with NAFLD, and there were sex differences.
Cohort profile: CROSS-TRACKS: a population-based open cohort across healthcare sectors in Denmark
Authors: Riis Anders Hammerich , Kristensen Pia Kjær , Petersen Matilde Grøndahl , Ebdrup Ninna Hinchely , Lauritsen Simon Meyer , Jørgensen Marianne Johansson
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper describes the open cohort CROSS-TRACKS, which comprises population-based data from primary care, secondary care and national registries to study patient pathways and transitions across sectors while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Participants

A total of 221 283 individuals resided in the four Danish municipalities that constituted the catchment area of Horsens Regional Hospital in 2012–2018. A total of 96% of the population used primary care, 35% received at least one transfer payment and 66% was in contact with a hospital at least once in the period. Additional clinical information is available for hospital contacts (eg, alcohol intake, smoking status, body mass index and blood pressure). A total of 23% (n=8191) of individuals aged ≥65 years had at least one potentially preventable hospital admission, and 73% (n=5941) of these individuals had more than one.

Findings to date

The cohort is currently used for research projects in epidemiology and artificial intelligence. These projects comprise a prediction model for potentially preventable hospital admissions, a clinical decision support system based on artificial intelligence, prevention of medication errors in the transition between sectors, health behaviour and sociodemographic characteristics of men and women prior to fertility treatment, and a recently published study applying machine learning methods for early detection of sepsis.

Future plans

The CROSS-TRACKS cohort will be expanded to comprise the entire Central Denmark Region consisting of 1.3 million residents. The cohort can provide new knowledge on how to best organise interventions across healthcare sectors and prevent potentially preventable hospital admissions. Such knowledge would benefit both the individual citizen and society as a whole.
Validation of handheld fundus camera with mydriasis for retinal imaging of diabetic retinopathy screening in China: a prospective comparison study
Authors: Xiao Baixiang , Liao Qinghua , Li Yanping , Weng Fan , Jin Ling , Wang Yanfang , Huang Wenyong , Yi Jinglin , Burton Matthew J , Yip Jennifer LY
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate the clinical validity of using a handheld fundus camera to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) in China.

Design and settings

Prospective comparison study of the handheld fundus camera with a standard validated instrument in detection of DR in hospital and a community screening clinic in Guangdong Province, China.

Participants

Participants aged 18 years and over with diabetes who were able to provide informed consent and agreed to attend the dilated eye examination with handheld tests and a standard desktop camera.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome was the proportion of those with referable DR (R2 and above) identified by the handheld fundus camera (the index test) compared with the standard camera. Secondary outcome was the comparison of proportion of gradable images obtained from each test.

Results

In this study, we examined 304 people (608 eyes) with each of the two cameras under mydriasis. The handheld camera detected 119 eyes (19.5%) with some level of DR, 81 (13.3%) of them were referable, while the standard camera detected 132 eyes (21.7%) with some level of DR and 83 (13.7%) were referable. It seems that the standard camera found more eyes with referable DR, although McNemar’s test detected no significant difference between the two cameras.

Of the 608 eyes with images obtained by desktop camera, 598 (98.4%) images were of sufficient quality for grading, 12 (1.9%) images were not gradable. By the handheld camera, 590 (97.0%) were gradable and 20 (3.2%) images were not gradable.

The two cameras reached high agreement on diagnosis of retinopathy and maculopathy at all the levels of retinopathy.

Conclusion

Although it could not take the place of standard desktop camera on clinic fundus examination, the handheld fundus camera showed promising role on preliminary DR screening at primary level in China. To ensure quality images, mydriasis is required.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with aortic coarctation
Authors: Ramlakhan Karishma P , Tobler Daniel , Greutmann Matthias , Schwerzmann Markus , Baris Lucia , Yetman Anji T , Nihoyannopoulos Petros , Manga Pravin , Boersma Eric , Maggioni Aldo P , Johnson Mark R , Hall Roger , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W
Published: October 2020

Objective

Pregnancy in women with aortic coarctation (CoA) has an estimated moderately increased risk (mWHO II–III) of adverse cardiovascular, obstetric or fetal events, but prospective data to validate this risk classification are scarce. We examined pregnancy outcomes and identified associations with adverse outcomes.

Methods

Pregnancies in women with CoA were selected from the worldwide prospective Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease (ROPAC, n=303 out of 5739), part of the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme. The frequency of and associations with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and hypertensive disorders (pregnancy-induced hypertension, (pre-)eclampsia or haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome) were analysed.

Results

Of 303 pregnancies (mean age 30 years, pregnancy duration 39 weeks), 9.6% involved unrepaired CoA and 27.1% were in women with pre-existing hypertension. No maternal deaths or aortic dissections occurred. MACE occurred in 13 pregnancies (4.3%), of which 10 cases were of heart failure (3.3%). Univariable associations with MACE included prepregnancy clinical signs of heart failure (OR 31.8, 95% CI 6.8 to 147.7), left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (OR 10.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 59.5), New York Heart Association class >1 (OR 11.4, 95% CI 3.6 to 36.3) and cardiac medication use (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 18.3). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy occurred in 16 (5.3%), cardiac medication use being their only predictor (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 9.6). Premature births were 9.1%, caesarean section was performed in 49.7% of pregnancies. Of 4 neonatal deaths, 3 were after spontaneous extreme preterm birth.

Conclusions

The ROPAC data show low MACE and hypertensive disorder rates during pregnancy in women with CoA, suggesting pregnancy to be more safe and better tolerated than previously appreciated.
Paramedic delivery of bad news: a novel dilemma during the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Campbell Iain
Published: October 2020

As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, paramedics in the UK face unprecedented challenges in the care of acutely unwell patients and their family members. This article will describe and discuss a new ethical dilemma faced by clinicians in the out-of-hospital environment during this time, namely the delivery of bad news to family members who are required to remain at home and self-isolate while the critically unwell patient is transported to hospital. I will discuss some failings of current practice and reflect on some of the ethical and practical challenges confronting paramedics in these circumstances. I conclude by making three recommendations: first, that dedicated pastoral outreach teams ought to be set up during pandemics to assist family members of patients transported to hospital; second, I offer a framework for how bad news can be delivered during a lockdown in a less damaging way; and finally, that a new model of bad news delivery more suited for unplanned, time-pressured care should be developed.
SIRT3 alleviates neuropathic pain by deacetylating FoxO3a in the spinal dorsal horn of diabetic model rats
Authors: Zhou Chenghua , Zhang Yufeng , Jiao Xiaowei , Wang Guizhi , Wang Ruiyao , Wu Yuqing
Published: October 2020

Background

The underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain remain unclear. This work aimed to investigate the role of Sirtuin3 (SIRT3), an nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide+-dependent histone deacetylase, in the development of neuropathic pain induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the associated mechanisms.

Methods

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in rats was induced by high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin. The pain behaviors were examined using the von Frey and Hargreaves tests. The levels of SIRT3, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined using Western blot and RT-qPCR. The acetylation, phosphorylation and ubiquitination of forkhead box class O3a (FoxO3a) were analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western blot.

Results

SIRT3 expression and activity were significantly reduced in the spinal dorsal horn of DNP model rats. Overexpression of spinal SIRT3 reversed the pain hypersensitivity in the DNP model rats, but knockdown of spinal SIRT3 mimicked the pain effect, eliciting pain hypersensitivity in normal rats. Moreover, overexpression of spinal SIRT3 in DNP model rats increased the FoxO3a level and upregulated the antioxidant genes MnSOD and CAT by deacetylating FoxO3a and inhibiting FoxO3a phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Knockdown of spinal SIRT3 in normal rats decreased the FoxO3a level and downregulated MnSOD and CAT by inhibiting the deacetylation of FoxO3a and further increasing FoxO3a phosphorylation and ubiquitination.

Conclusions

These results suggest that, by deacetylating FoxO3a and further reducing its phosphorylation, ubiquitination and degradation in the spinal dorsal horn, SIRT3 stabilizes FoxO3a protein and inhibits oxidative stress, resulting in pain alleviation in T2DM model rats.
Michelle Jane Smithers
Authors: Rayment‐Dyble Louise
Published: October 2020

A popular vet with a generous nature and a kind heart, she was a competent surgeon with many talents and she brought a ray of sunshine to many lives.
Kantowski–Sachs cosmology, Weyl geometry, and asymptotic safety in quantum gravity
Authors: Castro Perelman Carlos
Published: October 2020

A brief review of the essentials of asymptotic safety and the renormalization group (RG) improvement of the Schwarzschild black hole that removes the r = 0 singularity is presented. It is followed with a RG improvement of the Kantowski–Sachs metric associated with a Schwarzschild black hole interior such that there is no singularity at t = 0 due to the running Newtonian coupling G(t) vanishing at t = 0. Two temporal horizons at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are found. For times below the Planck scale t < t P, and above the Hubble time t > t H, the components of the Kantowski–Sachs metric exhibit a key sign change, so the roles of the spatial z and temporal t coordinates are exchanged, and one recovers a repulsive inflationary de Sitter-like core around z = 0, and a Schwarzschild-like metric in the exterior region z > R H = 2G o M. The inclusion of a running cosmological constant Λ(t) follows. We proceed with the study of a dilaton-gravity (scalar–tensor theory) system within the context of Weyl’s geometry that permits singling out the expression for the classical potential [Formula: see text], instead of being introduced by hand, and find a family of metric solutions that are conformally equivalent to the (anti) de Sitter metric. To conclude, an ansatz for the truncated effective average action of ordinary dilaton gravity in Riemannian geometry is introduced, and a RG-improved cosmology based on the Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric is explored where instead of recurring to the cutoff identification k = k(t) = ξH(t), based on the Hubble function H(t), with ξ a positive constant, one now has [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text] is a positive-definite dilaton scalar field that is monotonically decreasing with time.
The chirality-flow formalism
Authors: Lifson Andrew , Reuschle Christian , Sjodahl Malin
Published: October 2020

We take a fresh look at Feynman diagrams in the spinor-helicity formalism. Focusing on tree-level massless QED and QCD, we develop a new and conceptually simple graphical method for their calculation. In this pictorial method, which we dub the chirality-flow formalism, Feynman diagrams are directly represented in terms of chirality-flow lines corresponding to spinor inner products, without the need to resort to intermediate algebraic manipulations.
Hierarchical controlled quantum communication via the χ state under noisy environment
Authors: Wang Nian-Nian , Ma Song-Ya , Li Xiang
Published: October 2020

Wang et al. first studied hierarchical quantum information splitting of an arbitrary single-qubit state via the [Formula: see text] state as the entangled channel. There exists a hierarchy among the three receivers as far as the power to recover the teleported state is concerned. But the scheme is considered in ideal environment. In this paper, we reinvestigate the scheme in amplitude-damping and phase-damping noises. The fidelity and average fidelity are adopted to quantify the effect of noise. It is found that they are both dependent on the coefficients of the teleported state and the noise parameter. Moreover, we put forward a novel deterministic scheme to realize hierarchical controlled remote preparation of an arbitrary single-qubit state. Comparing with the previous scheme via the [Formula: see text] state, the sender does not need to perform information dividing due to the subtly constructed measurement basis. We also consider the proposed scheme under noisy environment.
On the stability of two-flavor and three-flavor quark matter in quark stars within the framework of NJL model
Authors: Wang Qianyi , Zhao Tong , Zong Hongshi
Published: October 2020

Following our recently proposed self-consistent mean field approximation approach, we have done some researches on the chiral phase transition of strong interaction matter within the framework of Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. The chiral susceptibility and equation of state (EOS) are computed in this work for both two-flavor and three-flavor quark matter for contrast. The Pauli–Villars scheme, which can preserve gauge invariance, is used in this paper. Moreover, whether the three-flavor quark matter is more stable than the two-flavor quark matter or not in quark stars is discussed in this work. In our model, when the bag constant are the same, the two-flavor quark matter has a higher pressure than the three-flavor quark matter, which is different from what Witten proposed in his pioneering work.
Interactions solutions of various-type rogue with multi-stripe solitons and breather lump for the (2+1)-dimensional Maccari’s system
Authors: Wu Jian-Wen , Deng Yue-Jun , Lin Ji
Published: October 2020

In this work, we consider the (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional Maccari’s system, which is frequently introduced to describe the motion of the solitary waves. Abundant lump, line rogue wave, and dipole-type rogue wave are constructed by taking the ansatz method. Furthermore, the mixed interaction solutions between lump and multi-stripe solitons (such as fission and fusion) are obtained in combining rational function with exponential function. In particular, an interesting result is obtained: a rogue wave is excited from multi-stripe solitons.
A Dream that has Come True: Chaos from a Nonlinear Circuit with a Real Memristor
Authors: Volos Christos K. , Pham Viet-Thanh , Nistazakis Hector E. , Stouboulos Ioannis N.
Published: October 2020

In the last decade, researchers, who work in the field of nonlinear circuits, have the “dream” to use a real memristor, which is the only nonlinear fundamental circuit element, in a new or other reported nonlinear circuit in literature, in order to experimentally investigate chaos. With this intention, for the first time, a well-known nonlinear circuit, in which its nonlinear element has been replaced with a commercially available memristor (KNOWM memristor), is presented in this work. Interesting phenomena concerning chaos theory, such as period-doubling route to chaos, coexisting attractors, one-scroll and double-scroll chaotic attractors are experimentally observed.
Hopf Bifurcation and Stability Crossing Curve in a Planktonic Resource–Consumer System with Double Delays
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Guo Yanfen
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a planktonic resource–consumer system with two delays is investigated and the coefficients depend on [Formula: see text] one of the two delays. Firstly, the property of solution and the existence of equilibrium are given. The dynamical analysis of the system including stability and Hopf bifurcation by using the delays as parameters is carried out. Both the single delay and two delays can cause the system to produce Hopf bifurcation and the stable switching phenomena may exist. Furthermore, using the crossing curve methods, we obtain the stable changes of equilibrium in two-delay parameter plane, which generalizes the results of the system that the coefficients do not depend on delay. Furthermore, the numerical simulation results show that the theoretical analyses are correct when the delays change.
Logical Chaotic Resonance in a Bistable System
Authors: Yao Yuangen , Ma Jun
Published: October 2020

In this work, we demonstrate a new chaotic signal-induced phenomenon that the output of a chaotic signal-driven bistable system can be consistently mapped to specific logic gate operation in an optimal window of chaotic signal intensity. We term this phenomenon logical chaotic resonance (LCR). Then, an intuitive interpretation for LCR phenomenon is given based on potential well map and mean first-passage time. Through LCR mechanism, the chaotic signal with proper intensity is used to obtain reliable logical gate in the bistable system. Besides, appropriately increasing the chaotic signal intensity can effectively improve the response speed of the bistable system to the change of input signal. Finally, the role of chaotic signal in enhancing the capacity of resisting disturbance of parameters is demonstrated.
A New Formulation of a Hénon–Heiles Potential with Additional Singular Gravitational Terms
Authors: Zotos Euaggelos E. , Chen Wei , Navarro Juan F. , Saeed Tareq
Published: October 2020

We examine the orbital dynamics in a new Hénon–Heiles system with an additional gravitational potential, by classifying sets of starting conditions of trajectories. Specifically, we obtain the results on how the total orbital energy along with the transition parameter influence the overall dynamics of the massless test particle, as well as the respective time of escape/collision. By using modern diagrams with color codes we manage to present the different types of basins of the system. We show that the character of the orbits is highly dependent on the energy and the transition parameter.
Bratteli diagrams via the De Concini–Procesi theorem
Authors: Mundici Daniele
Published: October 2020

An AF algebra [Formula: see text] is said to be an AF[Formula: see text] algebra if the Murray–von Neumann order of its projections is a lattice. Many, if not most, of the interesting classes of AF algebras existing in the literature are AF[Formula: see text] algebras. We construct an algorithm which, on input a finite presentation (by generators and relations) of the Elliott semigroup of an AF[Formula: see text] algebra [Formula: see text], generates a Bratteli diagram of [Formula: see text] We generalize this result to the case when [Formula: see text] has an infinite presentation with a decidable word problem, in the sense of the classical theory of recursive group presentations. Applications are given to a large class of AF algebras, including almost all AF algebras whose Bratteli diagram is explicitly described in the literature. The core of our main algorithms is a combinatorial-polyhedral version of the De Concini–Procesi theorem on the elimination of points of indeterminacy in toric varieties.
The Dunlin, Dunlin SW, Osprey and Merlin fields, Blocks 211/23 and 211/24, UK North Sea
Authors: Ball R. , Gluyas J.
Published: October 2020

Located 160 km NE of the Shetland Islands in the East Shetland Basin, the Dunlin Cluster comprises four produced fields, Dunlin, Dunlin SW, Osprey and Merlin, in addition to some near-field satellite discoveries, Skye and Block 6.

Dunlin was discovered in July 1973 and production began in August 1978. The field was developed using a concrete gravity-base platform, Dunlin Alpha, which also served as the production facility for the rest of the Dunlin Cluster. Osprey was discovered in 1974 but not tied-in until January 1991. Dunlin SW was discovered in 1973 but not brought onto production until 1996. Merlin was discovered in February 1997 and tied-in later that same year.

Fairfield Energy acquired the Dunlin Cluster in 2008, and a programme of investment and facilities improvements, primarily in fuel gas infrastructure and power generation, sought to boost water-injection rates and bolster production, thereby extending the life of the asset. Ultimately, the Dunlin Cluster ceased production on 15 June 2015 after having maximized economic hydrocarbon recovery. The total Dunlin Cluster production exceeded 500 MMbbl of oil (Dunlin and Dunlin SW, 395 MMbbl oil; Osprey, 92 MMbbl oil; and Merlin, 27 MMbbl oil).
The Acorn and Beechnut fields, Blocks 29/8a(S), 29/8b, 29/9a(S) and 29/9b, UK North Sea
Authors: Hagen F. , Gluyas J. G. , Goffey G.
Published: October 2020

Unocal discovered the Acorn South Field with wells 29/8b-2 and 29/8b-2s in 1983. The well and its side-track found a small accumulation of oil in Upper Jurassic, Fulmar Formation sandstones in an inter-pod setting. Well 29/8b-3 drilled two years later on what was thought to be the same structure found Acorn North, a larger accumulation of oil in a Triassic Skagerrak Formation reservoir on the crest of a Triassic pod. Premier discovered the Beechnut Field two years later, well 29/9b-2 finding oil in the Fulmar and Skagerrak formations in a faulted, inter-pod setting. Both Acorn and Beechnut are deep, high-pressure and high-temperature fields with complex reservoir stratigraphy due to halokinesis during sedimentation and post-depositional structuration. The Skagerrak Formation reservoir in Acorn North is appreciably poorer than similar-age reservoirs further north whilst the Fulmar Formation in Beechnut is relatively poorly developed.

Acorn's mid-case oil in place is 90 MMbbl in the Skagerrak Formation and 13 MMbbl in the Fulmar Formation and, for Beechnut, is 15 MMbbl in the Fulmar Formation. Neither field has been developed. Limiting factors include the resource size, variable reservoir development (Beechnut), modest reservoir quality (Acorn North), compartmentalization concerns and development costs.
The Goldeneye Field, Blocks 14/29a and 20/4b, UK North Sea
Authors: Stewart Nicola , Marshall John D.
Published: October 2020

The Goldeneye gas-condensate field lies in the Moray Firth Basin in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) approximately 100 km off the NE coast of Scotland. The field was discovered in 1996 as a normally pressured accumulation with estimated gas-initially-in-place (GIIP) of 810 bcf with a thin oil rim in the Lower Cretaceous Captain Sandstone Member in a three-way, dip-closed structure. Field development included five production wells, with first gas achieved in 2004. Goldeneye was steadily produced under moderate aquifer support until cessation of production (COP) in 2010 following water breakthrough at the wells. Over its lifetime Goldeneye has produced 568 bcf of gas and 23 MMbbl of condensate.

Around the time of COP, the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Commercialisation Competition was announced, and Goldeneye was evaluated as a candidate. The removal of significant volumes of hydrocarbons through production left remaining capacity that could be refilled without reservoir pressure significantly exceeding virgin conditions. However, following withdrawal of funding from the UK Government in 2015, the project was put on hold. Since then additional subsurface work has been conducted to support the successful abandonment of the development wells, which had previously been suspended since 2010.
UKCS exploration: 50 years and counting
Authors: Rouillard Pierrick , Bagley Graeme , Moseley David , Myers Keith , Harding Alyson
Published: October 2020

Exploration drilling activity, discovery history and creaming curves in the offshore UK are analysed for each UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) basin and each play in the North Sea from the earliest wells drilled in 1965 until the end of 2017. Around 52 Bboe of commercially recoverable oil and gas has been discovered, with around half of this volume found in the first 10 years of exploration.

UKCS exploration plays are generally at a mature or super-mature stage and the exploration challenges reflect this. Although technical success rates have steadily increased since the 1990s, pool sizes are becoming smaller. In the last 10 years the average commercial discovery size has been 27 MMboe recoverable, and since 2010 only 10% of discoveries have been bigger than 43 MMboe recoverable. The UK Oil and Gas Authority's 6 Bboe mid-case yet-to-find estimate, as published in 2018, would take 40 years to unlock at the current rate of discovery.

Future exploration in the mature UKCS is intertwined with prolonging the life of production infrastructure and is increasingly dependent on the development of new low-cost development concepts. Increased focus on the search for subtle traps, and more reliable pre-drill risk and volume estimation through improved benchmarking and calibration will be key to future exploration success.
The Chestnut Field, Block 22/2a, UK North Sea
Authors: van Oorschot R. , Fletcher A. , Basford H. , Stuart A.
Published: October 2020

The Chestnut oilfield was discovered in 1986 and lies within Block 22/2a, Licence P354, of the UK Central North Sea. The field is approximately 7 km south of the Britannia gas condensate field and 8 km SE of the Alba oilfield on the southern edge of the Witch Ground Graben. The field comprises injected Lower Eocene Nauchlan sandstone encased within Horda Formation shales. The Chestnut Field began production in 2008 through the Hummingbird floating production vessel by means of two producer wells and one injector well. The complex reservoir geometries present seismic imaging challenges, and production data have indicated a larger connected volume than mapped from seismic data. In 2017, an infill producer well was drilled to arrest production decline. This well proved the presence and connectivity of sandstone beyond the field interior and increased confidence in using seismic data for predicting the injectite reservoir distribution.
The Captain Field, Block 13/22a, UK North Sea
Authors: Hodgins B. , Moy D. J. , Carnicero P. A.
Published: October 2020

The Captain Field in Block 13/22a is in the Moray Firth region of the UK North Sea. The primary reservoirs are Lower Cretaceous turbidite sandstones of the Captain Sandstone Member. Upper Jurassic shallower-marine Heather Formation sandstones of Oxfordian age provide a secondary reservoir. Total oil in place exceeds 1 Bbbl; however, the oil is heavy and viscous, requiring the continuous application of innovative technologies to maximize economic recovery from the field. Captain has been producing since 1997, with reservoir waterflood planned from the outset. Captain has been developed using long horizontal producers to maximize reservoir contact. Water injectors provide pressure support, with the aim of full voidage replacement. The Captain development has been phased with facilities consisting of two bridge-linked platforms, a floating production, storage and offloading vessel, and two subsea manifolds. Peak oil rate (100 000 boepd) was achieved in 2002. Average production in 2019 was 28 000 boepd. Captain is executing a chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project, a first for the UK North Sea. Conventional waterflood yields an estimated ultimate recovery of 30–40%. Chemical EOR is expected to improve this by 5–20% in areas of the reservoir under polymer flood.